What We Do
Our work centers on original research, public interpretation, and the preservation of historical evidence related to the Pennsylvania Reserves and their service during the Civil War.
Research
Conducting original archival and genealogical research to document the men and units of the Pennsylvania Reserves.
Preservation
Supporting the preservation of gravesites, monuments, and historical records to ensure accurate remembrance.
Public Education
Sharing research and interpretation through articles, exhibits, and programs accessible to the public.
Featured Research
Selected articles and research projects drawn from our ongoing work on the Pennsylvania Reserves.
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Journal of the Pennsylvania Reserves by Justin Sanders
Introduction by August Marchetti The Journal of the Pennsylvania Reserves presents a collected series of essays and studies written by the late Justin Sanders, a historian whose work focused closely on the soldiers, units, and service of the Pennsylvania Reserves during the American Civil War. Written over the course of many years, these articles reflect…
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“Sent to Hell”: Experiences In One Southern Prison
After their capture at the Weldon Railroad, the Union prisoners were ushered towards Petersburg where they were kept in an open, wet, muddy field until the evening of the twentieth. Westwood A. Todd, an ordinance officer in Mahone’s Brigade (Confederate), observed, “The prisoners passed by me as they were coming out. I thought we had…
Latest from the Society
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George W. Smith Headstone Installed!
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, members of the Monuments, Memorials & Gravesites Committee installed the replacement headstone of Private George W. Smith, Company H, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves. This project to have his stone replaced occurred over the period of several months.
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Headstone Acquisition Project [Martin, Jackson]
Fileys Cemetery, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania For nearly 100 years, the grave of union veteran Jackson Martin has remained unmarked. As a member of Company H, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, Martin was taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Wilderness in May 1864. Together with his many comrades, the endured the horrors of Andersonville Prison…
Explore the Collections
Our collections bring together primary sources, photographs, research notes, and interpretive materials related to the Pennsylvania Reserves and their service. View our latest acquisitions, below.
