According to Samuel P. Bates” “History of Pennsylvania Volunteers”, Pvt. Reeser, Company E, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves deserted the Union Army in August of 1862. Several years ago I came across an auction where someone was selling a tintype (seen below) which was identified to be of Pvt. Reeser. The description of the auction basically explained that the boy in the image was a deserter and that he belonged to the 10th Reserves. By looking at the photograph, one cannot help but notice the enormous surge of pride on this boys face as he poses to have his likeliness taken. I have always had a sneaking suspicion that Reeser did NOT desert – but was never able to prove it.
Today, I was contacted by a Mrs/Ms. Julie Reeser, descendant of Private Charles A. Reeser, Co. E, 10th Reserves. Her initial comments on her ancestor were this:
I have been doing genealogical research and am concentrating on C.A. Reeser. This is a great website, however, he has been listed as a “deserter” but he transferred to a Calvary regiment in Kansas.
Julie Reeser
On doing some further research after Julie was able to point me in the right direction, it turns out Private Charles A. Reeser was in fact transferred. After serving briefly with the 10th Reserves, he was transferred to Company F, 5th Kansas Cavalry. See attached documents below, you MUST be logged into download/view them.1 Special thanks goes out to Julie Reeser for her research on this soldier.
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
