JOSEPH E. RAMSDELL was born in Swanzey, New Hampshire. He enlisted April 23rd 1861 as a private in Co. H, 6th PA R. C. He afterwards served as Bugler in Co. A, 1st PA Artillery and was honorably discharged July 25th 1865. The “Tioga Invincibles” as it was called in which he enlisted became Co. H. of the 35th Regiment, 6th Reserves. Its initial engagement was fought at Dranesville, Dec. 20th 1861 and resulted in a victory. It afterwards participated in the following engagements, Malvern Hill, Gaines Mills, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Bethesda Church. In its last engagement although but 150 strong it captured 102 and buried 72 dead Rebels on its front. The Company officers were Julius Sherwood and James Carle, Captains; Capt. Carle later being promoted to Colonel. The Lts. Were John W. Rose, Reuben Pratt, John Hinman, S.S. Rockwell, James B. Goodman and Frank A. Foster all of Tioga County. He is buried in Hope Cemetery, at Mansfield, Tioga County, PA. Company “A”, 1st Artillery was the first to be engaged at Dranesville, Dec. 29th 1861. It subsequently accompanied the Reserves to Fredericksburg, where it remained on duty until the battle of Fair Oaks, when it rejoined the Army of the Potomac. It was at Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Deep Bottom, Fort Darling and Petersburg. Upon the fall of Richmond and after the surrender, they marched into the fallen city and demolished Rebel defenses and arsenals.
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.
