John F. Daily, Member of “Bucktail” Regiment
John F. Daily, born at the Daily Farm, Tioga Township in 1840. He died near Tioga at the age of 91 in 1931. He was next to the last surviving member of the famous Bucktail Regiment of the Civil War. At the age of 13 he began working in the woods on Pine Creek every winter until the call from President Lincoln for 75,000 in April 1861 for 80 days, to quell the disturbance following the firing on Fort Sumpter. Mr. Daily enlisted at Tioga in a Company organized by Capt. H. McDonald, known as Company G. of the old “Bucktail” Rev. 1st Rifles or 13th Infantry Vol. Reserves. A Captain Biddle was Commander. On arriving at Harrisburg they found all the 90-day companies filled but were told they could join three-year companies. Mr. Daily enlisted in one of these companies. He took part in the following battles: New Creek Station, Drainsville, South Mountain, Seven Day’s Fight on the Peninsula, Mechanicsville, Cole Harbor Savage Station, Chickahorning, Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Nelson Farm, Turkey Bend, Gettysburg, Mine Run and the Battle of the Wilderness. In July 1861, he was sent from Cumberland, Md. With a scouting party of 34 picked men under Col. Kane to a point near Romney to clear the B & O RR for passage of trains with Union Troops and supplies. At New Creek Station, the enemy got between them and their camp.
The scouts quartered in a stone and brick house were attacked by a Confederate detachment numbering 400 and repulsed them. Col. Biddle heard the scouts were surrounded and came to their relief. At the battle of Fredericksburg, Daily helped carry back the wounded. The second day of the battle of the Wilderness, while in woods in line of battle, waiting orders, under fire, three men were killed within a few feet of him. Next day he was wounded. He was in hospitals at Washington, D.C, Baltimore, Md., and Little York, Pa. Early in 1862, he was detailed as Teamster of Ammunition wagons, which place he held for six months. While employed in this capacity he was in Chambersburg when that city was captured by the rebel cavalry under General Stuart. He secured a suit of civilian clothes and escaped. He was honorably discharged in June 1864 and returned to Mansfield, where he lived until about 1929. He sold out and visited relatives in the west and died at the home of a cousin near Tioga. He was buried in Prospect Cemetery with military honors. He was a member of General Mansfield Post No. 48 GAR, which he joined on Jan. 1880. He held office of Senior Vice Commander, Surgeon, Officer of the Guard and Officer of the Day. Lester Barden, who sent a clipping on Mr. Daily, lives in the former Daily property on Cole St.
JOHN F. DAILEY was born the 23rd day of March 1840 in Tioga, County of Tioga, State of Pennsylvania. He enlisted April 17, 1861 at Tioga, PA as a Private in Company G, 1st Rifles, or 13th Infantry Vol. Reserves known at “Bucktails”. He was discharged from the service at Harrisburg, PA June 11th, 1864 on account of expiration of term of enlistment. Early in 1862 he was detailed as teamster of ammunition wagon, which place he held for six months. He was engaged in the battles of Drainsville, Mechanicsville, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and the Wilderness; and in skirmishes at New Creek, Hunters Mills and others. He was in hospital at Washington, DC, at Baltimore, MD and at Little York, PA. In July 1861 he was sent from Cumberland, MD with a scouting party of 34 picked men under Col. Kane to a point near Romney, to clear the Baltimore and Ohio RR for passage of trains with Union Troops and supplies. At New Creek Station the enemy got between them and their camp. The scouts quartered in a stone and brick house were attacked by a Confederate detachment numbering 400 and repulsed them. Col. Biddle heard that the scouts were surrounded and came to their relief. At the battle of Fredericksburg Dailey helped carry back the wounded. The second day of the battle of the Wilderness, while in the woods in line of battle, waiting orders, under fire, three men were killed within a few feet of him. Next day he was wounded. He was in Chambersburg when that place was captured by Stewart’s Cavalry and himself narrowly escaped capture. Among his intimate comrades were Thomas B. Johnson, Charles Shearer, Thomas St. Ryan, H.C. Bailey, T.J. Garrison, A.J. Graham. – John F. Dailey joined Gen. Mansfield Post No. 48 Department of PA Jan 5th 1880. Held offices of Senior Vice Commander, Surgeon, Officer of the Day – SIGNED by W.H. Colony, Commander.
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.
