THOMAS A CARNAHAN was the son of Thomas M. Carnahan and Mary Polly Kenley – who are buried at Poke Run Presbyterian Church – 7 miles South of Apollo, Pa. Thomas was born in Perrysville, Pa. in 1819 in Westmoreland County as well as his father and mother; he lived a long life of 81 years and died 06/14/1900 in Pittsburgh, Pa. and is buried at McKeesport-Versailles cemetery in Mckeesport, Pa. – a military marker present. He had five brothers and one sister. They were David Richard, Hezikiah, Samuel, Israel, James Wilson and Elizabeth. His parents moved to Pittsburgh, Pa. and Thomas A. became a Coal merchant when he grew up and after the war was in the grocery business and later dug water wells for the city of Mckeesport, Pa. and for a few years in Woodville, Pa. – he married Margaret Buchanan Young around 1846 and they had six children – Maggie, Harriet Virginia, Anna May, Josephine, Wilhemina, Thomas Fleming. Thomas had three daughters who died young – Maggie – still born, Wilhemina at age 17, and Josephine at age 21. Thomas was recruited by Captain James McKinley Snodgrass in Allegheny County and [enrolled] in the McKeesport Union Guards on April 23, 1861. He was mustered in as a Private in May, 1861. The unit marched to Camp Wilkins in May, 1861 where Carnahan was promoted to Fourth Corporal in June, 1861. He was mustered into State Service as part of the 38th Regiment 9th Reserve Corps – Pa Vol. – Company I June 23, 1861 – Camp Wright by Lt. Chandler Hall. He was promoted to Third Corporal on June 28, 1861 and was mustered into Federal service at Camp Jackson, Washington, D.C. on July 28, 1861 by Lt. John Elwood, 5th U.S. Infantry. He was wounded in battle at Charles City Crossroads at Richmond, Virginia on June 30, 1862 which resulted in amputation of leg. He had treatment at Bellvue Hospital in New York in August, 1862 – he was discharged from the service by order of Brigadier General Brown at New York City on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability on September 1, 1862. During his service he participated in the following campaigns: Dranesville, Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mills, and Charles City Crossroads. According to Samuel W. Black, Post 59 – McKeesport, Pa. of the Grand Army of the Republic’s medical descriptive books – said he was promoted to Sergeant at discharge – but no record of this in records. We, the other Carnahan relatives, are proud of his service to the Grand Army of the Republic during the Civil War. The Carnahan family is one of the early settlers of Westmoreland County coming over from Legoniel – County Antrim – suburb of Belfast, Ireland in the early 1700’s. His great grandfather was John Carnahan, Sr. was the Second Sheriff of Westmoreland County and served as Colonel in the Westmoreland Associates during the Revolutionary War. John Carnahan was killed by Indians at the Carnahan Blockhouse near Salina, Pa. while trying to protect his family and others. His brother David C. Carnahan killed the indian at the blockhouse who had killed his brother. The Union Veterans Assoc. handled the funeral for Thomas on June 16, 1900. His daughter Harriet was married to Elmer M. Soles – postmaster of McKeespot, Pa. and his wifes brother William Fleming Young, Jr. was Police Chief of Mckeesport during the 1894 period. They were both members of the Coursin St. Methodist-Episcopal church in Mckeesport, Pa. William Fleming Young, Jr. also joined the 9th Pa Reserve unit.
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 fill the seat of President of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps Historical Society.