WILLIAM L. PITTS was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted April 22nd 1861 as a private in Co. E, 1st PA [Rifles] and later served as a private in Co E., 190th PA Veterans. He was honorably discharged June 28th 1865. Company “E” was originally known as the “Tioga Rifles” and were composed mostly of lumbermen and mountaineers. The men were hardy and good shots and were later known as the Bucktails, each man wearing a Bucktail on his cap. It could be relied upon no matter how desperate the situation but it especially distinguished itself in the battles of Drainsville, upon the Peninsula, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Bethesda Church where the killed and captured of the enemy exceeded the total strength of the regiment in action. Alansen E. Niles of Wellsboro, became Colonel of the regiment and those who re-enlisted for the balance of the war composed the 190th & 191st Regiments PA Volunteers, the 190th being commanded by Colonel Hartshorn of the Bucktails. The 190th regiment was organized in the field in Virginia in March and April 1864 and took part in engagements in Petersburg, Weldon RR, Chapel House and Hatcher’s Run. ALMOND PITTS of Whitneyville, father of the above William L. Pitts, enlisted and served in the war in Co. G, 45th PA Vol. In June 1904 they both attended the Tioga County Centennial together at the ages of 86 and 60 years, respectively.
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.
