MILITARY

CIVIL WAR

1861 - The Civil War erupts. Camp Lacy is established in Doylestown to train recruits for the “Bucks County Regiment,” the 104th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Bucks County men also enlist in the 3rd Pa. Reserves, the 128th and 138th Pa. Infantry, the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, and many other outfits. Local men see action in every theater of the war, while area women organize “ladies’ aid societies” to send supplies and items of comfort to soldiers in the field.

1863 - African-Americans are permitted to enlist and serve in the Union Army. Blackabolitionist Frederick Douglas speaks at several locations in Bucks County, encouraging local blacks to join regiments of“colored troops,” then organizing at Camp William Penn in the “Chelton Hills” outside of Philadelphia

1862-1863 - In an effort to raise more troops for the Union war effort, conscription or the “draft” is instituted. Some Bucks Countians go willingly into drafted regiments like the 174th Pa. Infantry, while others resist or desert.