When the Civil War began in the spring of 1861, the three-month 13th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment was among the first from Western Pennsylvania to volunteer to defend the Union. When their enlistments expired in August of 1861, many of the men from the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment volunteered and were mustered into the newly formed three-year 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The “Old 13th” as it became known, formed the backbone and leadership of the new regiment, and the two units were inextricably linked through the war. The 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment consisted of twelve companies of men from Allegheny (Pittsburgh) and Butler Counties in Western Pennsylvania. Along with their beloved canine mascot “Dog Jack” the regiment participated in most of the major battles of the war in the eastern theater including Malvern Hill, Salem Church, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Fort Stevens, 3rd Winchester and Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley, and the siege of Petersburg. Known for their heroism, when asked about the regiment the reply was “the Old 13th is at the front.” In depth research and personal stories of the soldiers gleaned from pension records housed at the National Records and Archives Administration bring the details of the battles alive and follows the soldiers’ experiences after the war.
