Under President Abraham Lincoln's first call for volunteers, 75,000 men were needed for three months service to 'put down the rebellion.' Delaware's quota of this first call for volunteers was 780 men. This was rapidly met by the formation of the First Regiment Delaware Volunteers. It was organized at Wilmington, Del. May 22, 1861 and mustered into Federal Service on May 28, 1861. At that time it had 37 officers and 742 enlisted men. This 90 day unit was mustered out early on August 17, 1861. (Dyer says August 30, 1861).
On October 17, 1861, the First Delaware was reorganized and mustered in as the state's second three year regiment.
OFFICERS:
Colonel Henry H. Lockwood.
ASSIGNMENTS: SERVICE:
Attached to Dix's Command and assigned to duty on line of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore R. R. at Havre de Grace, Elkton, Perryville, Bush River, Gunpowder, Northeast and Charlestown, guarding road and protecting bridges till August.
ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contains the names of 556 men.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Clark, James S. 'General Lyon and the Fight for Missouri.' In War Sketches and Incidents (MOLLUS, IA, Vol. 2). Des Moines, IA: Kenyon, 1897. pp. 274-92 (10 photocopied pages). E464M5.1991v56.
Ritner, Jacob B. Love and Valor: The Intimate Civil War Letters Between Captain Jacob and Emeline Ritner. [Ed by Charles F. Larimer] Western Springs, IL: Signourney, 2000. 453 p. E507.5.1st.L68.
Wilkie, Franc B. Pen and Powder. Boston: Ticknor, 1888. 383 p. E601W69.
CDROM - $35.00 COMBO - $50.00 SAVE $35. when you purchase The Service Records of Delaware Civil War Soldiers Bundle. This bundle includes The Delaware Civil War Soldiers Index - a $15 value and Dyers Compendium of the War of the Rebellion - a $35 value.
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HISTORICAL NOTES:
