By Matt Borders

Samuel Johnson – 9^th Pennsylvania Reserves (38^th Pennsylvania Infantry)
Born: January 28, 1845
Mustered in: July 27, 1861
Assigned to: Company G, 9^th Pennsylvania Reserves
WIA: September 17, 1862
Transferred to: Veteran Reserve Corps – 6/4/1863 as a 2^nd Lieutenant

Samuel Johnson of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, was the oldest of eight children, only 16 when he enlisted in 1861. He had attempted to enlist in April of that year but was turned away due to his age. Following the Union disaster at Bull Run that July however, recruiters were far less picky, and Samuel was sent to Pittsburgh to muster into Company G, 9^th Pennsylvania Reserves, later known as the 38^th Pennsylvania Infantry.[1]

The 9^th Pennsylvania Reserves had been ordered to Washington, DC on July 22, 1861 and arrived there four days later. Samuel Johnson mustered into Federal service on July 27, 1861, with the regiment completing its muster the following day. The regiment spent time in camp training in Washington, DC, as well as Tennallytown (Tenleytown). The 9^th Pennsylvania Reserves also helped build Fort Gaines and picketed Great Falls, MD where they skirmished with Confederate troops on the opposite shore. On September 21, the regiment turned in its Harpers Ferry muskets and received new Springfield Rifles prior to being reviewed by Major General McClellan, Governor Andrew Curtin and the Secretary of War, Simon Cameron. Soon afterward the 9^th Pennsylvania Reserve was assigned to the 3^rd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, commanded by Brigadier General George McCall. ^[2] 

Pages: 1 2