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In the hall over the old Miles tavern, the Bellefonte Fenclbles originated, in May 1858, through the efforts of E. M. Buchanan and James A. Beaver. July 10th of that year they were mustered into service of the Pennsylvania State Militia. The Bellefonte Fencibles went into the service during the Civil War under what was known as "the three months call" that was issued at the outbreak of the war. They were mustered into the 2nd Regiment as Company H. Many of the members of the Fencibles, won distinguished honors in the war and for many years many of Bellefonte's best citizens proudly boasted of once wearing the Bellefonte Fencibles uniform.
The officers of the company at the time of their organization were as follows:
Andrew Curtin, captain; John B. Mitchell, 1st lieutenant; W. McClellan, Second Lieut.; E. M. Buchanan, orderly sergeant; Chas. Bullock, Second sergeant; Isaac May, corporal; Joseph D. Harris, Second corporal.
After the war, the organization was kept in tact for a number of years, but the death of many of its members made it impossible to continue and for a few years prior to 1880 it lived only in name. On June 12th of 1880, the company re-organized and was mustered into the National Guard of Pennsylvania becoming Co. B. 5th, Regiment.
Some early officers of the Bellefonte Fencibles were:
The officers of the Co. have been Captain, William M. Murray, 1858-, Amos Mullen, 1880-89, when he was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the Reg., he was succeeded by Wm. F. Reber. Its Lieutenants were Dr. J. B. Mitchell & William McClellan, 1858-, Geo L. Potter, 1880-87; J. D. Geissinger, 1884-88 ; Phil Foster, 1884-98 ; Hugh Taylor, 1893-94; Geo. L. Jackson, '94 and Wilbur F. Reeder.
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