|
Recruited in Centre, Clinton, and Clearfield Counties, the Independent Cavalry was originally organized in the spring of 1861, at the excitement of the Southern session, by Jonathan Wolf, "for some cause, they were not accepted." Although temporarily suspended, in August of the same year, in response to the call for troops by Gov. Andrew Curtin, the company was notified that their service would be accepted. They immediately reorganized, filled their ranks to over 120 men, "most of whom are from that section of this county known as the "Ridges," whose avocation as wood choppers, lumberman, colliers, miners, forge and furnace men, eminently fit them for the hardships and exposures of the field." By August 10th, they departed from Bellefonte for Camp Curtin, in Harrisburg, where they were mustered into service as Company E of the 44th Pennsylvania Regiment, which was also known as the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry.
|
|
