5 Year Commemoration of the Civil War

In April 2011, the Bedford County Historical Society and other historical organizations in Bedford County will begin to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Over the next 5 years until 2015 there will be re-enactments, lectures, exhibits, and events to commemorate our ancestors that fought to preserve the Union. As April 2011 approaches, we will be providing more information about activites that will be part of the commemoration. Activities planned or that have already been held as part of this commemoration are listed below. Click on the associated links to find out more about specific activities.

Call for Civil War Memorabilia and Records

As part of our commemoration, BCHS is developing a Military Archives for the Civil War so that future generations will have the documentation needed in one central location in Bedford County. Click here to see an example of the sort of information that we are asking you to share.

Highlighted Civil War Memorabilia and Information

• James Madison Nevitt Papers - Has a photo of him, a photo of his grave marker, and transcripts of letters he wrote home while in the army during the Civil War.
• USCT Soldiers - Has a list of men who served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War and were either from Bedford County or moved here afterward and may have been buried in a grave in Bedford County.
• Nimrod Warren, USCT, Obituary - Also has excerpts from will that emancipated him from slavery.
• John Love, USCT, Obituary
• Roster - 138th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry - Men from Bedford County who served in Companies D, E, and F of this regiment.
• Civil War news from the Bedford Gazette, June 12, 1863

Upcoming Civil War Commemoration Activities

Commemoration of USCT Soldiers - 14 November 2010

Many African Americans who were residents of Bedford County or who later moved to Bedford County served in the Union Army during the Civil War as part of the United States Colored Troops or USCT. On 14 November 2010 the Bedford County Historical Society, the Mount Pisgah Church, and the community will hold a commemorative service to honor the USCT from Bedford County. The service will be held at Mt. Ross Cemetery in Bedford Township on 14 November and will begin at 1:00pm.

USCT Pennsylvania Grand Review Activities - Harrisburg
15 October - 11 December 2010

As the nation prepares to mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Pennsylvania invites travelers to Harrisburg this November to participate in a story largely unknown to most Americans - the Pennsylvania Grand Review.

The Grand Review will serve as a commemoration of the November 1865 event of the same name organized by the women of Harrisburg to honor the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) from 25 states who were not permitted to participate in the Grand Review of the Armies, a military procession and celebration held May 23-24, 1865 in Washington, D.C., following the end of the Civil War.