This small group consists of a framed Soldier’s Memorial, an eagle masthead discharge and marriage certificate for Joshua Baumgardner of Company B, 166^th Pennsylvania Infantry.

The framed memorial is a full color lithograph printed during the war. Across the top in a blue sky is a spread-winged eagle on a perch flanked by four US flags which are in turned flanked on one side by a soldier on guard in a camp and by a Color-Guard marching into battle on the other. A scrollwork design separates the main body of the piece in three columns. The center column has “COMPANY B 166^th REGIMENT P. M.” (Pennsylvania Militia) and then lists the Company and Regimental staff. The two columns on either side of this central column then list the names of the men in the Company. At bottom center is a US shield and scroll design in which is the organizational dates relating to the regiment. This is flanked by figures of Columbia and Victory. This is in turn flanked by two scenes of soldiers returning home. Along the left and right bottom edge is a short history of the regiment. Framed this document meas. approx. 18.50 x 22.25. The wood frame looks older than modern but definitely not wartime. The document itself is crinkled throughout with a water and repaired tear running down the center. The piece looks as though it spent many years just rolled up with no protection until someone framed it. Colors and printing are strong.

Next in the group is Private Baumgardner’s eagle masthead discharge. This has been attached to a wood board using the decoupage process. Despite that the pre-printed areas are very readable but the areas filled in with ink need a little effort to read. The board on which the discharge is mounted meas. approx. 11.25 x 14.00 inches. The document has a number of small raised bumps but is in otherwise fair condition.

The last piece in the group is a marriage certificate. This has also been mounted through the decoupage process. The paper has a raised floral and vine design around the edges with pre-printed information clearly visible. The areas filled in with ink are a little weak but you can read the name “Baumgardner” on one of the lines. Whether this is his certificate or one of his children’s is hard to tell. This piece meas. approx. 8.75 x 11.25 inches. There are two water or dirt stains down the center.

Joshua Baumgardner was born in 1828. When the Civil War began he was living with his wife and children in York, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in Company B, 166^th Pennsylvania Militia on October 24, 1862 and was mustered in the following November 7^th.  He went with his regiment to southeast Virginia where it was assigned to the 7^th Corps. The regiment saw service in the siege of Suffolk and the battle of Carrsville. He returned to Harrisburg with his regiment and was mustered out on July 28, 1863.

On February 17, 1865 Joshua was working cutting ice from a mill wheel when it started to turn. His clothing became snagged and he was crushed to death. He was laid to rest in Saint David’s Church Cemetery in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

This is a nice small archive of one Union soldier who deserved a better end.

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