A nice veteran’s reunion ribbon in cavalry-yellow silk for the 5^th reunion of the 21^st PA Cavalry at Chambersburg on Oct. 3, 1894, and the dedication of their regimental monument at Gettysburg two days later, on Oct. 5. The ribbon belonged to George W. Mowers, Co. D, who lived in Fayetteville, just west of Gettysburg on the Chambersburg Pike, and who is photographed among veterans gathered for the dedication of a separate monument funded by the veterans’ association, which seems to have taken place on Oct. 4.

That the there are two monuments for the 21^st PA cavalry at Gettysburg is pretty good for a regiment that did not really exist at the time of the battle. The regiment was organizing under the President’s June 15, 1863, call for militia to serve six months as Confederate intentions to move north became clear and companies were mustered in starting on June 23, but not finishing until August 10. Here in Adams County, however, Robert Bell had recruited a company of cavalry on June 16 that was among the first to be mustered in and was eventually designated Company B. They were doing scouting duty around Gettysburg in conjunction with the 26^th Regiment of Emergency Militia and the First Troop of Philadelphia City Cavalry when on June 26 when Confederates coming east along the Chambersburg Pike scattered them. Two of Bell’s men subsequently encountered Confederates on the Baltimore Pike and one, George Sandoe, was killed, being considered by many as the first man killed at Gettysburg. Both of the regiment’s monuments are located near the place of Sandoe’s death.

The ribbon comes from the effects of George W. Mowers of Co. D. Mowers, who enlisted at Harrisburg on July 11 and mustered in with Company D on July 15, 1863. Mowers decision to enlist is no mystery. His father owned a small farm with a blacksmith and wagon making shop in Fayetteville. Not only is this along the Chambersburg Pike, along which Confederate troops passed “requisitioning” horses and supplies on their way to Gettysburg on July 1, it is right next to Greenwood, where Jubal Early’s division had arrived on June 24 and remained throughout June 25, before moving on toward Gettysburg.

Minor folds and dust. No holes, runs, or shredding. Good printing in black on the yellow silk. Text with the Army of the Potomac cavalry corps insignia in the middle. This is a very nice condition Gettysburg ribbon with a very interesting story behind it.  [SR]

Accompanied by military & pension records from the National Archives. 

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