The 21^st Pennsylvania Cavalry was initially recruited for six-month’s service starting in June 1863 as part of the emergency call up of militia when it was clear Lee might move north. Men from the Gettysburg area were among the recruits and George W. Mowers of nearby Fayetteville signed up on July 11, mustered in on July 15, trained with the unit at Chambersburg, and served out his six months, mustering out in late February. He subsequently served in the 87^th Pa Infantry, but this little “Soldier’s Prayer Book” bears several owner’s inscriptions by him as a member of Co. D of the 21^st Cavalry.

These small prayer books were printed and handed out to new soldiers by various religious and charitable groups and are typical of the items found in a soldier’s personal effects. This one was done in Philadelphia by the Protestant Episcopal Book Society and bears a printed testimonial by Bishop Alonzo Potter dated June 1861. They were intended to be carried in the pocket and are only 64 pages long. The text block is fine and Mower’s name and unit appears in pencil on the front and back flyleaves and his name and home address in ink inside the back flyleaf. The cardboard covers are long gone, showing he actually carried it in the field. The inscriptions are light, but legible. The one on the back page seems also to have the note “Charlestown Va. Nov. the 20^/ 1863,” which agrees with the regiment’s service. Several companies, including Mowers’ company, were posted in Harpers Ferry until the regiment reunited at Chambersburg in February 1864 and those men who had enlisted for six months could muster out.

We recently acquired the Mowers’ material directly from the family. Please take a look at our other listings for material he brought home from his own service and material he gathered from around Gettysburg as well. [sr]

Accompanied by military & pension records.

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