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Thomas L. Kane
He sought permission to raise a groupof riflemen from the hardy woodsmen of McKean County. Each man who came to the regiment's rendezvous point wore civilian clothes and a buck's tail in his hat-a symbol of his marksmanship. -
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Pennsylvania Bucktails
They were known for wearing a dears bucktail in there hat or headgear. This was known as the offical badge. They were also known for having a very nice weapon for there time, the Model 1859 Sharps Rifles, normally only issued to sharpshooters. -
Sinnamahoning River
After all of the scrumage of everyone getting in order, Thomas L. Kane brought all of men to Sinnamahoning River where they built rafts for 300 army men. Then they road down the river to Harrisburg to hopefully meet up with other troops -
Full Infantry
Kane and his troops meet up with the others in Camp Curtain, in Harrisburg. This is wear they formed regiment of infantry. Officially designated the 42nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, the unit was also known as the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves, the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles, and the Kane Rifles. -
Reserve Split up
The Bucktails were divided in half in the spring of 1862. Four companies served under Kane's leadership in the Shenandoah Valley, while the other six fought on the Peninsula at Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, and Glendale. The regiment also fought at Second Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. By that time, heavy casualties had so reduced the strength of the Pennsylvania Reserves that the division was detached from active duty and sent back to Washington to rest and refit. -
Battle of Antietam
Was apart of this battle. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Took apart in this battle -
Crossing the Potomac River
When Lee's army crossed the Potomac River and Union troops moved north in pursuit, Lincoln's administration sent reinforcements from the Washington garrison to help the strength of the field army. Two brigades of the Pennsylvania Reserves, among them the Bucktails, marched to join the Army of the Potomac. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Late afternoon the Bucktails went into the Battle of Gettysburg with one of the groups along the crest of Cemetery Ridge just north of Little Round Top, and the other group of the Pennsylvania Reserve charged across Plum Run Valley. Armed with sharp rifles they haulted the Rebels. Colonel Charles F. Taylor was killed in this Battle -
End of the Bucktails
The Bucktails remained in service till this time in 1864. During the three years of fighting, the regiment had a total of 1,165 officers and men. Of these, 162 soldiers were killed in battle or died from their wounds; ninety died of disease, accidents, and in Rebel prisons; and another 442 men were wounded but saved.
