
THE HOLLINGSWORTH REGISTER	VOLUME I., NUMBER 1.

-03- THE CIVIL WAR SERVICE OF DAVID HOLLINGSWORTH


(Mr. Samuel W. Hollingsworth, Philadelphia, Penna., has done research on his family. He is now 82 years of age. In his honor, and with his kind permission, we reproduce his account of his father's service in the Union Army during the American Civil War, 1861-1865. David Hollingsworth, the 2nd child of Matthew & Isabella (Johnson) Hollingsworth, was born Nov. 12, 1839, in Philadelphia, and died there Jan. 26, 1916, at the age of 77. He is buried in Westminister cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Penna. His father was born in 1813, in Ireland, as was his mother. They arrived in Phila- delphia shortly before David's birth. It is believed, with good evidence, that Matthew was of the Rathfryland, County Down, family.) Here follow the words of Samuel Hollingsworth: "MY FATHER'S RECORD IN THE CIVIL WAR 1861 to 1864 - "On July 12th, 1861, David Hollingsworth enlisted in Company "E.", Col- onel Baker's 1st California Regt. They were recruited at Philadelphia, Penna., and were later known as the 71st Penna. Volunteers. He enlisted for three years at the age of 21 years and 8 months. The regiment was sent south and remained at Fortress Monroe, Va., until the 1st battle of Bull Run; they were then ordered to the South Bank of the Potomac, opposite Washington, D.C. On Sept. 29th, 1861, they made a general ad- vance on Munson's Hill. Early in October, 1861, they moved to Poolesville, Md., and were untied with other regiments forming "Baker's Brigade," commanded by Colonel Baker in "General Stone's Division" and were assigned to duty guarding the fords of the Potomac from Point of Rocks to Edwards' Ferry. "At the Battle of Balls Bluff, Col. Baker was killed. On Oct. 21, on orders from General Stone, eight companies under command of Lt. Col. Wistar marched to Conrad's Ferry, and were joined by portions of the 15th & 20th Massachusetts, and two companies of the 42nd New York. In November or December, 1861, they were changed to Company P., and went into winter quarters, where their thinned ranks were recruited. "In the spring of 1862 they marched to Winchester, Virginia; were then ordered to Washington, D.C. and dispatched from there by transport to join the army under General McClellan at Yorktown. They were then sent by transport with the rest of the Corps to West Point on the York River. "The battle of Fair Oaks opened on the afternoon of May 31, 1862. Gen- eral Sedgwick to whose Division the 71st Penna. Volunteers were attached, reached the scene of the Battle of Fair Oaks. While the struggles at Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines Hills and the Bridges of the Chicahoning were in progress (during the seven day battles) the regiment held its ground, and on June 29, 1862, started to March to the James River, Savage Station and Antietam. "On Oct. 24, 1862, David Hollingsworth was transferred to Co. I., 1st U.S. Artillery Regiment, for the balance of his term in service of one year, eight months and twenty days. While in the U.S. Artillery, he fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Chancellersville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station and St. Mary's Church. "On July 12th, 1864, he received an honorable discharge at Petersburg, Va., at the age of 24 years, 8 months." (Many other Hollingsworths took part in the War, on both sides. We hope to receive articles like the above, which may appear from time to time, as space warrants - Ed.)

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(Mr. Samuel W. Hollingsworth, Philadelphia, Penna., has done research on his family. He is now 82 years of age. In his honor, and with his kind permission, we reproduce his account of his father's service in the Union Army during the American Civil War, 1861-1865. David Hollingsworth, the 2nd child of Matthew & Isabella (Johnson) Hollingsworth, was born Nov. 12, 1839, in Philadelphia, and died there Jan. 26, 1916, at the age of 77. He is buried in Westminister cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Penna. His father was born in 1813, in Ireland, as was his mother. They arrived in Phila- delphia shortly before David's birth. It is believed, with good evidence, that Matthew was of the Rathfryland, County Down, family.) Here follow the words of Samuel Hollingsworth:

"MY FATHER'S RECORD IN THE CIVIL WAR 1861 to 1864 -
     "On July 12th, 1861, David Hollingsworth enlisted in Company "E.", Col- onel Baker's 1st California Regt. They were recruited at Philadelphia, Penna., and were later known as the 71st Penna. Volunteers. He enlisted for three years at the age of 21 years and 8 months. The regiment was sent south and remained at Fortress Monroe, Va., until the 1st battle of Bull Run; they were then ordered to the South Bank of the Potomac, opposite Washington, D.C. On Sept. 29th, 1861, they made a general ad- vance on Munson's Hill. Early in October, 1861, they moved to Poolesville, Md., and were untied with other regiments forming "Baker's Brigade," commanded by Colonel Baker in "General Stone's Division" and were assigned to duty guarding the fords of the Potomac from Point of Rocks to Edwards' Ferry.

     "At the Battle of Balls Bluff, Col. Baker was killed. On Oct. 21, on orders from General Stone, eight companies under command of Lt. Col. Wistar marched to Conrad's Ferry, and were joined by portions of the 15th & 20th Massachusetts, and two companies of the 42nd New York. In November or December, 1861, they were changed to Company P., and went into winter quarters, where their thinned ranks were recruited.

     "In the spring of 1862 they marched to Winchester, Virginia; were then ordered to Washington, D.C. and dispatched from there by transport to join the army under General McClellan at Yorktown. They were then sent by transport with the rest of the Corps to West Point on the York River.

     "The battle of Fair Oaks opened on the afternoon of May 31, 1862. Gen- eral Sedgwick to whose Division the 71st Penna. Volunteers were attached, reached the scene of the Battle of Fair Oaks. While the struggles at Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines Hills and the Bridges of the Chicahoning were in progress (during the seven day battles) the regiment held its ground, and on June 29, 1862, started to March to the James River, Savage Station and Antietam.

     "On Oct. 24, 1862, David Hollingsworth was transferred to Co. I., 1st U.S. Artillery Regiment, for the balance of his term in service of one year, eight months and twenty days. While in the U.S. Artillery, he fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Chancellersville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station and St. Mary's Church.

     "On July 12th, 1864, he received an honorable discharge at Petersburg, Va., at the age of 24 years, 8 months."

(Many other Hollingsworths took part in the War, on both sides. We hope to receive articles like the above, which may appear from time to time, as space warrants - Ed.)

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THE HOLLINGSWORTH REGISTER

VOLUME I., NUMBER 1.