York closes stores and holds a parade to welcome back the 130th PVI in May 1863
In my last post of Civil War news from the last week of May 1863, as published in the York Gazette, I recounted the sad news that eight York County men of the 166th Pennsylvania Infantry had recently been killed or wounded in battle near Suffolk, Va.
There was good news that May too; the men of the 130th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, had served their time and were welcomed back home with a rousing parade down the streets of York, followed by dinner provided by the Ladies Aid Society. The 130th was a nine month regiment recruited from York, Cumberland, Dauphin and Chester counties, so a good many of the returning soldiers were from York County.
The Gazette account of the homecoming reads:
RECEPTION OF THE 130TH PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT
The portion of the 130th regiment from the borough and vicinity arrived at four o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and were received in a becoming manner.
At about two o’clock, the dispatch announcing their departure from Harrisburg was received, when the bells were rung as a signal for the closing of the stores, &c.
On the arrival of the regiment, the bells were again rung, and the returned volunteers were received on North George Street, when the procession was formed and went over the designated route to the Barracks, where a handsome collation provide by the Ladies Aid Society, was furnished to the war-worn and sunburnt heroes.
The procession was headed by the Patapsco Guard, accompanied by the Hospital Band, after which followed the returned soldiers, Free Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, the Laurel Fire Company, with their magnificent gallery engine drawn for four horses, and a large number of citizens.
All the flags were thrown to the breese, and the town was filled with people, which give it a lively and animated appearance
Click this linkClick this link for the National Park Service’s site giving a brief history of the 130th Regiment and the names of its members.
Mark your calendars: The Fiery Trial: York County’s Civil War Experience opening June 29 at York County Heritage Trust.
