Please see this message from Arthur Fox:
Name: arthur B. Fox
Email: arthurfox6@aol.com
Comment: I am now moving forward with my manuscript for a history of the 139th Pa Infantry Regiment. A positive response and go-ahead from McFarland Publishing of North Carolina now makes this future book a reality. Planning to complete the manuscript by late-summer 2018. If you wish to have any of your 139th ancestors that you may have photographs of featured in the book, contact me at: arthurfox6@aol.com, or send hard copies to: Arthur B. Fox, 2627 Broadway Ave. Pittsburgh, PA. 15216. This will be my fourth book on the Civil War as is relates to the western PA region. My first three books were published by Mechling Publishing, of Butler County, Pa.
Thank you, Arthur B. Fox
Can’t wait to see your book Arthur!
Dianne
Does your book list the men who were in the 139 th ?
Hi Joe. I thought I had replied to this but now I’m not sure. If not my sincere apologies. Yes the book has a roster of all the members. The book is still available for $30. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
My 2nd great grandfather was in Company ‘I’ of the 139th PVI. His name was John (Johann Evangelist Volzer). born November 9, 1845 in Germany (Prussia). He lived on Mt. Oliver Street at the top of South 18th Street, Pittsburgh. He died March 6, 1928. He was mustered in on September 1, 1862, Wounded at Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1865 and was mustered out June 21, 1865. I may have posted this information before. If so, sorry.
Hello! I am very interested in seeing the book. I have three ancestors that were in the 139th
James Henderson Cochran, company A. died in the Battle of the Wilderness
Kelly Cochran, Company E, died from disease
William G. Risher, Company E, died at Fort Stevens
Thank you for doing this. I am actually working on profiles of my ancestors that fought in the war. Any inside info would be awesome
Hi John! I apologize for not responding sooner. Thank you for the information on your ancestors. Art is including a list of descendants we have met in his acknowledgments. HE is putting the final touches on the book and I will definitely let you know when it is ready.
Dianne 🙂
My great-great grandfather was Corporal Samuel Gray, laid to rest in Lake City, Michigan.
Hello Gayle! Sorry for not replying earlier. I do have Samuel’s information for Lake City. Art’s book is really getting close now. I will keep you posted.
David I’ve just read your post from almost three years ago. We would be extremely interested in seeing any copies of transcribed letters by your ancestor regarding John Greaser (Grieser). My paternal ancestors immigrated from Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany in the 1830’s and settled in central PA. I hope all is well with you and hope to hear from you soon.
Hi, I don’t know if this is still being monitored, but I am a descendant of John J. Ochse. He served in Company K, 139th PA Volunteer Infantry. He was mortally wounded on May 5, 1864 and died of his wounds on June 21, 1864. I am writing this note because I was going through my father’s belongings and discovered about 75 letters written to and from John Ochse during the Civil War. I am currently transcribing the letters but they give wonderful insights into the life of a private soldier. There is also quite a bit of information about other soldiers from Western PA (Mostly from Etna PA) who served in the 139th. For example, Henry Mangold, Daniel Eiszler, Henry Cooke?, John Greaser, John Heiber and more. Kindly share any information that you may have about John J. Ochse and feel free to contact me directly, if you would like any additional information.
Hi David! I responded by email but thought I would put a note on here just in case you didn’t get it. Please let me know and I will resend.
David
I would be interested in your family letters. I had a 2nd great grandfather, Francis Gregg and his son Thomas with 139th Company K both captured at Mines Run and they died in July and Aug 1864 at Andersonville Prison. I’d be interested if your family letters reference their capture
h mccaa
David I’ve just read your post from almost three years ago. We would be extremely interested in seeing any copies of transcribed letters by your ancestor regarding John Greaser (Grieser). My paternal ancestors immigrated from Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany in the 1830’s and settled in central PA. I hope all is well with you and hope to hear from you soon.
I am the decendent of PVT Richard Morrow, Co D, any info you have would be appreciated. I know he died of his wounds on the day following the Wilderness.
Hi Susan! Sorry for the delay in responding. You may already have some/all of this information but here goes. He enlisted in the 139th on Sep 1, 1862. He died May 6, 1864. He is buried at Pine Creek Cemetery in Allison Park,Hampton Twp, Allegheny Co., PA. Art Fox is currently writing a book about the 139th. This is the vignette he has on Richard: Private Richard Morrow–Age 18. A Richland Township native died after wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5th and died in a field hospital on May 6th, 1864.  He was buried by strangers in a place unknown. His parents, in a “tribute of parental affection”, erected a stone in their son’s honor in the Pine Creek cemetery, Hampton near the grave of his infant sister who preceded him in death. For additional information and photograph see Chapter 13.
The book is in it’s final stages but will be some months in coming yet. I also have Richard’s Find A Grave record with photos. It is memorial ID 116337324. Art would love to hear from you. He is trying to compile as many descendants as he can. His email is arthurfox 917@yahoo.com.
I had an ancestor who was in the 139th. His name was John Ford. He was in Company C as was his son.
I know this is very late but I hope you still get this. This is what I have on him: Priv. Ford, John – Age 30. Reduced in rank from corporal Oct. 1862, by order of Captain Parr. I also have his pension index card. He enlisted Aug 16, 2861 and was discharged June 21, 1865. He applied for an invalid pension (certificate 812888) and his widow applied for a widow’s pension (certificate 919862). It lists his death date as Feb 15, 1910 in Parsons PA. You can request a copy of his pension file from the National Archives https://www.archives.gov/research/military/civil-war
In regards to the 139th history, I am presently completing the Gettysburg Chapter and the 11 days during the retreat and pursuit of Lee’s army. Since some of the secondary sources had given little info on the VI Corps at Gettysburg, I first assumed a short “easy” chapter – BUT I was wrong, I have “dug” into the Third Brigade’s actions on July 2 and 3 in the Plum Run, Wheatfield Road area and have utilized several primary and secondary sources and realize that the 139th and the 3rd Brigade contributed to holding the left of the Union line, more that they have been given credit for. Unfortunately their actions have been overshadowed by the 20th Maines terrific defense of Little Round Top and Samuel Crawfords PA Reserves who were on the left of the 139th in this area. The FIRST small monument to the 139th is located a short distance right or north of the Peach Orchard on the other side of the Wheatfield Road – this is how far the regiment had advanced on July 2nd, about one mile from where the SECOND larger monument (right of the base of Little Round Top) is located.
The 139th suffered many of their 20+ casualties when in the low marshy Plum Run Valley, hit by Confederate “snipers” in the Devil’s Den (named by locals for a huge snake – The Devil), late on July 2nd and into July 3rd. I have yet to find a source that document the formation, if any of the various companies while positioned in this roughly – 434 yard x 340 yard area. There was brief time, when the Confederates, possibly the 3rd Arkansas Infantry – withdrew from the Den on July 3rd but then returned later in the day. On July 4th, a detail from the 139th, I have a primary source from Company E, although men from other companies and regiments also joined this gruesome task – buried the dead along the Wheatfield Road area. Hopefully this will be the definite source for the regiment at Gettysburg, the manuscript pages on this chapter alone at present number about 25 and counting –
MORE LATER
Hi I am a decendent of Joseph Walker, I have found information that he was in the 139th but can’t find him in any of your company listings. Do you have any info on him? Thanks in advance
Just found he was in company C.
Hi Dan! It is very nice to “meet” you! I do have Joseph Walker in Company C. I do not have him on the website yet because I do not have burial information for him. If you know when he died and where he is buried I would love to add him to my list. Art’s notes show he was mustered in on 0/1/1862 and discharged for wounds on 4/20/1865. He was wounded on 9/19/1864 at Opequan, VA. Arthur Fox and friends are finalizing a history of the 139th and Joseph is included. Art has a photograph of him as well. Art’s book is nearing the end of editing for publishing but it still could be a few months yet. Please stay in touch and I will let you know when it is ready. And please let me know if I can tell you anything else. Thank you for contacting me. 🙂