The First Soldiers Wounded in the Civil War
After Fort Sumter was fired upon, the Pottsville Light Infantry offered its services, reached Washington with other Pennsylvania companies, and was recognized as the first troops to arrive for the capital’s defence. Cheered along the way, the soldiers were attacked by a Baltimore mob on April 18 and fought through. Nicholas Biddle, the company’s only colored man, was struck unconscious and bloodied by a stone, becoming the first Union volunteer to shed blood in the war. His comrades carried him to safety; he later served throughout the war and was honored by a Pottsville monument.
By Annie Wittenmyer · First published 1895 · Genre: Historical Nonfiction, Civil War History, Military History · 626 words
First lines
A COLORED MAN THE FIRST TO FALL.
Fort Sumter was fired on April 12, 1861. The next day the Pottsville Light Infantry, of Pottsville, Pa., tendered their services by telegram for the defence of the government.
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Genres
- Historical Nonfiction — The work recounts documented Civil War events, including the Baltimore riots of April 1861 and the service of the Pottsville Light Infantry.
- Civil War History — Its central subject is the opening of the American Civil War, focusing on the first Union volunteers to reach Washington and the earliest bloodshed connected with the conflict.
- Military History — The narrative emphasizes troop mobilization, enlistment, the movement of military companies, mob violence against soldiers, and wartime service.
- African American History — Nicholas Biddle, the only Black man in the company, is foregrounded as the first Union volunteer wounded in the war, with attention to his later commemoration.
Tags
American Civil War · Civil War opening · Fort Sumter · 1861 · Union volunteers · Pennsylvania militia · Pottsville Light Infantry · Washington, D.C. · Baltimore, Maryland · Baltimore riot of 1861 · defence of the national capital · Nicholas Biddle
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The First Soldiers Wounded in the Civil War is listed on Textopian as a historical account by Annie Wittenmyer, dated 1895 CE.
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- Work type: Historical account
- Author: Annie Wittenmyer
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Nonfiction, Civil War History, Military History, African American History, Biographical Sketch
- Length: 626 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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