The companies comprising the Eleventh Reserve Regiment were recruited; and organized by county. Most of these companies were raised for the three months service, but failing of acceptance still preserved their organizations, and when the call for the Reserve Corps was issued, marched to the rendezvous at Camp Wright, near Pittsburgh. The men had little or no military experience save that gathered from militia training; but they were generally familiar with the use of the rifle, were native born, of a hardy race, above the medium size, and inured to labor on farms and in the lumber districts. Upon their entrance to camp they were mustered into the State service, and rigidly drilled by companies.

June 24, 1861 -- The regiment marched to Harrisburg, where it was supplied with arms and accoutrements

June 25, 1861 -- moved to Baltimore and bivouacked on Federal Hill.

June 26, 1861 -- proceeded to Washington and encamped near the Park

June 29 - 30, 1861 -- The regiment was mustered, nine hundred strong, into the service of the United States.

Soon afterwards the Eleventh was placed in the Reserve camp at Tenallytown, and assigned to the Second Brigade of the Reserve Corps.

July 1, 1861 -- the regiment was organized by the choice of the following officers:, of Westmoreland county, Thomas F. Gallagher, Colonel; James R. Porter, of Indiana county, Lieutenant Colonel; and Samuel M. Jackson, of Armstrong county, Major. Colonel Gallagher was possessed of considerable military experience, and at once commenced battalion drill.

September, 1861 -- ordered to Great Falls, Maryland, sixteen miles above Washington, to picket the Potomac from a short distance below to a point six miles above. Here, in a part where the river is quite narrow and the banks precipitous and rocky, the men for the first time came face to face with the rebels. Much curiosity existed to get a view of the enemy, and it was not long before a friendly conversation was opened by the pickets from the rocks that lined either shore. A truce was agreed upon which was kept until a South Carolina regiment was placed on duty, when one of our pickets, going to the river to bathe, unsuspecting danger, was shot and severely wounded. This was the signal for hostilities, and company G was quickly placed in position and a lively skirmish ensued. In the meantime the rebels opened with a six gun battery, throwing over a hundred solid shots. The fire was rapid and well directed, the shots entering the buildings in which the men were quartered; but none were hurt.

From Tenallytown the regiment moved with the division and took position in line with the army, to the left of the Georgetown and Leesburg pike, beyond Langley and not far from Lewinsville. General M'Call, in making report of the condition of the regiment about this time, says: "This is a well drilled regiment, and with the improved arms, with which it is now supplied would be very effective." Here the officers put forth untiring energy to perfect themselves in a knowledge of their duties, and to drill and discipline their men. Before the cold weather came, the quarters were made comfortable; the foundations were of logs, surmounted by tents; the bunks were constructed of small poles covered with cedar boughs; and each cabin was supplied with a small sheets iron stove. Lieutenant Colonel Porter having resigned on account of physical disability, Major Jackson was elected to fill the vacancy, and Captain Robert Litzinger, of company A, was elected Major.

December 6, 1861 -- the Second Brigade, supported by the Third, the Eleventh Regiment in advance, was ordered on a foraging expedition to Gunell's farm, near Dranesville, and captured two spies, with three of their associates, and brought in fifty-seven wagon loads of grain, seven horses, two oxen and one wagon. This trespass upon the enemy's territory brought on the battle of Dranesville. For when the Third Brigade, a few days later, went out for a similar purpose, it was met by the enemy prepared to contest the ground. In the engagement which ensued the Second Brigade was held in reserve, and marched to the support of the Third, but before it arrived upon the field, the victory had been won.

Preparatory to the opening of the spring campaign, extra clothing and blankets were boxed and sent to Washington

March 10, 1862 -- the regiment broke up winter-quarters and marched on the Georgetown and Leesburg pike, to a point where the Springdale road branches to the left, when the rain, which had been falling from the time it left camp, had rendered the marching exceedingly hard, and by the time it reached Hunter's Mills, the men were completely exhausted. Here the regiment encamped, using for the first time the small shelter tent. The enemy having evacuated his entrenched camp, and thus wholly changed the object of the campaign, the regiment proceeded by forced march to Alexandria. This march, in consequence of the heavy and almost impassable nature of the roads, and the constant falling of a cold rain, was ever remembered by the men during their three years of service, as the severest test of their endurance to which they were called upon to submit. The regiment encamped near Fairfax Seminary, and owing to the condition of the ground and inadequate shelter, many of the men were soon prostrated by sickness.

April 1, 1862 -- Major Litzinger, who had for some time been absent on account of sickness, resigned and Adjutant Peter A. Johns was elected to fill the vacancy, and Lieutenant Robert A. M'Coy, of company A, appointed Adjutant.

April 9, 1862 -- the division having been assigned to the First Corps, under General M'Dowell, moved to Catlett's Station, where it encamped for a short time, and thence moved to Falmouth.

May 1862 --detached from M'Dowell's Corps and ordered to the Peninsula, where it was attached to the Fifth Corps, under General Fitz John Porter and was at once sent to the front, talking position near mechanicsville, in the immediate presence of the enemy. Having the greatest confidence in their officers, and with a year of discipline and drill, the men were in excellent condition for field service, and longed for an opportunity to show their prowess.

June 25, 1862 -- the entire regiments with field and line officers, was ordered on picket duty, the line skirting the Chickahominy, with the right resting on a swamp, which on the following day was the left of the line of battle. The strictest vigilance was enjoined, and neither officers nor men were allowed to sleep during the night.

June 26, 1862 -- Shortly after noon a battery of the enemy opened fire upon our pickets, but without effect. At three o'clock P.M. the battle of Mechanicsville, which was principally fought by the First and Third brigades of the Reserve Corps, had fairly opened, and was raging with great fury..

June 27, 1862 -- It was in the dusk of the evening when the surrender was made, and though worn out with two days' of marching and fighting, the men were hurried to the rear, and many of them, including Colonel Jackson, Adjutant M'Coy and Lieutenant Coder; were compelled to march to Richmond without rest or food.

June 28, 1862 -- arrived at four o'clock in the morning in Richmond and after being marched about the city for a spectacle to the inhabitants, who at this early hour were all out to behold the fruits of victory they were incarcerated in Libby prison.

June 29, 1862 -- Colonel Gallagher, and the rest of the regiment who were able to travel, were brought in. A few days later the men were separated from the officers and transferred to Belle Isle, a sandy island in the James River, entirely devoid of shade trees or shelter to shield them from the burning sun. In Richmond "The Government" bore arbitrary sway and none dared question its authority or give aid or comfort to the captives. With insufficient clothing and unwholesome food this captivity was endured until August 5^th

August 5, 1862 -- A cartel was agreed upon and the men were sent to Aiken's Landing, and were there furnished transportation to Harrison's Landing. A week later the officers followed them.

While the main body of the regiment was in the Richmond prisons, Captain Porter's company, which was on detached duty and escaped captivity, represented it in the corps. It numbered over one hundred men, and in the engagement at Charles City Cross Roads fought with determined bravery, losing nine killed and fifteen wounded. Upon assembling at Harrison's Landing, the Eleventh was greatly reduced in numbers. In consequence of the hardships of the campaign, the recent imprisonment, and the diseases contracted in the swamps of the Chickahominy and the James, a large number were disqualified for active duty, while one hundred and thirty non-commissioned officers and privates had been detailed from its ranks to guard the general hospital at Craney Island, near Fortress Monroe. Strenuous efforts were made by Colonel Gallagher to have this detail returned, but without success.

With ranks thus depleted, the regiment proceeded to Falmouth, where Lieutenant Colonel Jackson assumed command, Colonel Gallagher, on account of sickness, having been left at Fortress Monroe. The division, now under command of General Reynolds, marched by Kelly's Ford and Warrenton, to Gainesville, a distance of seventy miles, where it joined the main body of Pope's army now engaged in the second Bull Run campaign. Had generals Franklin and Porter, who had a much shorter distance to march, shown the same enterprise and earnestness in moving their commands as was exhibited by the gallant Reynolds, a grievous defeat might have been averted.

Here for a second time the reserves were attached to M'Dowell's Corps (Third Corps).

August 29, 1862 -- Late in the afternoon the Eleventh, now forming a part of the Third Brigade; was moved forward under a galling fire of grape, and engaged the enemies infantry. Unable to carry the position, the troops were withdrawn, and as night had now come on laid down on their arms to rest. Their position, however, soon became very uncomfortable, for stragglers, better known in the army as the "Coffee Brigade," had kindled small fires to boil their much coveted beverage, by which the enemy discovered the regiment's bivouac and opened upon it with a long range battery, throwing solid shot with some effort.

August 30, 1862 -- In the morning the regiment was placed upon the skirmish line, though only armed with smooth-bore muskets. Fortunately it sustained little injury until withdrawal. At three o'clock P. M., the enemy made a heavy assault upon the position held by the Reserves. The Eleventh was quickly advanced to the top of a small ridge, in an open field, and was soon at close range with the enemy. Here the smooth­bore guns were most serviceable, dealing deadly volleys upon the foe, the Fifth Texas, the two lines pressing close until the prostrate dead were indiscriminately mingled. At length the enemy having turned our flank, enfolded the line with such effect that the regiment was forced to retire. The loss was fourteen killed and forty-four wounded. Among the wounded were Captain Stewart, Adjutant M'Coy and Lieutenants Jones, Kennedy, Coder and Johnson.

The campaign in Maryland followed hard upon the defeat off. Pope. The Reserves were now commanded by General Meade, and the regiment by Lieutenant Colonel Jackson, Colonel Gallagher having succeeded to the command of the Third Brigade. The enemy was first encountered strongly posted in the passes of South Mountain. The Reserves were drawn up to the right of the road leading to Turner's Gap, held by the corps of Hill and Longstreet. The Eleventh held the left center as the line advanced to the attack, and moved on up the steep acclivity of the mountain, receiving a deadly fire from the enemy securely posted behind trees and rocks. In the midst of the engagement Colonel Gallagher fell severely wounded. Colonel Jackson, with great personal bravery, held his regiment well in hand, cheered on his men and successfully reached that deadly height. In the progress of the ascent, when the battle was raging hottest and the victory was still doubtful, Corporal Koons, (afterwards killed at Fredericksburg,) who was possessed of great powers of mimicry, crowed lustily, like a cock uttering the note of triumph. The familiar sound, heard amid the pauses of the battle, so inspirited the men that they went forward with renewed zeal to assured victory. The loss was fifteen killed and twenty-eight wounded. Among the former were Captain Brady and Lieutenant Walter F. Jackson, and of the latter Colonel Gallagher, Captain Nesbit, who died from the effects of his wounds, Captain Bierer, Quartermaster Torrence and Lieutenant Kennedy.

Although the regiment was reduced to a mere fragment of its original strength, having less than two hundred effective men, yet it moved promptly with the division to the field of Antietam and bore an important part in that sanguinary battle. The loss here was seven killed and seventeen wounded. After the battle the regiment went into camp, near Sharpsburg, in a condition of general destitution blanketless, shoeless, moneyless, and in tattered uniforms. While here, Governor Curtin made a strong effort to have the corps removed to the State, promising to send it back to the field in a short time recruited and re-organized, but without success.

November 9, 1862 -- Crossing the Potomac with the main body of the army, it reached Warrenton amidst a heavy snow storm that severely tried the endurance of the men. Soon afterwards the detail of men left at Craney Island rejoined the regiment, which, with recruits and the men returned from hospitals, made the effective force about four hundred.

The army, commanded by General Burnside, was now faced towards Fredericksburg. The Reserves, under General Meade, were attached to Reynolds' Corps of Franklin's Grand Division. Having previously moved out to a point three miles below Fredericksburg, and in rear of Stafford Hills

December 10, 1862 -- At midnight the division moved, passing camp after camp of the army warped in quiet slumber, and soon met the pontoon train, which revealed the object of the midnight march. The task had been assigned the division to force a crossing of the Rappahannock, and to cover the laying of the pontoons. Before daylight the river was reached, and the Bucktails and the Tenth Reserves were deployed as skirmishers along the bank of the stream. The enemy was soon driven from the opposite shore by the unerring aim of our riflemen, and the bridge was successfully laid.

December 11, 1862 -- The division crosses and takes position near the Bernard House

December 13, 1862 - The division marched early in the day across an extended plain to a position near the railroad, and in front of the enemy's line of earth works. The Eleventh was posted in rear of the batteries, when a severe artillery duel ensued, in which many of the regiment were killed and terribly wounded. As soon as the cannonading ceased the order was given for the infantry to advance.

Re-crossing the river, the division moved to Belle Plain Landing, where it went into camp. General Meade having been assigned to the command of the Fifth Army Corps, Colonel H.G. Sickel of the Third Regiment, the ranking officer, assumed command.

February 8, 1863 -- Division relieved from duty with the Army of the Potomac after participating in the hardships of Burnside's second campaign, the "Mud March," and assigned to the Twenty-Second Army Corps, charged with the defenses of Washington. Colonel Gallagher having resigned on account of the disabling wound received at South Mountain, Lieutenant Colonel Jackson was commissioned Colonel, Daniel S. Porter, Captain of company B, Lieutenant Colonel, and James P. Speer, Captain of company G, Major, in place of Major Johns, who had previously resigned. On arriving at Washington the Eleventh encamped for a short time at Minor's Hill, and was subsequently stationed at Vienna.

June 3, 1863 -- Brigadier General S. W. Crawford assigned to the command of the division and at once proceeded to put it in a condition for active service.

June 25, 1863 -- The First and Third Brigades assigned to duty with the Fifth Army Corps, the regiment breaks camp and marches to Frederick.

July 2, 1863 - The regiment arrives with the mail body of the army at Gettysburg

July 4, 1863 -- The regiment is withdrawn in the morning from the front.

From Gettysburg the pursuit of Lee involved rapid and fatiguing marches. At Williamsport his forces were again confronted. Upon his retreat across the river the pursuit was continued to Falling Waters, where Major Speer, riding forward in advance of the column, came upon several stragglers whom he captured and brought in. Upon its return into Virginia, the regiment encamped in the neighborhood of Rappahannock Station. Major Speer, who was still suffering from wounds which unfitted him for duty in the field, resigned and was succeeded by Adjutant R. A. M'Coy, who was soon after detailed for duty as Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of General Crawford. The command subsequently moved to Culpepper Court House, and remained in camp between that place and the Rapidan until the enemy attempted to turn the right flank of Meade's army, when it fell back to prevent Lee from seizing the heights at Centreville.

October 14, 1863 --, the regiment is slightly engaged at Bristoe Station and shortly afterwards in a skirmish at Rappahannock Station.

Meade having prevented the occupation of Centreville, the enemy again fell back to the Rappahannock, where he was met and routed, when he retreated to his strong-holds beyond the Rapidan. In the campaign of Mine Run, which soon followed, the Eleventh participated, and was engaged at New Hope Church; but the casualties were slight, and the results, for the great suffering endured, unimportant.

Upon the abandonment of offensive operations the army was withdrawn across the Rappahannock, and the Reserves assigned to duty on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, the Eleventh being encamped at Warrenton Junction and Bristoe Station. Here it was subject to frequent attacks from guerrilla bands of the enemy, and the men were consequently required to be on guard or outpost duty every third night. Upon the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Porter, Major M'Coy was commissioned to succeed him, though still retained on staff duty, and James C. Buck, Captain of company A, Major.

Before entering upon the Wilderness campaign, General Sykes was superseded in the command of the Fifth Corps, by General G. R. Warren.

April 29, 1864 -- The Reserves left Bristoe Station and marched to a point near Culpepper Court House, where they joined the Fifth Corps

May 3, 1864 -- At midnight the regiment marched to Germania Ford, and in advance of the army, crossed and encamped near the Lacy House. On the following morning, the division moved out by a country road through the Wilderness, with a view of the striking the Fredericksburg and Orange Court House plank road, near the old Verdiersville road; but before reaching the plank road a part of the division became engaged. The Eleventh was held in reserve with other regiments until three o'clock P. M., when, with the Second and Seventh, it was sent under Colonel M'Candless to the support of Wadsworth's Division, now hard pressed. The Reserve regiments being fresh troops were immediately sent to the front, and soon had passed Wadsworth's line as it fell back. Not being supported they were soon outflanked, and the Seventh Regiment captured; but by the coolness and daring of Colonel Jackson, the Eleventh succeeded, after several fruitless attempts, in cutting its way out and reaching the union lines; but not without serious loss. During the remaining two days in the Wilderness battle, and during the twenty-three succeeding days, it was under fire and maintained its well earned reputation for gallantry on the hard fought fields of Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna and Bethesda Church. Upon the fall of Colonel M'Candless and the capture of Colonel Talley, the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Jackson, and that of the regiment upon Captain Coder.

May 30, 1864 -- On the morning after the battle of Bethesda Church, the term of service for which the regiment enlisted had expired, and it was ordered from the front. Transferring the veterans and recruits to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment, and bidding adieu to companions in arms, it proceeded via White House to Washington and thence to Harrisburg, where in common with other Reserve regiments, it was handsomely received by Governor Curtin and the city authorities. From Harrisburg the regiment proceeded to Pittsburg

June 13, 1864 -- The regiment was mustered out of service.

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