John Buyers (1827-1908) of Sunbury, PA raised Company I in the 58th Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as the Augusta Rangers, and served as their captain for the first two years of the war. This broadside was not issued for recruitment--the volunteers had already enlisted, but are here summoned to elect their officers at the Sunbury courthouse, and then "proceed to Camp, and be sworn into the service of our State." It concludes, "Patriots of old Northumberland, your endangered Government calls for aid. Come along and assist in saving to you and your posterity the grandest inheritance ever bequeathed to man." Captain Buyers left the service in May 1863 due to the ill effects of Virginia swamp duty.
With--31 manuscripts sleeved in a binder relating to the Civil War service and family of Captain Buyers, 1820-97:
Muster roll of his company, Camp Suffolk, VA, 31 December 1862.
3 letters from Buyers to his brother, all written in camp near Portsmouth, VA, June and August 1862.
Discharge letter dated May 1863.
Retained copy of his letter to the Pennsylvania governor requesting a pension, and describing his service hardships in detail, 1897.
Letter from Pennsylvania Congressman David Petrikin re land grants, 1839.
24 other family letters and documents, 1820-92.