Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

In your issue of the thirty-first of December, under the head of “Record of the Rebellion, etc.,” you assert that the Ringgold Artillery, of Reading, Pa., was the first company of volunteers that responded to the call of the President. In a subsequent issue, a letter from a former member of the Ringgold Artillery, goes to prove that the artillery was not the first company, but that it arrived at Washington together with four other companies--one from Allentown, two from Pottsville, and one from Lewistown. The latter company, the Logan Guards, commanded by Capt. John B. Selheimer, if any, were the first to answer the President's call, and it is about time they receive the credit for so doing.

On the morning of the sixteenth of April, at nine o'clock, the Logan Guards received orders from Gov. Curtin to proceed immediately to Harrisburgh, and by nine o'clock that night they were ready to leave for that place with one hundred members. Through some mismanagement of the railroad company, they did not get off until the next morning at four o'clock. As a consequence, they arrived in Harrisburgh about six o'clock on the morning of the seventeenth, which was, however, at least one hour before the arrival of any other company. After the other companies arrived, they were all sworn in together; and on the morning of the eighteenth the five companies left Harrisburgh for Washington City. During their passage through Baltimore, and their entrance into Washington, the Logan Guards had the right, and were the first company to report themselves for duty to the Adjutant-General. It is but just, therefore, that the credit should fall on those who deserve it — the gallant Logan Guards, Capt. John B. Selheimer, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.