What is a Militia?
Gettysburg National Military Park Kidzpage

What do I do now?
The Militia were state regiments made up of civilians who were urgently needed at a moments notice. They were not full-time soldiers, but men who served as soldiers for a limited time- usually up to 100 days- only when the governor felt it necessary. They could only be called into service by an executive order from the governor.

With the approach of the Confederate army into Pennsylvania, Governor Andrew Curtin called for several regiments of emergency troops to be raised and organized. These inexperienced men were given uniforms, weapons, and were quickly drilled. Few had ever served in the army and even fewer had any battle experience. But Pennsylvania's Emergency Regiments played a major role in constructing defenses near the state capitol of Harrisburg, guarding railroads and bridges, and scouting the roads in south central Pennsylvania. One of the first Union soldiers killed near Gettysburg was George Sandoe a member of Company B, 21st Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, a state militia unit.

The "militia" today is the Army National Guard located in your state. And, just like during the Civil War, they can be called into action by the state governor in time of need. Thankfully they are much better trained and equipped than those emergency troops were in 1863!

 

Back to The Union Soldier.

Gettysburg Kidz Page

National Park Service
Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100
Gettysburg, PA 17325