"A Brief Experience as a Soldier during the Invasion of Pennsylvania," by William Peirsol

William H. Peirsol served in the First Regiment of Gray Reserves of Philadelphia (32nd Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia) during the Civil War. After the war, Peirsol published his account of his service during the summer of 1863. Peirsol's account, which contains daily entries between June 18 and July 20, 1863, includes descriptions of his militia company assembling in Philadelphia, his march from Harrisburg to Carlisle, and the shelling of Carlisle.

William H. Peirsol, A Brief Experience as a Soldier during the Invasion of Pennsylvania by the Confederate Army in 1863 (Philadelphia: Avil Printing Co., 1865).

For more information on the activities of the 32nd Pennsylvania Militia, see Edwin N. Benson, R. Dale Benson, and Theo. E. Wiedersheim History of the First Regiment Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: W.H. Dole & Co.’s Printing House, 1880), 17-21.