Our Country's Fiery Ordeal: Elwood Rodebaugh Enlists

Our Country's Fiery Ordeal

A blog about the American Civil War, written and maintained by historian Daniel J. Vermilya, author of The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (History Press, 2014) and James Garfield and the Civil War (History Press, 2015)

Dedicated to my great-great-great grandfather, Private Ellwood Rodebaugh, Company D, 106th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, killed at the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862.

"And may an Overuling Providence continue to cause good to come out of evil, justice to be done to all men where injustice has long prevailed, and finally, peace, quiet, and harmony to come out of this terrible confrontation and our country's fiery ordeal." -- Albert Champlin, 105th Ohio, Diary entry of June 19, 1864 (Western Reserve Historical Society)

Friday, August 26, 2011

Elwood Rodebaugh Enlists

On August 26, 1861, 150 years ago, Elwood Rodebaugh enlisted as a Private in the 33rd Keystone Regiment, what would eventually become the 5th California Regiment and the 106th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

While he had already left home for Philadelphia, it was on this date when Elwood officially entered active service in defense of his country. As a direct descendant of Elwood's, I am extremely proud to call him my ancestor, as he did what so many have done during this nation's long and illustrious history. On this date 150 years ago, Elwood Rodebaugh officially enlisted his services in a conflict which would eventually claim his life on the fields of Antietam.