History of the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers #264569

In the preparation of this work, which was authorized by the Regimental Association a year ago, no pains have been spared to make it an accurate, concise and readable history. In addition to the material accumulated from official records in the War Department and Congressional Library, many interesting facts and war-time incidents have been gleaned from local newspaper files, from note books kept by comrades, and from letters, brown with age and sometimes scarcely legible, which were written to the homefolk, in the camp, on the picket line or on the battlefield. In the verification of uncertain statements, the systematically conducted search for additional information, and the accumulation of material of every sort, the author has had the hearty support and invaluable assistance of his associates on the Historical Committee.<br><br>With General Shallenberger, Chairman of the Publication Committee, wise in council, sane in judgment and unwearied in his devotion to the "dear old Regiment," at the Headquarters of official information, and with the Secretary of the Association, Harry J. Boyde, at its Headquarters in Western Pennsylvania, the writer has been in almost constant communication. Most generously and unselfishly have these comrades responded to every demand for additional assistance or information, which was made upon their time or patience.<br><br>Not less of honor and grateful appreciation should be accorded also to Dr. John R. Paxton of the Committee, whose generous initiative has made the publication of the book a possibility, in a style worthy of the noble Regiment, whose achievements it records, and to Major Henry who gave his cordial assent to the plans of the Historian, and who, in the intervals between periods of extreme suffering, and but a short time before his death, dictated valuable information for his use.<br><br>With the sanction of the committee this volume goes forth on its mission, in the hope that it may worthily revive the stirring memories of the past and help to kindle anew the fires of patriotism which burned so brightly in the dark days of civil strife.