Brothers in arms, brothers in blood: Two Civil War veterans honored in York County

Irelend Viscount
·2 min read
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YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – Two Civil War veterans, and brothers, were honored during a ceremony at Prospect Hill Cemetery in York Saturday.

Sgt. Daniel Welsh served with the 87th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers and Pvt. Jacob Welsh served with the 107th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.

“They should never be forgotten, none of these brave men should be forgotten,” said Rick Kauffman, a family member of the brothers.

Private Jacob Welsh is Rick Kauffman’s fourth great great grandfather.

“I didn’t quite know what I wanted to say today. I tried to write things down, but I got a little emotional about it and overwhelmed me,” said Kauffman.

Two brothers honored, but only Private Jacob Welsh is buried here. He survived the war, returning to his home in York County. He died in 1928 at the age of 87.

At the battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, Pvt. Jacob Welsh was wounded behind the right ear by a shell fragment. He rejoined the regiment in December of that year. With the 107th at the battle of Weldon RR on August 19th, 1864, he was taken prisoner. He was held in the Libby Prison in Richmond and at Salisbury, N.C. until the close of the war.

But his older brother, Sgt. Daniel Welsh, died on July 9th, 1864, at the battle of Monocacy. He was mortally wounded in the regiment’s final stand along Georgetown Pike just before the Federal Forces were compelled to leave the field.

“Near the end of the action, Daniel suffered a mortal wound. His comrades had to leave him on the field, and it was overrun by the confederates,” said Kauffman.

Sgt. Daniel Welsh’s body was never recovered.

While Memorial Day is celebrated, it’s also important to remember.

“And envision the horrors that these folks were willing to go through to protect us, to protect the freedom of all individuals here in the United States,” said York Mayor Michael Helfrich.

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