My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS C. CRAWFORD, was born at Hanover, Bedford county, Pa., March 7, 1838. His parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, his grandfather having been Scotch and his grandmother Irish. His father moved with his family, while Thomas C. was yet quite young, to Mossy Creek, Augusta county, Va., where the latter received a common-school education. In 1859 our subject came to Pennsylvania, and located in Clinton county, Pa., where he followed the trade of iron-worker at Washington Iron-works, operated at that time by John Fallon. In 1861, at the first call, he enlisted for three months in Co. H, 2d P. V. I., Col. Stambaugh. This regiment did duty in Wyncoop’s brigade, Banks’ division, in the Shenandoah valley. After the expiration of his three months’ service Mr. Crawford returned home, and re-enlisted under Capt. G. B. Shearer for three years or during the war, serving as orderly-sergeant, this company being assigned to the 93d P. V. I., then forming at Lebanon. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac in November of the same year, and in the spring followed McClellan from Fortress Monroe to Fair Oaks, taking part in the battles of Williamsburg (where the captain was killed), Fair Oaks, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill, during which time both lieutenants had left the company, leaving our subject in command of thirteen men, all that was left of the one hundred and one who started from Washington city for Richmond, Va. At Harrison’s Landing, Mr. Crawford, being seized with fever, was sent to New York city, where he lay in Park barracks for six weeks, after which he returned home, and from there was sent to the convalescent camp at Alexandria, Va., and was there detailed, by special order from the war department, to assist in classifying and organizing all convalescent troops reporting to that place. His health again failing, Mr. Crawford was mustered out of the service and sent home. When Lee invaded Pennsylvania he assisted in raising a company of men for the “emergency,” and went with them as first lieutenant, after which critical period he again returned home. Troops being then called for, for one year’s service, Mr. Crawford and Charles L. Buffington, of Milesburg, enlisted fifty men, proceeded to Harrisburg, joined the 200th regiment, and were assigned to Co. F; captain, F. A. Hoffman; first lieutenant, Thomas C. Craw ford; adjutant of regiment, Charles L. Buffington. They joined the Army of the Potomac at Bermuda Hundreds, the one-year men composing a provisional division, Lieut. Crawford being detailed to serve as aid on the staff of the general, Charles K. Graham. In that capacity, one dark, rainy night, he rode into the enemy’s lines, but, discovering his mistake after being challenged by the picket, he turned his horse, and amid a storm of bullets escaped unhurt.

Some time after that all the one-year men were assigned to the 9th army corps; our subject’s company and regiment, being assigned to the 1st brigade, 3d division, lay in winter quarters in front of Petersburg, Va., preparing for the spring campaign. Previous to starting out on raid through North Carolina, the troops were all called out to witness the execution of two men who had deserted and joined the confederates. On the morning of the 25th of March, 1865, the rebels attacked Fort Steadman, and the 200th regiment, lying immediately in front of the fort, were the first troops to meet the enemy, who had come over in full force. From three o’clock until eight the battle raged furiously, the 200th bearing the brunt of the fight at first, losing 130 men in killed and wounded, Mr. Crawford being among the latter, being struck by a piece of shell, which completely disabled him. This closed his active service in front, and afterward he took part with his regiment in the grand review at Washington, subsequently acting as adjutant of his regiment; was mustered out shortly afterward, and returned home; then for several years he followed railroading. In 1872 he came to McKeesport, and was engaged with W. D. Wood & Co. as a knobbler and hammerman until 1881, when he was given charge of the forge or producing department, in which capacity he is still acting. Mr. Crawford is a member of Post No. 59, G. A. R., of which he has been twice elected commander.