NGP History Project

The Death of Colonel Fetzer

Wallace Fetzer was not your typical Guardsman inducted for Federal Service in the summer of 1917. Fetzer was a 46 year old widower and father, active member of the Masons, and a well-known school superintendent in Northumberland County, PA.

Fetzer was a school teacher residing in Montandon, PA when he had his first brush with the military, enlisting in the local National Guard unit, enlisting in Co. A, 12th Infantry NGP. Fetzer was a born leader and he rose through the ranks with ease. When the unit was called to the colors in 1898, Fetzer was made a 2d Lieutenant in the 12th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

After his war service Fetzer returned to Pennsylvania and enrolled in Bucknell University graduating with the Class of 1904. He continued his climb both in the ranks and in civilian life attaining a position as a school principal in Sunbury and a Captaincy in the 12th Infantry. Fetzer married a fellow educator in Milton, Elizabeth Dawson, and fathered four children before being promoted to Major of the 12th.

Fetzer would transfer from the 12th to a prestigious position as an executive officer in the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry where he would again be called to the colors to serve along the Mexican Border in 1916. Fetzer’s wife passed that year during childbirth, leaving his three remaining children in the care of family until his return home in early 1917.

Fetzer would be recalled one final time in the summer of 1917, an old man by army standards, the veteran Major accepted a leave of absence from his school district and marched to Camp Hancock GA. With the break up of the 1st Cavalry, Fetzer would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and sent to the 109th Infantry.

In July of 1918 Fetzer was on the frontlines along the Ourcq River when he was unexpectedly thrust into command of the 110th Infantry following the relief of its previous commander. Fetzer had only a few days to learn the men, but had ingratiated himself with the boys and was a favorite among the Regiment.

On July 28th Fetzer was monitoring the progress of his units assault on the Grimpettes Woods from his CP in Fresnes when German artillery bracketed his position and shelled the town. Fetzer was struck by shrapnel and succumbed to his wounds outside his headquarters. His men would capture the woods two days later, and he would be buried near Courmont.

Back home Fetzer’s loss was devastating. The town banded together to support the family and the three orphaned children, many stories filled local newspaper of the heroic loss of the NGP veteran. Fetzer was to that date the highest ranking officer of the NGP killed in action.

The community would memorialize Fetzer with plaques, halls, and eventually an American Legion Post. Though his sacrifice was over a hundred years ago, his memory and sacrifice is still remembered in Milton.

Pennsylvania National Guard Pennsylvania Military Museum Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum 28th Infantry Division 28th Infantry Division Association Bucknell University

"Eager to Fight"

That is how a 1901 history of valor award recipients described Colonel John Hartranft in 1861 during the First Battle of Bull Run.

Hartranft, a militia Captain turned Volunteer Colonel led the 4th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry to war in 1861. After months garrisoning Washington the regiments term of service had expired, and though the wars first major battle was on the horizon, the men chose to return home.

Hartranft, however, would not turn from a scrap, and offered himself as volunteer aide to General Franklin. During the fighting he would move among the men of Burnside’s Brigade, rally fresh troops under fire and running important messages across the battlefield. For his actions that day as a volunteer aide Hartranft earned the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor.

Hartranft returned home after the battle to recruit another regiment, the 51st Pennsylvania, in Norristown. He famously led these men across the Carolinas, over "Burnsides Bridge" at Antietam, and later presided over the trial of the Lincoln Conspirators. Elevated to a Major General by the end of the war, Hartranft hung his sword up in 1865 and turned to politics.
After initially attaining cabinet positions, Hartranft would be elected Governor in 1872. He would preside over some of the states worst economic crises, including the widespread labor unrest in 1877.

Upon leaving office Hartranft would again put on the uniform, this time as a member of the NGP. Hartranft would completely reorganize the Guard and take command of his newly established "Pennsylvania Division" in 1879, effectively becoming the father of the 28th Infantry Division and modern PA National Guard. He would retire shortly after, ending his extensive career as he began it, and Officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Pennsylvania Military Museum Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum 28th Infantry Division Association

Here’s a great early‑1900s shot of members of the Pennsylvania National Guard hanging out on the observation deck of the 44th New York Infantry Memorial on Little Round Top - Gettysburg National Military Park.

We lined up the original photo with one taken earlier today, and you can spot a fun detail: the 12th New York marker wasn’t there yet in the historic image. Its top is just barely peeking over the edge.

Love finding these NGP Gettysburg throwbacks!

UPDATE: Our eagle‑eyed friend, Eric Mohney, just solved a mystery for us—the early 1900s image we used is actually reversed.

Once you compare the tree lines in both images, it’s obvious why the 12th New York tablet doesn’t show up where it should. The tablet isn’t missing…the photo is flipped.

We’ll be re‑shooting this one and adding it to the list of Gettysburg views we want to capture when we’re back later this month or early next month.

Summer means Annual Encampment Season!

In 1905, NGP's brigades fanned out across the state for their annual training. The 1st Brigade pitched camp at Perkasie on July 8th, the 3rd Brigade did the same at Mt. Gretna, and one week later the 2nd Brigade settled into Erie for its mid‑July encampment.

Three camps, three corners of the Commonwealth, one shared mission.

Good morning friends and , we hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day.

Here's a quick update on the 2026 campaign. We're sitting at $448 of $1,500 raised and this weekend we have already sold half as many shirts as we did for the entire 2025 campaign!

We still have a lot of work left to do, but we're off to a strong start!

Thank you again for your support!

Happy Independence Day — and cheers to 250 years of the United States of America!

When many think of the end of the Civil War, Appomattox comes to mind. Others recall Sherman and Johnston in North Carolina. But for many Pennsylvanians, the war did not truly end until early 1866, when the last regiments finally mustered out and returned home. That summer marked the first Independence Day where the Commonwealth could celebrate with everyone back on Pennsylvania soil.

On July 4, 1866, Philadelphia staged one of the most remarkable patriotic celebrations the nation had seen since the momentous events of 1776.

The day would open with a sunrise 100‑gun salute. A battery at Penn’s Square fired the “first call” signal at 8 AM, then signaled formation at 10 AM with two guns — followed by another 100‑gun salute as the parade assembled for the day's events. Governor Andrew G. Curtin received his own 15‑gun salute upon arriving at Washington Square.

The parade route wound from Arch Street to 12th, then Chestnut, 2nd, and Walnut before reaching Independence Square. The official party included Governor Andrew G. Curtin, Major General George G. Meade, their staffs, officers not otherwise on duty, and a procession of Soldiers’ Orphans.

The line of march began with mounted police, bands, and Major General Negley and his staff. Taking up the place of honor at the rear of the Advanced Guard were The First Defenders — the Pennsylvania volunteer companies that rushed to defend Washington in April 1861:

Washington Artillery of Pottsville
National Light Infantry
Ringgold Light Artillery
Logan Guards of Lewistown
Allen Infantry of Allentown

These units marched in the same order they held when they passed through Baltimore in 1861, honoring their role as the Commonwealth’s earliest responders.

The main body followed: infantry under Major General Patterson, artillery under Brigadier General Campbell, cavalry under Major General Gregg, then General Meade and his staff. Carriages of invalid officers came next, followed by the brilliantly arrayed colors and color guards of Pennsylvania regiments not otherwise in line.

U.S. Army and Marine Corps units marched behind them, and Governor Curtin led the civil contingent — including Soldiers’ Orphans and a Guard of Honor composed of fire companies from across the state.

As the procession entered Independence Square, Professor Birgfield’s Band performed the Triumphal March. Rev. Thomas Brained offered a prayer, and the Star‑Spangled Banner followed — decades before it became our national anthem.

General Meade then presented the Commonwealth’s battle flags to Governor Curtin, returning them to the state — the regiments had been mustered out, their service completed. The 1866 Adjutant General’s Report recorded the moment:

"These mementoes of the deeds and valor of the noble sons of Pennsylvania, are now carefully and securely deposited among the archive of the State, there to remain eloquent to posterity of the patriotism of their fathers, and a warning for all time, to the traitor who would dare attempt the life of the nation."

Today, these flags are carefully preserved in Harrisburg by the Capitol Preservation Committee, ensuring that future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate them. The NGP History Project is honored to support this mission and has completed two successful fundraising campaigns to help sustain the preservation and conservation of these irreplaceable pieces of Pennsylvania’s military heritage.

To learn more about Pennsylvania’s flag collection — including how to view the Commonwealth’s preserved battle flags from the Civil War and the Spanish‑American War — please visit:
https://www.pacivilwarflags.org/

The 2026 NGP Preservation & Education Shirt Campaign is now open!

Grab a shirt and help us support a really great museum — orders are open through September 1st.
https://www.ngphistoryproject.com/show-your-support

If you’d prefer to contribute in another way, we also have a simple donation option.

Thank you for your support!

The 2026 NGP Preservation & Education Campaign shirt design is here—and we couldn’t be more excited to share it!

This year’s artwork, created by our friend Ty at 1863 Designs, features a 28th Division doughboy advancing with a fixed bayonet over the red 28th Infantry Division keystone. The design will appear on the left chest of a green t‑shirt matched as closely as possible to an authentic WWI uniform shade.

In the summer of 1918, Pennsylvania National Guard units fought through the streets of Fismes and Fismette in brutal, close‑quarters action that demanded small‑unit initiative, steady leadership at the squad and platoon level, and extraordinary demonstrations of sacrifice and heroism. Ty’s first WWI commission captures that spirit perfectly, portraying a stern, determined guardsman advancing into the fight.

Later today we’ll post ordering information for this year’s campaign. We will only share official details on our social media accounts and our website. We are not working through any third parties—please disregard and report scam bots if you see them advertising shirts.

The shirt campaign runs from July 3rd through close of business on Saturday, September 1st. Shirts will be ordered the morning of the 2nd, and sent to you as soon as they arrive at our HQ and they have been inspected, packed and mailed out. As a 501(c)(3) non‑profit organization, your donation is also tax‑deductible.

ORDERING IS NOW LIVE! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ErUwPujtu/

Thank you for your continued support of our NGP Preservation and Education campaigns!

While digging through material for this weekend’s post, we came across a wonderful sale advertisement in the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette dated July 4, 1866. Pittsburgh wasn’t shy about making Independence Day a big occasion.

And what a Fourth it was - 1866 was the first Fourth of July when all the men who served in the Commonwealth’s regiments during the war were home to mark the holiday.