Amy J. Truesdell -

View of South Mountain from cornfield, Antietam battlefield.

Stonewall at Marye's Heights, Fredericksburg.

Salem Church, battle site during the Chancellorsville Campaign.

Banks' Ford Crossing, Chancellorsville Campaign.

Visiting the National Museum of the US Army warehouse at Fort Belvoir to see Rollin's uniform, October 2020.

In the autumn of 2019, I discovered Rollin's uniform was featured in a book on Civil War uniforms by artist Don Troiani. Previously unaware that Rollin's had been preserved, I was stunned and euphoric. By 2019, Troiani had transferred the uniform to the US Army who would care for it as part of its National Museum of the US Army collection. Curators at the yet-to-be-opened museum graciously facilitated my visit after learning of my connection and writing project. Standing next to the clothing that my great-great-grandfather wore as he was fighting for his life while fighting for the Union some 160 years ago would be the closest I would ever be to Rollin. A gift beyond words.

Map of Rollin's hometown from the Atlas of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania published in 1872.

Painting of Truesdell farmhouse, artist unknown.

Rollin's letter to his father in the immediate aftermath of the Chancellorsville Campaign, May 6, 1863.

Rollin's parents' headstones, Lawsville Cemetery, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.