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They Answered the Call: the 130th Pennsylvania – Jason Campbell

Using their own words from letters and diaries, Institute historian Jason Campbell will follow in the footsteps of the 130th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on August 1. In the summer of 1862, Pennsylvania volunteers were recruited primarily from Cumberland and York Counties to fill the quota of a new, nine-month regiment. Within a month, the 130th Pennsylvania would “see the elephant” at the Battle of Antietam, charging toward the Sunken Road and suffering heavy losses – 32 killed and 146 wounded. Following the battle, the regiment would assist in burying the Confederate dead that remained in Bloody Lane. Their experience at Antietam would stay with them the rest of their lives and their courage at Antietam earned them a prominent monument on the battlefield to remind everyone, “They Answered the Call”.


Jason Campbell is a lifelong resident of Hagerstown, Maryland, and graduated from Hagerstown Community College and Hood College. Jason worked in retail for 16 years, ten of those years being with Target. Jason is a life-long Civil War enthusiast and began volunteering at Antietam National Battlefield in 2010. In 2012, Jason became a licensed battlefield guide at Antietam, where he gives tours ranging from families to tour groups to the diehard enthusiast. Jason’s experience on the battle of Antietam led to his becoming a seasonal ranger with the National Park Service at Antietam. Jason continues to work for the National Park Service as a park ranger on the National Mall and Memorial Park in Washington, D.C. Jason is a contributing author to the Antietam Institute’s Brigades of Antietam and Commanders of Antietam.

This two-hour hike covers approximately 1 ½ miles, across moderate terrain and park trails. All excursions will run from 9:30 to 11:30 am and start at the Visitor Center overflow parking area. The “Following in the Footsteps” hikes are for current members only, and advance registration is required (login before registering), but there is no fee to attend. Members are required to purchase the park entrance pass at the Visitor Center.

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“One of Abraham Lincoln’s 300,000: The 125th Pennsylvania Infantry” – D. Scott Kenepp

Learn about the recruitment and muster of the 125th Pennsylvania. See how this newly organized unit behaved in battle for the first time. How did the mortal wounding of XII Corps commander Joseph Mansfield change the trajectory of the 125th Pennsylvania? Follow the track of the regiment across the field as it engages the enemy. Experience some of the stories of the participants and explore the memorialization and dedication efforts of the unit’s monument on September 17, 1904. On May 2, Institute historian Scott Kenepp will follow in the footsteps of “One of Abraham Lincoln’s 300,000: The 125th Pennsylvania Infantry.”

D. Scott Kenepp retired with 37 years of government service from the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community performing Geospatial Intelligence Production, Analytic Tradecraft, and Strategic Resource Management. He developed and executed multiple analytic staff rides supporting two federal agencies with Intelligence Analysis. Scott earned a Geography degree from Penn State University and a Masters in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. He is a Volunteer and Licensed Battlefield Guide at Antietam National Battlefield Park.

This two-hour hike covers approximately 1 ½ miles, across moderate terrain and park trails. All excursions will run from 9:30 to 11:30 am and start at the Visitor Center overflow parking area. The “Following in the Footsteps” hikes are for current members only, and advance registration is required (login before registering), but there is no fee to attend. Members are required to purchase the park entrance pass at the Visitor Center.

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Henry Vincent and the Danville Fencibles: the 132nd PA Vol Inf at Antietam

My interest in the American Civil War and the Battle of Antietam in particular occurred many years ago when I was told the story of a young man named Henry. In August of 1862, Henry, who was from Montour County, Pennsylvania answered President Abraham Lincoln’s call for 300,000 nine-month militia. Henry enlisted in the ‘Danville Fencibles’ which was comprised of men mostly from the Danville Iron Works. Before the end of the month they were mustered into service as Company A, 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment and in defensive works outside Washington.

With General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate invasion into Maryland, they were quickly assigned to Brigadier General Nathan Kimball’s First Brigade, 3rd Division, Second Army Corps, alongside three veteran regiments. In just over a week’s time Henry and the 132nd Pennsylvania would receive their ‘baptism of fire’ fighting for a Sunken Road among the fields and farmsteads that reminded them so much of home.

Henry survived the battle at Antietam as well as the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville unscathed. After being mustered out, he returned home to Danville to become a successful businessman, farmer, and family man. This story was passed down to me through the generations, as Henry Vincent was my great-great-grandfather.

Join us on July 4, as Antietam Institute founder and battlefield guide, Chris Vincent, shares the story of his “Ancestor at Antietam” in his presentation – Henry Vincent and the Danville Fencibles: the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at Antietam.

Christopher Vincent retired after a 24-year career in the U.S. Army as a senior non-commissioned officer with light infantry units, including combat tours during Operation Desert Storm and Kosovo with the 10th Mountain Division. He earned a master’s degree in military history from the American Military University. Chris was drawn to Sharpsburg because his great-great-grandfather served during the Maryland Campaign with the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He and his wife, Amy, also own two businesses in Sharpsburg, the Jacob Rohrbach Inn and the Antietam Mercantile Company. Chris serves as the chair of the Washington County Antietam Battlefield Advisory Board. His research is primarily focused on the farmsteads of Antietam and the impact the campaign had on the civilians of Sharpsburg. Chris was certified as an Antietam National Battlefield Guide in 2015 and has served as the Chief Guide since 2019. He was recognized as the Guide of the Year, receiving the 2017 O.T. Reilly Award, and is the recipient of the National Park Service’s 2022 Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Chris was the founder of the Antietam Institute and president from 2021-2025 and is currently the Executive Director of the Institute.

These monthly “Ancestors at Antietam” talks are free and open to the public – anyone may attend – and you do not need to register. The talks will be held at the Institute’s Education Center at 101W Main Street, Sharpsburg, beginning at 2 pm.