The 151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was a Union Army regiment during the American Civil War.

Company K of the 151st had a strong tie to Berks County, specifically Longswamp Township.

Not only were the soldiers recruited in Longswamp but also the captain, James W. Weida, was a resident there.

Recently, Roy Gehris of Kutztown spoke at a Veterans Day program hosted by the township historical society.

Gehris, adjutant and honor guard member, American Legion, Ray A. Master Post 217, Topton, and a Vietnam veteran, is a retired genealogist focused on his family’s history, including its military past.

The 151st became a priority when fellow genealogist, Henry Schneck, of Schnecksville, noted their mutual Geiger relative was a member of the 151st.

Gehris’ great-granduncle, Franklin Geiger, was recruited in Longswamp, and was killed in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.

Schneck’s great- grandmother was a sister to Franklin Geiger.

Gehris highlighted specifics of The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1-3, 1863.

After a victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, Gen. Robert E. Lee marched his Army into Pennsylvania in late June 1863.

On July 1, the Confederates clashed with the Union Army, commanded by Gen. George G. Meade, in Gettysburg. On July 3, Lee ordered an attack at Cemetery Ridge.

The assault, known as “Pickett’s Charge,” managed to pierce the Union lines but eventually failed, at the cost of thousands of casualties, and Lee was forced to withdraw his army on July 4.

The historical society is documenting not only places, but also the veterans and other people in the township.

Among those highlighted is Capt. Weida, who was injured at Gettysburg; died in 1907 and is buried in the former Salem Church Cemetery.

The 2014 publication, The Village of Shamrock, notes Weida survived due to the personal attention of his mother, Elisa Weiler Weida, who traveled to the hospital at the Lutheran Theological Seminary to care for him.

Capt. Weida was married to Angelina Walbert, daughter of Peter and Anna Maria Butz Walbert.

Amos Fisher, who was wounded during the first day’s fight at Gettysburg, was a major landowner in Longswamp. His family is featured in The Village of Hancock.

The Village of Longswamp Centre documents the service of Marcus Fegely, who lost his left arm in battle. The bullet was not removed from his shoulder until eight months after he was shot.

After the war, he presented the bullet to the Grand Army Post No. 817, Allentown.