My 2nd great grandfather, Allen B. Cross, was born in Pennsylvania and served in the Civil War. He was in Company D of the 148th Infantry of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
On the internet, I connected with a distant cousin. Allen’s father was Andrew Cross, and I am descended from Allen B. and my cousin is descended from one of Allen’s brothers. His last name is also Cross, and he lives in Pennsylvania.
He sent me photos of some bronze memorial plaques at Gettysburg with the name Allen B. Cross on it. This proves Allen B. Cross fought with his company at Gettysburg. Look at Company D for his name, two photos follow.
I knew that 148th Co. D had been at Gettysburg. When I spoke with a military history expert, I asked if there was a way for me to prove that my ancestor had been present at a particular battle. He said no, not unless there is some proof elsewhere. It was common in the Civil War for soldiers to take a leave of absence, basically AWOL, to sneak home and visit family for a few says to a few weeks. If the Army did not take a roll call while they were gone, it may look like the soldier was present between roll calls, which may or may not have happened. Meaning proof that he was present during a battle is difficult to prove. This does not mean every soldier went AWOL unnoticed. It does mean proving a soldier was present at a particular battle means more research than just saying his company or regiment was present. But if there was some mention of his name, such as a letter or plague, that would definitely place him at that location on that day, then you could prove he fought in that battle.
I’d say this plaque at the Gettysburg National Military Park proves he was there!
There is a photo of this memorial online at Wikipedia also. List of Monuments at Gettysburg includes the Pennsylvania State Memorial for men serving from that state, and if you scroll down to the 148th Regiment you’ll see this same photo.
Allen B. Cross, my 2nd great grandfather, fought with his company at the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War.