History of the 103d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

In this review of History of the 103d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Luther S. Dickey presents a careful regimental history aimed at readers who value primary narrative and preservation. The bottom line: this work is essential for Civil War researchers, genealogists, and readers seeking a preserved contemporary account, because it compiles unit history and context now in the public domain and accessible for study. Our review finds the volume most valuable for historical reference rather than casual reading.

Key Features

• Primary regimental narrative: The book delivers a focused account of the 103d Regiment's service from 1861 to 1865, useful for researchers tracing unit movements and actions.
• Public domain availability: Being in the public domain means the work can be freely copied and shared, allowing libraries and scholars ready access to the text.
• Preservation value: The volume is presented as a preserved work considered culturally important, supporting long-term study and citation.
• Authoritative single-volume focus: Written by Luther S. Dickey, the account concentrates on one regiment, which helps readers find concentrated detail without wading through broader overviews.
• Scholarly relevance: Selected by scholars as culturally important, the book serves as part of the documentary base for Civil War studies and local histories.

Who It's For

The book is best for Civil War historians, archivists, genealogists, reenactors, and students who need a regiment-level narrative and primary-source style detail. Readers seeking verified accounts, troop movements, and a preserved historical perspective will find the work particularly useful.

Those looking for a modern narrative with contemporary commentary, extensive maps, or illustrated battle reconstructions may want more recent syntheses or annotated editions; this volume is primarily a preserved historical text rather than a modern interpretive guide.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a concentrated regimental history useful for research and citation.
• Public domain status allows free copying and broad distribution for study.
• Recognized as culturally important, supporting its use in preservation and academic collections.

Cons

• The work is a historical reproduction and may lack modern editorial notes, maps, or context that some readers expect.

Specifications

Our Verdict

For researchers and genealogists seeking an intact regimental account, this work represents strong value because it preserves a focused primary narrative and can be freely copied and cited. It is less suited to readers who want modern commentary or visual aids, but as a preserved historical document it remains a worthwhile addition to academic and local history collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this work free to copy and distribute?
Yes; the work is in the public domain in the United States and may be freely copied and distributed there.

Who authored the regimental history?
The history was written by Luther S. Dickey, presenting the account of the 103d Regiment's service from 1861 to 1865.

Is this a modern annotated edition?
No; the text is a preserved historical work and does not necessarily include modern annotations, maps, or commentary.