63RD Regimental Band recruited from New Brighton in 1861
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New Brighton played a major role in Civil War history. While our men were sent off to fight in such battles as Gettysburg, the Battle of the Wilderness, and Fair Oaks, just to name a few, the women of the town kept busy sewing uniforms and making bandages for the brave soldiers.
The building formerly known as the Anderson block on Third Avenue was used as the ProvoMarshal's headquarters for the enlistment and examination of soldiers during the war.
Capt. John Cuthbertson, who had served at the front in 1861 where he was wounded, returned to New Brighton and was placed in charge of the headquarters. The third story of the building was used for physical examinations of enlistees. Dr. John Wallace of New Castle supervised these procedures that aided over 3000 men to get to the front lines.
A barrick that housed the new soldiers before being sent to the front was located in a frame structure that stood on the east side of Fourth Avenue, just south of 11th Street. Another was part of a frame structure that stood on Third Avenue opposite the Presbyterian Church. These units housed deserters.
After three years active service in the red front of battle, the 63rd regimental Pa. volunteers, as an organization, ceased to exist. They had participated In 39 battles and skirmishes according to the War Department.
The New Brighton Historical Society sponsors a Civil War re-enactment group that portrays the history of Company C, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers which were recruited from New Brighton in 1861.