Smethport in McKean County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

1861: Birth of Civil War Bucktail Regiment

Pennsylvania Lumber Heritage Region

— Great Events in Smethport History —

1861: Birth of Civil War Bucktail Regiment Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 4, 2019

1. 1861: Birth of Civil War Bucktail Regiment Marker

Inscription. The day following the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumtner on April 12, 1861, Philadelphian Thomas Leiper Kane contacted Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin and offered to head to McKean and Elk Counties and raise a company of skilled fighting soldiers. Kane had chosen Smethport for his recruitment because the men of our region were fiercely patriotic, skilled with the handling of firearms, seasoned in survival techniques, physically strong and robust, and in possession of an unusual, determined character. Governor Curtin approved Colonel Kane's request but required that each of the new infantry recruits must carry his own musket or rifle.

New recruit James Landregan noticed a deer hanging from a butcher shop at the P. Ford Building on Church Street across from the McKean County Courthouse and just below the Methodist Church. Landregan cut the deer's tail and attached it to his hat. Kane immediately sensed the symbolism and had the other new recruits cut strips of deer hide and attach them to their hats and caps. From that point forward, announced Kane, the regiment shall be known as the "Bucktails".

On April 17,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

1861, Kane arrived in Smethport & immediately commissioned the printing of a recruitment poster which was distributed throughout the county announcing the formation of the famed Company I, "McKean County Rifles” of the Pennsylvania Reserves. Colonel Kane established the Bennett House Hotel, located on the very spot of today's Court of Angels Banquet Hall, as his headquarters. Recruitment in Smethport took place over the next several days.

(captions)
1851 2nd McKean Courthouse

(below) The view from the west side of the courthouse today looks much as it did in 1861. (bottom)

(above) Thomas Leiper Kane rallied his troops in Smethport.

(above) The Bennett House Hotel, site of Thomas Kane's recruiting headquarters, burned down in 1881. (left) The Courtyard Restaurant, 505 W. Main, rests on the location of the Bennet House Hotel

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1861.

Location. 41° 48.585′ N, 78° 26.863′ W. Marker is in Smethport, Pennsylvania, in McKean County. It can be reached from the intersection of West

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 4, 2019

2. 1861: Birth of Civil War Bucktail Regiment Marker

Main Street (U.S. 6) and Church Street, on the right when traveling west. On the grounds of the McKean County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 W Main St, Smethport PA 16749, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania

and specifically in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: McKean County Civil War Monument (here, next to this marker); American Legion Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Smethport (within shouting distance of this marker); 4 Courthouses on Smethport's "Public Square" (within shouting distance of this marker); McKean County (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Bucktails"

McKean County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 4, 2019

3. McKean County Courthouse

(within shouting distance of this marker); Smethport Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Smethport, Pennsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smethport.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 4, 2019

4. McKean County Courthouse

Looking west.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 4, 2019

5. McKean County Courthouse

Looking east.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 30, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.