Union and West End Cemetery

The Union and West End Cemetery is located in center city Allentown. The main entrance is on 10th Street at 10th and Chew Streets. The cemetery is mantained by a dedicated group of volunteers. Ten board members (also volunteers) serve the cemetery association and manage the finances, make application for grants, solicit donations and participate in the maintenance of the cemetery.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Private John Lanahan

Private John Lanahan enrolled with Company I of the 46th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment in Lehigh County. The company and regiment were mustered into the service of the Union on October 31, 1861.

46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Organized at Harrisburg October 31, 1861. Ordered to join Banks November, 1861. Attached to Gordon's Brigade, Banks' Division, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Banks' 5th Corps, and Dept. of the Shenandoah to June, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1863, and Army of the Cumberland to April, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps Army of the Cumberland, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.-Guard and outpost duty on the Upper Potomac till February, 1862.

The 46th PVI served well beyond February of 1862, but John Lanahan, who joined the unit in October, 1861 and went with the unit from Harrisburg to the Upper Potomac River deserted the unit at some point prior to December, 1861. He apparently deserted between early November 1861 and early December, 1862. He was subsequently captured and returned to his unit where he was hanged on December 23, 1861 for the offense of desertion. John Lanahan apparently was buried in the field.

# posted by Everette Carr @ 6:47 PM