For more than 160 years, the personal belongings of Lieutenant Jacob T. Zug have survived as a unified grouping of family heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next and carefully preserved by those who understood their historical importance.

Today, that collection faces an uncertain future. We have an opportunity to acquire it in its entirety, keeping these important pieces of Pennsylvania's Civil War history together and preserving them for future generations. We are asking for your help.

Jacob’s Story

At the outbreak of the Civil War, 32-year-old Jacob Thompson Zug answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in Mechanicsburg, Pa, in a volunteer organization known as the Cumberland Guards. Upon leaving for the war, this company became Company H of the 7th Pennsylvania Reserves.

Zug was appointed First Sergeant when the company was mustered into service. By the end of 1861, he had been promoted to Second Lieutenant, and by the Maryland Campaign of 1862, he had advanced to First Lieutenant.

During the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, Zug was severely wounded and lost an arm. He was subsequently captured by Confederate forces.

His story, however, did not end with the war. Like many Union veterans, Zug remained involved in the veteran community, eventually serving as commander of a local Grand Army of the Republic post.

The collection we are working to preserve offers a rare opportunity to explore not only his military service, but also his family, personal life, and experiences after the war.

A Collection Historic In Its Own Right

This is more than a group of Civil War artifacts. It is a collection that has been preserved together for generations.

For many years, the collection was maintained by Tom Gordon, who recognized its historical significance. It was even featured in the 1983 issue of Military Images magazine. A well-known collector later acquired the grouping, and its current owner has now offered the entire collection to our organization at a very fair price.

However, if we are unable to acquire it as a whole, the collection may eventually be sold piece by piece.

That would mean separating objects that have been connected for more than a century and a half, potentially losing the context and story that make the collection so meaningful.

Contents of the Collection

Among the items are:

One particularly interesting item is a handwritten diagram of the Zug family tree, tracing his ancestry back to the early 1700s. It provides a look at the connection between Jacob, his family, and the generations that came before him.

Collectively, these artifacts tell a much fuller story than any one item could tell on its own.

The Importance of Preserving the Collection

There is something especially significant about the fact that Zug's belongings have remained together for so long. Zug himself, and later his family, made efforts to preserve these personal effects. Subsequent collectors continued that stewardship, recognizing that the historical value of the collection extends beyond the individual objects. Our goal is to continue that effort.

Preserving them together allows that connection to remain intact, giving future generations an opportunity to understand and appreciate the man behind the artifacts. We whole-heartedly believe these artifacts deserve to remain together.

Please, Help Us Preserve This Piece of Pennsylvania History

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to acquire the collection and provide for its proper archival preservation.

With your help, we can ensure that these artifacts remain together, are properly cared for, and can ultimately be made available to museums and historical institutions through loans and public exhibitions. We particularly hope to make the collection accessible to the communities and people connected to Jacob's life and service.

Every contribution, regardless of the amount, brings us closer to that goal. And if you are unable to contribute, sharing this campaign with others who care about Pennsylvania history would mean a great deal to us.

For more than 160 years, others have made the effort to preserve this collection. We hope you will help us carry that responsibility forward.

Our motto is, “The only way a soldier can truly die is to be forgotten.” Thank you for helping us ensure that Lieutenant Jacob T. Zug, his service, and his story are not forgotten.

--Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps Historical Society