William James Fisher, at the age of 17, received a civilian appointment (one of ten) to the 10th US Infantry regiment of the Regular Army, dated and signed by the Secretary of War and President Lincoln, August 1861. Congressman George P. Fisher (no direct relation) procured Fisher’s commission at the urging of Fisher’s father, Isaac Montgomery Fisher.

There were no officer billets available for an uncredential boy of 17 in the Delaware Volunteer Regiments. When openings to officer the newly formed Volunteer troops occurred in the Regular Army Regiments, it was natural to staff these openings by political appointments of promising young men from Civil Life, a term used at the time, meaning civilian life. The Fishers were strong Union, Lincoln men. Fisher was one of nine to be commissioned into the 10th U. S. Infantry, regular regiment,from Civil Life.

Through the Fisher Collection letters, we learn of Fisher’s service with the Regulars until his death in the wheatfield, in the Battle of Gettysburg, early in the evening of July 2, 1863.

The purpose of this site is to flesh out the life and times of Lt.Fisher and to promote the story of a regular soldier, largely unknown to the Civil War community. His immediate family and descendants cherished the collection of letters and artifacts for many years, which became available for public view in a private museum in New Market, VA., circa 1954. The collection was put up for auction in 2001, was subsequently purchased and donated to the Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP), and now resides in the Archives at that location. The Fisher Collection will be on display at the new Museum & Visitor Center of the GNMP in April 2008. The procurement of the Collection reflects the saga of a post-Civil War rifle, the Winchester ‘73, featured in a 1954 movie of that name. This fascinating story has yet to be told. Be on the look out!