Private John D. Moll (B: abt 1830) enlisted in the 42nd PA Infantry Militia, Company "G" on 1 July 1863 in Leesport, PA. He was mustered out on 11 August 1863 in Reading PA.

John Moll is listed on the 1870 census on page 20, dwelling #140 HH#147. He is 40 a coachmaker, who claims assets of 15K. Born PA. Wife Fianna, age 38, children: Emma 17, Charles 12, Jeremiah 12, Carrie 1yr. Also in the house was a Kate Kauffman, age 15 and Laura Kauffman, 8 months.

In 1880 on page 19 of Enumeration Dist 34, dwelling #142 HH#147. John is 50, he and his parents all born PA. Wife Fianna is now 48 and Carrie is the only child still at home. Also in the household are: Daniel L. Fetheroff 61 and Catherine Fetheroff, 35 shown as uncle and aunt.

Early in the summer of 1863, rumors were constantly afloat concerning a threatened invasion of border states by the Confederates and in June two new departments were established by the war department -- the Department of the' Monongahela and the Department of the Susquehanna -- in order that the state might be protected from any such movement of the enemy.

Volunteers were called for by Gov. Curtin to serve "During: the pleasure of the president or the continuance of the war."

Slow to believe that their homes were really endangered, the greatly reduced number of men available for military service hesitated to respond. On June 12, the governor published the notice that the troops requested would be mustered into the service of the United States for six months, or during the existing emergency, as they should themselves elect.

The Confederates had occupied Chambersburg and Gettysburg and when it was discovered that the main body of their forces had actually crossed the Potomac, another proclamation was issued by Gov. Curtin on June 26, calling for 60,000 men at once to be mustered into the state service for a term of 90 days and to be discharged as soon as the danger was over.

To this urgent message twenty-eight regiments responded and were organized in the two departments previously mentioned, at Huntingdon, Reading, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. A force under Gen. Knipe approached Chambersburg, but found it in the hands of the enemy and was obliged to retire gradually before the advance of Johnson's division of Ewell's corps.

The Confederates reached Oyster Point, but were withdrawn to Gettysburg on account of the advance of the Army of the Potomac and within a few days was fought the battle of Gettysburg.

A portion of the militia joined the Army of the Potomac in Maryland after the battle, but were soon afterward returned to Harrisburg.

The emergency regiments were mustered out soon after the battle of Gettysburg, the regiments of militia a little later, various duties within the state requiring their services for a short time.

Some were employed at Gettysburg, some at Philadelphia in preserving order, and at other points they rendered valuable service.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1, p. 498