Born in the basement of a church...The formation of the 123d Pennsylvania Volunteers was sparked by a devout and patriotic pastor from Allegheny City who inspired the trust and allegiance of men from all over the Pittsburgh area. What started as a company of "Christian Soldiers" quickly swelled to an entire regiment of men eager to "whip the rebs" and win the war for the North. This multi-layered chronicle details the unlikely story of these men through their own words as well as the extensive day-by-day coverage they received in the local newspapers. As the North struggled through some of its darkest days, the 123d PVI proudly served in the Army of the Potomac until its celebrated return home to Allegheny County.