PENNSYLVANIA, March 11 - PRINTER'S NO. 1491

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No.

242

Session of

2026

INTRODUCED BY COLEMAN, STREET, TARTAGLIONE, ROTHMAN, VOGEL AND

KEEFER, MARCH 11, 2026

REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 11, 2026

A RESOLUTION

Honoring and commemorating the Pennsylvania First Defenders for

their historic service, valor and sacrifice in defense of the

national capital at the outset of the Civil War.

WHEREAS, On April 18, 1861, in response to President Abraham

Lincoln's call for 75,000 militia to defend the national capital

following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, five volunteer

militia units from Pennsylvania, including, the Allen Infantry

of Allentown in Lehigh County, the Logan Guards of Lewistown in

Mifflin County, the Washington Artillerists and National Light

Infantry of Pottsville in Schuylkill County and the Ringgold

Light Artillery of Reading in Berks County, became known as the

"First Defenders" and were the first volunteer troops to reach

Washington, DC; and

WHEREAS, These 476 officers and men arrived on April 18,

1861, at approximately 6 p.m., were quartered in the United

States Capitol complex and received arms and ammunition from

President Lincoln in the Capitol basement, marking a moment of

profound national significance; and

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