ABOUT SEYMOUR HOLLINGSWORTH
Based upon pension records, Seymour Hollingsworth was most likely born in the year of 1841 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. There are some accounts that note his birth year as 1842. He enlisted into the Union Army at the rank of private joining Company K 11th Pennsylvania Regiment.
With the 11th Pennsylvania, Hollingsworth fought throughout the war and was involved in the following battles: Cedar Mountain, Bull Run, South Mountain, Chancellorsville, Auburn, Wilderness, and Gettysburg.
At the battle of South Mountain in Maryland the stresses of war must have been too challenging for Hollingsworth. On September 14, 1862 Seymour Hollingsworth deserted from the Union Army. The desertion only lasted for a week as he re-joined the Union Army again on September 21, 1862. There isn’t a definite reason as to why he chose to desert, but upon his return to the war he changed his name to Charles Hollingsworth, and his rank to sergeant. This change in status placed him in the 18th Calvary. What is unique about the 18th Calvary is that they traditionally fought on horseback. It is understood at some point during Seymour’s desertion he acquired a horse. This acquisition is what assisted in his entry into the 18th Calvary.
According to pension records, in October of 1864 R.A. Hollingsworth (Seymour’s mother) wrote a letter to Major General Meade requesting a furlough for Hollingsworth. On November 16, 1864 his furlough was granted for ten days.
As the end of the war drew near, there were reasons to believe that his ranking status was later caught as an error. On May 1, 1865 Seymour Hollingsworth was promoted to the rank of corporal along with six other soldiers. By this time he was back in Company K-11th Regiment. On July 1, 1865 his whole company mustered, as the legacy of one of the greatest battles in American history was finally over.
At the time of his death, Seymour Hollingsworth was in the care of his daughter Mrs. Irene Guy. He died on October 6, 1931 in Jeanette, P.A. at the age of 90. It is believed that over the course of his life, Seymour Hollingsworth had at least six children.