In the month of July, 1861, authority was granted, directly by the
Secretary of War, to recruit in the western part of Pennsylvania the
_Mountain Brigade_, to be composed of Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery;
and upon its organization to be mustered into the service of the United
States.
Among the persons named in the order was one J. Y. James, who was to be
assigned to the command of the troops when thus organized.
The recruiting camp for the Infantry was located three miles out of the
town of Huntingdon, on the Warm Springs Road.
In accordance with the purpose that the recruiting and organization of
the Brigade should be under the direction of a Regular Army officer,
Captain Crossman, of the Quartermaster's Department, United States
Army, was detailed by the War Department for that duty, hence the
name given to the camp to which the early recruits of the 84th ever
looked back as their original soldier home, and the birth-place of the
Regiment.
The projectors of the Brigade had reached out to three regiments
of Infantry, to be numbered, respectively, 84, 110, and, somewhat
uncertain but said to be, 39.
I have given the numbers in the order named, placing the 84th at the
head, in view of the fact that its commander was to be the ranking
regimental officer of the Brigade.
William G. Murray, Blair County, was selected as the Colonel of the
84th;