Soldier Highlight- "Blind" Mike

Michael Link was born in Wurtemburg Germany on September 7^th 1839. At a young age his family would move to Berks County Pennsylvania. At 21 Michael Link who worked as a Blacksmith in Reading PA,  joined Company E of the 151^st Pennsylvania as a bugler..

The 151^st was a 9 month unit that first saw slight action at the battle of Chancellorsville, but its main fight was at Gettysburg.

On July 1^st 1863 when the 1^st Corp under General John Reynolds arrived on the field, the 151^st was put in reserve at the Lutheran Theological Seminary.

As the battle swelled before them portions of the 1^st Corps were battered and began falling back. The 151^st was sent in as reserve. As they got into position the regiments that flanked them fell back or were shattered leaving the 151^st alone to stem the Confederate tide.

Michael struck in the eye. The bullet entered his left eye and emerged through his right destroying his sight.

He would survive and after a lengthy term in the hospital in Philadelphia, he returned to Reading. He would receive one of the highest pensions in Berks County (72$ a month) and with that he he would build two three story homes on Penn Street (114 Penn Street Reading) and opened a shop where he would cane chairs.

“Blind Mike” as he was now known, would give small concerts on the street to the delight of the Reading citizens and teach music lessons at his home.

Private Michael Link is buried at Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading Pennsylvania.