Our Civil War Ancestors

Our Civil War Ancestors

Private Charles Ellet, Company B, 3rd Michigan Infantry, Ancestor of: Dave, Scott, John, Thomas and Daniel Hann

Charles, a native of Ireland, was 43 years old and living in Grand Rapids when he enlisted in Company B, of the Third Michigan Infantry, on May 13, 1861. By September of 1862 he was employed as a Wagoner, probably in the Brigade wagon trains, and was reported as a Wagoner with the Brigade trains from April of 1863 through July, in October was with the supply train, probably serving as a teamster. In November he was a First Division Wagoner and was back with the Brigade supply train from December of 1863 until he was mustered out of service on June 20, 1864. Pvt. Ellet while not wounded in the war, did suffer from sickness during his service but did not keep him out of the war. For example once the 3 Michigan was mustered into service it was sent to Washington DC. Upon arrival some of the members of Company B, were detailed to man the Cannons protection Chain Bridge at Arlington Heights. Ellet was one of the men detailed for service as he did have some prior Artillery experience serving in the Grand Rapids Artillery in 1859. This was for two weeks starting around June 20, 1861. The types of Cannons that were in defense of Chain Bridge were the large “Siege” Cannons. Private Ellet was detailed on July 4, 1861 by Captain Baker Borden of Company B, to fire a salute in honor of July 4th   The concussion of the guns along with sleeping on damp ground caused as deafness in Ellet’s right ear. During General Burnsides famous “Mud March” Private Charles Ellet, is confined to his tent, near Fredericksburg, VA, on January 20, 1863, with a bad case of “diarrhea” plus loss of hearing in his left ear. Ellet is already suffering with a loss of hearing in his right ear. He is sent to the Army Hospital opposite of Fredericksburg where he will stay for two weeks. While in the Hospital Ellet’s left ear is treated with a medicine on a sponge which will clear up his hearing in that ear. Mustered out on June 20, 1864, the years spent in the Army must have had an effect on him as he served in the Second Regiment of the Michigan State Troops for over 25 years as a gunner with Company K.  He was a member of Grand Army of the Republic Champlin Post No. 29 in Grand Rapids and the Old Third Michigan Infantry Association, as was elected as one of the Vice Presidents its organization in 1871.  Charles died of old age and “La Grippe” (influenza) on February 3, 1900, at his home at 16 Broadway Street in Grand Rapids, and the funeral was held at the house at 2:00 Monday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. I. Davis of the First Presbyterian Church. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids Michigan

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Private Robert Moncrief Company H, 24 New Jersey Volunteer Infantry:  Ancestor of Charlie Morgan

Robert Moncrief was born in Cumberland County NJ on March 28, 1826 to Hugh and Clarissa Moncrief.  He was the oldest of their six children.  On September 12, 1846, he married Mary N. Husted in Bridgeton NJ.  Robert enrolled in Company H of the 24th NJ Volunteer Infantry on September 2, 1862 at the age of 34.  He was mustered in on September 16, 1862 for a term of nine months.  At the time of his enlistment, he had a wife and 5 children.  During his enlistment he survived the battles of Fredericksburg (the 24NJ was one of the lead units in the initial attack on Marye’s Heights) and Chancellorsville.  However when his unit reorganized after the Chancellorsville battle he was listed as missing.  Apparently he had been taken prisoner at that time.  However, it seems as if he was exchanged shortly after the battle since he was present with his unit when it was mustered out on June 29, 1863 in Beverly NJ.  His discharge paper indicates that he was an exchanged POW and was not eligible to re-enlist in the Army.  He returned to Bridgeton where he lived for the rest of his life.  After his return to Bridgeton, he had two additional children, one of which was my Grandfather Horace Moncrief.  On September 11, 1879, he applied for a Civil War pension as an invalid.  On August 27, 1880, he became a member of the Alexander L. Robeson Post of the GAR located in Bridgeton NJ.  He died on May 26, 1903, and is buried in the Broad Street Cemetery in Bridgeton NJ. 

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Sgt. John G. Abbott, Company D, 48 New York State Volunteers: Ancestor of  Richard A. McGeary

Sgt. John G. Abbott of Mays Landing, Atlantic County, New Jersey enlisted in the 48th New York State Volunteers on July 30, 1861, at the age of 22. Company D (the “Die No Mores”) was comprised primarily of New Jersey recruits in a regiment formed in Brooklyn by a Methodist minister, Col. James Perry. The regiment was known as “Perry’s Saints.” Sgt. Abbott served in coastal Georgia and South Carolina beginning October 1861 and participated in the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard in Port Royal Harbor, SC, and the siege and capture of Fort Pulaski near Savannah. He served on many islands in the area including Tybee, Dawfuskie, Hilton Head, and St. Helena. The 48th engaged the enemy at Port Royal Ferry and along the Coosawhatchie River and Pocotaligo where Confederate rail and telegraph lines were destroyed. Confederate cavalry were driven off near Bluffton. On July 5, 1863, Sgt. Abbott arrived at Folly Island from Hilton Head. On July 9, 1863, the 48th received orders to cross onto Morris Island near Fort Sumter and Charleston after dark. On July 18, 1863, the 48th participated in the major assault on Fort Wagner made famous in the film “Glory.” After devastating losses and hand-to-hand combat, the 48th reached the parapet of the fort only to be driven back. Sgt. Abbott was wounded and evacuated by ship to the Army Hospital at Fort Schuyler, NY. He died of his wounds on August 7, 1863, and was buried in Union Cemetery outside of Mays Landing near the family farm in Gravelly Run.

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Pvt.James Lovegrove Marlin, Company B, 2nd Delaware Infantry: Ancestor of Fred, Jeff, Daniel and Chuck Mossbrucker   

James Lovegrove Marlin, of Philadelphia, PA, mustered into the army on 13 June 1861.  He was 16 years and 9 months old.  He was part of that Pennsylvania contingent of patriots who were selected to serve in a Delaware unit since Delaware had trouble filling it's obligatory volunteer requirement.  It is also surmised that James joined a Delaware regiment to escape a rather austere home life.  Since James stood 5' 11" and weighed 180 lbs., no one bother to ask him if he was "old enough."

James and 785 other men and officers underwent training at Camps Brandywine, DE and Cambridge, MD for five months and were mustered in as the 2nd Delaware on 17 October 1861.  James was member of Company B.  The 2nd Delaware was the first three year regiment mustered into service from Delaware.

The 2nd Delaware's first duty was to clear the Delmarva Peninsula of any secessionist activity, which they performed with relish!  Many "raids" produced armaments and prisoners of a most southern persuasion.

While many remarked on the Delawares' military bearing and comportment, many diaries, letters and official reports tell of numerous incidences of fighting amongst the men.  The Wilmington Irish seemed to be in the middle of it all more often than not.

The 2nd DE shed it's first blood wile guarding the York River Railroad.  Their first time "seeing the elephant" was at Gaines Mills, where it won particular mention for its gallant action in the last stages of the battle.  It was the last infantry unit to leave the field of battle, covering the withdrawal of the army in an "orderly and professional manner."  The Second went on to see bloody action at Savage Station, Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill.

Immediately following Gen. Pope's 2nd Bull Run debacle, the 2nd DE was sent to cover Washington, DC.

Less than a month later the 2nd DE picked up the nom de guerre, the "Crazy Delawares."  They were among the units who had pierced the sunken farm road, later called the Bloody Lane, at Antietam.  They continued to advance to within 60 yards of the Piper Farm House and a Confederate battery of cannons.  The Delaware boys were incredulous when they received orders to  fall back!  They wanted to take the guns in front of them, so they refused to fall back!  Again they were ordered to fall back and again, they refused the order!  Finally, Gen. McClellan made it crystal clear to the men that they had better fall back or else.  This time they followed orders but grudgingly.  It was said that several high ranking officers at McClellan's headquarters and even McClellan himself remarked the the 2nd DE must have been crazy to have advanced so far without support!  It would not be he only time in the war that they would do so.  *After the war, in his reminiscences, Gen. Longstreet himself said that, "If those Yankees had charged us , they'd have split our whole army and perhaps have ended the war. But that was McClellan."

At the Battle of Fredericksburg the "Crazy Delawares" were one of the lead units in Gen. Zook's brigade's assault  on Marye's Heights.  The "Crazies" again attracted attention from the army's high command by covering the retreat from that bloody field. Fortunately for the 2nd DE, they did not participate in the infamous "Mud March"of January 1863 and remained in camp much of the winter.

At the Battle of Chancellorsville the 2nd DE arrived just as Gen. Hooker lost his nerve.  They, with the rest of Hancock's Division, were placed to the east, facing east, of the road running next to the Chancellor House.  The 2nd DE held their position against repeated attacks by an obstinate foe and then faced about to help repel Jackson's famous flank attack.

Once again the 2nd DE garnered attention when they, along with members of the 12th NJ, helped rescue wounded men from the burning Chancellor House!

At Gettysburg the 2nd DE would number about 230 men and officers.  It would be less afterward.

On 2 July at approximately 5pm the 2nd DE with the restive Col. Brooke's Brigade were ordered to clear the Wheatfield.

Having formed up in reverse, the "Crazy Delawares" now formed the left flank of the brigade.They drove the Confederates of Gen. Anderson's Georgian Brigadier handsome style!  The advanced farther than any other Union unit that day and were masters of the field for all of about one half an hour.  After the Rebs reinforced and attacked once again, the 2nd DE was ordered to refuse its let flank which it did but to no avail.  Without reinforcements and down to their last five cartridges per man the outnumbered brigade was forced to retreat.  It is safe to say that no time was lost in retreating over that blood soaked field!

In the grand charge known as Longstreet's Assault, the 2nd DE had sent a company out to act as skirmishers but the rest stayed in the main line out front of the Hummelbaugh Farm and participated in attacking the southern flank of the charge and helped to capture many prisoners.

In the August following Gettysburg, the 2nd DE was sent to Wilmington, DE to quell riots that had broken out over the draft.  Needless to say, once the "Crazies" showed up, better sense took control of the rioters and they all went home.

In October 1863 the 2nd DE participated in the small action at Catlett's Station as skirmishers.By this time the "Crazy Delawares" had acquired a reputation for being one of the elite skirmishing units in the army!

The following Spring the 2nd DE helped to blunt a rebel charge on the Union left flank on the Brock Road in the dense underbrush of the Wilderness.

About a week later the 2nd DE moved on the Rebel works at Spottsylvania and were left to their own devices when the rest of the brigade was ordered to support action another portion of the field!  The 2nd DE and the 148th PA gained more notice when they were mentioned in official reports for "marked service and courage" on this part of the battlefield.Two days later Brooke's Brigade was part of the frontline of Hancock's Assault on the Mule Shoe.  They pierced the Rebel line with bayonets and clubbed muskets then drove on to the secondary Confederate defense line that ran across the base of the Mule Shoe.  Without adequate support, Hancock's troops had to fall back under the weight of the Confederate counter attack.Bloody and sanguinary fighting followed when both sides get back to the original entrenchments, the Union troops on one side and the Confederates on the other.They slugged it out in a driving 24 hour rain storm.  When all was said and done, little had been accomplished except the profuse loss of men on both sides.

Eventually the 2nd DE was ordered to disengage and march toward a non-descript location called Cold Harbor.  The 2nd DE was part of that infamous charge ordered by Gen. Grant, which he regretted making.The 2nd DE, along with others units in the 2nd Corps lost some 7,000 men in 15 minutes.

When in front of Petersburg about one month later (1 July 1864), the term of enlistment was up with the 2nd DE.  Most of the boys, along with James Marlin, went home.  Others reenlisted and were mustered into the 1st DE.

James went home, "kicked around for about six months," then "jined the cavalry."  He joined the 13 PA Cavalry.  My guess is that he figured he'd ride the rest of the war rather than walk.  As it were, Pvt. Marlin served out the rest of the war with "Uncle Billy," Gen. Sherman down in North Carolina where he mustered out again in July 1865.

PS-

All through the war Pvt. Marlin was never wounded or sick.  He was one of the fortunate ones of that war.  He did re-sign up to serve another four years out west in the cavalry "fighting" the Apache Indians.  He never really fought any of them.  He only saw two of them while out in New Mexico and both times was from a mile away.

James Lovegrove Marlin joined the GAR after he got out of the army in 1869.  He was a comrade until he died in 1933 at the ripe old age of 88.  He served as Adjutant of the Post in the Gen. GK Warren Post #15 of Philadelphia.  Today he is buried near the Post burial plot in the Westminster Cemetery in Roxborough, PA.

My Great Uncle John Marlin said the only two things he remembered about his grandfather, James, were:

1) "He scared me to death!"

2) "All he ever talked about was being a soldier."

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Sgt. John R. Pedrick Company A, 3rd NJ Infantry: Ancestor of Frank Tomasello

            John Robert Pedrick was born on October 2, 1840, in Gloucester county New Jersey. He was the youngest of five children (two boys and three girls) born to William R. Pedrick and Sarah Jane (nee Mattson) Pedrick. John had deep roots in New Jersey. The Pedricks came to America from England in 1679 to escape persecution for their Quaker beliefs. The Mattson family emigrated from Sweden in 1640 on the second voyage of the now famous ship the Kalmar Nyckel. Both families settled in south west New Jersey.

            Little is known of John’s life prior to 1861 except that earlier census records appear to show him working as a farm laborer for another family. Tragedy struck the Pedrick family in May of 1860 when the eldest and only other son, Asa, was stricken with, and ultimately succumbed to, Typhoid fever leaving John as the sole male heir.

             Despite his position in the family, when news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter reached him, he was immediately moved to enlist in the Union Army in defense of the Union and on May 22, 1861, he was sworn in as a Private with the 3rd New Jersey, Company A (part of the famed “First Jersey Brigade”). This was to be a three year enlistment. The company was first sent to Camp Perrine but within days relocated to Camp Olden.

            In a letter home written from Alexandria, Virginia and dated July 30, 1861, he wrote to report his status as among the living albeit with a “bad cold”. John’s company was among those sent to participate in the Bull Run campaign. The trip there was by rail but constantly delayed by Rebel sabotage of the bridges and rails and John and his company were forced to make repairs themselves even engaging in a skirmish along the way at Burt’s Station some twelve miles from Bull Run. The company was approximately four miles from the Bull Run battlefield when they were halted. The firing of cannon could be heard and the men were eager to do their duty. Much to their dismay, retreat was ordered and the men returned to Alexandria. John reports one casualty: the drummer of Company H killed “accidently” leaving behind a wife and three children.

            The fall of 1861 saw the company preparing for the coming winter. The men were tasked building a fort to be known as Fort Taylor. Initially each man was assigned to work on the fort for three hours a day. This was later increased to six hours a day. John was proud that the fort was being built and so named as he felt it would add to the glory of the New Jersey Volunteers.

            On January 19, 1862, John wrote to his sister that he felt the war would be over in six to eight months and to thank her for a box of pies she had sent him.

            On September 2, 1862 John was promoted to Corporal. In his next letter home dated October 2, 1862, he talks of the “Rebels big mistake” in invading loyal Maryland. His regiment having been victorious in two encounters (Crampton’s Gap and South Mountain) leading up to the battle of Antietam. He notes that his company suffered two killed and three wounded in Maryland and six killed and eighteen wounded since leaving New Jersey.

            In a letter to his parents dated December 9, 1862, John writes to his parents discussing the removal of McClellan as Union commander stating that it was unpopular among the men. He also expressed his faith that Burnside would lead them to ultimate victory. He lamented the fact that he could not send any money home at that time as the company had not been paid in five months.

            John next wrote his parents on January 27, 1863, from White Oak Church, outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He relates that the weather had been bad with the mud “shoe top deep” while in the roads in was “hub deep”. He also proudly announced his promotion of January 1, 1863, to Sergeant with the pay increase associated with it.

            In late April of 1863, New Jersey Governor Joel Parker reviewed the troops stationed at White Oak Church. At that time he issued the Regimental flag to John as he was made the regimental color sergeant. Shorty thereafter the Chancellorsville campaign got under way. John’s company (as part of the Sixth Corps) was tasked to remain at Marye’s Heights as a feint to keep the Army of Northern Virginia occupied as the main Union Army proceeded south. The plan was for the Sixth Corps to eventually move west in a pincer movement. When John’s company began its movement on May 3, 1863, it encountered heavy resistance outside of Fredricksburg. Forward movement halted in the vicinity of Salem Church where they took severe casualties. Among the killed at Salem Church was John R. Pedrick. One newspaper account (the Newton Sussex Register, May 8, 1863) reported the following, “The Third New Jersey’s battle flag received a dozen or more bullet holes and was baptized in the blood of the Sergeant who carried it.” One other account states that as John fell the flag became wrapped around his body.

            John, until the time of his death, and the Third New Jersey had participated in all of the major battles fought by the Army of the Potomac from Bull Run, through the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mud March and finally Chancellorsville. At time of his death John was twenty-two. His body was not recovered. 

Sgt. James H. Hewes Company G, 28th NJ Infantry: Ancestor of Frank Tomasello

James H. Hewes was born September 15, 1834. He married Rebecca Elizabeth Aborn on May 5, 1858. He had one daughter and three sons. His daughter and eldest son were born before the Civil War. He was the owner of a wheelwright shop both before and after the war. 

On August 30, 1862, at the age of 27, and already a father of two and a small business owner, he enlisted at Woodbury, New Jersey as a Private in Company G of the 28th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, for 9 months. Two weeks later, on September 15, 1862, (his 28th birthday) he was elected 4th Sergeant of the Regiment.

The 28th would see action at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville before mustering out at Freehold, New Jersey on July 6, 1863.

On December 13, 1862, Sgt. Hewes was shot in the left breast while under fire by the enemy. Sgt. Hewes was spared fatal injury due to the bullet striking the Eagle plate on his cartridge box strap. However, the injury he sustained was apparently serious enough that he was sent to the Regimental hospital at Fredericksburg.

Records indicate that Sgt. Hewes served 10 months and 7 days and mustered out with his regiment.

Having survived the war, he returned home and fathered two additional sons and resumed his business as a wheelwright. The post war years weren’t kind to him., however. He became a widower in 1909. His health seriously declined at that time and he was housebound for the last 5 years of his life, and bedridden for the last year. He was awarded an invalid pension. Medical records indicate that he succumbed to gangrene and died on August 19, 1914, in Bridgeport, New Jersey.

At the time of his death, he was destitute. His burial was mostly paid by the Odd Fellows who contributed $50.00. He did have a policy of life insurance in the amount of $2,000.00, through the United Workmen of America (mostly paid by his children) but, even this was not sufficient to pay his debts. His home and shop were by then in such a state of disrepair, as well as mortgaged, that their sale netted little more. A sad legacy of too many veterans.

He lies resting at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Bridgeport, Logan Township, New Jersey 

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Ancestors of Gary, Adam and Bryan Sigmund

Fireman Second Class John W. Sigmund - Grand Army of the Republic (GAR): Union Navy 1859-1865.   John served as a “Shoveler” in the fireroom on USS Lancaster, and USS Savannah and a “Landsman” on USS North Carolina, USS Princeton and USS New London.  John was from Philadelphia, PA and enlisted in the Navy in 1859;  when Fort Sumter fell into Southern Rebels and war was declared with the Confederacy, the Navy was immediately dissolved.  John was discharged on USS New London and re-enlisted into the Union Navy on the same day.   John survived the Civil War without injury.  hE is buried at the Atlantic City Cemetery in Pleasantville, NJ in A SECTIONAL PLOT WHICH WAS SOLELY DEDICATED TO THE GAR VETERANS.

An image of John W. Sigmunds first ship, The USS Landcaster

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 Private William Robert Sigmund – Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Second Delaware Infantry Volunteers.  At the age of 18, William R. Sigmund of Philadelphia joined the Union forces of the 2nd Volunteer Delaware Infantry in Wilmington on 12 August 1861.   The 2nd Delaware served at Antietam on September 16-17, the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 12-15 and at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 1-5, 1863.  William Robert was very fortunate to survive these engagements with the 2nd Delaware but was not so lucky on July 2, 1863 when he was wounded early in the day when the 2nd Delaware struggled to take the Rose Farm wheat field.  William was removed to the south east and sent to an Army hospital in Wilmington and never returned to action before his discharge.  William is the first cousin of John Sigmund who are descendants of Paternal Great, Great, Great Grandfather Jacob Sigmund of Philadelphia, PA.

The Photos above are Charles Goodman's Grant Book & GAR ribbons.  They remain in the family today.

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Private James Cliver ancestor of Robert Evans. Pvt. James Cliver Company F, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Enlisted September 22, 1864, mustered out May 8, 1865.

 Corporal Daniel Dean Lowell, The 179th New York Volunteer Infantry:  Ancestor of Carl Hausman

Daniel Dean Lowell was born on June 24, 1832 in Nunda, Livingston County, New York, and died Sept. 30, 1891 in Busti, Chautauqua County, New York.He and his father were Baptist ministers.  Daniel Dean was also a schoolteacher.Daniel Dean enlisted Feb. 2, 1864 and was discharged May 12, 1865. The 179th was of recruited from Chemung, Erie, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties, and was organized at Elmira.The 179th fought in about ten battles in various venues in Virginia.When the 179th was moved to the front in the spring of 1864 it did not have an official chaplain, according to the book, “If I Have Got To Go and Fight, I Am Willing,” by E.P. Rutan II. Lowell was unofficially appointed to lead religious services and also carried mail to and from Washington, according to Rutan. On August 29, 1864, Lowell was admitted to the First Division, Ninth Corps Hospital with jaundice.  He was subsequently transferred to other hospitals, and spent the remainder of the war in the U.S.A. General Hospital in Elmira. The regiment was mustered out at Alexandria, Va., on June 8, 1865. It lost. during its term of service, 7 officers and 66  enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 118 enlisted men from disease and other causes; a total of 191, of whom 25 died as prisoners, according to “The Union Army, Vol. 2,” p. 175.

Private Hazard P. Wiley Ancestor of Norman Wiley 7th Regiment Company B New Jersey Veteran Volunteers

Hazard P. Wiley born in New York was a 26 year old farmer when he enlisted as a Private on December 31 1862.He was mustered in on January 23, 1863 for 3 years at Washington DC in Capt. Sloat’s Co., 12 Reg’t Va. Infantry. This organization subsequently became the (New) Co. B, 7 Reg’t New Jersey Infantry.

Hazard P. Wiley was detached as a clerk at Brigade Headquarters on April 10 1863

Hazard P. Wiley, Mustered out near Brandy Station Va. On February 8, 1864.  He then re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer on February 9 1864, under provisions of G.O. 191 the War Dept. Series of 1863 and given a 35 days furlough.  He also received $13 advanced pay and $60 bounty. Hazard P. Wiley Received 2nd installment $50 bounty. Hazard P. Wiley, has his first onset of an illness which would qualify him for a pension in 1891.Hazard P. Wiley received 3rd installment $50 bounty, but had to pay $5.27 for (1) shelter tent and (1) haversack.On October 7, 1864 the 3rd Co. B was formed of (new) Co. B and Co. D, per S.O. 22 Hd. Qrs. 7 Reg’t New Jersey Infantry.  He was detached as a clerk at Division Headquarters about this time alsoHazard P. Wiley 1865 received 4th installment $50 bounty Hazard P. Wiley Mustered out and received $48.47 Back pay and was paid $240 in bounty.Hazard P. Wiley applied for an Invalid Pension under the ACT of June 27, 1890 on July 8, 1890 and received $12 a month based on his protruding and bleeding piles impairment of vision and nervous disability.  He only received the pension for a short time as he died December 09, 1893 His wife of 27 years Sarah died a less than two weeks later on December 20, 1893. He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth Queens.  I was able to obtain a Civil War monument for his grave around 2001.His youngest son William Bedell Wiley was 16 years old when his father died.  He later went on to work for Tiffany Foundry in New Work.  Where he worked on two large cast bronze memorial monuments for Confederate Women.  One is in Nashville Tennessee and other is in Jackson Mississippi.

John Grier Quick. Ancestor of Wayne Grant.  He is my 3rd great-uncle on my Father's maternal side. There is a tintype of him attached. He was  born Feb. 10, 1842 in Northumberland, PA, died June 11,1869 in Northumberland, PA. He was 27 years old and is buried in Rush Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rushtown, PA. This is now named The Faith Chapel Church, and is listed as being in Danville, PA. It seems the town lines changed over time.

He enlisted in the 11th PA Vol. Inf., Co. H on April 26, 1861 in Danville, PA at the age of 19 years and served until July 26, 1861. This was a 3 month unit. He mustered out on July 31,1861 with a Honorable Discharge. The 11th PA was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, April 26, 1861. Ordered to Camp Wayne, West Chester, Pa.,for duty there and guarding Pittsburg, Wilmington, Baltimore Railroad till June 18. Ordered to Chambersburg June 18. Attached to Negley's 5th Brigade, Abercrombie's 2nd Division, Patterson's Army. Transferred to 6th Brigade June 20. Moved to Williamsport, Md., June 29. Falling Waters July 2. Occupation of Martinsburg July 3. Advance on Bunker Hill July 15. Moved to Harper's Ferry July 25. Mustered out August 1, 1861.

According to what I have been able to find, he then entered service with the 5th U.S. Artillery, Battery K on June 25,1862 (not sure about the month) at Camp Duncan. Enlisted by a Capt. Kincade as far as I can make out. I got this reenlistment information from the U.S. Army Register of Enlistments 1709-1914, section H-Z. He is number 15 on the page. I can only find information about a Camp Duncan in Tenn. Tenn. was a divided state. Eastern was Union loyal, Mid and west was Confederate. His grave stone also indicates he served with the 5th U.S. Artillery Battery K.,a picture of his grave stone is attached. As well as his Pennsylvania, Veteran's Burial Card.

He had skills as a carpenter and became a Artificer. This is someone who is skilled in the military to work on, service and invent artillery and weapons. It is also listed that he was part of Battery B. It seems he moved around as needed. Since he had already served, he may have been in the Artillery Reserves. It is hard to get accurate information about his service.. He ended his service on what looks like August 25,1865 (again the month is unsure) at Chattanooga, Tenn. It says, Expired Service as the reason. His widow, Julia A. Quick, remarried as Julia A. Gulick, she collected his service pension after his death on June 11,1869. She filed for the pension originally on Nov. 11,1879. noted in the above aforementioned U.S. Army Register of Enlistments. 

1st LT Christopher LeStrange ancestor of Paul Tucci

 Born:  About 1829 in Ireland

 Unit:  Commissioned as an officer in Company F, Pennsylvania 24th Infantry Regiment.  Organized at Philadelphia, PA and mustered into service May 1, 1861.  Mustered out on August 10, 1861 at Philadelphia, PA.

 Service and Battles:

• Moved to Chambersburg, Pa., June 3.

• Attached to Negley's 5th Brigade, Keim's 2nd Division, Patterson's Army.

• Moved to Hagerstown, Md., June 16; then to Williamsport June 18.

• Occupation of Martinsburg July 3.

• Advance on Bunker Hill July 15.

• At Charlestown July 17.

• Moved to Harper's Ferry; then to Philadelphia and mustered out August 10, 1861.

 Death and Burial:  Died May 2, 1880.  Buried in Old Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA

 Additional information on the 24th Pennsylvania:

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=moa&cc=moa&sid=56dbd306b02b754e24fc02fa89cb261d&q1=Twenty-Fourth%20Regiment&idno=ABY3439.0001.001&view=image&seq=00000236

Isaac Reed, Private Company  E, 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry, ancestor of Gary Englestad

Isaac Reed was drafted and mustered into rank as private, Company E of the 143rd Regiment of Pennsylvania, at Huntington Pennsylvania in June of 1863.  He was to serve three years.  The company muster roll shows him at the Carlisle Barracks in September of 1863.  The January and February1864 the company muster rolls shows that he received a bounty of $25.

By Spring of 1864 he and his company were moving on to the Wilderness, where I assume he was involved with his first fighting as a newly trained recruit.  In early May having survived the wilderness he was at Spotsylvania Courthouse.  His Captain, M. Lewis Blair states that he was wounded at the first day’s battle in a charge at Laurel Hill on May 10 while he heroically faced the enemy.  He was taken to 2nd Corps hospital where he died.  That hospital was captured by the enemy.  The history tells us that a Confederate Cavalry unit came by and captured them all, but did not have enough men to secure the capture.  The officers at the hospital  were made to swear as gentlemen that they would remain captured until the unit’s return.  After the Cavalry unit left they sent for help and soldiers were sent to guard the hospital in case of the Confederate’s return.  Isaac was reported as a casualty in the Philadelphia Inquirer July 1, 1864 edition and that his date of death was May 18.  He evidently suffered a gut would, as per one of the statements on record, and held on for just over a week.

The widow received a pension in 1864, but remarried by 1867.  By 1870 the children had a guardian appointed for them and the four children were put in the Soldiers Orphan’s Home in Cassville, Pennsylvania. Evidently the new couple gave up custody of the children, maybe because of lack of money, and the guardian applied for  pension for the children ($8.00 each per month) enabling them to go to the Soldiers Home.  One of those children, born in May 1862 was named George B. McClellan Reed.  His sister Susan is my second great grandmother.  Susan’s daughter is my great grandmother who gave birth to my grandmother and then she gave birth to my dad.

One of my wife’s forbear was Penrose Wiley Clare who entered as a private and mustered out as a sergeant in Company D of the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry.  I don’t know much about his service, but serving from 1862 to the end he evidently saw some major Civil War battles.  He lived until 1900 and had a pension.

Another of her forbears is Ethan J. Weidner.  He served first in the 3rd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery.  He entered as a private (February 1862) and mustered out as a sergeant.  He reenlisted in November of 1864 becoming an officer in Company D of the 1st United States Colored Infantry.  He entered as a 1st Lieutenant under order of President Lincoln and ended the war as a 2nd Lieutenant as per an order signed by General Butler.  His unit was stationed at Fortress Monroe and writes in a letter home that he expected to move soon for an attack on Richmond.  He claimed to have seen many Confederate deserters and Negro Contrabands at Fortress Monroe.  He named one of his sons Sherman Butler Weidner.  His name is on the Wall of Honor at the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington D. C. (Wall A, Plague 3).

Michael D Corcoran ancestor of Thomas A Corcoran Sr. PCC

Michael D Corcoran born 1832 in Derry Ireland was a private in Company K, 6 Regiment New Jersey volunteer infantry. He enlisted in Camden New Jersey on August 9, 1861 and mustered in August 29, 1861 in Trenton New Jersey He was wounded the battle of Williamsburg Virginia May 5, 1862 he was sent to the  hospital in Yorktown Virginia  May 7,1862 and then to a hospital at Fort Monroe then to Baltimore then to the USA hospital in Philadelphia he was discharged August 7, 1862 with a certificate of general disability he died in 1886 and is buried in Gloucester city New Jersey

Thomas J Manson ancestor of Thomas a Corcoran Sr.  PCC

Thomas Manson was born 1819 and Atrium Ireland he was a private in Company E 73rd Pennsylvania volunteer infantry he enlisted August 3, 1861 in Philadelphia. He served in West Virginia with Gen. Fremont and was wounded in the left leg by gunshot wound at the battle of cross keys Virginia on June 8, 1862 he was the only man in the Regiment to be wounded he was in the hospital August 1862 and was discharged for disability on January 15, 1863 at that time he received citizenship papers he died in Gloucester city New Jersey February 1887 and is buried at the Cedar Grove Cemetery Gloucester city New Jersey

Wesley D Barton ancestor of Shawn Pratt.

Wesley D Barton. He was mustered in September 26, 1862, as a Pvt. Company D, 25 Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out in June 20th 1863 serving for 9 months.  25th Regiment N.J. service was as followed - Camp on East Capitol Hill and picket at Fairfax Seminary till November 30. March to Aquia Creek, Va., November 30-December 8, thence to Falmouth, Va. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Camp near Falmouth till February 11, 1863. "Mud March" January 20-24. Moved to Newport News, Va., February 11, and duty there till March 13. Picket at Fort Jericho near Dismal Swamp till April 10. Siege of Suffolk April 11-May 4. Near Suffolk, Reed's Ferry, Nansemond Church Road May 3. Siege of Suffolk raised May 4. Constructing Fort New Jersey near Norfolk, Va., May 10 to June 4. Moved to Portsmouth June 4. At Camp Cadwallader, Beverly, N. J., June 8-20. Mustered out at Beverly, N. J., June 20, 1863. Pvt. Barton passed away in 1895, and is buried at Sicklerville Methodist Cemetery. 

Charles F. Pitman Ancestor of Ryan McLeod

6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Rush’s Lancers

Charles F. Pitman was born on July 3, 1835 in New Jersey.  He married Lizzie Gibbon in 1861, and the pair settled in Philadelphia.  Charles answered the call to serve his country on August 4th, 1862 and was assigned to the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, also known as Rush’s Lancers.  Charles faithfully wrote letters to his Lizzie whenever he could, and Lizzie lovingly safeguarded each letter she received to be passed down to her descendants.  In addition, Charles took daily notes in small pocket diaries while he was away.  He included places he had been and even the weather they were experiencing, seeming to understand the magnitude and importance of this noble undertaking his countrymen had rallied for, and that the recording of this history would be of great import to future generations.  These letters and diaries have given his descendants an intimate look into what he and his comrades were facing. 

In spring of 1863, Charles described consistently disagreeable weather, including periods of heavy rains and thunderstorms that added to their misery.  April of 1863 found the Lancers in Virginia.  At the end of the month they had left Warrenton Junction, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford and the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford.  They then successfully destroyed part of the Virginia Central Railroad after pressing through Louisa Court House and Trevilian Station.  On the night of May 5th, Charles’ horse fell into a hole in the woods, and he was thrown to the ground.  When he got to his feet, his horse was gone and “the rest were gone, being on a gallop.”  He tried to continue in the route of the column, but soon found that he was not the only one who had become lost.  Charles writes that he found a few other “unfortunates” from his own regiment, but before dawn came, they “were in the hands of the Philistines.”

 Charles was paroled in Libby Prison, and then subsequently sent to Camp Parole in Annapolis, then on to Camp Convalescent in Alexandria.  He was sent back to duty in September, and remained in service until his discharge as a quartermaster sergeant on June 5th, 1865.  He returned home to his “dearest Lizzie” and their son Edmond, who was a mere 4 months old when Charles had left.  Upon his return, Charles remained an active participant in the G.A.R. until his death in 1913.          

Private Isaac N. Taggart ancestor of Duane Joseph Conant PCC

Isaac Taggart was born March 18, 1837. He enlisted one August 1, 1864 into the 3rd Vermont artillery and was 27 years old. With the Third Vermont, he saw action during the Petersburg campaign, battle of Chaffin’s farm, New Market Heights, Fort Harrison, Fort Johnson, Fort Gilmer, battle of Darby’s town Road and the battle of Peebles Farm. Private Taggart mustered out on June 15, 1865 in Brattleboro Vermont and passed away on September 1, 1895. He is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Stockbridge Windsor County Vermont.

Sergeant Andrew Jackson Friend, 91st Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers:

Ancestor of Richard Andrew Goldberg

Andrew Jackson Friend, was born in Philadelphia in 1836, during the second term of

President Andrew Jackson. ( ‘Andrew Jackson’, would be the most common given name for

soldiers in both the Union and Confederate armies.)

Andrew’s family were settlers prior to the Revolutionary War. On his father’s side the

Friend family, (changed from Swedish Frande), arrived in New Sweden (Delaware Valley) in

1648. Paternal grandfather Issac had a small Philadelphia dairy ‘farm’ near Broad Street on

‘George’ Street - renamed Sansom Street following the Revolution. His father, Andrew B., was

a blacksmith in the same neighborhood. His mother, Rebecca Parent, also had NJ / Philadelphia

roots. Grandfather Thomas Parent, a 36 year old bricklayer from Freehold NJ, enlisted in a unit

organized in Philadelphia during the War of 1812. He was assigned to the Lake Champlain fleet.

After “presenting sick” several times, Thomas died in Whitehall, NY military hospital on April

19, 1815.

Andrew Jackson Friend and Mary Elizabeth

Hughes, daughter of Irish immigrants, were married in Old

Swedes Church in Philadelphia in 1857. By the time of his

enlistment they already had two sons. There would

eventually be nine children though not all survived. (The

Friend family would not be outdone in proclaiming their

allegiances when naming their sons. There was Charles

Henry , Thomas Jefferson, another Andrew Jackson and,

unsurprisingly, a U.S.Grant.) .

Andrew J. joined the 91st Regiment Pennsylvania

Volunteers as a private on October 23, 1861. Civil War

enlistment records provided a number of details about

recruits – presumably a help in identification in the days

before ‘dogtags’. Private Friend was “5 foot 9 ½ inches tall,

fair complexion, hazel eyes, light brown hair and had a heavy scar on his left leg.” He was able

to sign his name on paperwork, rather than ‘make his mark’. Reenlistment “as a veteran

volunteer” took place on December 26, 1863 in Bealton VA. Andrew was promoted to corporal

on September 1, 1864 and sergeant effective March 1, 1865. He mustered out on 10 July 1865.

The 91st PA Volunteers participated in most of the significant battles against Lee’s army

in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia – Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Antietam,

Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Five Forks. Although the regiment was supposed to have

about 900 men, it often had less than half that number. Two hundred of the regiment’s officers

and enlisted men died in the course of the war - 116 were killed or mortally wounded, 84 died

from disease, accidents etc.

One historian described the 91st as perhaps the worst led regiment in the GAR. They

fought courageously, again in some of the most important battles, but were ineffectively and

recklessly utilized. The suicidal attack on the infamous stonewall at Fredericksburg is a good

example. The 91st had 86 enlisted men and 4 officers killed or wounded in that one battle. At

Gettysburg they were part of the group that arrived just in time during a Confederate attack on

Little Round Top but then were sent to an exposed battery position, losing two officers and 19

enlisted men. At Spotsylvania they twice took a hill the Union needed for Grant to attack, but he

never attacked. At Petersburg eighty -two were killed or wounded capturing the place where the

rebel mine would later be exploded with horrific results. Again an opportunity was missed due

to a last minute change by Grant and Burnside. Given these frustrations the 91st likely took

some satisfaction when, at Appomattox, they were “… ordered to receive the rebel surrender, …

the enemy marching up and stacking their arms, the ceremony lasting the entire day.”

The Friend family moved several times after the war. The 1870 census has them living

near Oil City, Pennsylvania where Andrew J. was an “engineer at oil well”. By the 1880 census

Andrew was working as a laborer in Philadelphia and the family was living in Martins Village -

part of today’s South Philadelphia. In 1900, at age 64 , while painting at Philadelphia Salt

Manufacturing Co. he fell 12 feet from a scaffold. He was severely injured and never worked

again. Following the accident the family moved to Woodstown, in Salem County NJ. By 1910

the Friends were again living in Philadelphia.

Andrew J. began receiving a disabled veteran’s pension of $8 a month in 1890. This was

increased to $12 in 1901 (following the accident at work), $15 in 1907 (age based), $20 in 1911

(age 75), $30 in 1912. Letters applying / appealing for pension increases make clear how

important the Veteran’s Pension was in the days before Social Security and Disability Programs.

Andrew J. lived to a fairly advanced age for his era - 78. Cause of death on April 24,

1914 is listed as “cystitis”. The Philadelphia Inquirer announced: “ Relatives and Volunteers

from the General Reynolds Post 71 of the Grand Army of the Republic and Co. C 91st Regiment

Pennsylvania Volunteers are invited to a viewing on Sunday evening at his home at 148 Mifflin

St.” Internment was at Fernwood Cemetery just outside the city in Yeadon, PA.

Epilogue: Ninety-seven years later, in May 2011, while escorting Andrew Jackson Friend’s

great-granddaughter Anna Mae Friend to her burial site at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon PA,

the funeral procession from South Jersey made a detour to Fernwood Cemetery. After a quick

stop at the Fernwood office for coordinates, eight of Andrew J’s triple and quadruple greatgrandsons

/ daughters were sent looking for his gravesite. His overturned white headstone was

located by triple great-grandson Zachary Jeong Goldberg. The gravestone has since been

reinstalled and a G.A.R. marker added.