The Civil War Adams County 1864 The Adams Sentinel January 12, 1864 The following is a list of the members of Captain Adams’ Company F & Captain Pfeiffer’s Company I, 87th Regiment, P.V., who have re-enlisted as veterans. Company F, Captain Adair William H. Gray, Gettysburg James Steinour, Arendtsville George T. Little, Gettysburg Amos Keefer, Mount Joy Company I, Captain Pfeiffer P.J. Thomas, Sgt., New Oxford James Logan, New Oxford Samuel V. Murtz, New Oxford Joseph McElroy, New Oxford Thomas McLain, Union Township Andrew Mummert, Heidlersburg Township, York Co. Thomas Sivers, Heidlersburg Township, York Co. David H. Thomas, New Oxford George W. Schriver, Peppertown, Cumberland Co. February 9, 1864 Captain John Horner of this county has, through the kindness of Col. Crawford, and 100 cavalrymen, who were detailed to accompany him, succeeded in obtaining the body of his son who was killed at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. February 18, 1864 In the Senate of the U.S., on Friday last, the committed on pension reports voted in favor of granting a pension to John L. Burns, an old citizen of Gettysburg who took up his musket and was wounded in the Battle at Gettysburg; with a bill and recommended its passage. February 23, 1864 Fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, on the morning of 14th February, David Young, a member of the gallant 87th Regiment, P.V., 22 years, 2 months. It gives us pleasure to state that Orderly Sgt. O.A. Horner of Captain Hunter’s Company, has been promoted to second lieutenant and that Oscar D. McMillan of the same company has been promoted to orderly sergeant. The bill granting John L. Burns of Gettysburg a pension of $8 a month for valor on the battlefield has passed both houses of Congress. It dates from July 1, 1863. March 8, 1864 The following people of Capt. Adair’s Company, 87th Regiment have re-enlisted and had themselves accredited to Conewago Twp. Corp. Wm. D. Holtzworth Wm. McGonigal Samuel Fisher John E. Snyder Jacob Rice Reuben Jacob Basil Little D.P. Riegle Wm Shead Also, Henry H. Smith and H.A. Zecher and Amos Burke of Cumberland Co. March 15, 1864 A letter was received a few days ago from Mr. C.R. Evans, formerly of this place, which says that “J.C. Guinn, Alexander Harper, George Coderi and a young Warner are at Salisbury, N.C.—they were all well a few weeks since when I saw them.” March 22, 1864 We regret to learn that among the killed and wounded of the 8th Regiment, Colored Troops, in the late battle at Olnstee(?), Florida, are the following from Gettysburg and vicinity: Killed: Joseph Nellis, Clem Devan Also other others, names not known John Watts was wounded in the shoulder; David Robinson was wounded in the leg; and the two Buckmasters from this place were also wounded. April 5, 1864 Calvin Gilbert of this place has been appointed captain in the army and has entered upon his duties. May 3, 1864 We are pained to record the death of James Steinour of Arendtsville, under most melancholy circumstances. He was a member of Company F, 87th Pa. Vol. He had re- enlisted and was at home on furlough. On Tuesday last, in company with several of his companions he visited Middletown on horse back and while on the return to Gettysburg, near Keckler’s old tavern stand, the horse he was riding stumbled badly, throwing him so violently to the ground and so seriously injuring him to cause his death on Thursday at the residence of John Fisher in this place to which he was removed immediately after the accident. His remains were buried at Arendtsville Friday, the furloughed soldiers in town forming an impressive escort under the command of Corp. Wm. Holtzworth. He was 21 years, 5 months, 28 days. Peace to his ashes. Compiler May 17, 1864 Died, on the 7th ult., at Graysville, Georgia, of measles, James G. Paxton, son of Nathaniel Paxton of Company I, 94th Regiment, formerly of this county, aged 31 years, 6 months, 6 days. In the recent battles in the Wilderness, in Virginia, our information in regards to the killed and wounded is as yet minimal. The following is all we have received up to the date of this writing; Saturday morning. On Thursday, 300 wounded arrived in Washington from Fredericksburg and among them were Captain McCreary, Manfred Hover, Daniel Kitzmiller, Daniel Dewalt, and Peter Keardown of Company B, 138th P.V.; C.N. Hartzel, Jesse Ebert, Howard Kann, Jacob Piffer, John Clober, George Burchet and Sgt. J. Tidon, Company G, 138th Pa. Vol. These names are given as we find them in a report for the Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday. Compiler The company of Captain Benner, 101st Regiment, was captured at the disastrous affair of Plymouth, N.C. Lt. Welty, who was on detached duty at the time, escaped. The rest of the men are in the hands of the Rebels. John Dillen and G. Beck of Company K were killed and Sgt. F. Shorb slightly wounded. May 24, 1864 The following is all the information we have received since our last in regards to the killed and wounded of Adams County: A letter from Captain H.N. Minnigh of Company K, Pa. Reserves dated May 18 and written in the rifle pits at Spottsylvania says: “My company has lost five men wounded— Rouser (very slightly, still with the company); also Baker, Murray, Miller, Rosensteel and Goutermouth severely but not dangerously wounded.” A letter from Lt. George Earnshaw of Company B, 138th Regiment, states that Company B ahs lost 18 men in killed, wounded and missing but gives no names. Another letter says that Jacob Kitzmiller of the same company was wounded in the arm, rendering amputation necessary. Nothing is said about Capt. McCreary, who was reported among the wounded in the papers. Elias Redding of the 87th Pa., is reported wounded. The following is a list of killed, wounded and missing in Captain McCreary’s company, 138th Regiment: Killed: Charles Dickson Wounded: Lt. Grossman, George Miller, D. Dewalt, A. Hersch, Jacob Kitzmiller, Daniel Kitzmiller, Peter Deardorff, George Booth, Winfield Cover, Wm. Lyan. A private letter states that Sgt. Findley Biesecker of Company B, 138th Regiment was wounded and has since died. David Chronister of Hampton, a member of Captain Walters’ company, was wounded in the abdomen on the 5th and taken to Fredericksburg where he died on the 14th or 15th . Compiler Our neighbor, R.G. McCreary, Esq., is one of the most active and energetic members of the Christian Commission here, devoting days of labor when the cruel war was in our midst to the relief of the wounded and suffering. He at once went to the front of the battle in Virginia with stores and has given his daily and nightly labors to the suffering. He returned home Saturday morning from his severe task. May 31, 1864 Captain McCreary of Company B, 138th Regiment was not wounded, as published last week. He is with his command again—having been sick and in the hospital a few days. David Chronister and Harvey Chronister of Captain Walter’s company were both wounded and died in the hospital at Fredericksburg. We understand that Captain Hunter’s company made a narrow escape from capture during the siege under Sigel at Woodstock a few weeks ago. They had been dismounted at the time. They lost some six or eight men but we have only heard the names of McFarland from Hanover who was killed and Currens from Taneytown who was wounded. Died, recently, in camp at Washington, John A. Ross, Company B, 17th Regiment, P.V., son of Josiah and Catherine Ross, aged 18 years, 6(?) months. June 7, 1864 The 21st (?) 31st (?) Pa. Cavalry, with which Captain Mickley’s company is attached, has been dismounted and changed into an infantry organization. The order for the change caused great indignation among the officers and men. When last heard from they were under orders to march to Front Royal on the Rappahannock. June 14, 1864 The following members of Captain Hunter’s company were captured during the fight at New Market on the 13th May: Corp. Theodore McAlister, near Gettysburg Augustus McFarland, Hanover George Spangler, Heidlersburg Wm. A. Crouse, J.H. Gelwicks and Frank Gibbs, Emmitsburg Charles Currens, Taneytown Mr. Crouse, we understand, was mortally wounded. The casualties in the 87th and 138th Regiments in the fight on Friday week are very heavy showing that our boys were in the fiercest of the fighting: Col. Scholl of the 87th was wounded in the arm; Captain Pfeiffer of Company I, 87th Regiment, was wounded in the abdomen; Corp. D. McGonigal and A. Keffer of Company F, same regiment, were wounded slightly. P. Miller, W. Hoke, and J.W. Linn of Company B, 138th Regiment, were wounded in the hip and arm and H.C. Sadler of Company G, 138th Regiment was also wounded. In addition to the above, we learn that James Murry has been killed and Isaac Sheetz and Amos Keefer were wounded—all of Company F, 87th Regiment. This makes 13 killed and wounded in Company F during the recent engagements. John Kitzmiller of Company B, 138th Regiment, from this place, was killed in the Battle of Cold Harbor on Wednesday. Thomas E. Reinhart of Fairfield, Adams County, has been appointed to a clerkship in the office of Capt. Humes, Brigadier Quartermaster at Washington; and David R. Sheads of Gettysburg a clerk in the Quartermaster General’s office in the War Department at Washington. Willie Sweeney of Company B, 138th Regiment, and David Myers of Company F, 87th Regiment, both from this place, have been heard from. They were taken prisoner in the Battle of the Wilderness and are now in the hands of the Rebels. Sweeney is at Gordonsville. Thomas Elden of Company G, 138th Regiment, who was wounded a few weeks ago, died in the hospital at Washington on Monday week. His brother, H.C. Elden, Company K, Pa. Reserves, was taken prisoner in the last battle in which the Reserves participated and just the day before the Reserves started home. June 21, 1864 We clip the following list of killed and wounded in Companies B and G, 138th Regiment, from the Philadelphia Inquirer. The names have all, we believe, been published before with some additional ones that have come to hand since this list was made out. This, however, contains all embraced in the official list of Col. McClernand’s, commanding the regiment. Company B Killed: Sgt. J.F. Biesecker, Charles Dickson, Jacob Staub, John Kitzmiller Wounded: Lt. H.G. Grossman, Corp. G.E. Booth, D. Dewalt, W. Cove, John McClure, Peter Deardorff, J. Engelhart, L. Hammelbaugh, H.L. Hersh, D.S. Kitzmiller, J.A. Kitzmiller, J.W. Linn, G.W. Miller, E. Miller Missing: B.(?) K. Culp, J. McClure, H.D. Gilbert, W.C. Sweeney, W.H.H. Stultz Company G Killed: James Warren, C. Slaybaugh, Corp. D.E. Chronister, Thomas Elden, Q.A. Linah, E. Brame(?) Wounded: Sgt. G.W. Barchet(?), Isaac McConley, H.C. Sadler, A. Hoffman, C.B. Crist, Jesse Ebert, John Cleaver, J. Klepper, John G. Scott, E.N. Hartzell, H.W. Kunn(?), M. Fehl, A. Corbit, J. Bushey, Amos Meals, Samuel Kelly. We are able this week to give some additional information regarding the 21st Regiment. On Tuesday, 3rd inst., the regiment was at Bethesda Church in close proximity to the enemy and engaged in throwing up defenses. While at this work, the enemy kept up an almost uninterrupted fire upon them. On Friday, the brigade moved on the enemy works and the regiment was in the thick of the fight. The enemy sharp shooters seemed to have a particular spite at Col. Boyd. He was in a rather exposed position and bullets flew around him like hail. Finally, a ball struck him in the neck near the shoulder. He continued for some time to give his orders but was at last removed from the field almost completely exhausted from loss of blood. With night, the contest closed. The following list, taken from a letter from Mr. Hart, a member of Captain Mickley’s company, embraces the killed and wounded from this company: Killed: Wm. Mickley, Henry Reitler(?) Beitler(?) Wounded: John Shearer, Charles Prosser, George W. Conrad, George Plank, Wm. Foot, Levi Hart Col. Boyd is at his home in Chambersburg and is not expected to recover Star Col. Wm. Boyd of the 21st Pa. Cavalry is gradually improving and strong hopes are entertained for his recovery. The surgeons have twice tried without success to recover the ball. It entered the neck near the right shoulder and passing into the spinal column, lodged firmly in the bone. July 5, 1864 Lt. J.B. King of Battery C, Roberts’ Artillery at Fortress Monroe, has been promoted to captain in his regiment. Col. Boyd, Lt. Col. Messon(?) and Major Gillis of the 21st Pa. Cavalry, have all been wounded, leaving only the remaining field officer Major Bell in command of the regiment. Lt. Wm. Shorb of the 55th Pa. Regiment, is reported among the wounded by the Harrisburg papers. The lieutenant has five brothers besides himself in the army. Robert Sheads, Jr., of this place, one of the old Reserves, re-enlisted for three more years and arrived at home a few days ago severely wounded. A letter from Captain Mickley states that the last engagement the 21st Pa. Cavalry was in was on the 18th ult., when they were ordered into the line of battle and charged onto the Rebel works on the railroad running from Petersburg to Suffolk. They made two charges. In the first they gained their point but in the second were repulsed and fell back about 25 yards. They remained under fire until the next evening when they were relieved. The following is given as a list of casualties of Company B Lt. H.G. Lott, wounded in the head David Knouse, in the hand Sgt. Brenizer, in the neck, seriously Conrad Linn, in both legs Wm. McClellan, finger shot off Noah Snyder, in leg, slightly Lt. Col. Messon, in the hand Major Gillis, in the leg The loss in the regiment was about 100 wounded and ten killed On Tuesday night a dispatch was received announcing the death of Lt. Lott at the hospital at Annapolis from the effects of his wound. His body was brought here on Wednesday and interred in Evergreen Cemetery. July 19, 1864 Wm. Crawford of this place, who was in the Signal Corps at Harpers Ferry was wounded in the thigh during the attack on that place by the Rebels a week or two ago. He has returned home and is now here. His wound is not considered dangerous. We learn that John Barker, son of Joseph Barker of Littlestown, was killed in the Battle at Monocacy. He belonged to the 3rd. The 87th and 138th Regiments were in the Battle at Monocacy and acted gallantly. The 87th lost 42 killed and wounded and 136 still missing. Adjutant Martin of Oxford was mortally wounded and since died. Sgt. Elias Sheade of this place had both feet taken off by a shell and died the same day; also Wm. Sheads and Ephraim Snyder were wounded. In the 138th, Emor Guinn, John Tate (son of Robert), Amos Snyder, Amos Myers, Elias Stonesifer, Nicholas Wilson, Jacob Clepper, Abraham Markley, Alexander Cuthbertson, Simon Sigaloose and Theodore Cleppe were wounded. Emory Guinn had his leg amputated above the knee. To the Editor of the Sentinel Camp of the 13th Pa. Cavalry Near Light House Point, Va. July 6, 1864 Major M. Kerwin and the 13th Pa. Cavalry, the “bloody 13th”, as it is called, has, during this campaign, distinguished itself for gallantry, bravery and coolness under the leadership of the much lamented Major Michael Kerwen. He has led the regiment through all the bloody engagements since May 5, 1864 and was the sad victim of lightening a few days ago. The 13th Pa. Cavalry has been in the service since April, 1862 and has served honorably in the Shenandoah Valley and other parts of Virginia and also in Maryland and has won for itself a name which is unequalled by few and surpassed by none as regards gallantry and good fighting qualities and also obedience. It can boast of never having disobeyed a single order given by the brigade or division commander or by any other superior officer. The regiment is now lying in camp, resting from General Sheridan’s tiresome raid to Gordonsville, but will be heard of before many days in a quarter where it is least expected. S.J.L. Corporal, Company F, 13th Pa. Cavalry July 26, 1864 Died, at the General Hospital in Frederick City, on the 17th inst., Amos Hoffman, son of John Hoffman, Company C, 138th Regiment, P.V., aged 29. Died, at the General Hospital in Frederick City, on Saturday last, Emory Green, son of George Green of Cumberland Twp., Company B, 138th Regiment P.V. Died, at City Point, on June 24, from wounds received in a late battle near Petersburg, Sgt. Robert H. Walker of the 57th Regiment, Pa. Volunteers, aged about 24. August 2, 1864 Captain H.S. Benner of the 101st Regiment P.V., who was captured by the Rebels at Plymouth several months ago, is enjoying good health. He also informs us of the wounding of Sgt. Short and the death of George W. Beck. A company of cavalry (100 day men) has been formed in the borough and vicinity and have gone on to Harrisburg to be mustered in. They number nearly 100. The officers are: Captain E. Morgan Warren 1st Lt. C.H. Fulweifer 2nd Lt. Dr. S.N. Ecker Orderly Sgt. Wm. R. Eyster August 16, 1864 Capt. H.N. Minnigh, Company K, 1st Regiment, P.V.R.C., has been appointed to a clerkship in the adjutant general’s office in Washington. Robert McGaughey and F. Diehl are about raising a company for home defense. They ask nothing from the government—but wish to raise a company to defend their homes from guerillas. Letter from the Army 13th Pa. Cavalry Near Prince George C.H., Va. August 6, 1864 My Dear Sentinel: As I have now some spare time, I will write to you and give you a detailed account of the July campaign and also the little incidents principally connected with the 13th Pa. cavalry. On the morning of the 1st July, after marching all night, we found ourselves on the banks of the Blackwater River, a nasty, dirty little river about 12 miles southeast of Petersburg. Here the invincible Grant thought it was no place for cavalry as there was no water in the vicinity that was fit for man or horse to use, so he turned us to take up our old camp near Light House Landing. We did so and remained there until about the evening of the 25th when we were ordered to move, crossing the James River and attack the enemy. On across we went and attacked the enemy and drove them off the field, capturing many prisoners and arms including four large siege guns. All day long the battle raged but the enemy was at last forced to give way and left the Yankee cavalry to hold the field. After the battle was over and the dead all buried and the wounded all properly cared for, we re-crossed the river and came into our present camp. Thus ended another July in which many hard battles were fought and in which the true Yankee boys won laurels which will never fade. May we all live to see another July and hear the sound of the cannon not striking death blows to the rebellion but saluting the day of peace and prosperity. S.J.L. September 20, 1864 A private letter from Annapolis, Maryland, dated Sept. 9, names the following members of Company B, 138th Pa. Vol., as in the hospital there: John Hennig, James Tate(?), Oliver P. Plank, Henry L. Hersh(?), and Wm. Strasbaugh(?). October 4, 1864 George Dawalt of Company B, 138th Regiment, was killed in the line of battle near Winchester and Peter Thorn of the same company, we understand, was wounded in the arm. Captain James Walter of Company C, 138th Regiment, was wounded in the thigh and two other members of his company whose names we have not learned were also wounded. Lt. John Boyer of the 184th Regiment, P.V., who only a few weeks ago left this county for Grant’s army before Petersburg, was wounded badly by a shot through the lungs while engaged in relieving pickets. Captain W.T. King’s company has been assigned to the 209th Regiment which is now camped near Bermuda Hundred Landing. It is Company G. Major T.B. Kaufman, veteran of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, is colonel of the regiment and Captain Frederick of (now) Kings County, is lieutenant colonel. James Cress, M.D., is detailed as hospital steward of the regiment. Captain Adams company has been mustered into the 184th Regiment and is now at City Point. It is Company K. Captain Warren’s “Independent Scouts” are now camped near Mercersburg, Franklin Co., at which place letters will reach them. October 11, 1864 John T. Black’s brother William G. Black of Cumberland Twp., was wounded in the siege of Atlanta on the 1st February last and died from the effects of his wound on Sept. 10. He belonged to the 26th Illinois Regiment and was a brave soldier. His age was 23 years, 5 months and 18 days. October 25, 1864 We understand Dr. A. Neal(?) of Mt. Pleasant Twp., has been appointed Surgeon to the 205th Regiment, P.V. Died, on the 21st June, George W. Conrad, from a wound received in a battle near Richmond, aged (illegible, 2-) years, 3 months, 7 days. His body was brought home to the house of his father, John Conrad, and on the 17th, attended by a large circle of sympathetic friends, he was laid to rest at the Bermudian(?) Cemetery there to rest with his kindred. November 8, 1864 It is our painful duty to announce the death of Hezekiah Taney, son of John Taney of Mt. Joy Twp., which occurred on the 15th ult., near Front Royal. He was a member of the 22nd Pa. Cavalry and was accidentally killed by the discharge of a carbine in the hands of a friend. The ball passed through his brain and caused instant death. He was 19 years of age and was a brave boy and a good soldier. November 8, 1864 Died, on the 18th ult., David Forrest, son of James Lynn, Esq., of Franklin Twp., in the 24th year of his age. He was a member of Company B, 21st (?) Pa. Cavalry. Died, on the 28th September, at Pulaski, Tennessee, from fever contracted in the army, William E. Spangler, son of Henry Spangler (formerly of this county), member of Company B, 9th Indiana Cavalry, 22 years, 7 months, 25(?) days. November 22, 1864 The funeral of Elias Sheads and Jacob Sheads, sons of Elias Sheads of this place, took place on Sabbath afternoon last. They were buried with the honors of war under the direction of Captain Adair in Evergreen Cemetery. Elias was connected with Company F, 87th Regiment, and Jacob was a member of Company B, 21st Pa. Cavalry. Died, Elias Sheads, on the 9th July, 1864, from wounds received in the Battle of Monocacy, aged 22 years, 9 months, 23 days. Died, J. James Sheads, in the hospital near City Point, after an illness of nine days, aged 18 years, 1 months, (?) days. December 6, 1864 Died, on Oct. 22, Wm. Henry Rinehart, Army of the Potomac, aged 26 years, 14 days. Died, at the Military Hospital at Alexandria, Va., on Nov. 6, Jeremiah Blair, of Mt. Pleasant Twp., 38 years, 1 month, 2 days. The deceased has left a widow and 3(?) 8(?) children to mourn his loss. December 20, 1864 Edmund Sell of Littlestown was instantly killed in a fight with Moseby’s Guerillas near Winchester on the 16th November last, aged 18 years, 8 months, 20 days. His remains were brought home and interred in Christ Church graveyard near Littlestown. Among the Union prisoners who died at Savannah, Georgia, was Max J. Coball, formerly of this place. We learn from private letters from an exchanged prisoner that Wm. Ziegler of this place, who was a member of Company F, 87th Pa. Regiment, is not dead but remains a prisoner in the hands of the Rebels. He was captured at the Battle of the Wilderness and when last heard from was in Mifflin, Georgia. David Myers from this place, who was captured at the same time, we learn, died in Andersonville. Transcribed by Christine Spencer, July, 2008