Category: Historical Text

The 98th at Second Fredericksburg

RGoldie

The Ninety-Sixth Regiment in the Battle of Second Fredricksburg
May 3, 1863

 

Article is Entitled: Schuylkill County in the Battle of Salem Church, Fredericksburg Va. May 3, 1863

Full Text Here

98th PVI is referenced:

Fighting with the 98th Pa. Vols at Salem church were two Pottsville residents, H.K. Seddinger, a Hospital Steward, and Lt. Col. George Wynkoop.

Seddinger wrote an interesting article to the Miners Journal on May 30th, 1863 about the battle.

“During the battle at Salem Heights, the 98th PVI and the 62d NYV, were necessarily left on the south side of the main road where they performed gallant service under the officer in charge of that portion of the line. They lost heavily and held their position to the last. Col. John J. Ballier, of the 98th, received a serious wound in the foot and was taken from the field at 5 PM.”

Planning the Gettysburg Monument

RGoldie

*All of these amazing images are in the PA archives and are public domain. However, there are sooooo many documents and most of them are extremely hard to read. Until I can get the best of them posted for you, these full size originals AND SO MANY MORE can be found HERE on pages 259-265. And HERE on pages 86-112 of the archives. Check them out!

(At some point when it is not 3 a.m. and tears are not blurring my eyes from stumbling upon this beautiful resource, I will translate all 30+ pages of them for you and post a nice summary of what I have learned here. ~Becky)

FUN FACT
• The PA 98th Gettysburg monument (the one on the John Weikert Farm) cost $1,500 and was made by John Ferguson Marble and Granite Works.

George Crowl

RGoldie

George Crowl
Private, Company G

*The information on this page was copied from FindAGrave.com.

The son of William & Sarah (Kohl) Crowl, he married Sarah Daugherty and fathered Thomas Oliver (b. 02/17/41 – 87th Pa), Peter (b. 06/29/43), Sarah Ellen (b. 09/01/44 – married a Bowman), Mary Spangle (b. 12/04/46 – married Leonard Knisley), Zacharias Taylor (b. 01/08/48), and George Leonard S. (b. 04/17/54). Sarah died in 1855. In 1860, he was a cooper presumably living in Siddonsburg, Monaghan Township, York County, Pennsylvania, although he is not found in that census. He stood 5′ 9″ tall and had gray hair and blue eyes.

A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in York, November 21, 1861, and mustered into federal service that same day as a private with Co. G, 98th Pennsylvania Infantry. Promoted to corporal to date November 17, 1862, he received a “slight wound” at Cold Harbor, and reduced to ranks to date April 3, 1865. He honorably discharged with his company June 29, 1865.

He then enlisted in the U.S. Marines March 19, 1866, and, according to George, served aboard the U.S.S. Sacramento, although the Navy could find no records of that service. He honorably discharged March 18, 1868.

Sarah had died in 1855, and he married Bridget Fitzcarlo ca. 1864 and lived in Philadelphia for some years after the war. By 1890, he was living in Monaghan Township, York County, where he died from “old age.” His pension file is combined with that of his son Thomas, who had died in a Confederate prison.

Andrew Sheely

RGoldie

Andrew Sheely
Private, Company I

*The information on this page has been copied from FindAGrave.com

~The following information is courtesy of Dennis Brandt ~

The son of John & Elizabeth (Emelit {?}) Sheely, in 1860 he was a farmer living in Mount Pleasant Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania.

A Civil War veteran, he enlisted and mustered into federal service at Chambersburg April 7, 1865, as a private with Co. I, 98th Pennsylvania Infantry, and honorably discharged with his company June 29, 1865.

In 1890, live in Mount Pleasant Township, Adams County, in 1907, in Littlestown, Adams County, but died in Mount Pleasant Township at age 79 from chronic interstitual nephritis with gangrene of an unspecified body part a contributing factor.

OBITUARY

Andrew Sheely died recently at his home in Mount Pleasant township about a mile Southwest of White Hall. He was about 78 years of age and was a Veteran of the Civil War. He lived on the original Sheely homestead in the county and on occasions would speak of the family traditions that when the farm was settled, Indians were neighbors and spots would be pointed out where Indian wigwams had stood.

He leaves a wife, two sons and a daughter, Daniel Sheely of Hanover, Jacob Sheely of White Hall and Mrs. George Shildt of White Hall.

Gettysburg Compiler
{Gettysburg, Pennsylvania}
April 21, 1909

Captain Christopher Meyer

RGoldie

Christopher Meyer
Captain, Company B

*The information on this page has been copied from FindAGrave.com

Served with Co.B 98th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War of 1861-65. Captain Meyer was commissioned Captain on September 28th, 1861 and resigned his commission November 1st, 1862 for ill health, being wounded in the right chest and arm at the battle Malvern Hill July 1st, 1862.

While with the Regiment he took part in the Battles of Williamsburg May 4th, 1862 Fair Oaks May 27-28th, 1862 Malvern Hill July 1st, 1862.

His Regiment was at the Battle of Gettysburg but Captain Christopher Meyer was not with them, some thing he would later say was the greatest regret of his life.

He moved to Nevada some time around 1880 because of his health (bad lungs because of his chest wound) and spent most of his time as a local business man and politician in Carson City.

His health began to fail around 1901 as his old war wounds took their toll on him, and he was soon living at the Old Soldiers home near Carson City until his death by pneumonia brought on by chest wounds of 54 years before.

He was buried in The General Custer Post No. 5 Grand Army of the Republic section in The Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City, Nevada.

He was the Post Comander of that Post from 1889-92 & 1896-99

Photo is Courtesy of Captain Meyer’s Granddaughter and shows Captain Meyer as a 2nd Lieut. some time in early 1861. The Photographer is Gill’s City Gallery No. 20 King St., Lancaster, PA, and has an old Penciled ID on the back “Capt. C. Meyer 98th PA”

OBITUARY
From The Morning Appeal; August 14, 1901
Died.
In this city, August 12, 1901, Christopher Meyer, a native of Germany, aged 78 years.
Captain Meyer was a well known and highly respected resident of this city, where he has resided for thirty years. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of the G.A.R. During his many years as a resident in Carson he made a host of friends who deeply regret his end. Although he had lived his three score years and ten, he was a bright and intellectual old gentleman and retained the many friends he had by kindly acts and generosity.

The funeral will take place this afternoon under the. auspices of Custer Post, from the family residence at 4:30.

Peter Detwiler

RGoldie

Peter Detwiler
Private, Company C

Peter Detwiler, an aged, and highly respected citizen, died at his residence near Strongstown on Thursday morning, September 1, in his 72nd year of his age. Mr. Detwiler had been failing in health for some months from dropsy and kindred diseases ; but being of a strong and robust constitution, he rallied again and again. Death finally came as a relief to his bodily suffering.

The following brothers and sisters are yet living : John, in the state of Indiana and Isaac of Nolo; Mrs. Nancy Lemmon, Mrs. Margaret Cressly of Cherrytree, and Mrs. Amanda Shank of Penn Run. The following children, with his widow also survive : Jeremiah of Johnstown, Wesly and Elmer of Strongstown, Mrs. Jemimah Ressler and Mrs. Jane Ressler, of Cramer.

Mr. Detwiler was an honored member of the Lutheran Church of Strongstown.
The funeral services took place in that Church on Friday afternoon, September 2, Rev. J. M. Snyder, pastor officiating. Internment was made in the new cemetery of Strongstown, grandchildren acting as the pallbearers.

BURIAL: Plot a 31 Pineland Cemetery (aka Pine Land Cemetery), Indiana County, Strongstown, PA next to Wife Mary Anne Smith Detwiler.

BIOGRAPHY:
Served in the Civil War Pennsylvania Company C 98th Regiment from March 17, 1865 to June 29, 1865.
A number of veteran soldiers were in attendance at the funeral.

*This information, as well as the photo, have been taken from the FindAGrave.com website.
(Photo credit has been given to Wilma Detwiler Ray.)

Websites Referring to the 98th

RGoldie

Below I will list links to other websites where I have found interesting articles about the 98th.

State Colors – 98th PA Regimental Flags

• The regiment received their first state color sometime after December 9, 1861. The flag was retired from service in February 1864 when it was left in Harrisburg during the regiment’s furlough.
• The regiment received their second state color after they returned to Virginia in March 1864 after a furlough.

Honor Volley
• The PA 98th served as Honor Volley for Col. Edwin A. Glenn, Commander of the 198th PVI
(Which, if I understand correctly, is the firing of rifles in honor of military personnel who have passed.)

 

Pennsylvania Archives:
(Confused? Don’t mind this stuff—this is for my researching reference!)

Item #465: Records relating to Company G, 98th Regiment PV, 1862-1865
Includes muster and descriptive rolls, general orders and other items.
Some other companies of the 98th included.

Carton 76
97th Regiment, 98th Regiment, 1861-1866
Note: A1404090 // Other Information: 14 4041

Carton 77
98th Regiment, 99th Regiment, 1861-1866
Note: A1404093 // Other Information: 14 4044

98th Regiment Infantry Pennsylvania Volunteers, April 1, 1863-June 16, 1865 (1 volume)
Alternate Format: Digital scans are available.
Note: A1105439 // Other Information: 11 4089

 

GETTYSBURG LRT CHARGE ~ MINUTE-BY-MINUTE
Here’s a fun timeline referring to the charge down Little Round Top at Gettysburg:

  • 6:55 – 7:00 pm – Gibbs’ 3rd battery section moves up from a reserve position and joins Gibbs’ 2nd section just to the N of LRT. The 98th PA (Nevin’s brigade, Wheaton’s division, 6th Corps) has somehow gotten well in front of the rest of the brigade and arrives early and eager to fight taking a position amongst the regiments in McCandless’ line. A strong continuous line of infantry and artillery now exists across the western face of LRT, and the 6th Corps brigades have yet to arrive.
  • 7:05 – 7:15 pm – Down in front of the Union line on LRT they can see a massive line of surging Rebels pushing everything in their path out of the Wheatfield. Day’s regiments, soon to be followed by Burbank’s (both Ayres’ division, 5th Corp) begin streaming up the west face of LRT impeding the firing lines of the Union infantry and artillery on the crest of the slope. The expended Rebel line comes to a halt at the base of LRT.
  • 7:10 – 7:20 pm – As the massed Confederate units of Semmes and Kershaw (McLaws’ division, Longstreet’s Corps) reach the banks of Plum Run at the foot of LRT and threaten Gibbs’ battery section, the impetuous 98th PA R fixes bayonets and charges thru the L of McCandless’ line down the face of LRT.
  • 7:25 – 7:30 pm – McCandless’ PA Reserves follow the lead of the 98th PA, charging down LRT’s western slope and triggering the withdrawal of Semmes and Kershaw. Meanwhile Day and Burbank have reformed their respective brigade lines back up on the crest of LRT. While fighting will continue in front of LRT on Houck’s Ridge and in the Wheatfield for a little while longer, sunset is at 7:41 pm this day, the fighting on LRT is virtually over.

For the full text visit: https://civilwaranimatedbattles.com/timeline-little-round-top.html

 

John Edward Miller

RGoldie

John Edward Miller
Private, Company B, 98th P.V.I.

Listed in Bates History as: Miller, Edward

Born: December 5, 1843
Saxe-Altenburg, Germany
Immigrated to the United States with father in 1856

Mustered In: January 6, 1865
Mustered Out: (with Company) June 29, 1865

Occupation Post-War:
“After his term of service expired he engaged at his trade of cabinet making. For six years he was locking-tender on the old Union Canal, one mile above Myerstown, Lebanon county, and he also carried the ti-weekly mail between Mount Aetna and Wintersville, walking the distance, three miles, on foot for ten years. He is now living retired at Mount Aetna.”

Spouse:
Elizabeth Ziegler
(Daughter of Daniel P. and Mary (Kline) Ziegler, Ziegler’s Mill, Bethel Twp.)

Children:
William
Harry R.
John
George
Francis
Charles
Frank

Spouse: (1882)
Lovina Long
(no children from this union)

*Resource for this information: Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania: Embracing a Concise History of the County and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families
(via books.google.com)

Letters and Reports

RGoldie

Report of Captain Bernhard Gessler, 98th PA
April 2, 1865
OR XLVI P1 #125

No. 125. Report of Captain Bernhard Gessler, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry.

HDQRS. NINETY-EIGHTH Regiment PENNSYLVANIA VET. VOLS.,
April 15, 1865.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the report regarding the part taken by the Ninety-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers in the fight of the 2nd day of April.

The brigade formed in two lines of battle on the left and in front of Fort Fisher, the Ninety-eighth Regiment being the second line. About 3.30 in the morning the signal was given to advance. We reached the enemy’s works, losing but a few men. Charging across the entrenchments we pursued the enemy to the edge of a wood about a mile in the rear and left of the above-mentioned works. The regiment was then deployed as skirmishers, and halted for a short time until the word was given to advance, when the entire brigade moved forward, driving the enemy across Hatcher’s Run. The brigade then formed, and marched back toward the left of Petersburg, formed line of battle, and charge over a swamp toward a house, under a heavy artillery fire from the left and front. About 150 yards from the house, where the enemy’s batteries were in front of, they opened on us with grape and canister, but a well directed musket fire from our men and from our right forced the enemy to leave the batteries; we followed up and drove him to the outskirts of Petersburg, at which place the day’s fight closed.

The officers and men behaved bravely during the entire day; although it being a very hard day’s work,the men kept up with a few exceptions.

Our entire loss is 4 officers and 15 men wounded; 1 officer and 1 enlisted man have died since of their wounds.

Very respectfully,

BERNHARD GESSLER,
Captain, Commanding Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers.

Captain EDWARD A. TODD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade.

Source: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), pp. 964-965

Thomas Goltman Zarger

RGoldie

Thomas Goltman Zarger
Private, Company I, 98th P.V.I.

Born: May 21, 1844
Son of John Zarger and Mary Catharine (Goldman) Zarger

Married: December 29, 1868 to Mary Amanda Seilhamer

Children:
John Seilhamer (b. April 26, 1874);  m. Mary E. Witherspoon
David Herbert (b. July 27, 1876);  m. Lulu Elletta Wallburn
James Shirley (b. May 7, 1881); m. Unknown (Editor of the Gettysburg Daily Times)

After the war Mr. Zarger became a farmer, a school teacher, and was very active in local politics and his church.

More specific information about his life and family can be found on pages 418-419 in the publication: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania*
Edited by George Oberkirsh Seilhamer (Published 1905)

*Photo credit to same publication.