;
Henry Enders – 198th Pennsylvania Infantry
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on December 17, 2018
The story below is edited/adapted from Captain Enders’ Legion, pages 59-61.
Henry Enders was born 26 Jan 1828 in Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the son of John Enders and Sarah Ettinger. Henry married Susan Sweigard, who was born on 15 January 1834 in Powell’s Valley, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Peter Sweigard and Eva [Mintzer] Sweigard of Enders.
Henry was mustered into service on 21 September 1864 in the 198th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment [198th Pennsylvania Infantry], Company L, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The battle of Peeble’s Farm, Virginia opened on 30 September and here the regiment had its first baptism of fire. On 27 October they moved with the Fifth Corps upon the Southside Railroad, in which it was joined by the Second and Ninth Corps. On 6 December, they marched with the corps for the destruction of the Weldon Railroad. On 5 February 1865 they moved for an assault at Hatcher’s Run. The 198th, as part of the Second Brigade under General Sickel, charged with shouts upon Gen. Mahone’s Confederate forces to re-gain lost ground at the Union’s works. The 198th again rushed to arms and, delivering a volley, sprang upon the foe with a bayonet charge, fighting hand to hand. They regained the Union works and made secure their position.
Other battles and skirmishes were at Dinwiddie Court House, Gravely Run, Old Saw Mill, Boydton Plank Road, and Lewis Farm. After the surrender of General Lee, Confederate General Ewell told General Chamberlain that the 198th, supported by the 185th New York and one battery of the Fifth United States Artillery, were fighting no less than three brigades of the best Confederate troops! On 15 April, the regiment commenced the homeward march. At Arlington Heights it went into camp, where it remained until 4 June when Henry was mustered out with the rank of Private. Returning to Philadelphia, the regiment was received with demonstrations of rejoicing.
Henry and Susan were farmers and had nine children: Mary E. Enders; an infant son; Emma S. Enders; Oliver T. Enders, Joseph H. Enders, Charles R. Enders, Ira E. Enders, Sarah Alice Enders, and Selma Enders. Henry died 18 February 1902 in Enders, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and is buried in Fairview Cemetery. Susan died 4 Jul 1911 in Lykens, Pennsylvania at the home of her daughter, Sarah Alice, and is buried beside her husband in Enders.
The first local notice of the death of Henry Enders was from the Elizabethville Echo, 20 February 1902:
Then, the Lykens Standard, gave more details on 21February 1902:
This was followed by a report on the funeral which appeared in the Elizabethville Echo, 27 February, 1902:
In 1897, Henry Enders applied for a disability pension based on his Civil War service. He received the pension and collected it to his death, as is shown on the Pension Index Card from Fold3 (below).
Henry Enders is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Enders, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
____________________________________
Available from the Enders Family Association.
Comments