Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 23, 2012

Part 4.  The Dauphin County Memorial to the Civil War is currently located in a park at 3rd Street and Division Streets near William Penn High School and near Italian Lake.  It is now in the Uptown section of Harrisburg, north of what was once the entrance area to Camp Curtin.  The monument stands about 110 feet high and is a single obelisk which resembles a smaller version of the monument to George Washington in Washington, D.C.  The stone of the monument is native to the area and was cut from the banks of the Susquehanna River.

The monument was originally located at the intersection of North 2nd Street and State Streets but in 1960, after years of deterioration, it was cleaned and restored and moved to the park where it presently resides.

While the monument inscription indicates that it was originally erected in 1869, the fact is that it was not completed until 1876 and before its completion, the “pile of stone” was an eyesore and embarrassment in downtown Harrisburg.  The long, difficult struggle to get funding for the monument and complete it in a reasonable amount of time after the war will be discussed in a series of five posts that began on 13 March 2012.. The story is told as reported in the Harrisburg Patriot, 25 December 1903.

THE INTERESTING STORY OF THE STATE STREET MONUMENT

How the Great Shaft Was Raised as a Memorial to Dauphin County’s Soldiers and Sailors in the Civil War

After all these efforts the monument was doubtless considered as practically raised.  On 26 December 1866, at a large and enthusiastic meeting in the State Capitol Hotel, the old Executive Committee of men was finally discharged on motions of Gen. Jordan as having fulfilled its mission, and on 30 January 1867, the Dauphin County Soldiers’ Monument Association was incorporated.

The Commissioners were:  A. O. Heister, President’ Edward C. Williams, Joseph F. Knipe, John P. Rutherford, William W. Jennings, Henry McCormick, J. Wesley Awl, Edward L. Whitman, John P. Brua, Edward G. Savage, John S. Detweiler, Henry B. Buehler, William H. Egle, S. S. Shultz, E. C. Reichenbach, William H. Harris, A. L. Chayne, George Dock, Thomas J. Jordan, Theodore D. Greenawalt, C. C. Davis, John Gotshall, Hon. John P. Pearson, the Mayor of Harrisburg, ex-officio; John A. Smull, James W. Weir, John H. Briggs, David Mumma, and A. B. Warford.

Executive meetings were held each week, Dr. Egle being made Secretary, and George Small, Treasurer.  The chairman of the old committee declined to turn over the subscription books and other documents on the grounds that they were private property, but the difficult was soon adjusted.  Henry McCormick, John H. Briggs and James H. Weir were made a finance committee.  Messrs. Hiester, McCormick, Briggs, Williams and Chayne a building committee, and Messrs. Shultz, Dock and Weir a committee on the inscription.

Nine Designs to Choose From

Plans for a monument not to exceed $15,00 in cost were advertised for and a premium of $100 offered for the one accepted.  On 6 April the choice was made.  Nine designs were sent in ranging from the simple obelisk to the highly ornamental mausoleum, or a bronze statue representing one of our country’s defenders planting a flag on a fortress.  Among them was the design of Hamilton Atricks, afterward used for the Mexican Monument.  Most of these plans were by Harrisburgers.  The committee by a majority of votes adopted the design of Hudson Worrell as he had made the lowest estimate.  It called for a plain stone obelisk, 110 feet high, the stones set with leaden points and surrounded by a stone coping.

Then came a great discussion of sites, everyone having a favorite spot as the best possible place for the monument,  Harris Park, the cemetery, Camp Curtin, Allison Hill, Capitol Hill between the Land Office and the Arsenal on a spot reserved for the Governor’s House; Third Street in front of the Capitol, Market Square and several locations on Front Street between Market and State were offered.  No decision being reached.  Colonel McCormick on 27 April offered a resolution to submit the question to the Ladies of the Soldiers’ Fair Committee, and ask them to choose the site.  James W. Weir, A. O. Heister and John H. Briggs being appointed a committee to inform them.

The ladies having speedily made their choice, Councils on 16 May 1867, voted the ground at the intersection of State and Second Streets, though there was some question of their right to devote the land to country purposes: and bids were advertised to be in by 1 July.

Then came a halt.  Nothing more was heard of the monument for months.  In the meantime, ground was broken for the Mexican Monument on 15 July, which was completed by 13 June 1869, and on 11 June 1867, there was dedicated in the cemetery at Hummelstown, with much pomp and ceremony a soldiers’ monument, the first ever raised in Dauphin County.  Gov. Geary and a number of distinguished officers were present, and Col. A. J. Herr delivered the oration.

The contract for the monument at State Street was finally awarded on 15 October 1867 to Henry Brown, a marble dealer of this city, who had his yard on the site of the present Cumberland Vally Railroad offices.  He was to receive $11,000 for his work.

The next week, on Wednesday, 23 October 1867, ground was at last broken for the soldiers’ monument, which had been the chief object of discussion in the county for twenty-two months.  It was made quite and event.  The ground was carefully surveyed and marked off at each corner by a flag-staff; the surrounding houses and the Hope engine House were gaily decorated; a rostrum was erected, and on it were seated Gov. Geary, the Hon. John H. Briggs, President of the Building committee, the Secreatry, Dr. Egle, Dr. Thomas H. Robinson, the Rev. Father Maher and many members of the Monument Commission and of the board of the Soldiers’ Fair.  After a prayer by Dr. Robinson, the reading of the Act of Assembly by Dr. Egle, and an address by Gov. Geary, the Governor descended from the platform and took out the first shovel of ground, pledging the people “to the completion and preservation of the monument that it might show to future generations the gratitude of those who built it to those who perished, that the government might be preserved.”  Three soldiers of the war of 1812, David Krouse, William Bostwick and Andrew Krouse then dug out other shovels full, and the ceremonies were finished with a prayer by Father Maher.

The completion of the main shaft was promised for early in the next year, but the months came and went and still no sign of the monument.  The dail papers began to wax caustic, and at last on 7 July 1868, A. L. Chayne, Sehayne, Secretary of the Building Committee, came out in a note to the public stating that the work would be resumed at once, as the committee had conferred with Mr. Brown and he had agreed the work should be prosecuted as soon as possible.

By 14 August, four men were employed in dressing the granite.  On 10 October there was a meeting to make arrangements for the corner stone laying.  Still the papers grew eloquent over the delayed work.  On 10 April 1869, the long-looked for day of laying the corner stone had arrived, and the most was made of it.

At high noon the important feat was accomplished, according to then ancient rites and usages of Free Masonry, Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, representing the Grande Lodge of Pennsylvania.  The Lodge met at 11 o’clock, leaving the hall at 11:30, accompanied by Weber’s Band.  A platform, 16 by 33 feet, was erected and on it were the commissioners and Building Committee for the Monument, and the officers of the Grand Lodge of Masons.

The following brethren took part in the ceremonies:  Robert A. Lamberton, R. W. G.M.; Thomas J. Jordan, R.W.D.G.M.; Joshua M. Wiestling, R.W.S.G.W; Robert Snodgrass, R.W.J.G.W; William Sayford, R.W.G. Treasurer; William T. Egle, R.W.G.  Secretary; Rev. James Calder, R.W.G. Chaplain; Joseph N. Nisley, R.W. Sen. G. Deacon; Franklin Darby, R.W. Jun. Deacon; James Worrall, R.W.G.Steward; Samuel D. Ingram, R.W.G.Steward; S. P. Auchmuter, R.W.G. Steward;; Theodore F. Scheffner, R.W.W. Sword Bearer; William Kuhn, R.D.G. Pursuivant; Samuel N. Coleman, R.W.G. Tyler.

After a prayer by the Rev. James Calder, the reading of the Monument ordinance by Gov. Geary, and music by Weber’s Band, Hon. A. O. Hiester, Chairman of the Monument Building Committee, turned the ceremonies over into the hands of the Masons.  The Right Worthy Grand Master Lamberton, in the course of an eloquent speech, inaugurating the ceremonies said: —

“This monument is to be erected to the gallant dead of this county.  It is to commemorate their valor and patriotism.  It is to tell through the centuries of the future, to our children and theirs, for all time, that the brave who offered up their lives in defense of this Government of the people, are not and shall not be forgotten.  And so, we, as Free Masons, gladly unite to lay the corner stone of a structure whose purpose is to perpetuate the memory of the soldiers of Dauphin whose rest is the sleep of the patriotic dead.”

The story of the monument will conclude tomorrow.

Category: Memorials, Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on History of the Dauphin County Civil War Monument – Part 4
Tags: Monument, Women

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 22, 2012

Military Funeral for Comrade William Irving Held on Tues. 2 P.M.

LYKENS, 3 May 1935. — The town of Lykens paid its last respects to its oldest ‘first defender’ on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, when the American legion, the High School Band, the Hose Company, and the school children beside a large number of friends and neighbors marched in a military funeral in his honor.

“Uncle” Bill, as he was affectionately known by every resident of the town, was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery after a brief service by the Revs. William Bond and E. W. Foulks, Episcopal Clergymen.

The military funeral was headed by the High School Band, followed by the American Legion as a guard of Honor, the hearse, the Hose Company and a procession of more than a score of cars.  The children of the public schools formed a column of honor as the funeral left the house and the parochial children lined both sides of the street in front of the church and convent as the funeral passed.

There were appropriate services with taps and a salute at the cemetery.

He came to Lykens on 1 Apr 1874, he engaged in the bottling business and then became proprietor of a hotel which he conducted for 31 years.

“Uncle” Bill was the last surviving charter member of the Liberty Hose Company, of Lykens.  For several years after he left the hotel business, he served as a clerk of Williams Township and Dauphin County.

Lieutenant Irving was the son of John Irving and Mary [Seaman] Irving and was a native of Wilkes-Barre where he was born 17 August 1841.  At the age of two years, his parents moved to Pottsville.   His father toiled in the mines in the vicinity of Pottsville and William became a slate picker at the age of seven.

As a young man of 19, he lacked but a half inch of standing six feet in his stockings, weighed 180 pounds and gained prestige as an athlete then making his home at St. Clair.  He was still following the vocation of a miner when the war broke out and he enlisted under Captain Edmund McDonald in the National Light Infantry.  After his enlistment expired, Mr. Irving returned home and resumed his work as a miner in and about St. Clair.  He finally gave it up to again enter military service under Col. Henry L. Cake, of Pottsville.  It was while he was doing duty near Alexandria, Virginia, that he was promoted to Sergeant.  Following the Battle of Antietam, he received another promotion when he earned the commission of 2^nd Lieutenant.  In December  1863, Lt. Irving left the army and came back to St. Clair.  In the fall of 1863 he married Miss Anna Fisher, of LaSalle, Illinois.

In 1865, still following the vocation of a miner, with his wife and daughter Clara Irving, he again located in Pennsylvania at Locust Gap.  This daughter, Mrs. Clara Faust makes her home at Sunbury.  Lt. Irving was the father of six children, all but Mrs. Faust now being dead.

Mrs. Martha Ramsey, an octogenarian, of Lykens, is a sister of Lieutenant Irving, Mrs. Susan Lewis, a half-sister, for years postmistress and operator of Swatara, has passed fourscore years.

There are but two other First Defenders surviving.  They are John Shearer, aged 96, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Gen. Francis A. Stitzer, 95, of Denver, Colorado.

The above article, supplied by Sally Reiner of the Lykens-Wiconisco Historical Society is from her collection and was supplied by her for this post.  It appeared in a local newspaper in 1935 at the time of the death of William Irving who was a Civil War veteran.

The post of yesterday was entitled William Irving, First Defender, and featured additional biographical information on Mr. Irving.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Military Funeral for Comrade William Irving
Tags: G.A.R., Irving family, Lykens Borough, Regiments

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 21, 2012

William Irving was one of Lykens elderly and respected citizens.  He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1841 and came to Lykens Borough, Dauphin County, in 1874 and entered the bottling business in which he engaged until 1874 when he entered the hotel business.  He conducted the Valley House which was located at Main and Pine Streets.  He sold the business in 1908 and retired.

Mr. Irving was a member of the First Defenders, enlisting on 16 April 1861, and attached to the National Light Infantry.  He once said he delighted in having the occasion to shake the hand of President Lincoln.   Although he saw service in many battles of the war, he was fortunately not injured.  He was a member of the organization known as the First Defenders who met on 18 April each year.  While the organization originally numbered 535 members, Mr. Irving was fortunate to have survived until 1935 and was one of the last ones living just prior to his death.  Mr. Irving claimed to have attended every annual meeting of that group since its formation after the Civil War and conducted “mutual discussions” as well as having a social get together.

The 1922 Centennial History of the Lykens-Williams Valley said of him:

Mr. Irving is held in high esteem by all who know him.  He is known to nearly every person, man woman and child in the town and his kindly appearance and jolly disposition have won for him an enviable pedestal of local citizenship.  He has assisted and taken initiatives in many civil movements during his career here, and withstanding his age, is about every day with the alacrity of one many years his junior. (p. 241).

Mr. Irving’s military record is noted on his Pennsylvania Veterans’ Index Cards found at the Pennsylvania Archives:

There are some confusing aspects about the military record as noted on the cards shown above.  The card for the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry notes a different age than the 1861 card and a phenomenal height of 6′ 10″ (most likely an error) as well as a birthplace of England and an occupation of miner.  The third card notes that William Irving’s records are under the name of William Irvin.  And, while his Pension Index Card (below) notes service both his First Defender regiment and the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, he never received a pension.  This conflict need to be further researched to determine whether there has been a co-mingling of records, or whether there was a problem which prevented him from getting a pension.

The following article appeared in the New Castle News (PA), 17 April 1925:

Four Civil War Vets at Pottsville Reunion

Pottsville, 17 April 1925. — Those in charge of the reunion of the First Defenders here next Saturday found that only four out of the 530 veterans who left here 18 April 1861 are still alive.  This will undoubtedly be the last reunion.  Those living are Captain James McDonald of Washington, William Irving, Lykens: E. W. Eisenbise, Chester, and Thomas Severn, Chicago.

In passing through Baltimore, the First Defenders were assailed by a mob of Confederates and Nicholas Biddle, a colored attendant of one of the veterans, was severely wounded.  The defenders say Biddle was the first man wounded during the Civil War.

Nicholas Biddle ,who was from Pottsville, was featured in a prior post on this blog.  The First Defenders are honored on the Schuylkill County Civil War Monument which is located in Pottsville.

William Irving is honored on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument:

Tomorrow, the post will be entitled, Military Funeral for Comrade William Irving.

The portrait of William Irving is from the 1922 Lykens-Williams Valley Centennial History.  The news clipping about the First Defenders reunion is from the newspaper resources of Ancestry.com.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on William Irving, First Defender
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, African American, G.A.R., Irving family, Lykens Borough, Regiments

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 20, 2012

The 50th New York Engineers Monument at Gettysburg is located near the Pennsylvania Memorial on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

The monument also honors the 15th New York Engineers.

The monument does not name the individuals who served in the regiments.

50th New York Engineers, Mustered In 18 September 1861, Mustered Out 13 June 1865.  Participated in all the Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac Ending at Appomattox.

15th New York Engineers, Mustered In 17 June 1861, Mustered Out 2 July 1865.  Participated in all the Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, Ending at Appomattox.

Men from the Lykens Valley area who served in the 50th New York Engineers:

James E. Lambert (1843-1924).  James  E. Lambert is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  He was born in New York and worked as a machinist.  Later in life he lived in Millersburg.  During the Civil War, James E. Lambert served as an artificer (skilled mechanic) with the New York Engineers.  For his Civil War service, he was honored by the Kilpatrick Post G.A.R. by having his name placed on the Millersburg G.A.R. Monument.  James E. Lambert also collected a pension as is shown on the Pension Index Card below.  After his death, his widow also collected.

More information is needed on James E. Lambert and readers are invited to contribute.  Pictures are especially welcome!

There are no known Lykens Valley area men who served in the 15th New York Engineers.

Pension Index Cards are from Ancestry.com.

This is the 74th post in a series on the Battle of Gettysburg.  Additional posts will follow.

Category: Memorials | 3 Comments »
Tags: Millersburg, Monument

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 19, 2012

James  Snyder

LYKENS, 19 June 1903. — We are sorry to chronicle the sudden death of James Snyder of Center View, which occurred on Sunday morning, the 14^th inst., of heart trouble, at the age of 73 years.  He was one of those generous, open-hearted men who always had a smile and kind word for all.  Deceased lived in the vicinity of Center View all of his life, and for many years was the popular supervisor and proprietor of the Mountain House, in Jackson Township.

He is survived by his wife and four children, Charles E. Snyder of this place, Harvey Snyder of Elizabethville, Mrs. D. D. Helt of Loyalton and Mrs. Simon Dietrich.

Mr. Snyder was a member of the U.B. church, and Revs. J. E. Francis and James Shoop had charge of the funeral services.  Interment took place in Maple Grove Cemetery, Elizabethville, Wednesday morning.

Comrade Snyder enlisted in defense of his country 8 September 1864, was mustered into service at Harrisburg under Capt. Bowerman as a private in Co. A, 210^th Reg., Pa Vol . Infantry [210^th Pennsylvania Infantry].  His regiment was assigned to the Third Army Corps of the Potomac.  He shared in the fortunes of his regiment in all its movements and engagements, including Hatch’s run, Feb. 5-6, 1865; siege before Petersburg, Five Forks, Bull Run, assault on Fort Steadman, and in first line of battle at Appomattox Court House, and saw Gen. Lee surrender 9 April 1865.  He was once wounded but remained with his regiment; was honorably discharged 30 May 1865, at Arlington Heights, Va., and was laid to rest with military honors by B. F. Miller Post, No. 393, G.A.R. of Fisherville, of which he was an honored member.

The above obituary appeared in the Lykens Standard on the date indicated.

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The following is adapted from a biographical sketch that appears in Captain Enders Legion (p. 218-220).  It tells of the interrelationship of James A. Snyder with some other Civil War veterans from the area.

James A. Snyder was married to Lydia McColly, the daughter of Robert McColly and Anna Catherine Lubold.  She was born 23 Jun 1834 and died 14 Feb 1908.  Her brother, Amos McColly, served in the Civil War in the 92nd Pennsylvania Regiment, Company K, 9th Cavalry [9th Pennsylvania Cavalry].  Lydia’s sister, Caroline Lubold McColly married Cyrus Minnich, who also served in the Civil War in the 173rd Pennsylvania Regiment (Drafted Militia) Company H [173rd Pennsylvania Infantry] and the 203rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company H [203rd Pennsylvania Infantry].  James later was the proprietor of the Mountain House Hotel.  Their son, Harvey H. Snyder was born in 1868 and married Jennie Dorcia Miller.  Family lore indicated that Harvey was also a hotel inn-keeper in Loyalton, Pennsylvania.  Their daughter, Orpha Alva Snyder, who was born in Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 10 Dec 1896, married Joel Esli Enders who was born in Fisherville, Pennsylvania, on 25 Nov 1883.  He is the son of Israel Otterbein Enders and Caroline [Keiter] Enders.  Joel had 12 sisters and brothers.  Orpha and Joel had two children:  Mary Caroline Enders, born 5 Aug 1918; and Robert Calvin Enders, born 27 Oct 1925.  Joel was a railroad freight handler.  Orpha’s grandfather, James A. Snyder served gallantly in the Civil War in the 210th Pennsylvania Regiment, Company A [210th Pennsylvania Infantry], with at least 14 other members of the Enders family tree and many local residents.

James A. Snyder enlisted 10 Sep 1864 at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the 210th Pennsylvania Volunter Infantry Regiment Company A.  He fought in numerous battle, such as Hatcher’s Run, the Bellefield Raid, the Destruction of the Weldon Railroad, Dabney’s Mills, Gravelly Run and a final skirmish at Appomattox Court House.  They were upon the front line to the last, the flag of truce proclaiming the Confederate surrender, passing through the lines of the Brigade in which it stood.  During the three day battle at Gravelly Run, the regiment’s Commanding Officer, Colonel William Sergeant was mortally wounded, while gallantly leading his command on 31 Mar 1865.  Adjutant Morris Schlesinger, a scarred veteran and Captain John N. Hughes were also killed.  Schlesinger, when found upon the battlefield, weakened by his wounds, exclaimed, “This is the death I have sought.”  The regiment losses were 35 killed, 115 wounded and 150 missing.  James A. Snyder marched in the Grand Parade in Washington and was mustered out with the company 30 May 1865 with the rank of Private.

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James A. Snyder is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Elizabethville, Dauphin County.  His grave marker is pictured at the top of this post.

His Civil War service is confirmed by the following three documents:

 The Pennsylvania Veterans’ File Card (above) is from the Pennsylvania Archives.

The Pension Index Card (above) from Ancestry.com confirms that James A. Snyder received a pension for his service in the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry, and that his widow collected the pension after his death.  The Civil War Research Project has copies of some selected items from the pension files which are available from the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

A copy of the discharge papers (shown below) of James A. Snyder was provided by his great-grandson, Ed Bechtel of Loyalton.

Click on document to enlarge.

For his Civil War service, James A. Snyder was honored with recognition on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument.

Previously, James A. Snyder was also mentioned in other posts here on this blog (click to read post):

Halifax Area Civil War Veterans.

The 1863 Draft for Upper Dauphin County.

As always, additional information is sought on James A. Snyder as well as all other veterans associated with this Civil War Research Project.  Click here to contact the project.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Sudden Death of James A. Snyder
Tags: Center View, Elizabethville, Enders family, Fisherville, G.A.R., Jackson Township, Loyalton