Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on November 18, 2011

THANKSGIVING — The Governors of twenty States have designated the day for the celebration of the annual Thanksgiving.  In Maine and Massachusetts the 21st inst., and in the following named States, Thursday the 28th inst. has been named as the day:  New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Kansas, Maryland, Kentucky, Delaware.

Thanksgiving in 1861 was only a national day of celebration in that it was proclaimed by governors of a majority of the northern states as noted in the statement that appeared in the Farmer’s Cabinet on 28 November 1861, the day of thanksgiving that was proclaimed by Gov. Andrew Curtin of Pennsylvania.

Kind reader, Thanksgiving, that glorious old festival of savory turkies [sic], pumpkin pies, plum puddings, and swelling hearts, has again come round, and greets us with that reasonable of all commands, “BE YE THANKFUL!”  How can we be otherwise, seeing we have so many and such mercies to be thankful for?  Though war is in our land, most of our readers may still possess their homes and souls in peace and patience if they will, with plenty for the one and abundance of grace for the other.  Heaven’s smile is on the other side of the cloud, and everywhere is peeping through, biding us trust and be thankful. — This our proclamation to you, dear reader, is, to BE THANKFUL — HEARTILY THANKFUL, and to receive the kind blessings that crowd your pathway today, in the Spirit of love and cheerfulness in which they are dispensed.  It is the very height of ingratitude to be downcast and sullen when under the cloud.  It cannot be always day, nor always June.  The summer must have its tempests, the ocean its storms, the prairie its fires, the body its diseases, the heart its sorrows, and the history of the world as surely teaches us that wars ‘must needs come.’  These all serve their end in the Divine economy, and it becomes us to meet them all in firm reliance upon a Wise Hand that directs and governs all, and leaves not a sparrow to fall unnoticed.  Grateful for our manifest blessings, grateful for the bright shinning beyond the cloud, grateful for the beautiful “bow of promise” that in the glorious old “colors” is already painted in beauty upon it, we bid you, one and all, be of good cheer.  He that overcometh and possesseth himself in patience, shall see a glorious land filled with Peace, and a Union as blessed and enduring as the “red, white and blue” of heaven.

In its editorial for the day, the Farmer’s Cabinet took the position that wars are normal occurrences in the course of human history and are part of a Divine plan. The season of the harvest must proceed with giving thanks for the bounty of the year.

SERIOUS.  Thanksgiving Proclaimed.

We did not need a proclamation by the Governors to call us to Thanksgiving for the bounties of the year. Thanksgiving is already proclaimed by Him “who openeth his hand and satisfieth the desire  of every living thing.”  The earth is keeping her harvest festival.  From hillsides clothed with grain, from meadows covered with fattening flocks and herds; from valleys and prairies waying with corn; from orchards teeming with golden and crimson fruits; from barns bursting with plenty, and dairies dripping with fatness; there goes up the universal chorus, Praise ye the Lord.  The trees clap their hands, the little hills rejoice on every side; the valleys shout for joy, they also sing.

What generous crops of hay for the cattle of the field!  What a large yield of wheat and corn – estimated at a thousand million bushels already in the graneries!  Our garners are full, affording all manner of store; the land floweth with milk and honey.  We seem to hear the myriad voices of Nature crying, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, for this wonderful works to the children of men.  Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.  For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

The above editorial from the New York Independent as reprinted in the Farmer’s Cabinet on 28 November 1861 makes no mention of the war or its causes, nor does it make any distinction between conditions in the north or the south – only that praise and thanks was due for the goodness and plenty received by all.

An analysis of other voices heard in and around Thanksgiving 1861 proved that opinion was greatly divided on whether it was appropriate to be giving thanks at this time of war and how the citizen should respond to the proclamation.  These voices will be presented in subsequent posts as Thanksgiving 2011 approaches.

The extracts of news articles presented above are from the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Category: Culture, Reflections, Stories | Comments Off on Thanksgiving 1861 – Preparation
Tags: Andrew Curtin

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on November 17, 2011

Jacobs Lutheran Church is located along Suedbery Road (Route 443),  in Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

The church was organized in 1780 as is indicated on an historical marker in the front churchyard.

Jacobs Lutheran Church was built in 1833 and served the needs of the community during the Civil War.

The cemetery/burial ground is located behind the church and to the east side of the church.  Many Civil War veterans are buried here.  The graves of two of the veterans are noted below.

John H. Felty (1840-1916)

John H. Felty was born 20 May 1840 and died 14 August 1916.  During the Civil War he was drafted into the 214th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, as a Private and served from 23 March 1865 for a period of one year until he was mustered out nearly a year after Appomattox.  He married Elizabeth Behney and had several children.  His son, William Behney, with whom he lived in the later years of his life, is buried alongside him.  John was a laborer and spent nearly his entire life in Pine Grove.

George Emerich (1842-1921)

Buried in the same row with John H. Felty is his comrade in arms, George Emerich (also found in the records as Emerick).

George Emerich was born on 30 November 1842 and died 9 January 1921.  George Emerich was mustered into the 214th Pennsylvania Infantry on 23 March 1865 and mustered out nearly a year later on 21 March 1866.  For his service, he was entitled to a pension, which he collected until his death whereupon his widow Louisa received the pension.  George and Louisa had several children.  He was a laborer in the coal mines and later in life hired out to work on several farms.

Category: Memorials, Research, Resources, Stories | 1 Comment »
Tags: Behney family, Cemeteries, Felty family

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on November 16, 2011

One of the great mysteries of Civil War Era Gratz is Fort Jackson.  At the Gratz Historical Society there is a large framed picture of Fort Jackson (shown below).  It gets much attention and comment during tours, but all that can be done is speculate on its use and history.  A prior post on the Gratztown Militia hypothesized that it was used by the militia as headquarters for training.

Some additional information and clues can now be presented.  A few years back, some members of the Society located the ruins of the fort and brought back two stones for display in the museum.  Those stones are shown below.

It is now speculated that the fort was named after President Andrew Jackson, who served from 1829-1837.  Jackson’s name was also given to Jackson Township in Dauphin County at the time he was president.  If the fort had something to with Indian removal and/or protection from the Indians, Jackson was the “right man” to name a fort after.  But how many hostile Indians were in the Lykens Valley at that time?  In the 18th century, particularly up to and through the French and Indian War, hostile Indians were a threat to settlers and a system of forts was erected, each about a day’s ride form each other.  The fort system went well into western Pennsylvania and included Fort Halifax on the Susquehanna River.  But, there is no record that Fort Jackson had an 18th century origin.

As part of the training for the Gratztown Militia, Fort Jackson could have served as an arsenal and headquarters.  The fields around the fort would have made good ground for drill and firing practice.

The ruins of Fort Jackson have been located and are shown below.  They lie in a difficult-to-access part of the State Game Lands – an area covered with poison ivy and thick brush for a good part of the year – most easily accessible through private property upon which trespassing is not permitted.  Although they are in an area that is supposed to be a safety zone between hunting lands and private property, gunners are often seen prowling about and shooting in the area around the location of the fort ruins –  clearly against the law and not mindful of safety concerns of residents.  The fort ruins do lie within the Borough of Gratz, but the property is clearly marked as “state owned.”

Signs are posted at the entrance to the area where hunting is permitted – an area well past the cul-de-sac at the end of the street leading into the grounds.

In the area bordering private property of Gratz residents, other signs are posted marking the boundaries.

The ruins of Fort Jackson are beyond the trees shown above, but it is not advisable to attempt to find them by heading through private property.

The stream shown in the picture above was part of the original setting of the fort.

The map shown at the top of this post is from 1862 and was cut from a map of Lykens Township which is available at the Gratz Historical Society.

This is part 25 of an ongoing series on Gratz during the Civil War.  Some of the information for this post was taken from the book A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Gratz During the Civil War – Fort Jackson
Tags: Gratz Borough, Jackson Township, Walking Tour

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on November 15, 2011

OBITUARY

LYKENS, 31 October 1902 — Daniel Israel of Wiconisco, who with his wife went to the home of their daughter, Mrs. Charlotte I. Stone, at Youngstown, Ohio., on the 9th of September last, with the hope of finding relief from asthma, from which he had been a sufferer for years, died at that place early Friday morning, age 64 years, 3 month and 16 days.

The change of climate, as is always the case with sufferers from asthma, proved quite beneficial, and Mr. Israel was enjoying his visit very much, and on the night of his death retired without any disturbing feelings and soon fell into a deep, restful slumber.  Early in the morning his wife was awakened by his heavy breathing and becoming alarmed shook him to arose him, and as he showed no symptoms of returning consciousness, aroused the other members of the household.  They also endeavored to awaken him, but after a few more long-drawn breaths he entered into the sleep that knows no awakening until the last day when the quick and the dead shall receive their reward for their good deeds on earth, and which the deceased will be found credited with many.

The news of his death was telegraphed to his son Frank at Wiconisco early Friday morning, and was a surprise to his many friends, who although aware of the fact that his health was rapidly failing, did not anticipate the end so soon.  The remains arrived at this place Saturday noon and were taken to his late home at Wiconisco, where the funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. L. Josephs of the First Baptist church at 2 p.m. Sunday, after which interment took place in Union cemetery.

In the death of Mr. Israel this community has lost another of its earliest settlers as he has resided in Wiconisco since 1849.  He was born in Nantgaraw, Glamorganshire, Wales, and came to this country with his parents in 1847.  At the age of nine years he secured work in the mines, where he was employed for thirty years during which time he contracted the disease which has hastened the death of many of the first miners in this region, as in those days there were no laws regulating the ventilation of mines, the the poisonous gases inhaled were bound eventually to undermine the strongest constitution.

When in the prime of his life his adopted country was thrown into the great civil strife of 1861-1865, deceased obeyed the call to all loyal citizens to save the Union from disruption and enlisted with Company F, Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Capt. Edward G. Savage [10th Pennsylvania Infantry], and afterward in Company K, 173rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Capt. Cornelius A. Harper, serving his country faithfully and well. 

When a mere boy he drove the mail on the trail through the woods between Wiconisco and Millersburg, at which time the former was the only post office in this valley.  Henry Sheafer was the postmaster, and when in a communicative mood, Mr. Israel would relate many amusing incidents of those days.  In 1872 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served in that office continuously since then with the exception of one term.

He is survived by his wife, one son Frank Israel, living at home, and one daughter, Mr. Charlotte I. Stone of Youngstown, Ohio.  Two sons preceded him in death, one in infancy, and James Israel in Pittsburgh a few years ago.

Those from a distance who attended the funeral were William Stone and wife of Youngstown, Ohio; George Broome of Northumberland; Israel Evans of Johnstown, and Mrs. James Israel of Pittsburgh.

The family desires to thank all who in any manner assisted them in their sad bereavement.

The name “Daniel Israel” appears on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument:

Daniel Israel’s military record is indexed at the Pennsylvania Archives:

Finally, Daniel Israel applied for and received an invalid pension.  The Pension Index Card is shown below and his records can be accessed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

The obituary is taken from the Lykens Standard, 31 October 1902.  Only the first part of the obituary is pictured here, a copy of the complete obituary is available in the Civil War Research Project files. Previously, the grave marker of Daniel Israel was pictured as part of a series of articles on Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery, Wiconisco.

Category: Memorials, Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Obituary of Daniel Israel
Tags: G.A.R., Israel family, Lykens Borough, Millersburg, Regiments, Wiconisco

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on November 14, 2011

Today, the blog post will begin to feature members of the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, who served the full term of nine months and received honorable discharges on 5 August 1863.  The research results presented here are based on preliminary data gathering on each of the members of the company and searches for Pension Index Cards that reference the pension application files that are available at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.  Some of the members of this company has been previously discussed on blog posts here and reference to those posts are provided with links.

In addition, much has already been written on Benjamin J. Evitts, the elected captain of this company (click here for previous posts on Benjamin J. Evitts).   Click here for previous posts on the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry.

The 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I,was a drafted militia that served for nine months.  No member of this militia was reported injured as a result of a military act, so, theoretically, nearly all the pension applications should be post-1890, when “age” became the most significant factor for the veteran to receive a pension.  This should be reflected in the date of application on the Pension Index Card.  If the veteran died before 1890, there probably was no application made by the veteran, but it is possible that a widow applied.  In the column for “Certificate Number,” if no number appears, this would indicate that an application was made, but no pension was awarded.  If a number appears in the “Certificate Number” column, it can be assumed that a pension was awarded, although the date of the award cannot be determined from the Pension Index Card.

——————————

JOHN BELLON (1819-1892)

John Bellon was born in Germany and In addition to serving in the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, John also served in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, from March 1865 to June 1865, as is noted on his Pension Index Card.  He left a widow Sarah [Sarah J. Burd].  John was a miner in 1870 and 1880 and was living in Lykens Township.  In the 1890 Veterans’ Census, he only reported service in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry.  John Bellon is buried in St. Peter (Hoffman) Cemetery, Lykens Township, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania.

There is also a John Bellon who served in the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry (Emergency of 1863), Company C, as a Private, from 4 July 1863 through 11 August 1863, but this has to be a different person for two reasons.  First, the dates of service are concurrent with the dates of service in the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry.  Second, there is no mention of the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry on the Pension Index Card.  However, the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C, was formed of men from Gratz and the area around Gratz.  Information is sought on this other John Bellon and further research needs to be done to determine if the records of the two are co-mingled.

—————————–

ANTHONY BETZ (1822-1902)

Anthony Betz was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Benjamin Betz and Margaretha [Paul] Betz and is sometimes found in the records as Nathaniel Betz.  He served in the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, as a Private. During his service he became sick with typhoid fever and was in the hospital at Suffolk, Virginia.  His tent mates were Eli Schaffner and Philip Klinger.  In his pension application, Anthony relates an incident where he was carried to the hospital by fellow company members William Weaver and Edmund Umholtz.  In the hospital with him at the same time were Alfred Hoover, Edward Muench, and Daniel Williard.

Anthony married Catherine Rowe and lived in Washington Township, where he worked as a carpenter and in 1880 he was found in Williamstown, where he was working as a peddler and confectioner.  According to information found in A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsyvlania, page 265, Anthony’s wife Catherine owned a tavern outright, unusual for a woman in the nineteenth century.  Anthony Betz also spent some time working as a saloon keeper.  Before his death in 1902, he was living with a son in Shamokin and was working as a salesman. Anthony is buried in St. John (Hill) Church Cemetery in Berrysburg.

There is confusion in the records between this Anthony Betz and another person claiming to be Anthony Betz who falsely and fraudulently applied for a pension.  The “imposter” was caught and sentenced to a jail term.  The records of that fraudulent attempt can be found in the files of the Civil War Research Project.  The notation at the bottom of the Pension Index Card of the Anthony Betz who correctly served in the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry references the fraudulent claim (see card above) and notes “not identified with” the fraudulent claim number.

—————————–

JONATHAN BORDNER (1809-1883)

Jonathan Bordner was the son of Peter Bordner and Margaret [Novinger] Bordner of Berks County, Pennsylvania.  The only record of Civil War service for him that has been confirmed is in the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I.  In 1870 he was working as a a builder and carpenter in the Berrysburg area.  Census records from 1850 in Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania, indicate a marriage to Julianna with three children in the household:  William Bordner, born about 1844, Margaret Bordner, born about 1845, and Mary Bordner, born about 1848.  In 1880, he was living on Market Street, Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania, as a boarder in the household of his daughter Margaret [Bordner] Baker and her husband, J. Thompson Baker, an attorney at law, along with several grandchildren and servants in the same household.  A Pension Index Card has not been located for him so it is assumed he had no claim of an disability that was war-related.  He died in 1883, before the pension laws were relaxed allowing for lower restrictions on pension awards.

Jonathan Bordner is buried in the Lewisburg Cemetery, Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania.

The Pension Index Card for William Bordner who was previously identified by the Civil War Research Project as from the Lykens Valley area due to his enrollment at Millersburg in 1863 in the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, is now presented as the possible son of Jonathan Bornder.  William Bordner served in two other regiments, the 131st Pennsylvania Infantry and the 194th Pennsylvania Infantry.  He enlisted in the 131st Pennsylvania Infantry at Lewisburg and in the 194th Pennsylvania Infantry at Danville.  The connection appears to be obvious in that the father, Jonathan Bordner, lived in both places.  Although more research needs to be done on William Bordner, the preliminary conclusion is that he is the son of Jonathan Bordner who was living in the Bordner household in Danville in 1850 as a 6-year old.

—————————–

DAVID BROWN (1837-1902)

David Brown was previously profiled in the post entitled,  David Brown – 177th Pennsylvania Infantry.  He is buried at the Grand View Cemetery, Pillow, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

—————————–

The continuation of the “Honorable Discharges” of the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, will appear on Saturday.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Honorable Discharges – 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I – Part 1
Tags: Berrysburg, Bordner family, Lykens Township, Millersburg, Pillow, Regiments, Williamstown, Women