Civil War Blog

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on December 17, 2010

(Part 4 of 4).  Just after 10 March 1864, Ann Ellen [Carson] Gratz received a third piece of bad news in just more than two years.  The mother’s pension she had requested for her son John C. Gratz‘s Civil War service was rejected.  Previously, she had been notified of her son’s death due to fever (“inflammation of the brain”) on 26 January 1862.  Then, her husband Theodore Gratz passed away on 17 September 1863 leaving her with little or no means of support and several young children.

The letter was signed by Pension Commissioner Joseph Barrett himself:

In your claim (No 36980) the facts that the soldier was your son – that he left neither widow nor minor child – and that you were dependent upon him for support, are not proved.  Neither is the alleged fact f your husband’s death proved.

On 19 October, about a month after Theodore’s death, Ann appeared before Dauphin County Prothonotary J. C. Young:

On this 19^th Day of October A.D. 1863, personally appeared before me, J. C. Young, Prothonotary, of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county [Dauphin], Mrs. Anna Ellen Gratz a resident of the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, aged Forty years, who being duly sworn according tom law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, approved July 14, 1862.  That she is the widow of Theodore Gratz, dec’d. and mother of John C. Gratz, who was a Corporal in Company E, Commanded by Captain Douden in the 96^th Regiment Pa. Vols. In the War of 1861, who died on the 26^th day of January 1862 at Camp Northumberland in the State of Virginia of Inflammation of the brain, while in the service of the United States.

She further declares that her said son upon whom she was wholly or in part dependent for support, having left no widow, child or children surviving him, declarant makes this application for a pension under the above mentioned act, and refers to the evidence filed herewith, and that in the proper department to establish her claim.

She also declares, that she has not in any way engaged in, or aided and abetted the Rebellion in the United States; that she is not in receipt of a Pension.

It must have been quite degrading for Ann to appear before a court to testify that she could not support herself.  Her life had always seemed to be one of ease and comfort.  Her parents owned a great deal of land in the Harrisburg area.  Theodore, her husband, was a “gentleman,” or a man of leisure.  He had been the first mayor of Gratz, Pennsylvania, and there is evidence that he had other political involvement in his lifetime.  Now Ann  had to swear allegiance to the United States and indicate that she had never aided or abetted the Rebellion.

In submitting her claim, Ann had to produce documents that supported it.  It is not known if she did all this herself or was helped by a lawyer or any of her relatives.  Ann’s brother Francis Carson was an attorney, but after 1850, he was described as having an “unsound mind” so he probably was not available.  Ann’s nephew, Simon Gratz (son of Theodore’s brother Edward) of Philadelphia was also an attorney and like Ann’s children, was also a direct descendant of Simon Gratz (1773-1839)  of Philadelphia, brother of Rebecca Gratz (1781-1869).  But there was no evidence that Ann was in contact with anyone in Philadelphia.  Ann’s son Simon Gratz was about 22 at the time and he may have been around to help – but there is no proof that he was home and there is speculation that he was serving in the military at the time she made application.   There were the minor children – boys, Francis, about age 16, and James, about age 13, as well as three or four girls who likely living at home at the time.  None of these could have helped.

It seems Ann had to prove that her son’s death was war-related – not just that he died of fever while serving in the military – but how he contracted the fever, which she tried to do. Dr. Webster Bland had to write another statement – he had previously completed the death certification which apparently was not good enough.   Ann had to prove that John was her son, which she did not do.  And, she had to prove that she was married to Theodore, that Theodore was John’s father, and that Theodore died leaving her no means of support.  No proof  – no pension!  According to the letter she received from the pension commissioner, she failed to do all of these.  The documents below show some of the efforts that were made on her behalf, all of which came up short according to the pension bureau.

The file jacket for her case (see below) also shows that she made attempts again in 1869 and 1870.  She eventually abandoned the claim and was not awarded a pension.

In 1870, Ann is found living with her parents Charles and Mary Carson in Harrisburg.  Charles is listed as a farmer.  Three of Ann’s girls are also living in the household.   Ann has not been found the 1880 census.

Ann died 24 October 1881.  It is not known how she supported herself in her last days.  She is buried next to her husband Theodore in the Harrisburg Cemetery.

Some of the documents from the pension file are reproduced below.

Assistant Adjutant General – Information about Military Service of John Gratz

Dr. Bland’s 1864 Statement of How John Gratz Died in 1862

Pension Commissioner Joseph Barrett’s Statement of Missing Evidence

Pension Application File Jacket – Rejection in 1869 & 1870

Some of the information for this article was obtained from A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania, published in 1997.  Pension documents are from the files of the Civil War Research Project.

This is the final part in the four part series on the Civil War service of John C. Gratz.  His death was reported in Part 1.  Part 2 told of his experiences in the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry.  Part 3 told of his experiences in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Corp. John C. Gratz – A Mother’s Application for a Pension
Tags: Gratz Borough, Gratz family, Rebecca Gratz, Women

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on December 16, 2010

(Part 3 of 4).  The 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania.  It was mustered into service between the 23 and 30 September 1861 for a three year term. This post focuses on the service of John C. Gratz in that regiment, and of his friend Henry Keiser who served with him.

For the story of the early days of the 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry, we can consult three sources available at the Gratz Historical Society. The first source, is The Diary of Henry Keiser, previously mentioned.  Henry Keiser began keeping his diary on Monday 23 September 1861, the date on which the “boys from Lykens… enlisted.”  The second source is a 6 January 1862 letter written by John Gratz to his mother about 20 days before he died.  The third source is the official history of the 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry.

As previously mentioned, both Henry Keiser and John C. Gratz had served in the 10^th Pennsylvania Infantry and were mustered out on 31 July 1861 at Harrisburg.  Nothing specific is known about either during the summer of 1861. We can speculate that because they were denied the fight that they were seeking due to the cautiousness of Gen. Robert Patterson, that they desired to join another Pennsylvania regiment and get involved in the war.  By September 1861, it was becoming more obvious that there would be no quick victory for the Union and that many more men would needed to put down the rebellion.

On 23 September 1861, both men. John C. Gratz and Henry Keiser, enlisted at Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, for a three year term.  They were recruited by James N. Douden (1836-1874), who they knew and who promised to be their captain.  Douden was born in England.  In 1860, he was married, living in Wiconisco, and working as a plasterer.  Keiser reported that it was Douden who made the arrangements for teams to transport the Lykens and Wiconisco boys to Pottsville, no train service being available between those places.  Early-on, Douden reportedly got sick and the men wouldn’t be sworn in unless they were assured he would be well enough to be their captain.  For some unknown reason, Capt. James N. Douden resigned from the 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry on 1 March 1862.  The reason may appear in the pension application files, but they have not yet been consulted.  There is no record that James Douden applied for a pension, but his widow Matilda did apply around 1890.  However, she did not receive a widow’s pension.  James Douden is buried in Methodist Episcopal Cemetery in Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and his name appears on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument in Lykens Borough as one who never was a member of the post.

James N. Douden (1836-1874) – from Lykens G.A.R. Monument

The trip to Pottsville began on Wednesday 25 September 1861.  Keiser reported that the fifteen boys left from Lykens in two teams. “We drank at every hotel on our route… and all got pretty jolly.”   It took nine hours to get to Pottsville.  Along the way Keiser sprained his ankle jumping over a fence, an injury that may have bothered him into January when he reported it as a sore heel.  Upon arriving in Pottsville, the recruits drew their first military article from the quartermaster sergeant – a blanket.

Through the first few months, the weather seemed enough of a factor to report on it almost daily.  The rains began almost immediately.  Then the winds blew the tents down so that most of the soldiers had to go into town to sleep. Keiser also reported receiving correspondence from a young lady, Miss Sally Workman, who he would later marry.  Every letter he wrote and received was recorded in the diary.

On Monday 30 September 1861 the men took the oath and were officially in the service.  As previously mentioned, they were concerned about the health of Capt. Dowden and would not be sworn until they were assured he would be their captain.  Keiser and a few others were concerned enough to attempt a four mile trip to Minersville on 2 October to see how the captain was doing, but only got half way before realizing that they would be late getting back to camp.  So, they returned.

Drilling took place during this period and a controversy erupted between some of the men and a would-be lieutenant, identified only as “Shelly,” who refused to take part in the drilling.  Keiser said he wouldn’t drill unless the would-be lieutenant also participated, a refusal which caused him to be arrested.  After explaining the situation to the officers, Keiser was released.

On 10 October 1861, Keiser again started out for Minersville to check on the captain.  This time he met with Capt. Dowden and found him to still be sick, but recovering faster, and expected to re-join the company very soon.  The captain returned to camp on 14 October and then took a few more days off to completely recover.

On 15 October, Henry Keiser and two others, James Ferree and Henry Romberger, went on a three-day furlough to Lykens.  At first they took the train from Pottsville to Tremont, which they rode “free of charge.”  From Tremont to Lykens the journey was by stagecoach, arriving at 9. p.m.  The next day, after visiting his family on the farm, Keiser went into town to meet up with friends.  The return trip took place the next day.  Hereafter, Keiser referred to a train ride as “taking the cars.”

Henry Keiser’s twenty-first birthday was on 26 October and he received a song, “Truth Blends with Poetry” from a friend, and a “House Wife” (a sewing repair kit with needles, thread and buttons) from a young lady in Pottsville.  On 29 October, Keiser’s father visited the camp to see how his son was adapting to military life.  At the time of the visit, Daniel Keiser was 41, and had re-married in 1853 after the death of Henry’s mother.  In 1850 he had been an innkeeper in Wiconisco Township, but by 1860, he returned to farming.  The camp visit lasted until 1 November and both Henry and his father went around meeting with the other soldiers from the Lykens area.  No doubt one of those visits was made with John C. Gratz.

Then came the rains again and the first hard frost occurred on 4 November.  Finally, after more bad weather, the regiment was given marching orders.  Training was complete and it was time to go south.  The inland route taken by the regiment was recorded by Keiser.  First, they marched two miles from the court House in Pottsville to Westwood where they “took the cars” to Ashland.  At Ashland, they “changed cars” and proceeded to Sunbury where they boarded the Northern Central Railroad to head south though Millersburg and thence south to Baltimore.  “I throwed a coat off and other stuff at the Millersburg Depot for my father as the train was passing on.  Had time to call out ‘Daniel Keiser’ as I throwed it.”  On 9 November at noon the train arrived at Baltimore.  Then they “took the cars” to Washington, D.C.  All along the route were soldiers guarding the rail line.  On Sunday 10 November, they went into camp just south of Washington.

On 13 November, at the arsenal, the first weapons were issued – old “Harper’s Ferry Muskets” which the soldiers were promised were only temporary issues, rifles to follow.  Other military issues were drawn from the quartermaster sergeant – a “splendid overcoat,” a pair of shoes, a new knapsack.  Seemingly, the soldiers could draw whatever they needed in the way of clothing and supplies.  Letters continued to find Henry and there were no complaints of delayed or lost mail.  Likewise, Henry had plenty of time to write letters and visit with other regiments.

On 25 November, the regiment marched through Alexandria, Virginia, and found a place to set up camp, which the soldiers nicknamed “Camp Pottsville.”  Two days later they drew their first ammunition.  The decision was made to set up winter quarters at this spot, but then by 29 November, they had to move again.

One major incident took place in camp which the superior officers undoubtedly used to insure loyalty and discipline.  It was announced that a deserter who had defected to the rebels had been caught and that he would be executed by firing squad.  All of the regiments in the area of the camps were to witness the execution.  This deserter-defector was identified as“W. H. Johnson.”  Keiser described the event in his diary and even drew a diagram of where each regiment was positioned during the execution.  Gruesome details of Johnson’s death were noted – his leg kick as he took his last breath, the position and size of each of the wounds, and even the fact that an officer had to finish him off with a pistol as the firing squad had not completely done its work.

On the day before Christmas 1861, the regiment finally moved into its permanent winter quarters at Camp Northumberland.

Camp Northumberland – Photograph by Mathew Brady

For Christmas, all the men received new blankets – for which they were charged out of their pay allotment.  On 7 January 1862, new Prussian rifles were received by all the men.

On 6 January 1862 , from Camp Northumberland, John Gratz wrote a letter to his mother:

Portions of Letter from John C. Gratz to his Mother (26 Jan 1862)

Dear Mother,

I have been looking for a letter from you for some time, but all in vain, night after night I have been disappointed.  I am commencing to feel quite uneasy, it is quite an unusual thing for you not to answer my letters.  I feel confident that I have always answered your letter, although I confess not always immediately after received, but at a proper time nevertheless.  The ground is now covered by snow for the first time this winter, every thing around us looks white, although pleasant say, as yet no very cold weather and here it is January.  Thankful we should be, for such a blessing and also very few sick, particularly in our Company.  I don’t think we have even eight or nine in the whole company, and they have principally Rheumatism, so far my health has been very good.  This week we expect to be paid, I understand all the soldiers on this side of the Potomac, are to be paid within ten days from today.  I expect our paymaster to be here about Thursday.  I understand all the soldiers must have their discharge, from the nine months service, before they can receive the two dollars extra, and as I have sent mine to you, I don’t suppose I can get the two dollars unless you forward the discharge to me immediately.  If it does not reach me in time I will try to use an oath writ, there is nothing lost by trying.

I will try to come home shortly, and bring my pay with me if I possibly can, and if not I will mail some by express for you, but I certainly will mail none for it is very unsafe when mailed.

I will do all in my power to get a furlough, for I am very anxious to get home once again.  I have just this minute had a short conversation with the 1^st Lieut, he says he will do all he can for me, but I rely little on what he says for he is hard to beat on telling queer tales.  I would happen to come home I will come by way of Philadelphia and see you next.  Tell me where Sister lives and if I have time I will call and see her no more than ten minutes. y-ya.

Three large Rabbits were brought into our tent, that were shot this morning, and we expect to have quite a time this evening eating Rabbits, they are very plenty in this part of Virginia.  I have even quite a number of them myself.  I will close anxious to hear from you immediately.  I remain your obedient son.

John C. Gratz.

Keiser’s January diary entries reflect the weather – cold, snowy, rainy, muddy – water leaks through the roof of the cabins they had built.  On 16 January 1862, Henry Keiser got a cold and fever and had to go to the company doctor for medicine.  And on 17 January, John Gratz helped Henry by writing a letter for him.  A few days later Henry felt fully recovered.

But the diary entry on 22 January was not good news.  “John C. Gratz was taken sick last night with Typhoid Fever and was removed to the Regimental Hospital this morning.”

The rest of the story is known.  John C. Gratz died of fever on 26 January 1862.  Lt. Jacob Haas wrote to John’s mother informing her of his death. Later, on 1 Mar 1862, Lt. Haas was promoted to captain following the resignation of Capt. James N. Douden.  The 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry went on to suffer heavy casualties in the war.  Henry Keiser was later wounded, but survived the war, and became a leading citizen of Lykens and active member of the Heilner Post of the G.A.R.

While John C. Gratz is not mentioned by name in Henry Keiser’s diary until 17 January 1862, both men most likely experienced the same things from the time they entered the 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry until John’s death.  Both men had served in the 10^th Pennsylvania Infantry.  Henry Keiser’s diary is in effect a chronicle of the last days of his friend John C. Gratz.

Until my recent, careful reading of the Keiser diary, I had not located John Gratz in the 1860 census.  The clues were in the diary but can easily be missed.  John’s occupation on enlistment in the military was “printer” and his residence was given as Lykens.  In the diary, Henry Keiser refers to frequent letters he wrote to and received from an “S. B. Coles.”  Henry had previously been located in the 1860 Census for Wiconisco Township (post office Lykenstown) as an 18 year old printer living in the household of Samuel B. Coles, who was a 26 year old printer.  Also living in the same household was “John Grattz,” age 16, a printer. It appears that both John and Henry apprenticed together and lived together before the war!

Tomorrow, the post will focus on John Gratz’s mother and her attempt to get a pension based on her son’s military service.  It is the final part in this four part series on John Gratz.

A copy of the letter from John Gratz to his mother is in the files of the Civil War Research Project.  The text of the letter from John Gratz to his mother was previously published inA Comprehensive history of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania.  The portion of the Census of 1860 is from Ancestry.com.  The Mathew Brady photograph of Camp Northumberland is from the Still Picture Records Section, Special Media Archives Services Division (NWCS-S), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001 (unrestricted use).  A photocopy of The Diary of Henry Keiser is in the collection of the Civil War Research Project.

Category: Overviews, Reflections, Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Corp. John C. Gratz – 96th Pennsylvania Infantry
Tags: Ferree family, G.A.R., Gratz family, Keiser family, Lykens Borough, Millersburg, Regiments, Romberger family, Wiconisco, Wiconisco Township, Workman family

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on December 15, 2010

(Part 2 of 4).  John Carson Gratz was born in 1843, probably in Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the third son of Theodore Gratz and Ann Ellen [Carson] Gratz.  In 1850, John was living with his family in the large brick house on West Market Street, Gratztown.  His father gave “none” as his occupation, possibly indicating that he was a “gentleman” or man of leisure.  On 27 May 1855, at the age of 12, John, his older sister Caroline, and older brother Simon, were baptized at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg.  The baptism occurred about the time that Theodore moved his family to Harrisburg, never thereafter returning to residence in Gratztown.

A census record for 1860 has not yet been located for John, but it is believed that about this time he moved to Lykens Borough to pursue his occupation of printer.  When the Civil War began in April 1861, he was one of the first to volunteer for three months duty, enlisting in Company F of the 10^th Pennsylvania Infantry on 25 April 1861 and was mustered in at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Henry Keiser of Lykens Borough was one of those who accompanied John Gratz to enlistment and service in the regiment.

By May 1, with very little training, the regiment was moved by rail from Harrisburg to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and thence to Camp Slifer, a training area just south of Chambersburg.  The history of the 10^th Pennsylvania Infantry recounts that the barrack there were comfortable, although crowded, and the men had beds of straw.  Probably due to the haste of moving so many men so quickly into the camp, food rations were not available, but the farmers of the area came to the rescue by providing “wagon loads of excellent bread, meat, pies, canes and pickles, making the hearts of the soldiers glad, not more by satisfying the cravings of hunger than by the spirit of sympathy and kindness which prompted the act.”

Camp Slifer  – from Harper’s Weekly

Gen. Robert Patterson was an Irish immigrant who emigrated to the United States in 1799 after his family had been banished because his father took part in an insurrection.  Gen. Patterson had previously distinguished himself in both the War of 1812 and in the Mexican War.  Between wars, Patterson had business interests in cotton mills and political ambitions in Philadelphia.  When the Civil War began, he was called back into military service and was given command of the Pennsylvania volunteers in the Department of Pennsylvania as well as the Army of the Shenandoah.  The aging Winfield Scott, General in Chief of the U.S. Armies at the beginning of the Civil War, knew and trusted Patterson and gave him the assignment to hold the main Confederate in western Virginia, well away from defenses of Washington, D.C.  When Patterson didn’t act at once on the orders, his forces were outmaneuvered.  The delay allowed the Confederate forces, under the command of Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, to move to provide reinforcements at the Battle of Bull Run.  Criticism of Gen. Patterson mounted for his failure to contain the Confederates, and by late July 1861, Patterson’s superiors suddenly retired him with an “honorable discharge.”

Gen. Robert Patterson (1792-1881)

It was into the western Virgina campaign that Pvt. John C. Gratz was ordered along with the men of the 10^th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.  Eager to see action after what probably seemed like two months of idleness, the men were ready for a fight.  Knowing that there were enemy soldiers in the area, patrols went out seeking rebel stragglers.  Finding none, they returned to camp.  By 24 June 1861, a bombardment began on a toll house on the Martinsburg Pike. After dislodging about 20 rebel scouts, a victory of sorts was celebrated.  But the whole army, anxious for a bigger fight, proceeded into Virginia on 2 July 1861.  The night before was spent in letter writing and cooking food around campfires; new uniforms arrived and the men proudly dressed in them.

From the regimental history:

Crossing the river on the 2nd, the regiment advanced by the main pike towards Martinsburg. On the line of march, the traces of war were soon visible. Large fields of wheat, which had belonged to Union men, had been destroyed by the enemy’s cavalry…  A slight skirmish ensued, in which one of the enemy’s cavalry was killed and two wounded. In the afternoon the whole column marched into Martinsburg, amid demonstrations of joy and welcome from the citizens.

Gen. Patterson had orders to continue to march and do battle with the enemy.  Instead, he delayed and sent a request to Gen. Scott that the army be allowed to go to Leesburg and make camp.   Scott approved the base transfer on 12 Jul 1861 but wanted Patterson to wait until after the impending Battle of Bull Run, expected to be fought on 16 July 1862.  Tying up the Confederates in western Virginia was a priority to Scott.  On 14 July 1865,  Patterson moved his men forward with each soldier carrying five days rations.  On 17 July 1865 the men stopped and camped west of Charlestown but received little support from the townspeople who were strongly in favor of secession.  Then on 20 July 1861, the regiment again moved toward Harper’s Ferry where a line of battle was drawn.  They stayed in position until the 23^rd when news was received of the crushing defeat at Bull Run.  It was then that Gen. Patterson realized that Gen. Johnston had outmaneuvered him and had supplied the reinforcements that tipped the balance at the Battle of Bull Run.

The campaign was over and so was the service time of the 10^th Pennsylvania Infantry.  At Harper’s Ferry, Gen. Robert Patterson addressed the troops and thanked them for their loyalty and service.  As he put it, he offered the enemy a fair fight and they declined.  The men could now return home.  “Three cheers were given for the General.”

On 24 July the regiment moved to Antietam Creek, forded the river and marched to the rail station at Hagerstown.  After arrival in Harrisburg, the men were paid and mustered out of service.

For Gen. Robert Patterson, this was his last campaign.  He returned to Pennsylvania and continued to pursue his business interests.  But for men in the 10^th Pennsylvania Infantry, most of whom had only a small taste of war, there must have been an unsettled feeling.  They had not engaged the enemy and really wanted to do so.  That’s probably why, within a few months, on 23 September 1861, John C. Gratz and others who had served in the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry, including Henry Keiser, enrolled at Lykens for a three year term of service.  This time, he was to be in the 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry as a corporal and he would be mustered in at Pottsville.

Unfortunately, Henry Keiser did not begin keeping a diary until service began in the 96th Pennsylvnaia Infantry, and we have no other primary sources for his or for John Gratz’s three-month stint in the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry.  There was heavy reliance on the the official military history to write the above summary.

In tomorrow’s post,  John C. Gratz and others leave Lykens and head for Pottsville, thence to service in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry.  On Friday, the final part of this series of four posts – John’s mother, Anne Ellen [Carson] Gratz, by 1864 a widow with no means of support, applies for a pension based on John’s service and is rejected.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | 1 Comment »
Tags: Gratz Borough, Gratz family, Keiser family, Lykens Borough, Regiments

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on December 14, 2010

(Part 1 of 4). Corp. John C. Gratz died on 26 (or 25) January 1862 at Camp Northumberland, Virginia, while serving as a member of Company G of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry.   The official cause of death was an “inflammation of the brain.”  Three documents in the collection of the Gratz Historical Society record his death.

Dr. Daniel Webster Bland (1837-1899) was commissioned Surgeon of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry on 12 October 1861.  During the winter of 1861 to 1862, he was assigned to Camp Northumberland to tend to the needs of the soldiers and examine new recruits.  He was the duty surgeon during the illness of John Gratz and he completed the death certificate, which the form indicates that it was to accompany the body on the trip to its “destination.”  While the date of death on the death certificate is 25 January 1862, the date of death accepted by the family is 26 January 1862, the date on the letter of notification sent to John’s mother Ann by 1st Lt. Jacob W. Haas.  Dr. Bland remained with the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry throughout his three years of service. and was mustered out on 21 October 1864 at West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He died in 1899 and is buried in Charles Baber Cemtery, Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania.

The letter that was sent to Ann Ellen [Carson] Gratz concerning the death of her son follows:

The text of the letter sent by 1st Lt. Jacob W. Haas:

Sunday 26^th January ‘62

Camp Northumberland

 

My Dear Madam,

I have the painful duty to perform of informing you of the death of your son John C. Gratz.

He was taken sick on Tuesday evening, and was delirious up to the time of his death, although he recognized his comrades, until several hours before his spirit departed, which occurred at 1:45 this (Sunday) morning.

The surgeon says that he had Constipation of the Bowels, and also an effusion on the Brain which was the immediate cause of his death.

This letter is wrote at 2 A.M.  I intend to go to Washington to telegraph you the sad tidings, and if I receive no message up three (3) o’clock P.M. I will have him interred decently and his grave marker, so that if you should desire his remains to be brought Home there will be no difficulty in processing them.

Your son was tenderly nursed and well taken care of as we kept two men constantly with him day and night but of no avail.

Should we not hear from you we will interr [sic] him at 10 a.m. Monday morning.  Enclosed you will find a ring which he wore.  I will take an inventory of his effects and forward it to you, as soon as I have an opportunity of doing so.  Any information which I can give you touching the deceased will be cheerfully given, and believe me the whole Company condole with you in your affliction.

I am my dear Madam,

Very Respectfully Your Servant

J.W. Haas

1^st Lt Co G 96^th Regt P V

Camp Northumberland

Near Alexandria, Virginia

Jacob W. Haas (1833-1914) served with the 96 Pennsylvania throughout its term of service, eventually rising to the rank of Captain.  Haas was from Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and after his war service ended in 1864, he returned there for a short while before going to western Pennsylvania with his friend Col. William Lessig with whom he had served in the 96th Pennsylvania.  They were lured there by the prospect of getting rich in the oil fields.  At the time following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Haas was confronted by a mob which mistook him for John Wilkes Booth and after a few tense hours, someone from Sunbury identified Haas and he was able to go on his way.  After he was let go, he and Lessig continued westward but again he was stopped – this time by the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry.  Again, he was let go because  was able to convince the cavalry that he was not Booth.  It happened again for a third time near Clarion, Pennsylvania, when an angry mob appeared, convinced that he was Booth, and it was not until word spread that Booth had been located and killed that Haas felt safe.  Jacob Haas died in 1914 in Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.

Lt. Jacob W. Haas (1833-1914)

The final document recording the death of Corp. John C. Gratz is The Diary of Henry Keiser.  Throughout the war, Sgt. Henry Keiser kept a diary.  Like Gratz, he also served in the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry and  in Company G of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry.  Both were from Lykens Borough.  Some years ago, the Gratz Historical Society acquired a photocopy of a handwritten copy of Keiser’s diary.   The original acquisition record has been lost and the diary has not been authenticated.  The photocopy is of a ledger book with pages with printed numbers and of a size that would have been too large for Keiser to have carried throughout the war.  There is no reason to believe that the words are anything but authentic – but whatever form the original entries were in (scraps of paper, a small journal, etc.), whoever transcribed them into a larger  journal book did not tell.  The transcription also appears to be in two different styles of handwriting.  This diary will be discussed in greater detail in a future post.

Important to the death of John C. Gratz is Keiser’s entry for 26 January 1862.

The only difference between the account of Henry Keiser and Jacob Haas is five minutes.  Keiser reports the time of death at “twenty minutes of two” while Haas reports that death occurred at 1:45 in the morning.

Henry Keiser (1840-1933)

Many other members of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry were from the Lykens Valley area and some knew John C. Gratz personally.  The fact that he died so early in his service in this regiment and not from a battle wound but from disease must have been a memorable shock to those who knew him.

The burial place of John C. Gratz has not yet been identified.  Whether the family chose the option of having his body shipped to Harrisburg is not known.  Perhaps a reader of this blog will know the answer and enlighten us.

Part 2 of the John C. Gratz story will follow tomorrow in another post.  In it, the first military service of John C. Gratz will be discussed – the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry and the actions around Harper’s Ferry in 1861 – including some words about Gen. Robert Patterson of Philadelphia.  Part 3 will appear on Thursday and follow John C. Gratz through his enlistment in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, his arrival and stay at Camp Northumberland, to his illness and death.  Part 4 will appear on Friday and tell of the efforts of John’s mother, Anne [Carson] Gratz, to get a pension based on his military service.

Much of the above information, including pictures, was taken from documents in the files of the Civil War Research Project.  The text of the letter from 1st Lt. Haas previously appeared inA Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania.  The story about Jacob W. Haas being mistaken for John Wilkes Booth was found on the 48th Pennsylvania Blogspot by John David Hoptak, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a Civil War Historian, Writer, and Park Ranger at the Antietam National Battlefield.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Corp. John C. Gratz – Fever Victim
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Bland family, Gratz family, Haas family, Lykens Borough, Pottsville, Regiment. Keiser family

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on December 13, 2010

The Gratz House – from a Mural in the Gratz Community Building

Theodore Gratz (1811-1863), the third son of Simon Gratz and Mary {Smith] Gratz, was born in Philadelphia.  Theodore’s father, Simon, was the brother of Rebecca Gratz, and therefore Theodore was Rebecca’s nephew. Because of the estrangement of Rebecca and her brother Simon, probably over religious differences, the siblings knew little or nothing about each other’s families.

Simon Gratz – from a Mural in the Gratz Community Building

Simon Gratz’s interests in Gratztown seemed attractive to his son Theodore.  Sometime prior to Simon’s death in 1839, Theodore requested and received 350 acres of land in an area that is now part of the historic village.  In 1836, Theodore married Ann Ellen Carson of Harrisburg.  And around that time, Theodore built and moved into a large brick home on Market Street in Gratz, currently known as the “Gratz House.” Prior to the move to Gratz, Theodore and Ann lived in Harrisburg.  For a short period, from 1846-1847, Theodore Gratz served in the state Legislature.

A few things are known about the activities of Theodore Gratz and Ann [Carson] Gratz while they were living in Gratztown.  In 1850, fourteen people were living in the brick house of Market Street or in outbuildings on the property.  They included Theodore and Ann, seven of their children, the widow of Theodore’s brother Edward, and four others who may have been servants.  In 1852, Theodore was selected as the first mayor of Gratz.  Court records also show that he served as an appraiser of properties for estates.  He had known interests in the mining and railroad enterprises in the area and was affiliated with others who also did.  His occupation was given as “none” in the 1850 Census, which meant that he was probably a “gentleman” or a man of leisure.

The ten children born to Theodore and Ann [Carson] Gratz were born either in Harrisburg or in Gratz and most likely lived in the brick house on Market Street in Gratztown for some time during their early lives.  All of the children were baptized in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg, which at the time was the seat of the Episcopal Bishop of Pennsylvania.  Ann’s membership in that church could have been due to her parent’s affiliation.  Not until the last child was born to Theodore and Ann, around 1855, did Theodore’s name appear in the church records, so it is not known whether he practiced the Jewish faith (his father was Jewish but his mother was a Christian), converted to Christianity, or professed no religious beliefs at all, At the baptism of the youngest daughter Fannie, Theodore is mentioned in the records as one of her parents.  Only Ann is named as a parent in the baptismal records for the other children.

The Gratz House as it appears today

At some time in the 1850s, perhaps after the last child was born, Theodore and Ann moved from Gratz and began to reside at Second Street in Harrisburg.  There were other members of Ann’s family who lived in that same location.  By 1860, Theodore was listed in the census as a “gentleman” and several of his children were living in the household.  Theodore died in 1863, about 18 months after son John died in the Civil War.  Ann continued to live in Harrisburg through her death in 1881. The 1870 Census shows her living with her parents, Charles and Mary Carson, and three of her young girls.  Both Theodore and Ann [Carson] Gratz are buried in the Old Harrisburg Cemetery in Harrisburg.

The children of Theodore Gratz & Ann Ellen [Carson] Gratz:

Charles Carson Gratz (1838-15 Feb 1856).  Possibly born Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., PA.  Baptised, 24 Jan 1856, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., PA.  Living with family in Gratz, PA, in 1850.  Died before the Civil War began.

Caroline Gratz (1839- ?).  Born Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Baptised, 25 Feb 1855, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Living with parents in Gratz, PA, in 1850.  Married, 18 May 1858 to Joseph G. Rowlands at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg.  A Civil War service record has not been located for Joseph G. Rowlands.

Simon Gratz (1841-   ).  Born Dauphin Co., PA.  Baptised, 27 May 1855, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., PA.  In 1850, he was living with his parents in Gratz.  In 1860, he was working as an attendant in the Pennsylvania Lunatic Asylum in Susquehanna Township but was living with his parents in Harrisburg. Possibly this is the same Simon Gratz who joined the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, at Harrisburg in 1861, but more information is needed to confirm this.

John Carson Gratz (1843-26 Jan 1862).  Born Dauphin Co., PA.  Living with parents in Gratz, PA, in 1850. Baptised, 27 May 1855, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., PA.  Served in the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, and the 96^th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, during the Civil War.  Died of typhoid fever at Camp Northumberland, Virginia, 26 Jan 1862.  The St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral records indicate John died on 31 Jan 1862, but this may have been a funeral date.

Mary Ann Gratz (5 May 1848-13 Feb 1926).  Born Gratz, Dauphin Co., PA.  Baptised, unknown.  Living with parents in Gratz, PA, in 1850.  Living with parents in Harrisburg in 1860.  Married, 11 Sep 1866 to Maj. William W. Tyler (28 Sep 1838-1 Mar 1925), at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg.  William was a career soldier from 1863 to his retirement as a Captain in 1904.  He served in the 94^th New York Infantry during the Civil War.  The Tyler’s lived in Sackets Harbor, New York.

Francis Carson Gratz (1849-25 Apr 1876).  Born Gratz, Dauphin Co., PA.  Living with parents in Gratz, PA, in 1850.  Baptised, 2 Nov 1856, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg.  Living with parents in Harrisburg in 1860.  Buried, Harrisburg Cemetery.  Not much further known about him.

James Campbell Gratz (abt 1850-?).  Born in Gratz, Dauphin Co., PA.  Baptised, 2 Nov 1856.  Living with parents in Harrisburg in 1860.  Not much further known about him.  If born in 1850, he would have been too young to serve in the Civil War.

Sarah Campbell Gratz (about 1855-14 Jun 1921).  Born Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., PA.  Baptised, 27 May 1855, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg.  Living with parents in Harrisburg in 1860.  Married 8 Jan 1891 to Col. Lucius Rogers (18 Dec 1830-18 May 1909), at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg.  Although he was from Genesee, Livingston Co., New York, he was commissioned by Gov. Andrew Curtin to serve as Captain of the 58^th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, during the Civil War.  Sarah married Lucius well after the Civil War and may have met him in Harrisburg.

Ann Ellen Duncan Gratz (about 1853-22 Mar 1921).  Born Dauphin Co., PA.  Baptised, 2 Nov  1856.  Not married.  In 1909 she was living for a time with her sister Sarah in Kane, PA.  Most likely no connection with Civil War service except that she was living with her sister and brother-in-law Col. Rogers who died in 1909.

Fannie Duncan Gratz (about 1855-?).  Born Dauphin Co., PA.  Baptised, 27 Mar 1863, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg.  Married  ? Mehaffey.  Little is known about her beyond this.

Posts are planned for each of the three individuals named above who served in the Civil War:  John Carson Gratz, Maj. William Tyler, and Col. Lucius Rogers.  Further research is needed to determine whether Simon Gratz (1841-?) served in the Civil War and whether any of the other daughters, Caroline, Frances, or Ann Ellen married Civil War soldiers.

By the time of the Civil War, Theodore and Ann Gratz lived in Harrisburg and it would be in Harrisburg that they would receive the news of their son John’s death.  As already stated, it is not yet known for certain if the Simon Gratz who joined the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry in 1861 was the son of Theodore and Ann Gratz.  Mary Ann married in 1866, after her father had died, so Theodore would not have been aware that his son-in-law William Tyler was serving in the Civil War.  Sarah married in 1891, after her mother died, so her husband Lucius Rogers would not have been known to either of her parents.

Some of the above information on Theodore Gratz and his children was taken from A Comprehensive History of the Town of Gratz Pennsylvania which was published in 1997.  Copies are still available for sale.

Anyone with additional information on the Gratz family of Gratz, Pennsylvania, is urged to submit it.

Category: Research, Resources, Stories | Comments Off on Gratz Family of Gratz, Civil War Veterans
Tags: Andrew Curtin, Gratz Borough, Gratz family, Jewish, Rebecca Gratz, Regiments, Rogers family, Simon Gratz, Tyler family