;

Civil War Blog

A project of PA Historian

Was William P. Crabb an African-American?

| May 15, 2015

The William P. Crabb who joined the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry on 15 August 1864, did so at Harrisburg, claiming to be 25 years old (born in Adams County), was of dark complexion, residing in Frailey Township, Schuylkill County, and was employed as a miller. Prior to the above enlistment, a William P. Crabb, age 21 […]

The Pension Fraud Case of Andrew M. Betz

| May 1, 2015

A few years ago, a message was received from an Ancestry.com subscriber, A. Sinton, regarding an Anthony Betz, who was born in 1836: I have been trying to determine if the Anthony Betz, born 1836, in my tree is the Civil War soldier who enlisted in the 177th [177th Pennsylvania Infantry].  I see you have […]

Two Lost Men with a Lykens Township Connection

| March 3, 2015

On 23 February 1888, there appeared a letter to the editor of the National Tribune requesting information on two men who went off to war from New York City in 1862 and were never heard from again.  Included in the letter is a reference to Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and a farmer named H. B. […]

Jacob Kissinger – A Photograph and Additional Documents

| December 3, 2014

Jacob Kissinger was born on 14 November 1843 in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  During the Civil War, he served in the Emergency Militia that was formed from the Home Guards in Gratz when Lee invaded Pennsylvania, and in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry.  Two prior blog posts gave some information about his life and service.  […]

Edward Thomas – 50th Pennsylvania Infantry

| December 2, 2014

On 1 April 1872, Edward Thomas of Gratz, was killed at the colliery at Short Mountain, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by a “fall of rock.”  His body was recovered and he was buried at Gratz Union Cemetery (then called Simeon’s Cemetery).  He was exactly 32 years old at the time of his death.  A G.A.R. star-flag […]