Frederick enlisted in Co. G of the 87th Penna. Vol. Inf. in Upper Windsor Township, York Co., PA on 5 Sept. 1861. In the early part of the war, the 87th guarded the Northern Central Railroad north of Baltimore, then participated in a number of engagements in West Virginia, western Virginia, and western Maryland, including Winchester and Bunker Hill. It joined the AoP after Gettysburg, and participated in the Battle of Manasas Gap, the Bristoe Campaign, and the Battles of Bealton station, Kelly's Ford, Brandy Station, Locust Grove, and Mine Run in late 1863. It remained in the AoP for the Overland Campaign of 1864, participating in Sedgwick's VI Corps at Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, North Anna River, Totopotomoy Creek, and Cold Harbor, where 1/3 of the remaining regiment was killed or wounded, including it's commanding officer. Frederick survived all of this unscathed, only to catch a mini ball in the right arm while on picket duty at Weldon Railroad during the Siege of Petersburg on 23 June. He recuperated at the hospital in City Point, VA until 1 September, then rejoined the 87th, transferring to Co. D, after the regiment joined Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. He was soon thereafter again shot, this time in the right leg at Opequan Creek (Third Winchester) on 19 September. He was taken to a hospital in Frederic, MD, moved to Camp Distribution, then to Harewood Hospital, Washington on 4 December, then finally to Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia on 1 May 1865. Frederick was mustered out with the regiment on 29 June 1865. He lived the rest of his life disabled from the wounds he received in service of his country.
Frederick is my GGG grandfather. He was born in Hanover, Germany in or about 1818. He immigrated to Lancaster County, PA sometime before the war, likely between 1850 and 1854. He married a women named Elizabeth and had two daughters in 1854 and 1860, Fielta and Barbara. Elizabeth may have raised the kids by herself while Frederick served. Frederick was a blacksmith by trade, and was detailed as the Brigade blacksmith during the first half of 1863. He died in 1886 and is buried in the GAR plot at Lancaster Cemetery. His headstone worn and illegible now, I have contacted the V.A. to order him a new one. May it never be forgotten what he and his comrades did.
View attachment 19258 View attachment 19259
Report of Lieut. Col. James A. Stable, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania
Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS 87TH PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY,
Brandy Station, Va., December 3, 1863.
SIR: In compliance with circular from headquarters Third
Brigade, Third Division, Third Army Corps, bearing date December 3,
1863, I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by
my command in the recent movements and operations of the Third
Brigade:
Marched from camp at Brandy Station, Va., November 26, at 8
a.m., marching on the left of the brigade, left in front; arrived at
Rapidan River, crossing over the river on pontoon bridge, marched
about 3 miles, then marched back to the river, and bivouacked.
November 27, 7 a.m., marched with Third Brigade on the left center
of the brigade, left in front, about 2 miles, rested in the woods till 3
p. m., marched forward, met the rebels, and had a very brisk fight,
losing 1 man killed and 11 men wounded. Marched with Third Brigade
to a new position; lay on arms during the night. November 28,
3 a. m., marched with Third Brigade on the right center of the
brigade, left in front: bivouacked in the field. November 29, brigade
formed line at 3 p.m. for the purpose of storming rebel fortifications,
my regiment on the right center of the brigade; remained in line till
night, then bivouacked.
November 30, marched at 3 a.m. on the right of Third Brigade,
left in front; formed line of battle by brigade, my regiment on the
right; deployed one company of 60 men in advance of regiment as
skirmishers. The company advanced about 500 yards into a very
thick under growth of pine woods, when they were fired upon by
the rebels lying in ambush, killing 3 enlisted men and wounding 4
enlisted men. The company returned the fire, and held their
position. I immediately sent one company of 40 men to support
the skirmishers. The two companies remained in position till
relieved by the Second Corps, and then rejoined the regiment, which
had marched to the ground from where it had marched in the
morning; bivouacked in the woods.
December 1, 1 p.m., marched on the right center of the Third
Brigade, right in front; bivouacked in the woods. December 2,
marched at 6 a.m. on the right of the brigade, right in front,
crossing the Rapidan River on pontoon bridge; took position in line of
battle on a hill in the woods close by the river to guard the ford;
remained in position for three hours, then marched on the right of
brigade; bivouacked in the woods.
December 3, marched at 1 a.m. on the left of brigade, right in
front, arriving at Brandy Station 8 a.m.; encamped in the woods
near Brandy Station.
Hoping this will prove satisfactory and correct, I am, sir, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. STAHLE,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. 87th Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Lieut. S. C. JUDSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XLI.] MINE RUN, VIRGINIA, CAMPAIGN. PAGE 788-48
[Series I. Vol. 29. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 48.]
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Report of Capt. Edgar M. Ruhl, Eighty-seventh
Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations September 19 and 22.
HDQRS. BATTALION EIGHTY-SEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA,
September 26, 1864.
In compliance with orders, I have the honor to submit the following report:
Left camp at 3.20 a.m. of the 19th; forded the Opequon, and placed in
line of battle on left of Winchester and Berryville road, about two miles
from Winchester, by 8 a.m. The regiment, being formed on left of
second line, moved forward at 11.40 a.m., driving the enemy about one
mile. Took an active part in the operations of the day, sustaining a loss
of 7 killed and 47 wounded.
Operations of 22d.--Moved on left flank of enemy about noon; division
formed in lines of battle, regiment on right of second line. Advanced
about two miles; regiment thrown out on right of flank to support
skirmish line. Remained in this position until the skirmish line advanced,
when we assisted in driving the enemy from their works. Loss, 1 killed
and 3 wounded.
EDGAR M. RUHL,
Capt., Cmdg. Battalion.
Capt. C. H. LEONARD,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
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Report of Capt. John A. Salsbury, Tenth Vermont Infantry, commanding
Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations October 19.
HDQRS. BATTLN. EIGHTY-SEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLS.,
November 1, 1864.
CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of battalion
Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers in the action near Cedar Creek,
Va., October 19, 1864:
Took command of the battalion about 11 a.m. October 19, 1864, its
commander being killed early in the morning. Formed about a mile in
rear of Middletown on the front line of battle of First Brigade, Third
Division, Sixty Army Corps, about 12 m. Advanced about 3.30 p.m.,
driving the enemy, and in the last charge on the enemy Corpl. Daniel
P. Reigle, of my command, captured a battle-flag from the enemy's
color bearer near Middletown, Va. Continued to advance until reaching
the works of Gen. Crook's command, when, about 7 p.m., we were
ordered back to our old camp.
Very respectfully, &c., your obedient servant,
JOHN A. SALSBURY,
Capt. Tenth Vermont, Comdg. Battln. 87th Pennsylvania Vols.
Capt. CHARLES H. LEONARD,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., Third Div., Sixth Army Corps.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 242-90 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. LV.
[Series I. Vol. 43. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 90.]
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Report of Capt. James Tearney, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry.
HDQRS. BATTALION EIGHTY-SEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA
April 9, 1865
MAJ.: In compliance with circular of this date, I have the honor to
submit the following report of operations of this command in the assault
on the enemy's works on the left of Petersburg, Va., on the morning
of April 2, 1865;
Left camp about 11 p.m. 1st instant and marched to the picket-line in
front of Fort Welch, where the Third Division was massed, this
command being in the third line of First Brigade. At about 4.30 a.m the
following day the order to charge was given when the command moved
forward and the enemy's line of works and forts was carried and held,
driving the enemy before them and capturing a large number of
prisoners and several cannon.
The following is the list of casualties: 2 commissioned officers and 6
enlisted men killed, 3 commissioned officers and 22 enlisted men
wounded, and 5 enlisted men missing.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES TEARNEY,
Capt., Cmdg. Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania.
Bvt. Maj. CHARLES H. LEONARD,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 990-95 N. AND SE. VA., N. C., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. LVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]
Bringing the