ID'D Civil War Wallet & CDV

[Championhilz]

A few days ago I posted a query looking for an image of John S. Detweiler, who served in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The reason I was looking for his picture is because I picked up this ID'D wallet on Ebay last week for the grand sum of $9, including free shipping. It belonged to John S. Detweiler, a lawyer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who joined the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry in 1861 as captain of Company E. Later in the war he was promoted to major of the regiment. Inside the wallet was an unidentified CDV of a Union officer - this is probably Detweiler, as he is wearing captain's bars, the rank that he held for most of his term of service. The white pants the officer is wearing are very interesting - definitely not the usual army pants most Civil War soldiers wore. The 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry was one of the few units from the Keystone State to be sent west, and they fought at Richmond, Perryville, Chickamauga, Sherman's march to the sea, and the Carolinas Campaign

 

[Union_Buff]

That is an amazing find Champion - thanks for posting the photos

 

[kholland]

What a deal you got!

 

[AndyHall]

John S. Detweiler

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 10/17/1861 as a Captain.

On 10/17/1861 he was commissioned into "E" Co. PA 9th Cavalry
He Resigned on 4/21/1863

Promotions:
* Major 3/19/1863

Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 3/19/1863 from company E to Field & Staff

Other Information:
Member of GAR Post # 58 (Harrisburg) in Harrisburg, PA

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865
- Research provided by HDS subscriber
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com​

__________

Query: why did he resign his commission only a month after promotion to Major and regimental staff?

 

[AndyHall]

Lifted off an Ancestry tree (usual caveats apply):

• John Shelly Detweiler

• Birth
  1828 18 Oct
  Londonderry Township, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Residence
  1850 Age: 22
  North Woodbury, Blair, Pennsylvania, USA
  Age: 22
• 
  Marriage to Eunice Champlin Parke
  1853 29 Sep Age: 24
  Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Residence
  1863 Age: 35
  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Residence
  1869 Age: 41
  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Residence
  1870 Age: 42
  Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
  Age: 43; Census Post Office: Lancaster - county hospital of lancaster.
• 
  Residence
  1870 Age: 42
  Harrisburg Ward 6, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States
  Age: 40; Census Post Office: Harrisburg
• 
  Residence
  1875 Age: 47
  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Residence
  1876 Age: 48
  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Residence
  1877 Age: 49
  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Death
  1878 16 Aug Age: 49
  Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States of America
  Age: 49
• 
  Burial
  1878 16 Aug
  Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, USA
• 
  Residence
  1878 Age: 50
  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

 

[AndyHall]

 

[Frederick14Va]

Very cool. Finding personal items like this has always been interesting.... I have a similar folding leather wallet abet mine has the leather closure tab.. that belonged to Colonel Warren, commander of the 10th Va Inf, killed at the Wilderness....

 

[TerryB]

The C.C. Giers logo is interesting. He was an immigrant who took up photography in the 1850s. He photographed many prominent Confederates before Nashville fell, and also US Grant while he was here. That one is in the LOC. I own one CDV taken ca 1875 that has a number on the back. I thought the woman might be Ed Buford's wife, but sadly, the Giers studio burned with the loss of all his index books.

 

[drkuluth]

Could not find a photo of him, but here's a nice biography: http://maley.net/transcription/Sketches/detweiler_john_s.htm

 

[Championhilz]

Thanks!