Thank all of you that have responded so far to my original inquiry! I didn't think I would get so many people willing to help! Augustus Schaeffer was my Great Great Grandfather (My Father's Mother's Grandfather). I believe we have some Union family members on my Father's side of the family but have less information to go on as that side of the family never cared much about family history and getting information is like pulling teeth. Anyway, I did find some additional information in my family history records while digging regarding Augustus. Here is what I found:
[ Various members of the family have spelled the name Sheaffer differently on various documents: Shaffer, Sheaffer and Shaeffer but in the following documents I have Augustus always spelled his name as Shaeffer on all of his signatures.]
The National Archives Soldier Certificate: No. 991556. Veteran: Augustus Shaeffer Rank: Pvt. Service: Co. G 12th Pa. Res. Vol. Inf. / Pension Office Feb 20, 1894 - Affidavit: State of Pennsylvania, County of Daphin. In the matter of Pension claim No. 980,661 of August Shaffer late of Co. G 41 Pa Reg personally appeared before me an Alderm(?) in and for the County and State aforesaid John D. Heebr(?) ages 70 years a resident of Harrisburg County of Dauphin, State of Pennsylvania, John Harbold aged 22 years a resident of Harrisburg County of Dauphin State of Penna who being duly sworn according to law decares in relation to the aforesaid claims as follows, that they have been acquainted with the above mentioned claimant for more than four years, and lived during that time lived in the near neighborhood and from their personal knowledge and acquaintance with the soldier above mentioned, He was suffering from injury to back to such and extent that he was incapacitated from earning his subsistence Sept 1st 1890 and is to the present time unable to perform manual labor. That they have not interest in the prosecution of this claim, and their post office address is 1324 Susquehanna St. Harrisburg, PA and 9th St. Harrisburg Penna. - John D. (?) - John Harbold (signatures).
Treasury Dept. Washington - The Commissioner of Pensions - Sir: Augustus Shaeffer, late of Co. G. 12th Pa. Res. Infy., was paid June 14, 1864 on the company muster out roll, to include June 10, 1864, and he has been allowed pay for June 11, 1864, by Treasury Certificate 266937, issued April 15, 1899. An examination of the returns of C.E. Robinson, Capt. and C.S., at Harrisburg, Pa., and vicinity, shows that he subsisted the 12th Pa., res. Infy. (letters of companies not given), as follows: 203 men for 5 days, June 11 to 15, 1864. Respectfully, E.A. Gongwer Sept. 21, 1912.
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT: State of PA. County of Daphin. In the matter of Pension claim Ctf. #991.556, of Augustus Shaeffer, Co. G. 12th Pa. Res. Vol. Inf. on this 24th day of September A.D. 1910, personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths. Augustus Shaeffer aged 70 years, a resident of Harrisburg in the county of Dauphin and state of Penna. whose post office address is 2103 Greenwood St., Harrisburg, Pa. well known to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: "I am the claimant herein named and I can and do affirm that I was born July 19th 1840, in Berks County, Pa in 1844. My parents removed with me to Dauphin County, Pa. where I have lived ever since. In 1850, I lived at what is now known as Soverdale Campmeeting Grounds near Hummelstown, Dauphin Co. Pa. In 1855, my Father died and I then made my home with my Sister Mrs. Rebecca Steese, her and her husband are now both dead. I staid (sic) there Untill in Middletown, Pa. Untill I come to Harrisburg, Pa. in 1861 and I enlisted. After my return from the Armey I have resided in Harrisburg, Pa. I am unable to furnish the evidence called for for the reason that there is no public record of my birth, there is no baptismal record, and there is no family bible record, and I am the only member of our family living, the date of my birth as given above is as my parents gave it to me and I am positive that the above date is correct." -Augustus Shaeffer Sept. 26, 1910
Application of Invalid Pension: Unable to earn a support by manual labor reason of Rheumatism, shortness of breath, piles, injured collar bone & right shoulder, wound of back, defective hearing.
Declaration of Invalid Pension: Discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on the eleventh day of June, 1864. That he is totally unable to earn a support by reason of a serious injury to back during a charge at Fredericks, VA in December 1862.
Augustus Shaeffer Co. G. 12 Regt. Pa Res Infy. (41 Vol) was enrolled June 26, 1861 and M.O. June 11, 1864. From M.I. to M.O he held rank of Pvt. and during that period the roll shows him present except as follows: Aug 31/63, absent on detached service June 24/63 Ambulance Corps Oct 31/63, about similar remark Feby 29/64 sam. April 30/64 present with remark. Wounded slightly at the battle of Fredricksburg, VA, Dec. 13, 62. Nothing additional found.
Drop Report Pensioner. Augustus Shaeffer 2202 Brookwood St. Harrisburg, PA -Finance Division May 10, 1924. The name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid at the rate of $72 per month to Apr 4, 1924 has this day been dropped from the roll because of death April 6, 1924.
That is about all I have on Augustus. I noticed on the Co. G rolls that there is another Shaeffer listed as well. I assume this is Augustus' brother but have nothing to base this on other than a hunch. How do I work with the above information that I have. What can I decipher out of the information where it shows him present in Co. G except for the dates provided. Did he serve on the Ambulance Corp? Any and all leads or information would be greatly appreciated. I would really like to know where he is buried but have no information to go on where that is concered. Thank you all once again!
Bringing the