On Wednesday, September 17th, 1862 the 88th PA was part of the 1st Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade, Army of Potomac. The 88th PVI was commanded by Major George Gile who assumed command of the 88th PA following the death of Lt. Col. Joseph McLean at the Battle of 2nd Bull Run; the 2nd Brigade was under the command of Col. William Henry Christian, formerly of the 26th New York Infantry. The 2nd Brigade was comprised of the 88th PA, 90th PA, 26th NY, 88th NY and the 94th NY.

The Battle of Antietam opened with the exchange of artillery fire at 3AM; the 1st Corps is on the Union right and launches the opening attack at first daylight. Hooker attacks southward with all three of his Divisions. Doubleday’s Division on the right, straddling Hagerstown Pike. Ricketts’ Division of which the 88th and the 2nd Brigade was a part occupied the far left, and Meade’s Division was in the center slightly to the rear of Doubleday and Ricketts. The Union formations come almost immediately under the fire of Confederate artillery crews

At 6:00, Ricketts’ Division advances southward through the East Woods and by 6:20 Duryea’s First Brigade entered into the eastern portion of Miller’s Cornfield. At 6:30 Christian’s Second Brigade entered the East Woods. And as the emerged from the woods, they were subjected to converging Confederate artillery fire from S.D. Lee’s Battalion located at Dunker’s Church, and JEB Stuart’s Horse Artillery positioned on Nicodemus Heights. The Second Brigade continued their advance down the Smoketown Road.

Christian’s Second Brigade entered the battle just before 7:00 a.m. and shortly thereafter, Christian’s men moved forward.  As they cleared the North Woods they came under a murderous fire from Confederate artillery posted to their front and right. Christian halted his men and then did what he knew best, he ordered his men to make a series of parade-ground maneuvers in the face of the Confederate shot and shell. Moving forward and then by flank across some four hundred yards of open ground, Christian’s men finally arrived in the East Woods, where their commander finally became unhinged. Upon arriving in the woodlot, Christian dismounted and then ran back towards the North Woods, supposedly ducking and dodging his head with each cannon shot, exclaiming that all was lost and that the army was in full retreat. Meanwhile, his men were simply astonished and, worse, did not what to do next. Ricketts demanded to know why Christian’s men came to a stop and upon discovering the situation ordered General Truman Seymour, of George Meade’s Third Division, First Corps, to take command of the leaderless brigade. Seymour quickly sorted out the problem and got Christian’s men moving forward once again.

The regiments of the Second Brigade were aligned from left to right 26th New York, 94th New York, 90th Pennsylvania, and anchoring the brigade’s right flank on the north side of Smoketown Road, was the 88th Pennsylvania. The 88th and 90th led the formation, followed by the 26th and 94th New York. The Second Brigade continued down Smoketown Road and assaulted the Confederate defensive positions along the Mumma Farm Lane. The 88th fired a punishing volley into Confederates of the 21st Georgia (Trimble’s Brigade), and then joined the remainder of the Brigade in their attack on Mumma’s Lane.

Major Gile, commanding the 88th, was wounded in action and incapacitated. Captain Christian Carmack, of Company E, assumed command of the regiment, but was wounded shortly thereafter. Captain Henry Myers, of Company B, then assumed command of the regiment. When Company D of the 88th lost both their Company Commander and their First Lieutenant to wounds, Sergeant Charles Kartsher seized the initiative and assumed command. Kartsher led Company D throughout the battle and would later be commissioned for his bravery; First Lieutenant Kartsher would be killed in action at Fredericksburg. Lieutenant Petit of Company I, per army regulation, positions himself behind his Company and served as the file closer. Seeing that the men stood their ground and that the fight in front was a severe one, Petit sheathed his sword, picked up a rifle from a dead soldier, and joined the fight alongside his troops.

The Confederate defenders managed to hold the Second Brigade, but then retreated setting the Mumma House on fire as they depart. Seeking to exploit the gap between Ricketts’ right and Doubleday’s left; Hay’s Louisiana Brigade rushed northward to support the sagging Confederate line and doing so exposed their entire right flank to the Second Brigade. The 88th is in a perfect position and fired a devastating volley into Hay’s Confederate troops.

Their actions are not enough, and while they had bloodied Hay’s Brigade, approaching them from the southwest is Hood’s entire Division. Hood’s Confederates fell heavily upon the Second Brigade, and the 90th Pennsylvania is particularly hard hit. The troops of the 88th hold their ground until their ammunition is exhausted.

At approximately 8 a.m., two hours after the fight had begun; Ricketts’ began withdrawing his Division as fresh reinforcements from the Union XII Corps arrive to relieve the exhausted troops of Hooker’s 1st Corps. The remnants of 1st Corps withdrew and massed in positions to the north of the Poffenberger farm were they regrouped and replenished. The 88th moves to support a neighboring artillery battery and while they still remain under indirect artillery fire until afternoon, for the soldiers of the Second Brigade, Ricketts Division, their fight at Antietam was over.

Of the soldiers detailed to the 88th Color Guard, all are wounded or killed.  Taylor, in the 1913 publication “Philadelphia in the Civil War 1861-65” places the 88th’s losses at eighteen killed, sixty wounded, (and no account of those soldiers missing) out of a total of 350 engaged. Following the battle, the 88th rolls showed 272 soldiers present or accounted for, (of which 209 were present and combat effective.) If Taylor is correct and the figures are adjusted to reflect those missing in action, then it would be shown the 88th suffered a 32% loss at Antietam

Among those killed or mortally wounded at Antietam/Sharpsburg are:

Company A: Corporal Jeremiah Boyer (MW), Privates John Hemminger

(MW), Charles Millhoff

Company C: Corporals John Kellum (MW), Patrick Blaney (MW), Private

James Downey

Company D: Private Samuel Caldwell (MW)

Company E: Corporal Benjamin Lee, Private William Boas Sr.*

Company F: Privates R. Loudenslager, Benjamin Landell

Company H: Sergeant James Thompson (MW), Privates John Brittain,

James Hennershitz

Company I: Privates Patrick Conlogue, James MacNichol, Jesse Tyson

* Private Patrick Conlogue, Co. I,  is the ancestor of  descendants Tara Clapper, John Conlow, Jr. John Conlow, Sr., George Conlow, Jr. & George Conlow, Sr.

* Private William P Clark, Co. K was wounded at Antietam and is the ancestor of descendant, Joy Walk.

Over the course of the following weeks, loved ones come to reclaim the bodies of their fallen sons and brothers. Of the soldiers of the 88th Pennsylvania killed at Antietam, Private Charles Milhoff, of Company A, and Private Jesse Tyson, of Company I, are the only two identified soldiers reinterred at the National Cemetery.

*Information from The Campfire Chronicles, by Major Michael N. Ayoub and from the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry Blog Post, Poor Bill Christian, by John David Hoptak used in this post.

Private Edward S. Ball was a musician serving in Company B, the Neversink Zouaves of the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Ball, along with many other volunteers from Reading, Pennsylvania mustered into service on September 12, 1861 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  

Edward Ball was born on September 3, 1834 and was the second oldest son of John Philip Ball and Mary Magdalena Samsel, his brothers being Henry W. Ball, William S. Ball and John P. Ball. William S. Ball served with Co.K, 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers from August 18, 1862 until he was wounded on May 3, 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va.

According to census records, Edward Ball married Savilla Richards in 1854 and they were the parent of four children, Clara, b. 1856, Henry, abt. 1858, Oscar, abt. 1862 and Mary, b. 1866. Edward’s occupation in the 1860 Census is listed as Moulder.

Edward Ball served as a fifer in Co. B during the war; Civil War Union and Confederate companies (approximately 100 men) had two musicians: one drummer and one fifer which played only for their own companies when on detached duty or on a guard service. The fife was used to signal troops on marches and during battles and fifers also were used to relay messages and serve as stretcher bearers.  

Ball fought in a number of battles with the 88th PVI including 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Petersburg and others and was captured during the Battle of Gettysburg. After fighting on July 1, 1863, with ammunition running low the 88th along with the rest of the 2nd Brigade began to withdraw from the field using an unfinished railroad cut to move back towards Gettysburg. Part of the 88th formed in support of Stewart’s Battery (Company B, 4th US Artillery) which was working to cover the Brigades retreat. Among those captured while defending Stewart’s Battery are the 88th’s acting regimental commander, Captain Edmund Mass, and all of the officers of Company B, 88th Pennsylvania, this is likely where Ball was captured as well; he would later be paroled.  Ball’s name appears on the bronze markers of the Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg showing he fought during the battle.

Ball continued to serve with the 88th until the expiration of his three year term on September 12, 1864 when he was mustered out, having chosen not to reenlist.

After the war, Ball worked as a machinist and his family resided in the Reading area until after his death in 1902. Ball died December 17, 1902 and is buried in the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading, Pa with his wife who died in 1904.

Private Edward S. Ball is the ancestor of Susan Kahler, Richard Roberts and Marisa Roberts of our Descendants Group.

The Battle of Second Bull Run/Manassas was fought on August 28-30, 1862 in Manassas, Virginia and was the 88th's first major engagement.

During the battle, the 88th suffered 29 killed, 65 wounded and as many as 106 soldiers missing in action. It was the highest number of soldiers killed in any one battle during the Civil War. Company C & D were the hardest hit with each suffering 8 soldiers killed during the battle.

The 88th at the time was part of the Second Brigade, Second Division, 3rd Corps of the Army of Virginia commanded by Major General John Pope.

The Second Brigade which was made up of the 88th PA, 90th PA, 94th NY and 26th NY was commanded by Brigadier General Zealous B. Tower with the 88th PA under the direct command of Lt. Col. Joseph McLean.

On August 30, 1862, Tower's Brigade was placed south of the old Stone House when they received orders to protect the Union left flank and moved to Chinn Ridge in an effort to slow the advancing Confederate forces of General Longstreet's Corps.

At approximately 4:30PM, Tower's Brigade moved forward with the 88th in the lead. The brigade crossed the Warrenton Turnpike and down Sudley Ford Road before moving cross country  toward Chinn Ridge.

As the 88th moved into positon, Longstreet's troops were engaged with the Ohio Brigade as Union Zouaves of the 5th & 10th NY moved past Tower's troops towards the rear.

At 5:00PM Tower's Brigade advanced onto the battle area at the double quick being supported by Stile's Brigade, Company K of the 88th, commanded by Captain Sylvester S. Bookhamer arrived on the battlefield first. Of the ten Company Commanders (or acting Company Commanders) of the 88th, three (Companies D, I & K) were wounded and one (Company C) killed at 2nd Bull Run.

Historian and Civil War Author Scott Patchan Discussed the Fight For Chinn Ridge. in his book:
 
"Second Manassas: Longstreet’s Attack and  the Struggle for Chinn Ridge" , 

Patchan also discusses the fight for Chinn Ridge in this series of videos from the Civil War Trust. 

Chinn Ridge - Part 1
Chinn RIdge - Part 2
Chinn Ridge - Conclusion

During the fighting on Chinn Ridge, Lt Col. Joseph McLean while imploring his men to stand fast was struck and knocked from his saddle, his men rescuing him as his horse bolts and begins to drag him.  While soldiers of the 88th and an Ohio regiment carry Lt. Col. Joe from this field, he was wounded a second time and he implored the soldiers to leave him and save themselves

Following the death of Lt. Col. McLean, Major George Gile assummed command of the 88th.

The delaying action fought by Tower's and Stiles's Brigades among others proved succesful in buying time for General Pope and the Pennsylvania Reserves of General John Reynold's Division to organize defenses on Henry's Hill.

General Tower was wounded in action and his brigade suffered 66 killed, 338 wounded and 292 missing for a total of 696 soldiers.

Killed or Mortally wounded from the 88th:

Killed or mortally wounded (MW):

Lieutenant Colonel J. McLean, commanding 88th Pennsylvania

Company B: Private Samuel Longmire

Company C: Captain John Belsterling, Corporal Harry Austin, Corporal Patrick Blaney (MW), Privates Thomas Dixon (MW), Lewis Jones, William Maddis (MW), Private James Rodgers

Company D: Privates Thomas Davidson, John Davidson, Michael  Gannon  (MW), Privates William Heddinger, William Lauer (MW), Thomas McConnel (MW), Privates William McClintock, Adam Wagner

Company F: Corporal George Schaffer, Privates John Betzold, Charles Naher.

Company G: Private Charles Canovan (MW)

Company H: Privates Frederick Ferner, Lewis Humma (MW), John Krebs,  Mark  Ringler

Company I: Corporal Robert Jones, Private Joseph Rutherford

Company K: Sergeant Albert Van Dyke, Private Simon Hardinger  (MW)

Ancestors of our Descendants Group, Killed, Wounded or Captured at 2nd Bull Run / Manassas include:

• Lt. Col. Joseph McLean - Killed
• Private Charles Naher, Co. F - Killed
• Private William Mattis, Co. C - Mortally Wounded
• Corporal Robert Jones, Co. I - Killed
• Captain Charles McKnight, Co. K - Wounded
• Lt. Robert Herron, Co. C - Wounded
• Private Henry P. Reif, Co. B - Wounded
• Private Barnett Hagan, Co. A - Wounded and Captured
• Private George W. Leader, Co. B - Captured
• Private Joseph H. Preston, Co. G - Wounded
• Captain Jacob S. Stretch, Co. I - Wounded
• Captain Sylvester Seymour Bookhammer - Wounded

David Gillmor was born October 7, 1830 (Andrew Jackson was President) in Birdsboro, Berks, Pennsylvania. David was number five of nine children born to his parents Elizabeth Millard and David Gillmor.  His parents are buried at St. Paul’s M.E. Cemetery in Geigertown, Berks County.

 David appears in October 1850 in the South East Ward of Reading. Rev. Newton Weston at the Central United Methodist Church, Reading married David and Sarah Ann Doyle on September 22, 1853. In most of the census records his occupation is listed as a painter. David and Sarah had eight children.

24 Sep 1861– 4 Mar 1864 were the years of his military enlistment in Company “I” of the 88th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was a Mail Carrier. Some of the original permission letters that he carried when riding through the lines have been donated to the Reading Historical Library. He achieved the rank of Corporal.

 He was admitted to the McClellan U.S. Army Hospital in Philadelphia on October 26, 1863. He was discharged on surgeon’s notice on 7th March 1864 from McClellan. At that time he was 33 years old, 5 foot, 7 1/2 inches tall light complexion, hazel eyes and had brown hair. He “contracted cold which settled on his lungs” while doing duty on picket at Camp at Fletcher's Chapel, below Fredericksburg, Virginia in February of 1863. He received a disability discharge on 07 March 1864.

In July 1870 he was a locomotive painter journeyman. He continues as a painter and laborer through the rest of his life.

He is listed on the 1890  “Special Schedule-Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines” as having chronic bronchitis.

He received a pension of $24.00 per month for 'disease of the lungs’. The pension papers are dated 10 Nov 1890.

 He died on March 14 1897 in Reading and is buried at Charles Evans Cemetery.

Louise Kennedy, a descendant of David Gillmor, supplied the information for this blog post.

Note: David’s brother-in-law was Col. Joseph A. McLean, Commander of the 88th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. Joseph was killed on the field at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. The enemy on the field buried him where he fell and his body was never recovered. McLean Post, G.A.R. was named after Joseph in Reading, PA, there is a Memorial Stone for him in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA.

“On Fame’s eternal camping ground 
 Their silent tents to spread
 And Glory guards with solemn round
 The bivouac of the dead.”
 Inscription on Carbon County’s Civil War monument

Bill Parliman of Franklin Township remembers the candy bars grandma Annie
gave him as a boy. It was his reward for helping the petite, elderly woman
thread the needles she used to sew her quilts as they gossiped in the sewing
room at her family farm over half a century ago.

After her passing, Parliman inherited the family records—a scrapbook
collection of notes, certificates, and photos, leading him to a startling
discovery—his grandfather, Allen Correll, was Carbon County’s last surviving
Civil War veteran.

The Civil War cost six hundred thousand American lives, more than all other
American wars combined. Union veterans returned home in triumph. But as the years passed and some died of wounds or disease, a few tarried into the
twentieth century. Each 4th of July, their ranks grew thinner. Finally, Allen
Correll, the longest-living soldier stood alone for the final honor.

 In February 1865, Allen Correll turned eighteen, military age, and rushed to
enlist in the Pennsylvania 88th Regiment—hoping the war wouldn’t end too soon.  Private Correll’s official picture shows him looking serious and military with bayonet-topped musket.

Within weeks, on April 9, General Lee surrendered to General Grant at
Appomattox. On May 23rd the 88th Pennsylvania marched down Washington streets in  the Grand Review. Having served just 61 days, the 88th was dispersed and its  members returned to civilian life with their monthly pay of $11.

Allen married a neighbor, Caroline. In 1870, Allen and Caroline had a family
of two daughters on a farm worth $1,000. What prosperity the farm’s rocky soil
afforded is not recorded, but Allen paid to pose for a photograph at their
hardscrabble property.

The 1880 census indicated Allen supplemented the farming with railroad labor.

The couple had seven children. Caroline died birthing the last child.

Allen stayed a widower for nine years. In 1894, he married Annie, sixteen
years younger, and they had a child.

The Corrells farmed until 1929, when they sold the farm and bought a home in
Mauch Chunk’s Heights neighborhood. At 82, Allen retired from farming with a
military pension. The stipend grew over the years: $30 per month in 1917, $50 by  1920, and $75 by 1930.

In 1937, robust and hearty at the venerable age of ninety, Correll was
invited to dedicate the town’s new high school. Headlines announced, “Veteran of  Civil War Takes Part in Program.”

This was Correll’s last public appearance. The following month newspaper
headlines read, “Carbon County’s Last Civil War Veteran Dies.”

The Civil War is part of Bill Parliman’s spirit—placed there in two ways: in
the neat, organized pages of his scrapbook—evidencing in bits and pieces of
lives connecting his family to America’s Civil War, and in his memory of the
tiny lady and her candy bar rewards.

Written by Bill Allison, a retired school principal and author of the historical novel,  Chase. Taken from the September 2009 issue of  Carbon County (PA) Magazine. Vol 1 #4.

August 9, 2013 marked the 151st Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Mountain, which was the first battle fought by the 88th PVI.

The 88th was then part of Pope's Army of Virginia, 3rd Corps (McDowell), 2nd Division (Ricketts) and was commanded by Col. George McLean. This was the only battle of the war in which the 88th PVI was commanded by Col. George.

Among the notable actions of the 88th PVI during the battle included Major George Gile breaking ranks and with assistance of a few volunteers from the 88th following him, rushed to retrieve the battle flags of the 46th PVI that were being captured. Major Giles returned to the 88th PVI lines with the Colors, where they remained briefly for safe keeping before being returned to the soldiers of the 46th PVI.

At dusk, under the shroud of darkness the 88th PVI came under artillery and rifle fire, the fire was only marginally accurate and the regiment suffered only one casualty. Private George Teed, of Company B, became the first soldier of the 88th to be wounded in action as a piece of shrapnel tore into his leg.

From The Campfire Chronicles - The Words & Deeds of the 88th Pennsylvania by Major Michael N. Ayoub, Descendant of Captain Charles McKnight, Co. K.