Private Edward S. Ball, Co. B

Private Edward S. Ball, Co. B

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.  

Fife belonging to Cpl. Edward S. Bell, Co. B

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.

Bronze Marker on the Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg showing the soldiers who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg

Close up of Edwin Ball, Co. B

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.

Savilla and Edward Ball, Charles Evans Cemtery, Reading, PA

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