1861 Durell\'s Pennsylvania Battery CIVIL WAR LETTER - Camp Lacy Doylestown, PA
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1861 Durell\'s Pennsylvania Battery CIVIL WAR LETTER - Camp Lacy Doylestown, PA:
$45.44
Civil War Letter
This Civil War letter written by Jacob H. Schaeffer (1836-1861), the son of George M. Schaeffer (1801-1883) and Esther Hill (1807-1882) of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Jacob was married to Rebecca Breidenstein (1838-1918) in 1855 and had three children prior to his enlistment in Durell’s Independent Battery D in August 1861.
A history of Durell’s Battery (page 24) states that, “two deaths occurred while at Camp Duncan, both from typhoid fever, and there were several men in the hospital suffering from chills and fever. The first death was that of Jacob H. Schaeffer, which occurred on December 8th, the other was Christian Eyler, on December 11th. The remains of the first man were sent to his late home in Reading, each member of the battery contributing a dollar for this purpose…”
The history of Durell’s Battery in the Civil War published in 1903 (pg. 17) states that Captain Durell “arrived at Camp Lacey, located on the Doylestown fair grounds [outside Reading, Pennsylvania], where Colonel [W. W. H.] Davis had already gathered half a dozen companies of infantry, on September 13th, 1861, accompanied by thirty or forty recruits, principally from Berks County.” It is assumed that Pvt. Jacob H. Schaeffer was among these recruits for the following letter was written by him on that date from Reading to his wife Rebecca. Jacob’s name was recorded on the company roster of 24 September 1861. The news of Jacob’s enlistment must have come as quite a surprise to Rebecca who was at home in Amity Township with three small children.
TRANSCRIPTION
In this letter, Jacob Schaeffer tells his wife Rebecca that he is at Camp Lacey and describes the daily drill routine of the company. He mentions attending a Union mass meeting held in a grove near Danborough, five miles from camp, on the 5th of October.
Doylestown [Pennsylvania]
Camp Lacey
October 13th 1861
Dear wife,
I take the present opportunity to let you know that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you in the same state of health and I want to let you know this is my second letter and have not received an answer. I want you to write as soon as you get this letter and let me no whether you have received my letter or not.
We are all a getting along very well and we have a good deal of work now. Our drill hours are from 10 to 12 and from 2 to 4 and then we have our supper and right after supper dress parade till sundown, at 9 o’clock roll call and 10 minutes after the lights must be blown out and all must be quiet inside of camp.
On the 5th of October we attended a Union Meeting about 5 miles from camp at or near Danburg [Danborough] which was addressed by several of the citizens from Doylestown. There was between 3 to 4,000 people there.
We have now 100 men enlisted in our company and we expect to leave this place before long. Now don’t forget to write as soon as possible for I would like to hear of you and the children. No [more] at present.
Direct your letter to Doylestown Post Office, Camp Lacey, Ringgold Artillery in care of Capt. Durell.
I remain your affectionate husband, — Jacob H. Schaffer
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1861 Durell\'s Pennsylvania Battery CIVIL WAR LETTER - Camp Lacy Doylestown, PA:
$45.44