Walking In Their Shoes: Civil War

Walking In Their Shoes: Civil War Walking in Their Shoes is a project started to connect families with their Civil War Veteran heritage Preserving Memory. Honoring Sacrifice.

Walking In Their Shoes: Civil War is a passionate initiative devoted to honoring the legacy of Pennsylvania soldiers who fought and gave their lives to preserve the Union during the Civil War. At the heart of our mission are three guiding pillars:

Cemetery Research
We conduct meticulous, statewide research to identify and document Civil War soldiers buried in Pennsylvania cemeteries. By uncoverin

g and preserving these records, we ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten and share our findings with those entrusted with their care, churches, cemeteries, and local historical organizations. Storytelling
Through impactful presentations and social media outreach, we breathe life into the stories of soldiers and regiments, ensuring that their courage echoes through generations. Every name is more than a record, it’s a voice from the past calling to be remembered. Unified Historical Database
We're building a centralized, Pennsylvania-focused database that captures soldiers’ names, units, and any historical or genealogical insights we uncover. This growing resource—designed to include every Civil War burial site in the state—gathers scattered information into a cohesive legacy archive. We also provide customized reports to local communities, detailing the soldiers laid to rest in their care. Our Impact
Since our founding three years ago, we've documented over 15,000 soldiers and gathered preliminary data on an additional 9,000 thanks to collaborations with fellow organizations. Our work now spans 300+ cemeteries across 14 counties in Pennsylvania, each grave a story reclaimed from silence.

William Sinclair Blunt was born September 21, 1837, to Edmund and Elizabeth (Needham) Blunt. His father, Edmund, was a w...
08/28/2026

William Sinclair Blunt was born September 21, 1837, to Edmund and Elizabeth (Needham) Blunt. His father, Edmund, was a well-known producer of nautical instruments and a prominent surveyor.

During the Civil War, William served in one of the most important (and often overlooked) positions in the Union..... the military Paymaster. Officially associated with the 12th New York State Regiment, his responsibility was to ensure that soldiers received their pay while serving far from home.

William’s Civil War service was followed by a long career with the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the USS Saranac with the Pacific Squadron and later as Paymaster at the Mare Island Navy Yard in California.

He resigned from federal service on May 7, 1866, and eventually made his home in Carbon County, Pennsylvania.

William Sinclair Blunt died March 7, 1903, and was laid to rest in Towamensing Cemetery in Palmerton, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.

(image the USS Saranac)

Joseph Anthony was born on January 18th 1829 in County Waterford Ireland. After arriving in America he married Jane Eliz...
08/25/2026

Joseph Anthony was born on January 18th 1829 in County Waterford Ireland. After arriving in America he married Jane Elizabeth Brown in Schuylkill County in 1856 and was living in Pottsville in 1860, where he worked as an innkeeper and reportedly stood an impressive 6'4" tall.

In September of 1861 he enlisted as a captain of Company F of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry. In July of 1862 he resigned to join the 129th Pennsylvania infantry. His obituary also claims he was part of one of the 3 month regiments in early 1861 before joining the 96th.

In August 1862, at age 34, Joseph enlisted as Major of the 9 month 129th Pennsylvania Infantry. He served through the Fredericksburg Campaign and was severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, when a bullet passed completely through his right lung.

He was hospitalized in Washington, D.C., and remained there when his regiment was discharged. Remarkably, his official discharge wasn't issued until 1899, 36 years after his service it was made effective May 18, 1863, the same date as the rest of the regiment.

After the war, Joseph worked as a railroad and mine superintendent and became active in the GAR. He died at his home in Dauphin County and is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Harrisburg PA

George Washington Adams was born on December 23, 1841, in Centre County, Pennsylvania, to William and Mary (Miller) Adam...
08/19/2026

George Washington Adams was born on December 23, 1841, in Centre County, Pennsylvania, to William and Mary (Miller) Adams. George had a twin brother, Joseph.

At just 19 years old, while working as a millwright, George enlisted on October 29, 1861, joining Company E of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, also known as the 80th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry went on to have one of the most active careers of any Pennsylvania cavalry regiment. Sent west in 1862, they operated throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and northern Alabama, performing scouting missions, guarding railroads and supply lines, and pursuing Confederate cavalry.

They fought at Perryville and Stones River, but their reputation really grew in 1863. During the Tullahoma Campaign, the regiment fought at Shelbyville, Tennessee, where approximately 150 men charged Confederate artillery and captured four guns. Captain Charles C. Davis of Company I was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

The regiment also participated in the Chickamauga Campaign and reenlisted at Huntsville, Alabama, in November 1863.

In 1864, the 7th Pennsylvania became part of General Kenner Garrard's cavalry division during Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. They fought at Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Noonday Creek, and the Chattahoochee River, while conducting reconnaissance, protecting Sherman's flanks, disrupting railroads, and destroying Confederate supplies.

During Kilpatrick's Raid around Atlanta, the regiment found itself surrounded behind Confederate lines but fought its way out in a dramatic saber charge.
In 1865, they joined General James H. Wilson's raid through Alabama and Georgia, fighting at Selma on April 2 and later participating in the pursuit of Jefferson Davis.
The regiment mustered out on August 13, 1865, after nearly four years of service.
George survived the war and returned to Centre County. He died on April 19, 1900, and was buried in Livonia Cemetery.

Sometimes you just have to eat a little crow….in our last post we talked about Albert Baker of the 3rd Pennsylvania Rese...
08/18/2026

Sometimes you just have to eat a little crow….in our last post we talked about Albert Baker of the 3rd Pennsylvania Reserves, I had accidentally posted an image of the wrong flag, using an image from another post I created posting a 7th Cav flag by mistake. I point this out because, (I’m kind of surprised I didn’t get called out on it) and secondly I wanted to put this out to my following that I’m always up for comments, extra info and corrections. When combing through the thousands of soldiers that we am cataloging in the commonwealth looking for stories sometimes we miss the little details and it’s nice to have folks to help out giving these soldiers extra attention and stories

Private Albert Baker was born on January 16, 1842, in Westfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, to Hollister and Dorlesca (...
08/15/2026

Private Albert Baker was born on January 16, 1842, in Westfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, to Hollister and Dorlesca (Phillips) Baker.

At just 19 years old, Albert answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in Company A of the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves, also known as the Anderson Life Guards.

On September 14, 1862, Albert and his regiment found themselves in the fierce fighting at South Mountain during the Maryland Campaign.
The 13th Pennsylvania Reserves were ordered to advance up the mountain as skirmishers, driving Confederate forces from their positions. Supported by the rest of the division, the regiment charged forward with cheers, capturing prisoners along the way and eventually reaching the summit.

The fighting came at a cost. The regiment suffered 18 men killed and 45 wounded. Albert was among the wounded.

His injuries were so severe that his arm had to be amputated.
Albert was discharged from the Army in November 1862 and returned home to Westfield. Despite the loss of his arm, he continued to build a life for himself. He studied civil engineering and worked in the machine shop industry. Later in life, he was involved in the design and manufacture of fire escapes.

Albert Baker passed away on October 21, 1906, at the age of 64. He was laid to rest in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Westfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

From a 19-year-old soldier charging up South Mountain to an engineer who continued his work despite a devastating wartime injury, Albert’s story is a remarkable example of sacrifice, resilience, and determination.
{Image battle of South Mountain Harpers Weekly Oct 25, 1862)

The Reverend Jeremiah P. Schindel was born on May 15, 1807, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to John and Susannah (McCullough) ...
08/14/2026

The Reverend Jeremiah P. Schindel was born on May 15, 1807, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to John and Susannah (McCullough) Schindel. He came from a remarkable family tradition of ministry, his father, grandfather, son, and grandson all became pastors. His son, Reverend Dr. Jacob D. Schindel, was the subject of my previous post.

As a young man, Jeremiah worked as a printer while preparing himself for the ministry. In 1837, he moved to Lehigh County, where he would go on to serve as pastor of twelve different congregations and organizations.

His public service extended beyond the pulpit. He was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate, following in the footsteps of his uncle, John Schindel, who served as Pennsylvania's 7th Lieutenant Governor.

When the Civil War began, Reverend Schindel answered another call to service. In December 1861, he became Chaplain of the 110th Pennsylvania Infantry, serving with the regiment until June 1863.

After the war, he continued his ministry in the Lykens Valley before moving to Allentown in March 1870.

Sadly, his time in Allentown was brief. Reverend Jeremiah P. Schindel passed away on July 2, 1870, at the age of 63. He was laid to rest at Union and West End Cemetery in Allentown, Pennsylvania, alongside members of his family.

His life was one of faith, service, and dedication to his congregations, his community, his state, and the soldiers he served during the Civil War.

08/14/2026

National Park Service Announces Planned Interment of Civil War Soldier Recovered at Manassas National Battlefield Park

Archaeological study complete as NPS prepares to transfer remains of young Union soldier recovered at Manassas

More than 160 years after he likely fought in the Second Battle of Manassas, a young Union soldier recovered during archaeological excavations at Manassas National Battlefield Park is one step closer to receiving the honors afforded to those who served their country.

The National Park Service today announced its plan to transfer the soldier's remains to the Office of Army Cemeteries following the completion of archaeological study and documentation, consistent with its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The soldier was discovered during professional archaeological excavations conducted in March 2024 at the site of a Civil War field hospital within Manassas National Battlefield Park. Archaeologists were investigating an area associated with the Second Battle of Manassas when they uncovered the nearly complete burial of a Union soldier, along with a historic rubber pocket comb. The excavation also recovered four surgically amputated limbs from wounded soldiers treated at the hospital during the battle.

Analysis indicates the soldier was approximately 16 to 19 years old and likely fought during the Second Battle of Manassas in August 1862, one of the largest and most significant engagements of the Civil War.

"Every soldier who fought on this battlefield has a story, even if we may never know their name," said Superintendent Kristofer Butcher. "It has been our privilege and responsibility to care for these remains with dignity, guided by science, respect, and our commitment to preserving America's history. We are honored that this soldier will now receive a final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery."

The planned transfer reflects the National Park Service's dual responsibility to preserve and study archaeological resources while treating human remains with dignity and respect. The National Park Service remains committed to preserving America's battlefield history, advancing archaeological research, and honoring those who served.

Supporting documentation will be available for public review through the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website from Aug. 13, 2026, through Sept. 4, 2026, consistent with the public notice requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

For more information, visit: https://home.nps.gov/mana/learn/news/national-park-service-announces-planned-interment-of-civil-war-soldier-recovered-at-manassas-national-battlefield-park.htm

Image Text: Soldiers from the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Regiment, the "Old Guard" carry flag covered caskets of two Union soldiers discovered in the Manassas National Battlefield Park in 2018 during the transfer ceremony before their interment in Arlington National Cemetery. A park ranger salutes in the background.

The Reverend Dr. Jacob D. Schindel was born on January 11, 1841, to the Reverend Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Masser) Schinde...
08/13/2026

The Reverend Dr. Jacob D. Schindel was born on January 11, 1841, to the Reverend Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Masser) Schindel. He later married Ellen (Schmoyer).
Jacob received his early education at Jordan Lutheran Church before attending the Allentown Seminary. In the fall of 1860, as tensions across the country continued to rise, he entered the Missionary Institute at Selinsgrove before joining the junior class at Pennsylvania College in Gettysburg.

When Pennsylvania called upon its citizens to defend the state during the summer of 1863, Jacob answered. He enlisted in Company A, 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia, serving during the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania. The regiment consisted of 750 farmers, college students, and shopkeepers, with a handful of seasoned veterans scattered among their ranks and were among to engage the Confederates(image of their Monument in Gettysburg)

According to his obituary, Schindel was also present at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, where he witnessed President Abraham Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg Address

His service did not end with the Civil War. In 1865, he served with the U.S. Sanitary Commission, stationed at Annapolis, Maryland.

In 1867, Schindel was ordained into the Lutheran ministry in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Over the following decades, he served numerous congregations throughout eastern Pennsylvania. In 1888, he took charge of the Egypt and Laurys congregations near Coplay, where he remained until his retirement in 1908.
His ministry was extraordinary. Newspaper accounts credit him with performing 1,397 marriages, 2,191 funerals, and baptizing 4,701 children a lifetime of service touching the lives of thousands of families.

His son, Jeremiah, followed in his footsteps and became a pastor.

The Reverend Dr. Jacob D. Schindel passed away on June 27, 1908, and was laid to rest in Union and West End Cemetery in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Private Edward Taeubner was born in 1824 in Saxony, Germany, to Gottlieb and Louisa Taeubner. Like so many immigrants se...
08/11/2026

Private Edward Taeubner was born in 1824 in Saxony, Germany, to Gottlieb and Louisa Taeubner. Like so many immigrants seeking a better future, Edward left his homeland and, at just 26 years old, arrived in New York aboard the ship Rein in 1850 to begin a new life in America.

Fourteen years later, at the age of 40, Edward answered his adopted country's call to arms, enlisting in the 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery on February 29, 1864. Interestingly, I also found an 1862 newspaper article stating that he joined the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, although I have not found any military or pension records that confirm that earlier service.

As the Civil War drew to a close, Edward boarded the screw steamer General Lyon. The ship was transporting discharged Union soldiers, paroled prisoners of war, refugees, and civilians from Wilmington, North Carolina, toward Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and New York. After departing Wilmington on March 29, 1865, the vessel paused overnight near the mouth of the Cape Fear River before continuing north.

On March 31, 1865, while battling rough seas off Cape Hatteras, a fire erupted in the engine room. The flames spread rapidly, turning the ship into a floating inferno. Nearly 500 people, including Edward, perished in one of the deadliest maritime disasters of the Civil War. Among the victims were all but five members of the 205-man 56th Illinois Volunteer Infantry contingent. Only 29 people survived, and just 28 survivors were identified in contemporary newspaper accounts.

Whether Edward's body was ever recovered remains unknown. His memorial, which may be a cenotaph, stands beside his wife Charlotte in Glen Dyberry Cemetery in Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

Edward survived the hardships of immigration and the Civil War, only to lose his life just days before the conflict came to an end.

Isaac Wayne MacVeagh, known simply as “Wayne,” was born on April 19, 1833, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Through his mo...
07/31/2026

Isaac Wayne MacVeagh, known simply as “Wayne,” was born on April 19, 1833, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Through his mother, Margaret Lincoln MacVeagh, he was a first cousin once removed of President Abraham Lincoln.

During the Civil War, MacVeagh answered the call to defend his home state. While serving as Chester County District Attorney, he organized an independent emergency company in September 1862 as General Robert E. Lee’s army moved north. In 1863, as Pennsylvania again prepared for invasion, Wayne served as an aide-de-camp on the staff of Major General Darius N. Couch, helping organize the state’s defenses during the Gettysburg Campaign.

His family connection to Lincoln gave him a front-row seat to one of the most important moments in American history. As chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, Wayne was invited by President Lincoln to accompany him to Gettysburg for the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery on November 19, 1863.

MacVeagh traveled to Gettysburg with Lincoln and the presidential party, and on the return journey, at Lincoln’s personal request, he rode alone with the President in his private train compartment. He was one of the few people who immediately recognized the power of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, telling the President that the speech was a great success something Lincoln himself reportedly doubted at the time.

Years later, Wayne continued his public service, becoming Attorney General of the United States under President James A. Garfield in 1881. He served alongside another member of the Lincoln family, Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son and Garfield’s Secretary of War.

He is buried at the Church of the Redeemer Cemetery in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

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