Civil War Letters of John W. Derr: Bull Run and John Derr

Friday, July 22, 2011

Bull Run and John Derr

With the 150th anniversary of the 1st Battle of Bull Run, and with all of the events and festivities in the Washington D.C. area, I thought I'd reflect a bit on this battle and the subsequent battle in August of 1862 (2nd Battle of Bull Run) and their effects on John.

After the initial wave of 90 day "First Defenders'" enlistment had expired and after the 1st Battle of Bull Run there was a sense in the North that the war would not be as quick and romantic as originally anticipated. A new wave of recruitment and enlistments began in July of 1861, which fielded many more men and a series of regimental reorganizations. Those that had been in the initial "First Defenders" wave and re-upped their enlistment, were mostly reorganized into newly formed regiments. Though John was not part of the first wave of enlistments, I believe he was influenced by neighbors and friends who were part of the "First Defenders", as well as the disastrous events of 1st Bull Run. His first few letters show a man who was ready for adventure and caught up in the wave of patriotism.

I am excited and a bit impatient to share the 2nd Bull Run letter with all of you. It is probably my favorite and is filled with information that has given me many hours of very satisfying research. During this battle, as part of the 48th, he was wounded, taken prisoner and eventually paroled. This short letter provides subsequent clues, links and questions that I have been researching for years. Fortunately, with the internet, the research activities are much easier and more accessible that when I started this project many years ago.

Back in the 1980's I spent some time at the National Archives photocopying John's military and pension records along with other Civil War ancestors. If you are ever inclined to do a project such as this, the Archives is essential. I have found more information that provides more links and clues, than anything else. For example, in John's case, his widow's pension request from 1878, provides affidavits from family, friends, and fellow soldiers. It has allowed me to understand better the character and condition of the man who was my great great grandfather.

Last night, I sat down and re-read the pension application affidavits. There were numerous signed documents from fellow soldiers attesting to the character of John. Some of them were very touching.

Below, I share a few of these documents....

Affidavit from fellow soldier Pvt. Henry F. Gottshall Company "D" 48th PVI

Affidavit from fellow soldier and cousin Pvt. Daniel Derr Company "D" 48th PVI

Jim D.

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Welcome

With 2011 being the 150th year since the start of the American Civil War, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share letters written by my great-great grandfather, John W. Derr during the course of the war. I have completed posting each letter on the 150th anniversary of their creation (mostly!). Since Private Derr did not write his letters in a consistent pattern...sometimes there are gaps in time better one letter and the next...This blog includes gap filler with other information relevant to him and his regiment. As I posted each letter, I created a corresponding link on the right side of the webpage to provide easy access and reference as you read each posting. I hope you enjoy the history of this common soldier during the most tumultuous time in our nation's history.

Additionally, I recently completed a long anticipated project by publishing a book "A Widow's Due" in June of 2020. This book is primarily about the life of my Great-great grandmother, Magdalena Diehl Derr, the widow of John W. Derr. It is based on years of research and much documentation, and whereas it is a work of "creative non-fiction", it is accurate and true to the documents and records I was able to find. Please visit my other website relating to the book as well as other upcoming projects at: www.jamespderr.com. Thank you.

Biography of Private John W. Derr

John W. Derr (JWD) was born in Barry Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on October 7, 1839.

He enlisted in the Union Army in September of 1861 and was mustered into the 48^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company D at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg Pa, in that same month. From Harrisburg, the 48^th PVI transitioned through Baltimore, MD and then down the Chesapeake Bay to Fort Monroe in Virginia. From there, the 48^th PVI was attached to the larger Burnsides Expedition to North Carolina (Hatteras/New Berne area). After the North Carolina expedition the 48^th PVI was moved north and participated in the 2^nd battle of Bull Run, where JWD was wounded on August 29^th, 1862 and taken prisoner. He was paroled by the Confederates, and was transported to Georgetown College Hospital in Washington, D.C. After staying in Washington and missing the battles of Antietam and South Mountain, he was transferred to the Cherry and Broad Street hospital in Philadelphia, Pa in December of 1863. He was subsequently furloed home for further recuperation.

His unit was then detached for guard duty in Kentucky and Tennessee, where his unit re-enlisted in December 1863 at Blains Crossroads, TN. In 1864, the 48^th PVI was involved in Grant’s campaigns of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, etc…and eventually the Petersburg Campaign. JWD, as part of the 48^th PVI was integral in the digging of the Mine Crater. Documentation of his participation in the actual mining activities and subsequent illness from the damp/cold conditions are documented in his post mortem pension application by his widow, Magdalena Derr. Pension affidavits by his fellow soldiers indicate that his participation in the mining activities, along with his wounding at 2^nd Bull Run were the primary cause of his early death in 1876

In addition to his participation in the Petersburg Siege, JWD participated in the 1863 Army review by President Lincoln in Washington, D.C., the Grand Review of 1865 in Washington, D.C.

He was mustered out of the Army in July of 1865 and returned home to live out his remaining short life, dying on January 12, 1876 at age 37.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Bull Run and John Derr

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