Civil War Letters of John W. Derr: Happy 4th of July!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

It’s July 4^th and I wish all of you a happy Independence Day! What a wonderful country for which we are blessed. Its holidays, such as the 4^th of July, that make me appreciate what my ancestors and previous Americans sacrificed for me and the life I am able to live. Not the least of which, is my ancestor John W. Derr.

About six weeks ago, I had the experience of run/walking the Maryland Half Marathon for Cancer in Fulton, Maryland. It was a wonderful experience I was able to share with my daughter for a good cause…the run for a cure. To be perfectly honest, my half marathon was more walking, with elements of running to stay out of last place. I paid the price over the next 3-4 days with some pretty sore joints and muscles…but as time glosses over the pain…the experience now seems more wonderful than painful. Enough of the marathon discussion…my point is that doing the 13.1 miles that day gave me time to contemplate more fully the construct of this blog as well as to appreciate what the Civil War era soldiers must have endured in daily long marches. I have read that a soldier could, if needed, march 30-40 miles in a long day. Probably 15-20 miles was a more normal marching distance, when it was necessary to move over a large distance. Additionally, depending on the type of march being directed (Heavy March with all the soldiers’ equipment, or Light March with only the basic weapons, ammunition and light gear), a soldier could be expected to walk 20miles carrying 30-40 pounds of equipment and supplies. The soldier was expected to do this while in a woolen uniform, on minimal calories and sometimes during the summer heat. Makes my 13.1 miles in shorts and running shoes seem down right easy.

The 48^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (48^th PVI) was involved in many of the major battles of the civil war mostly in the east with occasional detachments to the Kentucky or the Tennessee theaters. Being a fan of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, I frequently find myself imagining the hardship and effort endured by my ancestor as I drive down I-95 from Maryland over to I-64 towards the coast. Imagine the walking! Imagine the shear boredom of walking mile after mile after mile from battlefields (Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, the Wilderness) all along the Virginia theater. Again, it makes my concerns about time, distance and traffic on I-95 seem…well…a bit whiney.

Well…happy 4^th of July….more next week…

Jim D.

One of the State Flags flags carried by the 48th PVI during the war.

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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.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

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