CIVIL WAR WIA GETTYSBURG CAPT 42nd/190th PA INFANTRY BUCKTAIL RGT DOUMENT SIGNED

Description

Here’s a Civil War Document Signed by Brave Gettysburg Bucktail Regiment Sharpshooter Hero
JOHN ELLIOTT KRATZER
(
1837 – 1932
)
CIVIL WAR BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG “
DEVILS’S DEN”
WIA HERO
2
nd
LIEUTENANT
IN “
K
” Co.,
42
nd
PA INFANTRY – THE FAMOUS “
BUCKTAIL REGIMENT
” 1861-1864, WOUNDED AT GETTYSBURG IN THE RIGHT ARM, JUST ABOVE THE ELBOW,
CIVIL WAR and WELDON RAILROAD POW UNION CAPTAIN
and COMMANDER OF “
H
” Co.,
190
th
PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY and INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE
3
rd
BRIGADE,
3
rd
DIVISION,
5
th
ARMY CORPS 1864-1865,
TWICE COMMANDER OF GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC POST (GAR) “JOHN KRATZER” POST No. 184, NAMED AFTER HIS SON,
A PRIVATE IN THE 42
nd
PA REGIMENT – KILLED IN ACTION AT
2
nd
BULL RUN,
POST-WAR PRESIDENT OF THE
3
rd
KENTUCKY INFANTRY
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION IN 1902,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AT CURWENSVILLE, CLEARFIELD COUNTY, PA
-&-
FATHER OF JOHN KRATZER, and HAVING GAR POST No. 184
IN CURWENSVILLE, CLEARFIELD COUNTY, PA, NAMED IN HIS HONOR
!
After he was commissioned captain and was inspecting the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division,
5th Corps, of which he was inspector general,
Kratzer daringly galloped his horse
within the enemy's lines and before he could escape was captured by the
Confederate pickets.
He was sent to Libby Prison and from there was transferred
to Salisbury and later to Danville, each bastile being a little worse than the previous
one, and in the succeeding February was returned to Libby Prison where he was
finally paroled and was given then a leave of absence. After the surrender of General
Lee, Captain Kratzer was ordered back and was detailed on court martial service and
was finally honorably discharged and mustered out in 1865.
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HERE’S AN
1865
CIVIL WAR DOCUMENT BOLDLY SIGNED THREE TIMES BY KRATZER – A CLOTHING ACCOUNT FOR PRIVATE GEORGE KAUFFMAN
*
OF
“H”
COMPANY.
190
th
REGIMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.
*
George Kauffman enlisted as a private on Dec. 17, 1861 and mustered into “H” Co., 26
th
PA Infantry, transferring on June 1, 1864 into “H” Co., 190
th
PA, and honorably discharged on June 28, 1865.
Pvt. Kauffman was listed as a Prisoner-of-War at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, and later released by Confederate rebels on Feb. 28, 1865.
Pvt. Kauffman also signs the document twice, both times witnessed by Capt. Kratzer.
The document measures 10” x 15” and is in very fine condition, with a central fold.
A
RARE
ADDITION TO YOUR GETTYSBURG ‘
OFFICERS IN BLUE’
CIVIL WAR AUTOGRAPH, MANUSCRIPT & EPHEMERA COLLECTION!
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN E. KRATZER
CAPT. J. ELLIOTT KRATZER
, Justice of the Peace at Curwensville, Pa., and a
representative citizen of Pike township, is also an honored veteran of the Civil
war, during which stormy period he experienced some of the greatest hardships of
a soldier's life but also gained distinction and promotion for unusual bravery.
Captain Kratzer was born in Pike township, Clearfield county, Pa., January 14,
1837, and is a son of Anthony and Rachel (Hoover) Kratzer.
Anthony Kratzer was born in Blair county, Pa., but from early manhood his life
was passed in Clearfield county.
He engaged in lumbering and lived at
Curwensville until after his marriage and the birth of six children, when he
moved on his farm in Pike township, where he engaged in farming and milling.
He
was a man of more than ordinary business capacity and although he died at the
comparatively early age of forty-six years, he had accumulated 600 acres of land
in Pike township.
By trade he was a shoemaker and at one time he also conducted
a hotel at Curwensville, on the present site of the Park House.
He was a
Democrat in his political views but never consented to hold office.
His ashes
rest in Oak Grove cemetery.
Anthony Kratzer married Rachel Hoover, who was born
in Clearfield county.
She survived her husband for a long period, her death
occurring at the age of eighty-five years and her burial being in the State of
California.
The children born to Anthony and Rachel Kratzer were as follows:
Jane Ann, who died in California, was the wife of James Addleman; J. Elliott;
James, who is a resident of Wisconsin, married Susan Leech; William, who was
killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, during the Civil war, was a member of
a
Pennsylvania regiment; Louella, who is the wife of John Bacher, of
California; Sarah Ann, who is a resident of California; John, who was killed at
Bull Run, during the Civil war, was a member of Co. K, 42nd Pa. Vol. Inf.; and
Edward, who is a resident of Punxsutawney, Pa.
The parents of the above family
were members of the Presbyterian church.
J. Elliott Kratzer attended school at Vlearfield, where he had academic
advantages, after which he engaged in business as a clerk in a store at
Curwensville and then went west to Iowa where, for two years, he served as
bookkeeper in a business house.
It is probable that homesickness brought him
back to Curwensville and after reaching home he took charge of his father's mill
and operated it until the outbreak of the Rebellion.
He was one of the first to
offer himself when the famous "Bucktail" Regiment, the 42nd Pa. Vol. Inf., was
organized, becoming sergeant of Co. K, of which he later was made second
lieutenant.
He served one and one-half years with that rank and later was
commissioned captain of Co. H, 190th P. V.
It was while serving as second
lieutenant of Co. K, that he was wounded at Gettysburg, in the right arm, just
above the elbow.
After he was commissioned captain and was inspecting the 3rd
Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Corps, of which he was inspector general, he daringly
galloped his horse within the enemy's lines and before he could escape was
captured by the Confederate pickets.
He was sent to Libby Prison and from there
was transferred to Salisbury and later to Danville, each bastile being a little
worse than the previous one, and in the succeeding February was returned to
Libby Prison where he was finally paroled and was given then a leave of absence.
After the surrender of General Lee, Captain Kratzer was ordered back and was
detailed on court martial service and was finally honorably discharged and
mustered out in 1865.
Capt. Kratzer's army record, from the beginning to the
close, reflects credit on a brave soldier.
He is a valued member of the Grand
Army Post at Curwensville, of which he has been commander several times.
From the army Captain Kratzer returned to Curwensville, where he has resided
ever since.
In March, 1865, he was first married to Miss Kate Goodwin, of
Clarion county, Pa., who died in 1892, aged forty-six years, and her burial was
in Oak Grove cemetery.
Eight children were born to them, namely:
May, who is
the wife of William Jackson and they reside in California; Joseph, who lives in
Wisconsin; Elliott, who is deceased, is survived by his widow, formerly a Miss
Blackburn; Alice, who died in infancy; Kate, who is deceased, was the wife of
John McDermit; C. Fred and Bessie, who both reside at Spokane, Wash.; and John,
who is a linotype operator and printer.
In June, 1906, Capt. Kratzer was
married to Amanda A. Carlisle, of Luthersburg, Clearfield county.
In politics, Capt. Kratzer is a Republican.
For five years he has been
serving acceptably in the office of justice of the peace and very seldom have
any of his decisions been referred to another court.
He is identified
fraternally with the Masonic order and also with the Odd Fellows.
He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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JOHN E. KRATZER -CIVIL WAR SERVICE SUMMARY
Residence
Clearfield County
PA;
Enlisted on 5/29/1861 as a Sergeant.
On 5/29/1861 he mustered into "K" Co.
PA 42nd Infantry
He was transferred out on 5/31/1864
(Estimated day of transfer)
On 5/31/1864 he transferred into "H" Co.
PA 190th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 6/28/1865
He was listed as:
Prisoner of War 6/26/1862 Mechanicsville, VA
Wounded-in-Action 7/2/1863 Gettysburg, PA (Estimated day)
POW 8/19/1864 Weldon Railroad, VA
Returned 2/22/1865 (place not stated)
Promotions:
2nd Lieut 2/17/1863
Capt 5/31/1864 (As of Co. H, 190th PA Infantry)
President of the 3
rd
Kentucky Infantry Regimental Association in 1902.
Sources:
- History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865
- History of the Bucktails
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Name:
John E Kratzer
Enlistment Date:
29 May 1861
Enlistment Rank:
Sergeant
Muster Date:
29 May 1861
Muster Place:
Pennsylvania
Muster Company:
K
Muster Regiment:
42nd Infantry
Muster Regiment Type:
Infantry
Muster Information:
Enlisted
Rank Change Date:
17 Feb 1863
Rank Change Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Imprisonment Date:
26 Jun 1862
Imprisonment Place:
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Imprisonment 2 Date:
19 Aug 1864
Imprisonment 2 Place:
Weldon Railroad, Virginia
Casualty Date:
2 Jul 1863
Casualty Place:
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Type of Casualty:
Wounded
Casualty Information:
Estimated day
Muster Out Date:
31 May 1864
Muster Out Information:
Transferred
Side of War:
Union
Survived War?:
Yes
Was Officer?:
Yes
Residence Place:
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Notes:
1865-02-22 Returned
Additional Notes:
Pres. Regimental Ass'n 1902
Title:
History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865; History of the Bucktails
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HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
42ND INFANTRY – “BUCKTAILS”
(13th Reserves)
Forty-second Infantry.-Cols., Charles J. Biddle, Thomas
L. Kane, Hugh W. McNeil, Charles F. Taylor , Lieut.-Cols.,
Thomas L. Kane Edward A. Irvin, Alanson E. Niles , Majs., Roy
Stone, Alanson E Niles, William R. Hartshorn.
The 42nd also
known as the 1st rifles and the 13th reserves, was composed of
woodsmen and hunters from different parts of the state, the
nucleus being a company from the "Wildcat," district known as
the "Bucktails."
In honor of Col. Kane, who resigned his
office in favor of Lieut.-Col. Biddle, an experienced officer,
the regiment was named by special order of the war department,
"The Kane rifle regiment of the Pa. reserve corps".
The
command was known, however, throughout its term of service as
the "Bucktails", on account of the bucktails worn by the men
in their hats.
In June, 1861, the regiment was mustered into
the U. S. service at Harrisburg, for a three years, term.
On
June 21, it was ordered to Cumberland and took part in the
ensuing campaign, engaging the enemy at New creek.
Returning
to Harrisburg on July 27, the regiment was next ordered to
Harper's Ferry and brigaded with the 28th N. Y., the 2nd and
12th Mass. and 2nd U. S. cavalry.
It remained with this
command until Oct. 1, when it joined the reserves at
Tennallytown, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, and
with Ord's brigade shared in the success at Dranesville.
In
March, with the 1st corps, the Bucktails took part in the
marches and countermarches of the reserves; in May a
detachment of four companies under Lieut.-Col. Kane joined
Col. Bayard's cavalry in an expedition to Hanover Court House;
it was next sent to aid Gen. Fremont's force in the Shenandoah
valley, where from May 25, to June 6, the Bucktails led the
pursuit of the enemy and were almost constantly engaged.
On
June 6, near Harrisonburg, the Bucktails charged a large force
of Confederates and held their ground nobly in expectation of
reinforcements, but as none appeared the gallant command lost
half its number, including the heroic Martin Kelly, who
sacrificed his life by exposing himself for a target to draw
the fire of the Confederate troops.
The detachment took part
in the battle of Cross Keys and was highly praised by its
leader.
After the battle of Cedar mountain the four companies
fought at the second Bull Run and joined the regiment on Sept.
7, 1862.
In the meantime the remaining six companies shared
in the campaign on the Peninsula, participating in the actions
at Mechanicsville, Gaines, mill and Glendale.
The reunited
regiment was active at South mountain, Antietam and
Fredericksburg, losing heavily.
When the reserves were
ordered to Washington in Feb., 1863, the Bucktails with the
1st brigade, encamped at Fairfax Court House.
They remained
with this brigade through the Gettysburg campaign, fighting as
usual in the advance.
Their most brilliant success at the
battle was the capture of a large number of the 15th Ga., with
their colors.
The Bucktails joined in the pursuit which
followed, engaging in numerous skirmishes, and went into
winter quarters at Bristoe Station.
In the spring campaign of
1864 they performed their usual valiant service in the
constant engagements during May, and after the transfer of the
veterans and recruits to the 190th Pa. infantry returned to
Harrisburg, where they were mustered out June 11, 1864.
Source:
The Union Army, vol. 1
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HISTORY OF THE
PENNSYLVANIA
ONE HUNDRED and NINETIETH INFANTRY
(Three Years)
One Hundred and Ninetieth Infantry - Col., William R.
Hartshorne; Lieut.-Col., Joseph B. Pattee; Maj., John A. Wolfe.
The 190th, the 1st veteran reserves, was organized in the field
during the Wilderness campaign from the veterans and recruits
of the 1st, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Pa. Re-
serves.
Col. Hartshorne had been major of the 13th, Lieut.-
Col. Pattee a captain in the 10th, and Maj. Wolfe a captain in
the 13th.
The 190th, together with the 191st organized in the
same manner, formed the 3d brigade, 3d division, 5th corps.
In
the fighting at
Cold Harbor
it suffered a loss of 12 killed,
wounded and missing.
It was next actively engaged in the early
assaults on Petersburg
, losing a large number in killed and
wounded.
In July it assisted in the construction of Fort
Warren, and in August was engaged with the 18th corps on the
Weldon railroad at Six-mile house.
While holding an advanced
position here and entirely without supports it was suddenly
surrounded by the enemy and forced to surrender.
The captives
were immured in prisons at Richmond, Salisbury and Danville,
until about the time of Lee's surrender.
Only a small detach-
ment which had been ordered to the rear for provisions and am-
munition escaped capture.
This small fragment of the command,
augmented by men returning from furlough and from detached
service, was transferred to the 2nd division and shared in the
remaining operations of 1864.
In the final campaign of 1865 it
was engaged at Gravelly run, Five Forks, and throughout the
pursuit of Lee's army.
It was on the point of charging a bat-
tery on the 9th when the news of Lee's surrender was received.
It was mustered out at Arlington Heights, Va., June 28, 1865.
Source:
The Union Army, vol. 1
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