Gabriel Shank
Military Records,
Articles, Letters
And
Diary
From Margaret S. Mohr Weaver
(Great-great-granddaughter of Gabriel Shank)
Gresham, Oregon
E-mail address: Kwe3845118@aol.com
11 February 2003
GABRIEL SHANK
Confederate States of America
10th Virginia Regiment, Infantry, Company G
Born: April 23, 1839
Parents: David Shank, born March 29, 1813
Rebecca Funk, born June 9, 1810, died June 12, 1887
9 children, Gabriel had 3 brothers, 5 sisters
Married: Annie Amelia Kieffer, October 5, 1862
Born December 5, 1844, died March 17, 1930
Children: Alice May (Geil) born March 8, 1864
Gabriella Lee (Bryan) born May 9, 1865, died June 8, 1958
Died: CSA Prisoner, Fort Delaware, Delaware
(smallpox) March 18, 1865 Register 56, page 120
Buried: Finn's Point National Cemetery, Fort Mott
WAR ENDS: April 9, 1865
Enlisted: Harrisonburg, Virginia (Private)
June 12, 1861
Captain Sprinkel
Promoted: Color Sergeant
April 22, 1862
Wounded: Cedar Mountain, Battle of (confirmed in
letter of recommendation for promotion, by
Col. E.T. Warren) August 9, 1862
Wounded: Chancellorsville, Battle of
May 3, 1863 Series 1, Vol 25, part 1 pg 1034
Captured: Chancellorsville, Battle of
May 3, 1863 Roll 21, sheet 4
Paroled: City Point, Virginia, prisoner exchange
May 10, 1863 (sent home to recover) Roll 9, page 19
Promoted: Ensign (Lieutenant) Chapt. 1 File No. 92
page 284 April 7, 1864, accepted April 27, 1864
Recommended by: Col. E.T.H. Warren, 10th Virginia Regiment
Brig. Gen. Geo. H. Steurts
Maj. Gen. Ed. Johnson
Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, 2nd Army Corps
Captured: Fisher's Hill Sept. 22, 1864 (Gen. Jubal Early's retreat
from the Washington Campaign and defeat at Winchester)
Union-General Phil Sheridan
Prisoner Roll: Sent to Fort Delaware, Sept. 25, 1864 Roll
15, sheet 3 Fort Delaware Register No. 56, page 120
Documentation: Battle Participation:
10TH VIRGINIA REGIMENT, INFANTRY
Confederate States of America
Gabriel Shank, Company G
13 Battle Stripes
First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) July 21, 1861
The Battle of Kernstown – Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley March 23, 1862
Campaign
McDowell Va. May 8, 1862
Seven Day Battle May 20-June 10, 1862
Front Royal, Newtown, and Winchester May 23, 24,& 25th, 1862
Cross Keys June 8, 1862
Port Republic June 9, 1862
Hanover Courthouse and Gaines Mill June 22, 1862
Beaver Dam Creek June 27-28, 1862
Cedar Mountain (Wounded) August 9, 1862
The Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) August 26, 1862
Jackson's Raid around Pope August 27-30, 1862
Crampton's Gapp and Antietum September 14, 1862
Fredericksburg December 13, 1862
Chancellorsville (Wounded/Captured) May 2-5, 1863
Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863
The Battle of Antietum (Sharpsburg) Sept 26, 1863
Antioch Church-Mill Run November 1863
Letter recommending promotion E.T.H. Warren, Col. March 30, 1864
10th Va. Regt.
The Wilderness Campaign May 5-7, 1864
Early's Corps to Lynchburg May 11, 1864
Spotsylvania (The Bloody Angle) May 12, 1864
"The 10th Virginia Regiment has been in fourteen battles and many skirmishes."
Regrouping-10th Virginia - Brig. Gen. George H. Steuart placed in Gordon's Division
Grant's Campaign vs. Richmond June 1, 1864
Cold Harbor June 4, 1864
Monocacy, Md. June 9, 1864
Early's March on Washington June 11, 1864
Battle of Winchester vs Union Army-Gen.Phil Sheridan Sept 19, 1864
FISHERS HILL (Captured) Sept. 22,1864
Obituary
Ensign Gabriel Shank, son of David Shank, of this country, died of small-pox in Fort Delaware, on the 17th of March last, in the 26th year of his age. He enlisted in the 10th Reg't Va. Infantry the first summer of the war, and carried its flag through almost every battle in which it was engaged. After many providential escapes he was severely wounded about a year ago. Upon his recovery he joined his command, when, on the same day, he was captured and taken to prison where he ended his life.
A fellow-soldier, who nursed him during his last sickness, says that he was altogether rational until a few days of his end, that he uniformly displayed great patience and resignation to the will of his Heavenly Father, and that his end was peace.
The deceased was a young man of uncommon promise. His strong good sense, his taste for mental improvement, his energy of character, his amiable disposition, led his friends to have high hopes of his future usefulness. In all the qualities of a good soldier he had few superiors. He entered as a volunteer, under the compelling powers of Patriotism, and he never regretted the step. In his regiment he was a great favorite with both officers and men; and his religious influence there was most happy. Many will long recollect how his clear voice rang through the grove in leading the praises of the religious meetings in camp.
His fate was a sad one to surviving friends. His widow with her fatherless babe, his father and mother, with many other warmly attached relatives and friends, will greatly need, and we trust will abundantly receive, the grace of that God whom he served on earth and enjoys in heaven, to be able to say sincerely, "I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right; and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me."
Died March 17, 1865
This next document was evidently sent to Mrs. Elizabeth Brenneman (a sister) Eberlys Mill, Cumberland, Pa.
Resolution passed at a regular meeting of the C.S.Christian Association of Prisoners at Fort Delaware, March 24th 1865.
Preamble, Whereas, it has pleased our Heavenly Father to take from us our Friend and fellow prisoner, Lt. Gabriel Shank, who died in the Hospital on this island, March 17th 1865; therefore Resolved; that while we bow with resignation to the hand of Providence we are filled with the deepest regret at the loss of one who so worthily bore the name of Christian whom we knew as an efficient member of our association: as a true and gallant officer: and as a truly humble, sincere and devoted follower of the cross: as one who bore into all the relations of Life the principles that characterize the Christian, the soldier, and the gentleman.
Resolved: That we tender to his bereaved family our full sympathy in this their sore affliction, and that we most earnestly invoke for them from that God who has thus grievously afflicted them, strength and resignation to endure the trial, and grace to live so that they may in eternity meet him who has gone to his reward.
Resolved: That this Preamble and Resolutions be placed upon the minutes of the Association and that the Corresponding Secretary be instructed to forward a copy of the same to the family and friends of
the dec'd.
Francis A. Boyle,
secretary
(this letter to Gabriel's sister)
Mrs. Brenneman:
Dear Madame: Yours of 26th. Inst. Came to hand this morning, and it gives me a great pleasure to be able to answer promptly your enquiries concerning your brother's death. He was sick a little over two weeks. His disease (smallpox) was deemed fatal from the first, by those acquainted with it's nature. He continued cheerful and resigned until he became unconscious (which was several days before he died) reading his bible until his eyes became too sore, when he was read to by a convalescent friend. It will be a consolation to you to know that he received every attention that the kind hearts of his fellow prisoners could bestow, being nursed by our own soldiers, and being especially cared for by a friend and former bunkmate of his brother-in-law-Sgt. A.S. Kieffer. He received the clothing you sent him while in hospital, and was buried in the same. He was unable to answer your letter, but a friend did so for him. I am sorry you did not receive his dying thanks, for he ever turned to you, his favorite sister, for love and sympathy. When he went to the hospital he left everything he had with me – his bible, diary, purse & letters. He did not have his wife's picture. The bible was hers. A nice uniform jacket, and the other articles in my possession I intend to take through to his wife. I will be as careful with them as if they were those of my own brother.
I am afraid to risk them by express, but if you desire it I will send you by mail his prayer book or a Book of Music which he praised very highly. All his other clothing I have given to his friend, Lt. Gutheen, of his old company. Please write soon if you desire me to do anything more, and tell me whether or, not, you approve of mycourse, concerning the articles I have mentioned. I am in deep sympathy.
Yours truly,
The following derives from Portland, Oregon newspaper (Oregonian April 15, 1928)
Oregon Man Proud of Banner Wrapped about Body of Rebel Ancestor to Keep it From Hands of Union Soldiers.
Sixty-five years ago a Confederate soldier by the name of Gabriel Shank of Virginia marched with the troops of Lee upon an invasion of the north. He had served with the 10th Virginia Infantry since the beginning of the war. He was a veteran. It had been the privilege of Lieutenant Shank to carry the flag on many a campaign and into many a conflict, and he was cited for bravery on more than one occasion. And in 1863 he carried the battlescarred old emblem into the north and through the din and furor of Gettysburg.
It is a far cry from Virginia to Oregon and much water has run under the bridge since that fateful Gettysburg campaign, but mementos of the conflict have found their way to this west coast.
The 10th Virginia Infantry flag which was carried through the storm and stress of the civil war is now
in the possession of Shank's grandson, Rev. H.R. Geil, at Brownsville, Ore. The minister also has a prized possession which is a diary written by Shank and carried by the veteran 65 years ago through the battles of 1863.
The flag is some five and a half feet long by four feet eight inches in width, made of durable cloth, purple in color, gold fringed and containing a large painted central figure some 32 inches in diameter. This central piece shows a conqueror with drawn sword, standing above a prostrate foe. It is the state of Virginia, and reveals the legend: Sic semper tyrannis (Ever thus to tyrants).
The colors, are bright and vivid and the whole fabric is remarkably preserved. Nevertheless, by reason of the innumerable bullet holes and several rents, well darned, it is not difficult for the most prosaic person who sees it to picture the times when shot and shell were flying over the field, when the ground was drenched in blood and the muffled beat of drums heard amidst the din of war.
Shank was of heroic timber and oft times when the southern army was hardpressed by the foe he wrapped the precious emblem about his body and bore it to safety. The last great battle in which he played a part was the fight at Fisher's hill, and in that fierce foray the tide of battle was set strongly against the Confederates. There was a retreat and as the Southerns were hard-pressed by Sheridan's exultant men, Shank was at his wit's end to know how the flag might be saved.
As he fled, just ahead of the Union soldiers, he came to a farmhouse, hastily entered and found—
friends. These Virginians said that they would undertake to hide the flag that had been so proudly
borne through Chanceloorsville, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and many of Stonewall Jackson's victorious battles. Shank, leaving the colors behind rejoined the fleeing troops and was captured. He was taken to Fort Delaware off the New Jersey coast, where he soon contracted smallpox and died (captured Sept. 22 1864 - died Mar. 17 1865). He was a native of Singer's Glen in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia.
Many and many a year the 10th Virginia flag was hidden from sight. It was forgotten. Then one day Mrs. John Geil, Shank’s daughter, who now resides at Sweet Home Oregon, overheard a certain conversation in a village store that shed great light upon the whereabouts of the escutscheon. She overheard a man by the name of Price telling the storekeeper about an old flag which he had, how he had received it from the hands of a young soldier during the flight of troops from Fisher’s Hill in 1864. Mrs. Geil instantly made herself known and the upshot of the matter was she received the flag from the man who had hidden and guarded it. (Approximately 1878)
When Mrs. Geil took the flag to a general under whom Shank served during the Civil War, the office broke down and wept. He recounted many of the stirring scenes about the battle emblem, told how Shank had kept it flying when the warfare was furious, and how at Chancellorsville when it was shot entirely away from its staff, the young color-bearer wrapped it about his own body and saved it from the enemy.
As for the staff, and the cord which bound the flag to it, these are owned by an aunt of Mr. Geil, namely Mrs. Gabriela Lee Shank Bryan, of Hardin, Missouri. It is planned by the Brownsville man to return the historic emblem to Virginia as soon as he can get in touch with the property authorities.
Originally it was the handiwork of the ladies of Spottsyvania, Virginia, a place made immortal by the grim battle fought there between the Union and the Confederate forces.
Notes and updated information from Margaret S. Mohr Weaver:
The flag was taken to Virginia in the 1930’s and at that time family members decided that Grandpa Geil should bring it back to Oregon and keep it in the family. At that time the museum in Virginia wanted a donation of $1000.00 and that was much more then a poor preacher like Grandpa could afford.
The following is a copy of a letter written on January 13, 1980, to Clifford Bryan, the son of Gabriella Lee Shank, daughter of Gabriel Shank. It was written to him by W. Emerson Wilson, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fort Delaware Society and is as follows:
Dear Mr. Bryan,
In going over our records I have found another reference to your grandfather, Lt. Gabriel Shank. It is contained in the diary of Lt. Francis Boyle, which is in the southern collection of the University of North Carolina library at Chapel Hill.
The first excerpt dated March 6, 1865 follows: “Yesterday morning a young man, Lt. Shank, whose bunk immediately adjoins mine so close indeed that as we lie at night we touch, was taken to the hospital with smallpox broken out upon him. It is strange how indifferent one becomes to such risk when it is unavoidable. No one seems to mind seeing an officer lie in a crowded division containing over 100 men until this disease makes its appearance upon him, when he is leisurely removed to the hospital. It has made its appearance all around me but never quite so close before. Although hundreds of cases are treated here there have been very few deaths from this cause, only one of two officers whom I know.”
“Saturday, April 1st, 1865…Yesterday about 100 more officers came in, mostly Fort Steadman captives. Major Dencell was also in this arrival. He has taken the place next to me vacated by Lt. Shank’s death. Another officer, Capt. Sellers of Kentucky has gone to the hospital with smallpox. He lay just on the other side of Lt. Shank. This makes three cases in this little corner. Why the rest of us do not have it is indeed incomprehensible. These barracks are now very much crowded. There are over 1800 officers in the 16 divisions averaging in size 50 by 20 feet. Each man has a space just 6x2 for lying, sitting and everything in fact beside the use of the floor between the bunks 8 x 50 in common with 130 others.”
I thought you might be interested in the above because it also describes the room in which he was stricken.
Yours Sincerely,
W. Emerson Wilson
Letters from Gabriel Shank to his wife Annie Kieffer Shank
June 19, 1861 Harrisonburg, Va.
Sept. 15, 1861 Fairfax Station
Jan. 19, 1862 Camp Walker, Va.
April 3, 1862 Camp Rappahannock Culpeper Co. Va.
----(Married Oct. 5, 1862)
Nov. 27, 1862 Camp near M.C.H. Va.
Jan. 16, 1863 Camp near Hopyard Landing, Va.
April 2, 1863 Camp Skinker, Va.
May 22, 1863 Camp near Hamilton, Va.
June 29, 1863 Alexander's Spring, Pa.
July 8, 1863 Camp near Hagerstown, Md.
July 21, 1863 Camp near Luray Page Co., Va.
Aug. 30, 1863 Camp near Orange C.H., Va.
Sept 27, 1863 Camp on the Rapidan
Fall 1863 Camp on the Rapidan (?)
Nov. 10, 1863 Camp on the Rapidan
Nov. 18, 1863 Camp on the Rapidan
Jan. 30, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
March 9, 1864 Note from Mary Kieffer
March 13, 1864 Morton's Ford, Va.
March 17, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
April 13, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
April 20, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
Harrisonburg, Ro. C.,Va.
Miss Anna,
I take this opportunity of dropping you a few lines to give you some information about several things of which I will now tell you but I have not time to write much and consequently will have to make it as short as possible.
Well, in the first place I will inform you that by volunteering I excommunicated myself from the church to which I belonged and after finding out that that was my case or my position I went about it to apply for a membership in some other church. After reflection and consideration I concluded to apply to Mr. Bell for a membership in the Presbyterian Church and obtained it so I am now a member of that church.
I expect to start for Winchester in a few hours, there is none of my company here yet. There is undoubtedly a draft here this morning for some of the militia but what number of them I have not learned but that some will be drafted is certain.
Nothing more at present but remain your unwavering friend,
Gabriel Shank
Fairfax Station, Va.
September the 15, 1861
Miss Anna A.K.
I have taken my pen in hand for the purpose of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I am well and still well satisfied. I have been looking for a letter from you and I intended writing to you a week ago, but on Saturday we had to go down to Upton's hill on picket and did not get back until last Thursday night about eleven oclock, and on Friday morning our company had to go down to Burk's Station about 4 miles below here on picket again and only got back last night so that I have not had an opportunity of writing for more than a week. Aldine has heard from home lately and he told me that you were all well and he told me that you had started a letter to me more than two weeks ago but it did not reach me yet. I am very sorry that it was miss carried as I am very anxious to hear from you. It has been longer this time since I am acquainted with you and I hope that I will never have to wait so long again for a letter but I am sure that it was not your fault nor mine: so I will say no more about it and talk about something else.
We have all had the pleasure of seeing Washington City Georgetown Arlington heights and the Potomic River and a good many other places that I do not know the names of. We also saw them ascend in their Balloon and as the soldiers express it, we had the fun of shooting at some of the yankies. Well I suppose Aldine told you all about it so it is not worth while for me to tell it over again only to say that we were nearer to Washington City this time then we were the other time.
We have lately had very hard services to undergo we have twice been down at the enemies lines on picket. The first time we stayed a little more than two days and the last six days, the distance down is between 12 and 14 miles, besides a great deal of extra duty about the station such as unloading Flour and Bacon and such things from the cars. But we do not mind any thing any more, those that are left of us. But the regiment has gone down in numbers, so many of them are sick and that makes the duty harder on the remainder of us.
The weather is very pleasant and though we have lately had some very bad and rainy weather we have no preaching today, our Chaplain is absent. Everyone appears to be lonesome and a great many of them are writing to their sweethearts. I suppose they are writing to somebody anyway. Cousin Jacob Frank is here and intends to go home in a day or two and I will send this by him he will probably come to see you and he is going to come down again in a short time and you will probably have the opportunity of sending a letter down with him again. I would like very much to have your Picture, and you will gratify your friend very much by sending it to me. I do not calculate on getting home for some time and probably never and would like very much to have it. You can send it to Aldine by some one and he will give it to me. Oh! how well I would like to be at the Glen today I know that I could tell you more in one hour than I can write all day. It is true it is a great pleasure to receive a letter but it would certainly be much more pleasant to meet face to face and pass word for word for hours, than to sit and write the same length of time. But I am doubtful whether you would know me if you were to see me. I look very much like a soldier now, am not very particular as to the clothes I wear just so that they are clean and comfortable. Am wearing a military cap which makes me look very odd. We have sent on for new caps and uniforms and will then look a little better again for a while. It is impossible for us to take care of our clothes as we ought the way we have to lay about in the woods and on the ground. I hope you will excuse my badly written letter and answer it soon.
May heaven's choicest blessings rest upon us is the prayer of your friend. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate friend.
Yours truly,
Gabriel Shank
Aldine is well.
Camp Walker Va.
Jan. 19th, 1862
Miss A.A.
Today has been a very bad rainy day, the earth has been rapt in clouds and the sun has been hidden from our view. I think the day has been a fair representation of the condition of our Country, as the day has been very gloomy so is our Country rapt in gloom or o'er-spread with dark clouds of war, and which have caused and are still causing many tears to be shed and this is not all, but alas! it has caused many useful citizens to lose their lives and with their patriotic blood to water the tree of our liberty. But as those rain-clouds will soon pass away and the sun will again pour forth her lovely rays of light and heat, so we will hope that those dark and furious clouds of war will soon pass over, and leave the sky of peace bright and pleasant as a cloudless summer's shouting for joy at the opening of that day. Oh! me thinks I see the once weary but now gay and happy soldier starting for his loved home and Dear Friends far away in the Sunny South. Me thinks I see him bidding adieu to his comrades in-arms and then move off with a glad heart toward his home, and just as he comes in sight of his own or his father's house he draws a long and pleasant sigh and says to himself ah there is my home, there are those I love. Oh the emotion that now swell his noble and manly heart, the thoughts that now fly through his mind but all of a sudden his brow is overcast with sadness! What thought has caused this sudden change? But a moment ago his heart was full of pleasantness! There was a smile of joy on his face oh alas! shocking thought he has just been struck almost with horror, his mind returned to the bloody field on which he saw probably a Dear Brother fall by his side and there breaths out his life for the sake of or in defense of the home and friends of which he is ever thinking and he also remembers how many of his comrades are left in some far off battle field, and who, poor brave sons of the Son can never see home and friends as he does. Now forgetting those sad thoughts he raises his head and fixes his eyes once more on that sweet home where dwell his loved ones. He quickens his step and in a few moments more he will be in the embrace of Parents and Sister or his wife and children, and oh! what do we liken now, tears of joy are trickling from every cheek, but this is soon turned into bitter sobs as he tell of the fate with which his Brother his near relative or his neighbor met with. Oh this I fear will not interest you, so I will turn my attending to something else.
Oh you cannot imagine how glad I was when I opened and read your letter, it afforded me more pleasure than any letter that I have ever received, be sure it gave me a great deal of trouble to think that you was probably losing confidence in me for no fault of mine, but I hope this will only tend to strengthen the cords which bind our hearts together, and may heaven grant that it will.
You said that you would like so well to know what was in that letter which you missed getting, to another
(remainder is lost)
Camp Rappahannock Culpeper Va.
April 3rd, 1862
Miss A.A.
Well remembered friend today while the Sun beats upon my sheet and the warm western wind blows jauntly over it I will endeavor to pen you a few lines to let you know how I am faring. In the first place I will inform you that we stayed at Warrenton Junction nine days and as I told you before we lived a while there on hard crackers and bacon, it rained four nights while we were there and also several days and we went down all the way in the rain, so you may guess what kind of a time we had, it was decidedly the most severe tour that we have yet had, and since we returned from there we have fared worse than usual, but it seems that the circumstances by which we are surrounded bring to us results which are by us unavoidable, the fact is that the enemy is hanging close to the rear of our army, and in consequence of that we are in daily expection of an advance by them so that we cannot consistently expect to have many accomodations such as cooking utensils with us. We have just what we can barely make out to get along with, the rest with all the mess chests are ten or twelve miles back, they were sent back from here last Friday and all was sent back at that time for the reason I suppose that the enemy were advancing and a fight expected and the fact is that there was a little fighting in the evening the enemy however were throwing Shell all day at our cavalry as they retreated before them and when they came in sight of our batteries stationed on this side of the River, they opened fire upon them, we were placed in line a little to the rear and on the right of our battery where we lay all the time that firing was going on the several shell exploded very near us and a good many more passed over us. The enemy did not attempt to cross the River now come near enough for infantry to do an executions by firing across at them, as soon as our troops had all crossed the river to this side, the bridge was fired and burned after which we all retreated from the river leaving the yankies to wonder at the meaning. I said all but there were pickets left behind to watch their movements, we retreated about a mile and a half where we still remain. The enemy are seen occasionally on the opposite side at the distance of more than a mile from the river, it is supposed that their main body or force is some distance from the advance probably not far this side of Manasses, we do not know what hour they will attempt to cross the River nor do we know what is their strength, ours is not over ten thousand men it being Maj Gen Ewell's command, where the remainder of Johnston army is I am not able to say, reports say that some are at Gordonville and others have gone towards Fredericksburg.
Several days ago I began to think that the yankies would get possession of the valley but reports now say that Jackson has driven them beyond Winchester and we also have news that he won a grand victory at Kernstown hope all is true.
I received a letter that you wrote to me about the time we left Manasses it came to hand the evening we came from Warrenton Junction and you can't imagine how glad I was to hear from you. I also got one from home from sister Elizabeth, but have received none that were written since we left Manasses, am very anxious to hear from my friends but how do you think we all felt when we heard that our homes would be given up to the yankies, well I'll tell how I felt I did not feel at all willing for them to be given my home, could I think that they would without a desperate struggle. Oh yes the news came here several days ago that your Unkle Solomon and Ephraim Persbush (could this be Ruebush?) were taken prisoners by our men whilst on their way to your Unkle Joseph's on suspicion that they were trying to escape to yankeedom, am very anxious to know all about it, whether they were taken or not and where they are.
There were six prisoners taken by our cavalry a few days ago and they stayed here all night and they told some of our men that Gen McClellan the yankie commander says that the contest will be short but desperate, that it must be ended by the last of July next, but whether they told the truth or not is doubtful. I only hope it will be ended by that time, if we are to have our independence let us have it soon, and if we are to be conquered let it be done soon, but God forbid that we shall be. As I do not know when I will have an opportunity of sending this I will not write any more at present. Please write soon and direct to Culpeper Court-house Va.
Camp near M.C.H. Va.
Nov. 27th, 1862
Dear Annie,
I will improve this opportunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I am well and where we are at. I suppose you have heard before this time of the move of the army. We were on the march six days and made a march of ninety five miles. We are camped in sight of Madison Court House but do not count on staying here more than a few days nor do we know where we will go to from here, but it is supposed that we will join Gen. Lee in the defense of Richmond. The Rockingham boys were all in great hopes (when we started through Winchester) that we would go through Harrisonburg and they would all get to see their friends but in that they were disappointed, and me with the rest. Gen. Jones had promised to let us all go home a short time in case we went up as far as Harrisonburg but as we turned off at New Market he could not do it.
I must inform you that I was at Unkle Daniel Driver's on Sunday night. I was very anxious to get up as far as the Glen but could not get permission to be absent long enough. Oh yes, I must tell you that we received a box of books yesterday evening and as most of the boys who had subscribed for them were absent we had to turn out this morning and sell them but in that we found no difficulty. We sold them all in an hour. Will send the money to mother the first opportunity we have of sending it by hand. Please tell her to let us know what the box cost and what it cost to take them to town and we will send her the whole amount.
This is a very pleasant day for this season of the year. Oh how well I would like to spend it at home with you and the rest of my friends. I would like so well to see Grandfather again, but I am fearful that I have seen him the last time this side of eternity. Oh what a thought, but if it will only be our happy lot to meet our aged parent in that land of pure delights where we will never have the pain of separating again. Oh how happy we all will be when from pain and sorrow free! Oh should we not live careful and try to do the will of our Creator.
I have nothing more of interest to write at this time. Brother Aldine is well, he will write and send in this letter. Give my love to Sister Kate and all the rest of the folks. Direct before to Tenth Regt. Vol. 3rd Brigade and First Division Jackson's Army.
From your affectionate husband
G. Shank
Camp near Hopyard Landing
Carline Co. Va.
Jan 16th, 1863
Dear Annie,
I have not written to you for more than a week and must ask you to excuse me for it. I was made glad yesterday evening by receiving a letter from you and sister Elizabeth. Oh! you can not imagine how happy I felt when I read the letters, although sister's letter contained some bad news.
I am very glad that you are at home and are so well satisfied. I hope the time is hasten in here when I will be permitted to be there with you and the rest of the folks. I think they would all like to see me return. Furlows are now being granted to the reenlisted men so that if nothing turns up to stop them from granting before the last of next month I will get home, my turn may come before the last of the month, any time will do me if it is tomorrow I mean any time between this and the last of February, you asked me about Aldine and his Sallie, but if you get the last letter that I wrote to you you will see how he is progressing in that line, and as I told you in that letter I will try and get my furlow so as to be at home at the time he brings his Lady home. He does not know yet what time it will take place he will learn when he hears from Sallie again. He expects a letter from her tomorrow. He is also looking very anxiously for a letter from Mother & sister Kate he is very anxious to know what they think of it. I hope he will meet with no opposition and will make himself happy for life.
You asked whether I still have a good bed. I am happy to inform you that I have the best cabin or house in the Regiment. I just finished it yesterday we have been living in it two days, we have a very good fire-place and can make it quite warm, it is small and not hard to warm up, you would be surprised to see how well we are fixed, we cook in the house.....I expect that two of our boys will go home in a few days on detail such as I was on when at home.
I sent a pair of Scissors to you by Mr. John H. Moore. They were presented to me by Captain D.H. Lee Martz on the battle field at Richmond, am glad to hear that you got the book that I sent.
I have no news to write to you today everything is quiet. The yankies are still on the opposite side of the River. Hope they will not attempt to cross before spring so that we can stay in our house and get furlows. Give my love to all the folks. Please write soon this leaves me well and hoping it will find all well at home. May heaven bless and protect you is the prayer of your affectionate husband.
G. Shank
These two letters cover a single sheet of paper--Mary Kieffer (mother of Annie and Aldine).
Singers Glen
March 9, 1864
My Dear Son,
The import of this note will give you the proud name of father not of a son but a very interesting and promising little daughter (Alice May Shank) who was born yesterday. Annie is doing well she says she will write in a few days. She sends her love and says write soon in haste I close.
Yours affectionable
Mary Kieffer
Morton's Ford, Va.
March 13, 1864
My Dear Wife,
You can not imagine how happy I was when I received this sheet or when I read what is on the inside. I thank God from the bottom of my heart for his goodness and mercy to us all. Oh how I would love to be with you this beautiful Sabbath morning and rejoice with you over the little babe. I suppose you were all a little surprised yesterday to see our dear Brother return but his stay will be very short. We are still on picket. We will be relieved tomorrow, we have had a great deal of rain since we are here. All is quiet along the line and has been ever since we came down.
I will write to you again after we get to camp and tell you many things that I am compelled to omit here as I have no paper here to write on. This leaves me well and hoping it will find you and the dear little Babe enjoying the same great blessing. I am very anxious to hear from my Dear Wife. Please write as soon as practicable. Hoping the God of Mercies will prosper us and our dear Babe and also feeling willing to resign all to His will and good pleasure, I cheerfully go on my journey through this world.
From your Husband. Please accept my constant love, also remember me kindly to all the family.
Gabriel Shank
Camp Skinker Va.
April 2nd, 1863
My Dear Annie,
After waiting a long time for a letter from you and being very anxious to hear from you it affords me unusual pleasure to read your letter which I now endeavor to answer. It is not worth while to speak of disappointment, I can only say that I sympathize very deeply with you on account of your disappointment and as for myself I think that I am better able to bear with things of that sort then you, although it made me very sad for a short time.
You asked me whether I need any drawers & shirts. No, I do not need any now--we are not allowed to have more than we can handily carry on marches and for that reason I do not want more than what I can just make out with. I have six pair of drawers, two cotton and two flannel shirts. The two latter I will send home after the weather gets warm if I can get an opportunity and if not I will have them either to use for ___ or throw away. You need not give yourself any trouble about clothes for me as I can get them much cheaper here then you could there, I will need a pair of pants before long and I will draw them here. Those that I have will last a month or more yet. Now in regards to furniture I hardly know what to say but I think that if you can get it for anything like a reasonable price you had better have it made. If you will name it to Father he will be able to tell you whether it would be advisable or not.
You spoke of a plan you all have struck upon to get me out of the army while I have no fondness for the army and it is very unpleasant to be parted from you and on the other hand while it would be much more pleasant to be at home and seeming out of danger I would dislike---this not withstanding all that---to quit the army just at the time when my service is very much needed, however if I were detailed by the secretary of war to enter upon some other field of action where my services would be equally profitable to our cause than of course that would become my duty to obey the calling and whether I was willing or not I would have to go but I would rather have known nothing about that there is an effort being made to have me detailed until after it was all over but I can not think that Mr. Hupp will succeed, but all things work together for good to them that love God so let us trust that we will. I am very glad to hear that you are getting along so well. You spoke of someone to do the cooking when I get home but I think I will have done my share by the time I get out of the army, don't you? Say yes. I have not been baking any pies for some time on account of the scarcity of shortening. I do not think that I will be able to bake many more as materials of all sorts are getting very scarce and also very high. Well as it is getting late I will close. Brother Aldine is well. He sends his love to you. Please give my love to all the folks at the Glen. Please write soon again. May the Lord bless and protect is the prayer of your husband.
very truly your devoted husband, G. Shank
Camp near Hamilton Va.
May 22, 1863
Dear Annie,
I am again with my regiment after having been absent 17 days. We arrived here on the 20th from Richmond. I was very glad to see the boys again and they were apparently very glad to see me and the rest of the prisoner boys. I am very thankful that I got off as well as I did. I will now tell you that Sunday morning the 3rd was the most desperate and bloody battle that ever I was in, there was scarcely a man anywhere near me that was not either killed or wounded. I was struck twice but fortunately was not hurt at all. The first shot the ball struck my pants on the side of my right leg between the knee and hip. The ball struck my haversack in which was a pepper box that fortunately turned the direction of the ball, had it not been for the box I would doubtless have been severely wounded, but thank God for his protective care over me. I was also very glad to learn that the old flag was not captured by the enemy, as it is very much timeworn and bears many marks of the desperate conflict through which it has been carried. Almost everyone wonders how it happened that the Yankies did not get it when they got me. I will here tell you how I managed to save it when I found that there was a very strong probability that we would be captured I took down the flag and folded it in as close around the staff as I could and threw it down hard by a wounded man and as I intended it wasn't observed by the Yankies who were not allowed to stay but a few moments at the breastworks where we were captured. Brother Aldine wrote a piece for the Register giving a description of our trip through Yank Hagerstown which you will probably have read before this reaches you so I will not say anything about it. I am very anxious to hear from you as I have not heard since sometime in April. There were two letters come to the Regt. whilst I was gone but Lieut. Campbell thinking that I would not be back until for a long time yet, he thought best to destroy them so he burned them a few days before I got back.
Our men suffered very severely in the battle. Col. Walker was killed. Capt. Martz and Lieut. Guihears wounded, myself captured and slightly wounded, the remaining three, Lieuts. Campbell and Easthouse and Maj. Jennings were not hurt, two of them were not in the fight. I deeply regret the loss of our old Gen. T.J. Jackson but such was the will of heaven and we must submit calmly and without murmuring
I trust that heaven will give another man to fill his place. How thankful we should be for the many victories that have been given us. Give my love to all the folks and please write soon.
May heaven bless you all is the prayer of your affectionate husband. This leaves me well.
G. Shank
NOTE from Margaret S. Mohr Weaver:
The below letter dated June 29th, 1863, is one that Gabriel carried on his person during the battle of Gettysburg and finished it July 8th, 1863. It is a pale blue paper and shows more wear than the others. It would seem to have been folded many times to have fit in a pocket or some thing.
Alexander's Spring Cumberland Co. Pa.
June 29th, 1863
Dear Annie,
I will endeavor to drop you a few lines today as I suppose you are anxious to hear from us at this time. We are getting a good way from Carto now and we may expect lively times. We are within a day's march of the capital of Pennsylvania and it is generally supposed that we will go there but I think not. We have had some very hard marches lately, our brigade especially. We were detached from the division for a short time and sent on a trip across the mountains to dislodge and scatter a militia force that had collected there. After having accomplished that we rested one day and again turned in the direction of the main enemy. Having marched 27 miles to get to McConnelsburg the place where the militia were we now had to make another of 25 to get to the road again that we had left and upon which the main army was traveling. In the round we had to march about 36 miles farther than the rest of the army. We are now with the division again and are camped about (?) miles from Carlsburg.
We captured a good many horses and cattle on our trip. Our army is subsisting on the country through which it is passing. People are very much alarmed everywhere on our approach. A great many leave their home, their cattle, and their horses but they all say they are very much disappointed. They had been told that the rebels would burn houses and everything that came in their course. But something of that sort is ill-advised. Orders are very strict that no private property shall be disturbed. I will tell you what we seize as we go along. Anything we want for the use of the army such as horses, cattle, molasses, bread, flour, coffee, shoes, hats, etc. We were unable to get those boxes (indeciperable) but we get a great many things of that sort from the citizens. We passed through Hagerstown but did not have time to stop to inquire about sister Sue. I watched for her as we passed through but did not see anyone that looked like her.
I have dreamed several nights lately of seeing you. Oh, that those dreams had been realities! I have not heard since I came back.
Camp near Hagerstown, Md.
July 8, 1863
Dear Annie,
Through the mercy of an allwise Providence I am permitted to finish this letter which was commenced nine days ago. I was prevented from finishing at that time in consequence of a move of the army. We received orders very suddenly and started for Gettysburg, Pa. where we arrived on the evening of the first of this month where we fought (as you have probably already heard) the bloodiest and biggest battle of this war. The battle lasted three days. Our division was in only two days, the second and third. We did not succeed in driving the enemy from his position which was unusually strong. Finding ourselves unable to dislodge him Gen. Lee fell back a short distance and waited for the enemy to come out and attack him but he did not come. On the morning of the fifth Gen. Lee withdrew his army in the direction of this place. We reached here yesterday. The loses on both sides was very heavy. I am not able to give anything like a proper estimate of the loss on either side. I have understood that northern papers put their loss in killed and wounded at from twenty five to thirty thousand, and ten thousand prisoners added to that will make a very heavy loss. Ours including prisoners is probably as much as twenty thousand, not much under that I do assure you. The most terrific cannonading that has ever shook American hills shook the hills and mountains around Gettysburg on the third day of this month. I have no words to describe to you the awful roar of that terrible day. The loss of our regiment was not heavy as we had but few men in the regt. at the time. Brother Aldine was not in the battle. He broke down on the march the day we arrived at the scene of action it being a very long and hard day's march. I came nearer breaking down myself than on any previous march I have ever been on. Our army is now as far as I know resting in this vicinity. I think we are waiting for reinforcements at least such are the reports. Some think that we will cross the river again as soon as it falls enough so that the troops can ford it. Others think that we will have another battle in a few days. My boots are worn out and I had to march one day without any but fortunately yesterday evening I got a pair of shoes again. I only have one shirt and one pair of drawers. I loaned a pair to a friend and he was killed with them on. And one shirt I lost myself during the battle. My pants are ragged so that I look very hard and honery. I have not heard of Aldine since he was left back but it is supposed that he is with the wagons of which I do not think there is any doubt. He did not complain of being sick he was very chafed or galded. Friend E.P. Schacklette of our com. was killed also James M. Landis. Oh that this war were over, every battle costs us some of our best and bravest men.
Dear Annie, how I long for the war to close