The William McCaskey Civil War Papers contain letters written by William Spencer McCaskey to his brother, Jack and sister-in-law, Ellen during his service in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. In most letters, he writes about politics, life in camp, members of his unit, their brothers, and the campaigns in Georgia and South Carolina with General Sherman. Related biographical data and images are among the contents of this collection.
Admin/Biographical History
William Spencer McCaskey was born near Paradise, Lancaster County, in 1843. The family moved to Lancaster in 1855, where William received his education in public schools. And in 1859, he began an apprenticeship at the printing office of the Examiner, where he worked until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Just days after Fort Sumter was fired upon in April 1861, William joined the army and served with Company F of the 1st Pennsylvania Infantry until he mustered out in July. He joined Company B of the 79th Pennsylvania Regiment as 1st Sergeant in September of that year; this company of Lancastrians served under Col. Henry A. Hambright and Lt. Col. David Miles. They engaged in battles in Kentucky and Tennessee before they returned to Lancaster in 1864 and re-enlisted. Company B joined Gen. Sherman's army in May 1864. As they moved through Georgia and South Carolina in Sherman's March to the Sea, William wrote about the campaign, the residents, and affects that the Union Army's actions had on the South.
Capt. McCaskey mustered out in July 1865, and in spite of the many objections he had voiced about army life, he re-enlisted in 1866 after receiving a recommendation of the commission of second lieutenant from Thaddeus Stevens. William commanded troops throughout his career on the frontiers of Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Texas, and Missouri and also during the Spanish-American War in Cuba and the Philippines. He retired at the rank of Major General in October 1907.
John Piersol "Jack" McCaskey is better known to Lancastrians as J. P. McCaskey, a teacher and publisher. He began teaching at the Boys' High School in Lancaster in 1855, accepted the position of principal in 1865, and later became superintendent. Jack married Ellen Margaret Chase in 1860.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Bandon, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Bandon, William, age 9.
Bart, John. Father of Bart, Martin, age 7.
Bausman, John. Father of Bausman, Henry, age 9; Bausman, Jacob, age 11.
Bear, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Bear, Isaac, age 9.
Boyer, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Boyer, Michael, age 10.
Buch, Ephraim. Father of Buch, Elias, age 10; Buch, Maria, age 7.
Butts, Jacob. Father of Butts, Maria, age 10; Butts, Philip, age 8.
Conrad, John. Father of Conrad, Daniel, age 11.
Diffenderfer, George. Father of Diffenderfer, George, age 11; Diffenderfer, Polly, age 12.
Engel, George. Father of Engel, Adam, age 9.
Fasz, Jacob. Father of Fasz, Ann, age 10; Fasz, Elizabeth, age 8; Fasz, Susanna, age 11.
Finck, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Finck, Isaac, age 8; Finck, Sally, age 11.Fisher, Christian. Father of Fisher, Jacob and Fisher, Elizabeth, twins age 10; Fisher, Caroline, age 8.
Frederick, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Frederick, Martin,age 12; Frederick, Samuel, age 8.
Fry, Andrew. Father of Fry, William, age 10; Fry, Jacob, age 8.
Garber, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Garber, Barbara, age 9.
Hambright, Martin. Father of Hambright, Henry, age 11; Hambright, Rosanna, age 10.
Hermes, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Hermes, Emanuel, age 7.
Hipple, Joseph. Father of Hipple, Elizabeth, age 8; Hipple, Polly, age 11.
Hoffman, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Hoffman, Michael, age 13.
Keil, Ludwig. Father of Ludwig, Anny, age 8.Keil, Charles. Father of Keil, George, age 12; Keil, Magdalene, age 10; Keil, Henry, age 9.
Keil, Samuel. Father of Keil, Catharine, age 11; Keil, Jacob, age 8.
Kercher, John. Father of Kercher, Henry, age 9; Kercher, Margarth, age 8; Kercher, William, age 11.
Kissinger, John. Father of Kissinger, Eve, age 8.
Leininger, John. Father of Leininger, Elizabeth, age 8.
McCracken, William. Father of McCracken, William, age 10.
M'Cutchen, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of M'Cutchen, Benjamin, age 10.
Miller, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Miller, Abraham, age 7.
Miller, Jacob. Father of Miller, Jacob, age 11; Miller, Ann, age 8.
Moyer, George. Father of Moyer, Emanuel,age 8; Moyer, Polly, age 9; Moyer, Samuel, age 12.
Mumma, Peter. Father of Mumma, Julian, age 11; Mumma, Mary, age 9.
Neuman, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Neuman, John, age 10; Neuman, Susanna, age 13.
Nicholas, Rebecca. Age 9.Paulic, George. Father of Paulic, Louis, age 11; Paulic, Paulian, age 8.
Renchler, John. Father of Renchler, Mary, age 8; Renchler, John, age 7.
Schlutt, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Schlutt, William, age 9.
Seamiller, Philip. Father of Seamiller, Nancy, age 10.
Sellers, Absolom. Father of Sellers, Jophinus, age 8; Sellers, Matitta, age 6.
Sharp, Samuel. Father of Sharp, Adam, age 9; Sharp, Barbara, age 10; Sharp, Sophia, age 8.
Shudy, John. Father of Shudy, David, age 8; Shudy, Peter, age 10.
Stam, Samuel. Father of Stam, Henry, age 11; Stam, Margaret, age 8.
Stober, George. Father of Stober, Daniel, age 8; Stober, Elizabeth, age 10; Stober, Maria, age 12.
Streit, Christian. Father of Streit, Fanny, age 8.
Wagoner, George. Guardian of M'Cracken, William, age 10; Streit, Fanny. age 8.
Wells, Benjamin. Father of Wells, Nelson, age 10; Wells, Josiah, age 8.
Willis, Henry. Father of Willis, Henry, age 9; Willis, Joseph, age 12; Willis, Maria, age 11.
Wressler, _____ Mrs. Widow. Mother of Wressler, Nancy, age 11.
Young, Jacob. Father of Young, Samuel, age 9.
1 item. 1 piece.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research desk. Photocopy made by staff member.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Transcription of letter from Thomas Welsh to his wife, Annie. From Camp Opposite, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter discusses pay, business concerns and financial affairs. Expresses his displeasure at the removal of General Burnside from his command. Welsh attributes his removal to the ineptitude of subordinate generals, especially Hooker, Sumner, Franklin, and Porter. Speaks of his confidence in Burnside, Rosecrans, and Butler. Notes the promotion and potential promotions of several colonels. Concludes with an inquiry about the health of the family and an expression of love for all.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men. See MG0828 for more biographical information.
Provenance: Location of original unknown. Transcription provided by Dennis Buttacavoli via email. The original is presumably in his possession
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Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay.
