Find a Grave
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11808805
Death of Civil War Veteran
Pequea, Jan. 7. - Joseph Charles, a prominent citizen of this place, died yesterday, aged 79 years. He served in the famous 79th regiment during the Civil war and saw hard service, being complimented by the commanding general. he was a lifelong member of the Mennonite Church. His wife and several children survive.
Harrisburg Daily Independent 7 Jan 1913
From Boehm's Newsletter:
Grandson Joseph Charles, of Civil War era, enrolled in Capt. Jacob Gompf’s Co. PA Volunteers under Col. Henry A. Hambright. The unit organized on September 18, 1861 in the city of Lancaster. The clerk recorded that Joseph, age 25, agreed to join for a period listed as: “During the War.” This ‘Lancaster County Regiment’ subsequently became Co. K. 79th Regiment, PA Infantry.The 79th Regiment was sent to Camp Wilkins, near Pittsburgh, and on Oct. 18, 1861 embarked for Louisville, Ky., aboard a fleet of steamers. The regiment served throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia.Company muster rolls show Joseph periodically absent by order of detached service with the Pioneer Corps. Per The History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865, by Samuel Bates, the Pioneer Brigade was a specialized unit in the Army of the Cumberland. Soldiers. were detailed to carry out duties similar to those of modern combat engineers including cutting roads, repairing bridges and dismantling enemy artillery, fortifications, and railroads.In the 1864 summer campaign, the 79th participated in the Siege of Atlanta. On Oct. 3, 1864 Joseph was mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia by reason of: “expiration of term of service.” He was due $100 having last been paid June 30, 1864. His clothing account was last settled Dec. 31, 1863 when he was advanced $24.56.At the end of his term of service Joseph returned to his home in Pequea Township and in short order married Elizabeth Lennert on Jan. 17, 1865. Joseph and Elizabeth Charles resided on the Boehm homestead. They became the parents of 13 children, 10 of whom lived to maturity.Elizabeth Charles is included on the 1868 list of probationers at Boehm’s Church. She was received into full connection on Dec 12, 1869. Her name also appears on several class lists.In the 1869-70 Directory of Lancaster County, Joseph is listed as a laborer residing in Willow Street, Lancaster County. Joseph Charles died in 1913 at the age of 79 years.His obituary, which appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, states: “Pequea - Joseph Charles, a well known resident of this place, died yesterday, aged 79 years. He served in the famous Seventy-ninth Regiment during the Civil War, and saw hard service, being complimented by the commanding general.” His grave nearby Boehm’s Chapel overlooks his former home.
LINKS
Military Page
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/view/Military.aspx?pid=12638201038&tid=43258061&vid=5b9fce99-1f31-4c12-9fa2-1f21ab5b89a8&pv=1
Boehms Spring 2011 Newsletter Joseph Charles 1834-1913
http://www.boehmschapel.org/uploads/8/0/8/6/80863680/summer_2011.pdf
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