Diaries Of Assistant Surgeon John Y. Shindel, 47th PA Infantry SOLD

Description

John Young Shindel, was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania on June 26, 1834. He and his family relocated to Middleburg, Pa. in the Spring of 1840, and this was his home during and after the Civil War. He studied medicine, first under the direction of his uncle Dr. Daniel Webster Shindel, then later awarded a Doctor of Medicine degree from Pennsylvania College on March 3. 1855.  Shindel opened his private practice in Bannerville, Pa on December 1st, of that same year, but a year and a half later relocated to Middleburg.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Shindel was appointed as the Deputy Provost Marshal for Snyder County.  It was not until February 25, 1865 that he entered military service, with a commission as assistant surgeon with the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which also was commanded at that time by his cousin, Colonel John P. Shindel Gobin.

The 1865 diary begins in earnest on the date of his appointment, and thereafter is most complete on every page, writing in a minute fashion to record as much news as possible to his daily events.  I have taken excerpts that best defined his service in the last year of the war. What I have left out, is an abundance of daily medical duties, and lesser descriptions of service and observances that time does not permit. Although the last year of the war, this 1865 diary is essential to knowing the times, places, transportation, and many duties, and details of the 47th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

1865 

• Shindel recorded within the beginning calendar for the year with a synopous of important events such as Lee’s surrender, Lincoln’s assassination, Booth’s capture, Division and Brigade reviews and much more in the limited space provided.
• 2/25   Mustered into service by Capt. Pellet.
• 2/27   ..at Camp Fairview..all day, looked around a little but Moseby’s Guerrillas being about did not dare to go out..
• 3/1    Went to Harper’s Ferry with Col. Gobin & Lt. Hendricks.
• 3/4    Went with Col. Gobin to Charlestown for lumber for Blockhouses – Got the lumber from old stables and             outhouses..
• 3/7    Visited and prescribed for sick in Companies H & D in lower Blockhouse (opposite Charlestown).
• 3/18   Camp visited by Chief of Engineers & Medical Director of Gen’l Sheridan’s staff.
• 3/23   ..went to camp of 12th PA Cavalry & bought a saddle from ferrier for $10.00..
• 3/28   Had an attack by Guerrillas at upper post. 2 men wounded, one mortally.
• 3/30   Went with Chaplain & Dr. Sturdevant to attend funeral of Private (Harrison) Lilly, Co. F.  (killed 3/25 at                   Summit Point).
• 4/2     2 o’clock AM  Rec’d orders to move at 5.  Started for Summit Point ….arrived at 8 and in conjunction                   with 2nd Brigade, started for Winchester about 10PM and lay on the field all night.
• 4/5     Started 7AM..arrived South of Kernstown at 10,  went into camp.
• 4/6     Gen, Torbert’s Cavalry passed down towards Harper’s Ferry.
• 4/9     At 12 Midnight received news of Capture of Lee & Rebel Army.
• 4/11    Whole Division lay here (Summit Point) Dwight’s Division, Army of the Shenandoah.
• 4/12    Our Division was formerly 1st Division, 15th Army Corps (he drew the corps badge here).
• 4/15    Received sorrowful news of President Lincoln’s assassination by J. Wilkes Booth. Could hardly believe                it, but again received a dispatch that it is too true.  Can it be possible.
• 4/19     In Camp. Funeral Services in honor of President Lincoln…In Brigade conducted by Chaplain Rodrock                 of the 47th.
• 4/21    On the B.& 0. R.R. to Relay House to Washington, at Annapolis Junction met escort of President’s                     Corps.
• 4/27    Rec’d news of capture of J. Wilkes Booth, murderer of Mr. Lincoln.
• 4/28    In company with Col. Gobijn, took ride via Washington, forts Slemmer, Totten, Slocum, & Stevens.
• 4/29    Rec’d information of the surrender of the Rebel Gen. Johnston to Gen’l Sherman in North Carolina.
• 5/8      Camped near Washington Arsenal – relieved 18th New Hampshire.
• 5/14    Rec’d new of capture of Jeff Davis.
• 5/16    Brigade Dress Parade – Gen’l Davis..wrote to Ada, enclosed Photograph.
• 5/23    Passed in Review on Penn. Ave. ..Gen. Meade, Pres. Johnson, 9th AC, 5th Div., 2nd Div.
• 5/25    Went to Washington to 2nd Day Grand Review.
• 6/1      8th Vermont, 12th Conn left for Savannah, Ga.
• 6/2      Embarked on Transport Thomas Jefferson..went to opposite Alexandria, where we lay in middle of river              all night.
• 6/3      10AM went on board the U.S.S. North Star with Col & 230 men.  Some of Reg. went on board the                        “Haze” some on board “Metros”….passed Mount Vernon…
• 6/6      4 o’clock took on board pilot off mouth of Savannah River, passed Fort Pulaski….transports carried us                to city.
• 7/4      Went to the city to see fireworks.
• 7/7      Embarked on steamship “Charles Thomas”..got under weigh at 7 and sailed down Savannah                             River..destination, Charleston.
• 7/8      Arrived Charleston…disembarked about sundown, went into quarters.
• 7/9      Moved Headquarters to residence of Memminger’s, late Sec. of Treasury of the Confederacy.
• 7/15    Was detailed temporary duty with the 165th N.Y. Zouaves, who were this afternoon disarmed. put into                arrest & in Fort Sumter.
• 7/16    Started for Fort Sumter, looked over the sick of the 165th N.Y. Vols.  Capt Miller in charge of guard                      detailed from 47th PA, sent 15 sick men to Post Hospital.
• 7/26    Rec’d letter from Ada ’41’ ..was told by Mustering officer that our Reg will be immediately muster out.
• 7/31    Went to the city on Morris Island dispatch boat to see about rations of bread for Reg. of which they had              been without for 6 days…got over rations.
• 8/5      Was at the fort all day. Capt. Robinson was here and mustered in the 165th N.Y. Vols whose original                    muster rolls had been lost.
• 8/11    Subpoenaed as witness before Court Martial of Col. Carr.
• 8/12    Reported to Court Martial at 9AM…court adjourned til Monday.
• 8/29     Relieved from duty with 5th U.S. Artillery
• 9/1       Today the 165th N.Y. Vols was mustered out of U.S. Service.
• 9/10     …disembarked U.S. Transport “Chas Thomas” (at New York) and marched to Battery Barracks..3rd                    Rhode Island Heavy Art’y, left there for home.
• 9/11     Went up Broadway, N.Y. to 166 Broome St. to see Medical Purveyor in regard to turning in Med. Stores.
• 9/12     Barracks guarded by 14th U.S. Infantry, & 8th Regt. U.S. Vet. Vols.
• 9/16     165th N.Y. came to city in parade.
• 9/17     Arrived at Harrisburg  (only a brief visit).
• 9/28     At Court Martial- Middleburg (PA) Doty vs Guss
• 10/6     At New York to buy hides and leather.
• 10/8     Went to Pier No. 13 where “Empire City” lay on which I am to go on to Hilton Head.
• 10/14   (Rejoined 47th having been detached to accompany 165th N.Y.)  In company with Dr. Strudevant.
• 10/18    Went to see fire, wall fell in and buried 15 to 20 men…6 or 7 taken out some dead.  Zellner Co. K,                       badly hurt..sent him to Hospital, Capt. Hoffman Chief of Police seriously hurt.
• 11/19     Ordered to Vaccinate all men in my charge.
• 11/20    Vaccinated 24 men at Workhouse – City Jail.
• 11/22    Vaccinated 11 men 35th USCT, 12 men 33 USCT
• 11/23    Vaccinated 7 men  35th USCT, rode to Arsenal, vaccinated 10 men.
• 12/ 6     ..wrote sick furlough for Sergt Small 33 USCT.
•              (Through the remaining days of December, tending to medical duties, trips into city with other officers,                  etc.)

1866

• 1/1        In the forenoon went down to the wharf with Colonel Gobin, there with him went to Provost                                  Court where he was presented with a silver goblet by his Associate Judges, in a neat speech by                          Judge Shroeder.  In PM rode out to Freedmen’s Barbecue.
• 1/2       …on board “Herman Livingston” but did not sail.
• 1/6      Got to N.Y. at 7 o’clock AM.  Landed and went up to Broadway to Battery Barracks.   Crossed to Jersey             City.  Took cars on Camden & Amboy R.R. for Philadelphia.
• 1/7      Arrived Philadelphia at 2 in the morning.  The Reg. went to Camp Cadwalader.
• 1/12    In AM went out to Camp. Got Certified & discharged, went to U.S.A. Paymaster. In the afternoon                          received my pay in full. $1080.00.  Went out with Mrs. Strudevant, for silk dress for Ada $30.00.
• 1/17    ..arrived at home..
• 1/29    Wrote to Capt Patterson Prov. Mar. at Harrisburg in reference to notifying officer’s accounts.
• 2/6      Went to Court House to hear the evidence & arguments in the case of the Commonwealth vs Peter Eby             for murder for writ of habeas corpus.

From here on in the 1866 diary, Shindel is very much back to his regular practice at home, with occasional trips; written letters to fellow officers of the 47th PA, and other veteran duties.  And like the prior year, his entries fill all available lines.

Both diaries are identified on the inner flyleaf as Asst. Surgeon of the 47th Pa.  Both are filled with his accounts for that particular year, with the 1865 recording expenditures of military uniform components, etc.

The Carte De Visite is a 3/4 standing view of Dr. Shindel wearing frock coat, and sporting his 19th Corps badge. He signs the back of the image “Truly Yours, Jno.Y. Shindel, Asst. Surg. 47th P.V.V.  May 10, 1865.”  The photo was taken by Bell & Brother, Washington (revenue stamp damaged).  The diary records that Shindel was in Washington on  “Monday, May 8, …got a blouse $8.00, alson got photographs taken $6.00.”  The corners are clipped, but the image is fine and the corps badge is tinted in red, buttons, and bullion have gilt accent.

 

After the war, Dr. Shindel became rather active in matters both civic and political.  He was elected to several positions in the Middleburg schools and various other boards and councils.  In 1871 he was U.S. examining surgeon of pensions, and in 1887, was installed as surgeon of the Capt. Ryan Post, G.A.R.  Dr. John Young Shindel, MD, pasted away in Middleburg, PA on January 5, 1910.