John H. Bassler Papers
MS 057
AUTHOR : Bassler, John H. (1834-
TITLE : John H. Bassler Papers
DATES : 1862-1896
SIZE : 1 file; 3 items.
ARRANGEMENT : Manuscript and correspondence; Chronological arrangement.
HISTORY : John H. Bassler was born near the Borough of Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. He obtained his education at local and regional schools, including Myerstown Academy, and Lancaster County Normal School (1857-1858). Just prior to the American Civil War Bassler was the principle of Myerstown Academy. During the summer of 1862, he assisted in recruitment of men from the county and formed the Jackson Guard. In August of 1862, the Jackson Guard was mustered in as Company C of the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and Bassler commissioned captain. After spending time at Camp Curtin and Washington, D. C. the 149th saw action at Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 4, 1863. At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 1, 1863 Captain Bassler was severely wounded in the leg not far from the McPherson's barn. His wounds led to his eventual discharge on December 18, 1863. Following the war he worked for the railroad in both Pennsylvania and California. In 1880 he returned to Myerstown and opened a creamery business in Myerstown. He died at his family home on January 24, 1916.
CONTENTS: Contains hand written manuscript of John H. Bassler's address, Reminiscences of the first day's fighting at Gettysburg, delivered at Albright Collegiate Institute (June of 1895), a reprint of a letter by General Roy Stone concerning the regimental colors of the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers at Gettysburg that appeared in Bassler's Color episode of the 149th regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the first day's fight at Gettysburg, July 1st, 1863, and a letter from Camp McNeil to Peter Stoudt concerning new colonies of bees bought by Bassler's father-in-law and of sickness in the camp (October 8, 1862)
SUBJECTS : United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 149th (1862-1865)
Lebanon County (Pennsylvania) -- History -- Sources.
Gettysburg (Pennsylvania), Battle of, 1863.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories.
Bassler, John H. (1834-
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