62d Pennsylvania Volunteers

Company K
Eighth Ward Guards B & Tower Zouaves
(Allegheny & Washington Counties)

Company Origins and Demographics

Alexander W. McDonald

Captain

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Wounded during Peninsular Campaign as indicated by his being listed on the register of Sick and Wounded Prisoners of War from Pennsylvania Delivered on Parole at City Point, Va., July 19, 1862, signed by Jas. D. Cullen, Chief Surgeon of General Longstreet's Corps, C. S. A. Remarks indicated his wound was "Thigh." General Order No. 118 of the War Department Adjutant General's Office, signed 27 August 1862, lists officers of the United States service who have been exchanged as prisoners of war for prisoners taken in arms against the United States, including Captain Alexander McDonald for Captain H.G. Trader....

Resigned 16 December 1862.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 32; Occupation: Gentleman; Residence: Allegheny County; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'8" Remarks: Resigned 12-16-62

While in winter quarters near Falls Church, Virginia, drilling and waiting to see action, McDonald must have received notice of the death of his daughter Alice. On 17 November 1861, he penned a poem that serves as a fine epithet for not just his daughter but many of the volunteers serving with Captain McDonald who did not survive the end of the war.

"Lines suggested by the death of my daughter Alice."

Alice, my love's last greeting
Your parting hour has come
And fast thy soul is fleeting
So seek its starry home.

Yet dare I mourn, when Heaven
Has bid your soul be free!
A life of bliss is given
For evermore to thee.

Yet dare I mourn, when Heaven
Has bid your soul be free!
A fresher life is given
Thee in Heav'n, through eternity.

Died 26 February 1869. Buried in Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Pa.

Thanks to Kelly Hansen, of London, Ontario, the current owner of the poem for his persmission to post a copy on this site. Thanks also to Brent Wiancko for notifying me of his existence and other students at Huron University College, London, Ontario, for transcribing it. The original is found in the college's archives.

Edward W. Timmony

Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, 2d Lieut, Captain

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 27; Occupation: Mechanic; Residence: Alleghany County, Pa.; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'6" Remarks: Pr. to 1st Sgt. (4-20-62, 2nd Lt. 9-30-62 Bates). Pro to Capt. 12-17-62. Exp. of Term. Alph. roll shows last name as Timoney. Reg. shows last name as Timmoney.

Moved to Michigan after the war. Married Mary Timmony. His widow filed a pension claim on 11 October 1913.

Alvin S. King

1st Lieutenant

Mustered in at Monongahela City. Wounded at Gaines Mill, lost a foot; discharged 19 March 1863; and was later that year elected county recorder.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 25; Occupation: Gentleman; Residence: Washington County; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Dark; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'8" Remarks: (Wounded at Gaines Mill, Va. 6-27-62. Bates).

Listed in History of Washington County, by Alfred Creigh (1871), as Recorder of Deeds from 1 December 1863 to 2 December 1866.

George E. Berger

1st Lieutenant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Began as a private in Company I. Promoted from regiment's Commissary-Sergeant, 9 February 1864. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 28; Occupation: Shoemaker; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Gray; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'10" Remarks: Enlisted in Company I. Pro. to Com. Sgt. 8-4-61. Trans. to Company K. & Pro. to 1st. Lt. 2-9-64.

Born in 1833, he was living with his wife in Pittsburgh in 1910. Died 21 January 1913. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wilkinsburg. His widow was Hannah M. Berger.

William D. Wrighter

2nd Lieutenant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Resigned 28 September 1862

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 39; Occupation: Mechanic; Residence: Allegheny County; Hair: Black; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'10" Remarks: Resigned 9-28-62.

The 1890 Veterans Schedule indicates his home then was Leesburg, Armstrong County. No disabilities are listed for him.

Josiah P. Mouck

2nd Lieutenant

Mustered in at Monongahela City. Killed at Gettysburg.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 23; Occupation: Cabinet Maker; Residence: Washington County; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'7 1/2" Remarks: Pr. to Sgt. (date unknown), to 2nd Lt. 12-17-62 to Capt. 12-17-62. Killed in action 7-2-63 at Gettysburg, Pa. [Promotion to Captain on same day of promotion to 2nd Lieutenant appears to be in error, unless it was a one day appointment related to the Battle of Fredericksburg which began the following day.]

Listed in History of Washington County in one section as J.P. Mouk and, oddly, in another as Josiah P. Morrell.

George Wylie

Sergeant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Wounded at Gaines Mill. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 29; Occupation: Steam Engineer; Residence: Luzerne County; Hair: Light; Eyes: Hazel; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'7" Remarks: (Wounded at Gaines Mill, Va. 6-27-72. Pr. to Corp. 9-30-62, Sgt. 9-1-63. Bates).

James A. McGrew

Sergeant

Mustered in at Monongahela City. Wounded at Gaines Mill and Fredericksburg. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 28; Occupation: River Man; Residence: Monongahela City; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'4 1/2" Remarks: Wounded at Gaines Mill, Va. 6-27-62 and Fredericksburg 12-13-62. Pr. to corp. 9-30-62. To Sgt. 1-1-64. Bates). M.I. Shows last name as McGrest.

William M. Lemmon

Sergeant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Wounded at Gettysburg. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 20; Occupation: Carpenter; Residence: Mt. Washington, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'8 1/4" Remarks: Wounded at Gettysburg 7-2-63. Pr. to Corp. 10-31-62. To Sgt. 2-24-64. Bates). Reg. shows last name as Lemon

His invalid pension index card, filed in Pennsylvania in 1891, lists his name as William M. Lemmon. According to the 1910 Census, he retired to Warren, Pa., where he was living with a son and daughter.

H. C. Armstrong

Sergeant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged 16 December 1861

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 38; Occupation: Axe Maker; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Dark; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'8 3/4" Remarks: Rolls show name as H. Crawford.

Charles H. Kemps

Sergeant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged 29 September 1862

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 22; Occupation: Merchant; Residence: Woodville, Mass.; Hair: Black; Eyes: Dark; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'6 3/4" Remarks: Rolls show last name as Kemp.

George M. Evans

Sergeant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged date unknown

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 37; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Brown; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'7 3/4"

Henry Stimple

Sergeant

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Deserted 9 May 1863.

Listed as Henry C. Stimple, died 4 April 1891. Buried in Allegheny Cemetery.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Steam engineer; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Fair; Eyes: Dark; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'7 3/4" Remarks: See circular W. D.Washington, D.C. 8-22-90. Pr. to Sgt., (date unknown).

National Park Service's U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 lists Henry C. Stimple as an alternate name to Henry Stimple, and puts his rank in at Third Corporal, and rank out as Sergeant.

Census records and some other documentation suggest a connection to the Stimple family who owned the largest tannery in Western Pennsylvania before the war, but Henry's occupation as steam engineer, not tanner, somewhat contradicts the connection.

Joseph Steval

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Blacksmith; Residence: Lawrenceville, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Hazel; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'5 1/2" Remarks: (Pr. to Corp. 4-10-63. Bates). M. I. Roll shows last name as Steivel.

David Richmond

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Wounded at Gettysburg. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Cabinet Maker; Residence: Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh; Hair: Light; Eyes: Hazel; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'2 3/4"

William Henry Friesell

Corporal

Mustered in as Private at Pittsburgh. Promoted to Corporal, date unknown. Captured at Gettysburg. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Miner; Residence: Pittsburgh; Hair: Light; Eyes: Grey; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5' 3 1/4" Remarks: Captured at Gettysburg 7-2-63. M.I. roll spells last name Freisel. Lag. spells last name Freidel.

Listed as "William H. Freesell" in Bates, his last name was actually Friesell, as confirmed by two descendents. He was born in 1844, so he was really 16 when he mustered in. He was captured at Gettysburg while at a stream refilling canteens at the base of Little Round Top.

Brother of John Adam Friesell, who was also under age when he mustered in to the company later in the war to join his brother.

After the war William Friesell lost an eye in a coal mining accident and then moved west near Weeping Water, Nebraska in Cass County, south of Omaha on the Missouri River. When he died in 1943 at 99 years of age, he was the last Civil War Veteran in Cass County. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Weeping Water.

Thanks to George Friesell and Dean Podoll for corrections and additional information about Friesell.

Somerville Keeps

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged 20 January 1862

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 31; Occupation: [not listed]; Residence: Duquesne Boro; Hair: Black; Eyes: Dark; Complexion: Dark; Height: 6'2 1/2" Remarks: Rolls show last name as Keep.

Summerville Keep enlisted as a private on 25 August 1864 in Company Battery C, 6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery (212th Volunteers), and mustered out on 13 June 1865 at Fort Ethan Allen, Va. CWVCF has no personal information on this volunteer. He died 24 July 1880.

Symington Keep, a teamster, husband and father of six, and aged 42 in the 1870 Census for Allegheny 8th Ward, is the closest matching name found outside of military records.

Joseph Conchiever

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate 24 June 1863

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 22; Occupation: Soldier; Residence: (born) Austria; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'9 3/4" Remarks: Rolls show last name as Cochiever.

George F. Deaves

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate 16 April 1862. Died 30 October 1910. Buried in Ardsley Burial Park, Roslyn, Montgomery County, Pa.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Tinner; Residence: Monongahela City; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'7" Remarks: Pr. to Corp. (date unknown)/ (S.C. of D. Bates)

C. B. Fahnestock

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate 15 February 1863

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 33; Occupation: Clerk; Residence: Philadelphia, Pa.; Hair: Auburn; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'4 1/2" Remarks:

August Myers

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Transferred to Company B, 155th P. V. 3 July 1864.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 30; Occupation: Cabinet Maker; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Hazel; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'6 7/8" Remarks: Vet. Pr. to 1st Sgt. (date unknown). Re-enlisted 2-15-64 at Rappahannock Station, Va. (Trans. to Company B 155th Rgt. P.V. 7-2-64. Batres).

James M. Coulter

Corporal

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate 10 January 1863

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 20; Occupation: Carpenter; Residence: Hickory, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'8 3/4" Remarks: Pr. to Sgt. (date unknown). (S. C. of D. Bates)

Montgomery Cook

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Wounded at Gettysburg, 2 July 1863. Absent, in hospital at muster out.

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 [under Cooke, Montgomery]: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Painter; Residence: Allegheny County; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'3 1/2" Remarks: Pr. to Musc. (date unknown). (Wounded at Gettysburg 7-2-63 in Hospital at M.O. Bates). Rolls show name as Cook.

Bates lists him as Cooke and includes Private as his only rank. Montgomery Cook is listed as private in Company 53 of the 2d Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. National Park Service. U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 lists his name Cook and has Rank In as Musician and Rank Out as Private.

Died in 6 January 1921, according to Proceedings of the 56th Annual Encampment of the Department of Pennsylvania Grand Army of the Republic (Altoona, 1922). Buried in Union Dale Cemetery, Pittsburgh.

Census records indicate that Montgomery and Samuel were not brothers and may not have been related. The 1860 Census for Allegheny City, Ward 1, includes a family of eight Cooks including brothers Montgomery and Samuel Cook. All but the youngest daughter were born in Ireland. Montgomery (aged 17) and Samuel (aged 19) were both listed as painters, as were the father and one older brother. The 1860 Census for Duquesne lists Samuel Cook, aged 15, employed as a nail feeder (?). He was born in Pennsylvania, as was his mother. His father was born in Maryland. Samuel of Company K is clearly the second individual, not brother of Montgomery.

Mustered in at Pittsburgh. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate 22 January 1863

Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 16; Occupation: Nail Cutter; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'1 1/2"

Census records indicate that Montgomery and Samuel were not brothers and may not have been related. The 1860 Census for Allegheny City, Ward 1, includes a family of eight Cooks including brothers Montgomery and Samuel Cook. All but the youngest daughter were born in Ireland. Montgomery (aged 17) and Samuel (aged 19) were both listed as painters, as were the father and one older brother. The 1860 Census for Duquesne lists Samuel Cook, aged 15, employed as a nail feeder (?). He was born in Pennsylvania, as was his mother. His father was born in Maryland. Samuel of Company K is clearly the second individual, not brother of Montgomery.