The following letter was written by Abijah S. Jackson (1825-1868), a native of Wilmington, Delaware, and a 38 year-old when he first volunteered to serve as the Orderly Sergeant in Co. E, 1st Nebraska Cavalry. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in August 1862 and resigned his commission at Pilot Knob in July 1863, giving the reason that he was suffering from bronchitis and “unfit for duty.”

After returning East to Philadelphia, and only a month later in August 1863, Abijah enrolled in the service again, returning to the ranks as a private in Co. E, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. He served with them until 6 April 1864 when he accepted a commission as 2nd lieutenant of Co. E, 188th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was subsequently promoted to 1st Lieutenant in September 1864 and to Captain in January 1865. Service records indicate he stood just shy of 5′ 9″ and had black hair and hazel eyes.

Abijah’s letter provides us with the details of the wounding and death of Hiram Root Shinkel (1840-1864), captain of Co. E, 188th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was wounded in the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff on 16 May 1864 and died at Richmond. The letter was addressed to Jacob Shinkel (1814-1889) of Leverington P. O., Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania.

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Keith Fleckner and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp 188th Pennsylvania Vols.
Chapins Farm, Virginia
Dec. 12, 1864

Mr Shinkel

Dear Sir—I have the honor to transmit these few lines to you informing you of what knowledge I have been able to ascertain respecting your son, Capt. Hiram R. Shinkel, who was wounded and taken prisoner at Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia, May 16, 1864. I wrote 3 letters (open) to the rebel Commissioner of Exchange ([Robert] Ould) but never received an answer. I also wrote to Washington notifying the proper authorities of the above fact, which communication was forwarded to Major [John E.] Mulford, Flag of Truce Officer at Fortress Monroe, and after a long delay I was informed by the Major commanding the Regiment, that Major Mulford informed Capt. [Joseph Warner] Sanderson of the 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery that Capt. Shinkel died in Richmond on the amputation table [with]in two hours after he was taken prisoner (to Richmond).

I was the last and only person that had any conversation with the captain after he was wounded and his last words to me were, “Lieutenant, go and take care of the company.” I done the best to get his body off the field. The captain was wounded a little to the left of [his] right lung—the ball passing and sticking the shoulder bone and came out on the top of the shoulder. And when he fell, he fell on his face across a stump which hurt him as bad as the wound. I understand through Lieutenant [Andrew] Masters, who called to see you previous to joining his company, that there was a great many conflicting reports about your son. The within account is correct and you can rely on it. He was buried with all due respect.

I have wrote to his wife but never received an answer. I suppose she never received my letter.

Mr. Shinkel, there is no one in the regiment but what were hurt to hear of your son’s death and I can assure you no one felt his loss more than I did as I was the only officer in his company and all his duties fell upon me.

Sir, if there is anything or any further information that I can do, please let me know and it shall be done. Please acknowledge this on receipt. I am, Sir, very respectfully, your friend — A. S. Jackson, 1st Lieut. Co. E, 188th Pa Vols., Army of the James

To: Jacob Shinkel Esq. Leverintgon P. O., Philadelphia Co. PA