The following letter was written by Mathias Shumaker (identified as “Dias Shoemaker” on the company roster) of Co. G, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry. Mathias was drafted on 1 September 1863 in the 16th District, Chambersburg. He joined Co. G on 19 November 1863, was wounded and captured at Spotsylvania Court House on 12 May 1864,. He “died of diahhrea while in prison at Andersonville, Ga., July 10 (or 20th), 1864” according to pension records, though his wife did not learn his fate until sometime in September 1864. He was described as “a brave soldier” in the regimental history.

Mathias was married to Sophia Hosseliode (b. 1840) on 28 May 1862 in the German Reformed Church at Wellersburg, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and they had one child, Charles Milton Shoemaker, born 6 September 1863. After Mathias’ death, Sophia took Frederick Pardike (or Pardick) as her second husband. It should be noted that there are a number of Ancestry.com entries for Mathias, most of which are incorrect. This is primarily due to the fact that there was another soldier from Pennsylvania by the name of Mathias Shoemaker (1843-1864) who served in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Co. H, though an unmarried sergeant, who was also taken prisoner in 1864 and starved to death at Andersonville in June 1864.

Mathias wrote the letter to his friend, Henry Martz of Wellersburg, Pennsylvania, most likely a relative of Sergt. John Martz who served in same company.

Over the years I have transcribed a number of letters by members of the 148th Pennsylvania. They include (to date) the following:

Abraham Fink, Co. C, 148th Pennsylvania (1 Letter)
Francis Stevenson, Co. C, 148th Pennsylvania (1 Letter)
Daniel H. Harter, Co. D, 148th Pennsylvania (1 Letter)
John B. Holloway, Jr., Co. D, 148th Pennsylvania (2 Letters)
Samuel H. Holloway, Co. D, 148th Pennsylvania (2 Letters)
Simon Shuman, Co. D, 148th Pennsylvania (1 Letter)
Staci C. Jones, Co. E, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry (1 Letter)
Shelumiel Swineford, Co. I, 148th Pennsylvania (1 Letter)
Henry B. Hillegass, Co. K, 148th Pennsylvania ( Letter)

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

Camp near Brandy Station, Virginia
April 22, 1864

Dear Friend Henry Martz,

I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you for to let you know that I am well at present, hoping you still enjoy the same. The weather is very nice here at present and we are packing up our over plus of clothing for to send to Washington.

Yesterday Old Grant reviewed our corps and now I think it will be a move before long. Day before yesterday General Hancock reviewed our division and we made a nice appearance. There is nothing going on here at present but getting ready for moving today. We are going to practice at targets.

I will let you know that I am a going to send you ten dollars in this letter and let me know whether you get it or not. If my wife needs any money, why you may give her just as much as she wants. I want you to let me know how my friends are getting along at home there. I want you to give me all the news you can and answer this as soon as you can as I have wrote to you 4 letters already and received no answer yet. Jacob Sturtz is well and hearty and Dennis Hutzel is well and hearty too.

We still hold the Johnnies on the other side of the Rapidan and we are not much afraid of them yet. I like it better here than at home. We have more fun here than at home. No more at present. Your friend, — Mathias Shumaker

Direct to Mathias Shumaker, Co. G, 148th Pa. Vols., 2nd Corps. via Washington

I will send you a present in this letter. The peach trees are in full blossom here. I looks like summer.