The following letter was written by Joseph H. Kerschner (1843-1881), the son of Gustavus Kerschner (1801-1872) and Anna Maria Brewer (1804-1890) of Clear Spring, Washington county, Maryland.

At the outbreak of the war, it appears that Joseph was mustered into the service of the United States into the 2d Maryland Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry. He went into camp at Frederick, Md., for drill and preparation for active service in the field. He was called into action in West Virginia and Maryland to repel an invasion, and was in several engagements early in the war. Maryland, being a border state, did not raise many regiments for the Union during the war. As a result many of its pro-Union citizens joined regiments raised in other states. In Joseph’s case, it seems he was able to get a discharge from his regiment in order that he might get a commission in a Massachusetts regiment. However, I could not find any evidence that he was able to do so. By 1864, I found him enrolled in the Freshman Class of Franklin and Marshall College.

Joseph wrote the letter to his older brother, Dr. Edward Kershner, who joined the US Navy as an Assistant Surgeon in January 1862 and was assigned duty aboard the sloop-of-war Cumberland. He was aboard the vessel when she was sunk by the Confederate ironclad Virginia (Merrimac). When she went down, one third of the crew was entombed in her hull and drowned in nearly nine fathoms of water. Kershner went down with the ship and was, by some miracle, rescued in an unconscious condition by an unidentified marine. After service at the Washington Navy Yard he was assigned to the New Ironsides and was aboard in April 1863, during the attack on Charleston Harbor. Kershner served on several ships in the North Atlantic Squadron and after the war, in 1872, achieved the rank of surgeon and then medical inspector in 1890. 

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

Clear Spring [Maryland]
October 6th 1862

Dear Bro. Edward,

I have received my discharge from the Secretary of War and am at home on my way to see the Governor at Annapolis. It reads thus: “The following enlisted men are honorably discharged [from] the service to enable them to accept commissions in Massachusetts regiments. Private Jos. K. Kerschner, 2nd Ma. P. H. B. [Potomac Home Brigade, Cavalry]” I have a certificate of character from Capt. William [F.] Firey and also one from Lieut. J. A. Metz. I have an introduction to [Maryland] Governor [Augustus Williamson] Bradford from Lewis P. Firey, Esq. ¹ I will ask for a commission in the Quartermaster Department & if refused, I will ask for one in the cavalry service. To go in the infantry service is to do which I hope he will not ask me.

I did not know where your ship was for a long while & when at last I heard from it, you were on your way to Fortress Monroe. I left the company on 1st of October and arrived at home on the evening of the 3rd. I would be much pleased to know what you have done with the Governor’s letter. I ought to have it by all means. You said you sent it to Father, He has not received it. I have received your letter of September 28, and also one in care of Father’s. I did no duty while I was sick of the dropsy in September. I am now well.

The company is at Williamsport. My discharge was sent to the Colonel of our brigade by the war Department who sent it to the captain. My discharge is dated August 28th.

I had thought of starting for Annapolis on Wednesday from here but I may defer it a couple of days. Father has a No. 1 crop of wheat & plenty of apples & grapes & pears. If I get a commission, it will be more than a sergeant (Rivers of Balt.) could do in my [ ]. He went to Annapolis but could get no commission. I will not be surprised nor sorry if the same luck should befall me. I told the captain he must take me back to the company again if I did not get a commission.

Mother is not so well as she might be but we all send our love to you. I am glad to hear that [brother] Jacob is got well & better pleased with Germany. I hope I shall soon hear from you again. Your brother. Affectionately, — Jos. H. Kerschner

¹ Lewis P. Firey (1825-1885) was a Southern Unionist who served in the Maryland State Convention, and the Maryland State Senate during the Civil War. He pushed the administration hard in 1862 for a compromise that would end the war. He was the originator of the project for the Antietam National Cemetery.