Civil War: Joseph Sylvester Merrick

We last blogged (link)about the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, on December 13, 1862. Our second great grandfather, Joseph Sylvester Merrick, and two first cousins* were there.

"Much has been written about the ill-starred soldiers of the Army of the Potomac who died at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, on December 13, 1862, in a doomed attempt to drive the Confederates from Marye’s Heights.  

But few accounts detail the equally brave if futile sacrifice of Brigadier General John Gibbon’s 2nd Division on the plains south of the Rappahannock River that sleet-driven day." 

America's Civil War Magazine (ACWM) November 2001 

The story of our kin is part of that "brave if futile sacrifice."

Grandpa Joseph and his cousins - Elias and Bradford Merrick - enlisted for nine months into the 136th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry in August of 1862. Their regiment was attached to Brigadier General John Gibbon’s 2nd Division. On December 13, 1862, they were part of a small Union force who - against all the odds - broke through the Confederate lines in Virginia.

This was the whole purpose of the Battle of Fredricksburg. But because of miscommunication, no reinforcements were sent in, our ancestors were forced to retreat, and the Union came away with their tails between their legs.

A detailed account of our ancestor's war experience is at the link here. 

Original Military Records (hosted large zoomable files)   

Joseph Sylvester Merrick: Pension Index   Death Certificate   Burial Card

Velorous C Merrick:   Muster Roll    US Register of Deaths   US Burial Register   Pension Index    National Internment Card

Wheeler Otis Merrick:  Pension Index   Death Certificate   Obituary   

Moses Merrick:   Muster Roll    US Burial Register   Burial Card

Bradford William Merrick:   1890 Veterans Schedules   Pension Index   Burial Card

Elias Merrick:    Death Certificate