Capt. John Reese

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 2514
• Milit-Beg: 22 Aug 1861, Philadelphia, PA
• Milit-Memo: 23 Aug 1861, Camp Ballier, Philadelphia, PA
• Milit-Memo: 30 Sep 1861, Washington, DC
• Milit-Memo: 01 Oct 1861
• Milit-Memo: 05 May 1862, Williamsburg, VA
• Milit-Memo: 31 May 1862
• Milit-Memo: 15 Aug 1862
• Milit-Memo: 06 Sep 1862
• Milit-Memo: Oct 1862, Downsville, MD
• Milit-Memo: 12 Dec 1862, Fredericksburg, VA
• Milit-Memo: 20 Jan 1863, Falmouth, VA
• Milit-Memo: 27 Apr 1863, Chancellorsville, VA
• Milit-Memo: 13 Jun 1863, Manchester, MD
• Milit-Memo: 02 Jul 1863, Gettysburg, PA
• Milit-Memo: Dec 1863, Harpers Ferry, WV
• Milit-Memo: 01 Feb 1864, Harpers Ferry, WV
• Milit-Memo: 08 Apr 1864
• Milit-Memo: 03 May 1864
• Milit-Memo: 07 May 1864, Spottsylvania, VA
• Milit-Memo: 20 Dec 1864
• Milit-End: 29 Jun 1865, Washington, DC
• Census: Jun 1880, Philadelphia, PA

Notes:

Milit-Beg:
John Reese was mustered in and assigned to Company D, 98th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry with the rank of Sergeant.

Milit-Memo:
The 98th PA Infantry was officially organized at Camp Ballier in Philadelphia, PA. Many of the regiment were German immegrants and had military experience in Europe. It is probable but not verified that John Reese, a German immegrant, may of had military experience since he was mustered in as a sargeant.

Milit-Memo:
Eight companies of the 98th PA Infantry moved to Washington, D.C. and were attached to Peck's Brigade, Couch's Division, Army of the Potomac for duty in the Defenses of Washington, DC. Companies G and H joined the regiment in December.

Milit-Memo:
Sgt. John Reese was transferred from Company D to Company C, 98th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry and was promoted from Sgt. to 1st Sgt.

Milit-Memo:
The 98th PA Infantry saw its first action at the Battle of Williamsburg. The regiment lost four dead and four wounded. Sgt. John Reese was unhurt.

Milit-Memo:
During the Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines the regiment made a forced march to Hanover Junction, destroying railroad track and rolling stock. Returning, it crossed the Chickahominy and rejoined the brigade near White Oak Swamp.

Milit-Memo:
Sgt. John Reese was promoted from 1st Sgt. to 2nd Lt.

Milit-Memo:
From Sep 6 through Sep 24 the regiment was involved in the Maryland Campaign, attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. On Sep 12 they crossed to the north bank of the Potomac at Edward's Ferry and then to Rohrersville. On Sep 18 they advanced to reconnoiter Maryland Heights, then on to Sharpsburg. On Sep 20 the regiment was at Williamsport in an unsuccesful attempt to intercept a raiding party. They recrossed the Potomac at Berlin, then proceded to New Baltimore.

Milit-Memo:
In Oct the regiment was attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps.

Milit-Memo:
At the Battle of Fredericksburg, 12 Dec through 15 Dec 1862 the regiment crossed the Rappahannock via the lower bridges and was held in reserve.

Milit-Memo:
Frpm Jan 20 through Jan 24, 1863 the regiment was involved with Burnside's Second Campaign or, as it would later be called, Burnside's, "Mud March." The regiment spent four days, marching and counter-marching in Burnside's Mud Campaignbefore reurning to camp.

Milit-Memo:
From 27 Apr through May 6, 1863 the regiment was involved with the Chancellorsville Campaign. On May 2
the regiment crossed the Rappahannock at Franklin's Crossing and camped that nght in the streets of Fredericksburg. The next day, under artillery fire at dawn, the regiment formed and occuoied Marye's Heights, losing one man killed and one wounded, then pursued the withdrawing Confederates to Salem heights. While at Salem Heights the regiment lost heavily in fighting on the south side of the road, including Colonel Ballier, who ws badly wounded in the foot and had to leave the field. Lieutenant Colonel Wynkoop took command. On May 4 at
Banks' Ford, Sedgwick's Corps is almost surrounded and overpowered. The regiment is sent to reinforce the left flank, successfully driving back a Confederate attack. Sedgwick, with the regiment, retired across the Rappahannock at Banks Ford and returned to its old camp. Lieutenant George Busch was mortally wounded, four men were killed, and three officers and 17 men were wounded.

Milit-Memo:
The Gettysburg Campaign ran from 13 Jun and ended on 24 Jul 1863. On Jun 20 the regiment crossed Kelly's Ford and began building entrenchments, but was withdrawn to follow Lee's Army on its invasion of the north. On Jul 1 the regiment arrived at Manchester, MD. That evening it began a forced march to Gettysburg in response to urgent calls to reinforce Union forces fighting there.

Milit-Memo:
At the Battle of Gettysburg, Jul 2 through Jul 4, 1863, the regiment was commanded by Major John B. Kohler. It brought 406 men to the field. On arriving on the field on the afternoon of July 2 it occupied the low hill north of Little Round Top.

The next day the regiment advanced a short distance. It suffered little from the artillery barrage that preceeded Pickett's Charge, losing most of its 11 men wounded during the battle to sharpshooters.

There are two monuments dedicated to the 98th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment at the Gettysburg Battlefield. The following is from the Sykes Avenue monument: "Leading the march from Manchester Md. Arrived here July 2d about 5 p.m. Immediately charged to the Wheatfield and woods to the left. About dark re-joined the brigade north of the road where other monument stands."

The following is from the Wheatfield Road monument: "The regiment was the advance of the Sixth Corps in its march from Manchester, Md. to the battlefield and occupied this position from the evening of July 2d until the close of battle."

Jul 4 was spent removing the wounded and burying the dead. The next day the regiment started the pursuit of the retreating Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia.


Milit-Memo:
"At its entrance into service, the regiment numbered one thousand and ten men; in the summer of 1862, and subsequently, bodies of recruits were added to it; it was now reduced to three hundred and twenty-nine. Of this number two hundred and twenty-nine re-enlisted for a second term,and were mustered on the 23d. The promised furlough, which had operated as a strong inducement to re-enlist, was long delayed".

"At the close of December, the brigade was ordered to Harper's Ferry. The weather was intensely cold, and the movement, by rail, in box cars, and in open trucks without fire, was attended with great suffering. From Harper's Ferry the brigade marched to Halltown, where the Ninety-eighth was detached and sent forward to Charlestown. Colonel Ballier was made commander of the post at Charlestown, and the companies were comfortably quartered in unoccupied buildings about the town."

Milit-Memo:
"On the 1st of February the long promised furlough was granted, and leaving the one hundred, who had not re-enlisted, at Harper's Ferry, the veterans departed for home. On the 18th of March, the furlough being ended, they assembled at Chester, where they remained until the 26th. They then returned to their old camp at Brandy Station."
"Meanwhile the men left at Harper's Ferry had performed guard duty at the Harper's Ferry prison,and subsequently had been ordered to Halltown, whence they had been sent at intervals on picket to Snicker's Gap. Towards the close of March they joined the veterans at Brandy Station."

Milit-Memo:
Lt. John Reese was promoted from 2nd Lt. to 1st Lt.

Milit-Memo:
"...the regiment moved on the 3d of May on the WildernessCampaign, and on the morning of the 5th, while on the march, was suddenly attacked, before the line of battle could be formed. The One Hundred and Thirty-ninth was in advance, and received the first shock. The enemy, who at first seemed to be retreating, was followed up; but he soon made a determined stand, and fought desperately, the Ninety-eighth holding its ground for two hours under a furious musketry fire, and until its ammunition was all spent, when it was relieved. The loss in this day's fight was one officer, Lieutenant Charles H. Wiedman, and eight men killed, and four officers and fifty-two men wounded".

"The men slept in the rifle pits at night, and in the morning went forward, past their dead comrades, still lying where they fell, and followed the enemy up for nearly two miles, when he was found behind breastworks, and was attacked. By a movement in concentrated force upon the flank, he compelled the Union line to fall back in some confusion. General Getty was here wounded, General Wheaton succeeding to the command of the division, Colonel Ballier to that of the brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Kohler of the regiment".

Milit-Memo:
"On the evening of the 7th the regiment moved away towards Spottsylvania. At four o'clock on the morning of the 11th, eight companies, under Lieutenant Colonel Kohler, were ordered to picket duty near Spottsylvania Court House. The firing upon the picket line was incessant, and these companies lost two killed and four wounded. The remaining two companies were engaged with the brigade, and had one killed and six wounded. The picket was relieved on the 13th, and on the 14th the regiment moved to Anderson's Farm. At evening of the 17th it was summoned back, and marched or rather crept all night, and crossed the breastworks at daylight of the 18th. It was saluted by a shower of shot and shell as it passed the open field, having five men wounded, without an opportunity of returning the fire. At eleven o'clock it was relieved, and marching, crossed the North Anna, but soon re-crossed,and on the 28th crossed the Pamunky, and moved to Hanover Court House."

Milit-Memo:
Lt. John Reese was promoted from 1st Lt. to Capt.

Milit-End:
Capt. John Reece along with the entire 98th PA Infantry were mustered out in Washington, DC on this day.

Census:
He was listed as John Reese, the 40 year old head of household. His occupation was listed as Cigar Packer. Also listed as living in this household were his wife, Rachael G. Reese 33, and his daughter, Matilda M. Reese 8.

Family/Spouse: Rachel G.. Rachel was born about 1847 in PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Matilida Reese was born about 1872 in PA.