He was a railroader, from Willistown who enlisted on Sept. 17, 1861, at the age of 18, for 3 yrs; in Co. C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged on surgeon's certificate at Morris Island, SC, on Aug. 27, 1863. [Reported to have died at Beaufort, SC, Sept. 9, 1863.]
The following is a record of what happened at the time of his discharge:
Privates William S. Renshaw, age 30, from Waynesburg, Pa. of Co. B, and Edward R. Showalter, age 18, from Willistown, Pa., of Co. C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, being excessively prostrated by chronic diarrhea, and helpless, two men of the regiment were detailed to accompany them to the transports, and, being furnished with passes for the purpose, were directed to remain with them as long as possible, in order to see them safely reshipped and started north. The commander of the regiment also personally assisted in getting them started in the ambulances, to see that they had every advantage of favorable influences and to encourage them to keep up their spirits with the hope of a speedy return to home and friends. But, alas! These influences were destined to follow them but a little way. The men appointed to accompany them were not allowed in upon the hospital boat, and were rudely thrust from it while endeavoring to secure the comfort of their comrades. These had to take their chances with the hundreds crowded upon the steamer. There being an entirely inadequate number of attendants, those most debilitated, of course, suffered most.
Of their sufferings and privations there has come no voice to tell. They were never heard of alive again nor has there a trace of them or their effects, papers, etc., been recovered. They rest in the silence of unknown graves and their mourning friends are denied the sad consolation of knowing the places of their burial. It was reported that they both died at Beaufort, and were there buried, but no authenticated confirmation of the report could be obtained. Every effort has been made, both by their families and by the officers of the regiment, to obtain some accurate information concerning them, but without success. An indefinite report, by a member of the regiment, to the effect that Showalter's grave was seen at Beaufort, S. C., with the date of death, September 9, 1863, is the only information that gives any clue to the sad certainty that they died without a friend near to minister to their comfort, or to receive and convey the last message of love to their dear ones. Nor is the fear that they were robbed of their valuables and papers altogether unfounded, when it is known that nothing was ever forwarded to their regiment or friends, the address of both of which were obtainable from the discharge and other papers upon their persons.
--"History of the Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry", Isaiah Price.
The following is a record of what happened at the time of his discharge:
Privates William S. Renshaw, age 30, from Waynesburg, Pa. of Co. B, and Edward R. Showalter, age 18, from Willistown, Pa., of Co. C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, being excessively prostrated by chronic diarrhea, and helpless, two men of the regiment were detailed to accompany them to the transports, and, being furnished with passes for the purpose, were directed to remain with them as long as possible, in order to see them safely reshipped and started north. The commander of the regiment also personally assisted in getting them started in the ambulances, to see that they had every advantage of favorable influences and to encourage them to keep up their spirits with the hope of a speedy return to home and friends. But, alas! These influences were destined to follow them but a little way. The men appointed to accompany them were not allowed in upon the hospital boat, and were rudely thrust from it while endeavoring to secure the comfort of their comrades. These had to take their chances with the hundreds crowded upon the steamer. There being an entirely inadequate number of attendants, those most debilitated, of course, suffered most.
Of their sufferings and privations there has come no voice to tell. They were never heard of alive again nor has there a trace of them or their effects, papers, etc., been recovered. They rest in the silence of unknown graves and their mourning friends are denied the sad consolation of knowing the places of their burial. It was reported that they both died at Beaufort, and were there buried, but no authenticated confirmation of the report could be obtained. Every effort has been made, both by their families and by the officers of the regiment, to obtain some accurate information concerning them, but without success. An indefinite report, by a member of the regiment, to the effect that Showalter's grave was seen at Beaufort, S. C., with the date of death, September 9, 1863, is the only information that gives any clue to the sad certainty that they died without a friend near to minister to their comfort, or to receive and convey the last message of love to their dear ones. Nor is the fear that they were robbed of their valuables and papers altogether unfounded, when it is known that nothing was ever forwarded to their regiment or friends, the address of both of which were obtainable from the discharge and other papers upon their persons.
--"History of the Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry", Isaiah Price.
He was a railroader, from Willistown who enlisted on Sept. 17, 1861, at the age of 18, for 3 yrs; in Co. C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged on surgeon's certificate at Morris Island, SC, on Aug. 27, 1863. [Reported to have died at Beaufort, SC, Sept. 9, 1863.]
The following is a record of what happened at the time of his discharge:
Privates William S. Renshaw, age 30, from Waynesburg, Pa. of Co. B, and Edward R. Showalter, age 18, from Willistown, Pa., of Co. C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, being excessively prostrated by chronic diarrhea, and helpless, two men of the regiment were detailed to accompany them to the transports, and, being furnished with passes for the purpose, were directed to remain with them as long as possible, in order to see them safely reshipped and started north. The commander of the regiment also personally assisted in getting them started in the ambulances, to see that they had every advantage of favorable influences and to encourage them to keep up their spirits with the hope of a speedy return to home and friends. But, alas! These influences were destined to follow them but a little way. The men appointed to accompany them were not allowed in upon the hospital boat, and were rudely thrust from it while endeavoring to secure the comfort of their comrades. These had to take their chances with the hundreds crowded upon the steamer. There being an entirely inadequate number of attendants, those most debilitated, of course, suffered most.
Of their sufferings and privations there has come no voice to tell. They were never heard of alive again nor has there a trace of them or their effects, papers, etc., been recovered. They rest in the silence of unknown graves and their mourning friends are denied the sad consolation of knowing the places of their burial. It was reported that they both died at Beaufort, and were there buried, but no authenticated confirmation of the report could be obtained. Every effort has been made, both by their families and by the officers of the regiment, to obtain some accurate information concerning them, but without success. An indefinite report, by a member of the regiment, to the effect that Showalter's grave was seen at Beaufort, S. C., with the date of death, September 9, 1863, is the only information that gives any clue to the sad certainty that they died without a friend near to minister to their comfort, or to receive and convey the last message of love to their dear ones. Nor is the fear that they were robbed of their valuables and papers altogether unfounded, when it is known that nothing was ever forwarded to their regiment or friends, the address of both of which were obtainable from the discharge and other papers upon their persons.
--"History of the Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry", Isaiah Price.
The following is a record of what happened at the time of his discharge:
Privates William S. Renshaw, age 30, from Waynesburg, Pa. of Co. B, and Edward R. Showalter, age 18, from Willistown, Pa., of Co. C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, being excessively prostrated by chronic diarrhea, and helpless, two men of the regiment were detailed to accompany them to the transports, and, being furnished with passes for the purpose, were directed to remain with them as long as possible, in order to see them safely reshipped and started north. The commander of the regiment also personally assisted in getting them started in the ambulances, to see that they had every advantage of favorable influences and to encourage them to keep up their spirits with the hope of a speedy return to home and friends. But, alas! These influences were destined to follow them but a little way. The men appointed to accompany them were not allowed in upon the hospital boat, and were rudely thrust from it while endeavoring to secure the comfort of their comrades. These had to take their chances with the hundreds crowded upon the steamer. There being an entirely inadequate number of attendants, those most debilitated, of course, suffered most.
Of their sufferings and privations there has come no voice to tell. They were never heard of alive again nor has there a trace of them or their effects, papers, etc., been recovered. They rest in the silence of unknown graves and their mourning friends are denied the sad consolation of knowing the places of their burial. It was reported that they both died at Beaufort, and were there buried, but no authenticated confirmation of the report could be obtained. Every effort has been made, both by their families and by the officers of the regiment, to obtain some accurate information concerning them, but without success. An indefinite report, by a member of the regiment, to the effect that Showalter's grave was seen at Beaufort, S. C., with the date of death, September 9, 1863, is the only information that gives any clue to the sad certainty that they died without a friend near to minister to their comfort, or to receive and convey the last message of love to their dear ones. Nor is the fear that they were robbed of their valuables and papers altogether unfounded, when it is known that nothing was ever forwarded to their regiment or friends, the address of both of which were obtainable from the discharge and other papers upon their persons.
--"History of the Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry", Isaiah Price.
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