98th PVI State Color, 1864.

Jacob Moll
98th PA Regiment Infantry, Company "K"
107th PA Regiment Infantry, Company "G"

Private Jacob Moll served with the 98thth PA Regiment Infantry, Company K. This unit was recruited exclusively in Philadelphia.

Jacob Moll was born in Baden-Württemberg, Germany about 1832. Jacob immigrated to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia in 1856. He was married to a Margaretha Moll (b: abt 1844). Margaretha arrived in New York later in 1856. Jacob was employed as a shoemaker, living with a James Soben, another immigrant in Philadelphia Ward 17 in 1860.

Jacob enlisted as Private on 6 August 1864. On 26 June 1865, he transfered to the 107th Infantry Regiment, and was mustered out on 13 July 1865 in Washington, DC.

After his service, Jabob returned to Philadelphia and lived in Germantown. Jacob became a United States Citizen in 1868. He had the following children:

Jacob (b: abt 1858)
Charles (b: abt 1859)
William (b: abt 1862)
Josephine (b: abt 1865)
John (b: abt 1867)
Joseph (b: abt Sep 1869)
Edward (b: abt 1872)
Anna (b: abt 1874)
Frances (b: abt 1876)
Thomas (b: abt 1878)

In 1880 Jacob was a self-employed shoemaker. His sons Jacob Jr. and Charles are listed as mill workers. Jacob Moll died about September, 1894.

Charles Moll is listed in the 1920 census. He is married to a Margaret Moll (b: abt 1875) living in Philadelphia. No children are listed. Margaret Moll was born in Ireland.

William Moll is listed in the 1920 census, living in Bensalem, Bucks County.

John Moll is lised in the 1920 census, living in Norristown, Montgomery County.

Private Moll joined the 98th PA when it was engaged in the Shenadoah valley campaing of 1864. On 19 September the regiment attacked the Confederates at Winchester, VA, in a battle known as the Third Battle of Winchester or Opequan.

Historical sign at National Cemetary, Winchester, VA. "Third Battle of Winchester Near here Early, facing east took his position on September 19th, 1864. About sundown, he was attacked and driven from it. Retreating south, Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley served in this engagment on the Union Side". My ancestor, Private Jacob Moll, also fought in this engagement

The ground was stubbornly contested, and the 98th PVI was hotly engaged. The regiment drove the Confederates out of Winchester and the southerners retreated rapidly up the valley. The 98th PVI lost one officer, Lieutenant John Heppler, and five men killed, and three officers and nineteen men wounded. Sheridan followed up rapidly, and at Fisher's Hill found the Confederates disposed again to fight. In the engagement which followed, the brigade was selected to charge up a steep hill in face of infantry and artillery fire, and triumphantly carried the difficult position, the colors of the 98th PVI being the first planted upon the works. The loss was only three men wounded.

The Union army now fell back behind Cedar Creek, where early on the morning of the 19th of October, just one month from the battle of Winchester, the rebel army attacked, and were successful in driving a part of the army and making extensive captures. The Federal forces stood firm for a time, and in the desperate struggle which it made to hold its ground, the 98th was frequently shifted, according to the emergencies of the battle, from point to point, all the while under a most destructive fire, and losing, at one time, within a few minutes, fourteen men killed and thirty-four wounded.

The Confederates finally succeeded in outflanking the corps, and in forcing it back. At noon General Sheridan, who was at Winchester when the battle opened, arrived on the field. After a brief respite the army was put upon the offensive, and after severe fighting, the enemy was driven with heavy loss in men and material. Lieutenant Colonel John B. Kohler, while inspecting the pickets as officer of the day, was killed. The army now marched back and went into camp four miles above Winchester.

In January 1865 the corps was ordered to return to the lines in front of Petersburg. Here the 98th PVI served for two months was employed in building forts and breastworks, performing picket duty, and preparing for the spring campaign.

On the morning of the 2d of April, the regiment was formed in line in front of the enemy's works, and with the brigade was ordered to attack. His first line was easily carried, and after a brief struggle his main works were taken. Following up the advantage, he was driven some three miles beyond Hatcher's Run. The brigade then returned and joined the division, and was led towards Petersburg. The Confederates opened fire upon it from all sides. A battery posted near the house, where, in the morning, General Lee had had his headquarters, was captured by the brigade, and the enemy was again driven.

The 98th PVI had one officer, Lieutenant Herman Solbrig, and two men killed, and two officers, and eleven men wounded. On the 6 April the corps attacked the enemy at Sailor's Creek, and captured General Ewell and staff, and a large body of his men. Three days later the entire rebel army surrendered. On April 10th, the 98th PVI returned to Burkesville, where seven hundred drafted men and substitutes, without arms, were assigned to the regiment, and on the following day started on a forced march to Danville, on the borders of North Carolina. Upon its arrival it went into camp.

The necessity for further service in the field having ended, shortly after, it returned by easy stages to Washington, where on the 29th of June it was mustered out of service. Private Jacob Moll was transferred to the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry on 26 June, and was Mustered out with Company "G" of that regiment on 13 July 1865.

From -- "History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5", written by Samuel F. Bates.