This is a Photo of Commisary Sergeant Oliver J. Eckert Regimental Staff , 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, also known by their nickname, “Birney’s Zouaves”. He was born in Philadelphia. He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on August 14th 1861. On September 8th 1861, he moved with the Regiment to Washington D.C, where he was encamped just three miles north of the Capitol on “The Queen’s Farm” at Camp Graham . He was there with the Regiment during the cold winter months and in December of 1861; Typhoid Fever broke out within the Camp which resulted in the Death of Fifty-One men of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was decided on March 12th 1862 to move the camp to higher ground in Bladensburg, Maryland to rid the epidemic and ready the Soldiers for campaign. The 23rd Pennsylvania moved to Bladensburg and were encamped at Camp Clark . He was mustered out with the Regiment on September 8th 1864. He died on June 15th 1883. Oliver is buried at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Philadelphia in Section H, Lot 130, Grave 1. He is on the hill and you can see the old church across the Street from his Grave.
You can view a Photo of Oliver J. Eckert's Grave on Page 62 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemetery pages.
You can view the Obituary of Oliver J. Eckert on Page 13 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Obituaries pages.
This is a Post-War Photo of Private Hugh Purvis (Center) Company F ,23rd Pennsylvania , Three Month Volunteers. He was born in Philadelphia on May 5th 1846. He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on April 21st 1861. He served with the Regiment during thier Three Month Campaign and Battle of Falling Waters . He was mustered out of the 23rd PA on July 31st, 1861. After the War, He returned to Philadelphia. Purvis enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 27, 1869. He reported immediately to the Marine detachment on board the USS Alaska soon departing for the Far East. During the punitive expedition to Korea, he took part in the assault on an enemy fort on the Han River. In desperate hand-to-hand fighting, the sailors and Marines stormed the walls of the citadel. Private Purvis ran immediately to the flagstaff which bore the Korean colors and loosed the halyards. He was joined by Cpl Charles Brown, and the two tore down the flag. For his "inspiring and heroic" act, Purvis received the Medal of Honor.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Alaska during the attack on and capture of the Korean forts, 11 June 1871. Braving the enemy fire, Purvis was the first to scale the walls of the fort and capture the flag of the Korean forces.
He was discharged in 1873 and served two additional tours with the Marine Corps, 1874 to 1879 and 1879 to 1884, rising to the rank of Corporal.
His death occurred on February 12 1922. He is buried at Saint Anne's Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland, in Section Cedar Bluff, Lot 154, Grave 1.
This is a Colorized Photo of Private Hugh Purvis (Center) Company F ,23rd Pennsylvania , Three Month Volunteers. He was born in Philadelphia on May 5th 1846. He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on April 21st 1861. He served with the Regiment during thier Three Month Campaign and Battle of Falling Waters . He was mustered out of the 23rd PA on July 31st, 1861. After the War, He returned to Philadelphia. Purvis enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 27, 1869. He reported immediately to the Marine detachment on board the USS Alaska soon departing for the Far East. During the punitive expedition to Korea, he took part in the assault on an enemy fort on the Han River. In desperate hand-to-hand fighting, the sailors and Marines stormed the walls of the citadel. Private Purvis ran immediately to the flagstaff which bore the Korean colors and loosed the halyards. He was joined by Cpl Charles Brown, and the two tore down the flag. For his "inspiring and heroic" act, Purvis received the Medal of Honor.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Alaska during the attack on and capture of the Korean forts, 11 June 1871. Braving the enemy fire, Purvis was the first to scale the walls of the fort and capture the flag of the Korean forces.
He was discharged in 1873 and served two additional tours with the Marine Corps, 1874 to 1879 and 1879 to 1884, rising to the rank of Corporal.
His death occurred on February 12 1922. He is buried at Saint Anne's Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland, in Section Cedar Bluff, Lot 154, Grave 1.
This is a Photo of Robert Levan Orr Company O , "Birney's Zouaves", courtesy of Brendan Synnamon of The Union Drummer Boy of Gettysburg,PA. He was born on March 28th 1836 to his parents whom died while he was a young boy. His life and training then fell to a maternal aunt. He was educated in the public schools, completing an English course and graduating from Central High in Philadelphia in February of 1853 at the young age of 15. His tastes were for mercantile pursuits, a trade his father had prosperously established himself in. His aptitude and energy won him favor with his employers and his reputation of the knowledge of fabrics and of a salesman of high merit remained with him through a business career that remained with him after The Civil War.
He had scarcely come to manhood when as a volunteer fireman and member of the local militia he had showed that he had quickly conceived that some service was due the public. He had been a member of The Independent Grays and on April 25th 1861 just after the opening of hostilities, he was mustered into U.S. Service of First Lieutenant of Company I, 17th PA Infantry. That service terminated with his muster out as a three month regiment on August 2nd 1861.
One month later on September 2nd 1861, he again mustered into U.S. Service, but this time as a more permanent three year volunteer as a Captain with the 23rd Pennsylvania, “Birney’s Zouaves”, Company O. This thirty day interval between services was recognized by the U.S.Army as a period of reorganization, therefore Orr could claim continuous service in the field from the beginning to the end of the war. On September 8th 1861, he moved with the 23rd Pennsylvania Regiment to Washington D.C, where he was encamped just three miles north of the Capitol on “The Queen’s Farm” at Camp Graham . He was there with the Regiment during the cold winter months and in December of 1861; Typhoid Fever broke out within the Camp which resulted in the Death of Fifty-One men of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was decided on March 12th 1862 to move the camp to higher ground in Bladensburg, Maryland to rid the epidemic and ready the Soldiers for campaign. The 23rd Pennsylvania moved to Bladensburg and were encamped at Camp Clark .The 23rd Pennsylvania had been recruited beyond the maximum of 1,000 soldiers to nearly 1,500 and the War Department decided in late March to transfer 500 men, or five Companies of the 23rd PA to the 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers, a western PA Regiment that had only been able to recruit about 500 men. Under much protest from the men who loved the Zouave regiment, the men reluctantly obeyed the order and the transfer was made.
Captain Orr was now a member of the 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers and sustained the high distinction that preceded him. After Colonial Crosby was wounded at Ft. Stevens and Killed at Petersburg, Orr became the Colonel of the 61st. He had the confidence of his superiors and respect of his men who trusted his decisions and judgment of battlefield decisions. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Petersburg, Virginia on April 2, 1865. His citation reads "Carried the colors at the head of the column in the assault after two color bearers had been shot down". His Medal was awarded to him on November 28, 1892.
Orr was a famous organizer. He married shortly after the war’s end but was soon a widower. He remained that way until his death.
You can view a Photo of the Grave of Robert Levan Orr on Page 39 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemetery pages.
You can view a Photo the obituary of Robert Levan Orr on Page 7 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Traveling Artifacts pages.
This is a Photo of Asst. Surgeon William C. Roller Regt. Staff , 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, also known by their nickname, “Birney’s Zouaves”. He was born in Hollidaysburg,Pennsylvania in 1838. As a young man he opened a Medical Practice in his home town. At the Time the Civil War broke out, he offered his Medical Services in Defence of the Union. He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on August 31st 1861 as an Asstistant Surgeon to Albert Owen Stille and John McGrath.On September 8th 1861, he moved with the Regiment to Washington D.C, where he was encamped just three miles north of the Capitol on “The Queen’s Farm” at Camp Graham . He was there with the Regiment during the cold winter months and in December of 1861; Typhoid Fever broke out within the Camp which resulted in the Death of Fifty-One men of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was decided on March 12th 1862 to move the camp to higher ground in Bladensburg, Maryland to rid the epidemic and ready the Soldiers for campaign. The 23rd Pennsylvania moved to Bladensburg and were encamped at Camp Clark .William was promoted to Surgeon of the 23rd Pennsylvania on June 24th 1862. He was mustered out of Service on September 8th 1864 and returned to his medical practice in Hollidaysburg. His death occurred on March 11th 1897. He is buried at Hollidaysburg Presbyterian Cemetery in Hollidaysburg,PA in Section B, Lot 284, Grave 5.
This Photo was taken in 1864 while Roller and the 23rd PA were stationed guarding Confederate Prisoners at Johnson's Island
You can view a Photo of the Grave of William C. Roller on Page 65 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemetery pages.
This is a Photo of Private George W. Crawford Company D , 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, also known by their nickname, “Birney’s Zouaves”. He was born in Philadelphia in 1840. He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on August 22nd, 1861 . On September 8th 1861, he moved with the Regiment to Washington D.C, where he was encamped just three miles north of the Capitol on “The Queen’s Farm” at Camp Graham . He was there with the Regiment during the cold winter months and in December of 1861; Typhoid Fever broke out within the Camp which resulted in the Death of Fifty-One men of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was decided on March 12th 1862 to move the camp to higher ground in Bladensburg, Maryland to rid the epidemic and ready the Soldiers for campaign. The 23rd Pennsylvania moved to Bladensburg and were encamped at Camp Clark . He was mustered out of Service on September 8th 1864. After the War, He returned to Philadelphia. His death occurred on March 29th 1922. He is buried at Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia,PA in Section 6, Lot 163E ,Grave 1.
You can view a Photo of The Grave of George W. Crawford on Page 75 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemeteries pages.
