Obituary Records Page 13

Obituary Records of the 23rd PA
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	This is the Obituary of Sergeant William John Wray Company F , 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, also known by their nickname, “Birney’s Zouaves”. He was born in Philadelphia on May 16th 1845. He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on August 2nd 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 . William John Wray was Wounded at The Battle of Fredericksburg Virginia on December 13th 1862. The bullet went through his left eye and shattered his jaw. The same bullet struck his friend and blanket mate , Patrick Hickey. Hickey carried Wray to safety. Wray was taken to General Hospital in York, PA. William was there being nursed back to health foe the next six months and was assigned to the Veterans Reserve Corps. In late June during the Gettysburg Campaign , Confederate General Jubal Early was attempting a run on Harrisburg. Wray volunteered to defend The Bridge at Wrightsville with McGowan's Invalids. During the Overland Campaign, he was at Fort Stevens when Early made his last attack on the Capitol. Wray, in charge of a Battery that was under severe fire, ordered a change of position of the Battery to prevent it from being deystroyed. He was mustered out of Service on November 23rd 1865. After the War, He returned to Philadelphia and became a Laywer fighting for Veteran Pensions. He fathered Nine children with his wife Lucy. On December 15th 1892, William John Wray was awarded the Congressional Medal of Homor for his Actions at Ft. Stevens.During General Early's advance on Washington, D.C., Sergeant William Wray earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic defense of the Capitol City. At a critical moment during a charge at Fort Stevens, amid a hail of fire and the rush of the Confederate soldiers, Sergeant Wray rallied the men of his company. His death occurred on June 1st 1919 at the Home of his brother Albert Wray, 5412 Webster Street . He was 74 Years Old and was buried in American Mechanics Cemetery in Philadelphia. In 1951 the area was developed and the bodies removed. His body was disinterred on September 11, 1951 and re-interred on September 13, 1951, along with several other Wray family members.He is buried at Philadelphia Memorial Park in Frazier, Pennsylvania in Division F Section 1, Lot 31, Grave 1. William John Wray was a Pennsylvania Freemason,Member of Lodge # 9 . Corinthian Royal Arch Chapter #250. Republican Club of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Fireman (Goodwill Engine Company). You can view Photos of William John Wray on Page 9 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Original Photos pages. You can view the Grave of William John Wray on Page 8 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemeteries pages. You can view Pension Records of William John Wray on Page 1 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Pension Records pages. You can view Burial Records of William John Wray on Page 1 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Burial Records pages.
	This is the Obituary of Sergeant William John Wray Company F , 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, also known by their nickname, “Birney’s Zouaves”. He was born in Philadelphia on May 16th 1845. He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on August 2nd 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 . William John Wray was Wounded at The Battle of Fredericksburg Virginia on December 13th 1862. The bullet went through his left eye and shattered his jaw. The same bullet struck his friend and blanket mate , Patrick Hickey. Hickey carried Wray to safety. Wray was taken to General Hospital in York, PA. William was there being nursed back to health foe the next six months and was assigned to the Veterans Reserve Corps. In late June during the Gettysburg Campaign , Confederate General Jubal Early was attempting a run on Harrisburg. Wray volunteered to defend The Bridge at Wrightsville with McGowan's Invalids. During the Overland Campaign, he was at Fort Stevens when Early made his last attack on the Capitol. Wray, in charge of a Battery that was under severe fire, ordered a change of position of the Battery to prevent it from being deystroyed. He was mustered out of Service on November 23rd 1865. After the War, He returned to Philadelphia and became a Laywer fighting for Veteran Pensions. He fathered Nine children with his wife Lucy. On December 15th 1892, William John Wray was awarded the Congressional Medal of Homor for his Actions at Ft. Stevens.During General Early's advance on Washington, D.C., Sergeant William Wray earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic defense of the Capitol City. At a critical moment during a charge at Fort Stevens, amid a hail of fire and the rush of the Confederate soldiers, Sergeant Wray rallied the men of his company. His death occurred on June 1st 1919 at the Home of his brother Albert Wray, 5412 Webster Street . He was 74 Years Old and was buried in American Mechanics Cemetery in Philadelphia. In 1951 the area was developed and the bodies removed. His body was disinterred on September 11, 1951 and re-interred on September 13, 1951, along with several other Wray family members.He is buried at Philadelphia Memorial Park in Frazier, Pennsylvania in Division F Section 1, Lot 31, Grave 1. William John Wray was a Pennsylvania Freemason,Member of Lodge # 9 . Corinthian Royal Arch Chapter #250. Republican Club of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Fireman (Goodwill Engine Company). You can view Photos of William John Wray on Page 9 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Original Photos pages. You can view the Grave of William John Wray on Page 8 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemeteries pages. You can view Pension Records of William John Wray on Page 1 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Pension Records pages. You can view Burial Records of William John Wray on Page 1 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Burial Records pages.
	This is the Obituary of Private Thomas Hansell Company A , Three Month Volunteers. He was born in Philadelphia in 1841, Pennsylvania, first child of William Frederick Hansell and Elizabeth Wood Hansell. 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 on July 31st 1861. After the War, He returned to Philadelphia.In 1862, Thomas and his cousin Amos Hansell were in a short-lived partnership, A & T Hansell, retail druggists at NW 9th and Noble. Thomas apparently continued this enterprise until his death. On January 29, 1863, Thomas married Johanna M. Taylor. Two days later, on January 31, 1863, Thomas died of consumption at his father-in-law’s home. He is buried in the Taylor plot at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Section 7, Lot 209, Grave 4. This Obituary is from The Philadelphia Inquirer on February 2nd 1863. Oddly enough, his Marriage announcement and obituary were featured in the same Newspaper. Special thanks to Nancy Ettensperger for the information on Thomas Hansell used in this writeup
	This is the Obituary of Lt. Richard Roberts Lippincott Company R , 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was born in Rancocas New Jersey in 1840. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Lippincott. “Come 1860 and the Civil War. R.R. Lippincott and Ella Hansell were sweethearts, too young for marriage but much in love.” He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on September 4th 1861. On September 8th 1861,with the rank of Corporal, 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 . On March 14th 1862, an order was given that Four Companies of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, L,O,P, and R, were to be transferred to the 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers. This order was met with much protest since the men enlisted as the 23rd PA Regiment and did not enlist to fight with the 61st PA. After a time the men obeyed the order. Richard Roberts Lippincott of Company R , now was transferred to Company I of the 61st PA Volunteers. He was Promoted to Sgt Major shorly afterward and then again to 1st Lt on September 12th 1863. He was seriously wounded at The battle of Spotsylvania on May 10th 1864 being shot in the leg and left abdomen. The two Hansell boys searched the battlefield and found him almost dead. They brought him to the ‘field hospital,’ a surgeon refused to attend him— said he would be wasting his time. George said, ‘This man is an officer, he gets preference and you know it. You do everything you can and do it now. This gun’s loaded and one false move from you and you’ll have a minnie ball through your head.’He was sent to General Hospital in Annapolis ,MD to recover.At Annapolis, he was treated for a shell wound of his back and left side until he could be sent home to Rancocas and placed under the care of Dr. Granville S. Woolman. He was mustered out of Service on September 3rd 1864. After the War, He returned to Rancocas, bought the Rancocas Country Store, made it prosper, married his sweetheart, Ella Hansell.1870 Census Richard (age 30) and Ella (age 26) are living in Willingboro Township. His occupation is dry goods and groceries. In 1870, Richard served as the Willingborough Township Clerk. Aunt Ella writes in her remembrances that Richard and Ella were active members of the Lyceum Literary Society. Ella acted as Mrs. Jarley in the Waxworks (a combination of monologue and tableaux production piece for benefit purposes.) 1872 - Richard – Postmaster of Rancocas for $160/Year.“In the 1880’s Richard and Ella built the stone house where I was born. The stone came from a quarry in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Albert Hansell bought carloads of apples from the Pennsylvania Dutchmen and he got the stone cheap. The only stone house in the village. The stone was hauled three miles from the railroad at Masonville across the river to Rancocas.1880 - Richard Granted Civil War Pension Richard was awarded a pension of $8.50 per month. 1880 Census – June 15, 1880 RR and Ella and their three children, Hansell (9), Jessie H. (6) and Ella H. (5) are living in Willingboro with Ella’s parents, James S. Hansell (69), his wife Hannah (69) and son Richard (27).1888 - Richard Attends a Civil War Reunion History of the Twenty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Birney’s Zouaves, 1903- 1904, has a long article on the June 1888 Reunion of Shaler’s Brigade. A three day reunion was held in Gettysburg, hosted by the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers Association; thousands attended. The Fayetteville Recorder newspaper of New York reported: “Captain Dick Lippincott marshalled the Rancocas contingent of fourteen. They roomed together, a most social crowd. We found the squad wherever we went, enjoying the occasion. Dick says he will have to kill some of them off, or they will soon outnumber the survivors.” The contingent included the following: Wilmot Hansell and George Hansell came from Philadelphia. Men from Rancocas are: Richard R. Lippincott, Jos. Lundy, M.B. Friant, Charles Funk, Joseph Wills, J.B. Wilson, John Wells and Emlin Martin.1900 Census – June 15, 1900 RR (61) and Ella (58) are living Westhampton Township. His occupation is listed as salesman. Included in the household are J. Hansell (29, farmer) and his wife of one year, Lida (26). Because of his poor health, Richard gave up the store and was a traveling salesman. His death occurred on May 31st 1901. He is buried at The Friends Quaker Cemetery in Rancocas, NJ. His stone, U.S. Government issue to Civil War veterans, is one of two which proudly rise above the modest Quaker stones. Almost every family in the village and in surrounding farms was represented at his funeral and the line of wagons extended from the cemetery back through the village, almost a mile. Papa told me this as a little boy. No other person in the area, before or since, has been so honored.” You can view a Photo of the Grave of Richard Roberts Lippencott on Page 13 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemetery pages. Richard Roberts Lippencott Bio (Part 1) . Richard Roberts Lippencott Bio (Part 2) . bio Provided by Nancy and Bob Ettensperger.
	The Obituary of Sergeant John W. Parks Company F , Three Month Volunteers. He was born in Dauphin County,PA. on July 17th 1813. 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. He re-enlisted and served with the 28th PA and then the 147th PA until his muster out on July 15th 1865 as a Captain. After the War, He took a poistion with the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1875. He died on April 17th 1919. You can view a Photo of the Grave of John W. Parks on Page 70 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemetery pages. Special thanks to Eileen Campost for the Information.
	The Obituary of Com. Sergeant. Oliver J. Eckert ,23rd Pennsylvania, Regimental Staff , also known by their nickname, “Birney’s Zouaves”. He was mustered in on September 4th 1861. Promoted from Company B on March 11th 1862. Mustered out with the regiment on September 8th 1864. He was a member of the Post 2, Grand Old Army of the Republic in Philadelphia. He died on June 22nd 1883 and is Buried at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Philadelphia in Section H, Lot 130, Grave 1. The Obituary is from The Philadelphia Inquirer on June 22nd 1883.