Private William. H. Moll (8 October 1835? - 1 April 1910) enlisted in Catasauqua, PA on August 21st, 1861 for 3 years service. He re-enlisted on October 19th, 1863 at Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West, Florida. He was on Furlough during November and December 1863, returning to the regiment on Janurary 2nd, 1864. Private George Moll (1 Jan 1841 - 17 May 1915) enlisted in Norristown for 3 years service on 16 December 1863.

William and George Moll were brothers, the sons of James and Sarah (nee Neuhardt) Moll. William was born in Allen township, Northampton County, PA; George in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, PA. William Moll was baptised on 26 May 1841 by the Rev. J. Yeager. George Moll was baptised on 15 November 1844 by the Rev. Joseph Petizger. In 1860, both William and George Moll were living in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania.

There was at least one older brother of Willam and George Moll, Benjamin (b: abt 1835, d: abt 1913). Little is known of Benjamin Moll other than he was a Farmer in the Bath area of Northampton County. He is mentioned briefly in William Moll's obituary published in the Allentown Morning Call, 3 April 1910.

There is some confusion with regards to George Moll's date of birth, due to various dates listed in his Civil War Pension File. He lists 3 dates in records at the National Archives, 8 October 1835, 10 October 1835, and 10 November 1836. I located a copy of George Moll's baptismal certificate, and unfortunatley it is mutilated with a large ink spot over the area showing his church recorded birthdate. On May 11th, 1908, the Pension Office reviewed this discrepency and determined his birthdate, for purposes of his pension to be the earliest date, 8 October 1835.

Both William and George Moll shared similar physical characteristics. William Moll being 5' 11", George slightly smaller, about 5' 10 1/2" tall. Both men had a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. At the time of his enlistment at age 22, George Moll was a "Laborer".

First Regimental Colors of the 47th Pennsylvania Regiment; Manufactured by Evans & Hassall of Philadelphia. From "Advance The Colors: Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flags" by Richard A. Sauers (Capitol Preservation Committee, 1987).

During the latter half of 1861, the people of Allentown and Lehigh County realized that the Civil War was serious buisness. The time of ninety-day enlistments was over and the Federal army was being filled with volunteers who enlisted for three years, or the duration of the war. On August 5, 1861, Governor Andrew Curtin granted Colonel Tilghman H. Good of Allentown the authority to raise a volunteer regiment in the Lehigh Valley. Companies B, G, I, & K were recruited in Allentown, Company F was recruited in Catasauqua, and Companies A & E were recruited in Easton. The 47th PVI became of great local importance to the community because of it's long record of service on many fronts.

The 47th Regiment spent two months training at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, and on September 20, 1861, was sent south in the defense of Washington. On January 27, 1862, the regiment departed for Key West, Florida, and over the next two years saw action in the Florida and South Carolina coastal areas, participating in the capture of Jacksonville, and the Battle of Pocotaligo, when it had been part of the effort to destroy a railroad bridge over the Pocotaligo River to sever the railroad line between Charleston SC, and Savannah, GA.

From November 15th, 1862 to February 25th, 1864 the 47th garrisoned two strategic posts, Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas and Fort Zachary Taylor at Key West, Florida. Losses due to typhoid and yellow fever were heavy; a few men died of accidents and one was a suicide. The heaviest loss due to disease occurred shortly after the unit's arrival in 1862. Late in 1863 many of the men reenlisted for a second tour of duty. The reenlistment bonus paid to the men was $402.

William H. Moll re-enlisted on October 19th, 1863 at Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West, Florida. He was on furlough during November and December 1863, returning to the regiment on January 2nd, 1864.

Northwest of the Mansfield Battlefield Visitor Center, northwest view along SH-175 (Old Stage Road). Site Marker: Battle of Mansfield or Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864. Confederate Battle Line at 4:00 P.M. - First Phase of Battle: From this point the line extended about 400 yards Northeast, thence East about a mile. It extended about a half mile South from here. SH-175 approximately 3 miles southeast of the Visitor Center. Site Marker: Battle of Mansfield or Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864, Federal Line at 6:00 P.M. - Third Phase of Battle: This point was called "Chatman's Peach Orchard" by Confederates and "Pleasant Grove" by Federals. Dark ended the fight for possession of this water supply of Chatman's Bayou at foot of hill, where Confederates bivouacked. The Federals retreated to Pleasant Hill during the night. Pleasant Hill Battlefield Park, SH-175, north of Pleasant Hill. Pleasant Hill Battlefield Park. Site Marker: Pleasant Hill Battlefield, Village of Pleasant Hill, Founded Here April 1846: Pleasant Hill was occupied by Union armies on April 7, 1964 beginning 3 days of fighting which culminated in the largest battle of the Civil War west of the Mississippi River being fought in and around the village on April 9, 1864.

In February 1864, the 47th was ordered to Louisiana where it became the only Pennsylvania unit to participate in the Red River Campaign of 1864. George Moll rejoined the regiment in Algiers, LA.

The Federal army was to proceed up the Red River to take Shreveport, LA. By taking this city, the Federal army hoped to cut the supply route which linked Texas to Confederate forces in Louisiana and Arkansas. Supported by a fleet of gunboats, the army began the Red River campaign when it moved upriver from Alexandria on May 15th. The 47th PA was attached to the second Brigade of the First Division of the XIX Army Corps for this operation.

As it approached the front, cavalry, infantry, and artillery were met in confusion seeking the rear. The 47th was brought into position on a small elevation. Scarcely had the line been formed, when the pursuing and victorious enemy came pressing on. A well directed volley suddenly checked his course, and he was driven back in dismay. Again he attempted to break the line, and again was repulsed. The 47th succeeded in doing this. During the battle, the 47th made a successful change in position and, along with the 13th Maine, repulsed a Confederate flanking attack. Darkness intervened, and the men lay down in line of battle.

Shortly after midnight the command was withdrawn. The command, wearied and worn, returned to Pleasant Hill on the 9th. The loss was near sixty men killed and wounded; among the former was Lieutenant Swoyer, of company K.

During the night of the 8th and 9th of April, the 47th, retired to Pleasant Hill, 15 miles distant.At Pleasant Hill the regiment was posted on the right of the line, with its right resting on a high bluff.

As it was almost a certainty that the Confederates would follow up their advantage of the day before, the Federal troops were drawn up in line of battle to await the attack. The 1st brigade of the 19th corps formed the right, resting on a ravine, the 2nd brigade was in the center and the 3rd brigade on the left.

The enemy, under command of Dick Taylor, attacked at midday, and the battle raged with great fury until five P. M. At three o'clock the 47th PA was ordered from the right to the left of the line. While passing by the flank in the rear of the 165th New York, an impetuous charge was made by the enemyg causing that regiment to retire before him. The 47th repelled the charge and delivered a counter-charge in force. A desperate encounter ensued, in which the rebels were driven from the field and several pieces of artillery captured.

Although the Confederates had failed to break the Federal army at both Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, they halted the Union advance. The Federal army retreated to Gran Ecore, LA and the Red River campaign ended in failure. During this battle, the 47th PVI lost about 200 men to sickness, killed, wounded or missing. In 1864, the regiment was authorized to display battle streamers in honor of distinguished service in the battles of Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill and Cane River Crossing.

In July 1864, the regiment was again transferred in defense of Washington, where it saw action as part of the Army of the Shenandoah. The 47th PVI first saw action in the Battle of Opequan Creek on September 19th near Winchester, VA. On September 21st, the Federal forces, including the 47th drove the Confederates from Fisher's Hill, about 8 miles south of Winchester.

On October 19th, 1864, during the Battle of Cedar Creek, the 47th experienced its most disastrous day of the war. The regiment occupied a position in the centre of a semi-circle, formed by a curve in the channel of the creek, and in rear of the line of works. When the Army of West Virginia, under Crook, was surprised and driven from its works, the Second Brigade, with the 47th on the right, was thrown into the breach to arrest the retreat. The line was formed while vast bodies of men were rushing pastit. A heavy fog prevented objects from being visible at a distance of fifty yards. Scarcely was it in position before the enemy came suddenly upon it, under cover of the fog.

Photos of the 1999 re-enactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek

The right of the 47th PA was thrown back until it was almost a semi-circle. The brigade, only 1,500 strong, was contending against Gordon's entire division, and was forced to retire, but in comparative good order, exposed, as it was, to a raking fire. Repeatedly forming as it was pushed back, and making a stand at every available point, it finally succeeded in checking the enemy's onset, The lines were re-formed, and the first charge of the Confederates, at 1pm fell upon the Nineteenth Corps, and was handsomely repulsed. The force of the blow fell heavily upon the regiment, but it stood firm, and was complimented on the field by General Thomas.

This success cheered the hearts of all and the army began to take courage. When the final grand charge was made, the 47th PA moved at nearly right angles with the rebel front. The brigade charged gallantly, and the entire line, making a left, wheel, came down on the Confederate flank while engaging the Sixth Corps.

In the subsequent pursit of the Confederates, the 47th led the attack, then was placed on the skirmish line, where it remained until 12pm on 18 October.

The losses of the 47th PA were 65 dead and 110 wounded, more than any other unit involved. During the battle, William H. Moll recieved a gunshot wound, entering in the lower left hip, exiting in the right leg. He was treated initally on the field, then transferred initially to the General Sheridan Depot Field Hospital at Winchester, Virginia. He stayed in Winchester until October 28th, 1864, then he was transferred from Winchester, to the Jarvis General Hospital in Baltimore, MD. William H. Moll recuperated in Baltimore until December 21st, then being released back to duty with the 47th PA, rejoining the regiment in January, 1865.

Cedar Creek was the last major engagement for the regiment, and the remainder of its service in Maryland and Virginia would be spent in guarding the railroads. On May 23, 1865, the men of the 47th Pennsylvania participated in the "Grand Review" held in Washington to celebrate the end of the Rebellion.

In June 1865, the regiment was again ordered south to Georgia and South Carolina for garrison duty during Reconstruction, where it would complete its term of service. William H. Moll served in Charleston, SC during July and August, 1865, then in McClellanville, SC in September and October.

The 47th Pennsylvania was mustered out of service on December 25, 1865, at Charleston, SC, and sailed for home in January 1866. The 47th PVI served for four years and four months, saw service in seven of the southern states, marched more than 1,200 miles and made 12 voyages at sea. The unit lost 5 officers and 112 enlisted men in battle, and 3 officers and 170 enlisted men to disease.