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HOME > History > History Club > Ken Rudolph - Civil War Diary & Letters
Civil War Diary and
Letters
Presentation to the Annandale History
Club
2002
Ken Rudolph
Also: Civil War Entries in Abraham Rudolph Diary
Ken Rudolph's grandfather, Phineas Sylvester Rudolph (1839-1916) came to Wright County in 1888 and purchased 80 acres in Section 13, Southside Township. He resided on the farm until 1907, when he bought a residence in Annandale. The home farm has been owned in turn by Ken's father, Cecil Rudolph (1891-1975), and Ken Rudolph. Phineas Rudolph was a commander of Buzzell Post, No. 24, G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic), and charter member and Past Master of Fair Haven Lodge, No. 182, A.F.& A.M., of Annandale, which he helped to organize when it was started at Fair Haven. He also served as justice of the peace, town clerk, and school director.
Phineas Rudolph's father (Ken's great-grandfather), Abraham Rudolph (1816-1904), came to Wright County, Southside Township, in 1876 and purchased 160 acres of wild land in Section 14. Abraham Rudolph was a farmer and sawmill operator.
The following is written about Phineas Rudolph in
History of Wright County, Vol. I, 1915:
"He was born in 1839 on a farm in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, and
in 1861 he enlisted in Company A, 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry, and served within 41 days of four years.
He went through the entire Wilderness campaign, and participated in the
siege of Yorktown and the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House,
North Anne, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom and the nine months siege of Petersburg,
and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.
After being mustered out at Braddocks, Pa., in July, 1865, he returned to
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming on a 70-acre farm which
he had previously purchased. He
remained on the farm in Pennsylvania until 1888."
Phineas S. Rudolph kept a diary for most of the time he was in the 105th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Union Army in the Civil War. Ken said that he was fortunate to get photo copies of the diary a few years back. While serving in the Civil War, Phineas Rudolph also wrote many letters to family and friends. Ken discovered many of these letters in his attic. Ken said that his grandfather had a flair for writing. He was also a devout Christian and the diary entries and letters show it in many cases. The following are a few entries from Phineas Rudolph's Civil War diary. The entries are exactly as written, so sometimes the grammar is not correct.
April 9, 1865
There is a flag of truce on. I saw the flag and I saw Colonel Ould, the rebel, exchange some prisoners. It is strongly reported that Lee is about to surrender. Hope he will. 5 p.m. Great excitement among our boys. General Meade came up the line and reported that General Lee has surrendered his whole force unconditionally. What a joyous time -- cheer after cheer rent the air. Salutes were fired and for a time the excitement was beyond description.
April 15, 1865
On guard tonight. A dispatch came in here tonight that the President was shot while coming out of a theater in Washington last night at 10:30 and assassinated along with Senator Seward and his son.
April 16, 1865
We are lying quietly in camp. Strong current reports that Lincoln is dead. (Note: Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865.)
July 11, 1865
We was mustered out this evening.
It was the best roll call I ever answered.
July 18, 1865
In company with Mrs. Cushram and two children, I took passage in a hack for Punxsutawney. Arrived there at 1 p.m. and Father (Abraham Rudolph) was in town. We walked home together. Found the folks all well and now after near four years absence I have got back to my native home healthy and the enemy never succeeded in wounding or mutilating me. I have passed through many strange places and scenes but thanks to an all merciful God I have got through safely.
December 27, 1865
This day was joined in Holy Matrimony to Miss Letitia A. Groves of Washington Township, Jefferson County, Pa. There was upwards of 75 persons at the wedding. Had a fine time. All seemed to enjoy themselves very well. Rained some this morning when I left home but still I had pretty good weather to go out in. I am 26 years and 1 month old.
January 12, 1866
James Drune came to our place this morning and ran the lines of my land. I am getting 70 acres of the north end of Father's land. (This was the completion of the deal to buy the 70 acres which Phineas farmed. This is the land that is mentioned earlier.)
The following is an excerpt from a letter from Phineas Rudolph to Letitia Groves.
Hd. Qtrs. Birneys Division 2nd AC
Camp near Petersburg, Virginia
June 18, 1864
Kind friend Lettie,
We are in the midst of a heavy battle. Our division has been in the fight 3 days and 2 nights. We have taken some very strong works. We took a very strong line this morning at 3 o'clock by a charge and a Yankee Trick. In the first place, our men raised a big cheer and remained still in their breast works. The rebs thought our men were making a charge. They up and fired a while and our boys did not come up. Of course they were still lying in their works. Then the rebs charged our lines. Then our boys gave them a deadly fire, then charged on the rebs that were advancing and drove them back and over their works and we held them.
Phineas and Letitia (Groves) Rudolph were married for 16 years and were the parents of seven children: James, William, Don Canon, Anna Mina, Jennie, John and Amy. Letitia Rudolph died in 1881. In 1883, Phineas Rudolph married Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Nolfe) Patterson, a widow. Four children were born to this union: Charles, Mary Effie (called "Effie"), Larue, and Cecil (Ken Rudolph's father).
Notes by Secretary
Annandale History Club