Solomon Bittner

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Solomon Bittner

Birth
Marion, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
3 Jan 1903 (aged 72)
Jeddo, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial
Rouzerville, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, USA Add to Map
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Solomon was married twice, first to Elizabeth Ferguson after her death, married Sarah Brown.

Children: Solomon's first wife Elizabeth, three daughters Susan, Catherine and Barbara and baby son Harry Clay Bittner, all died in 1863. The mother and three daughters died March-April 1863 of Scarlet Fever. The baby boy died in October 1863; Elizabeth Bittner, married Jacob K. Row; Lydia Bittner, married George W. Layman.

Children: to his second wife Sarah Brown, Benjamin S. Bittner, Anna Bittner; John Bittner; Reuben W. Bittner; Jacob W. Bittner; Jerome Bittner; Franklin Bittner and George Bittner died in infancy.

Freeland Tribune 25 Feb 1897
Corporal Solomon Bittner quietly celebrated his sixty-seventh birthday at
his home in Jeddo on Monday. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was
living in Franklin county,this state. In October 1862, he responded to the
president's call for more troops, enlisting in Company E, 158th infantry.
During his absence in North Carolina scarlet fever swept over his home,
taking with it his wife and three children within two weeks. At the end of
one year he was honorably discharged, his term having expired. Later he
returned to the ranks, joining Company D, 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war as Corporal in Company D. Mr Bittner has a
good record to his credit, and on the last day of the rebellion he achieved
a distinction of which he feels proud. On the day of Lee's surrender he was
chosen color bearer of General Sheridan's escort, a position which was given
in recognition of his valiant service. He won his title in the cavalry. The
old soldier is a staunch friend of the late General Sheridan. He considers
"Little Phil" one of the greatest of modern commanders. Shortly after the
war Mr Bittner removed to Jeddo, where he has since resided.

To the Loyal Men of Washington Township
(Column 5)

Summary: A letter from Solomon Bittner expressing his gratification to local citizens for the "unbounded kindness and sympathy" they showed his family during its time of need. While Bittner was away "putting down" the rebellion, tragedy struck his family when his wife and children contracted a fatal illness. Having spent thirty days recovering from his grievous losses, Bittner relates that he will be returning to his unit to continue the fight to preserve the country.

Full Text of Article:

When I was drafted to assist in putting down this Rebellion, I left my wife and little ones in your care; and went forth to do battle for my country, relying upon your benevolence and generosity.

I have not been deceived. While enduring the scorching rays of a Southern sun by day, and the damp dews of heaven by night, the weary march, the lonely post, and drenching rains, Death,--the King of Terrors--visited my fatherless household, and bore the partner of my bosom and two of my little ones, unresisting captives to the Spirit land. Upon receipt of this heart-rending news, I went to my commanding officer and obtained a furlough for thirty days; to visit my death-stricken family. I arrived just in time to witness the last moments, and kiss the fevered brow, of my oldest child, who has gone to keep her mother company, amid the shining spheres of deathless glory.

To you, I return my heartfelt thanks, for your unbounded kindness and sympathy, manifested toward my family during their illness, and my absence; and I shall ever remember with a grateful and thankful heart, your noble, self sacrificing, and philanthropic exertions in behalf of my family. I am now about to rejoin my regiment and come weal or woe, I will cling to the flag of my country. That flag torn by Treason's bullets, baptized by the blood of patriots, and kissed by every breeze of heaven; shall be my flag still! I am amazed to find men in your midst who claim to be Union men, abusing the country that has fed them, and fondled them in her lap of ease. They will not fight to "free the negro," they say, but they will fight to fasten the fetters of thraldom upon their own limbs, and like cringing spaniels, follow the bull dog of Treason--Jefferson Davis--to his very kennel! Loyal men of the North! Beware lest "Peace men" and "Copperheads," ruin the cause in which we are embarked, and rivet the shackles of slavery upon us all.

Respectfully yours,
Solomon Bittner
Private, Co. E. 158th Reg't P. I
Solomon was married twice, first to Elizabeth Ferguson after her death, married Sarah Brown.

Children: Solomon's first wife Elizabeth, three daughters Susan, Catherine and Barbara and baby son Harry Clay Bittner, all died in 1863. The mother and three daughters died March-April 1863 of Scarlet Fever. The baby boy died in October 1863; Elizabeth Bittner, married Jacob K. Row; Lydia Bittner, married George W. Layman.

Children: to his second wife Sarah Brown, Benjamin S. Bittner, Anna Bittner; John Bittner; Reuben W. Bittner; Jacob W. Bittner; Jerome Bittner; Franklin Bittner and George Bittner died in infancy.

Freeland Tribune 25 Feb 1897
Corporal Solomon Bittner quietly celebrated his sixty-seventh birthday at
his home in Jeddo on Monday. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was
living in Franklin county,this state. In October 1862, he responded to the
president's call for more troops, enlisting in Company E, 158th infantry.
During his absence in North Carolina scarlet fever swept over his home,
taking with it his wife and three children within two weeks. At the end of
one year he was honorably discharged, his term having expired. Later he
returned to the ranks, joining Company D, 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war as Corporal in Company D. Mr Bittner has a
good record to his credit, and on the last day of the rebellion he achieved
a distinction of which he feels proud. On the day of Lee's surrender he was
chosen color bearer of General Sheridan's escort, a position which was given
in recognition of his valiant service. He won his title in the cavalry. The
old soldier is a staunch friend of the late General Sheridan. He considers
"Little Phil" one of the greatest of modern commanders. Shortly after the
war Mr Bittner removed to Jeddo, where he has since resided.

To the Loyal Men of Washington Township
(Column 5)

Summary: A letter from Solomon Bittner expressing his gratification to local citizens for the "unbounded kindness and sympathy" they showed his family during its time of need. While Bittner was away "putting down" the rebellion, tragedy struck his family when his wife and children contracted a fatal illness. Having spent thirty days recovering from his grievous losses, Bittner relates that he will be returning to his unit to continue the fight to preserve the country.

Full Text of Article:

When I was drafted to assist in putting down this Rebellion, I left my wife and little ones in your care; and went forth to do battle for my country, relying upon your benevolence and generosity.

I have not been deceived. While enduring the scorching rays of a Southern sun by day, and the damp dews of heaven by night, the weary march, the lonely post, and drenching rains, Death,--the King of Terrors--visited my fatherless household, and bore the partner of my bosom and two of my little ones, unresisting captives to the Spirit land. Upon receipt of this heart-rending news, I went to my commanding officer and obtained a furlough for thirty days; to visit my death-stricken family. I arrived just in time to witness the last moments, and kiss the fevered brow, of my oldest child, who has gone to keep her mother company, amid the shining spheres of deathless glory.

To you, I return my heartfelt thanks, for your unbounded kindness and sympathy, manifested toward my family during their illness, and my absence; and I shall ever remember with a grateful and thankful heart, your noble, self sacrificing, and philanthropic exertions in behalf of my family. I am now about to rejoin my regiment and come weal or woe, I will cling to the flag of my country. That flag torn by Treason's bullets, baptized by the blood of patriots, and kissed by every breeze of heaven; shall be my flag still! I am amazed to find men in your midst who claim to be Union men, abusing the country that has fed them, and fondled them in her lap of ease. They will not fight to "free the negro," they say, but they will fight to fasten the fetters of thraldom upon their own limbs, and like cringing spaniels, follow the bull dog of Treason--Jefferson Davis--to his very kennel! Loyal men of the North! Beware lest "Peace men" and "Copperheads," ruin the cause in which we are embarked, and rivet the shackles of slavery upon us all.

Respectfully yours,
Solomon Bittner
Private, Co. E. 158th Reg't P. I

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