Franklin County: "Captain Andrew R. Davison Writes Letter to the Late Jacob Pensinger Telling of the Death of Simon Rupley and the Wounding of Others at Chancellersville," by Andrew R. Davison, April 23, 1920
Summary: A letter tells of the death of a soldier who continued to fight even after his enlistment had run out.
It was a Brave, True and Loyal Spirit that Prompted Simon Rupley to Fight as a Private Citizen in the Ranks with His Commands After His Enlistment Had Expired
During the Civil War, the late Jacob Pensinger received the following letter from Captain Andrew R. Davison, who was in comand of Company K. during the battle of Chancellersville. All soldiers memtioned in the letter were Greencastle boys, some of whom were serving their inlistment. Mr. William Snively mentioned in the letter is a resident of Greencastle.
Camp near Fatmouth, Va.
May 7th. 1863.
Mr. Jacob Pensinger
Dear Sir:-Having arrived in camp late last evening, I take this the first opportunity to inform you of the death of Sergt Simon W. Rupley of my Company. He was severely wounded in the action near Chancellersville about 11 o'clock A. M. on the third of May and died on the evening of that day in the hospital of our division.
In him we have lost one of the best soldiers in the company, and Greencastle certainly one of its best citizens. I have received from the surgeon in charge of the hospital what notions he had in his pockets when he died, Viz-1 pocket book containing $7.65, 1 knife, comb, testament and etc. He was buried in a coffin near the hospital.
You please communicate these facts to his wife and oblige.
Yours respectfully
Capt. A. R. Davison, Co. K.
P. S. - Your brother David escaped unhurt. Lieutenant Rowe is severely wounded though not dangerously, George Missavy died of his wounds. John Rebinsoa, Wm. F. Rupert, Scott K. Snively, Iac Winger and John Beamisdefer were all slightly wounded. In Co. B, Johnathan Bowman is missing I don't know who are wounded.
Wm. H. Snively of Co. K. is also missing and I suppose taken prisoner, at least we have not heard from him since the action.
I will take the articles from Sergt. Rupley home
with me when I come home which will be between 15th and 20th of month.
Andy.
Mr. Rupley's death was all the more sad owing to the fact, that his time of inlistment had expired and there was no need for him going into battle, other than his own sense of duty. It was a brave, ture and loyal spirit that forced him to fight as a private citizen in the ranks with his comrads after his enlistment had expired. He could have saved his life, but to savd his country was his thought and purpose, and to that end he went into battle and laid his life upon its alter. that through his death and thousands like him, liberty might live and transcend the ages
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Kauffman Progressive, April 23, 1920
