The Hollinger family resided southeast of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Daniel Hollinger was a German Baptist Brethern or Dunker minister. When Daniel's wife, Catherine, gave birth to their third son on November 20, 1822, they named him Samuel. Samuel married Sarah O'Donnel on August 7, 1844. He was, by trade, a carpenter and a maker of wagons. [1][2]
In September of 1864, Samuel put aside his carpentry tools and enlisted for one year of army service. He was 42 years of age. Described on his enlistment papers, Samuel stood 5'8" tall with grey eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. At Camp Curtin, he was assigned to Company F of the 209th PA regiment. His was among the very last companies formed of Cumberland County volunteers. [2]
The 209th was deployed to the battle lines at Bermuda Hundred, VA. On November 17th, while on picket duty and along with eighteen other privates and three officers, Samuel was captured. He was held in Richmond until, on December 4th, he was transferred to Salisbury, North Carolina. [2][3]
Samuel very nearly survived the horrors of a civil war prisoner of war camp. Malnourished and deprived of proper medical treatment, he suffered from chronic diarrhea. But he was still alive when a prisoner trade was negotiated. All Salisbury prisoners were to be returned. The camp was emptied and closed by the end of February, 1865. The healthiest prisoners were promptly released into Union custody, but those too infirm for rapid transit were brought to Richmond before release. Samuel, among the sickest of the prisoners, died in a Richmond hospital on March 2nd, 1865. [2] Samuel may have been among the many anonymously and hastily interred in Richmond. No record of his burial has yet been recovered.
In 1867, the citizens of Carlisle erected a monument called Soldier's Memorial in the town square. All Cumberland County soldiers who died in service are listed by regiment and company. Samuel's name appears on the south side of the memorial.
Sources:
1. The Hollinger Genealogical File at the Cumberland County Historical Society
2. Military File from the National Archives and Records Administration
3. Bates, Samuel; History of PA Volunteers, 1861-5
Samuel very nearly survived the horrors of a civil war prisoner of war camp. Malnourished and deprived of proper medical treatment, he suffered from chronic diarrhea. But he was still alive when a prisoner trade was negotiated. All Salisbury prisoners were to be returned. The camp was emptied and closed by the end of February, 1865. The healthiest prisoners were promptly released into Union custody, but those too infirm for rapid transit were brought to Richmond before release. Samuel, among the sickest of the prisoners, died in a Richmond hospital on March 2nd, 1865. [2] Samuel may have been among the many anonymously and hastily interred in Richmond. No record of his burial has yet been recovered.
1. The Hollinger Genealogical File at the Cumberland County Historical Society
2. Military File from the National Archives and Records Administration
3. Bates, Samuel; History of PA Volunteers, 1861-5
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