Thompson, Blanchard, Edelmann, Kraemer, Sparenberg, & Serbe:Information about George J. Kramer

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Home Page |Surname List |Index of Individuals |InterneTree |Sources

George J. Kramer (b. March 21, 1843, d. August 10, 1919)

Battle of Cedar Creek

George J. Kramer (son of John Kramer) was born March 21, 1843 in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and died August 10, 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland. He married Henrietta Sparenberg on 1866, daughter of Fredericke Conrad Sparenberg and Maryana.

Notes for George J. Kramer:
Kreamer George F 6 Md. Inf. Private Private Kraemer George 1838 1838 1838
Kreamer George I 24 Veteran Res. Corps. Private Private 6 Md. V.

6th Regiment Infantry

Organized at Baltimore, Md., August 12 to September 3, 1862. Moved to join Army of the Potomac in Western Maryland September 20, 1862. Attached to Kenly's Brigade, Defenses Upper Potomac, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to March, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps, June, 1863. Elliott's Command, 8th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.--Defense of Williamsport, Md., September 20-21, 1862. Duty between Williamsport and Hagerstown, Md., until December 11. Moved to Maryland Heights December 11-12 and duty there until March 28, 1863. Moved to Berryville March 28. Action at Kelly's Ford June 10. Berryville June 13. Opequan Creek June 13. Retreat to Winchester June 13. Battle of Winchester June 14-15. Retreat to Harper's Ferry, W. Va., June 15-16; thence to Washington, D. C, July 1-4. Join Army of the Potomac July 5. Pursuit of Lee Go Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24, Wapping Heights, Va., July 23. Duty on line of the Rappahannock until August 15. Detached for duty in New York during draft disturbances until September 5. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Culpeper Court House October 11. Bristoe Station October 14. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Kelly's Ford November 7. Brandy Station November 8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Payne's Farm November 27. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River May 3-June 15. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7. Spotsylvania May 8-12. Spotsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient, "Bloody Angle," May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 18-July 6. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23. Ream's Station June 29. Moved to Baltimore, Md., July 6-8. Battle of the Monocacy July 9. Pursuit of Early to Snicker's Gap July 14-24. Snicker's Ferry July 17-18. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 6-November 28. Charleston August 29. Battle of Winchester September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19.Wounded at Cedar Creek
Mustered out June 20, 1865.
F 6 Md. Inf
Regiment lost during service 8 Officers and 120 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 107 Enlisted men by disease. Total 236.

Battle at Chester Gap, Maryland
Battle at Petersburg, Virginia
Battle at Antietam, Maryland on 17 September 1862
Battle at Williamsport, Maryland on 13 November 1862
Battle at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia on 26 December 1862
Battle at Bolivar Heights, West Virginia on 01 January 1863
Battle at Maryland Heights, Maryland on 01 May 1863
Battle at Berryville, Virginia on 03 May 1863
Battle on 13 May 1863
Battle on 25 May 1863
Battle on 26 May 1863
Battle at Berryville, Virginia on 13 June 1863
Battle at Winchester, Virginia on 14 June 1863
Battle at Winchester, Virginia on 15 June 1863
Battle at Winchester, Virginia on 16 June 1863
Battle on 30 June 1863
Battle at Centreville, Virginia on 13 October 1863
Battle at Brandy Station, Virginia on 07 November 1863
Battle at Locust Grove, Virginia on 27 November 1863
Battle at Mine Run, Virginia on 27 November 1863
Battle at Wilderness, Virginia on 04 May 1864
Battle at Wilderness, Virginia on 05 May 1864
Battle on 06 May 1864
Battle at Wilderness, Virginia on 06 May 1864
Battle at Wilderness, Virginia on 07 May 1864
Battle at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on 09 May 1864
Battle at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on 10 May 1864
Battle at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on 12 May 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 01 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 03 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 04 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 06 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 07 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 10 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 13 June 1864
Battle at Petersburg, Virginia on 22 June 1864
Battle at Weldon Railroad, Virginia on 22 June 1864
Battle at Winchester, Virginia on 19 September 1864
Battle at Fisher's Hill, Virginia on 21 September 1864
Battle at Fisher's Hill, Virginia on 22 September 1864
Battle at Cedar Creek, Virginia on 19 October 1864
CEDAR CREEK, VA
OCT. 19TH, 1864

Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. 6th and 19th Army Corps
and Army of West Virginia. On the evening of the 18th the
Confederate forces under Early occupied a position at Fisher's
hill, a short distance south of Strasburg. The Union army was
encamped about 5 miles north, on the north bank of Cedar
creek, in the vicinity of Middletown. The Army of West
Virginia, commanded by Gen. George Crook, lay west of the pike
running from Middletown to Strasburg, probably a mile and a
half north of the former, Thoburn's division (the 1st)
occupying the extreme left. Along the pike and extending west
from it lay the 19th corps, Gen. William H. Emory commanding,
and still further up the creek was the 6th corps, under
command of Mail-Gen. Horatio G Wright, who, in the absence of
Gen. Sheridan, was the ranking officer Still farther to the
right and up the creek was Torbert's cavalry in three
divisions, commanded by Gens. Merritt, Powell and Custer,
respectively.

The Federals had destroyed all the supplies between Cedar
creek and Staunton, making it necessary for Early to transport
all his rations, feed, etc., from the latter place by wagons-a
somewhat difficult task- and for several days the Confederates
had been expected to either attack or fall back for supplies.
Reconnaissances on the 18th showed no enemy in the immediate
front, and it was generally believed that they had retreated
up the valley. To make sure, however, Wright issued orders
that evening for two brigades to make another reconnaissance
the next morning. One of these was to move up the Strasburg
pike and the other was to take the Back road, some 3 miles
west and nearly parallel to the pike. Both were to move at
dawn and to go forward until the enemy was found and strongly
felt, in order to learn his intentions.

From the signal station at the end of Three-top mountain,
which overlooked all of Sheridan's camps, Capt. Hotchkiss had
on the 17th made a map of the Federal position, and it was
from this map that Early planned his attack. At midnight, on
the 18th, Kershaw and Wharton marched from Fisher's hill to
Strasburg, where they separated, Wharton continuing on up the
pike to Hupp's hill, while Kershaw turned to the west along a
by-road leading to Bowman's mill. Gordon, Pegram and Ramseur
had marched several hours before, moving along the base of
Three-top mountain to the North Fork of the Shenandoah at
Bowman's ford, where they crossed and gained position on the
Union left. Rosser's command was moved by the Back road to
attack the cavalry.

At the first blush of dawn on the 19th the Federals were
aroused from their slumbers by the roar of artillery and the
rattle of musketry. The attack was commenced by Kershaw and
fell upon Thoburn's division. Before the men had time to
form, the Confederates, fired by the prospects of victory,
were among them. The division was swept from its position,
many of the men and 7 guns being captured. These were
immediately turned upon the retreating troops. The corps
commanders Wright, Emory and Crook, exerted themselves to form
a line, with Hayes, and Kitching's divisions as a base, west
of the pike for the defence of the road. Pursuant to the
order of the evening before Molineux's brigade was in line,
ready to start upon its reconnaissance. This brigade was
ordered by Emory to cross the pike and take position on a
wooded ridge, in order to support Crook, while Wright ordered
two more brigades to the same locality. Had this movement
been carried out it would no doubt have checked the advance of
the enemy in the beginning of the engagement. But before the
line could be formed Gordon and Ramseur suddenly debouched
from the woods west of the pike and struck the divisions of
Hayes and Kitching on the flank. These divisions were without
intrenchments of any kind and the men, already demoralized by
the retreat of Thoburn's division, could not withstand the
sudden and unexpected assault. The line broke, thus exposing
the 19th corps to an enfilading fire for its entire length.
Under the circumstances Wright issued the order for the 6th
and 19th corps to fall back. A dense fog prevailed and some
confusion resulted in the execution of the movement, but the
batteries of the 6th corps finally took a position on the
ridge near the cemetery west of Middletown, where they did
such effective work that the enemy was compelled to halt and
strengthen his lines. About the same time Ramseur and Pegram
sent word to Early that they must have reinforcements on the
Union left or they would be unable to break through.
Wharton's division, the men of which were busy in plundering
the evacuated camp of the 19th corps, was rallied and sent to
their assistance. Wharton was met by a destructive fire from
the infantry of Getty's division, now commanded by Brig.-Gen.
L. A. Grant, before which the whole line recoiled, and while
the confusion existed Grant charged and drove Wharton back
down the hill. The charge was met by a discharge of
artillery, all the enemy's guns being concentrated on the
division, which was compelled to fall back. It was in this
charge that Brig.-Gen. Bidwell fell mortally wounded.

A little after 8 o'clock the fog lifted and the movement
of troops could be directed with more intelligence. In the
early part of the engagement the general movement of the Union
forces had been toward the left, to confront the enemy in his
attack on that portion of the line. In falling back they had
maintained a position en echelon, each corps being farther
north than the one on its left, and the charge of the 6th
corps was well to the Confederate right. To make matters
worse for the Confederates the attack of Rosser on the Union
cavalry had not been so successful as that of the infantry on
the left. Here the order of the previous evening redounded to
the advantage of the Federal arms. The 1st and 3rd divisions
were both stirring before daylight, preparing to send men on
the reconnaissance, and when Custer's pickets were driven in
the men were promptly ordered into the saddle to repulse the
attack that they felt sure was coming. Forming the cavalry on
the right of the infantry Torbert sent his trains to the rear,
and when Rosser advanced far enough for the cavalry batteries
to open on his line he was greeted by a fire that drove him to
the shelter of the woods near by, where he remained until the
tide of battle was turned in favor of the Union side. In the
meantime Powell's division was holding Lomax's cavalry in
check at Front Royal, so that the cavalry attack might be
characterized as a failure. After the fog lifted Wright
ordered all the cavalry to the left. Leaving three regiments
to hold Rosser in check, Torbert promptly made the transfer.
The 1st brigade, 2nd division, under Col. Moore, which had
been stationed at Burton's ford as a picket, was cut off by
Gordon, but rejoined the main body at Middletown, having made
a detour around the Confederate right. Seeing the Federals
massing their strength in this quarter, Early crowded his
troops farther to the eastward to prevent his right wing from
becoming enveloped.

When the fight commenced Gen. Sheridan was at Winchester,
where he had paused on his return from Washington. Reports of
the cannonading reached him early in the morning, but not
attaching much importance to it he remained at Winchester
until two hours later, when it became certain that a battle
was in progress. Mounting his horse he started for the scene.
On the way he met and turned back many of his men who were
straggling to the rear. Inspired by the example of their
intrepid commander they hurried back to the front and took
their places in line with a determination to do or die. Under
Sheridan's orders the line of battle was formed on the
prolongation of Getty's line and a temporary breastwork of
logs, rails, etc., hastily constructed. Early advanced and
attacked, the assault falling principally on the 19th corps,
which bravely withstood the shock and after some severe
fighting the Confederates were driven back. At 4 p. m.
Sheridan ordered a general advance. Early's promised victory
became a defeat and the defeat became a rout. Custer's
gallant charge with his division of cavalry was closely
followed by a combined movement of all the Federal forces and
the enemy was forced back across Cedar creek. The
difficulties in crossing added to the confusion and all
efforts to rally the men were vain. Custer's division and
Devin's brigade of Merritt's pursued the routed mass to
Fisher's hill, a distance of over 3 miles, the road all the
way being covered with abandoned artillery, wagons, caissons
and ambulances. The Federal loss was 644 killed, 3,430
wounded and 1,591 missing. Most of the missing men belonged
to Thoburn's division and were captured in the first attack.
Early stated his casualties as being "about 1,860 killed and
wounded, and something over 1,000 prisoners." The 24 cannon
lost by the Union troops in the morning were all recaptured
together with 24 pieces that had belonged to the enemy.
Scores of wagons were piled up and burned by the Federal
cavalry and 56 ambulances fell into Sheridan's hands. This
battle broke the Confederate hold upon the Shenandoah Valley.
Although Early remained for some time in that part of the
state he did not again assume the aggressive until Sheridan
withdrew to Kernstown. (See Cedar Creek, Va., Nov 12, 1864)

CEDAR CREEK, VA
NOV. 12TH,1864

Cedar Creek, Va., Nov. 12, 1864. Sheridan Cavalry Corps.
After the battle of Cedar creek on Oct. 19, the Confederate
forces under Early retreated to New Market, where they
remained inactive for about three weeks. On Nov. 9, Sheridan
withdrew to Kernstown and the next day Early advanced down the
pike, crossed Cedar creek and took up a position at
Middletown. On the 12th Sheridan ordered Powell's division of
cavalry to move out on the Winchester and Front Royal pike,
while Custer moved via the Middle and Back roads and Merritt
on the Valley pike to learn the enemy's intentions. At
Nineveh Powell met and routed Lomax's division of cavalry,
capturing their 2 pieces of artillery 3 wagons, 50 horses, 2
battle flags and 161 prisoners. The Confederates here lost 20
killed and 35 wounded, Powell's loss being 2 killed and 15
wounded.

Custer struck Rosser's cavalry about 4 miles north of
Cedar creek and drove him back to the other side with severe
losses, several being killed and wounded and 16 captured.
Merritt engaged a body of Confederate infantry about dark and
skirmished with them until 10 p. m., when he returned to camp.
Meantime detachments of infantry were sent out to the support
of the cavalry, as it looked like an engagement was imminent
the next day, but when morning came it was found that Early
had retreated during the night and taken up his old quarters
at New Market.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 5

Cedar Creek, Battle of

Cedar Creek, Battle of, important military engagement of the American Civil War, fought on October 19, 1864, near Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Shenandoah River, in Shenandoah County, Virginia. The action began when a Confederate force of about 18,000 men under General Jubal A. Early made a surprise attack on contingents, totaling about 31,000 troops, of the Army of the Shenandoah, commanded by the Union general Philip H. Sheridan. Early's forces struck at dawn under the cover of fog and darkness, overrunning the Union positions, and by midday they had succeeded in advancing as far as Middletown, Virginia. Meanwhile, Sheridan, who had been absent from the front on official business, rejoined his army after a fast ride from Winchester, Virginia, and assumed command. Late in the afternoon he ordered a general counter-offensive, which broke through the Confederate lines. Early's army retreated in panic, pursued by Sheridan's cavalry across Cedar Creek to Woodstock, Virginia. Union casualties were 644 killed, 3430 wounded, and 1591 missing; Confederate casualties were about 320 killed, 1540 wounded, and 1050 missing. As a result of their defeat at Cedar Creek, the Confederate forces made no further attempts to strike the North through the Shenandoah Valley. Sheridan's famous ride from Winchester and its aftermath, one of the most dramatic episodes of the Civil War, are the theme of "Sheridan's Ride," by the American poet Thomas Read.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
"Cedar Creek, Battle of," Microsoft� Encarta� Online Encyclopedia 2000
http://encarta.msn.com � 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

24th Corps

Bermuda Hundred; Fort Fisher; Petersburg; Hatcher's Run, March 30th; Fort Gregg; Rice's Station; Fall Of Richmond; Clover Hill; Appomattox.

The white troops of the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps were assembled in one command, and organized, December 3, 1864, as the Twenty-fourth Corps, with Major-General Edward O. Ord in command. The troops of the Tenth Corps were assigned to the First and Second Divisions, while the regiments of the Eighteenth Corps were placed in the Third Division. The three divisions were commanded by Generals Foster, Ames and Devens, and were stationed on the north bank of the James, in front of Richmond. As before the consolidation, these troops remained in the Army of the James.

Ames' (2d) Division did not remain long in the corps. In December, 1864, it left its quarters and embarked for North Carolina, forming part of Butler's expedition to Fort Fisher. Butler's troops returned without having accomplished anything; but, in January, Ames' three brigades were ordered to return to Fort Fisher, this second expedition being entrusted to the command of General Alfred H. Terry, the former commander of the Tenth Corps. Abbott's Brigade, of the First Division, also accompanied Terry's Expedition. These troops --Ames' Division and Abbott's Brigade -- were the ones which won the famous victory at Fort Fisher, January 15, 1865. They never rejoined the Twenty-fourth Corps, but remained in North Carolina, where they formed a nucleus for a revival of the organization of the Tenth Corps.

In December, 1864, while Ames' Division was absent on the first expedition to Fort Fisher, the Twenty-fourth Corps was reinforced by the First Division, Eighth Corps. This was a veteran body of troops--formerly Thoburn's Division--which had seen long and active service in West Virginia and in the Shenandoah Valley. It was transferred to the Twenty-fourth Corps, the fighting in the Valley having ended, and arrived December 25th on the banks of the James, where it took possession of the abandoned quarters of the Fort Fisher division. These troops from West Virginia (9 regiments) were designated an Independent Division, and General John W. Turner, formerly a division-general in the Tenth Corps, was assigned to its command. The Twenty-fourth Corps now consisted of three divisions, Foster's, Devens' and Turner's, containing 42 infantry regiments, and numbering 18,148 present for duty, equipped.

On January 1, 1865, General Butler was relieved from the command of the Army of the James--Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Corps--and General Ord was appointed in his place. Major-General John Gibbon, an able and distinguished division-general of the Second Corps, became the commander of the Twenty-fourth. But little fighting had occurred on the north bank of the James since the organization of the corps, except a minor affair at Spring Hill, December 10, l864:, in which Longstreet made a sortie against the extreme right of the Union line.

On the 27th of March, 1865, Foster's and Turner's Divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps, with one division of the Twenty-fifth, all under command of General Ord, Army of the James (General Gibbon commanding his corps), crossed to the south banks of the James and Appomattox Rivers, and joined the main army at Hatcher's Run, where they participated in the preliminary movements of the final, grand campaign. In the general and victorious assault on Petersburg, April 2, 1865, the Twenty-fourth Corps was assigned to the duty of assaulting Forts Gregg and Whitworth, which they carried by a determined and brilliant attack; but not without a serious loss, and a final struggle in which bayonets were used. General Gibbon describes this assault as one of the most desperate in the war.

The fall of Petersburg immediately followed as the result of the victorious assaults of the Twenty-fourth, Sixth, and Ninth Corps, after which the Twenty-fourth joined in the pursuit of Lee's Army. During this pursuit it had a sharp fight, April 6th, at Rice's Station, or High Bridge. On April 9th, the day of Lee's surrender, the corps was sharply engaged in the forenoon, the Twenty-fourth Corps having the honor of making the last infantry fight of that campaign, and of the war. Gibbon arrived at Appomattox Court House about ten o'clock, and intercepted Lee's troops who were driving the cavalry back in their attempt to escape. General Ord, commanding at that time the Twenty-fourth, Fifth, and Twenty-fifth (colored) Corps, states that the arrival of his command was opportune; that "in spite of General Sheridan's attempts, the cavalry was falling back in confusion before Lee's infantry ;" and that his troops "soon deployed and went in, Gibbon at double-quick, with Foster's and Turner's Divisions in beautiful style." After a short, sharp action a white flag appeared at an adjoining part of Ord's line, whereupon the Twenty-fourth Corps was ordered to cease firing. The last infantry-volley of the war had been fired. This fight, on the day of Lee's surrender, was known by the troops as Clover Hill. During this campaign, March 29th to April 9th, --from Hatcher's Run to Appomattox -- the Twenty-fourth Corps lost 149 killed, and 565 wounded; total, 714.

When General Ord moved the Army of the James to Petersburg, March 27, 1865, he left Devens' (3d) Division of the Twenty-fourth, and one division of the Twenty-fifth, in front of Richmond, on the north bank of the James. Upon the fall of Petersburg these troops, under General Weitzel, the commander of the Twenty-fifth Corps, marched on Richmond, and encountering little or no opposition entered that city on the 3d of April. Foster's and Turner's Divisions returned to Richmond after the victory at Appomattox, and the corps remained in Virginia until August 1, 1865, when the existence of the organization ceased officially, many of the regiments having already returned to their homes. Although this corps does not display any long list of battles, it should be remembered that its regiments were veterans of many hard-fought fields before they were assigned to it. They had withstood the shock of many battles, and their banners were inscribed with the names of historic fields.

[Br�derbund Family Archive #131, Ed. 1, Veterans' Schedules U.S Selected States\Counties, 1890, Date of Import: Dec 4, 2000, Internal Ref. #1.131.1.8050.11]

Individual: Kramer, George
State: Maryland
County: Baltimore Co.
Location: Baltimore Enumeration District 104
Microfilm Page: 1
The following miscellaneous information is provided about the individual: A comment indicated this name was an AKA or alias.

Database: Baltimore, Maryland Directories, 1890
Combined Matches: 4

Name Business Name Occupation Location 1 Location 2 City State Year
John Hensel driver 1141 Wicomico Baltimore MD 1890
John Hensler driver 1141 Wicomico Baltimore MD 1890
Geo J Kraemer tinner 1141 Wicomico Baltimore MD 1890
Wm G Vetters laborer 1141 Wicomico Baltimore MD 1890

More About George J. Kramer:
Burial: August 12, 1919, Western Cemetery Lot 184 W.
County/State: County/State: Baltimore Co., Maryland.⁹⁴
Location: Location: Baltimore Enumeration District 104.⁹⁴
Occupation 1: 1870, Wood Turner.
Occupation 2: Labor.
Page: Page: 1.⁹⁴

More About George J. Kramer and Henrietta Sparenberg:
Marriage: 1866

Children of George J. Kramer and Henrietta Sparenberg are:

+Katherine Kraemer, b. April 28, 1867, Baltimore, Maryland, d. August 04, 1927, Baltimore, Maryland.
+Mary Louise Kraemer, b. 1870, d. date unknown.
Karl Frederick Kramer, b. July 28, 1871, d. date unknown.
+Elizabeth Kraemer, b. December 26, 1874, d. July 12, 1949.
George Kraemer, b. 1875, d. date unknown.
+John Kraemer, b. May 1879, d. date unknown.
Margaret Kraemer, b. April 1888, d. August 1965, Baltimore, Maryland (Baltimore City Hospital).