Abraham was born 1838 in Bavaria
Died March 1, 1901 in Philadelphia, Pa.
Info on National Archives cards should be stored on Film Number M382 roll 40.
Note: Last name incorrectly spelled "Meyers" on parts of several documents.
Arrived in the US at New York in 1855, at age 17. Became a US citizen on October 8, 1867 in Pennsylvania (info from Doc. #001, petition for citizenship).
Abraham was "enrolled for active service" and "mustered into service" on April 17, 1861. Enrollment was at Alexandria, Va. as a Private in Captain Samuel H. Devaughn's Company (Mount Vernon Guards), 17th Regiment Virginia Infantry. This company subsequently became Company E, 17th Regiment Virginia Infantry. (Doc. #002, Company Muster Rolls)
Muster rolls show Abraham listed on rolls from April 17, 1861 to August 1862. Cards indicate a one year term of service. One card describes that period as "to May 21, 1862". The first record in the muster rolls lists Abraham's age as 20 on a document dated July 1, 1861 (this does not match other bio info). (Doc. #002, Company Muster Rolls)
A card with "Regimental Return" information from January 1862 has a note reading, "Absent enlisted men accounted for: Sick at Charlottesville". A card for the January and February 1862 muster rolls notes that Abraham was absent, "Sick at Charlottesville". He is listed as present in the next muster rolls for March and April 1862.
A form from a C.S. Army quartermaster completed at Abraham's discharge (Doc. #003) lists additional biographical and personal information. He is listed as born in Bavaria and is said to be age 21 as of July 22, 1862 (the date of the form). At the time, Abraham was 5 foot 7, had blue eyes, a fair complexion and light hair. He was a "merchant" before enlisting. He was discharged at Richmond, Va. His reason for discharge is "his being a non resident of the C. States". Company Muster Rolls for July and August 1862 note that Abraham was "Discharged by action of being a Marylander" (Doc. #002).
Abraham Myers reappeared in records following his discharge from Confederate service. A packet of documents (Doc. #005) from Baltimore are labeled as, "a true copy of bond and parole filed in this office by Abraham Myers, November 29, 1862." The pages originate from the Office of Provost Marshal General, Baltimore. The circumstances behind Abraham's detetntion in Baltimore are unclear.
A card in Abraham's combined military record (Doc. #002, final page) with "Prisoners of War" information notes that Abraham appears on a record of prisoners of war at Old Capitol Prison in Washington D.C. He was arrested by a Colonel Tait and committed on January 12, 1863. According to the card, this information was recorded at the prison on their Register No. 309, part 792. The Old Capitol Prison was located at the site now occupied by the Supreme Court Building.
Additional detail on Abraham's imprisonment exists. A letter (Doc. #004) from the headquarters of the Provost Marshal General for the Defences South of the Potomac in Alexandria, Virginia, documents Abraham's transfer. The letter is written to the Provost Marshal of Washington. It notes, "Colonel, I send you a prisoner, Abraham Meyers, a Confederate Soldier, who has served his time in the Rebel Service, but refuses to take the oath of allegiance: he should be exchanged." Notes on the letter's envelope follow the progress of Abraham Myers in custody: "Abraham Meyers. Prisoner of State. Sent in by Col. Tait who says Meyers has served his time in C.S.A. (1 year) and refuses to take the Oath. Send to O.C.P. Jan. 12, 1863. Disposed of." It was common at the time to challenge captured soldiers and others to sign a Loyalty Oath or an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
Abraham H. Myers served in the E Company of the 17th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Company E was also known as the Mount Vernon Guards.
The following is a list of actions and locations in which the 17th regiment was involved (but not necessarily Company E or Abraham H. Myers). Known dates of Abraham's service are added for context and appear in bold:
Information collected from visit to the Library of Virginia on 10/1/2005.
Microfilm of book titled "Confederate Service Records of Virginia Soldiers 1861-1865, Vol. 2". Confederate Rosters for 17th Regiment, Company E "Mount Vernon Guards", Corses' Brigade lists Abraham Myers. The remarks line next to his name says "Furnished a substitute." The remarks line might be confused with the one above it reading, "Trans. to Navy Dept".
Simon Wolf's 1895 book, "The American Jew as patriot, soldier and citizen," lists an A. Myers in Virginia's 17th Infantry. A Solomon Myers is also listed in the 18th Infantry. (Photocopy made.)