Union and West End Cemetery

The Union and West End Cemetery is located in center city Allentown. The main entrance is on 10th Street at 10th and Chew Streets. The cemetery is mantained by a dedicated group of volunteers. Ten board members (also volunteers) serve the cemetery association and manage the finances, make application for grants, solicit donations and participate in the maintenance of the cemetery.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

 

Captain Charles A. Mickley


Charles A. Mickley enrolled in the service of the Union Army on September 18, 1861. He was given the rank of Captain and put in charge of Company G of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The various companies were uniformed and equipped as they were mustered in. The commander of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment was Colonel Tilghman H. Good of Allentown, Lehigh County.

From Harrisburg the regiment proceeded to Washington, arriving on the 21st of September. Upon its arrival it was stationed on Kalorama Heights until the 27th, when it was ordered to move across the Chain Bridge and join the advance of the army. It encamped at Fort Ethan Allen, and was assigned to the third Brigade of General W. R. Smith's Division. It had been armed by the state with the Mississippi Rifle, and drilled exclusively in light infantry tactics. Its commanding officer, Colonel Tilghman H. Good, was a strict disciplinarian, having for years commanded the Allen Rifles, a militia company well known in Pennsylvania for its efficient drill. At the approach of winter the soldiers of the Forty-seventh were not forgotten by their friends at home. Gloves, blankets and articles of clothing, to protect them fro the chilling blasts of winter, were provided in abundance.

The regiment moved with the brigade and division to Camp Griffin, and on the 11th of October, participated in the grand review at Bailey's Cross Roads. On the 22nd of January, 1862, the regiment was, at the request of Bridagier General Brannan, then commanding the third Brigade, ordered to accompany him to Key West, Florida. Exchanging the Mississippi for the Springfield rifle, it left Washington on the 23rd, for Annapolis, and then it embarked on the steamship Oriental, for Key West, on the 27th. The men suffered from fevers incident to the climate, and many of its members died. Remaining until the 18th of June, it embarked with the brigade for Hilton Head, South Carolina, where it arrived on the 22nd of Jyly, when it was ordered to participate in the attack upon Secessionville, but was not engaged. It then moved to Beanfort, where it was brigaded with the Sixth Connecticut, Seventh New Hampshire and Eighth Maine. A large portion of the forces here were about this time sent north, in consequence of which, the duty became onerous, it being necessary to picket the entire island. For its attention to duty, discipline and soldierly bearing, the regiment received the highest commendation from Generals Hunter and Brannan.

General O. M. Mitchell assumed command of the Department of the South on the 16th of September, and an expedition was soon after fitted out to penetrate Florida, and remove the obstructions in the St. John's River. The force selected consisted of the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania, Seventh Connecticut, First Connecticut Battery, and one company of the First Massachusetts Caralry, all under the command of General Brannan. Landing at Maysport Mills, on the 1st of October, the campaign was opened by operations directed against St John's Bluff, a strongly fortified point, five miles from the mouth of the St. John's River. Moving on the second through swamps and pine woods, by a circuit of twenty-five miles, the Forty-seventh in advance, constanly skirmishing with, and driving the enemy as they went, the command bivouacked at night, in rear of the fort, in sight of the rebel works. The gunboats were continually exchnaging shots with the fort during the night. In the morning, the brigade was formed, and moved to the assault, but found that the rebels had evacated under cover of darkness, leaving eleven pieces of artillery, in excellent order, and an immense quantity of ammunition. Companies E and K, under command of Captain Yard, were sent in pursuit of the retreating foe, and, after a sharp skirmish, took possession of Jacsonville, Florida. Thence the two companies proceeded, on the 6th, by steamer Darlington, two hundred miles up the river, where the rebel steamer Governor Milton was captured, and safely conveyed within the Union lines. The artillery, ammunition and materials captured at St. John's Bluff, were placed upon steamers, and with the command were taken to Hilton Head, where they arrived on the 7th, the object of the expedition having been accomplished, with a loss to the Forty-seventh of only two wounded.


On the 21st, the command proceeded to destroy the railroad bridge over the Pocotaligo River, and sever communications between Charleston and Savannah. A landing was effected at Makey's Point, and it proceeded without delay, the Forty-seventh in advance, toward the bridge. The brigade was commanded by Colonel Good, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander commanding the regiment. Advancing a few miles, over an open, rolling country, it suddenly received a heavy fire from a rebel field battery. The brigade was deployed the front, passing the artillery, and drove the enemy from his position. At Frampton the rebels were found posted in a wood with infantry and artillery. The approach to their position was over an open cotton field. The brigade was formed in line of battle, with two companies thrown forward as skirmishers, and charged upon the enemy in the face of a terrific fire. This bold movement has the desired effect. The affrighted enemy fled in percipitation. Pursuit was immediately given, and after an exciting chase of four miles, he was found in force at Pocotaligo Bridge. A revine here ran between the Union line and the enemy. The Forty-seventh was ordered to relieve the Seventh Connecticut, and forming upon the edge of the stream, for two hours kept up an uninterrupted fire. The enemy being strongly posted behind works, and receiving reinforcements, poured forth a murderous fire upon the Union line, frustrating every attempt to cross the ravine. The ammunition of the artillery was entirely exhausted, and night coming on, the command was withdrawn, and returned unmolested to Mackey's Point. Captains Mickley and Junker, and eighteen enlisted men were killed, and one hundred and fourteen wounded. The officers and men were complimented in general orders for their gallantry. On the 23rd it returned to Hilton Head.

Captain Charles Mickley, Company G, Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was killed. The circumsatces of his death are not known. His remains were returned to Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania and buried in the Union and West End Cemetery in the family plot.


Charles Mickley, 27 Jan 1832 - 22 Oct 1862
Eliza Mickley, 31 May 1828 - 10 Jul 1891
Catherine Steckel, 10 Jan 1803 - 25 Feb 1888
Carolina Paul, 18 Aug 1857 - 2 Feb 1882
Winfield Scott Mickley, 1 Jan 1848 - 15 Aug 1871
John H. Mickley, 13 Sep 1859 - 11 Jan 1865
Thomas F. Mickley, 14 Pct 1854 - 1 Feb 1931






Grave of Captain Charles Mickley


Captain Mickley was thirty years of age when he was killed. His wife, Eliza, lived until 1891, surviving Charles by twenty-eight years and dying at age sixty-three. They were married sometime prior to 1848. Catherine Steckel, who died at 82 years of age, is believed to be Eliza's mother. Ella's father, Peter Stekel, and Catherine lived in North Whitehall Township in 1860. Under occupation, Peter who was 72 years of age at the time, was shown as "Gentleman".

In 1870, Eliza Mickley was living in the Second Ward in Allentown in a home she valued at $10,000 and she reported personal property valued at $1,700. She was 44 years of age. In the household with her was Winfiel Scott Mickley, 22 years of age and employed as a carpenter; Charles, 18 years of age and a laborer; Caroline, age 12 and attending school.

Captain Charles Mickley bravely and courageously gave his life for his country.






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