Below are images of a large collection of artifacts originally belonging to Corp. John M. Stritmater, Co. K who joined the regiment in January 1864 and mustered out in July of 1865.  Stritmater would have seen action at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, the Siege of Petersburg (including the Battle of the Mine Explosion or "Crater"), and the final battles prior to Lee's surrender including Fort Stedman, where he was wounded.  Erick J. Gustin has generously contributed images of his ancestor's Civil War and Post War artifacts!         --The Websmith, David L. Welch

Corporal J.M. Stritmater, Co. K account of his service in the Civil War as recorded by his daughter Carrie and re-typed by E. Gustin

Image of John Marcus Stritmater and his wife Ada Sarah Allen (b. 8-6-1849, d. 3-15-1905) at about the time of their marriage in Nov. 1869.

 

Post War Image (early 1900s) of J. M. Stritmater with Post-War GAR Badge/ribbon. 

Websmith note:  Stritmater's clean shaven look as an older man is interesting and different than the stereotype long gray-bearded or mustached veterans of the GAR.

 

 

 

Stritmater Ambrotypes:

 John's parents: father, Joseph Stritmater (b: 2-14-1821 d:6-28-1855) & Mother, Mary Anna Rapp Stritmater (b:8-8-1824 d:8-28-1891) and exterior case detail.

Likeness of Corporal Stritmater's "Girl I Left Behind Me" (as written on a note inside case) with exterior case detail. Woman's name is unknown and she was not the future wife of Stritmater.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post War Button with Ribbon, "Society of the Roundheads, 100th P.V.V.; Personalized Post-War Badge, "Society of the 100th Regiment, PA Vet. Volunteers, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, Roundheads, J.M. Stritmater, Co. K"

 

 

 

All images by Erick J. Gustin, September 2007

 

 

   

 

 M1861 Norfolk U.S. Rifle Manufactured in Norfolk, CT in 1863 by W.W. Welch; Known as "Contract Springfields", there were about 8,000 of these rifle-muskets made in 1863 and approximately 17,000 between 1861 and 1863.  See www.sharpsburg-arsenal.com; also images of socket bayonet. 

Websmith Note: This rifle is suspected to have been acquired by Stritmater either at the end of the war or post-war to be used in parades, reunions, etc.

 

Above: Monogrammed Initials "HS Co. K" on stock of rifle opposite lock plate.

Websmith Note:  There was a soldier in Co. K known as Henry Snyder who enlisted in March 1865 and deserted in June 1865--interesting thought, could Stritmater have acquired Snyder's rifle following Snyder's desertion? Seems plausible but no information to confirm this.
 

 

 

 

Corp. J.M. Stritmater Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Membership Badge; GAR badge with Colonel Insignia.  Stritmater was apparently known as Colonel Stritmater in Post-War.

 

 

 

 

 

Society of the Roundheads Ribbon, 36th Annual Reunion, Mercer, PA, Wednesday, August 21, 1901

 Websmith: Note image of Col. Daniel J. Leasure, first commander of the Roundhead in upper portion of ribbon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
15th Corps Badge (Post War?) collected by Stritmater with characteristic "Logan" for General Logan and "40 Rounds" Cartridge Box Symbol; Post War Delegate Badge presented by Admiral Farragut Post #2, Lorain, OH

 

 

 

Corporal Stritmater's Cartridge Box and Tins

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Views of Corporal Stritmater's Bummer Cap (in need of serious restoration per Stritmater's descendant Erick Gustin)

Websmith Note: Per discussion with Michael Kraus, Civil War Historian, this bummer is likely a post-war GAR cap that Stritmater acquired

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Clockwise from top left: Cap pouch (Double stamped) with 1) A. Crossman & Sons (partially illegible) & Co. Newark, NJ and 2) Sub Inspected US Ord Dept);  interior of cap pouch, reverse of cap pouch and cartridge box; and belt with oval U.S. brass buckle.

 

 

       

 

 Corp. Stritmater's hard shell (heavy weight card board insert) knapsack with views of front with four flaps/straps/buckles, reverse with shoulder straps and I.D. tag on inside flap (J.M Stritmater, 49 Frazier Street); collective image of knapsack, cartridge box, cap pouch and bummer.

Websmith Note: Per discussion with Michael Kraus, Civil War Historian, this pack is typically a pre-war variety that was not likely used in 1864-65 during Stritmater's enlistment. They were found to be uncomfortable and impractical for the long march and campaigns and were turned back in as surplus by the thousands.  It was likely acquired by Stritmater after the war. The label on the inside flap of the knapsack has writing on both sides and was attached after the war.

 

 

Corp. John stritmater, Co. K, 100th Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, "Roundheads"

On-line Museum of Artifacts

Erick j. gustin Family Collection, Used with permission,

All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Original Tin and Percussion Caps; rifle cleaning tools including worms and nipple wrench.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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