Major Bernhard Gessler
b. 1824 – d. February 21, 1889
21st Pennsylvania Infantry, Co. E
98th Pennsylvania Infantry, Cos E and K
Buried: Breslau Cemetery, Lindenhurst, Long Island, NY
m. Augusta
The Brooklyn Eagle
March 9, 1889
The Old Veteran Dead
Major Bernhard Gessler, of Breslau, the paralyzed veteran of the late war, whose sad case has long elicited the sympathy of the people of Babylon and vicinity, died on Thursday. Major Gessler’s devotion to his adopted country is well known and his subsequent sufferings, which were unrelieved by the Government, were not forgotten by his friends. For the past three years, the deceased has subsisted entirely upon the charity of his neighbors. He leaves a widow in destitute circumstances.
The Corrector
March 9, 1889
Major Bernhard Gessler, of Breslau, the paralyzed veteran of the late war, whose sad case has long elicited the sympathy of the people of Babylon and vicinity, died on Thursday.
The Long Island Daily Star
January 17, 1889
A Case for the G.A.R. to Assist
A sad case of destitution isn’t present taxing the liberality of the ladies of Babylon. Bernhard Gessler is a bedridden paralytic, and his wife is an invalid from various causes. Kessler enlisted as a Federal soldier at the breaking out of the Rebellion and by re-enlisting remained in the army until peace was declared. He received eleven wounds, the seriousness of which has been growing upon him until now, when he is helpless, and added to his physical suffering is the equally trying not of poverty. He made application for pension a long while ago, but various technicalities were interposed which he could not understand, and being unable to fee a lawyer he gave up in despair. Unless the good people of Babylon continue in their charity toward the old couple they must die of hunger.
Enlistment Date:
Enlisted: April 29, 1861 ~ Captain, Company E, 21st PA
Mustered Out: August 9, 1861 ~ Philadelphia, PA
Enlisted: September 19, 1861 ~ Sergeant, Company E, 98th PA
Resigned: March 22, 1863
Re-enlisted: September 6, 1862 ~ Sergeant, Company K, 98th PA
Transferred From Company K to Company I: November 1, 1862
Promoted to 1st Sergeant: September 1, 1863
Promoted to Captain: March 1, 1864
Promoted to Major: June 10, 1865
Transferred from Company I to Field & Staff: June 10, 1865
Mustered Out: June 29, 1865
Occupations: (Pre-War) Tailor
Pension Application Date: May 4, 1878
Wife’s Pension Application Date: January 30, 1891
*Thank you to the Lindenhurst Cvil War Project.
** Thank you to Rob Pellegrino for his contribution to our website.