This seated image shows a young Union soldier wearing a dark frock coat buttoned down the front with light trousers. He holds his forage cap in his lap. The photographer has touched all the buttons on the coat and the Company letter “I” on the cap with gilt. The image is very clear but could be a tad bit lighter. There is a dark circular spot that almost looks like a thumb print in the area of the 5^th button down extending to the waist. This spot does not detract from the photo at all as it is very slight.

Behind the image is a piece of paper with a period ink inscription that reads “HANDCOCKS HEADQUARTERS 49^TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS CAMP GRIFFEN VIRGINIA COMPANY I FEBRUARY 4^TH 1862. ISAAC N. GINGRICH.”

Image comes in a brass mat and frame and a half cloth case.

Isaac Newton Gingrich also spelled Ginrich and Gingerich in the records, was born September 8, 1842 in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. His mother died while he was still a young child so he was raised by his older sister Nancy and her husband John. On September 16, 1861 he enlisted as a Private in Company I, 49^th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was borne on the regimental rolls as “Ginrich.” The 49^th was sent to Camp Griffin, VA where it remained until March of 1862 when it was assigned to the 4^th Corps of the Army of the Potomac. With his regiment Gingrich took part in the Peninsula Campaign being engaged at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Garnett’s & Golding’s Farm, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. During the Antietam Campaign the regiment fought at Crampton’s Gap but were held in reserve during the fight at Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg.

On January 11, 1863 Private Gingrich was transferred from Company I to Company A. No reason for the transfer is given. The 49^th took part in Burnsides “Mud March” and in the Chancellorsville Campaign under Joe Hooker. Private Gingrich was discharged for disability just after the latter campaign on May 22, 1863.

After a year or so of recovery Gingrich enlisted again. This time in Company E, 101^st Pennsylvania Volunteers on March 10, 1865. This time he was on the rolls as “Gingerich.” Almost all of the 101^st Pennsylvania was captured at Plymouth, North Carolina in April of 1864. Private Gingrich’s Company was one of eight new companies raised to reinforce what was left of the 101^st. Gingrich went to New Berne with his company but saw no further action. He was mustered out at New Berne on June 25, 1865.

After the war Gingrich returned to Pennsylvania and took up farming in Walker County. He married and raised eight children. He died on December 30, 1932 and was buried in Lost Creek Mennonite Cemetery in Oakland Mills, Pennsylvania.

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