always the 'special duty'

Today at Brandy Station: December 30, 1863

Soldiers are always tasked with details. Police the grounds, picket duty, guard duty, stable duty, trash, etc... the list goes on and on. Today the 91st Pennsylvania published a list of soldiers in the regiment whom had been detailed to support the regimental leadership.


Henry Schaefer (Co. A)was detailed to Colonel Gregory to act as hostler.
John Costner (A) was cooking for his company commander, Captain Gregory.
Ed. Gamble (B) was cooking for his company commander, Lt. Kayser.
Joseph M. Johns[t]on (D) was cooking for Lt. Col Sinex.
Joesph Rementer (E) was cooking for his company commander, Captain Hall.
Henry Dunn (I) was cooking for his company commander, Lt. Donnell.

A hostler is a groom or stableman. Schaefer's mission in life was the care and feeding of Colonel Gregory's horses. It has to be assumed that the others had some skill in the preparation of meals. Gamble would be wounded at Petersburg in June 1864, the others survived the war.

These men had been detailed to these tasks within the last three months.

It should also be noted that Sergt David F. Mansfield (Co F) was detailed today to duty in the ambulance train, relieving Sargent John Hammill.