Daniel J. Riggel, Pvt., Company I -
Name also spelled Riggle, Riegle, Riegel and Reigel. He was part of the ''New'' Co. I after the regiment was reconstituted. Died September 27, 1901 in Beavertown, Snyder Co., PA. Wounded by gunshot twice in head on 10 May 1864 at Battle of Spotsylvania. The 49th Pennsylvania Vol. Inf. was the first unit on the right in the second line of Col. Upton's column when he broke into the ''Mule Shoe'' at Spotsylvania when they charged at 1800 hr. This line entered the break made by the first line and took the second line of Confederate entrenchments. When ordered to leave, the 49th Penn. Vol. Inf. was the last unit to leave the Confederate works and suffered 246 casualties (including Daniel) out of 479 men in the regiment (>51%)including the death of the regiment's Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel. Daniel's head wounds would be consistent with fighting from the captured earthworks. He went to hospital and then on furlough home. When he returned he was in convalescent camp in VA until his return to duty in time to accompany his regiment to Harper''s Ferry [West Virginia] and Winchester, Virginia. He there developed further ailments, but served until his unit was mustered out. It is likely he served with the regiment on the VI Corps return to Petersburg, VA, and was present when the regiment saw action at Hatcher's Run, the breakthrough on April 2nd, the pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia, and the battle of Saylor's Creek. [Official Records of the War of the Rebellion; Pension Records for Daniel Riggle; Visit by Jay Rarick to the Fredricksburg, Chancelorsville, Spotsylvania Battlefields National Military Park on 26 Nov 2004.] From the PA Civil War Pension Records (PA Archives web site): REIGLE/RIGGEL, DANIEL, mustered in 26 Feb 1864, three years, mustered out with company 15 Jul 1865. Enrolled at Harrisburg Pa. aged 38, laborer, 5''8'' tall, dark complexion, dark eyes, dark hair. Born Union Co. Pa.
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