98th Pennsylvania Infantry

The 98th Pennsylvania Regiment was an infantry regiment during the American Civil War. Colonel John Ballier, who created it in place of his 21st Regiment, served as leader. Most of the soldiers were of German origin. One of the men, August Frank,of Company E, had a collateral descent from George Washington, through his brother Augustine. Many of the soldiers came from the Philadelphia area. The unit fought its first battle at Williamsburg. They are most famous for their service at Salem Heights, Virginia. General Frank Wheaton said that they "were necessarily left on the south side of the mainroad, where they performed gallant service under the officer in charge. They lost (men) heavily, and held their position to the last." The unit also fought at Antietam, Fredricksburg, Gettysburg, Appomattox, and others. They have two monuments at Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District. The 98th was also present at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee.