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Stories of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery Shaffer, Samuel Wakefield My grandfather (Samuel Wakefield
Shaffer) enlisted in 1862, after he'd neen married a couple years, and had two children,
the youngest of which was a month old when he enlisted. He spent his entire time at Forts
Lincoln and Totten in the Washington D.C. area before he was discharged on a surgeon's
certificate. His CO was captain Amzi Fuller, whose signature is on many of the forms I
have in my Grandfather's army record obtained from the GSA. Apparently the United States
army men were able to keep their army issue equipment upon discharge if they wished to pay
for it. Because my grandfather was in a heavy artillery unit, he had been issued a large
caliber smoothbore musket, rather than the newer rifled muskets. He paid for and kep it
upon discharge, and subsequently used it (as did two of my uncles, his sons) as a
muzzle-loading shotgun for hunting. This musket still is in one of my cousin's families. I
have a nice formal photo of my grandfather in dress uniform with saber and Colt "new
army" cap and ball revolver.
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