Robert Lester Anderson's Civil War Adventure Story
		On May 11, 1830 the cries of the youngest newborn son of John and Mary Watkins Anderson rang out across the lush farmlands of Buffalo Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. Robert Lester undoubtedly had a rather typical Scots-Irish upbringing, full of experiences about the farm that was his home and the long Presbyterian Sundays at Westminster Church, where his father served as an elder. The 1830’s, 40’s and 50’s were a time of growth for the little community, now that the Indian threats of the frontier days were past. The usual developments that mark a stable society sprang up – churches, schools, lumber mills, liveries, blacksmith shops. Robert Lester grew into a man and learned his trade of carpentry. In his youth he worked building packet boats for the canals, a development that allowed Western Pennsylvania to develop a stable economy, and it’s inhabitants a faster and safer method of travel. In 1855 he married Mary Ann Culmer, the daughter of John and Margaret Norris Culmer. The new couple settled down into a comfortable life on part of his father’s farm, in Jefferson Township, Butler County. The Andersons were Covenanters from way back, and one of the first fronteer families to settle in Butler County. The Covenanter church was a division of Presbyterianism derived from a political/theological disagreement between certain members of the “Auld Kirk” (church) of Scotland and certain Stewart kings who sought to use the kirk as an arm of civil government, as was done in England. The Covenanters, having fought a series of dramatic battles against the King under the blue banner that proclaimed “For Christ’s Crowne and Covenant” were severely presecuted in Scotland. The Andersons escaped from Scotland sometime between 1620 - 1690 and settled in the parish of Ahoghil (pronounced, a-hawk-‘ll), County Antrim, Ireland. Between 1766 and 1770, Robert Lester’s great-grandparents, John and Elizabeth Wilson Anderson, arrived in the US and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In the early 1780’s, the family moved again to Washington Township (now Allegheny), Westmoreland County. One of John Anderson’s sons and daughter-in-law, Francis and Jane McGeary Anderson, settled in Butler County in 1802. Francis was in the militia that responded to the Indian massacre at Hannastown, and served with Sutherland’s Rifles in the War of 1812. He was the first Justice of the Peace in Butler County, and was County Commissioner of for a number of years. He owned 5 farms in Western Pennsylvania – two in Butler, one in Armstrong, one in Alleghany, and one in Westmoreland.
		Given his family background, it is likely that Robert heard many glorious tales about war as he grew up. It is also likely that he lead a rather sheltered existence in his childhood and young adult years, coming from a rather prominent family and living in a close knit, rural community. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he enlisted with the 11th PA R. C. volunteers, but was discharged after 3 months due to health reasons. But by 1864 the need for men was great, and he enlisted for a second time, in the 116th PA volunteers. The 116th PA Volunteers were part of the 1st Division, 2ond Corps, 2 Brigade, under the command of Col. St. Clair A. Mulholland. Robert was mustered in on Feb 4, 1864. At this time, Robert and Mary had two sons and two daughters, and Mary was carrying their fifth child, Margaret Ellen, was born a week before her father’s capture by the Confederates. Mary was 24 years old when left alone to care for their farm and young family. Within a circle 12 miles in diameter Fredericksburg, Chancelorsville, Salem Heights, The Wilderness, Po. River, Tods Tavern, Spottsylvania, and several other engagements were fought between February 6 and May 23, 1864. The 116th took part in all of the major battles and many of the minor ones. More than a half million men fought in this area and over 16,000 died, including 19 officers. Many of the dead from the battles the year before remained unburied. The 116th was under fire 19 of 31 days between May 5 and June 4. This was known as the 2ond Battle of the Wilderness, and included some of the most bitter fighting of the war. On June 12 at Cold Harbor the 2ond Corps was almost annihilated. Robert’s brother-in-law, Robert Norris Culmer, was a Lieutenant in the 139th PA Volunteers, and was killed at Cold Harbor. On the 13 of June the remainder of the Corps crossed the James River and began the seige of Pettersburg, VA. On the 22ond, the Corps lost their flag, 14 guns, and 1700 men. After this battle the regiment rested, if continual digging, entrenching, and picket duty could be called resting. But compared to the long marches and continual battles that occupied May and June, it gave them some time to regroup. The regiment was transferred to the 4th Corps – necessary because of the great loss of men and officers. Toward the end of July, General Grant decided to send a force to destroy the railroads to the north of the city, and draw away some of the Confederate Army defending Petersburg. General Sheridan was in command of the calvary and the entire expedition, consisting of 2 corps, was under General Hancock. The battle was fought and the men returned in time to see the explosion of the battle of the crater.
		On August 12 the regiment embarked on a fleet of boats. The men were overjoyed, as they thought they were going to Washington. Disappointment and despair soon ruled, as they arrived at Deep Bottom and the second battle of that name. From July 14 to 20 they were under constant fire and suffered greatly from the lack of water and the weather, which was said to be the hottest ever endured. The head ended in a thunder storm during which they were ordered to march back to camp. Because of the ice cold rain and deep mud they were exhausted when the march was over, and expected a days rest. Instead they were ordered to march on to the Weldon Railroad, which connected Petersburg and Richmond to the sea port of Welmington, SC. The railroad was a supply line for the Confederate Army, as they built a new railhead near Reams Station after the battle of Deep Bottom. So it was to this railhead that the men dragged their weary limbs. When they arrived, they were too tired to even light fires. The next morning they began to destroy the railroad, using the burning ties to get warm and dry their uniforms. During the next two days they destroyed about 6 miles of track. On August 25 the Confederate Army began to amass along their front. During the battle, the 116th held their ground, but a New York regiment on their right gave way, and the enemy captured 7 flags, 9 guns, and 2000 prisoners. Robert Lester was on of these unfortunate prisoners. The captives were taken to Libby Prison, where everything was taken from them. From there, they went to Andersonville. Most of the prisoners were afflicted with chronic intestinal problems and diseases related to nutritional deficiencies, such as scurvy and berry-berry. They were slowly starved and as thin as skeletons, with black faces and hands from sitting over pine wood fires. There was no shelter or clean water available in the prison. Many became demented and died; only ¼ to 1/3 of those captured lived to return. A story comes down to us that when Robert enlisted in the army, his hair was dark sandy brown. When he returned, it was white. After his capture on August 25, the next official record is for September 24, 1864 where he is listed as being admitted to Belle Island, a hospital in Richmond. He was there about a month, and then was transferred to Salisbury Prison, SC. He remained there about 5 months before being paroled to the Union Army on March 3, 1865. He was sent to a hospital in Annapolis on March 10, was issued new clothes and sent home on leave April 18, 1865. When his leave was up he was still sick, and reported to the post hospital in Pittsburgh. He is listed as “sick” until his muster out with the company on July 14, 1865. He returned home and was living at Riddles Cross Roads, Butler County. In 1866, anther unhappy event occurred in Robert’s life. His mother, Mary Watkins Anderson, died. Shortly afterwards he took his family to Washington County, Iowa, to live on a bounty land claim that he received as payment for his service in the army. He applied for an army pension there and was granted $8.00 per month. The family did not like Iowa and returned home around 1870. Sometime before 1870, Robert’s father remarried a widow named Catherine Brown. John Anderson’s adult children apparently had some sort of conflict with her, as their father disinherited them and left everything to Catherine. Then, on June 22, 1876 Robert’s wife died and left him with 8 children ranging in age from 20 to 3 years. His mother-in-law and sisters raised the youngest children, while Robert found work as a carpenter. During his later years, he lived with his son and daughter-in-law, John and Susan Grant Black Anderson. He died on December 4, 1904. Children of Robert Lester Anderson and Mary Ann Culmer, with birth dates: Robert Culmer Anderson (September 15, 1856) Sarah Ann Anderson Henry (October 23, 1858) Nancy Pillow Anderson Kiser (February 12, 1861) John Anderson (September 5, 1862) Margaret Ellen Anderson Hughes (August 14, 1864) Francis Anderson (October 10, 1869, died in infancy) Andrew McGowen Anderson (November 18, 1871) Frances Marie Anderson Elder (August 10, 1873) Mary Anderson Vough (July 20, 1867)
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