Albert Demaree

April 1, 2022

Although the Civil War is now long past, it is fitting to recognize Perry County, Pennsylvania, boys who marched away to battlefields. Many returned. Some did not. Let’s give our respect to all.

This month’s soldier is Albert Demaree, Captain of Company I of the 133rd Pennsylvania Regiment, whose bravery was later recorded for all to know.

In 1862, Newport storekeeper Albert Demaree recruited locals for the nine-month 133rd PA Reg. In September the men marched across the Antietam battlefield the day after the battle. One Perry Countian reported the scene, “Fences are demolished, cornfields destroyed, branches of trees cut down and the trunk scarred.” They had only just been mustered in the month before and would have certainly been inexperienced in battle.

Then came months of camp life—seeing friends and relatives who visited the camp, drilling for hours, standing guard, and writing letters home.

In the beginning of December, the soldiers marched to Fredericksburg, Virginia, about fifty miles south of Washington D. C. and lay in wait. They had to cross the Rappahonnock River but the promised pontoon boats were long in coming.

When finally they crossed the river, the Confederate soldiers were ready for the attack. The battle was fierce, and Captain Demaree’s right leg was severely wounded. The doctors wanted to amputate it, but the captain would not allow it.

Fortunately, he was able to recover although very slowly. Four months later and still recovering, he accompanied his men to Chancellorsville and here engaged in another battle. His obituary later recounted a brave act.

“Several, probably ten, wagon-loads of ammunition were liable to fall into the hands of the enemy, to prevent which he [Captain Demaree] set fire to it with his own hands, causing such an explosion as is not frequently heard. It was a hazardous undertaking for the captain but was the best thing to do under the circumstances, as was evidenced by the fact that he was not reprimanded by his superior officers.”

For some years afterwards, the captain sold shoes. In 1891 at the age of fifty-three, he passed away, mourned by his comrades in arms.