William J. Gissel

Son of a German-born tailor, in 1860 he was an unmarried 20 year old tailor living with his parents and 4 younger brothers in Baltimore, MD. He enlisted there on 21 September 1861 and mustered as a Private in Captain Schley's Company, Public Guard, Maryland Volunteers. They were designated Company E of the 5th Maryland Infantry in about January 1862.

He was mortally wounded by a gunshot to his right shoulder in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862.

He was sent to the Camden Street Hospital in Baltimore where pieces of shattered bone were removed from his shoulder. He died of the effects of his wounds at home, 281 Hanover Street in Baltimore, at 1 a.m. on 13 November 1862 and was buried on 15 November at 10 a.m..

His service from Wilmer1 and his Compiled Service Records,2 online from fold3, both also as William G. Gissell and Gissells. Wound details from the MSHWR,3 as W.S. Gissel. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

His brother August (b. 1846) enlisted in Company E of the 5th Maryland in February 1864, was mortally wounded in May on the North Anna River, VA, and died in July 1864, age 18. August and William are buried side-by-side under shared headstones. Their father William (1804-1877) began receiving a pension based on their service in January 1874.

c. 1840 in MD

11/13/1862; Baltimore, MD; burial in Baltimore Cemetery, Baltimore, MD