William W. Diehl

He was a member of the local militia unit, the Reading (PA) Artillerists, and was 4th Sergeant when they deployed for Mexican-American War service (1846-48) - he was discharged after being wounded in the arm at Pueblo de los Angeles in August 1846. In 1855 he was First Lieutenant of the Artillerists, but had probably resigned by 1857.

In 1860 he was 40 years old and owned a restaurant in Reading, PA. He enrolled there giving his occupation as "landlord" on 8 August 1861, and mustered as Captain, Company E, 50th Pennsylvania Infantry on 13 September in Harrisburg.

He assumed command of the Regiment at Antietam as next senior officer when Major Overton was wounded in combat between the Lower Bridge and Sharpsburg in the late afternoon of 17 September 1862.

He resigned his commission on 3 February 1863.

In 1870 he was a constable back in Reading, PA.

His service from Bates1 and the Card File,2 as Corporal; both have him as William H. Diehl. Details about his militia experience from research by Laurie Snyder at 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers and Morton L. Montgomery's History of Berks County in Pennsylvania (1886). Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860 (as Deahl) and 1870. His gravesite is on Findagrave; the cemetery is named for Reading Artillerists' founder Charles Evans (1768-1847).

08/25/1820 in PA

09/07/1873; Reading, PA; burial in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA