George Albert Jacobs

Age 22, he enlisted on 2 September 1861 at Hamilton for three years and mustered as Private, Company C, 61st New York Infantry on 6 September. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1 November 1862.

He was with his Company in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862. After they occupied the Sunken Road ...

The firing had again quieted. [Lieutenant Colonel Miles] directed me [Sergeant Fuller] to take two men and go forward, part way through the corn field [Piper's] in front, and watch and report any appearance of the enemy. If I am not mistaken, I took Porter E. Whitney and George Jacobs of my company. We went forward half way through the corn field, which was for the most part trampled down. We arranged the broken stalks so as to be partially concealed. After a time to our front and right, and on the brow of a considerable rise of ground, a body of officers appeared on horseback, and with glasses took observations. We discussed the propriety of aiming at these Confederates and giving them a volley. I finally concluded it was best not to take this responsibility, as it might bring on an attack that we were not ready for. In a short time these men disappeared. I sent back one of the men to report what we had seen. Very soon he came back with the word to join the regiment.

Longstreet in his book entitled 'From Bull Run to Appomattox' speaks of looking the field over about this time and from near this location, so, I judge, it was he and his staff that we had such a plain view of.

Jacobs was appointed First Sergeant on 30 March 1863. He was on furlough home in September 1863 ...

George was one of the best soldiers in the regiment. In a fight no one could be better. He was home on a ten days furlough. Of course, the best in the land was free to him, and he was feasted by parents and friends. As he was about ready to start back, he was taken violently sick with a stomach trouble and died in a few hours [on 18 September 1863 in New Berlin, NY].

His service information from State of New York,1 which has him as George A. Jacob. The quotes above from Fuller.2 His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of his picture from a photograph contributed by Frank Walker.

04/13/1839; New Berlin, NY

09/18/1863; New Berlin, NY; burial in Saint Andrews Cemetery, New Berlin, NY