Camp # 33
York, Pennsylvania
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Captain Edgar M. Ruhl
Camp # 33
York, Pennsylvania
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Captain Edgar Monroe Ruhl
Captain Edgar Monroe Ruhl was born in Shrewsbury, Pa.,
June 14th, 1841; his father, Noah G. Ruhl, had served in the regular army early in life,
and was engaged in the Seminole Indian War. When the war with Mexico opened in 1846, he
enlisted in Co. D, 4th U. S. Infantry and served in the campaign under General Zachary
Taylor, having been promoted to Sergeant Major of his regiment. He was discharged soon
after the battle of Palo Alto. In 1861 he recruited Co. D, of the 87th Regiment of
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was commissioned its Captain September 19th 1861, and was
promoted Major of the same regiment May 9th, 1863.
Edgar M. Ruhl, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in his father's company (D, 87th P.V.)
as Sergeant, September 29th, 1861; was promoted First Sergeant May 11th, 1862; to Second
Lieutenant October 25th, 1862; to First Lieutenant May 10th, 1863; and to Captain April
20th, 1864. During the fall of 1863 and the early months of 1864 he served as an Aide on
the staff of General French, commanding the Third Corps. Captain Ruhl was in command of
his company during the campaign of 1864, as follows: In the Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
Tolopotomy, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, Petersburg, Monocacy, Snicker's Gap,
Charlestown, Opequon, and Fisher's Hill, and was a brave and fearless officer. When the
regiment returned home at the expiration of its term of service, he remained with the
re-enlisted men and the recruits who were formed into a battalion, and he was made its
commander. Early in the morning of October 19th, 1864, while brandishing his sword and
urging his men to aid in resisting the sudden attack of the enemy at Cedar Creek, Va.,
Captain Ruhl was struck by a minnie ball which passed through his body, severing a large
artery. He threw up his hands and said, "Boys it's all up with me." He died a
few minutes later. Some of his men carried his body to the rear and secured his
sword and some valuables he had in his pockets, and later sent them home. When the Union
forces retreated from the field, Captain Ruhl's body fell into the hands of the enemy.
But, when the army upon the arrival of Sheridan, moved forward in the afternoon,
his comrades recovered his body and gave it temporary burial. The body
was later returned to Shrewsbury, Pa., and buried in the cemetery of Christ Lutheran
Church with full military honors. The loss of Captain Ruhl was deeply
felt; he was held in high favor among all his men. Captain Edgar M. Ruhl Camp No.
33, Sons of Veterans, was named in honor of him, as being a typical York County Veteran,
and Son of a Veteran as well, who gave his life in defense of the Union. His portrait
adorned one of the walls of the original Camp room. The cavalry saber carried by him
when he was killed, was presented to the Camp by Chaplain Everhart, who had picked it up
from another battlefield and loaned it to Captain Ruhl while the latter's sword was being
repaired in Baltimore.