Submitted by the late Ralph Haas, author of Dear Esther, the letters of Aungier Dobbs of Ringgold's Cavalry:

"Henry Anisansel served in the Ringgold Cavalry, Co. A, of Washington County, Pa., with Thomas Reeves and Christopher Krepps. Henry was from Canonsburg, Pa. in Washington County, where he served as Mayor before the war. He was also a music teacher in Washington County, Pa. schools, and was a French immigrant skilled in swordmanship. Henry was cashiered at Bloomery Gap, Virginia, after an altercation with General Frederick Lander. These men left the Ringgold Cavalry in 1861 to help form the 1st West Virginia Cavalry."

     Colonel Anisansel was not exactly "cashiered at Bloomery Gap," although General F. W. Lander charged him with cowardice following the skirmish at Bloomery Gap, Hampshire County, (West) Virginia, 14 Feb 1862. Anisansel faced court-martial but was honorably acquitted. By that time, General Lander was dead, having died of an infection 2 Mar 1862, and, therefore, could not testify at the hearing. But Anisansel did resign several months after the Bloomery Gap incident. His resignation at Culpeper County House, Virginia, took effect 6 Aug 1862, after he received a certificate of disability (Inguinal Hernia) from Surgeon Henry Capehart. [Note: Historically, "Bloomery Gap" and "Blooming Gap" seem to be used interchangably.]

     The following articles describe the events of the incident at Blooming/Bloomery Gap:

Wikipedia - Bloomery Gap Skirmish - Hampshire County, West Virginia Highway Marker Inscription: February 14, 1862, Brigadier General Frederick W. Lander, commanding the 5th and 8th Ohio, 14th Indiana Infantry, and 400 men of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, attacked a Confederate brigade of the 31st, 51st, 67th, and 89th Virginia Militia under Colonel J. Sencendiver. The Confederates were routed and fled toward Winchester. Lander returned to his camp at Paw Paw and Sencendiver again occupied Bloomery Gap.

From Generals In Blue, Louisiana University Press (excerpt): [General Lander] "...an aide to George B. McClellan at the engagements of Phillipi amd Rich Mountain; on August 6, 1861, he was commissioned brigadier general of volunteers to rank from May 17, and took command of a brigade of Stone's division. The day after the Federal disaster at Ball's Bluff, Lander was wounded in a skirmish at Edwards Ferry, which he was holding with a company of sharpshooters. He was soon promoted to divisional command and successfully defended the town of Hancock, Maryland, against assault by an allegedly superior force of Confederates under Stonewall Jackson. His division was then put into camp at Paw Paw, (W) Virginia, on the upper Potomac, and on February 14, 1862, he led in person an attack on a "rebel nest" in nearby Bloomery Gap. In writing his report of this engegement, he applied for relief from command "my health [being] too much broken to do any severe work." Immediate relief was not forthcoming, and two weeks later, while preparing to move his command to support N. P. Banks in the Shenandoah, he was mortally stricken by "congestive chill." After more than twenty hours under morphine, he died on March 2, 1862, at Camp Chase, Paw Paw...."

     The name of Henry Anisansel is found in the Official Records as follows (minor mentions omitted):

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 5 [S# 5]
DECEMBER 29, 30, 1861.--Capture of Suttonville (Braxton Court-House), and skirmishes in Clay, Braxton,
and Webster Counties, West Virginia.
Extract from "Record of Events," return of the Department of Western Virginia, for the month of December, 1861.
     On the 29th, Suttonville, garrisoned by one company (Rowand's) First Virginia Cavalry, was attacked by 135 rebel
guerrillas. The company retreated to Weston, and the guerrillas burned the town and what commissary stores were there.
Colonel Crook, with four companies, went in search of the same gang from Summersville, encountered the flying rascals
in Clay and Braxton, killed 6, and chased and scattered them into the mountain towards the Glades.
     On the 30th, Colonel Anisansel, with three companies of the First Virginia Cavalry and three of the Third Virginia
Infantry, marched to punish the marauders, and pursued them into the Glades in Webster County, killed 22 and burned
26 houses, thus breaking up their nest.


SERIES I--VOLUME XII/3 [S# 18]
Correspondence, orders, and returns relating specially to operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland
from March 17 to September 2, 1862.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#12
HEADQUARTERS DETACHED BRIGADE,
Upperville, Va., May 30, 1862.
 Major-General SHIELDS, 
Or Officer in Command of Division:
     I arrived at this place about noon to-day. I have already sent you two dispatches and have received nothing
in reply, and am looking for a communication from you. During the forenoon I heard heavy cannonading from the
direction of Charlestown or Harper's Ferry. My cavalry scouts, under Colonel Anisansel, of First Virginia Cavalry.
150 strong, are at Snickersville, scouting the neighborhood of Snicker's Gap, and up to 7 o'clock this evening
they have not reported the presence of any enemy.
     My cavalry scouts of Third Indiana, under Colonel Carter, report having crossed the river at Berry's Ferry to-day
and pushed within 6 miles of Winchester and 12 of Front Royal. He found pickets or scouts on the mountains on each
side road, at Ashby's Gap, and occasionally along the road to the river, at the river, and beyond. His advanced
guard pursued Captain Boswell, of General Jackson's staff, but he made his escape. He also reports that
the enemy have some cannon, and, as the general impression, from 400 to 600 cavalry.
     There are various rumors as to the number of men in the valley, and as to where they are placed. Colonel Carter
is now at Ashby's Gap, with some of his force at the top of the pass on this side of the river. My scouts at both
gaps are now on the qui vive to discover the exact position, movements, and numbers of the enemy, the results of
which l will advise you as soon as ascertained.
     From a variety of sources, principally secession, I learn that Jackson's force is between 25,000 and 30,000
strong. The evidence in conveying this information is sufficiently corroborative to give it some degree of credence.
Very respectfully, &c.,
 JNO. W. GEARY, 
 Brigadier-General, Commanding.


SERIES I--VOLUME XII/3 [S# 18]
Correspondence, orders, and returns relating specially to operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland
from March 17 to September 2, 1862.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#20
WARRENTON, VA., July 18, 1862.
 Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE: 
Dispatch just received from General Hatch, 17th instant, 5.5 p.m., camp 2½ miles from Madison, says:

"Yesterday Maryland and Virginia cavalry made reconnaissance 6 miles beyond Madison. It is reported Ewell is at
Gordonsville with his division and Second Virginia Cavalry. I will to-morrow make a junction with the troops at
Orange Court House, and, placing my infantry and artillery with the train on the pike to Sperryville, will make a
reconnaissance in force to Gordonsville. If Ewell is not there will enter and destroy read. If he is, I shall
push train, artillery, and infantry to Sperryville, and try the other plan before mentioned."

It does not distinctly appear what this plan is. Colonel Anisansel, First Virginia Cavalry, transmits this
dispatch, and by request of General Hatch; that he (Colonel Anisansel) met the enemy's pickets in Madison,
killed 1, wounded several, and captured 5, now on their way here. His scouts inform him that Ewell was
advancing from Gordonsville to Orange Court-House and contemplated attack on Culpeper, Hatch ordered back
the First Virginia Cavalry to Culpeper, taking the road to Madison himself on account of some obstructions.
Two regiments of Bayard's cavalry were to join Hatch this morning. Anisansel's dispatch is dated 9 last night,
but General Hatch has later news. Both are forwarded in full.
 N. P. BANKS, 
Major-General.


WASHINGTON, VA., July 21, 1862.
 Major-General POPE: 
I have just received a dispatch from Colonel Anisansel, First Virginia Cavalry, dated Culpeper, July 21. He says:

"I received orders from General Hatch to strike the Richmond and Gordonsville Railroad in the neighborhood of
Louisa Court-House, on Gold Mine Creek, and burn the bridge."

     He started Friday, 3 p.m., with five companies of First Virginia Cavalry; arrived within 4 miles of Louisa
Court-House; learned with certainty that Jackson had been there at 2 p.m. Saturday, 19th July. Jackson was
received with great rejoicing, and left with 10,000 or 12,000 men by land on the State road for Gordonsville,
with a large force of artillery. He left rear guard at Louisa Court-House of 3,500 men and one regiment of
cavalry. Colonel Anisansel proceeded to the left of Louisa Court-House, but was informed by prisoners and
contrabands that no bridges or culverts were between Gordonsville and Hanover Court-House. He failed in
attempting to tear up the track for want of tools and the presence of rebel troops moving on the State road
to and fro. He reports that he heard the cars running, and a great stirring up was evident on his left, toward
Hanover Court-House. He finally made a dash at his right, upon consultation with his officers, to destroy what
he could, but encountered a heavy body of cavalry in moving one-half mile, and withdrew slowly, being ordered 
not to engage the enemy. He thinks they were the first Yankees in that quarter. He says he would have destroyed
the bridges had he found them, and ordered officers to go back to the same neighborhood, about 50 miles from
Culpeper Court-House, and destroy stores.
     I have not heard of this enterprise from General Hatch, and now receive the news direct from Colonel Anisansel.
Have sent report of the information relating to the enemy to General McDowell and General Sigel. Your orders to
General Hatch have been forwarded to him at Culpeper.
No other news of importance.
 N. P. BANKS, 
Major-General.


NEAR WASHINGTON, July 21, 1862.
 Major-General McDOWELL: 
Wrote you to-day. Have just received dispatch from Culpeper. Colonel Anisansel, First Virginia Cavalry, reports
that he was ordered to go toward Louisa Court-House and burn the bridge on Gordonsville Railroad. He left Friday,
18th, 3 p.m., and arrived within 4 miles of Louisa Court-House. Learned with a certainty that Jackson dined there
Saturday, the 19th, at 2 p.m. Was received with great joy, and left for Gordonsville with 10,000 or 20,000 men
and a large force of artillery by land, as he says, on the State road. Anisansel encountered a heavy body of
cavalry near Louisa Court-House and withdrew to Culpeper. He reports hearing the cars running at Hanover Court
House and a great stirring up.
No other news.
 N. P. BANKS, 
Major-general.

     On 3 Mar 1851, Henri Anisansel, 22, a native of Geneva, Switzerland, domiciled in New York City, married Celestine Feusier, 16, a native of and domiciled at New York City. The marriage took place at the French Protestant Episcopal Church of the Holy Ghost in New York City. Children: John Martin Anisansel, b 28 May 1859, Cannonsburg, PA; Harry Anisansel, b 9 Jan 1863?, Cannonsburg, PA; Arthur Anisansel, b 5 Mar 1869 at Oneida, NY.

     Henry Anisansel apparently taught at the Pittsfield Seminary in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Following his employment there, in a newspaper ad, he announced his availability as a language and music teacher at his room at the United States Hotel.

     By 1860, the family was living in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

1860 Census, Canonsburg, Washington County, Pennsylvania
#853/852
Henry Anisansil, 28, Gent, $32000 real estate, $1000 personal, b Switzerland, Ger.
Mrs. Anisansil, 26, b NY>BR> John Anisansil, 9 months, b PA

     From Boyd Crumrine's Boyd Crumrine's History of Washington County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, 1882: "In the fall of 1863, Col. H. Anisansal was authorized to teach instrumental music in the school, and also French and German, but no compensation was to be paid him by the board. Whatever he received for his services was to be paid by the pupils who were instructed by him..."

1870 Census, Ellicott, Chatauqua County, New York
#440/464 - Landlord is Philander Root
Henry Anisansel, 35, Prof. of lang. & music, $300 (personal) b Switzerland
Celestine, 30, No occup., b NY
John M., 11, b PA
Harry, 8, b PA
Arthur, 1, b NY

     Following separation from the military Henry Anisansel lived in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New York, and Michigan, but he was not located in the 1880 or 1900 census records.

     The Newbury Hotel in Newberry South Carolina: Anisansel, H. of Laurens, 8/2/1876; 1/17/1877. See Newberry Hotel.

     Henry Anisansel died of cerebral softening 21 May 1905 at 329 1/2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan, the home of his son, Harry. Another son, John, provided the nursing care. At that time, Mrs. Anisansel resided with son, Arthur, in Brooklyn, New York.

     Following his death, Celestine Anisansel applied for a pension. In one affidavit, she stated that her husband was "born in Geneva, Switzerland, and was about 31 years of age at enlistment, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, light complexion, light brown hair, blue eyes and by occupation a salesman..." In another affidavit, she said her husband "was an exotic man, and would at times suddenly leave home, and return home as suddenly as he would leave."

     Celestine Anisansel, died Sunday, 26 March 1922.

WAR DEPARTMENT
Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, July 23, 1885
Henry Anisansel, Application # 531.635

The following are Copies of Surgeon Certificates upon which his resignation, accepted to take effect Aug. 6" 1862, was based:

Head Quarters 1" Virg Cavalry
Near Culpepper C. H. Va July 31, 1862

I hereby certify that I have carefully examined Colonel Henry Anisansel of the First Regiment of Virginia Mounted Volunteers, and find that he is suffering from a "Hernia" received at the skirmish at "Bloomery Gap" in February 1862 and that in consequence of which injury, he is unable to endure frequent or long marches upon horseback, as it calls into play a sympathy with the stomach of the most painfull and sickening character from which he suffers most acutely; at times, totally disqualifying him to sit upon horseback.
Henry Capehart, surgeon
First Regt. Virg. Mounted Vols.

At his own request, Surgeon Capehart being absent I have carefully examined Col. Henry Anisansel of the First Regiment of Virginia Mounted Volunteers and find him to be suffering from Inquinal Hermia. Owing to the injury he cannot fulfill the duties of the Mounted service except at the constant risk of his life.
William C. Burnett
Surgeon 5 Regt Conn? Vols Infy.

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6 Feb 1888, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Col. Henry Anisansel: "I am the claimant herein, 58 years of age, occup Atty at law & reside at #452 - 7th St. Detroit, Mich which is my Post office address. - I am the identical Henry Anisansel who was commissioned Colonel of the 1st West Va Cavalry August 15th 1861. I resigned & was mustered out of service Aug 6th 1862 on account of a right inguinal hernia incurred at Bloomery Gap W.Va. in the month of February 1862 for which injury I now claim a pension. In addition to the above service I was a 1st Lt in Capt Keys company three months men. This was an independent company recruited in Washington Co, Pa & for the most part in the vicinity of Greenfield. I did not receive any commission as I now remember. The company was mustered into the U.S. Service at Grafton, W. Va. but I can not say when. The above service is all that I did & was neither in the military or naval only as stated. After Genl McClelland was made commander in chief and was at Washington, I was appointed commandant at Camp Carlisle & began the organization of the 1st Va Cavalry or Mounted Troops and was commissioned Col. by Gov. Pierpont of W. Va. At the time I first went into the service April 1861 as Lt of Capt Keys Independent Co & for three or four years prior there to I resided at Cannonsburgh Washington Co Pa. I was a trader & speculator & was the Mayor of the town at the time. Dr. George Cook who still resides there was my family physician & I think any of the old citizens well remembered me. I was a sound man & free from Hernia & one of the best horsemen in that part of the country, as I have no doubt old citizens will readily remember. I received my injury at Bloomery Gap, W. Va. in the month of February 1862 under the following circumstances. I was ordered by the Genl in command to take a portion of my Regt & push out on the Romney road. It was not long until I discovered the enemy being on both sides of me & ordered a retreat. We were full speed. My horse was shot in the left fore leg between knee & shoulder & fell throwing me forward on the pumel of my saddle rupturing me. I can not now give the names of those that saw this affair.I think Capts Steel & Kreps were there. I do not know their first names nor their residences or what company they commanded...... Immediately after discharge I went to Europe (Geneva Switzerland) I went to settle up my father's estate & also consult my uncle a celebrated physician. I was suffering with rheumatism as well as with the hernia. I got relief from the rheumatism but nothing could be done for the hernia...."

In another deposition, regarding his arrest and court martial for cowardice at Bloomery Gap, Anisansel said he was tried by Court Martial and honorably acquitted and restored to the command of the Regt. That he was mainly acquitted upon the testimony of Surgeon Henry Capehart. Although Capehart testified in a deposition that Anisansel had worn a truss prior to the incident at Bloomery Gap, the colonel denied it.

9 Aug 1888, Fargo, Cass County, Dakota Territory
Dr. Henry Capehart: "I am a physician and surgeon, am 65 yrs of age, and my P.O. address is as above; in 1862 I was surgeon of the 1" W. Va. Cav. Vols and well knew the claimant Col. Henry Anisansel; As I remember (and my recollection is quite clear about it) while we were still at Camp Carlysle, W.Va., in the fall of 1861 and before the battle of Bloomery Gap, Va., Col. Anisansel told me that he suffered from some trouble for which he wore a truss; but it is due to the claimant to add that I do not remember that he suffered any real disability from it until at the said battle of Gloomery Gap, Va., where the fall from his horse (in which he was supposed to have been thrown upon the pommel of his saddle) forced the rupture from under the truss. I am satisfied that the rupture was much enlarged and aggravated by the fall which he sustained at the battle of Bloomery Gap; for he was very sick from it and vomited along the road, as he was being returned to camp, at Paw Paw Tunnel. - I never saw any rupture on Col. Anisansel until the time of the said battle, in Feby 1862, but am quite sure that I cannot be mistaken as to his telling me at Camp Carlysle, Va., that he wore a truss; and I know he was again hurt. - Col. Anisansel had been charged with cowardice at Bloomery Gap and I think a Court Martial, or Court of Inquiry was ordered in his case by Gen'l Lander; and although the death of Gen'l Lander put a stop to the proceedings against Col. Anisansel, or they were stopped from other causes which I have forgotten; the Col. was rather anxious to be permitted to leave the service honorably and I wrote a certificate upon which his resignation was accepted; it seems from the copy of the record that I did not mention the fact that Col. Anisansel told me of his having a pre-existing trouble for which he wore a truss, and the reason I did not do so was that it did not really disable him; and I then believed, as I still believe, that the principal trouble pr disability was due to the fall from his horse at said battle and we then had no thought of pensions, and were anxious to get the Col. released from the service. I fully understand your questions and my answers thereto have been correctly recorded, I will add that Col. Anisansel did duty with the regiment after the said fall from his horse, and was on several marches...."

28 Sep 1888, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
Christopher C. Krepps: "I was Captain of Co F, 1st WVa Cav. I became acquainted with Clmt in the service. I first knew him as a Lt in an independent Co. known as the Ringold Cav. After words Clmt raised the First WVa Cav. Clmt deemed to be a healthy hearty man when I first knew him and was a fine horse man, I thought him the finest rider in the regt. I can recollect Clmts horse fell from a mount; in the charge at Bloomery Gap - I was not certain but think clmt was injured by the fall of his horse. He was with us after that for some time. He was not in command of the regt for some time after that but I don't know why.... I regarded clmt as a good and efficient officer... There was probably some trouble of some character between clmt & Gen Lander but the nature I do not know."

17 Oct 1888, Malvern, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Nathaniel P. Richmond, late colonel, 1st W. Va. Cavalry: "I am 55 years of age, occupation attorney at law, and mayor of Malvern, post office address Malvern Hot Springs Co. Arkansas. I was Lt. Col. of the 1 W. Va. Cavalry when Henry Anisansel was Col. When he resigned, I was appointed Col. I think it was in Aug. 1862. I was acquainted with claimant from Sept '61 up to Aug '62, but I was not with the regiment at Bloomery Gap in February '62 when he claims to have incurred his disability; I was at that time in command of a post at Clarksburg from there I was ordered to Kanawa river at Cole's Mouth, and from there rejoined my regiment in July '62. I know Claimant was with the regiment continuously from Sept '61 to Aug '62. He discharged all the duties of his position faithfully so far as I know. When I rejoined the regiment in July '62, Col. Anisansel was in command, and remained in command about a month after I rejoined the regiment. He then left the regiment in the field, and I have never known anything of him since. As I now recollect while the portion of the regiment commanded by Col. Anisansel was at Paw Paw Tunnel, I visited the regiment; and while there Col. Anisansel told me about the fight at Bloomery Gap, and showed me that he wore a truss, claiming at the time he had been ruptured during that fight. He told me at same time the circumstances of his arrest on a charge of cowardice in that fight, claiming he had been very badly used by Lander, who he alleged, was insane. This conversation may possibly have occurred on my rejoining the regiment in July '62. I never heard him complaining about his injury but that one time as I now recollect...."

3 Jan 1889, Washington, Washington County, Penna.
Captain Hugh Boon, Co. B, 1st W. Va. Cavalry: "I served in the late war as Lt. and Capt of Comp. "B" 1st W. Va. Cavly., amd I knew this claimant as Col. of our Regt. I knew him but not intimately, before service. He was a man of splendid physical development, and seemed to have perfect use of his limbs and muscles. I was present at the Skirmish at Bloomery Gap, W. Va., on the 14th day of Feb. 1862. Previous to and at the time of going into that action, Col. Anisansel was in his usual good condition, nothing apparently the matter with him. I think within half an hour after the skirmish was over, I met the Col. who was dismounted, and holding his horse and complained of being verry sick. He said that his horse had fallen and pitched him foreward on the pomel of his saddle, and had ruptured him. He was verry sick at the stomach, and pained in the groin, but I would not say which side. I never seen the rupture. After that the Col. was scarcely fit for duty and my impression is that he did not command the Regt. afterwards. Yes, there was some difficulty at that Skirmish between Gen. Landers and Col. Anisansel, but I know all about that, and Gen. Landers was in fault. Col. Anisansel resigned, as I always understood, on account of the injury he received at that Skirmish...."

26 Jan 1889, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
William C. Carman, late major, 1st W. Va. Cavalry: "I became acquainted with Henry Anisansel on organization of the 1st WVa Cav - I was commissioned Captain of Co D 1st Wva Cav at organization and served as such until about 1863. When I was commissioned Maj of same Regt. but was not mustered until March 1864. I was present under command of Co D 1st WVa Cav at the charge of Bloomery Gap WVa Feby 1862. I can not give exact date. I recollect Col. Anisansel led the charge to a small stream in a ravine - and the command or charge was checked - and when I came up to Col. Anisansel he was by the side of the road or one side of the ravine - I saw he was very pale; and asked him what was the matter, he answered he was badly hurt but ordered us to push and pursue the enemy. I led the charge from there on - I was informed at the fime I first discovered him (Col. Anisansel) that his horse had fallen with him and badly injured him. I thought his horse had fallen; by charging on the stones and then obstructions. I did not know that the horse was shot - I simply thought he had fallen. After Col. Anisansel had fallen and checked the charge - He urged the officers & men on to pursue the enemy, and I lost sight of him - and I did not see him any more for some time - Gen. Landers preferred charges against Col. Anisansel and and had him tried by a court martial. I was a witness before that Court so also was Surg, afterwords Col Capehart; I heard Surgeon Capehart's testimony before that Court. He stated in his testimony Col. Anisansel was badly injured by the fall of the horse and said the injury or hurt was too serious to permit Col. Anisansel to have continued the charge..."

20 Feb 1889, Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri
Harvey Farrabee, late major, 1st W. Va. Cavalry: "I am 50 years of age, occupation Night Police - P. O. Hamilton, Caldwell Co. Mo. I was captain of "B" Co. 1 W. Va. Cav. from fall of '61 to about fall of '63 when I was promoted to major of the regiment being finally discharged in spring of '65. I became acquainted with the claimant about a year before the war; he was our Colonel. He seemed to be a stout healthy man prior to and at times of organization of our regiment... I recollect that he complained of being ruptured at Bloomery Gap.... There had been some trouble between Genl Lander and Col. Anisansel in reference to the conduct of the fight. Gen'l Landers said to Anisansel that he acted cowardly - I did not think he did but used good judgment in falling back until he had infantry support..."

7 Jan 1889, Pittsburgh, Penna.
G. P. Smith, Special Examiner for Pension Office, concluded that Col. Anisansel should be awarded a pension because even if he had a pre-existing condition requiring a truss, the condition was worsened by the fall at Bloomery Gap, leaving him disabled. This examiner made some comments regarding the character of the Colonel, gleaned from conversations with various people during his investigation: "... The Col. would be regarded today as a first class dude; was stylish in dress, never worked, but was a trader and speculator; a great ladies man; fond of horses, and a good and handsome rider & a man of fine personal appearance. Had he been slightly ruptured before service in the army, it is highly probable that he would have concealed the fact from his most intimate friends. When it further appears that no one of the Cols intimate acquaintances, except his physician, Dr. Geo. H. Cook, even knew that he was so afflicated after his return from the army, it does not seem strange that he concealed the fact before enlistment if it existed. Again, after the Col. returned from the army he became involved in some financial speculation, and in a "woman scrape," and left, or fled the town between two days, leaving many persons financial sufferers. Hence, there are but few persons in Cannonsburg, Pa., who have any particular friendship for him..."

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As of the fall of 2007, the Civil War medal of Henry Anisansel, issued by the State of West Virginia, was never claimed by the soldier or his family and remained at the West Virginia State Archives. This writer located Anisansel's descendants in New York and provided David Anisansel, a great-grandson, with the census and pension application records he needed to file a successful claim for the medal. It was a straightforward, simple claim and he had only to provide his own birth certificate. He received the medal in the spring of 2008.

The following are obituaries of David Anisansel's father, Arthur, the grandson of the soldier:

NYT - Published: January 12, 2005 - ANISANSEL--Arthur Alfred, of Jupiter, FL and Hague, NY, died January 9, 2005 at the age of 92. A man of uncommon intelligence and integrity who dealt with the physical limitations in his later life with grace and valor. Devoted husband of 60 years to his beloved late wife Dorothy. He is survived by his two children, son David (Mary) Anisansel of Henrietta, NY; daughter Cynthia (David) Rosbrook of Manlius, NY and six grandchildren. A self made man of the "Greatest Generation," Arthur was an officer in the United States Army in WWII. He began employment as a mailroom clerk in a commodities firm and ended his career as President of Imperial Commodities Corporation. Arthur was an Officer and life member of the New York Coffee and Sugar Exchange, Chairman of the National Coffee Association and previous President and life member of the Green Coffee Association of New York. Upon his retirement, he volunteered with International Executives Service Corps, serving twice in Salvador and Peru. He was also an avid Meals on Wheels driver for years. A memorial service will be held this summer at Grace Memorial Chapel, Sabbath Bay Point, NY where he served as a Trustee for over 35 years. Donations may be made in his memory to Grace Memorial Chapel and sent C/O Robert Strong, 15 Edison Drive, Niskayuna, New York 12309.

Hague, NY -- Arthur Alfred Anisansel Jr., 92, of Friends Point, Hague and Jupiter, Fla., passed away Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005, in Jupiter, Fla.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sept. 29, 1912, he was the son of the late Arthur and Ruth (Sutton) Anisansel Sr.

Mr. Anisansel was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II.

Prior to his retirement, Mr. Anisansel resided in Manhasset, N.Y., for many years. He was the president of Imperial Commodities Corporation on Wall Street in New York City.

Mr. Anisansel was a member of the Grace Memorial Chapel of Sabbath Day Point and served as trustee for over 35 years.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dorothy M. Anisansel on Sept. 24, 1992.

Survivors include one son, David A. Anisansel of Henrietta, N.Y.; and one daughter, Cynthia M. Rosbrook of Manlius, N.Y. He is also survived by six grandchildren; one nephew; and one niece.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will take place at the Grace Memorial Chapel at a later date. A committal service will take place at the family plot of the Valley View Cemetery of Ticonderoga at a time to be announced.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Grace Memorial Chapel, Sabbath Day Point, Silver Bay, NY 12874.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home of Ticonderoga.

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