{"id":8417,"date":"2026-09-13T16:07:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T21:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.karenfurst.com\/blog\/?p=8417"},"modified":"2026-09-13T16:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T21:30:51","slug":"william-james-fisher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.karenfurst.com\/blog\/william-james-fisher\/","title":{"rendered":"William James Fisher"},"content":{"rendered":"

This research was done by my uncle, John Farquhar, who spent many years exploring the life, military service, and death of William James Fisher of Seaford, Delaware.<\/p>\n

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William James Fisher Portrait, Courtesy Gettysburg (GETT42200)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

William James Fisher, at the age of 17, received a civilian appointment as 2nd lieutenant to the 10th US Infantry, a regiment of the Regular Army, dated and signed by the Secretary of War and President Lincoln, August 1861. Congressman George P. Fisher (no direct relation) procured Fisher’s commission at the urging of Fisher’s father, Isaac Montgomery Fisher.<\/p>\n

The Delaware Volunteer Regiments had no officer billets available for an unknown, uncredentialed teen. Officers left the Regular Standing Army Regiments to staff and train the newly formed Volunteer troops. It was a natural political move to staff these vacancies by appointing promising young men from Civilian Life. As the Fishers were strong Union, Lincoln men, young Fisher was one of twelve to be commissioned into this youngest regiment of the Old Army.<\/p>\n

Through the Fisher Collection letters, we learn of Fisher’s service with the Regulars until his death in the wheat field, Battle of Gettysburg, early in the evening of July 2, 1863.<\/p>\n

The purpose of this research is to flesh out the life and times of Lt. Fisher and to promote the story of a regular soldier, largely unknown to the Civil War community. His immediate family and descendants cherished the collection of letters and artifacts for many years. These became available for public view in a private museum located in New Market, VA., circa 1954. The collection was put up for auction in 2001. It was subsequently purchased and donated to the Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP), and now resides in that location. Artifacts and letters of this Fisher Collection are on display, “William is No More,” at the new Museum & Visitor Center of the GNMP.<\/p>\n

Who Were the Fishers?<\/h2>\n

According to the auction house Guernsey’s: William was the first born of Isaac Montgomery Fisher and Sarah Jane Vaughan [sic]. Isaac was born April 10, 1817 and died May 7, 1878 (age 58). He was the son of James Fisher and Bathsheba (maiden name unknown). William, born December 28, 1843 in a house in the vicinity of Seaford, Delaware was one of nine children. The property was granted by the Lord Baron of Baltimore to George Fisher on July 30, 1732 (Fisher’s Fancy, 100 acres) and was know as the Fisher Fancy Farm or Nanticoke Farm. The home was built by George who passed it down to his son James and then James passed it down to his son Isaac. James and Isaac were also born in this home.<\/p>\n

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Fisher Home Ca. 1890, Courtesy Gettysburg (GETT42205). Guernsey’s: Glass plate 14 x 11 inch photo of the 1732 Fisher Home. Unusual photo in between 2 panes of glass showing the 1732 Fisher home place. Standing in front of the kitchen are 5 women and 2 children of the Fisher family. Glass is framed with a brass chain 3\/8 inches wide with 18 inches of chain to hang on wall. The Horse Soldier, Item Code # 41. Price: $50.00<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Fisher Home, Courtesy Gettysburg (GETT42205), Detail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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1868 Beers Map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Letters<\/h2>\n

In 1861, Williams’s father, Isaac Montgomery Fisher, requested assistance from William’s teacher, Samuel J. Witherbee, in getting William a commission. Below, Witherbee was responding to a letter from Isaac that he had received two days prior. The Mr. G. P. Fisher referred to was George Purnell Fisher, the lone Congressman from Delaware, who was not a direct relative.<\/p>\n

July 13, 1861 [Saturday]
\nMr. Fisher:<\/p>\n

Dear Sir,<\/p>\n

I received yours of the 11th & would say that I can heartily recommend your son in the particulars referred to. But I suppose my recommendation would have no influence where the selection proceeds from merit & not from favor.<\/p>\n

I have no doubt William can pass the preliminary examination which is by no means a severe one.<\/p>\n

I did not ask Mr. G. P. Fisher for an endorsement of this certificate, as his wife was dying, when I received your letter; he left immediately with her body for Connecticut.<\/p>\n

Thanking you for your kind expression of sympathy for me in my bodily weakness.<\/p>\n

Allow me to wish you a continuance of the blessing of health, with all other good [things].<\/p>\n

Truly yours, S. J. Witherbee<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On August 27, 1861, Isaac received a letter from George B. Rodney of New Castle, Delaware. The letter describes the process his son (George Rodney, 4th Artillery) underwent to gain a commission and advises that the cost of uniform, sword, etc. is $75.00.<\/p>\n

New Castle, Delaware
\nAugust 27, 1861 [Tuesday]<\/p>\n

I. M. Fisher, Esq.
\nDear Sir.<\/p>\n

I received your letter a few days since and I will give you all the information I possess.<\/p>\n

After I had seen my son\u2019s name, among those appointed by the President [Abraham Lincoln], I wrote for him [son George B.] to the Adjutant General [Lorenzo Thomas]. But the only answer given was the transmission of his commission. You might, with sincerity, do the same.<\/p>\n

My son [George B. Rodney] sent forward his acceptance of the commission with the certificate of having later the oath required. He has since equipped himself with uniform & sword. He is now expecting to receive orders, but to what place he may be ordered is very uncertain.<\/p>\n

All the appointments, including that of your son, I understand [are] to be in the Regular Army and will possibly be permanent.<\/p>\n

The compensation of a Second Lieutenant is about $1000 per annum.<\/p>\n

I had supposed there would be some examination, but as my son has received his commission, it will probably be omitted in his case.<\/p>\n

He was a member of the Commonwealth Artillery Company of Philadelphia. [He] served 3 months, as such, at Fort Delaware. That fact may have dispensed with any examination, but, I am not certain that he will yet be examined.<\/p>\n

He is between 18 & 19 years of age and, at the time he volunteered, was a clerk in a store in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

I would advise you to write on behalf of your son stating, that having seen his appointment Gazetted, he is awaiting instructions at his place of residence.<\/p>\n

Yours very respectfully,
\nGeo. B. Rodney<\/p>\n

P.S. If your son should conclude to get his outfit & will stop here [New Castle] on his way to the city [Wilmington], my son may give him some information as to the articles required, he having consulted Capt. Gibson of Fort Delaware on the subject.<\/p>\n

The cost of his uniform, sword, etc., will be about $75.00<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1861 Letters to Home<\/h3>\n

William wrote nine letters home in 1861, mostly covering his movements, gathering supplies, and details of his boarding arrangements where he complains about the high cost of living in Washington DC. There was an exciting incident when he arrested an officer who was suspected of being a woman and, under questioning, admitted to her fair sex, but was not found to be a Southern spy. Click on the image to read the letter and the transcription.<\/p>\n