Shultes, William Adam

Birth

William Adam Shultes was born on the original Schultes homestead at the base of West Mountain, near the Hamlet of Berne (Albany County), New York in 1815. He was the fifth child of Adam Schultes (1781-1857) and Maria Elizabeth Hochstrasser (1785-1866) and was born on the farm established by his Grandfather John Matheis Schultes (1740-1812) in 1760.

Family Life

William Shultes grew up on the Shultes farm and learned the trade of farming from his father. As the family branches were close during his youth, he probably had the acquaintance of many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He received some formal education as the United States Census Report of 1850 states that he could read and write. The United States Census Report of 1850 lists William Shultes as a resident of his father's farm.

There are no records to indicate that William Adam Shultes ever married. The Census reports of 1850 and 1880 do not mention a wife. It is believed that he did not marry.

UNITED STATES CENSUS REPORT OF 1850 FOR ALBANY COUNTY, NY - Berne

512 550 Adam Shultus 68 M Farmer 8000 Ny<br.> 511 Mary Shultus 65 F Ny<br.>

William Shultus 34 M Farmer Ny<br.>

Jacob Shultus 28 M Farmer Ny<br.>

Peter Shultus 21 M Farmer Ny<br.>

Eve Shultus 45 F Ny<br.>

Emoline Shultus 26 F Ny<br.>

David Shultus 3 M Ny<br.>

Military Service

61st Infantry Battle Flag

Name:	William A. Shultz
Residence at Enlistment:	Berne
Place of Birth:	Berne, NY
Date of Birth:	19 October 1818
Names of Parents:	Adam (Shultes) and Mary Elizabeth Hochstraser
Marital Status:	Single
Occupation:	Farmer
Term of Enlistment:	3 years
Bounty Received:	$100.00
Enlistment Date:	30 Aug. 1862
Enlistment Place:	Berne
Enlistment Rank:	Private
State Served:	New York
Regiment:	61st Infantry
Company:	I
Wounded in Action on:	2 July 1863
Wounded at:	Gettysburg, PA
Promotion Date:	6 Jan. 1865
Promotion Rank:	Corporal
Wounded at:	Petersburg, VA
Wounded on:	March 25, 1865
Discharged for Disability:	14 May 1865 or 5 June 1865
Muster Out Place:	Stuaton General Hospital or Near Alexandria, VA

Additional Remarks: William Shultes was wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. The nature of his wounds are not known, but documents indicate that he received treatment in the U.S.A. General Hospital at York, Pennsylvania. It is not known if he was sent home after treatment, or if he was confined to the hospital. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on January 6, 1865, so it is possible that he became an active soldier again after his wounds healed. "Was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburgh Shot through the___ ball came out below shoulder blade Was wounded in the hip at Hatchers Run March 25th 1865, carries the ball yet. Discharged September 7th 1865. P.O. address Bern Albany Co N.Y." Born in Berne on October 19, 1818, Age 45 years, Farmer, Single, Dark eyes, Black hair, Dark complexion, 5'8" tall.

Sources Used: Enlistment paper and discharge papers; Ancestry.com, US Civil War Soldiers 1861-1865; 1865 census Berne, Albany Co., NY; Howell, George Rogers, History of the County of Albany, NY from 1609-1886, W. W. Munsell & Co., 1886, page 817; Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War; Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York, regimental rosters.

Additional Research Notes

Enlistment

The original enlistment form, filled out for William Shultes, has been secured and copied from the National Archives.

VOLUNTEER ENLISTMENT STATE OF New York TOWN OF Berne, Albany Co.??

I, William Shultz , born in Berne in the State of New York aged 45 years, and by occupation a farmer do HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this 30 day of August , 1862, to serve as a SOLDIER in the ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, for a period of THREE YEARS, unless soon discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, William A. Schultz do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all of their enemies or opposers whomsoever, and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.

Sworn and subscribed to, at Berne this 30 day of August, 1862.

William A. Shultz

Before E.B. Bogardus Justice of Peace

I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, that I have carefully examined the above named Volunteer, agreeably to the general Regulations of the Army, and that in my opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would, in any way, disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.

Mason L. Cogswell Examining Surgeon

I CERTIFY ON HONOR, that I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Wm. A. Shultz previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgement and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier; I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has dark eyes, black Hair, dark complexion, is 5 feet 7 inches high.

61 Regiment of Volunteers Peter C. Bain, Recruiting Officer

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The interesting thing about this form and assignment is that this is the same company as William's cousin from Tioga County, Seymour Lyman Shoultes (1841-1915). Seymour was sent to Camp Rathbone in Albany for three months in early 1862, but apparently deserted and returned home. It is not known if communications between the Shoultes branch, who had left Berne in 1825, and this branch of the Shultes family existed in the 1860s.

Discharge

A copy of William Shultes's discharge letter was also sent from the file in the National Archives. It is handwritten, and transcribed as follows:

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United States Mustering Office No. 25 St. Mark's Place New York 5 Sept, 1865

Surgeon in Charge Stauton U.S. General Hospital Washington, D.C.

Sir

I have the honor to state that on the rolls of Co. I 61, NY Vols, the following remark appears opposite the name of Corporal William Schultes, "Discharged under 90 ???? W.D. May 14, 1865 Series 1865." He states he was a patient in Stauton Genl Hospital at the time and I wish to ascertain whether he received discharge and final statements from the hospital in question.

I am, Sir Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servent

Henry A. Ellis Capt. 17 U.S. Inf.

Later Life

William Shultes returned to Berne following his discharge in 1865.

The United States Census Report of 1880 for Albany County lists William Shultes was a farm laborer, aged 60. It is not known if he stayed with his family, or boarded as a laborer with another farm family.

Death

William Adam Shultes died in 1897 at the age of 82 years. It is believed that he may be buried in the Weidman Family Burying Ground. If so, the gravesite is lost to the elements. This tiny cemetery is in extremely poor repair.

Additional Media

Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

Sources