SILAS HOFFMAN was born in 1819. He was almost 44 years old when he mustered in as a private with the 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company A, on February 29, 1864. Silas was described as being 5’ 5¾” tall, having, brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and working as a laborer at the time of enlistment. Silas mustered out with his Company on July 17, 1865. He is found in the Rahn Township, Schuylkill County, Census reports from 1870 through 1890. Silas lived in Coaldale with his wife Rebecca Mertz and their 13 children. He worked as a laborer during those years.

Married Rebbeca Mertz and had 13 children: Mary Ann, Rebbeca, Margaret, Sally, George, Theresa, Albert, Amelia, Mahlon, John, Silas, Charles, Dillon; not able to find his parents names yet or locate tombstone believe buried at Summit Hill, Carbon, Pa

Silas Hoffman is buried in the Summit Hill, GAR cemetery. The Summit Hill Historical Society did a Memorial Day Cemetery Walk (date?) at the GAR, and Silas was one of the featured soldiers.

Silas has received a new government issued military stone. Photos of his old and new grave markers are provided.

Source: http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=3176&p=surnames.hoffman

Hoffman, Silas: 2/29/1864; 40 yrs.; 5’5 ¾”; Light Complexion; Blue Eyes; Brown Hair; Laborer; Born: Berks County; Enlisted: Pottsville; Mustered Out: 7/17/1865

Source: http://48thpennsylvania.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html

Movements of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment from September 1861 thru July 1865 are on the following website. Between February 1864, when he enlisted, and July 1865 when he mustered out of the Army, Silas Hoffman was presumably a participant in the Civil War Rapidan Campaign, Battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and in the assault on and the fall of Petersburg, VA.

Source: http://www.civilwarintheeast.com/USA/PA/PA048.php

Note: Another Silas Hoffman, who is presumably one of the sons of Silas Hoffman, is listed on the Coaldale monuments as having participated in the Spanish-American War.