Hello Fellow Listers: Just ran across a copy of a newspaper article that might be of interest to some of you SHEARER researchers. If interested in a scanned copy which includes a picture of Marie SHEARER NEIDIGH - let me know and I'll try to send one to you. Here's a transcript copy. Please forgive any typo-errors! Donna HELLER ZINN of Newville, Cumberland Co., PA. *************************************************** Juniata Times - dated 3-Nov-1999 - Front Page CIVIL WAR VETERAN'S DAUGHTER REUNITES WITH THE FAMILY PAST Sheila McCarthy Yorks Those who fought in the battles, sieges and conflicts that kept this county free, will soon remember the struggles of those past wars, as they prepare to celebrate Veterans' Day. the national holiday was set aside by the United States government to honor soldiers who left their sweethearts, families and jobs to settle conflicts that arose since Americans decided to begin governing their own affairs over 200 years ago. This year, Veterans' Day will be celebrated Thursday, November 11. On that day many U.S. citizens will be thinking of their freedom and of the loved ones who helped give them that independence. One such person is Marie Shearer Neidigh of Blairs Mills whose father fought in the Civil War. In September 1864, shortly after the famous Battle of Gettysburg, Jacob Shearer enlisted and was mustered in the service. He was 21 years old. The war was still being fought in the southern states and Shearer's unit, the 208th Regiment under the commanding officer of A. B. McCalment, was sent to Petersburg, VA. On March 26, 1865 the Blairs Mills man fell into unfortunate circumstances and was wounded in battle at Fort Steadman, VA. He was discharged from the armed forces in Alexandria about two months later, as he had only enlisted for a one-year stint. Once home, he bought a farm near Blairs Mills, and began caring for the young fruit trees that had been planted on the tract of land. He eventually built a home at the site of the fruit farm where he continued operation his small fruit farm. Marie is one of five children born to Jacob and his third wife, Mary Shields. The family really doesn't have recollection of where he was born as his first two wives died at young ages. Marie says she was only ten when her father died in 1921 at age 77 and says she doesn't recall him talking of the war. In truth, she really learned most about the war in history class, she notes. The one remembrance she has of him being a war veteran is when he attended a gathering at the Gettysburg Battlefield for the battle's 50th anniversary in 1913. It is noted in a local newspaper of that year that 75 Civil War veterans from this county attended the reunion and were housed in tents that were reserved for them on the battlefield. A photo she possesses pictures him, along with four other local Civil War veterans, in front of those tents. Although she only has pictures of him, she does recollect her father giving her a mug with her name on it after he returned from the 50-year reunion. She also remembers the sword, dinged canteen and discharge papers that were kept in their farmhouse as she grew up. The local veteran didn't leave much folklore about his days on the battlefields in Virginia, but he did leave a lasting memory of pride to his ancestors. When asked if she is proud of her father's war efforts, Marie gleamed as she responded, "Yes. I think it was nice to free the slaves." [caption under photo: PROUDLY REMEMBERING HER FATHER is Marie Shearer Neidigh who looks over the few books, papers and photos of Jacob Shearer who fought and was wounded in the War between the States. Shearer served as a private from September 1864 to March of 1865 fro the 208th Regiment under Commander A.B. McCalment before being mustered out of the service in June of 1865. He spoke little of the war, but is fondly remembered by his ancestors for his heroism. (photo by Sheila McCarthy Yorks)]