Free Genealogy Biography of H. W. Heffener,
Pennsylvania Volunteer of the Civil War
H. W. Heffener
H. W. Heffener, the senior member of the firm, was born in York in 1845, and is a son of William H. and Charlotte (Reika) Heffener, natives of Germany, who settled in York the same year our subject was born.
At the age of sixteen he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry, and soon after his regiment was placed under Gen. Kilpatrick's command, the only Pennsylvania Cavalry in Sherman's famous march from Atlanta to the sea. He participated in all of the engagements and skirmishes of his regiment from Atlanta, Ga., to Morrisonville, N. C., where he saw Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's force surrender, and remained with Sherman's army until the close of the war. At Waynesboro, his horse was shot dead from under him.
He was one of the 100 men selected to carry important dispatches from Gen. Kilpatrick to Gen. Sherman. They performed the daring act of piercing the Confederate lines, and passing through them to their general (Sherman) in command. This was considered one of the most daring acts of the war, and richly merits the admiration of all.
The Ninth captured during its service some 8,000 prisoners and twenty-eight pieces of artillery, and destroyed hundreds of miles of railroad and bridges. The Ninth was known as Krider's Mounted Rangers, and did scout duty for all the prominent generals in the department of Kentucky.
Mr. Heffener was one of thirty scouts under the famous "Kentucky Bill," that burnt the house of Gen. Battle, where all the guerillas had their headquarters, and were commanded by a son of the General.
After being mustered out at Harrisburg, our subject returned to York and followed the trade of painting until 1868. He then became a fireman on the Northern Central Railroad, until he engaged at his present business. He is a member of the G. A. R., a member of the town council of York, vice-president of the Anchor Building Association, a director in the Protective Building Association, and a member of the Rescue Fire Company. Mr. Heffener was married to Miss Rebecca Brenner, of Adams County, in April, 1883. They have one child, George W. Heffener.
Source: York County, Pennsylvania Biographical History, John Gibson, Chicago: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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