George Washington Stuller was born on July 4, 1843, in Saxton, Pennsylvania, to Ulrich and Nancy Stuller. His father was a shoemaker. Stuller grew up and attended school in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and by 1860, he was working as a laborer. He enlisted in the Union army on February 24, 1864, and mustered in as a private in Company K of the 18^th Pennsylvania Cavalry later that day. The regiment took part in the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Third Battle of Winchester, and the Battle of Cedar Creek.

 

Stuller rejoiced at the Union military’s triumph in April 1865, writing that “this Cruel War is over onse more For we have Gernal lee and Gernal Johnston and Richmond and Mobile and meny other Important points that was Strong rebels dens and there is no reble army eny more.” He hoped to return home by July 4^th and “live In pese and lipertey and freedom onse more.” The prayed that “ouer old Flag [would] again wave over the hold united Stats of america as it did before…long ma She wave over the land of the free and a home of the Brave.”

 

The following month, however, he learned that Union officials intended to keep him in the army “til ouer time Is out.” The army transferred him to the 3^rd Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry on July 14, 1865, and he deserted from the army on July 22, 1865.

 

He returned to Huntingdon and married Barbara Krouse there on January 3, 1869. They had at least six children: Anna, born around 1871; Emma, born around 1873; Daniel, born around 1875; Elizabeth, born around 1881; Mary, born around 1883; and Caroline, born around 1885. They settled in Coalmont, Pennsylvania, and Stuller worked as a shoemaker.

 

By 1870, he owned $400 of real estate and $100 of personal property. They moved to North Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, and Stuller found work in a local coal mine. He applied for a federal pension in June 1890, and despite his record of desertion, he eventually secured one. By 1900, they were living in Burnside, Pennsylvania, and he had resumed his work as a shoemaker. He died of heart disease in Brisbin, Pennsylvania, on May 27, 1910.

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