Enlistment Date: October 1, 1861
Release Date: November 27, 1863
Unit: 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, Company K
Sylvester Noel was born in 1840. Following the outbreak of the war he joined the army and was placed in the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, Company K.
After the eleventh regiment was formed, it was sent to Camp Curtin. The regiment experienced its first combat experience at Falling Waters, Virginia on July 2, 1861. This battle ended with a victory against the Confederates under the command of Colonel Stonewall Jackson. Later, on June 26, 1862, the regiment partook in the Battle of Mechanicsville. Unfortunately, the regiment could not secure victory and a majority of soldiers became prisoners of war. This regiment remained war prisoners until August 5, 1862 when a ransom was paid for release of the soldiers.
Following the ransom, the regiment received replacement troops for those who could not continue fighting. The regiment was then sent to offer help at the Second Battle of Bull Run on August 29, 1862. It was at this battle that Emanuel Noel was injured. The regiment then took part in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, in which it lost seven members. The regiment then participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg from December 11 to 15, 1862. The regiment suffered heavily with there being 112 soldiers either killed, wounded, or missing.
Later on, the eleventh played a role in the Battle of Gettysburg, arriving on July 2, 1863. During this battle, 83 members of the regiment were wounded with three members being killed. This was the last large battle that the regiment participated in. It was mustered out the following year. A number of veterans buried in Saint Vincent Cemetery were a part of this regiment.
Following the war, Sylvester Noel married Ellen Noel and together they had a child. He died on June 5, 1871 at the age of 31. His gravestone is in section B.
(Compiled by Raymond Aguiar)
