Major Abraham Snyder was killed 5 May 1864 in the second Battle of the Wilderness. Men in his company risked their lives to go back that night to retrieve his sword and personal effects for his family.

Three stories are told about Major Abraham Snyder:

It was said that on long marches if Major Snyder noticed a soldier who couldn't keep the pace, he would ride up beside him and say "Look Private Jones, I'm tired of riding this horse and need some exercise. Will you ride him a while so I can walk and stretch my legs?"

There was a renegade in Major Snyder's regiment, who eventually failed to return from furlough. The superior officers wanted to court-martial him, but the Major asked if he couldn't try to bring him back. He received permission and, quite easily, found the soldier at his home. He told him that he had arranged additional leave for him, so that he was not really AWOL after all. But he told him that this was just a technicality, and that the next time, he might not have as good a friend. The soldier was grateful, but at the same time, very scared, so he never again caused any trouble.

Shortly before his death, a chaplain came to the regiment who had a case of "stage-fright" when he found he was supposed to talk to the men before they went into battle. He went to Major Snyder and explained his predicament, and asked him if he wouldn't pinch-hit for him. The Major agreed and so the men had their sermon, not from their chaplain, but from their commanding officer. After Major Snyder was killed, the chaplain sent a copy of the sermon to his widow.

Mary Cole