Accidents In The Civil War.

In the time of Civil War, or any war for that matter, one thinks of those in the fight and those being killed or wounded in battle. But there are more then one way one can be killed or wounded in the service, and that is by accident. I wonder how many of are Great-great-grad fathers told his family he was wounded at some great battle and left it at that, no one would know the truth as more then likely the family would not see his discharge papers and find out the truth. Now I know why he may have stretched the truth a little how embarrassing it would be to have to tell your family that you were at this great battle only to be taken out of the fight because of a accident, by either dumb luck our his own stupidity. But let us not forget that he was at the battle even if it was just for a little while and saw the horrors of war.
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Private George W. Davis, Company A, was accidentally shot by some one foraging near the road November 18, and died that night;
Service: Rank Private Company A Unit 129 Illinois United States Infantry, Residence ODELL, LIVINGSTON CO, ILL., Age 21, Height 6' ½, Hair BROWN, Eyes GRAY, Complexion DARK, Marital Status SINGLE, Occupation FARMER, Nativity New York, Joined When AUG 2, 1862, Joined Where PONTIAC, ILL., Period 3, years, Muster In SEP 8, 1862, Muster In Where PONTIAC, ILL. DIED NOV 17 or 18, 1864 AT MADISON GA. OF WOUNDS RECD ACCIDENTALLY.

Mortimer Odett, 3rd., New York Cavalry, Company G, accidentally shot himself, June 15, 1864.

Captain Willington or wellington S. Lee, Company F, Third Illinois Cavalry, was accidentally shot on August 21, 1863 by one of his men; wound probably mortal.
Service: Rank 1Lieutenant Company F Unit 3rd., Illinois United States Cavalry, Residence QUINCY, ADAMS CO, ILL., Age 37, Height 5' 10, Hair BROWN, Eyes HAZEL, Complexion LIGHT, Marital Status MARRIED, Occupation LAWYER, Nativity ERIE CO, PA., Joined When AUG 5, 1861, Joined Where QUINCY, ILL., Period 3, years, Muster In AUG 24, 1861, Muster In Where CAMP BUTLER, ILL., PROMOTED CAPTAIN. Captain, DIED OF WOUNDS AUG 29, 1863

Private William Flannery, 13th., New York, Infantry, Company F, was accidentally shot in the arm by his own rifle.

On the 20th we remained in the position of the previous day until 5 p. m. Captain Samuel F. McKee, Company H, in charge of the skirmishers of the regiment, was this day accidentally shot ad mortally wounded by one of the men of his command. Death ended his sufferings the day following. His loss is a great one to the regiment and to the service. Always faithful and punctual in the discharge of his duties in the camp and in the field, he had gained the confidence and respect of his brother officers, who feel that they have lost in him a true friend and an officer deserving a more glorious fate. His meritorious conduct in this and previous campaigns entitled him to the high appreciation in which he was held by all who knew him.
Service: Samuel F. M'Kee, Adjutant mustered in October 18, 1862. Promoted to Captain Company H, March 12, 1864, Company H., Promoted from Adjutant, March 12, 1864; died June 25, of wounds received June 20, 1864.

May 27, 1864, Thomas C. Case, 98th., Ohio, Company C, who, it is supposed by many, accidentally shot himself dead.

September 22, 1863, Private Ed. Hurst accidentally shot himself. In line of battle.
May have been of the fourth Indiana Infantry.

Early on the morning of July 3d, 1863,Colonel Frederick H. Collier of the 139 Pennsylvania Infantry, accidentally shot himself through the foot with a pistol-ball, and was compelled to leave his command.
Service: Frederick H. Collier, Colonel, mustered in September 1, 1862. Accidentally wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863; brevet Brigadier General, March 13, 1865; discharged November 27, 1865.

May (?), 1863, Bugler, William H. Leeser, fifth United States Cavalry, of Company B, accidentally shot himself while on picket at Kelly's ford.

July (?), 1863, Westport, Charles Laturner, private, 8th., Michigan Cavalry, Company G, was accidentally shot through the body, and was left, under proper care.
Service: Home was Clinton, age 18 years om enlistment. Was of Companies K., G. and K.

December (?), 1862, During the afternoon of this day Corporal. William K. Worth, of the 23rd., Massachusetts Infantry, company I., accidentally shot himself through the hand.

March 25, 1862, Lieutenant William Marshall, 1st., Colorado Volunteers, company F., accidentally shot himself while breaking a loaded musket which he held in his hand by the muzzle.

March or April 10, 1862, Thomas W. Spriggs, private, 2nd., New Jersey Infantry Company C., was accidentally shot through the head while removing his musket from the stack, and expired in a few moments.

TORPEDO BUREAU, Richmond, Va., November 18, 1864.
Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON.

Secretary of War:

SIR: I have the honor to state that notwithstanding the vigilance of the enemy we have managed, from time to time, to transfer to their rear torpedoes; but many abortive attempts thus to destroy their shipping before I came here - but one success, I believe, in the James River - have rendered them so watchful that I almost despair of accomplishing anything that way now, with the obstructions in the river and guards to their vessels. It has had one good effect, however, in causing the enemy to watch the river-banks with thousands of their soldiers, who might otherwise be employed against us. We have relied somewhat necessarily upon the " Singer torpedoes," which were located at spots visited by the boats of the enemy, but, as before reported to the engineer bureau, with no adequate results, leading to a doubt of their efficiency in salt water where barnacles and young oysters abound.

Our operations have been mainly directed to the James, Pamunkey, and Chickahominy Rivers, and some attempts made in Appomattox with torpedoes. When I left Richmond for Wilmington, in the fall of 1862, we commenced planting submarine mortar batteries in the James, and it is much to be regretted that the officer who relieved me in the submarine defenses did not continue their use, as these, the enemy report, being of a nature they could not remove, kept them out of Charleston harbor. Our efforts for the defense of this place have been directed lately to planting subterra shells between our lines of abatis at our works commanded by General Barton. We have planted at this date 1,298 subterra shells so protected by tin covers inverted over them as thoroughly to shield them from the effect of rain and increase the area of the primer, and might thus be put at the bottom of the river without deteriorating their efficacy. For the protection of our own men, immediately in rear of each shell, at a distance of three feet, is planted a small red flag on a staff three feet long to indicate where it is, which is to be removed at night-fall or if the enemy approach, to be replaced as soon thereafter as necessary.

There are pathways made for egress and ingress of our soldiers through these flags and shells indicated by longer streamers, and is intended to be surmounted at night by lanterns with lamp or candle having three darkened sides, and one glass covered with red flannel, as soon as they can be made; the pathway between two of these being safe at night, and the light easily extinguished at any moment. These shells now seem to be popular with our officers and are being planted as fast as our limited means will permit, say about 100 per diem. From reports of deserters they are rapidly demoralizing the enemy. Unfortunately in planting one of these shells a few days since one of our best men thus employed, William S. Deupree, accidentally fell upon one and was immediately killed in full sight of the foe, who, hearing the explosion, was attacked to the spot, observing the effects and what was doing. In closed is a diagram of the position of the subterra shells at our lines, which it is believed the enemy will not attempt to pass, and will enable us to subtract most of our infantry protection from our batteries of artillery for service in the field.

1st February1864, , Private James Lick, 25th., Wisconsin Infantry, Company C, while watering ambulance horses on board the H. Choteau, accidentally fell overboard and was lost in the Mississippi River.

February 2, 1864, Private George W. Louthain, 25th., Wisconsin Infantry, Company I, shot by accidental discharge of his gun while falling in company for line of march at Little Chunky Creek, Mississippi.

October 7, 1864, John Luckmeyer, 5th., New Jersey Infantry Co. D., was (accidentally); wounded.

July 12, 1864, During this day Sergeant (?) Delay 3rd., Iowa, Cavalry Co. I., while laying down the fence for his squadron, was accidentally wounded in the leg.
May have been Reuben Delay.

September 1863, Captain (?), Boswell, Illinois regiment, who had been acting major, performed his duty well until the morning of the 19th, when he was accidentally wounded and retired from the field.
May have been Andrew J. Boswell, Company F. of the 44th. Infantry.

September 17, 1862, Private (?), Drimer was accidentally wounded in the hand by a piece of friction-primer.
No record can be found on him on him on at any regiments, name may be in error.