Saturday, January 28, 2012

Samuel Kimball Ellis.








Samuel Kimball Ellis, this picture was taken at the time of enlistment, September 12, 1863, at the age of 22. He enlisted as a Private in Company G., 25th., regiment Connecticut Volunteers.

Note. Push pictures to enlarge.










Samuel  Kimball, Rockville Connecticut.
Past commander and chaplain of Burpee, Post No. 71, G. A. R.



Birth: 1839 .
Death: 1918.
Spouse: Sarah Towne Ellis (1846 - 1915)
Burial: Grove Hill Cemetery, Rockville, Tolland County, Connecticut.

William Augustus McClendon.

William Augustus McClendon.


William A. McClendon.
1st. Lieut.
Co. G.
15th. Ala. Infantry.
Taken 1895.
Push to enlarge.
 Birth: Aug. 7, 1844, Henry County, Alabama.
Death: Apr. 19, 1921, Alabama.

Was Sheriff of Henry County for several terms.

Parents: Joel Tyson McClendon (1799 - 1863)
Mary Polly Sowell McClendon (1812 - 1903)

Spouse: Lake Erie Perry McClendon (1843 - 1930)

Children: John Thomas McClendon (1866 - 1893)
Rosa McClendon Hutto (1868 - 1915)
Robert Edward Lee McClendon (1872 - 1953)
John Tyson McClendon (1874 - 1968)
Mary Elizabeth McClendon Hendley (1877 - 1899)
Joel Sowell McClendon (1886 - 1976)

Burial: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama.

The following note and the picture above came from his book he wrote in 1909, called "Recllections of war times."  This book can be found and read on line

"The bearer, 1st, Lieutenant W. A, McClendon of company "G.", 15th, regiment of Alabama Infantry, a prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia, has permission to go home, and there remain undisturbed."
A. A. Lowther.
Colonel commanding 15th, Alabama regiment.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Colonel Aquia Wiley.


Col. Aquila Wiley.
Push to enlarge.

Aquila Wiley.

Birth: unknown
Death: Jun. 5, 1910.

Service: 41st., Ohio Infantry, Co. F&S.
Rank: COL.
Enlisted: 19 Sept 1861.
Mustered: 4 Jun 1864.

Burial: Wooster Cemetery, Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio.

Report of Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Kimberly, Forty-first Ohio Infantry.

HDQRS. FORTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, In Camp near Knoxville, Tennessee, December 8, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the battalion under my command, which includes the Forty-first and Ninety-third Regiments Ohio Infantry Volunteers, from the time of breaking camp at Chattanooga, November 23, 1863, to the present date:

At the commencement of the operations, Colonel Aquila Wiley,
Forty-first Ohio Infantry Volunteer, was in command of the battalion, but the wounding of that officer on the evening of the 25th devolves upon me the duty of reporting the operations before I assumed command.

At noon of November 23, the battalion prepared to move from its camp near Fort Wood, Chattanooga, upon reconnaissance toward Missionary Ridge, and at 2 o'clock of that day marched in line of battle with the brigade upon the enemy's rifle-pits, a mile in advance of the ridge. The position assigned this battalion was upon the right of the first line, its front being covered by the Fifth Kentucky Infantry as skirmishers. The advance for 800 yards from Fort Wood was over open ground; beyond this was a forest, in the skirts of which the enemy's pickets were met, but gave way readily before the skirmishers. As the line advanced in support of the skirmishers, Colonel Wiley, seeing his right uncovered, sent two companies of the Forty-first Regiment, under Major Williston, to act as flankers.

Passing over a gentle crest, which had been occupied by the rebel pickets, and into the dense undergrowth of oak in the valley beyond, could advance no farther, but the main line went steadily forward for 200 yards without firing, though receiving a rapid musketry fire. A good line of rifle-pits, on considerable crest 100 yards to the front, was now distinctly visible, and in these pits the rebel pickets had been rallied. Colonel Wiley sent notice of this fact to his brigade commander,and received immediately an order to take the file-pits and hold the crest. Before the messenger bearing the order reached him, Colonel Wiley had opened fire and led his battalion forward to within 50 paces of the rifle-pits. Here he mat a severe fire from the front and right. At the letter point the enemy's line of works bent toward his front, and enabled him to pour upon Colonel Wiley's line an enfilading fire. Near a fourth of the men were struck down here in advancing 25 or 30 paces, and the battalion was for a moment staggered by the withering musketry.

It soon rallied, however, under the personal efforts of Colonel Wiley and his subordinates, and pressed forward over the rifle-pits. As soon as these were reached, the enemy's resistance ceased and the men who occupied the pits generally surrendered and were sent to the rear. A slight parapet for the defense of the position was at once constructed. The line to our right was also abandoned almost immediately, and the battalion was left in quiet possession of the works, subject only to cannonade of an hour the enemy's batteries on Missionary Ridge.

During the 24th, and until afternoon of the 25th, the battalion remained in the position above described. At 2 p.m. of the 25th the brigade was formed to carry the enemy's works at the foot of Missionary Ridge. Colonel Wiley's battalion was assigned a position on the right of the second line. The battalions of this line were deployed, having to pass for three-quarters of a mile under fire of the enemy's batteries on the ridge before coming upon the works at the foot. Scarcely was the line in motion before the enemy commenced a furious cannonade from the ridge, which was continued uninterruptedly until his batteries fell into our hands. The works at the foot of the ridge were carried by the skirmish line, and the battalion moved up and covered itself behind them, as well as was possible. While lying here Colonel Wiley, who had incautiously exposed himself, was struck by a canister-shot, which shattered his leg.

A few moments afterward I heard the order from the brigade commander to assault the enemy's line at the summit of the ridge, and the command of the battalion having devolved upon me, I at once ordered them men forward. Owing to the noise of the cannonade, and the fact that the men were lying flat upon their faces for cover, it was impossible to make this command heard along the entire line. After advancing briskly about 50 paces, perceiving my men were not yet all up, I checked the movement for a moment to close up the line. The enemy's canister was thrown too thickly, however, to permit an instant's halt here, and at my command the enemy men promptly commenced the ascent of the ridge. This was very steep and covered with stumps, logs,&c. The advance was made steadily, though of course slowly, and the nature of the ground prevented any attempt at the preservation of lines.

When about two-thirds of the ascent had been accomplished, I saw that the face of the hill where my battalion was moving was concave, and exposed to fire from the rifle-pits at the top, while a battery to the right enfiladed the line. To the left 50 paces the face of the hill was convex, and a part of the left battalions was moving up well covered. To take advantage of this, I closed to the left most of my men, and with the rest, who were now within 30 paces of the enemy's rifle-pits, opened a fire upon the battery to the right, which throwing canister very rapidly. The fire of my men was very effective, the rebel gunners firing but two shots we opened upon them, when they deserted their pieces and ran. Half a dozen men of the Forty-first Regiment, who were farthest to the right, at once seized the battery, and, turning it upon the enemy, added materially to the panic had now seized them.

The party to my left, before alluded to as moving up the convex face of the hill, had entered the enemy's rifle-pits, and the portion of my battalion to the right of this were fast forming in them, when going forward to look down the opposite slope, I discovered the enemy rallying just under the crest. Sending the colors of my regiment forward to the crest, the men were ordered to advance, when they dashed upon the enemy without waiting for command, and drove him entirely form the position.  To the right the enemy still held out, and my battalion, with others of the brigade, advanced along the ridge several hundred yards, when it was halted and prepared to defend the place should the enemy attempt to retake it. No further fighting occurred, and the evening was spent in collecting the artillery which had been captured.

On the night of the 26th, the battalion returned to camp at Chattanooga, and on the 28th, marched with the brigade for Knoxville, reaching its present camp on the 7th instant.

No praise is extravagant when applied to the officers and men whose bravery and zeal carried the enemy's works under such heavy loss on the 23d, and climbed the apparently impregnable heights of Missionary Ridge on the 25th. I have particularly to thank Major Williston, Forty-first Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and Captain Bowman, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for efficient and gallant services, and, without exception, the subordinate officers of both regiments for gallantry in action and faithful performance of duty at all times. Corpl. G. A. Kreamer, Company I, Forty-first Ohio Infantry Volunteers, deserves especial mention for turning the first gun of the enemy when the ridge was carried, and for capturing the flag of the Twenty-eighth Alabama Regiment on the 23d. Sergt. D. L. Sutphin, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, took a rebel flag on the ridge, making two taken by the battalion.

It would be presumption in me to speak in commendation of Colonel Wiley, or to say more than that the loss to himself is less than the loss to the service. Maj. William Birch, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a brave and faithful soldier, fell on the 23d, while leading his men to the assault.

The loss of the honored dead demands their country's mourning, but the manner of their death will be mentioned with just pride always.

I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient s
ervant, R. L. KIMBERLY.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

George D. Miller, 124th. Pennsylvania Ifantry.

This page was taken from the history of the 124th., Pensylvania, it was written my him for the history book.
--------------------------------

John T. ( F. ? ) Gunning, Private, Corporal, Color Bearer.

John T. Gunning.

Veteran, Age 33, Residence Ceadar Rapids, Iowa, Nativity of Ireland.  Enlisted February 11, 1862, Mustered in March 5, 1862.  Promoted Eight Corporal, March 1, 1862, Fourth Corporal.  Wounded in the head and leg severely October 3, 1862, At the battle, Corinth, Mississippi.  Re-enlisted and remustered March 8, 1864.  Missingin action July 23, 1864, near Atlanta, Ga.  Promoted Secord Corporal.  Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps April 28, 1865.  Mustered out September 18, 1865, Davenport, Iowa.

Authors note.  I took this information and picture from a book on the History of the 15th., Iowa.  While a lot of the men were giving a large write up John was just given a short note, why I have no idea.  John was in the 15th., Iowa Infantry, Company A.,  He stared out as a Privaate and came up the ranks, was one of the companies color bearers.  If one was to  look up information on him, you would need to look under John T., John F., as he is recorded under both.  Pension roll No. 118-408, Roll says he was living in Cedar Rapids, states he had a gun shot to his right side, was given $6, per month.    If any one can add to his information I would be glad to have it.

Faces Of The 31st. Indiana Infantry.

On this page you will find 4, faces, these are not all the faces I have, there are a lot more, mostly Officers.  If you don't see a face here, you can request a look up.  if your face is not found there still will be some kind of information on him.
------------------------------
Picture can be enlarged by pushing on it.
------------------------------
          Read picture lift to right.

Augustus C. Ford.

Enlisted September 9, 1861, at Terre Haute, Indiana, Age 23, Regiment 31st., Co. A., Mustered out April 1, 1865.  Remarks; Sergeant, Resigned on account of family affairs, 1St. Sergeant November 9, 1861; 1St. Lieutenant October 31, 1864; Captain November 1, 1864.  Nativity Vermilleion county, Indiana; Clerk.
Birth: Aug. 3, 1838, Brazil Clay County Indiana.
Death: Mar. 30, 1911, Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana.

Union Civil War Veteran Officer. Born in Brazil, Indiana, he later moved to Terre Haute, Indiana. When the Civil War began, Ford volunteered to serve in the Union Army and enlisted for three years' service. He was mustered into Company A with the 31st Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a Sergeant. He was eventually promoted to Captain of Company A and participated in several major engagements of the Western Theatre including the Battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stones River, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville. His company had the greatest percentage of lives lost than any other company that Indiana sent to the war. After the war, Ford returned to Indiana and lived in Terre Haute until his death in 1911 when he was 72 years old. He was buried in Cincinnati at Spring Grove Cemetery in the family plot of his wife, Orphia C. Ford.
Burial: Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.

William Henry Harrison Beadle.

Enlisted September 5, 1861, at Terre Haute, Indiana, Age 23, Regiment 31, Co. A., Mustered out February 2, 1862.  Remarks; Resigned. Lieutenant, Captain September 11, 1861.

Birth: Jan. 1, 1838
Death: Nov. 13, 1915

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Entered into the Union Army during the Civil War as a Captain in the 31st Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was soon promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Sharpshooters. He was severely wounded in battle, which forced him to resign his commission. However, he returned to the Army in the Veterans Reserve Corps, serving first as Major of the 1st VRC, then of the 3rd VRC. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for "gallant and meritorious services during the war". He was appointed Surveyor General of the Dakota Territory in 1869. He helped write up the Code of 1877, and was known for his management plan for "school lands," whose sale would help fund public education. He became Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1879, and his school lands ideas were written into the South Dakota constitution in 1889. His school lands idea was a model for several other western states. Beadle served as president of the Madison State Normal School from 1889 to 1905, and was a professor there before retiring in 1912. There is a statue of him in the United States Capitol building Rotunda in Washington, D.C. The inscription on the statue states, "He Saved the School Lands".
Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Albion, Calhoun County, Michigan.

Charles M. Spencer.

Enlisted September 20, 1861, at Terre Haute, Indiana, Age 19, Regiment 31, Co. A., Mustered out September 10, 1864, Remarks: Discharged at expiration of service.

Richard M. Waterman.

Enlisted September 5, 1861, at Terre Haute, Indiana, Age 52, Regiment 31, Co. A, Mustered out September 10, 1864.  Remarks: 2nd Lieutenant. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant on Dec. 1, 1861. Promoted to Captain on May 3, 1862. Resigned on account of disability. Resignation revoked; he died Aug. 22, 1864, Special Order # 565, War Department 1866.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Three Men of the 18th., Pennsylvania Cavalry.


To enlarge picture push on it.

First Horse Joseph L ( S.? ) Leslie.  Second Horse Henry C. Potter.  Third Horse Samuel H. Tresonthick.


First Lieutenant, Joseph L. ( S. ? ) Leslie, Mustered in September 20, 1862, promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant, July1, 1863; to First Lieutenant May17, 1865.  Captured near Stafford C. H., Virginia, August 1863.  In prison at Libby prison, Danville Virginia, Macon Ga., Charleston and Columbia, S. C.  Escaped from Camp Sorghum about November 30, 1864, withothers by running throughthe lines; recaptured nearSavannah R. below Augusta Ga., about the latter part of  December 1864, and sent to Augusta barracks, thence to stockde at Florence S. C., thence about January 5, 1865, to Asylum prison, Columbiaa S. C.; thence to avoid recaptured, by Sherman's army, February 14, 1865, to Charlotte N. C., February 24, to Raleigh, N. C, February 28, to N. E. bridge near Wilmington, N. C., March 1, 1865; arrived at Annapolis, Maryland on borad transport, General Sedgwick, March 7, 1865.  Mustered out date unknown.

Authors note.  Died March 23, 1905, buried at Marion National Cemetery, Marion, Grant County, Indiana.

Captain, Henry C. Potter, Mustered in December 8, 1862.  March 13, 1863, appointed A. D. C. on General Wyndham's staff; April 8, 1863, relieved and return to regiment by O. Deforest, Colonel commanding cavalry brigade.  Captured in a charge at Hagerstown Maryland, July6, 1863, sent to Libby prison, thence May5, 1864, to Danville, Virginia, where confined one week; thence to Macon Ga., on way to Macon, escaped and recaptured; about July 18, 1864, sent to Charleston, S. C., where confined in city jail and Marine Hospital until October 5, 1864, thence sent to CampSorghum on the Congaree river, opposite Columbia S. C.  Escaped from Camp Sorghum, and after wandering about some thirty day's, was recaptured and taken to the house of Levi Adams, between Edgefield C. H., S. C., and Augusta Ga., and return to Camp Sorghum.  Parold and released December 12, 1864.  June 18, 1865, appointed A. A. D. C., on General Rodenbough's staff; 2nd brig., 1st Div., Dept., West Virginia.  Retained by Colonel W. H. Enochs, who assumed temporary command of the Dictrict of Cumberland, West Virginia, June 28, 1865.  Promoted from 2nd Lieutenant, April 1, 1863.  Commissioned Captain company L., April 14, 1865.  Mustered out with company D., 3rd regiment Prov. cavalry, October 31, 1865.

Captain Samuel H. Tresonthick, Mustered in September 17, 1862.  Promoted to first Lieutenant, October 8, 1862, to 2nd Lieutenant, December 8, 1862, to Captain May 1, 1864.  Captured in action at Brandy station, Virginia, October 11, 1863; Escaped and return to the regiment.  Died July 26, 1864, of wounds received in action at St. Mary's Church, Virginia, June 15, 1864.


Authors note.  He was wounded in left leg, leg amputated, wound contracted gangrene, died July 26, 1864.  He was born in 1838, New York,  Buried, body lost or destoryed, burial place is unknown. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

"Little Ed" aka Edward F. Parker.

His real name was Edward F. Parker, he came to camp at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in October 1862, when the regiment was being organized and sold papers; he was between the age of ten and twelve years.  The boy was liked by the soldiers of the regiment, and when the regiment was about to leave Harrisburg, this boy expresied a desire to gowith the regiment, saying he had no home.

Captain Peter Wise and the men of Company I., permitted this boy to with them, and at Bladensburg, Md., captain Wise secured a horse for him, in the engagement at Hanover, Pa., June30, 1863, his horse was shot under him in the charge, in which he participated, but he escaped unharmed, another horse was provided for him.

He always took pride in keeping his uniform clean and neat, which the officers and men procured for hm.  By his intelligence, trustworthines, geniality, and courage, he endeared himself to every officer and man in the regiment; he was ready and willing to undertake any task military or otherwise, however hazardous, that he thought would be of benefit to the union cause, or for the advantage of the 18th., Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Lieutenant Colonel W. P. Brinton, who command the regiment a large portion of the time, in the campaigns of 1863 and 1864,became very much attached to this boy, and on several occasions and positions of the enemywhich could not have beenprocured by any soldier.  The incident related by General James H. Wilson, which occurred at Opeguan, Va., ( Winchester ), September 14, 1864, shows the corage of this boy, as well as his devotion to Colonel Brinton.

"Little Ed", was with the regiment from it's organization and until it's muster out October, 1865, except for a short time when he was captured by the enemy, from whom he escaped, and returned to the regimentin a short time.  The three years of outdoor life developed our boy phygically, and at the muster out of the regiment, was a good size and rugged boy for one of his age.

There was an effort made by the officers and menof the regiment at Cumbealand, Md., when the regiment was discharged to get the boys name on the muster-out-rolls, so that he might obtain an honorable discharge, and get some pay for the three years service he had rendered, but the attempt failed, and Edward F. Parker served three years, faithfully, courageously and honorably as man can, without pay or reward. 

Three Men of the 161st., Indiana Infantry 1898.

Ernest R. Puhlman, Private, 161 st, Indian Infantry, Company A.  He was born in Berline Germany, in 1877.  His  death was the first of the regiment.  His death was that of a accident.  Ernest was with some of his comrades who were bathing in Trout creek September 3, Puhlman, misjuging the water's depth, dove from a rail road trestle and striking bottom dislocating the thrid spinal vertebra.  He was unconsecious up to the moment of his death, and died at 6:30 p. m., September 4, 1898, in the third division hospital, Camp Cuba Libre.
Note. There is a picture upon requist.
----------------------------


Picture 1.  Jacob W. Dexter, Private, 161st., Indiana infantry, Company I., enlisted at twenty-two years at Monticello, June 8, 1898.  He was transferred to the Hospital Corp's August 20, 1898, and by testimony of the chief surgeon was one of the most obedient and best nurses in the corps.  He was exposed to the smallpox while on duty, he stood at his post and cared for his comrades untill the dreaad disease fastened upon him, and he died on January 17.  He was buried in the United States Military Cemetery, side by side with his comrads, he grave is No. 16.

Picture 2.  Charles Everson, Private, 161st., Indiana infantry, Company K., Died of Typhoid fever, December 2, 1898, at the age of twenty-nine, at Camp Onward, and his remaines were sent home in Columbus Ohio.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Captain Henry Bedinger.

Henry Bedinger, was of the Virginia line, he entered the service in June,1775, in Captain Hugh Stephenson's company of Riflemen, and was appointed sergeant before he left the recrvting rendezvons at Shepherdstown Va. He marched with his company to the siege of Boston and served till his company was discharged in June of 1776. He was in June of 1776, made a Lieutenant in Captain Abraham Shepherd's company, in Colonel Hugh Stephenson's regiment of Riflemen.

In August of 1776, Colonel Stephenson died, and Colonel Moses Rawlings assumed the command of the regiment. Captain Bedinger, was with regiment at the defense of Fort Washington, November 16, 1776. He was captured there and detained a prisoner of war, "four years wanting sixteen days." His service is accredited to the end of the was, and received a pension in Berkely county Va., under the act of May15, 1828, as a Captain, to which he had been promoted to while a prisoner.

Pension application of Henry Bedinger S8059, Transcribed by Will Graves [State of Virginia, Jefferson County] For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an act entitled “An Act for the relief of certain Surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution” approved on the 15th day of May 1828.


I, Henry Bedinger of the County of Berkeley in the State of Virginia, do hereby declare, that I was an Officer of the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution and served as such in the end of the war, at which period I was a Captain in the fifth Regiment of the Virginia line, And I do also declare that I afterwards received certificates (commonly called commution Certificates) for a sum equal to the Amount of five years full pay, which sum was offered by the resolve of the 22nd of March 1783 instead of half pay for life, to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 25th October 1780.  Witness my hand this third day of June 1828.
S/ Henry Bedinger