I know that there is not a lot of information here, but it will tell you if your ancestor was indeed in the navy and you will learn his rank and what State he was from and the amount of his pension.
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1. Robert Forsith, Marine, New Hampshire, $3., per month, $36, per year.
2. Richard Wilson, Boatswain, New Hampshire, $10., per month, $120., per year.
3. John Mushaway, Boatswain, New Hampshire, $10., per month, $120., per year. boatswain, 30 October, 1799. Resigned 1 April, 1800.
4. George Arbuckle, Seaman, Massachusetts, $3.33, per month, $40. Per year.
5. Gavin Walkinshaw, Seaman, Massachusetts, $8.50, per month, $102., per year.
6. John Shapeley, Cook, Massachusetts, $9., per month, $108., per year.
7. Uriah Hanscom, Ordinary seaman, Massachusetts, $6., per month, $72., per year.
8. John Davidson, Lieu tenant, Massachusetts, $20., per month, $240., per year.
Lieutenant, 31 January, 1799. Discharged 22 October, 1801, under Peace Establishment Act.
9. Richard W. Cooper, Seaman, Massachusetts, $8.50, per month, $102., per year.
10. Charles Sandys, Salimaker’s mate, Massachusetts, $8.50, per month, $102., per year.
11. Silas Taft, Marine, Massachusetts, $3., per month, $36, per year.
12. William Taylor, Able seaman, Massachusetts, $4., per month, $48., per year.
13. Henry Nelson, Able seaman, Massachusetts, $6., per month, $72., per year.
14. James Steel, Able seaman, Massachusetts, $6., per month, $72., per year.
15. Collins Lincoln, Marine, Massachusetts, $3., per month, $36., per year.
16. Peter M’Mahon, Ordinary seaman, Massachusetts, $4.50., per month, $54., per year.
17. Cotton ‘Brawn, Cook, Massachusetts, $9., per month, $108., per year.
18. John Hoxse, Seaman, Rhode Island, $8.50, per month, $102., per year.
19. Isaac Stearns, Marine, Rhode Island, $3., per month, $36., per year.
20. Edward Field, Surgeon mate, Connecticut, $15., per month, $180., per year.
Surgeon's Mate, 6 August, 1799. Last appearance on Records of Navy Department, 6 July, 1801.
21. Jason Bebee, Corporal of. marines, Connecticut, $4., per month, $48., per year.
22. George Bonner, Seaman, New York, $8.50, per month, $102., per year.
23.. William Fitzsimmons, Ordinary seaman, New York, $7., per month, $84., per year.
24. John Baptiste, Boy, New York, $3., per month, $36., per year.
25. Enoch Brown, Midshipman, New York, $9., per month, $114., per year.
Midshipman, 10 July, 1799. Discharged under Peace Establishment Act, 11 July, 1801
26. Jacob Bern, Seaman, New York, $8.50, per month, $102., per year.
27. James Currin, Ordinary seaman, New York, $7., per month, $84., per year.
28. William Cotter, Cook, New York, $6., per month, $72., per year.
29. John Smith, Ordinary seaman, New York, $7., per month, $84., per year.
30. John Whipple, Quartermaster, New York, $9., per month, $108., per year.
31. Seth Harding, Captain during the Revolutionary war, $30., per month, $380., per year.
32. James Williams, Ordinary seaman, New York, $5., per month, $60., per year.
33. Joseph Irvine, Corporal of. marines, New York, $4., per month, $48., per year.
34. Neal Patterson, Seaman, New York, $6., per month, $72., per year.
35. John Carbery, Cooper, New York, $4.50, per month, $54., per year.
36. Peter Lemark, Private marine, New York, $3., per month, $36., per year.
37. Dominick Burns, , Private marine, New York, $3., per month, $36., per year.
38. Seth Hebbard, Private marine, New York, $3., per month, $36., per year.
39. William Robinson, Private marine, New York, $3., per month, $36., per year.
40. Isaac Andrews, Private marine, Pennsylvania, $5., per month, $60., per year.
41. Patrick Fowler, Marine, Pennsylvania, $2.50., per month, $30., per year.
42. Philip Morrison, Marine, Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
43. Thomas Burns, Boatswain, Pennsylvania, $7.60., per month, $91.20, per year.
44. Thomas Baker, Captain, Pennsylvania, $37.50., per month, $450., per year.
Lieutenant, 25 May, 1798. Captain, 13 July, 1799. Discharged 13 April, 1801.
45. Hamilton Sellers, Ordinary seaman, Pennsylvania, $7., per month, $84., per year.
46. Charles Christian, Seaman, Pennsylvania, $8.50., per month, $102., per year.
47. John Casson, Marine, Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
48. John Johnson, Private marine, Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
49. William Sandwith, Private marine, Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
50. Henry Dougan, Private marine, Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
51. John Rosier, Private marine, Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
52. Jacob Farman, Able seaman, Pennsylvania, $5., per month, $60., per year.
53. David Thomas, Marine, Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
54. William Barry, Ordinary seaman, Pennsylvania, $5., per month, $60., per year.
55. Andrew Hanson, Seaman, Pennsylvania, $8.50., per month, $102., per year.
56. Richard Webb, Ordinary seaman, Pennsylvania, $5., per month, $60., per year.
57. Richard Gold, Able seaman, Pennsylvania, $6., per month, $72., per year.
58. John Moore, Able seaman, Pennsylvania, $6., per month, $72., per year.
59. John Pasco, Able seaman, Pennsylvania, $6., per month, $72., per year.
60. James Perkins, Able seaman, Pennsylvania, $2., per month, $24., per year.
61. Hugh Kelly, , Pennsylvania, $3., per month, $36., per year.
62. Richard Gilbody, Ordinary seaman, Delaware, $4., per month, $48., per year.
63. Edward Murray, Se9eant of marines, Maryland, $4.50., per month, $54., per year.
64. Daniel Fullen, Ordinary seaman, Maryland, $7., per month, $84., per year.
65. George Calder, Midshipman, Maryland, $9.50., per month, $114., per year.
Appointed Midshipman, 29 June, 1798. Resigned 22 March, 1802. Appointed Sailing Master, 7 April, 1803. Resigned 26 November, 1804.
66. William Barker, Ordinary seaman, Maryland, $6., per month, $72., per year.
67. William Pitruan, Boy, Maryland, $3., per month, $36., per year.
68. Michael Conner, Marine, Maryland, $3., per month, $36., per year.
69. Charles Young, Marine, Maryland, $3., per month, $36., per year.
70. John Randal, Marine, Maryland, $3., per month, $36., per year.
71. Daniel Frazer, Quartermaster, Maryland, $9., per month, $108., per year.
72. Lewis Traya, Seaman, Maryland, $1., per month, $12., per year.
73. Maurice Gleeson, Marine, Maryland, $3., per month, $36., per year.
74. William Robins, Seaman, Maryland, $6., per month, $72., per year.
75. John Shannamon, Seaman, Maryland, $6., per month, $72., per year.
76. John Hadden, Seaman, Maryland, $6., per month, $72., per year.
77. Solomon Carrier, Sergeant of marines, Maryland, $4.50., per month, $54., per year.
78. Angello Formoso, Canonier, Maryland, $5., per month, $60., per year.
79. Nathaniel Weems, Surgeons mate, Maryland, $15., per month, $180., per year.
Surgeon's Mate, 21 September, 1802. Surgeon, 1 July, 1803. Resigned 20 February, 1806
80. Daniel Leonard, Seaman, Maryland, $5., per month, $60., per year.
81. Alexander Blackburn, Ordinary seaman, Maryland, $5., per month, $60., per year.
82. George H. Rogers, Sergeant of marine, Maryland, $4.50., per month, $54, per year.
83. John M’Donough, Ordinary seaman, Maryland, $5., per month, $60, per year.
84. James Pelt, Seaman, Virginia, $8.50, per month, $102., per year.
85. William Small, Marine, Virginia, $1.50, per month, $18., per year.
86. James Digance, Quartermaster, Virginia, $9., per month, $108., per year.
87. James Jeffers, Ordinary seaman, Virginia, $4., per month, $48, per year.
88. William Davis, Seaman, Virginia, $6., per month, $72, per year.
89. William Tyrrel, Seaman, Virginia, $8.50., per month, $102, per year.
90. Will1am Howell, Seaman, Virginia, $5., per month, $60, per year.
91. Edward Meany, Ordinary seaman, Virginia, $5., per month, $60, per year.
92. James Dennis, Marine, South Carolina, $3., per month, $30, per year.
93. Daniel Saunders, Seaman, Georgia, $6., per month, $72, per year.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Etienne Bernot & Somerville Norris 1860.
I found the information on this invention very interesting and I think you well too.
Chap. CXCII. — An Act to confirm and establish a Patent heretofore granted to Etienne Bernot, dated July twenty-four, eighteen hundred and sixty, and to secure to George Somerville Norris, the Assignee of said Patent, the Benefit of the full term for which said Patent was granted.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the patent granted to Etienne Bernot on the twenty-fourth day of July, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty, for” an improved machine for cutting files,” and which patent, on the face thereof was granted for the term of fourteen years from the date of said patent, shall be, and the same is hereby, made a valid grant for the full term of fourteen years from the date of said patent, notwithstanding the fact that a patent had been previously granted in France for the same invention, and notwithstanding that said patent, when issued, ought to have been granted only for the term of fourteen years, to be computed from the date of the said patent, previously issued in France.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the title of George Somerville Norris, as assignee of said patent, under the assignment made to him by said Etienne Bernot, dated October eight, eighteen hundred and sixty, and recorded in the Patent Office, shall be good and valid to vest in said assignee, his executors, administrators, and assigns, the executive right, under the said patent, for the full period of the term of fourteen years from the date of said patent, in like manner and to the same extent as if the said patent, when originally issued, had been validly granted for fourteen years from the date thereof.
APPROVED, July 16, 1862.
Note Those of you who would like to read more about this invention and how it works can find out by using this link: http://news.google.com/patents/about?id=wGZnAAAAEBAJ There will also be three drawings of the invention to look at.
Chap. CXCII. — An Act to confirm and establish a Patent heretofore granted to Etienne Bernot, dated July twenty-four, eighteen hundred and sixty, and to secure to George Somerville Norris, the Assignee of said Patent, the Benefit of the full term for which said Patent was granted.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the patent granted to Etienne Bernot on the twenty-fourth day of July, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty, for” an improved machine for cutting files,” and which patent, on the face thereof was granted for the term of fourteen years from the date of said patent, shall be, and the same is hereby, made a valid grant for the full term of fourteen years from the date of said patent, notwithstanding the fact that a patent had been previously granted in France for the same invention, and notwithstanding that said patent, when issued, ought to have been granted only for the term of fourteen years, to be computed from the date of the said patent, previously issued in France.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the title of George Somerville Norris, as assignee of said patent, under the assignment made to him by said Etienne Bernot, dated October eight, eighteen hundred and sixty, and recorded in the Patent Office, shall be good and valid to vest in said assignee, his executors, administrators, and assigns, the executive right, under the said patent, for the full period of the term of fourteen years from the date of said patent, in like manner and to the same extent as if the said patent, when originally issued, had been validly granted for fourteen years from the date thereof.
APPROVED, July 16, 1862.
Note Those of you who would like to read more about this invention and how it works can find out by using this link: http://news.google.com/patents/about?id=wGZnAAAAEBAJ There will also be three drawings of the invention to look at.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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.
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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.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
John T. Anderson & James D. Barnes, M. S. M.
I put up this page be cause I found John T. Anderson and James D. Barnes very interesting men, and the report on them sound like it came out of scene of a movie. I tried to find more about them but was unsuccessful. I would like to hear from any of my readers who can shed some light on them. My address can be found in my profile. Please state the title of this page, when answering.
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Numbers 2. Report of Colonel John F. Philips, Seventh Missouri State Militia Cavalry.
HDQRS. SEVENTH CAVALRY MISSOURI STATE MILITIA,
Camp Grover, near Warrensburg, Mo., July 14, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders received through sub- district headquarters, on the night of the 9th instant I sent Major Houts, of my command, with 150 men, northwest of this place, with instructions to scout the country thoroughly. They went twenty- five miles, and then turning north struck the Missouri River at Wellington. In this march they discovered abundant signs of the presence of guerrillas. This country is a safe covert for these outlaws. It is a complete jungle and a perfect solitude, the adjacent country to the Sni affording forage and rations. Arriving at Wellington about 10 a. m. on Sunday morning, Major Houts learned from a reliable contraband that two guerrillas had been in this town that morning, and her opinion was they had gone to a church- Warder's Church- distant two miles, where a Hardshell was in the habit of preaching to the "Brushers" the unsearchable riches for good whisky and guerrilla warfare. The major, with accustomed promptness, at once detached about fifty men, under command of the intrepid and cool- headed Captain Henslee, Company L, and sent him to this church.
The force approached this church by a narrow road, having to cross a bridge within twenty paces of the building an ascend avery abrupt bank. The captain took the precaution to send forward Sergeant Brassfield with six men, with instructions to dash at all hazards over this bridge up the hill, and passing the church to occupy a position beyond, with a view of intercepting fugitives, and at the same time, by attracting the attention of the congregation, to make a diversion in favor of the main column. The guerrillas were then seven or eight in number, beside some outpost pickets on the Lexington road. The cry of "Feds!" thundered from the audience, and the worthy pastor, who was in the midst of a fervent supplication, found his flock greatly demoralized, and concluded it wasn't worth while to pray any longer under the circumstances.
The guerrillas were on the alert, some at their horses, some in the church, and one, who was to be married- perhaps that very day- to the pastor's daughter, was standing at the window, making love to his inamorata. The guerrillas as quick as thought saw their peril, and with drawn revolvers they began earnest work, with a nerve and determination worthy of a better cause. The captain's whole force was thrown into the work. The women and children screamed with terror, and, rushing wildly from the church, exhibited a method in their madness by throwing themselves in front of the rebel outlaws. Captain H., whose presence of mind is equaled only by his gallantry, rode out an commanded the women to "squat."
They obeyed the summons, and the work of death went bravely on. Five bushwhackers were killed outright, the sixth mortally wounded, and one or two, despite all vigilance, made their escape amid the furor and confusion. Wilhite and Estes were numbered among the slain. These were noted and desperate fellows, and their crimes are as back and infamous as they are numerous. Two horses and equipments were captured by us; five or six Colt navy revolvers. One man, Corporal Cozad, Company L, was wounded in heel and left at Lexington. One horse and equipments lost, belonging to Private James D. Barnes, Company D.
Justice to merit requires me to mention the names of Privates John T. Anderson, Company L, and James D. Barnes, Company D. Anderson was one of the advance who passed by the church. He received three shots through his clothes,one knocking the skin off his nose and one striking the pistol in his hand. He rode right in the midst of the scoundrels, and with great coolness and precision shot right and left, emptying twelve barrels and loading four more, all the while directing the movements of other soldiers around him. Anderson was badly wounded a year ago in a hand to hand fight with Livingston, in Southwest Missouri. Barnes, discovering one of the bushwhackers making his escape, singled him out, charged on him, discharging his rifle flung it aside, and with drawn pistol spurred forward, chasing for half a mile the rebel who was firing back at him; Barnes holding his fire until he drew up on his game, was just in the act of shooting at short range when his horse fell headlong, precipitating the rider over his head with a fearful fall. The horse recovered and ran away after the guerrilla, carrying equipments, &c., all of which was the private property of the soldier, and is lost. Barnes is a mere boy and quite small, but is as bold and dashing a trooper as ever looked an enemy in the face.
From Wellington, Major Houts scoured the country to Lexington, from there to Columbus, Johnson County. Here he ran onto six or seven guerrillas who fled at first fire, and being well mounted, and our horse greatly jaded, they outran us and escaped. The command returned to camp yesterday, 13th instant. Number of miles traveled, 175.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JN. F. PHILIPS,
Colonel Seventh Cavalry Missouri State Militia.
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Numbers 2. Report of Colonel John F. Philips, Seventh Missouri State Militia Cavalry.
HDQRS. SEVENTH CAVALRY MISSOURI STATE MILITIA,
Camp Grover, near Warrensburg, Mo., July 14, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders received through sub- district headquarters, on the night of the 9th instant I sent Major Houts, of my command, with 150 men, northwest of this place, with instructions to scout the country thoroughly. They went twenty- five miles, and then turning north struck the Missouri River at Wellington. In this march they discovered abundant signs of the presence of guerrillas. This country is a safe covert for these outlaws. It is a complete jungle and a perfect solitude, the adjacent country to the Sni affording forage and rations. Arriving at Wellington about 10 a. m. on Sunday morning, Major Houts learned from a reliable contraband that two guerrillas had been in this town that morning, and her opinion was they had gone to a church- Warder's Church- distant two miles, where a Hardshell was in the habit of preaching to the "Brushers" the unsearchable riches for good whisky and guerrilla warfare. The major, with accustomed promptness, at once detached about fifty men, under command of the intrepid and cool- headed Captain Henslee, Company L, and sent him to this church.
The force approached this church by a narrow road, having to cross a bridge within twenty paces of the building an ascend avery abrupt bank. The captain took the precaution to send forward Sergeant Brassfield with six men, with instructions to dash at all hazards over this bridge up the hill, and passing the church to occupy a position beyond, with a view of intercepting fugitives, and at the same time, by attracting the attention of the congregation, to make a diversion in favor of the main column. The guerrillas were then seven or eight in number, beside some outpost pickets on the Lexington road. The cry of "Feds!" thundered from the audience, and the worthy pastor, who was in the midst of a fervent supplication, found his flock greatly demoralized, and concluded it wasn't worth while to pray any longer under the circumstances.
The guerrillas were on the alert, some at their horses, some in the church, and one, who was to be married- perhaps that very day- to the pastor's daughter, was standing at the window, making love to his inamorata. The guerrillas as quick as thought saw their peril, and with drawn revolvers they began earnest work, with a nerve and determination worthy of a better cause. The captain's whole force was thrown into the work. The women and children screamed with terror, and, rushing wildly from the church, exhibited a method in their madness by throwing themselves in front of the rebel outlaws. Captain H., whose presence of mind is equaled only by his gallantry, rode out an commanded the women to "squat."
They obeyed the summons, and the work of death went bravely on. Five bushwhackers were killed outright, the sixth mortally wounded, and one or two, despite all vigilance, made their escape amid the furor and confusion. Wilhite and Estes were numbered among the slain. These were noted and desperate fellows, and their crimes are as back and infamous as they are numerous. Two horses and equipments were captured by us; five or six Colt navy revolvers. One man, Corporal Cozad, Company L, was wounded in heel and left at Lexington. One horse and equipments lost, belonging to Private James D. Barnes, Company D.
Justice to merit requires me to mention the names of Privates John T. Anderson, Company L, and James D. Barnes, Company D. Anderson was one of the advance who passed by the church. He received three shots through his clothes,one knocking the skin off his nose and one striking the pistol in his hand. He rode right in the midst of the scoundrels, and with great coolness and precision shot right and left, emptying twelve barrels and loading four more, all the while directing the movements of other soldiers around him. Anderson was badly wounded a year ago in a hand to hand fight with Livingston, in Southwest Missouri. Barnes, discovering one of the bushwhackers making his escape, singled him out, charged on him, discharging his rifle flung it aside, and with drawn pistol spurred forward, chasing for half a mile the rebel who was firing back at him; Barnes holding his fire until he drew up on his game, was just in the act of shooting at short range when his horse fell headlong, precipitating the rider over his head with a fearful fall. The horse recovered and ran away after the guerrilla, carrying equipments, &c., all of which was the private property of the soldier, and is lost. Barnes is a mere boy and quite small, but is as bold and dashing a trooper as ever looked an enemy in the face.
From Wellington, Major Houts scoured the country to Lexington, from there to Columbus, Johnson County. Here he ran onto six or seven guerrillas who fled at first fire, and being well mounted, and our horse greatly jaded, they outran us and escaped. The command returned to camp yesterday, 13th instant. Number of miles traveled, 175.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JN. F. PHILIPS,
Colonel Seventh Cavalry Missouri State Militia.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Fighting Hand To Hand.
On the battle field war can be a impersonal thing, you run across the field firing as you go stepping over the died or dieing, with your eyes fix on your goal, hoping you make it before yourself is killed. At these times one has no time to think of his personal feelings about the war. All he is hoping is that he will survive one more day. One could argue how can war not be personal. True one may have some personal feeling about war, a loss of a father or brother or maybe his home has been destroyed, but on the battle field things are different. The battle field is a very impersonal place, you fire into a mass of men then run then fire again and again till you reach the other side. For those who fire the cannon long distances its very impersonal, for they can not see the faces of those being killed.
But in the heat of battle sometimes it can get very personal, he may come face to face with the enemy and have to fight for his life hand to hand, now the war has become very personal, there is nothing more personal then to have to look into another mans eyes as you fight for your life and know you must win at all costs. So it was with these men listed here all fought hand to hand and won, if you can call killing another man winning.
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The Appomattox campaign.
Corpl. Louis W. Hardwick, Company G, Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteers, for conspicuous gallantry before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, when he was severely wounded in a hand-to-hand conflict.
Sergt. William Wick, Company D, First Michigan Sharpshooters, was the first to enter the enemy's works in the attack of April 2, 1865, before Petersburg, Va., and engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy.
Battles at Spring Hill and Franklin, Tenn., on the 29th and 30th of November, 1864.
Twenty-fourth Ohio.
Christian M. Gowing, Twenty-fourth Ohio, company H., who had just received promotion from sergeant, distinguished himself upon that occasion in a hand-to-handed counter with a stalwart form who had crossed our works, but soon was made to bite the dust. To give the exact number of prisoners captured would be a matter impossible.
The Richmond campaign.
I wish to call your attention to the braver displayed by Sergt. Alonzo Woodruff and Corpl. John M. Howard. They were posted on the extreme left of the line as the enemy passed our left flank. After discharging their rifles and being unable to reload Corporal Howard ran and caught one of the enemy who seemed to be leading that part of the line. He being overpowered and receiving a severe wound through both legs, Sergeant Woodruff went to his assistance. Clubbing his rifle, had a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, but succeeded in getting Corporal Howard away, and both succeeded in making their escape.
Third Colorado Cavalry, in the engagement with the Indians on Sand Creek, forty miles north of Fort Lyon, Colo. Ter., November 29, 1864.
Captain Talbot, of Company M, fell severely wounded while bravely leading his men in a charge on a body of Indians who had taken refuge under the banks on the north side of the creek. Here a terrible hand-to-hand encounter ensued between the Indians and Captain Talbot's men and others who had rushed forward to their aid, the Indians trying to secure the scalp of Captain Talbot. I think the hardest fighting of the day occurred at this point, some of our men fighting with clubbed muskets, the First and Third Colorado Regiments fighting side by side, each trying to excel in bravery and each ambitious to kill at least one Indian.
Colonel Edward M. C McCook, Second Indiana Cavalry, commanding First Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland.
I have to note among the casualties of the day the severe and dangerous wounding of Captain W. W. La Grange, First Wisconsin Cavalry, who fell while leading his men in a desperate hand-to-hand fight. He was a young officer of distinguished bravery and great promise.
The Gettysburg Campaign.
The Fourth Michigan and Sixty-second Pennsylvania had become mixed up with the enemy, and many hand-to-hand conflicts occurred. Colonel Jeffords, the gallant commander of the Fourth Michigan, was thrust through with a bayonet in a contest over his colors.
John H. Morgan, C. S. Army, commanding expedition.
Morgan second Kentucky Raid.
I have also to report that the Federal colonel, [Dennis J.] Halisy, of the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, commanding brigade, while engaged in picking up some stragglers of mine, was killed in a hand-to-hand conflict by Lieutenant [George B.] Eastin, of my command, and a lieutenant accompanying him was captured. The Federal forces are now moving down upon me. They left Lebanon this afternoon. I leave early to-morrow morning.
Second Manassas.
A number of the enemy's dead were left upon the field. Colonel Brodhead, of the First Michigan, was mortally wounded in a hand-to-hand encounter with Lieutenant [Lewis] Harman, adjutant of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry.
Second Manassas.
I regret to have to report that in this later part of the day, particularly in the last attack of the enemy, we lost many of our most gallant officers and men. Captain Barksdale fell mortally wounded, and Sergeant Smith, after distinguishing himself by his gallantry during the whole day, at last fell in a hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy.
Union Letters.
Sergt. Leander A. Wilkins, Company H, Ninth New Hampshire Volunteers, recaptured and brought off the field the colors of the Twenty-first Massachusetts Volunteers at Petersburg July 30, 1864, after a hand-to-hand encounter. Present.
Private Thomas Robinson, Company H, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, captured the colors of an unknown regiment at Spotsylvania May 12, 1864, after a desperate hand-to-hand conflict. now absent, wounded.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, MIL. DIST. OF KENTUCKY,
Lexington, Ky., January 29, 1865.
Captain CHARLES M. KEYSER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Kentucky.
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the forces under my command are doing good work. Information just received from Adjutant-General Lindsey reports a fight between a company of Fifty-fourth Kentucky Volunteers and a band of guerrillas under the notorious Dick Taylor, the same band that killed the negroes a few days since. Lieutenant Moore and Taylor had a hand-to-hand fight in which Moore was severely cut with a bowie knife and Taylor killed. One other guerrilla was killed and the rest routed.
Mobile Bay Campaign, Wilson Raid.
Sergt. John Wall, guidon bearer, of Company K, was also admirable. His company charged the line hand to hand with the rebels and this sergeant was shot in the bridle hand, the ball also striking deep into the lance of the guidon. He became the target for a line of muskets. He, however, maintained his place with the company, and, though thus wounded, captured a rebel officer in the heat of the battle.
Report of Lieutenant Colonel John M. Crebs, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry. HDQRS, EIGHTY-SEVENTH Regiment ILLINOIS VET. VOL. INFTY., Helena, Ark., February 14, 1865.
A Colt army revolver, captured in the skirmish on Sunday near Madison, was before that day unused, and the man upon whom it was captured admits he obtained it but a few days before from Memphis. I respectfully request that Private Hutson A. Keith, of Company I, who captured it in a hand-to-hand fight, and for his general good conduct, having in the last six months in the same way captured two other prisoners and killed in honorable fight a lieutenant in the rebel service, as a mark of commendation, may be permitted to retain the same as private property.
HDQRS, FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, near Lynch's Creek, S. C., February 26, 1865.
Corpl. Elijah G. Davis, Company I, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteers, with forage detail, who distinguished himself by refusing to surrender when attacked by four rebels, and fought hand to hand with them until he received seven wounds, and finally escaped death on the spot by the assistance of a comrade. His wounds, it is thought, will not prove fatal, and consist mainly of saber cuts.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Goldsborough, N. C., April 4, 1864.
Recommendations for promotion.
Major Thomas T. Taylor, Forty-seventh Ohio Veteran Infantry, to be brevet lieutenant-colonel for gallantry in the assault on Fort McAllister, December 13, 1864, and for a severe wound received in a hand to hand combat at that assault.
HEADQUARTERS 110TH OHIO VOLUNTEERS,
April 10, 1865.
CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and tenth Ohio Volunteers in the assault of Sunday, April 2, 1865, upon the enemy's works in front of Petersburg, Va.
Corpl. Calvin M. Espy, in a hand-to-hand combat, overpowered two rebels who refused to surrender to him. A great many others performed deeds of a similar character, but to mention all would occupy too much space.
Numbers 140. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph C. Hill, Sixth Maryland Infantry.
HDQRS. SIXTH REGIMENT MARYLAND VOLUNTEERS,
April 16, 1865.
Private Alexander Burleigh, Company B, for shooting down a rebel engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Captain John J. Bradshaw.
Appomattox Campaign.
First Lieutenant Nathaniel Burgess, mortally wounded in a hand-to-hand conflict in the battery.
GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Numbers 18. Gravelly Springs, February 24, 1865.
Captain Joseph C. Boyer, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, for gallantry in hand-to-hand fight on the night of the 16th of December, 1864, resulting in the capture of his opponent, Brigadier-General Rucker, of the Confederate army.
HDQRS. NINETY-SEVENTH Regiment OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,
Near Huntsville, Ala., February 10, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the bearer, First Sergt. Alfred Ransbottom, Company K, Ninety-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, captured the accompanying rebel battle-flag at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th day of November, 1864. The incidents connected with its capture are as follows: Our troops occupied a temporary line of works south of Franklin, Tenn., which was frequently assaulted by the enemy. This regiment took a very important part in the conflict, repelling the attack in every instance. The enemy kept up an incessant fire, and charged our line frequently until after night-fall, when volunteers were called for to pass through a gap in our works on the Columbia pike that they might enfilade the enemy and capture a portion of their storming party. Sergeant Ransbottom was among the first to volunteer to execute this perilous task, and as the contest became hand-to-hand he wrested the flag from the hands of the rebel color-bearer and carried it from the field in triumph as a trophy of one of the most hotly contested battles of the war. Such acts of noble daring are seldom equaled and rarely surpassed. I therefore earnestly desire that the military authorities may properly appreciate his personal gallantry.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADIER, THIRD DIV., SIXTH ARMY CORPS,
September 27, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to forward a report of the operations of this command during the recent engagements from September 19 to date, inclusive
Private David Robinson, Company B, One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers, fought desperately hand to hand with the enemy over a gun, being knocked down with the butt of a musket. He, however, succeeded in killing his opponent.
Third Colorado Cavalry.
Private McFarland was killed in a hand-to-hand engagement. But like true soldiers the boys stood their ground, killing 5 Indians and wounding several others.
BATTLES OF PETERSBURG.
Captain Levant C. Rhines commanding, was ordered to charge upon the angle of the enemy's works, which they did in most gallant style, capturing the works, with 3 officers, 86 enlisted men, and a stand of colors, which were sent to the rear. The enemy, however, were not disposed to yield the point and soon returned to the fight, which now became a fierce hand-to-hand conflict, in which Captain Rhines, who had displayed the greatest gallantry, lost his life
But in the heat of battle sometimes it can get very personal, he may come face to face with the enemy and have to fight for his life hand to hand, now the war has become very personal, there is nothing more personal then to have to look into another mans eyes as you fight for your life and know you must win at all costs. So it was with these men listed here all fought hand to hand and won, if you can call killing another man winning.
--------------------------------------
The Appomattox campaign.
Corpl. Louis W. Hardwick, Company G, Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteers, for conspicuous gallantry before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, when he was severely wounded in a hand-to-hand conflict.
Sergt. William Wick, Company D, First Michigan Sharpshooters, was the first to enter the enemy's works in the attack of April 2, 1865, before Petersburg, Va., and engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy.
Battles at Spring Hill and Franklin, Tenn., on the 29th and 30th of November, 1864.
Twenty-fourth Ohio.
Christian M. Gowing, Twenty-fourth Ohio, company H., who had just received promotion from sergeant, distinguished himself upon that occasion in a hand-to-handed counter with a stalwart form who had crossed our works, but soon was made to bite the dust. To give the exact number of prisoners captured would be a matter impossible.
The Richmond campaign.
I wish to call your attention to the braver displayed by Sergt. Alonzo Woodruff and Corpl. John M. Howard. They were posted on the extreme left of the line as the enemy passed our left flank. After discharging their rifles and being unable to reload Corporal Howard ran and caught one of the enemy who seemed to be leading that part of the line. He being overpowered and receiving a severe wound through both legs, Sergeant Woodruff went to his assistance. Clubbing his rifle, had a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, but succeeded in getting Corporal Howard away, and both succeeded in making their escape.
Third Colorado Cavalry, in the engagement with the Indians on Sand Creek, forty miles north of Fort Lyon, Colo. Ter., November 29, 1864.
Captain Talbot, of Company M, fell severely wounded while bravely leading his men in a charge on a body of Indians who had taken refuge under the banks on the north side of the creek. Here a terrible hand-to-hand encounter ensued between the Indians and Captain Talbot's men and others who had rushed forward to their aid, the Indians trying to secure the scalp of Captain Talbot. I think the hardest fighting of the day occurred at this point, some of our men fighting with clubbed muskets, the First and Third Colorado Regiments fighting side by side, each trying to excel in bravery and each ambitious to kill at least one Indian.
Colonel Edward M. C McCook, Second Indiana Cavalry, commanding First Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland.
I have to note among the casualties of the day the severe and dangerous wounding of Captain W. W. La Grange, First Wisconsin Cavalry, who fell while leading his men in a desperate hand-to-hand fight. He was a young officer of distinguished bravery and great promise.
The Gettysburg Campaign.
The Fourth Michigan and Sixty-second Pennsylvania had become mixed up with the enemy, and many hand-to-hand conflicts occurred. Colonel Jeffords, the gallant commander of the Fourth Michigan, was thrust through with a bayonet in a contest over his colors.
John H. Morgan, C. S. Army, commanding expedition.
Morgan second Kentucky Raid.
I have also to report that the Federal colonel, [Dennis J.] Halisy, of the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, commanding brigade, while engaged in picking up some stragglers of mine, was killed in a hand-to-hand conflict by Lieutenant [George B.] Eastin, of my command, and a lieutenant accompanying him was captured. The Federal forces are now moving down upon me. They left Lebanon this afternoon. I leave early to-morrow morning.
Second Manassas.
A number of the enemy's dead were left upon the field. Colonel Brodhead, of the First Michigan, was mortally wounded in a hand-to-hand encounter with Lieutenant [Lewis] Harman, adjutant of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry.
Second Manassas.
I regret to have to report that in this later part of the day, particularly in the last attack of the enemy, we lost many of our most gallant officers and men. Captain Barksdale fell mortally wounded, and Sergeant Smith, after distinguishing himself by his gallantry during the whole day, at last fell in a hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy.
Union Letters.
Sergt. Leander A. Wilkins, Company H, Ninth New Hampshire Volunteers, recaptured and brought off the field the colors of the Twenty-first Massachusetts Volunteers at Petersburg July 30, 1864, after a hand-to-hand encounter. Present.
Private Thomas Robinson, Company H, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, captured the colors of an unknown regiment at Spotsylvania May 12, 1864, after a desperate hand-to-hand conflict. now absent, wounded.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, MIL. DIST. OF KENTUCKY,
Lexington, Ky., January 29, 1865.
Captain CHARLES M. KEYSER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Kentucky.
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the forces under my command are doing good work. Information just received from Adjutant-General Lindsey reports a fight between a company of Fifty-fourth Kentucky Volunteers and a band of guerrillas under the notorious Dick Taylor, the same band that killed the negroes a few days since. Lieutenant Moore and Taylor had a hand-to-hand fight in which Moore was severely cut with a bowie knife and Taylor killed. One other guerrilla was killed and the rest routed.
Mobile Bay Campaign, Wilson Raid.
Sergt. John Wall, guidon bearer, of Company K, was also admirable. His company charged the line hand to hand with the rebels and this sergeant was shot in the bridle hand, the ball also striking deep into the lance of the guidon. He became the target for a line of muskets. He, however, maintained his place with the company, and, though thus wounded, captured a rebel officer in the heat of the battle.
Report of Lieutenant Colonel John M. Crebs, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry. HDQRS, EIGHTY-SEVENTH Regiment ILLINOIS VET. VOL. INFTY., Helena, Ark., February 14, 1865.
A Colt army revolver, captured in the skirmish on Sunday near Madison, was before that day unused, and the man upon whom it was captured admits he obtained it but a few days before from Memphis. I respectfully request that Private Hutson A. Keith, of Company I, who captured it in a hand-to-hand fight, and for his general good conduct, having in the last six months in the same way captured two other prisoners and killed in honorable fight a lieutenant in the rebel service, as a mark of commendation, may be permitted to retain the same as private property.
HDQRS, FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, near Lynch's Creek, S. C., February 26, 1865.
Corpl. Elijah G. Davis, Company I, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteers, with forage detail, who distinguished himself by refusing to surrender when attacked by four rebels, and fought hand to hand with them until he received seven wounds, and finally escaped death on the spot by the assistance of a comrade. His wounds, it is thought, will not prove fatal, and consist mainly of saber cuts.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Goldsborough, N. C., April 4, 1864.
Recommendations for promotion.
Major Thomas T. Taylor, Forty-seventh Ohio Veteran Infantry, to be brevet lieutenant-colonel for gallantry in the assault on Fort McAllister, December 13, 1864, and for a severe wound received in a hand to hand combat at that assault.
HEADQUARTERS 110TH OHIO VOLUNTEERS,
April 10, 1865.
CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and tenth Ohio Volunteers in the assault of Sunday, April 2, 1865, upon the enemy's works in front of Petersburg, Va.
Corpl. Calvin M. Espy, in a hand-to-hand combat, overpowered two rebels who refused to surrender to him. A great many others performed deeds of a similar character, but to mention all would occupy too much space.
Numbers 140. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph C. Hill, Sixth Maryland Infantry.
HDQRS. SIXTH REGIMENT MARYLAND VOLUNTEERS,
April 16, 1865.
Private Alexander Burleigh, Company B, for shooting down a rebel engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Captain John J. Bradshaw.
Appomattox Campaign.
First Lieutenant Nathaniel Burgess, mortally wounded in a hand-to-hand conflict in the battery.
GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Numbers 18. Gravelly Springs, February 24, 1865.
Captain Joseph C. Boyer, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, for gallantry in hand-to-hand fight on the night of the 16th of December, 1864, resulting in the capture of his opponent, Brigadier-General Rucker, of the Confederate army.
HDQRS. NINETY-SEVENTH Regiment OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,
Near Huntsville, Ala., February 10, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the bearer, First Sergt. Alfred Ransbottom, Company K, Ninety-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, captured the accompanying rebel battle-flag at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th day of November, 1864. The incidents connected with its capture are as follows: Our troops occupied a temporary line of works south of Franklin, Tenn., which was frequently assaulted by the enemy. This regiment took a very important part in the conflict, repelling the attack in every instance. The enemy kept up an incessant fire, and charged our line frequently until after night-fall, when volunteers were called for to pass through a gap in our works on the Columbia pike that they might enfilade the enemy and capture a portion of their storming party. Sergeant Ransbottom was among the first to volunteer to execute this perilous task, and as the contest became hand-to-hand he wrested the flag from the hands of the rebel color-bearer and carried it from the field in triumph as a trophy of one of the most hotly contested battles of the war. Such acts of noble daring are seldom equaled and rarely surpassed. I therefore earnestly desire that the military authorities may properly appreciate his personal gallantry.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADIER, THIRD DIV., SIXTH ARMY CORPS,
September 27, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to forward a report of the operations of this command during the recent engagements from September 19 to date, inclusive
Private David Robinson, Company B, One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers, fought desperately hand to hand with the enemy over a gun, being knocked down with the butt of a musket. He, however, succeeded in killing his opponent.
Third Colorado Cavalry.
Private McFarland was killed in a hand-to-hand engagement. But like true soldiers the boys stood their ground, killing 5 Indians and wounding several others.
BATTLES OF PETERSBURG.
Captain Levant C. Rhines commanding, was ordered to charge upon the angle of the enemy's works, which they did in most gallant style, capturing the works, with 3 officers, 86 enlisted men, and a stand of colors, which were sent to the rear. The enemy, however, were not disposed to yield the point and soon returned to the fight, which now became a fierce hand-to-hand conflict, in which Captain Rhines, who had displayed the greatest gallantry, lost his life
Saturday, February 20, 2010
They Were Prisoners
A while back I received a comment from a person saying how much they enjoyed my site, but whished I had given more on the event. Yes sometime I do cut the information short, and there is a good reason for that. Sometimes there is just not enough information and other times there is just to much and one has to draw the line some where. Those of us who do this kind of work would like to give a lot more information on a subject but a lot of times its just not possible. Too you have to remember this is a surname site and not a History site, I’m here to give you as many name as I can for each page I post, but I just can not just put up names.
I have to make it interesting for you to read and the only way to do that is to give some back ground on what he or she was going trough at that time in history. If I have done my job right, after reading the information you may whish to do some research on your own. Now for you college students who have written so many times over the years saying how much my information has help you in your class, all I can say is; “Your welcome.”
Now I know there will be some who are wondering if I may have more information on a Historical event or a name, well some time I do and other times no, but to find out all you have to do is write to me, I will be glad to hear from one and all. My address can be found in my profile, just don’t forget to state the title of the page or I may not be able to help.
Now for the information on the names below, all the information stated is all I well have but I hope its interesting and you will learn something new and would like to do your own research on it, and if so then I have done my job right.
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Cyrenius Chapin.
Cyrenius Chapin, was a colonel in the service of the United States during the late war. That upon the approach of the enemy towards Buffalo, in the State of New York, he met them, with a flag of truce, for the purpose of agreeing upon terms for the inhabitants of that village, in which there was not a sufficient force to make any opposition. That whilst he was discharging this duty, detained as a prisoner of war by the enemy and sent to Quebec, where he remained from the 30th of December, 1813, until the 4th of June succeeding, when he was exchanged and permitted to return home.
Michael Lewis.
Michael Lewis, represents himself to be a pilot of the bay and river Delaware; that he left the port of Wilmington, in the State of North Carolina, on the 20th of December, 1813, in the United States schooner Vixen, then under command of Captain Thomas Hall, bound to Philadelphia; that, while doing duty on board said vessel as a coasting pilot, on the 25th of the same month he was severely wounded by a shot from the British frigate Belvidere, then in chase of the said schooner; that he was taken prisoner and sent to the hospital at Hamilton, in the Island of Bermuda, where he remained eighty-two days, when, his wounds being healed, he was transferred to Halifax, and thence to Salem, Massachusetts.
W. H. Cox.
W. H. Cox, deceased, late a sergeant in company F, second regiment Pennsylvania artillery, to a pension in same manner as if he was still living, he having died of disease contracted whilst a prisoner of war at Andersonville, Georgia, and if found to be entitled to a pension, then same, from time of his discharge till death, to be paid over to his father, Charles D. Cox. Whereas W. H. Cox, a hale, hearty, young man of about twenty years of age, residing with his father Charles D. Cox, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and being a part of his family, on the sixteenth day of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, was enrolled as a sergeant in company F, second regiment Pennsylvania artillery, to serve three years or during the war; that he was regularly mustered in as such, and at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, on or about the second of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, was taken prisoner by the rebels and sent to Andersonville, Georgia, and there confined as a prisoner of war for the period of ten months, and from exposure and lack of food became very much debilitated, and after being released he was on the eighth of August eighteen hundred and sixty-five, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by virtue of a telegram dated Adjutant General's office, May twelfth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, honorably discharged from the United States service; and whereas the said W. H. Cox, after reaching his father's residence, made application for a pension under existing laws, in consequence of disease contracted in line of duty, and before the case was finally disposed of, to wit: July ninth, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, he died of disease contracted as aforesaid, and the Commissioner then declined to proceed further in the case, being of opinion that the death of the young man suspended further proceedings; and whereas, Charles D. Cox, father of said deceased soldier is desirous of obtaining the pension justly due his said son from date of his discharge till death, to be applied to the purchase of a suitable monument to be placed at his grave
1798, Joseph Rittenhouse, stating that he is a prisoner at the suit of the United States, and, having surrendered his property, asks to be liberated.
Samuel H. Moore.
Samuel H. Moore, late private in company G, fifty-seventh regiment Ohio veteran volunteer infantry, was entered on the rolls of his company as having deserted in January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three; and whereas there is satisfactory evidence that said Moore did not desert, but was captured by the enemy; that his conduct previous to such capture was good; and that after his release by the enemy as a paroled prisoner of war he rejoined his regiment and remained and served with it until it was mustered out of service.
1777, David Kerr, late a prisoner of Colonel Montgomery's battalion of the flying camp, for his pay from the time he was taken prisoner till his return, one month and 20 days, 12 dollars.
Andrew Elder, late a corporal in the above battalion, for his pay while a prisoner, and which is claimed by his father, one month and 23 days, 12 86/90 dollars.
Thomas Eden.
Thomas Eden was attached as a marine on board of the United States schooner Ann Alossis, commanded by James Smith, and while in the line of his duty in the war of eighteen hundred and twelve, against Great Britain, was taken prisoner by the enemy and was imprisoned twelve months in the prison-ship La Amathist, at Jamaica, in the year eighteen hundred and thirteen; subsequently released and served as a soldier in said war, in the company of Captain William A. Dunham, regiment commanded by Colonel James Johnston, and was honorably discharged when peace was proclaimed.
Robert Smith.
Robert Smith was appointed in the beginning of the year 1780 chaplain to the Southern hospital by General Lincoln; that he continued in the exercise of the duties of his appointment until May, 1780, the time of the surrender of Charleston to the British Army, at which time he was made a prisoner of war; that he continued in Charleston attending his duty at the hospital for a considerable time after its surrender and until he was ordered to Hadrell's point to remain among the officers of the federal army who were there confined; that he continued there until June, 1781, when he was sent to Philadelphia on parole, in which situation he remained, until the end of the war, in captivity and at a distance from his country and estate, for tho' repeated attempts were made to exchange him it was not in his power ever to obtain it, in consequence of which he was prevented from returning to South Carolina, and paying that attention to his affairs he might otherwise have done had he not been restrained by the terms of his parole.
1797, James Leander Cathcart, a citizen of the United States, and many years a prisoner in Algiers, to be Consul General of the United States for the city and kingdom of Tripoli. Mr. Cathcart was head Christian Clerk for some years to the Dey of Algiers.
James A. Mulligan.
James A. Mulligan on the fifteenth of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, was mustered into the service of the United States as colonel of the twenty-third Illinois infantry, known as the Irish brigade, marched to the front in July, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and from that time, (excepting two months when a prisoner of war,) was actively engaged in the military service of the republic against armed rebels until he fell on the battle-field of Winchester, the twenty-sixth day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-four; and whereas during two years of that military service he was assigned to the command of brigades and divisions, and performed the duties of brigadier and major general, but only received the pay of a colonel; and whereas the widow and children of the said Colonel James A. Mulligan are justly entitled to, and need for their support, the amount of pay which he would have received if he had been commissioned according to his respective commands in the field.
Isaac Zane, 1801.
Isaac Zane, stating that he was made a prisoner at the age of nine years by the Wyandot Indians, with whom he remained until he became of age, had a family by a woman of that nation, and a tract of land was assigned him by the said nation, on a branch of the Great Miami river, and which tract of land was ceded to the United States by a recent treaty with the said Wyandot Indians.
John Fenton, 1775.
Col. John Fenton, who had been taken into custody by the Convention of New Hampshire, for being concerned in measures dangerous to the rights of America, and who, by order of the General, now remains, on his parole, a prisoner at Hartford; that he may be permitted to go to Great Britain or Ireland.
Cosimo Medici, 1788.
Cosimo Medici, was a Captain in the service of the United States and the Report thereon, by the commissioner of Army accounts, unwilling to remain an inactive spectator of the ravages of the enemy upon his country, joined the cavalry under the command of Colo. Anthony W. White in South Carolina, and on the 10th . of April 1780 was in cavalry orders appointed by Colo. White Judge advocate and major brigade, of the four corps of cavalry under his command. In which capacity he did duty with address and bravery until made a prisoner by the British horse on the 6th of May following. When he was wounded, and lost two valuable horses with his baggage, and afterward remained a prisoner near eleven months. he had rendered essential services in the line of his duty, and suffered much in his person and property, yet is not entitled, by the existing resolutions of Congress, to any compensation. However later he was given hundred dollars for his services and losses.
1776, Patrick Sinclair, a prisoner, asks for leave to return to Europe.
1784, Nathaniel Greenwood asks for pay while a Prisoner, he would receive $1,500, dollars.
1782, Captain Joshua Huddy; who, after being a prisoner some days with the enemy in New York, was sent out with a party of refugees, and most cruelly and wantonly hanged on the heights of Middletown.
1776, Mons. la Marque, a Canadian prisoner, for his allowance from the 31 August to the 8 November, inclusive, being 10 weeks, at 2 dollars per week, 20 dollars, to be paid to Mons. de la Magdalaine
1776, Captain Thomas Gamble, a prisoner of the 47 regiment, for his allowance from the 10 August, to the 2 November, inclusive, being 12 weeks, at two dollars per week, 24 dollars, and to be paid to James Biddle, Esqr.
1777, Thomas Irving, a prisoner of war now in Baltimore, asks to be set at liberty, or allowed to proceed on his return to South Carolina, agreeable to a permission granted him by Governor Trumbull. He was permitted to proceed to South Carolina, under his present parole, to be, when he arrives there, under the direction of Governor Rutledge, or the executive power of that state.
1814, John C. Hurlburt, late of Chatham, in the district of Connecticut, now a prisoner confined in jail at Hartford, in said district, for an alleged violation of the embargo law.
1787, Richard Lawrence a prisoner confined in the New Jail of the City of New York stating that since the conclusion of the peace he has been arrested and confined in prison for Acts done during the war and under special Orders from the british commander in chief.
Thomas H. Cushing, 1788.
Thomas H. Cushing, praying for rank and amoluments beg leave to report, that they have again very fully enquired into the circumstances upon which Mr Cushing grounds his claims, and have with attention heard his Allegations in support thereof. It appears that there were two Lieutenants viz Messieurs Hollis and Williams elder in the first Massachusetts Regt . than Mr. Cushing. It appears also by the two letters of Colonel Vose commanding Officer of said Regiment and an intervening regulation of Congress of the 21st of October 1780 that those two Lieutenants chose rather to continue and do duty as Lieutenants than be promoted and deranged.
And it further appears that Mr . Cushing continued to do duty under said Lieutenants untill May 1781 when he was taken prisoner and being exchanged in May 1783 joined the Army and did duty as Lieutenant until July 1784 and as Mr . Cushing did not avail himself of the redress which he knew existed only in the army, there is a strong presumption either of an acquiesence, or neglect of application on the part of Mr. Cushing, or we must suppose that the Commander in chief and boards of General Officers were not disposed to listen to the just complaints of the Army, from all these circumstances Your Committee are still of opinion that the petition of Thomas H Cushing praying for rank and amoluments cannot be granted.
1791, Nicholas Rieb asking for compensation for his services as a soldier in the Army of the United States, during the late war; and also that he may receive the pay and emoluments due to his son, Peter Rieb, a soldier in the same corps, and who was taken prisoner by the enemy, and never since heard of.
Antonio Pelletier.
Antonio Pelletier, a citizen of the United States, naturalized in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-two, did, during the month of August or September, eighteen hundred and sixty, purchase of a United States marshal, at public auction, at the port of Key West, the bark William; and the subsequently the said Pelletier shipped a crew and placed a cargo of merchandise on board the said vessel and proceeded on a trading voyage to the West Indies; and that while in pursuance of his said legitimate commercial enterprise his said vessel, under stress of weather, was cast upon a reef, designated as Caico, off the coast of Hayti, in the mouth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and after drifting for several days the bark came to anchor in the port of Fort Liberte, Hayti; and that after making some slight repairs, and being informed that the port of Fort Liberte was not open to commerce, anchor was weighed and the bark proceeded down the bay until near the fort, when the prevailing breeze failed, and the vessel drifted on the reef opposite the fort, where the tide left her high and dry, when certain authorities of the republic of Hayti boarded the said bark William, arrested the said Antonio Pelletier and his crew, and carried them ashore and consigned them to prison, without cause or proper trial, holding the said Pelletier, the master and owner of the vessel aforesaid, a close prisoner for the period of nearly three years, condemning him to death, and subjecting him to the most cruel treatment, from which he finally escaped by the assistance of the agents of foreign governments; and that during his imprisonment his said vessel and cargo were seized and confiscated by the authorities of the republic of Hayti; and that his said imprisonment, spoliation, and consequent losses amounted to the financial damages of the said Pelletier in the sum of six hundred and thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars; and further, that the imprisonment and inhuman treatment to which the said Pelletier was subjected resulted in the serious impairing of his health, and rendered him an invalid and crippled for life, for which afflictions it is almost impossible to estimate in moneyed damages; and Whereas the facts above recited are evidenced by executive document numbered two hundred and sixty, second session of the Fortieth Congress, furnished by the Secretary of State in response to House resolution of the tenth March, anno Domini eighteen hundred and sixty-eight
1776, lieutenant Jocelyn Feltham, of the 26 regiment, who was taken prisoner at Ticonderoga, is asking for leave to go to Europe for the recovery of his health.
1812, Samuel Brown, formerly of Massachusetts, and now of Ohio, stating that, whilst in the service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war, he was taken prisoner by the British at Quebec; that he bath not received any pay or rations for the time he was so in captivity
1776, Thomas Dunahoo, a Canadian prisoner, for his allowance from 13 July to 25 October, 1776, 15 weeks, at 11/3 dollars per week, 20 dollars.
Ethan Allen.
Ethan Allen who was a Colonel in the service, that the petitioner was a prisoner two years and about two months. That it appears also from the musters of General Hazens late regiment that the petitioner joined the Regiment as a Volunteer about the beginning of February 1782. and continued as such until the discharge of the Army.
1852, Theophilus Hardenbrook, representing that he was taken prisoner during the last war with Great Britain, and confined more than two years in Dartmoor prison, and asking for a pension or some other remuneration for his sufferings and privations during that time.
1791, Sarah Parker of the State of Massachusetts, is asking that some relief may be granted for the support of herself and a large family of children, being the widow and orphans of Lieutenant Colonel Moses Parker, who was wounded and made prisoner by the British troops at the battle of Charlestown, in June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and afterwards died of his wounds in the gaol in Boston.
I have to make it interesting for you to read and the only way to do that is to give some back ground on what he or she was going trough at that time in history. If I have done my job right, after reading the information you may whish to do some research on your own. Now for you college students who have written so many times over the years saying how much my information has help you in your class, all I can say is; “Your welcome.”
Now I know there will be some who are wondering if I may have more information on a Historical event or a name, well some time I do and other times no, but to find out all you have to do is write to me, I will be glad to hear from one and all. My address can be found in my profile, just don’t forget to state the title of the page or I may not be able to help.
Now for the information on the names below, all the information stated is all I well have but I hope its interesting and you will learn something new and would like to do your own research on it, and if so then I have done my job right.
------------------------------
Cyrenius Chapin.
Cyrenius Chapin, was a colonel in the service of the United States during the late war. That upon the approach of the enemy towards Buffalo, in the State of New York, he met them, with a flag of truce, for the purpose of agreeing upon terms for the inhabitants of that village, in which there was not a sufficient force to make any opposition. That whilst he was discharging this duty, detained as a prisoner of war by the enemy and sent to Quebec, where he remained from the 30th of December, 1813, until the 4th of June succeeding, when he was exchanged and permitted to return home.
Michael Lewis.
Michael Lewis, represents himself to be a pilot of the bay and river Delaware; that he left the port of Wilmington, in the State of North Carolina, on the 20th of December, 1813, in the United States schooner Vixen, then under command of Captain Thomas Hall, bound to Philadelphia; that, while doing duty on board said vessel as a coasting pilot, on the 25th of the same month he was severely wounded by a shot from the British frigate Belvidere, then in chase of the said schooner; that he was taken prisoner and sent to the hospital at Hamilton, in the Island of Bermuda, where he remained eighty-two days, when, his wounds being healed, he was transferred to Halifax, and thence to Salem, Massachusetts.
W. H. Cox.
W. H. Cox, deceased, late a sergeant in company F, second regiment Pennsylvania artillery, to a pension in same manner as if he was still living, he having died of disease contracted whilst a prisoner of war at Andersonville, Georgia, and if found to be entitled to a pension, then same, from time of his discharge till death, to be paid over to his father, Charles D. Cox. Whereas W. H. Cox, a hale, hearty, young man of about twenty years of age, residing with his father Charles D. Cox, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and being a part of his family, on the sixteenth day of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, was enrolled as a sergeant in company F, second regiment Pennsylvania artillery, to serve three years or during the war; that he was regularly mustered in as such, and at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, on or about the second of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, was taken prisoner by the rebels and sent to Andersonville, Georgia, and there confined as a prisoner of war for the period of ten months, and from exposure and lack of food became very much debilitated, and after being released he was on the eighth of August eighteen hundred and sixty-five, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by virtue of a telegram dated Adjutant General's office, May twelfth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, honorably discharged from the United States service; and whereas the said W. H. Cox, after reaching his father's residence, made application for a pension under existing laws, in consequence of disease contracted in line of duty, and before the case was finally disposed of, to wit: July ninth, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, he died of disease contracted as aforesaid, and the Commissioner then declined to proceed further in the case, being of opinion that the death of the young man suspended further proceedings; and whereas, Charles D. Cox, father of said deceased soldier is desirous of obtaining the pension justly due his said son from date of his discharge till death, to be applied to the purchase of a suitable monument to be placed at his grave
1798, Joseph Rittenhouse, stating that he is a prisoner at the suit of the United States, and, having surrendered his property, asks to be liberated.
Samuel H. Moore.
Samuel H. Moore, late private in company G, fifty-seventh regiment Ohio veteran volunteer infantry, was entered on the rolls of his company as having deserted in January, eighteen hundred and sixty-three; and whereas there is satisfactory evidence that said Moore did not desert, but was captured by the enemy; that his conduct previous to such capture was good; and that after his release by the enemy as a paroled prisoner of war he rejoined his regiment and remained and served with it until it was mustered out of service.
1777, David Kerr, late a prisoner of Colonel Montgomery's battalion of the flying camp, for his pay from the time he was taken prisoner till his return, one month and 20 days, 12 dollars.
Andrew Elder, late a corporal in the above battalion, for his pay while a prisoner, and which is claimed by his father, one month and 23 days, 12 86/90 dollars.
Thomas Eden.
Thomas Eden was attached as a marine on board of the United States schooner Ann Alossis, commanded by James Smith, and while in the line of his duty in the war of eighteen hundred and twelve, against Great Britain, was taken prisoner by the enemy and was imprisoned twelve months in the prison-ship La Amathist, at Jamaica, in the year eighteen hundred and thirteen; subsequently released and served as a soldier in said war, in the company of Captain William A. Dunham, regiment commanded by Colonel James Johnston, and was honorably discharged when peace was proclaimed.
Robert Smith.
Robert Smith was appointed in the beginning of the year 1780 chaplain to the Southern hospital by General Lincoln; that he continued in the exercise of the duties of his appointment until May, 1780, the time of the surrender of Charleston to the British Army, at which time he was made a prisoner of war; that he continued in Charleston attending his duty at the hospital for a considerable time after its surrender and until he was ordered to Hadrell's point to remain among the officers of the federal army who were there confined; that he continued there until June, 1781, when he was sent to Philadelphia on parole, in which situation he remained, until the end of the war, in captivity and at a distance from his country and estate, for tho' repeated attempts were made to exchange him it was not in his power ever to obtain it, in consequence of which he was prevented from returning to South Carolina, and paying that attention to his affairs he might otherwise have done had he not been restrained by the terms of his parole.
1797, James Leander Cathcart, a citizen of the United States, and many years a prisoner in Algiers, to be Consul General of the United States for the city and kingdom of Tripoli. Mr. Cathcart was head Christian Clerk for some years to the Dey of Algiers.
James A. Mulligan.
James A. Mulligan on the fifteenth of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, was mustered into the service of the United States as colonel of the twenty-third Illinois infantry, known as the Irish brigade, marched to the front in July, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and from that time, (excepting two months when a prisoner of war,) was actively engaged in the military service of the republic against armed rebels until he fell on the battle-field of Winchester, the twenty-sixth day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-four; and whereas during two years of that military service he was assigned to the command of brigades and divisions, and performed the duties of brigadier and major general, but only received the pay of a colonel; and whereas the widow and children of the said Colonel James A. Mulligan are justly entitled to, and need for their support, the amount of pay which he would have received if he had been commissioned according to his respective commands in the field.
Isaac Zane, 1801.
Isaac Zane, stating that he was made a prisoner at the age of nine years by the Wyandot Indians, with whom he remained until he became of age, had a family by a woman of that nation, and a tract of land was assigned him by the said nation, on a branch of the Great Miami river, and which tract of land was ceded to the United States by a recent treaty with the said Wyandot Indians.
John Fenton, 1775.
Col. John Fenton, who had been taken into custody by the Convention of New Hampshire, for being concerned in measures dangerous to the rights of America, and who, by order of the General, now remains, on his parole, a prisoner at Hartford; that he may be permitted to go to Great Britain or Ireland.
Cosimo Medici, 1788.
Cosimo Medici, was a Captain in the service of the United States and the Report thereon, by the commissioner of Army accounts, unwilling to remain an inactive spectator of the ravages of the enemy upon his country, joined the cavalry under the command of Colo. Anthony W. White in South Carolina, and on the 10th . of April 1780 was in cavalry orders appointed by Colo. White Judge advocate and major brigade, of the four corps of cavalry under his command. In which capacity he did duty with address and bravery until made a prisoner by the British horse on the 6th of May following. When he was wounded, and lost two valuable horses with his baggage, and afterward remained a prisoner near eleven months. he had rendered essential services in the line of his duty, and suffered much in his person and property, yet is not entitled, by the existing resolutions of Congress, to any compensation. However later he was given hundred dollars for his services and losses.
1776, Patrick Sinclair, a prisoner, asks for leave to return to Europe.
1784, Nathaniel Greenwood asks for pay while a Prisoner, he would receive $1,500, dollars.
1782, Captain Joshua Huddy; who, after being a prisoner some days with the enemy in New York, was sent out with a party of refugees, and most cruelly and wantonly hanged on the heights of Middletown.
1776, Mons. la Marque, a Canadian prisoner, for his allowance from the 31 August to the 8 November, inclusive, being 10 weeks, at 2 dollars per week, 20 dollars, to be paid to Mons. de la Magdalaine
1776, Captain Thomas Gamble, a prisoner of the 47 regiment, for his allowance from the 10 August, to the 2 November, inclusive, being 12 weeks, at two dollars per week, 24 dollars, and to be paid to James Biddle, Esqr.
1777, Thomas Irving, a prisoner of war now in Baltimore, asks to be set at liberty, or allowed to proceed on his return to South Carolina, agreeable to a permission granted him by Governor Trumbull. He was permitted to proceed to South Carolina, under his present parole, to be, when he arrives there, under the direction of Governor Rutledge, or the executive power of that state.
1814, John C. Hurlburt, late of Chatham, in the district of Connecticut, now a prisoner confined in jail at Hartford, in said district, for an alleged violation of the embargo law.
1787, Richard Lawrence a prisoner confined in the New Jail of the City of New York stating that since the conclusion of the peace he has been arrested and confined in prison for Acts done during the war and under special Orders from the british commander in chief.
Thomas H. Cushing, 1788.
Thomas H. Cushing, praying for rank and amoluments beg leave to report, that they have again very fully enquired into the circumstances upon which Mr Cushing grounds his claims, and have with attention heard his Allegations in support thereof. It appears that there were two Lieutenants viz Messieurs Hollis and Williams elder in the first Massachusetts Regt . than Mr. Cushing. It appears also by the two letters of Colonel Vose commanding Officer of said Regiment and an intervening regulation of Congress of the 21st of October 1780 that those two Lieutenants chose rather to continue and do duty as Lieutenants than be promoted and deranged.
And it further appears that Mr . Cushing continued to do duty under said Lieutenants untill May 1781 when he was taken prisoner and being exchanged in May 1783 joined the Army and did duty as Lieutenant until July 1784 and as Mr . Cushing did not avail himself of the redress which he knew existed only in the army, there is a strong presumption either of an acquiesence, or neglect of application on the part of Mr. Cushing, or we must suppose that the Commander in chief and boards of General Officers were not disposed to listen to the just complaints of the Army, from all these circumstances Your Committee are still of opinion that the petition of Thomas H Cushing praying for rank and amoluments cannot be granted.
1791, Nicholas Rieb asking for compensation for his services as a soldier in the Army of the United States, during the late war; and also that he may receive the pay and emoluments due to his son, Peter Rieb, a soldier in the same corps, and who was taken prisoner by the enemy, and never since heard of.
Antonio Pelletier.
Antonio Pelletier, a citizen of the United States, naturalized in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-two, did, during the month of August or September, eighteen hundred and sixty, purchase of a United States marshal, at public auction, at the port of Key West, the bark William; and the subsequently the said Pelletier shipped a crew and placed a cargo of merchandise on board the said vessel and proceeded on a trading voyage to the West Indies; and that while in pursuance of his said legitimate commercial enterprise his said vessel, under stress of weather, was cast upon a reef, designated as Caico, off the coast of Hayti, in the mouth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and after drifting for several days the bark came to anchor in the port of Fort Liberte, Hayti; and that after making some slight repairs, and being informed that the port of Fort Liberte was not open to commerce, anchor was weighed and the bark proceeded down the bay until near the fort, when the prevailing breeze failed, and the vessel drifted on the reef opposite the fort, where the tide left her high and dry, when certain authorities of the republic of Hayti boarded the said bark William, arrested the said Antonio Pelletier and his crew, and carried them ashore and consigned them to prison, without cause or proper trial, holding the said Pelletier, the master and owner of the vessel aforesaid, a close prisoner for the period of nearly three years, condemning him to death, and subjecting him to the most cruel treatment, from which he finally escaped by the assistance of the agents of foreign governments; and that during his imprisonment his said vessel and cargo were seized and confiscated by the authorities of the republic of Hayti; and that his said imprisonment, spoliation, and consequent losses amounted to the financial damages of the said Pelletier in the sum of six hundred and thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars; and further, that the imprisonment and inhuman treatment to which the said Pelletier was subjected resulted in the serious impairing of his health, and rendered him an invalid and crippled for life, for which afflictions it is almost impossible to estimate in moneyed damages; and Whereas the facts above recited are evidenced by executive document numbered two hundred and sixty, second session of the Fortieth Congress, furnished by the Secretary of State in response to House resolution of the tenth March, anno Domini eighteen hundred and sixty-eight
1776, lieutenant Jocelyn Feltham, of the 26 regiment, who was taken prisoner at Ticonderoga, is asking for leave to go to Europe for the recovery of his health.
1812, Samuel Brown, formerly of Massachusetts, and now of Ohio, stating that, whilst in the service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war, he was taken prisoner by the British at Quebec; that he bath not received any pay or rations for the time he was so in captivity
1776, Thomas Dunahoo, a Canadian prisoner, for his allowance from 13 July to 25 October, 1776, 15 weeks, at 11/3 dollars per week, 20 dollars.
Ethan Allen.
Ethan Allen who was a Colonel in the service, that the petitioner was a prisoner two years and about two months. That it appears also from the musters of General Hazens late regiment that the petitioner joined the Regiment as a Volunteer about the beginning of February 1782. and continued as such until the discharge of the Army.
1852, Theophilus Hardenbrook, representing that he was taken prisoner during the last war with Great Britain, and confined more than two years in Dartmoor prison, and asking for a pension or some other remuneration for his sufferings and privations during that time.
1791, Sarah Parker of the State of Massachusetts, is asking that some relief may be granted for the support of herself and a large family of children, being the widow and orphans of Lieutenant Colonel Moses Parker, who was wounded and made prisoner by the British troops at the battle of Charlestown, in June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and afterwards died of his wounds in the gaol in Boston.
Civil War Adventures Of James B. Thompson
I am twenty-four years of age. My residence is Perrysville, Pennsylvania. I served two years as private and one year as first sergeant in company G, First Pennsylvania rifles. I was taken prisoner May 30, 1864, at the battle Bethesda Court House, Virginia. June 6, 1863, I was commissioned first lieutenant in company F, One hundred and ninetieth regiment Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and the succeeding September of the same year I was commissioned a captain in same company and regiment. On the 1st day of June, 1864, I, in company with some hundreds of my fellow soldiers, reached Libby Prison, in Richmond, Virginia. June 9, 1864, we were put aboard the cars and started for Andersonville, Georgia, the great rendezvous for Union prisoners. At Columbia, South Carolina, 1, with two others, (Allen Dc Beck, Company G, First Pennsylvania rifles, and J. W. Hughes, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, escaped front the train by jumping into a swamp. This was on the 13th of June.
After getting a safe distance from the railroad we consulted together as to the direction we should take to reach the Union lines. We decided to strike for Knoxville, Tennessee. After traveling about fifty miles we were recaptured and taken to Columbia by a squad of cavalry. After reaching the last-named city we were assigned quarters in the jail at that place. The lieutenant in charge of the prison searched us and took from us everything of value which they had not taken at Richmond. When we remonstrated with him against the injustice of such proceedings to prisoners of war he told us that we might be thankful if we escaped with our lives. He further told us that we were accused of tampering with the negroes and persuading them to run away; and that we would be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty we would be shot.
After keeping us in close confinement for a time, he at last put us out with the other prisoners. On or about the 30th of June, 1864, we were again put on the cars and started for Audersouville, Georgia. July 1, 1864, we reached Andersonville, the great charnel-house of the pretended confederacy. We were taken to Captain Wirz’s headquarters and searched. Any one in possession of a pocket-book or knife was soon released of it. After being searched I was accosted by an officer as follows: “Well, Yank, how are affairs in Virginia?” I told him that all was going in our favor; that Lee lost heavily in the battle of the Wilderness, and his army was not being recruited. “Well,” said he, “I know Grant lost a great many more men than old Bobby, and, besides that, you are losing men here a a rapid rate; we are killing more Yanks here, taking all things into consideration, than Lee is at the front; and before our government will acknowledge a nigger as good as a white man we will starve every Yankee in this prison. We have plenty of timber here, and will extend our stockade to the Flint River (seven miles) before we will exchange on the terms your government proposes.” These were his remarks, I believe, word for word.
Who can depict the horrors of that fearful place—Andersonvifle? My heart sank within me as I heard the ponderous gates of the prison creaking on their hinges, knowing that all hopes of an escape were now cut off. Such an abode of misery and suffering the world perhaps has never witnessed.
The stockade was built of pine logs twenty feet in length. These were planted in the ground six feet, leaving them fourteen feet above ground. About every fifty yards watch boxes were built above the top of the stockade, in which sentinels were posted, with orders to shoot any of the prisoners who ventured near the dead-line. The deadline was about fifteen feet from the stockade, and extended all around it. It was constructed by driving little posts into the ground and nailing strips on top of them. In a great many instances, however, the dead-line existed only in imagination, there being part of the prison (especially about the swamp) where there was no sign of a line of any description. The instructions to the guards as to the shooting of any who went beyond the limits were faithfully executed. In this in closure something over thirty thousand of our men were confined, without any provision being made for shelter from the inclemency of the weather or the intense heat of the sun, deprived of the necessaries of life, and exposed to all the variations of weather.
Though the prison was located in the midst of a pine forest, and wood was abundant, we were never allowed to have any to build quarters with. When I went there my comrade and I bought sonic little poles, with which we constructed a kind of shelter. We drove four little posts in the ground, and laid some sticks on them and covered it over with mud out of the swamp; this would do to keep the sun off in the middle of the day; when it rained (and that was often) the mud would soak off and leave us nothing but the frame. When it rained we always took what few clothes we had off and laid them away to keep dry. We also could get washed off with clean water (which was quite an item) at the same time.
The rebel authorities had their cook-house placed above us, on the small stream which ran through the prison, and the water always had a thick coat of grease on the surface. During the hot summer months of 1864 the mortality among the men was truly fearful; men could be seen in all the different stages of disease and starvation. The rations were of such a miserable quality that a man in good health could scarcely eat them, and for one who was sick it was an impossibility.
Comparatively few who took sick there ever recovered. Persons would get sick and could get no medicine or proper attention. They would not take them to the hospital until they were so far gone that very few lived. But the principal cause of the awful mortality was the insufficiency of food and cruel exposure to all kinds of weather, both of which could easily could have been remedied. There was no reason why we might not have had comfortable quarters; for, had the rebel authorities given permission, the men would have gladly availed themselves of the opportunity. A day’s rations was about two-thirds of a pint of corn meal, (unbolted about half the time,) a small piece of beef every other (lay, and which, in the summer, was always fly-blown. About every fifth day we got a small quantity of bacon of inferior quality. We also drew rice, sorghum molasses, and salt; but in such small quantities that they (lid not amount to anything. In lieu of the corn meal, we sometimes got mush. This was brought in in pine boxes, and tasted so much of the box that it was an impossibility to eat it. The wood we got was altogether insufficient for cooking purposes.
On September 10, 1864, we were moved from Andersonville to Savannah—Stoneman being out on a raid at the time is supposed to have caused this sudden “change of base.” We were kept at the latter-named place until October 12, 1864, when, the rebel authorities having completed the prison at Millen, we were taken there. At Savannah we received better treatment than was generally given us, which, we were given to understand, was due, in a great measure, to the humanity of the citizens, who increased our rations by the addition of vinegar and soap. All the time we were at Andersonville we never received a particle of soap. At Milieu, while the rebels were counting us off preparatory to putting us in the stockade, I again escaped by crawling into the brush, and lying still until dark. This was on the 12th October, 1864. Three others got off at the same time belonging, respectively, to the Fourth United States, Fifth Kentucky, and Sixth Michigan cavalry.
We traveled west, shaping oar course for Atlanta, Georgia, subsisting almost entirely upon food furnished us by the negroes. After being out seven days, we were recaptured and taken to Augusta, Georgia, where we were put in an old warehouse along with a lot of deserters from our own and the rebel army; there were also a few escaped prisoners like ourselves. There was a yard behind the prison in which we were allowed to stay during the (lay; adjoining it was a house occupied by a widow lady and her daughter; I got talking with this woman and found that she was loyal. She told me that if I would manage to get into her yard without being seen by the guards, she would conceal me until night, when I could make my escape from the city. Just before they closed the prison that evening, and when the guard had his back turned, a man by the name of James Coyle (of Twentieth Illinois volunteers) and I slipped across the fence and into her house. Fortunately we were not missed.
She hid us until about 11 o’clock that night, when, giving us a lot of biscuit and some matches, she took us out of the city about a mile. She then shook hands with us, and bid us God-speed. This was on the 21st October, 1864. We traveled altogether by night, subsisting on sweet potatoes and what we could obtain from the negroes, who were always ready to help us as far as lay in their power. After passing through innumerable dangers and hardships, we at last reached the city of Atlanta, Georgia. In regard to the treatment of the prisoners by the rebels, I firmly believe that the sufferings imposed by the rebel authorities upon that body of men was the result of a deliberate purpose on their part. No man, unless he has experienced the horrors of Andersonville and other prisons of the South, can have a correct idea of the miseries which were endured by the men who were so unfortunate as to fall into the enemy’s hands. The survivors of the prisons of Andersonville, Belle Isle, Salisbury, and others, demand that the stern hand of justice shall rest heavily upon those who shall be proven directly responsible for all the cruelties practiced at those places.
JAMES B. THOMPSON, Late Captain One Hundred and Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
PERRYSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, October 28, 1867.
-------------------------------
A BILL
JANUARY 15, 1872.
For the relief of James B. Thompson, captain Company F, One hundred and ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Whereas James B. Thompson, of Company F, First Pennsylvania Rifles, was captured at Bethesda Church, Virginia, on the thirtieth day of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, while engaged in battle, and in the line of his duty; and, Whereas the said James B. Thompson endured the horrors and privations of Andersonville and other Southern prisons, for a period of nearly seven months, making different attempts to escape, having been once run down and recaptured by the hounds, and finally escaped and reached the Union lines at Atlanta, Georgia, after traveling one whole month, entirely by night; and Whereas on the sixth day of June, eighteen hundred and sixty- four, the said James B. Thompson was commissioned a first lieutenant in Company F, One hundred and ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to fill an original vacancy, and was further commissioned on the nineteenth day of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, as captain in the same company anregiment, to fill an original vacancy, he being at the time of the issuing of both commissions absent as a prisoner of war in the hands of the enemy; and Whereas the failure of the said James B. Thompson to be mustered under the said commissions, was through no fault or neglect of his own, but owing to the fact of his being held as a prisoner of war: Therefore:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the proper disbursing officers of the United States be, and they are hereby, authorized and directed to pay to the said James B. Thompson, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the full pay, emoluments, and allowances of a first lieutenant of infantry, in active service, from June sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to September nineteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and they are also authorized and directed to pay the said James B. Thompson the full pay, emoluments, and allowances of a captain of infantry from September nineteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to March first, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, inclusive.
After getting a safe distance from the railroad we consulted together as to the direction we should take to reach the Union lines. We decided to strike for Knoxville, Tennessee. After traveling about fifty miles we were recaptured and taken to Columbia by a squad of cavalry. After reaching the last-named city we were assigned quarters in the jail at that place. The lieutenant in charge of the prison searched us and took from us everything of value which they had not taken at Richmond. When we remonstrated with him against the injustice of such proceedings to prisoners of war he told us that we might be thankful if we escaped with our lives. He further told us that we were accused of tampering with the negroes and persuading them to run away; and that we would be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty we would be shot.
After keeping us in close confinement for a time, he at last put us out with the other prisoners. On or about the 30th of June, 1864, we were again put on the cars and started for Audersouville, Georgia. July 1, 1864, we reached Andersonville, the great charnel-house of the pretended confederacy. We were taken to Captain Wirz’s headquarters and searched. Any one in possession of a pocket-book or knife was soon released of it. After being searched I was accosted by an officer as follows: “Well, Yank, how are affairs in Virginia?” I told him that all was going in our favor; that Lee lost heavily in the battle of the Wilderness, and his army was not being recruited. “Well,” said he, “I know Grant lost a great many more men than old Bobby, and, besides that, you are losing men here a a rapid rate; we are killing more Yanks here, taking all things into consideration, than Lee is at the front; and before our government will acknowledge a nigger as good as a white man we will starve every Yankee in this prison. We have plenty of timber here, and will extend our stockade to the Flint River (seven miles) before we will exchange on the terms your government proposes.” These were his remarks, I believe, word for word.
Who can depict the horrors of that fearful place—Andersonvifle? My heart sank within me as I heard the ponderous gates of the prison creaking on their hinges, knowing that all hopes of an escape were now cut off. Such an abode of misery and suffering the world perhaps has never witnessed.
The stockade was built of pine logs twenty feet in length. These were planted in the ground six feet, leaving them fourteen feet above ground. About every fifty yards watch boxes were built above the top of the stockade, in which sentinels were posted, with orders to shoot any of the prisoners who ventured near the dead-line. The deadline was about fifteen feet from the stockade, and extended all around it. It was constructed by driving little posts into the ground and nailing strips on top of them. In a great many instances, however, the dead-line existed only in imagination, there being part of the prison (especially about the swamp) where there was no sign of a line of any description. The instructions to the guards as to the shooting of any who went beyond the limits were faithfully executed. In this in closure something over thirty thousand of our men were confined, without any provision being made for shelter from the inclemency of the weather or the intense heat of the sun, deprived of the necessaries of life, and exposed to all the variations of weather.
Though the prison was located in the midst of a pine forest, and wood was abundant, we were never allowed to have any to build quarters with. When I went there my comrade and I bought sonic little poles, with which we constructed a kind of shelter. We drove four little posts in the ground, and laid some sticks on them and covered it over with mud out of the swamp; this would do to keep the sun off in the middle of the day; when it rained (and that was often) the mud would soak off and leave us nothing but the frame. When it rained we always took what few clothes we had off and laid them away to keep dry. We also could get washed off with clean water (which was quite an item) at the same time.
The rebel authorities had their cook-house placed above us, on the small stream which ran through the prison, and the water always had a thick coat of grease on the surface. During the hot summer months of 1864 the mortality among the men was truly fearful; men could be seen in all the different stages of disease and starvation. The rations were of such a miserable quality that a man in good health could scarcely eat them, and for one who was sick it was an impossibility.
Comparatively few who took sick there ever recovered. Persons would get sick and could get no medicine or proper attention. They would not take them to the hospital until they were so far gone that very few lived. But the principal cause of the awful mortality was the insufficiency of food and cruel exposure to all kinds of weather, both of which could easily could have been remedied. There was no reason why we might not have had comfortable quarters; for, had the rebel authorities given permission, the men would have gladly availed themselves of the opportunity. A day’s rations was about two-thirds of a pint of corn meal, (unbolted about half the time,) a small piece of beef every other (lay, and which, in the summer, was always fly-blown. About every fifth day we got a small quantity of bacon of inferior quality. We also drew rice, sorghum molasses, and salt; but in such small quantities that they (lid not amount to anything. In lieu of the corn meal, we sometimes got mush. This was brought in in pine boxes, and tasted so much of the box that it was an impossibility to eat it. The wood we got was altogether insufficient for cooking purposes.
On September 10, 1864, we were moved from Andersonville to Savannah—Stoneman being out on a raid at the time is supposed to have caused this sudden “change of base.” We were kept at the latter-named place until October 12, 1864, when, the rebel authorities having completed the prison at Millen, we were taken there. At Savannah we received better treatment than was generally given us, which, we were given to understand, was due, in a great measure, to the humanity of the citizens, who increased our rations by the addition of vinegar and soap. All the time we were at Andersonville we never received a particle of soap. At Milieu, while the rebels were counting us off preparatory to putting us in the stockade, I again escaped by crawling into the brush, and lying still until dark. This was on the 12th October, 1864. Three others got off at the same time belonging, respectively, to the Fourth United States, Fifth Kentucky, and Sixth Michigan cavalry.
We traveled west, shaping oar course for Atlanta, Georgia, subsisting almost entirely upon food furnished us by the negroes. After being out seven days, we were recaptured and taken to Augusta, Georgia, where we were put in an old warehouse along with a lot of deserters from our own and the rebel army; there were also a few escaped prisoners like ourselves. There was a yard behind the prison in which we were allowed to stay during the (lay; adjoining it was a house occupied by a widow lady and her daughter; I got talking with this woman and found that she was loyal. She told me that if I would manage to get into her yard without being seen by the guards, she would conceal me until night, when I could make my escape from the city. Just before they closed the prison that evening, and when the guard had his back turned, a man by the name of James Coyle (of Twentieth Illinois volunteers) and I slipped across the fence and into her house. Fortunately we were not missed.
She hid us until about 11 o’clock that night, when, giving us a lot of biscuit and some matches, she took us out of the city about a mile. She then shook hands with us, and bid us God-speed. This was on the 21st October, 1864. We traveled altogether by night, subsisting on sweet potatoes and what we could obtain from the negroes, who were always ready to help us as far as lay in their power. After passing through innumerable dangers and hardships, we at last reached the city of Atlanta, Georgia. In regard to the treatment of the prisoners by the rebels, I firmly believe that the sufferings imposed by the rebel authorities upon that body of men was the result of a deliberate purpose on their part. No man, unless he has experienced the horrors of Andersonville and other prisons of the South, can have a correct idea of the miseries which were endured by the men who were so unfortunate as to fall into the enemy’s hands. The survivors of the prisons of Andersonville, Belle Isle, Salisbury, and others, demand that the stern hand of justice shall rest heavily upon those who shall be proven directly responsible for all the cruelties practiced at those places.
JAMES B. THOMPSON, Late Captain One Hundred and Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
PERRYSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, October 28, 1867.
-------------------------------
A BILL
JANUARY 15, 1872.
For the relief of James B. Thompson, captain Company F, One hundred and ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Whereas James B. Thompson, of Company F, First Pennsylvania Rifles, was captured at Bethesda Church, Virginia, on the thirtieth day of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, while engaged in battle, and in the line of his duty; and, Whereas the said James B. Thompson endured the horrors and privations of Andersonville and other Southern prisons, for a period of nearly seven months, making different attempts to escape, having been once run down and recaptured by the hounds, and finally escaped and reached the Union lines at Atlanta, Georgia, after traveling one whole month, entirely by night; and Whereas on the sixth day of June, eighteen hundred and sixty- four, the said James B. Thompson was commissioned a first lieutenant in Company F, One hundred and ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to fill an original vacancy, and was further commissioned on the nineteenth day of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, as captain in the same company anregiment, to fill an original vacancy, he being at the time of the issuing of both commissions absent as a prisoner of war in the hands of the enemy; and Whereas the failure of the said James B. Thompson to be mustered under the said commissions, was through no fault or neglect of his own, but owing to the fact of his being held as a prisoner of war: Therefore:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the proper disbursing officers of the United States be, and they are hereby, authorized and directed to pay to the said James B. Thompson, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the full pay, emoluments, and allowances of a first lieutenant of infantry, in active service, from June sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to September nineteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and they are also authorized and directed to pay the said James B. Thompson the full pay, emoluments, and allowances of a captain of infantry from September nineteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to March first, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, inclusive.
Friday, February 19, 2010
British Prisoners Of War Held In America.
I have many times been asked if I had any information on a British soldier, and my answer for the most part was “ no“. It wasn’t that I didn’t have any information on the British, it’s just so hard to find it in the thousand of records I have. But I decided it was time to do a page on the British soldier.
I decided to do this page be cause I know there are others out side of the States, looking for their ancestor and after all this is a Surname site and I should given ever one a chance to find information on their ancestor.
Now this information may well be only bits an pieces while other information may be longer, but what ever the amount is there may be a lead to start you looking in a new direction.
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1782, The Secretary at War call in all the British soldiers, prisoners of war to the United States, who have been permitted to go out to work with the inhabitants, and that for the future no such permission be granted to such prisoners.
1779, John Showman Philips and Peter Bensey, British prisoners captured under the command of General Burgoyne, praying to be admitted to take the oath of allegiance to and become citizens of some one of the United State, That the Committee to whom was referred the petitions of John Showman Philips and Peter Bensey British soldiers captured under the command of Genl Burgoyne near Saratoga, and who deserted from the Convention troops on their March from Boston to Virginia, it is the opinion of the Committee that the prayer of said petitioners to be admitted to take the oath of Allegiance to these States and become citizens thereof being contrary to the said Convention, and if granted might operate to continue the imprisonment of the Citizens of the States with the enemy. Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be not granted, and that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the deputy commissary of prisoners in this State.
1782, David Turner a British prisoner in the new goal, praying to be discharged from his imprisonment and the liberty of becoming a citizen of America, having married into a reputable family in this city.
1775, Lieutenant Hay, of the 7th Regiment, who is now a prisoner, have liberty to return to Great Britain, on his parole, not to take up arms against America, during the present dispute between Great Britain and these colonies.
1778. John Connolly, calling himself a lieutenant colonel in the British service, it is directed not to consent to his exchange without the special order of Congress.
1787, Richard Lawrence a prisoner confined in the New Jail of the City of New York stating that since the conclusion of the peace he has been arrested and confined in prison for Acts done during the war and under special Orders from the British commander in chief.
"That Dr. John Connolly, now stiling himself lieutenant colonel in the British service, was, in the latter end of November, 1775, apprehended in Frederick county, in Maryland, in company with a certain Allan Cameron and John Smith, by the committee of inspection of that county: "That at the time he was taken he was not in arms; or at the head of any party of men in arms; but was clandestinely making his way to Detroit, in order to join, give intelligence to, and otherwise aid the garrison at that place, as appears by his own intercepted letter of the 16 December, 1775, addressed to the commanding officer of that fortress, and by General Washington's letter to Congress of the 25 December, 1775.
1791, John D. Mercier, late a British subject, and residing in the city of Quebec, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for losses and injuries sustained in his person and property, in consequence of adhering to the American cause, during the late war.
1777, It is ordered that the Board of War take steps to enquire into the conduct of Captain Gamble, a prisoner at Princeton, and particularly of Dr. Stapleton, who has been permitted to attend Captain M'Pherson, a prisoner of the 17th British regiment, at the same place: That they write to Governor Livingston relating to the conduct of the said Dr. Stapleton, and transmit to General Washington the result of their enquiries, and desire him to take such steps for removing the aforesaid officers from Princeton.
1776, Henry Beaumont, of the 26 regiment of the King of Great Britain, (which said Henry Beaumont is a prisoner of war,) was referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, That said Henry Beaumont be permitted to reside with his wife and family at Elizabeth town, in the colony of New Jersey, he giving to the committee of inspection and observation of said Borough, his parole, in the form prescribed by Congress.
1776, Members of 7th and 26th regiments of British troops, are now prisoners of war.
1777, Lieutenant Colonel Barton, of a militia regiment of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and the brave officers and men of his party, who distinguished their valour and address in making prisoners of Major General Prescot, of the British army, and Major William Barrington, his aid-de-camp; and that an elegant sword be provided by the commissary general of military stores, and presented to Lieutenant Colonel Barton.
1779. T. Pitcairn, captain of the 82 British regiment, a prisoner at Reading
1777, Major Thomas Leonard, a prisoner on parole at Reading, being of Colonel Skinner's corps in the British service, for his allowance from the 3d March to the 22 June, being 16 weeks, at 2 dollars per week, the sum of 32 dollars.
1781, The Commander in Chief be and he is hereby directed to recall Lieutenant General Burgoyne and all other British and [German] officers, [prisoners of war] now absent on their parole from America, to return immediately, unless the Honorable Henry Laurens, Esqr., be also enlarged on his parole.
I decided to do this page be cause I know there are others out side of the States, looking for their ancestor and after all this is a Surname site and I should given ever one a chance to find information on their ancestor.
Now this information may well be only bits an pieces while other information may be longer, but what ever the amount is there may be a lead to start you looking in a new direction.
----------------------------
1782, The Secretary at War call in all the British soldiers, prisoners of war to the United States, who have been permitted to go out to work with the inhabitants, and that for the future no such permission be granted to such prisoners.
1779, John Showman Philips and Peter Bensey, British prisoners captured under the command of General Burgoyne, praying to be admitted to take the oath of allegiance to and become citizens of some one of the United State, That the Committee to whom was referred the petitions of John Showman Philips and Peter Bensey British soldiers captured under the command of Genl Burgoyne near Saratoga, and who deserted from the Convention troops on their March from Boston to Virginia, it is the opinion of the Committee that the prayer of said petitioners to be admitted to take the oath of Allegiance to these States and become citizens thereof being contrary to the said Convention, and if granted might operate to continue the imprisonment of the Citizens of the States with the enemy. Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be not granted, and that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the deputy commissary of prisoners in this State.
1782, David Turner a British prisoner in the new goal, praying to be discharged from his imprisonment and the liberty of becoming a citizen of America, having married into a reputable family in this city.
1775, Lieutenant Hay, of the 7th Regiment, who is now a prisoner, have liberty to return to Great Britain, on his parole, not to take up arms against America, during the present dispute between Great Britain and these colonies.
1778. John Connolly, calling himself a lieutenant colonel in the British service, it is directed not to consent to his exchange without the special order of Congress.
1787, Richard Lawrence a prisoner confined in the New Jail of the City of New York stating that since the conclusion of the peace he has been arrested and confined in prison for Acts done during the war and under special Orders from the British commander in chief.
"That Dr. John Connolly, now stiling himself lieutenant colonel in the British service, was, in the latter end of November, 1775, apprehended in Frederick county, in Maryland, in company with a certain Allan Cameron and John Smith, by the committee of inspection of that county: "That at the time he was taken he was not in arms; or at the head of any party of men in arms; but was clandestinely making his way to Detroit, in order to join, give intelligence to, and otherwise aid the garrison at that place, as appears by his own intercepted letter of the 16 December, 1775, addressed to the commanding officer of that fortress, and by General Washington's letter to Congress of the 25 December, 1775.
1791, John D. Mercier, late a British subject, and residing in the city of Quebec, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for losses and injuries sustained in his person and property, in consequence of adhering to the American cause, during the late war.
1777, It is ordered that the Board of War take steps to enquire into the conduct of Captain Gamble, a prisoner at Princeton, and particularly of Dr. Stapleton, who has been permitted to attend Captain M'Pherson, a prisoner of the 17th British regiment, at the same place: That they write to Governor Livingston relating to the conduct of the said Dr. Stapleton, and transmit to General Washington the result of their enquiries, and desire him to take such steps for removing the aforesaid officers from Princeton.
1776, Henry Beaumont, of the 26 regiment of the King of Great Britain, (which said Henry Beaumont is a prisoner of war,) was referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, That said Henry Beaumont be permitted to reside with his wife and family at Elizabeth town, in the colony of New Jersey, he giving to the committee of inspection and observation of said Borough, his parole, in the form prescribed by Congress.
1776, Members of 7th and 26th regiments of British troops, are now prisoners of war.
1777, Lieutenant Colonel Barton, of a militia regiment of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and the brave officers and men of his party, who distinguished their valour and address in making prisoners of Major General Prescot, of the British army, and Major William Barrington, his aid-de-camp; and that an elegant sword be provided by the commissary general of military stores, and presented to Lieutenant Colonel Barton.
1779. T. Pitcairn, captain of the 82 British regiment, a prisoner at Reading
1777, Major Thomas Leonard, a prisoner on parole at Reading, being of Colonel Skinner's corps in the British service, for his allowance from the 3d March to the 22 June, being 16 weeks, at 2 dollars per week, the sum of 32 dollars.
1781, The Commander in Chief be and he is hereby directed to recall Lieutenant General Burgoyne and all other British and [German] officers, [prisoners of war] now absent on their parole from America, to return immediately, unless the Honorable Henry Laurens, Esqr., be also enlarged on his parole.
Unknown Americans--1803.
Normally I am helping you readers but this time I find I am in need of your help. Below you will find a list of names that I need information on. Most all these men were either seamen or citizens of the United States. Although some of the crew will be from other nations they still were under the protection of the United States. Here is a little back ground on them. First of all most all these men were seamen and sailed on American vessels (Merchants ), in the year of 1803, these vessels were stopped by British war ships or British privateers and were forced to work on British ships. A lot of these men were still on these British ships in the War of 1812, and were forced to fight against their own country.
Now I can tell you what ship they were taken off of and what British ship they went too and things like that, but I have no family information to go along with the information I have, so I am asking you readers for help, any info will be better then none.
Now I know some of you may find a name of interest here and would like to know what kind of information I have, that’s ok that’s way I made this site, to help you readers find out as much information on a ancestor as I can give. If you see a name of interest you can find my address in my profile, be glad to help.
When asking for information on a name on these page or any other pages at this site, Please, Please give the title of the page or I may not be able to help you. I get a lot of mail asking for help on a name, but they give no page title. By not giving no page title means I will have to write you back and ask were the name came from. This slows down my getting the information back to you. I have now four web sites and work off Roots Web in all I have over 5,000 posts and pages with thousands of names, and to drop a name out of the blue, well I just don’t were to start looking, so please give the title.
-----------------------------
Index: F. R. Vol., 2., p. 593-4.
--------------------------------
1. Edward Bass, Philadelphia.
2. Robert Carter Gilliam, Virginia.
3. John Leland Wade, Massachusetts.
4. William Wall, Irishman.
5. Henry Clark, Irishman.
6. James Clark, Irishman.
7. Christopher Tillinghast, Rhode Island.
8. John Roberts, Dane. or Swede.
9. John Backham, Dane. or Swede.
10. Barnabas Otis Jr., Massachusetts.
11. Samuel Wilson, Maryland.
12. Andrew Sampson, American.
13. Peter Thompson, American.
14. William Brown, American.
15. John Daniel Kessler, Unknown.
16. John Anderson, Unknown.
17. Michael Jones, Unknown.
18. Richard Rodman, American.
19. Dennis Sweeny, Ireland.
20. William Ireland, New York.
21. John Dirks, Denmark.
22. Peter German, Denmark.
23. James Peterson, Denmark.
24. Hiram Chaples, New York.
25. Joseph Simonds, New York.
26. Sylvester Pendleton, New York.
27. Ephraim Vanduser, New York.
28. Josiah Hunt, Massachusetts.
29. John Whiting, Massachusetts.
30. Nathaniel Keene, American.
31. Joseph Stevens, American.
32. William Evans, Englishman.
33. Thomas Challis, American.
34. Joseph Emerson, Massachusetts.
35. Benjamin Eldridge, Massachusetts.
36. William Finney, Massachusetts.
37. William Whipp, Connecticut.
38. John Simpson, Virginia.
39. George Arnold, British.
40. John Williamson, Swede.
41. William Liddle, Unknown.
42. John M’Evoy, Englishman.
43. James Farnish, American.
44. Neil Land, American.
45. David Kitchell, American.
46. Oliver Harris, Massachusetts.
47. Charles Tracy, American.
48. James Davis ( B..), American.
49. Henry Wood (B.), American.
50. Samuel Robinson, American.
51. Thomas Doyle, Philadelphia.
52. Samuel Watt, British.
53. Andrew Pace, British.
54. John Davis, American.
55. James Matthews, American
56. John Murray, American.
57. William Watson, Connecticut.
Now I can tell you what ship they were taken off of and what British ship they went too and things like that, but I have no family information to go along with the information I have, so I am asking you readers for help, any info will be better then none.
Now I know some of you may find a name of interest here and would like to know what kind of information I have, that’s ok that’s way I made this site, to help you readers find out as much information on a ancestor as I can give. If you see a name of interest you can find my address in my profile, be glad to help.
When asking for information on a name on these page or any other pages at this site, Please, Please give the title of the page or I may not be able to help you. I get a lot of mail asking for help on a name, but they give no page title. By not giving no page title means I will have to write you back and ask were the name came from. This slows down my getting the information back to you. I have now four web sites and work off Roots Web in all I have over 5,000 posts and pages with thousands of names, and to drop a name out of the blue, well I just don’t were to start looking, so please give the title.
-----------------------------
Index: F. R. Vol., 2., p. 593-4.
--------------------------------
1. Edward Bass, Philadelphia.
2. Robert Carter Gilliam, Virginia.
3. John Leland Wade, Massachusetts.
4. William Wall, Irishman.
5. Henry Clark, Irishman.
6. James Clark, Irishman.
7. Christopher Tillinghast, Rhode Island.
8. John Roberts, Dane. or Swede.
9. John Backham, Dane. or Swede.
10. Barnabas Otis Jr., Massachusetts.
11. Samuel Wilson, Maryland.
12. Andrew Sampson, American.
13. Peter Thompson, American.
14. William Brown, American.
15. John Daniel Kessler, Unknown.
16. John Anderson, Unknown.
17. Michael Jones, Unknown.
18. Richard Rodman, American.
19. Dennis Sweeny, Ireland.
20. William Ireland, New York.
21. John Dirks, Denmark.
22. Peter German, Denmark.
23. James Peterson, Denmark.
24. Hiram Chaples, New York.
25. Joseph Simonds, New York.
26. Sylvester Pendleton, New York.
27. Ephraim Vanduser, New York.
28. Josiah Hunt, Massachusetts.
29. John Whiting, Massachusetts.
30. Nathaniel Keene, American.
31. Joseph Stevens, American.
32. William Evans, Englishman.
33. Thomas Challis, American.
34. Joseph Emerson, Massachusetts.
35. Benjamin Eldridge, Massachusetts.
36. William Finney, Massachusetts.
37. William Whipp, Connecticut.
38. John Simpson, Virginia.
39. George Arnold, British.
40. John Williamson, Swede.
41. William Liddle, Unknown.
42. John M’Evoy, Englishman.
43. James Farnish, American.
44. Neil Land, American.
45. David Kitchell, American.
46. Oliver Harris, Massachusetts.
47. Charles Tracy, American.
48. James Davis ( B..), American.
49. Henry Wood (B.), American.
50. Samuel Robinson, American.
51. Thomas Doyle, Philadelphia.
52. Samuel Watt, British.
53. Andrew Pace, British.
54. John Davis, American.
55. James Matthews, American
56. John Murray, American.
57. William Watson, Connecticut.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Burning In And Out Of Federicktown Maryland.
The deposition of Moses N. Cannon, aged about thirty-two, who lives within about one-ha1f mile of Fredericktown in Cecil county, Maryland.
This deponent states that he was at the breastwork near Fredericktown, on the 6th May last, when- the British armament came up the Sassafras river; that he saw no flag of truce; that after the militia were obliged to retreat, he returned home, and was occupied in turning horses out of’ his wheat field, when a party of the British came to his house; he rode up to them, and they informed him that he *as their prisoner; and on his observing that he was in their power, they inquired of himself he had any thing to drink, and he answering in the negative, they told him they had got something to eat, and asked him if he wanted his house burnt and he answering in the negative, they told him to go then to the captain, that he was in the house, and would set fire to it: and on his going towards the house he met the person whom they called the captain, with another person with him, loaded with his, this deponents, bed clothes, a pair of boots, and a number of other articles, carrying them towards his men, who were formed outside the yard; at the time, an officer on horseback rode up and inquired of the deponent where the damned militia were; he observed to him that they had retreated, pointing at the same time towards a wood; he observed he must burn the deponent’s house, and on the deponent expostu1atin with him, and stating the disadvantage he would labor under, in case his house was burnt, he then inquired of him the road td the mouth of Elk river, and if he, the officer, could march his men there, and the deponent observed that his Government would not permit him to give him any instructions; and the officer observed that he knew that as well as the deponent, but that he might trust a British officer, and smiled, and turned his horse, and ordered his men to march, and they went off, without burning the house or asking any more questions. The deponent then went to a neighboring house to see about a part of his family, and oh his return back towards his house, he Was fired-on by a party of the British, stationed in the public road about one hundred and fifty yards from the deponent’s house; he then retreated across the field, and abandoned ,house; he saw, after riding from the party who fired on him, a party going to-. ward hi house, who, as he supposes, destroyed, or took away, the residue of his household goods, and broke the window glass, sash, doors, and did considerable damage to his house. Fredericktown was on fire about the time the first party of the British came to the deponent’s house.
Witness my hand. Moses N. Cannon.
Sworn to and subscribed, before me, a justice of the peace for Cecil county, Maryland, this fourteenth day of June, 1813, H. B. Penington.
-----------------------------------------
Sassafras Neck, Cecil County, June 28, 1813.
I do hereby certify, that, being in the fort at Fredericktown,. on Sassafras river, on the morning of the 6th of May last when a battle took place with the British and the militia, under the command of’ Colonel Thomas W. Veazey, I distinctly saw the enemy, from the time they first came in view, and discerned no flag of truce or any thing resembling one. The enemy, after some resistance, landed, burned Frederick and George towns, and destroyed a great deal of other private property. My House, about eight miles on the river from the fort, was plundered by them on their way down the river.
Jno. T. Veasy.
Sworn before, H. B. Penington.
---------------------------
Valuation of Property destroyed in Fredericktown.
1. Captain John Allen, Dwelling house, kitchen, and meat house, $1,200, Small house, $200, Small house, $300, Stable and carriage house, $100, Granary, $1000, total $2,800.
2. Richard Barnaby, Furniture and apparel, $400.
3. John Barnaby, Two Houses and kitchens, $850.
4. John H. Brown, Wearing apparel, $47.
5. Captain Frs. B. chandler, Granary an shed, near bank, $1000, Granary on wharf, $250, total $1,250.
6. Jonathan Greenwood, Dwelling house, kitchen, and store house, $1,226, Merchandise, $792.37, total $2,018.37.
7. Mrs. Ann Moore, Dwelling house, $1,200, Furniture, &c., $447, total $1,647.
8. Joseph Jarvis, House, $50.
9. Elizabeth M’Clannan, House, $100.
10. James Mitchell, Dwelling house, kitchen, and meat house, $300.
11. Toilus Robertson, Furniture, &c., $208.
12. Moses Cannon, Furniture, &c., $250.
13. James Williamson, Furniture, &c., $153.25.
14. Joshua Ward; Dwelling house and kitchen, $2,500, Furniture, apparel, &c: $2,836.45, total $5,336.45.
15. John Ward, senr., Tenant’s house, $450.
This deponent states that he was at the breastwork near Fredericktown, on the 6th May last, when- the British armament came up the Sassafras river; that he saw no flag of truce; that after the militia were obliged to retreat, he returned home, and was occupied in turning horses out of’ his wheat field, when a party of the British came to his house; he rode up to them, and they informed him that he *as their prisoner; and on his observing that he was in their power, they inquired of himself he had any thing to drink, and he answering in the negative, they told him they had got something to eat, and asked him if he wanted his house burnt and he answering in the negative, they told him to go then to the captain, that he was in the house, and would set fire to it: and on his going towards the house he met the person whom they called the captain, with another person with him, loaded with his, this deponents, bed clothes, a pair of boots, and a number of other articles, carrying them towards his men, who were formed outside the yard; at the time, an officer on horseback rode up and inquired of the deponent where the damned militia were; he observed to him that they had retreated, pointing at the same time towards a wood; he observed he must burn the deponent’s house, and on the deponent expostu1atin with him, and stating the disadvantage he would labor under, in case his house was burnt, he then inquired of him the road td the mouth of Elk river, and if he, the officer, could march his men there, and the deponent observed that his Government would not permit him to give him any instructions; and the officer observed that he knew that as well as the deponent, but that he might trust a British officer, and smiled, and turned his horse, and ordered his men to march, and they went off, without burning the house or asking any more questions. The deponent then went to a neighboring house to see about a part of his family, and oh his return back towards his house, he Was fired-on by a party of the British, stationed in the public road about one hundred and fifty yards from the deponent’s house; he then retreated across the field, and abandoned ,house; he saw, after riding from the party who fired on him, a party going to-. ward hi house, who, as he supposes, destroyed, or took away, the residue of his household goods, and broke the window glass, sash, doors, and did considerable damage to his house. Fredericktown was on fire about the time the first party of the British came to the deponent’s house.
Witness my hand. Moses N. Cannon.
Sworn to and subscribed, before me, a justice of the peace for Cecil county, Maryland, this fourteenth day of June, 1813, H. B. Penington.
-----------------------------------------
Sassafras Neck, Cecil County, June 28, 1813.
I do hereby certify, that, being in the fort at Fredericktown,. on Sassafras river, on the morning of the 6th of May last when a battle took place with the British and the militia, under the command of’ Colonel Thomas W. Veazey, I distinctly saw the enemy, from the time they first came in view, and discerned no flag of truce or any thing resembling one. The enemy, after some resistance, landed, burned Frederick and George towns, and destroyed a great deal of other private property. My House, about eight miles on the river from the fort, was plundered by them on their way down the river.
Jno. T. Veasy.
Sworn before, H. B. Penington.
---------------------------
Valuation of Property destroyed in Fredericktown.
1. Captain John Allen, Dwelling house, kitchen, and meat house, $1,200, Small house, $200, Small house, $300, Stable and carriage house, $100, Granary, $1000, total $2,800.
2. Richard Barnaby, Furniture and apparel, $400.
3. John Barnaby, Two Houses and kitchens, $850.
4. John H. Brown, Wearing apparel, $47.
5. Captain Frs. B. chandler, Granary an shed, near bank, $1000, Granary on wharf, $250, total $1,250.
6. Jonathan Greenwood, Dwelling house, kitchen, and store house, $1,226, Merchandise, $792.37, total $2,018.37.
7. Mrs. Ann Moore, Dwelling house, $1,200, Furniture, &c., $447, total $1,647.
8. Joseph Jarvis, House, $50.
9. Elizabeth M’Clannan, House, $100.
10. James Mitchell, Dwelling house, kitchen, and meat house, $300.
11. Toilus Robertson, Furniture, &c., $208.
12. Moses Cannon, Furniture, &c., $250.
13. James Williamson, Furniture, &c., $153.25.
14. Joshua Ward; Dwelling house and kitchen, $2,500, Furniture, apparel, &c: $2,836.45, total $5,336.45.
15. John Ward, senr., Tenant’s house, $450.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
American & British Soldiers & Seaman
This information comes from Foreign Relations Volume 3., 1807-1815, pages 630 through 692. This volume is held at the Library of Congress.
----------------------
These six seamen were of the American privateer Sarah Ann, Richard Moon, master, and were captured by His Majesty’s sloop Rhodian, John George Ross, Esq. commander.
These men were sent to Jamaica.
1. Edward Dick.
2. Thomas Rodgers.
3. Adam Taylor.
4.John Gaul.
5. Michael Pluck.
6. George G. Roberts.
------------------
Here are twenty-three American soldiers belonging to the 13th, 6th, and 1st regiments of the United States’ armies. They were taken on the 13th of October, in Upper Canada. The reason they were born in the British dominions, but now are all citizens of the United States.
1. Henry Blaney.
2. George M’Cammon.
3. John Dolton.
4. Michael Condin.
5. John Clark.
6. Peter Burr.
7. Andrew Doyle.
8. John M’Gowan.
9. James Gill.
10. John Fulsum.
11. Patrick M’Brabarty.
12. Matthew Mooney.
13. Patrick Karns.
14. John Fitzgerald.
15. John Wiley.
16. John Donnelly.
17. John Curry.
18. Nathan Shaley.
19. Edward M’Garrigau.
20. George Johnson.
21. John Dinne.
22. John Williams.
23. Henry Kelly.
--------------------
These two men were of the Brig Vixen and were returning from Jamaica on parole as prisoners of war, and on entering the Delaware, when Commodore Beresford caused them to be brought on board the Poictiers, The Commodore stated he would hold them believing them to be British subjects, but would exchange them for two of his crew being held in Philadelphia.
1. John Stevens, carpenter.
2. Thomas King, seaman.
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The following four British men of His Britannic Majesty’s subjects to be held in durance, for the safe return of the two men stated above.
1. William Kitto, carpenter, British packet Swallow.
2. Henry Beddingfield, boatswain, British packet Swallow.
3. John Squirrell, Seamen, Dragon 74 ( 74 Guns ).
4. James Russell, Seamen, Dragon 74 ( 74 Guns ).
--------------------
Statement by;
I, James Foot, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and commonwealth of Massachusetts, mariner, testify and depose that I was a prize-master on board the private armed brigantine Decatur, of Newburyport, in her late cruise, *William Nichols, commander; that, on the 18th day of January now last past, the said brigantine was captured by His Britannic Majesty’s frigate Surprise, commanded by Captain Cochrane, and carried into Barbadoes. After our arrival in Barbadoes, Captain Nichols, with the other officers of the Decatur, were paroled. About two months after our arrival, His Britannic Majesty’s frigate Vesta arrived in Barbadoes, and, through the influence of the commander of the Vesta, Captain Nichols, without any known or pretended cause, was arrested and held in close confinement, without liberty to speak to any of his officers, or any other American. The place where Captain Nichols was confined was about four feet in width, and seven feet in length, on board a prison ship, where he remained for thirty-four days, as nearly as I can recollect, and was then taken on board His Majesty’s ship Tribune, and carried to England. What the cause of the unwarrantable and unjustifiable conduct of the enemy towards Captain Nichols was, I am unable to state. There were several reports in circulation; one was, that he was to be carried to England and held a prisoner until the release of certain men in France from whom Captain Nichols recaptured his vessel which had been taken by the British before the commencement of the present war between the two countries. Another report was, that lhe was to be held until the close of the war, on account of his having been active against the enemy since the commencement of hostilities, and having been fortunate In a former cruise.
James Foot.
*Joseph Barss, captain of the late British privateer schooner Liverpool Packet, would be held in close confinement till the return of Captain William Nichols.
--------------------
List of American prisoners of war confined by the enemy in dungeons at Halifax.
1. Thomas Carpenter, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
2. John Pussy, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
3. Stephen Ball, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
4. Sylvester Stacy, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
5. Joseph Goodall, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
6. John Chappal, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
7. James Peterson, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
8. Isaac Porter, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
9. George Miller, Carpenter, United States frigate Chesapeake.
10. Matthew Rogers, Boatswain, United States frigate Chesapeake.
11. James Trask, Sailingmaster, Privateer Revenge.
12. John Light, Lieutenant, Privateer Juliana Smith.
13. J. R. Morgan, Commander, Privateer Enterprise.
14. William Lane, Commander, Privateer Wiley Reynard.
15. David Perry, Lieutenant, Privateer Wiley Reynard.
16. Thomas Swain, Lieutenant, Privateer Wiley Reynard.
-----------------------
Note. The following links will open small, but there will be a enlarging box in the lower right hand corner of the page.
List of 101, American prisoners discharged from Halifax, September 1813.
1. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06640656.gif
2. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06650657.gif
3. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06690661.gif
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The following 59, American soldiers being British subject were taken to England on board the Melpomece.
1. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06660658.gif
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*John Swanton, Captain of the private armed schooner Globe, sent to England for trail as being a British subject.
Part of his examination; Where were you born?, Kilcat County, Kilkenny Ireland. When did you leave it? In 1789. How old are you? Thirty-eight years. Have you lived seven years in the United States of America? Yes above three times that, and an a citizen in the right of my father, who lived and possessed property in America before the revolution. Have you a vote? Yes, and voted for Mr. Madison. Are you a marred man? Yes, and have five children.
*William Lincoln, a British subject and mate of the merchant brig Fly, to be held for the safety of Captain Swanton.
----------------------------------
Thomas Goldsmith, ordinary seaman of the United States schooner Scourge, captured on the Julia, sent to England for trial, believing he is a British subject.
----------------------------
Thomas Alexander Clark, a Indian interpreter with a rank of a subaltern in the British service. Captured at the Rapids of the Miami of the lake, to be held as a hostage for a Captain Whitmore Knaggs of a militia company of Detroit, in the Michigan Territory.
-----------------------------
Captured from the Wasp and held as British subjects.
1. --McLeod,
2. J. Jones.
3. John Goldthwait..
4. *John Stephens,
5. George M. D. Read.
6. Thomas Philips.
7. *John Rose.
8. Dennis Dougherty.
9. William Mitchell.
11. *Peter Barrow.
12. John Brooks.
*Died at Bermuda.
---------------------------------
Samuel McKeehan, Surgeon’s mate, Second regiment, Second brgade, Ohio militia. Captured by Indians while taken a flag of truce to Malden.
---------------------------------
List of persons in Montreal jail.
1. George H. Rodgers, United States army.
2. William Hollenback, army.
3. Seth Barns, army.
4. Gains Hooker, army.
5. Philaster Jones, army.
6. Danny Jones, army.
7. Jared Witherall, army.
8. Major Watson, army.
9. Alexander McGregor, army.
10. Lewis Minor, army.
11. John Campbell, army.
12. Zebina Konkey, army.
13. Pliny Konkey, , army.
14. David Johnston, , army.
---------------------
Doctor William McDowell Scott, late marshal of Detroit, Doctor James W. Wood of Plattsburg and Innis B. Palmer of Schlosser private citizens taken prisoner, taken to Quebec.
--------------------------
Arrested in Canada near Fort George.
1. William Dickson, barrister at law.
2. Joseph Edwards, merchant and justice of peace.
3. James Muirhead, surgeon.
4. Andrew Heron, merchant, Niagara.
5. John Greer, Niagara.
6. John Baldwin, Niagara.
7. John Crooks, clerk to James Crooks, merchant.
8. Haggai Skinner, farmer, full sixty-four years of age.
9. John McFarlance, boat builder.
10. William Ross, of the commissariat.
11. Alexander Donald, deputy paymaster of militia.
12. John Syminton, deputy paymaster of militia.
-----------------------------
List of American seamen, prisoners of war, taken front on board the prison—ship at Quebec, to work on board of the transport.;, and sailed front thence.
United States’ schooner Growler. Colvin Williams, boatswain; William H. Warner, seaman; Philip Baker, seaman, William Johnson, seaman.
Schooner Julia. William Wilcox, seaman; John Mallet, seaman, John Rian, seaman, James Peterson, seaman, John Bernard, seaman, John Smith, seaman, James Riley, seaman, Edward Myers, seaman, George Springs, seaman.
----------------------------
Jonathan Bigelow impressed America seaman, belonging to Hs Majesty’s ship Cornelia. Jonathan Bigelow was impressed into the British service in the year 1807, and has been held therein ever since.
-----------------------------
William Dews, It appears from the books of the American consulate office at London, that, in October, 1809, this man was ordered by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to be discharged, as an American, from the Princess of Orange. He is still being held?
-------------------------------
Lynnhaven Bay, November 20, 1813.
James Balfour.
Major Somerville must have misunderstood my meaning, when he stated me to have assured him, “that Mr. James Balfour., would be immediately released, on his procuring satisfactory evidence of his birth-place.” What I intended the major to understand, was, that on procuring the necessary evidence I would discharge the man from the service, but as to granting his unconditional release, it is beyond my power. If it were not, your testimony of the respectability of the parties who have made the affidavits of James Balfour, citizenship would be sufficient evidence with me to order his discharge immediately. I represented this man’s case to my superior officer in March last; his reply I have shown to Captain Myers, in which 1 am directed to dispose of all persons in Balfour’s situation as prisoners of war. All I can therefore do, is to send the man to Bermuda as a prisoner.
----------------------
These six seamen were of the American privateer Sarah Ann, Richard Moon, master, and were captured by His Majesty’s sloop Rhodian, John George Ross, Esq. commander.
These men were sent to Jamaica.
1. Edward Dick.
2. Thomas Rodgers.
3. Adam Taylor.
4.John Gaul.
5. Michael Pluck.
6. George G. Roberts.
------------------
Here are twenty-three American soldiers belonging to the 13th, 6th, and 1st regiments of the United States’ armies. They were taken on the 13th of October, in Upper Canada. The reason they were born in the British dominions, but now are all citizens of the United States.
1. Henry Blaney.
2. George M’Cammon.
3. John Dolton.
4. Michael Condin.
5. John Clark.
6. Peter Burr.
7. Andrew Doyle.
8. John M’Gowan.
9. James Gill.
10. John Fulsum.
11. Patrick M’Brabarty.
12. Matthew Mooney.
13. Patrick Karns.
14. John Fitzgerald.
15. John Wiley.
16. John Donnelly.
17. John Curry.
18. Nathan Shaley.
19. Edward M’Garrigau.
20. George Johnson.
21. John Dinne.
22. John Williams.
23. Henry Kelly.
--------------------
These two men were of the Brig Vixen and were returning from Jamaica on parole as prisoners of war, and on entering the Delaware, when Commodore Beresford caused them to be brought on board the Poictiers, The Commodore stated he would hold them believing them to be British subjects, but would exchange them for two of his crew being held in Philadelphia.
1. John Stevens, carpenter.
2. Thomas King, seaman.
---------------------
The following four British men of His Britannic Majesty’s subjects to be held in durance, for the safe return of the two men stated above.
1. William Kitto, carpenter, British packet Swallow.
2. Henry Beddingfield, boatswain, British packet Swallow.
3. John Squirrell, Seamen, Dragon 74 ( 74 Guns ).
4. James Russell, Seamen, Dragon 74 ( 74 Guns ).
--------------------
Statement by;
I, James Foot, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and commonwealth of Massachusetts, mariner, testify and depose that I was a prize-master on board the private armed brigantine Decatur, of Newburyport, in her late cruise, *William Nichols, commander; that, on the 18th day of January now last past, the said brigantine was captured by His Britannic Majesty’s frigate Surprise, commanded by Captain Cochrane, and carried into Barbadoes. After our arrival in Barbadoes, Captain Nichols, with the other officers of the Decatur, were paroled. About two months after our arrival, His Britannic Majesty’s frigate Vesta arrived in Barbadoes, and, through the influence of the commander of the Vesta, Captain Nichols, without any known or pretended cause, was arrested and held in close confinement, without liberty to speak to any of his officers, or any other American. The place where Captain Nichols was confined was about four feet in width, and seven feet in length, on board a prison ship, where he remained for thirty-four days, as nearly as I can recollect, and was then taken on board His Majesty’s ship Tribune, and carried to England. What the cause of the unwarrantable and unjustifiable conduct of the enemy towards Captain Nichols was, I am unable to state. There were several reports in circulation; one was, that he was to be carried to England and held a prisoner until the release of certain men in France from whom Captain Nichols recaptured his vessel which had been taken by the British before the commencement of the present war between the two countries. Another report was, that lhe was to be held until the close of the war, on account of his having been active against the enemy since the commencement of hostilities, and having been fortunate In a former cruise.
James Foot.
*Joseph Barss, captain of the late British privateer schooner Liverpool Packet, would be held in close confinement till the return of Captain William Nichols.
--------------------
List of American prisoners of war confined by the enemy in dungeons at Halifax.
1. Thomas Carpenter, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
2. John Pussy, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
3. Stephen Ball, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
4. Sylvester Stacy, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
5. Joseph Goodall, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
6. John Chappal, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
7. James Peterson, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
8. Isaac Porter, seamen, United States frigate Chesapeake.
9. George Miller, Carpenter, United States frigate Chesapeake.
10. Matthew Rogers, Boatswain, United States frigate Chesapeake.
11. James Trask, Sailingmaster, Privateer Revenge.
12. John Light, Lieutenant, Privateer Juliana Smith.
13. J. R. Morgan, Commander, Privateer Enterprise.
14. William Lane, Commander, Privateer Wiley Reynard.
15. David Perry, Lieutenant, Privateer Wiley Reynard.
16. Thomas Swain, Lieutenant, Privateer Wiley Reynard.
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Note. The following links will open small, but there will be a enlarging box in the lower right hand corner of the page.
List of 101, American prisoners discharged from Halifax, September 1813.
1. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06640656.gif
2. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06650657.gif
3. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06690661.gif
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The following 59, American soldiers being British subject were taken to England on board the Melpomece.
1. http://memory.loc.gov/ll/llsp/003/0600/06660658.gif
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*John Swanton, Captain of the private armed schooner Globe, sent to England for trail as being a British subject.
Part of his examination; Where were you born?, Kilcat County, Kilkenny Ireland. When did you leave it? In 1789. How old are you? Thirty-eight years. Have you lived seven years in the United States of America? Yes above three times that, and an a citizen in the right of my father, who lived and possessed property in America before the revolution. Have you a vote? Yes, and voted for Mr. Madison. Are you a marred man? Yes, and have five children.
*William Lincoln, a British subject and mate of the merchant brig Fly, to be held for the safety of Captain Swanton.
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Thomas Goldsmith, ordinary seaman of the United States schooner Scourge, captured on the Julia, sent to England for trial, believing he is a British subject.
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Thomas Alexander Clark, a Indian interpreter with a rank of a subaltern in the British service. Captured at the Rapids of the Miami of the lake, to be held as a hostage for a Captain Whitmore Knaggs of a militia company of Detroit, in the Michigan Territory.
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Captured from the Wasp and held as British subjects.
1. --McLeod,
2. J. Jones.
3. John Goldthwait..
4. *John Stephens,
5. George M. D. Read.
6. Thomas Philips.
7. *John Rose.
8. Dennis Dougherty.
9. William Mitchell.
11. *Peter Barrow.
12. John Brooks.
*Died at Bermuda.
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Samuel McKeehan, Surgeon’s mate, Second regiment, Second brgade, Ohio militia. Captured by Indians while taken a flag of truce to Malden.
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List of persons in Montreal jail.
1. George H. Rodgers, United States army.
2. William Hollenback, army.
3. Seth Barns, army.
4. Gains Hooker, army.
5. Philaster Jones, army.
6. Danny Jones, army.
7. Jared Witherall, army.
8. Major Watson, army.
9. Alexander McGregor, army.
10. Lewis Minor, army.
11. John Campbell, army.
12. Zebina Konkey, army.
13. Pliny Konkey, , army.
14. David Johnston, , army.
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Doctor William McDowell Scott, late marshal of Detroit, Doctor James W. Wood of Plattsburg and Innis B. Palmer of Schlosser private citizens taken prisoner, taken to Quebec.
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Arrested in Canada near Fort George.
1. William Dickson, barrister at law.
2. Joseph Edwards, merchant and justice of peace.
3. James Muirhead, surgeon.
4. Andrew Heron, merchant, Niagara.
5. John Greer, Niagara.
6. John Baldwin, Niagara.
7. John Crooks, clerk to James Crooks, merchant.
8. Haggai Skinner, farmer, full sixty-four years of age.
9. John McFarlance, boat builder.
10. William Ross, of the commissariat.
11. Alexander Donald, deputy paymaster of militia.
12. John Syminton, deputy paymaster of militia.
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List of American seamen, prisoners of war, taken front on board the prison—ship at Quebec, to work on board of the transport.;, and sailed front thence.
United States’ schooner Growler. Colvin Williams, boatswain; William H. Warner, seaman; Philip Baker, seaman, William Johnson, seaman.
Schooner Julia. William Wilcox, seaman; John Mallet, seaman, John Rian, seaman, James Peterson, seaman, John Bernard, seaman, John Smith, seaman, James Riley, seaman, Edward Myers, seaman, George Springs, seaman.
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Jonathan Bigelow impressed America seaman, belonging to Hs Majesty’s ship Cornelia. Jonathan Bigelow was impressed into the British service in the year 1807, and has been held therein ever since.
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William Dews, It appears from the books of the American consulate office at London, that, in October, 1809, this man was ordered by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to be discharged, as an American, from the Princess of Orange. He is still being held?
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Lynnhaven Bay, November 20, 1813.
James Balfour.
Major Somerville must have misunderstood my meaning, when he stated me to have assured him, “that Mr. James Balfour., would be immediately released, on his procuring satisfactory evidence of his birth-place.” What I intended the major to understand, was, that on procuring the necessary evidence I would discharge the man from the service, but as to granting his unconditional release, it is beyond my power. If it were not, your testimony of the respectability of the parties who have made the affidavits of James Balfour, citizenship would be sufficient evidence with me to order his discharge immediately. I represented this man’s case to my superior officer in March last; his reply I have shown to Captain Myers, in which 1 am directed to dispose of all persons in Balfour’s situation as prisoners of war. All I can therefore do, is to send the man to Bermuda as a prisoner.
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