Thursday, December 31, 2009

The General Court-Martial.

Extracts--From the proceedings. of Courts-martial, since the peace in 1815; on file in the Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office.

It appears, by the record of a general court-martial, held at Detroit, on the 11th of September that Lieutenant Dake, of the fifth infantry, was charged with, and found guilty of, “flogging John Meldrum,” a private of Captain Peiharn’s company, and sentenced to be “reprimanded in general orders.”
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It appears, by the original record of a general court-martial, held at Montpelier, in April, 1817, that privates Samuel Dean and J. V. Mounce were both severely whipped, by order of their commanding officer, after having been brought in from desertion, for having fired on the party sent in pursuit of them; the fact of which was substantiated. by evidence. The general takes this occasion to observe, that the punishment of a prisoner, before trial, beyond what may be unavoidable, in putting on irons and keeping him in close confinement, is irregular, and cannot be tolerated.
[They were found guilty of desertion, and sentenced to hard labor.]
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Thomas Coles, a matross of company “F,” regiment of light artillery, was tried by a general court—martial, in December, 18l7, on the following charge, viz: “Making a false and malicious complaint against Captain George N. Morris, regiment of light artillery, to Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Eustis, on the 22d of November, 1817.” To, which the prisoner pleaded not guilty. The findings of the court: The commanding general disapproves the proceedings in the case of Thomas Coles, a matross of the regiment of light artillery, and directs that he be released from confinement, and returned for duty.
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It appears, from the records of a general court-martial,. convened at Plattsburg, New York, for the trial of Brevet Major George McGlassin of the sixth infantry, on the 23d, of February, 1818, that said Major McGlassin was charged with, and found guilty of, “unnecessarily and cruelly whipping soldiers, of his company, and sentenced to be “cashiered,” which was approved by the President.
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It appears, by the original proceedings of a general court-martial, held in the harbor of Boston, in November, 1818, that Joseph Ham, a private of the fifth infantry, was arraigned on a charge for desertion, and pled as follows, viz.: The prisoner pleaded guilty. The prisoner pled in justification of the crime, that he had been compelled, by crte1 and illegal punishment, to desert, and called on Sergeant William Kelly to prove the fact; who was accordingly cited before the court and duly sworn.

Question. Do you know any thing of the prisoner’s receiving, proof to his desertion, severe or cruel punishment?

Answer. Yes. The prisoner, a short time previous to his desertion, being suspected of writing some observations relative to the soldiers not receiving their pay, was severely flogged for two or three mornings in succession; he was flogged with a raw hide, fifty or sixty lashes at a time, and was threatened with a repetition of the punishment until he would acknowledge the offence; during which time he was kept in close confinement,
From which he at length escaped.

Question by the court. By whose order was he thus punished?

Answer. By orders of Captain Foster, of the fifth infantry.

Question. Were you then stationed at Detroit’?

Answer. I was, and was quarter-master-sergeant of the regiment.

Question.. What was the prisoner’s character before this?

Answer. His character was very good.

The court, after mature deliberation in the case of Joseph Ham, find him guilty, and do sentence him to hard labor, with a twelve pound ball and chain attached to his leg, during his term of enlistment, and make good the lime lost by desertion. But in consequence of mitigating circumstances appearing to the court in. favor of the prisoner, the court recommend him to the commanding general for a full pardon.
General Porter, on the foregoing case, to viz.: The sentence of the court in the case of Joseph Ham is remitted; he will return to duty.
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It appears by the record of a general court martial, held at Trader’s Hill, Georgia, in August, 1819, that John Best, Claudius Thornton, Benjamin Brandige, Jacob Betiz and Hiram Atkins, all privates of the United States army, were severally tried by said court, for desertion, and proved on trial that they had been flogged (after being apprehended,) for desertion, without a trial, and severally pled that they “had once been punished and should not be punished twice for the same offence.
They were severally found guilty of desertion, and sentenced to hard labor.

Extract-from the order of Major General Gaines, in which he approved the sentences in the preceding cases.

The commanding general is constrained by a sense of duty to protest against the gross irregularity which is evident from the testimony in the cases of the prisoner, previous to their trial. It appears that they were severally flogged by the orders of commissioned officers, without the least shadow of authority, in open contempt and defiance of law, and who have not only usurped the powers of courts-martial, which alone have the authority of awarding punishment, but have ordered the infliction of punishments which no military tribunal has power to award. A prisoner in actual confinement may, if disorderly, be ironed, and even chained to a block, but no conduct of his can justify his receiving a blow, nor can he be otherwise punished until regularly tried and convicted. A repetition of such unauthorized punishments will be immediately followed by the arrest of the officer ordering it.

Colonel John S. Mosby Photo Album

There has been so much written on Colonel Mosby, that I felt there was no need to write more. But I wanted to do something on him so I decided to put together a photo album to make it a little easier to find a photo of him.

Note. All photo’s can be enlarged by pushing on them.
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The names and locations in the group are as follows: Top row, left to right: Lee Herverson, Ben Palmer, John Puryear, Tom Booker, Norman Randolph, Frank Raham; second row: Parrott, John Troop, John W. Munson, Colonel John S. Mosby, Newell, Necly, Quarles, third row: Walter Gosden, Harry T. Sinnott, Butler, Gentry.
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John S. Mosby ( Gray Ghost.)













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John S. Mosby , not in uniform.













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Colonel John S. Mosby C. S. A.













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Colonel John S. Mosby, 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, C. S. A., and friend.













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John S Mosby, with hat.













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John Singleton Mosby.













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Mosby and his former lieutenant John S. Russell.








Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Indian Troubles On The River Raisin-1813.

The information here was taken in testimony by the men that were eye witness’s to this horrible event, and in a event like this many of the testimonies will differ from one another and for this reason some errors will be made. If by chance you find a ancestor here and it states he was killed, it would be best to read all the testimonies, for he may not have been killed.
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TERRITORY OF MICHIGAN, District of Detroit.

Pcrsonally appeared before me, the undersigned, one of the justices of the peace in the district of Detroit, Joseph Robert, an inhabitant on the river aux Raisins, who, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, depose and says that, on the next day after the battle on the said river Raisin a short time after sunrise, he saw the Indians kill the American prisoners with their tomahawks, and that they shot several, to wit, three; that the Indians set the house on fire, and that, in going out, the prisoners were massacred and killed as aforesaid, that is to say: three were shot, the others were killed in the houses, and burnt with the houses. The Indians burnt first the house of Jean Baptiste Jereaume, and afterwards that of Gabriel Godfroy, Jr. The deponent has been informed that there were about forty- eight or forty-nine prisoners in the two houses. The deponent has seen dead bodies on the highway which the hogs were tearing and eating. Mr. Brunot told the deponent that the Indians had killed those of the prisoners who were least wounded, and that the others were burnt alive.

Antoine Cuiellarie anti Alexis Salliot, inhabitants of river Ecorces, told the deponent that two prisoners had been burnt in the house of Grandon, on the river aux Sables. The deponent has heard that the Indians had tore out the hearts of the prisoners, and had brought them still smoking into the houses, but did not recollect the names of the informants; he believes however, they were men worthy of credit.

The deponent says further, that, after the first action on the river Raisin, the Indians fired on one named Solo, son-in-law to Stephen Labeau, an inhabitant on the river aux Sables, when returning from the house of Grandon to his father-in-Jaw; on his arrival, he hallooed to his father-in-law to open the door; saying that he was mortally wounded; Stephen Labeau opened the door and told his son-in-law to throw himself on his bed, but that, in trying to move, he fell dead. An Indian knocked at the door, and Labeau having opened it, received a ball in his breast, and fell dead. The son of Labeau made his escape; the Indians shot several shots at him, which did not reach him. The deponent says further, that Baptiste Couteur was killed near the house of the deponent, on the day of the second battle on the river Raisin, a little after sunrise.

The deponent say further, that the Indians have often threatened to burn his house and barn, if he did not march with them against the Americans. The deponent says he is an American citizen. The deponent says that several of his neighbors have told him that they have received the same threat. Other settlements have been threatened with fire. The mills and houses on the river faux Roches were burnt in the month of September last, after the capitulation of Detroit. And further this deponent said not.
JOSEPH ROBERT.
Sworn and subscribed before me, the 4th February, 1813.
PETER AUDRAIN, J. P. D. D.
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TERRITORY or MICHIGAN, District of Detroit.

Be it remembered that, on this day, February the fourth, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, personally came before the undersigned, a justice of the peace for the district aforesaid, viz: John M’Donnell, an inhabitant of the city of Detroit, who, after being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith, that a few days after the battle of the 22d January (at the river Raisin) he was personally present at the house of James May, Esquire when he heard the said James ask Mr. William Jones, the acting agent for the Indian Department, if there would be any impropriety in purchasing the prisoners from the Indians; and that he heard the said William Jones say, “that he thought there would be no impropriety in purchasing them, but would not undertake to authorize any person to do so;” that in consequence of which, this deponent purchased three or four of the prisoners; amongst the number was one by the name of Hamilton, a private in the Kentucky volunteers who declared to this deponent that on the first or second day after the battle at river Raisin, on 22d January last, as he and some of his fellow prisoners were marching with the Indians between this place and river Raisin, they came up to where one of the prisoners was burnt, the life just expiring, and an Indian kicking the ashes off his back, saying “damned son of a bitch.”

This deponent also further deposeth as aforesaid,- that Doctor Bowers, a surgeon’s mate of the Kentucky volunteers, who was purchased by him and some other gentleman, stated to this deponent “that he was left to take care of the wounded after the battle, but felt rather timid on account of the savages, but that he received such assurances from Captain or Colonel Elliott of the safety of himself as well as the remaining prisoners, he concluded to stay, as sleighs were promised to be sent to fetch them away the next morning; that near about daylight of the morning following the day of the battle, the Indians came into the house where said Bowers was with the other prisoners, and proceeded to plunder and tomahawk such as could not walk, and stripping the said Bowers and the wounded prisoners of all. their clothes; that while the said Bowers and two other prisoners, named Searles and Bradford, as near as this deponent can recollect, were sitting by the fire in the Indian camp, an Indian came up who appeared to be drunk, and called the said Searles, as near as this deponent can. recollect, a Madison or Washington, then took up a tomahawk and struck the said Searles on the shoulder; that the said Searles caught hold of the tomahawk and held it for some time; that the said Bowers advised the said Searles to submit to his fate; with that the Indian gave him a second blow on the head, killed, scalped, and striped him; during this time the said Bowers and Bradford were personally present, and being apprehensive for their own safety that he, Bowers, ran and came up to the old chief ( who sold him to this deponent and others) who took him und his protection, and was very kind to him whilst he remained with him. This-deponent further deposeth, that he has reason to believe the aforesaid Bowers and Hamilton are now at Sandwich, and if applied to, they could give more ample information relative to the particulars of the aforesaid. And further this deponent saith not.
John M’Donnell.
Sworn and subscribed at my chambers, in the city of Detroit, the day and year before written.
JAMES MAY, J. P. D. D.

Note. The meaning of; J. P. D. D., Justice of the peace for the district of Detroit.
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Note from Mr. John M’Donell to James May, Esquire.
Detroit, 4th February, 1813.

DEAR Sir:

I had a conversation with Mr. Smart, after leaving your house to-day, who had a conversation with Bowers and Bradford. He observes that I have made several material errors in thy affidavit before you this day. He says the prisoner killed was of the name of Blythe, instead of Searles; and mentioned some other errors that differ widely from what I have sworn to, so that 1 think it is a pity that Bowers and Bradford’s own affidavits could not be had, instead of mine.
John M’Donell
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TERRITORY OF MICHIGAN, District of Detroit.

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, one of the justices of the peace in the district of Detroit, Antoine Boulard, of the river aux Raisins, who, being sworn on the Holy Evangelists, deposeth and says, that, on the next day after the last battle on river aux Raisins, he saw the Indians kill the secretary of the American General, who was on the horse of the Indian who had taken him prisoner, with a rifle shot; that the prisoner fell on one side, and an Indian came forward with a saber, finished him, scalped him, stripe him, and carried away his clothes. The body remained two days on the highway, before the door of the deponent, and was part eat up by the hogs. Afterwards, the deponent, together with Francois Lasselle, Hubert Lacroix, Charles Chovin, and Louis Lajoye, took up the corpse, at dusk of the evening, and carried into a field near the woods, where the hogs did not go. They dared not bury it, for fear of being surprised by the Indians. And further this deponent saith not.
ANTOINE BOULARD, his + mark.
Sworn and subscribed in my presence, the 5thFebniary, 1813, PETER AUDRAIN, J. P. D. D.
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LOUIS BERNARD dit Lajoye.

I hereby certify, that, the next day after the last battle on the river aux Raisins, the secretary of the American General was taken, near the door of the deponent, was wounded., and placed on a horse that seven or eight Indian were near the house, one of whom shot him in the head with a rifle; that he did not fall off his horse until another Indian, drawing a saber, struck him on the head several times, and then he fell to the ground, was scalped, and stripe of his clothes, and left on the road, where he remained one day and a half. I, the deponent, with Francois Lassellel, Hubert Lacroix, and Louis Chovin, on the evening of the second day, took up the body, carried it to the skirts of the woods, and covered it with a few branches, but could not stay to bury it for fear of the Indians that were in the neighborhood; and, on the next day after the last battle, I was near the house of Gabriel Godfroy, Jr., and the house of Jean Batiste Jereaume, where a great number of prisoners were collected; and that I heard the screaming of the prisoners whom the Indians were tomahawking; that the savages set the houses on fire, and went off.
LOUIS BERNARD dit Lajoye, his + mark.
Detroit, 5th February, 1813.
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ALEXIS LABADIE.

I certify, that the bodies of the Americans killed at the battle of Ia Riviere aux Raisins, of the 22d of January last, remain unburied and that I have seen the hogs and dogs eating them. The hogs appeared to be rendered mad by so profuse a diet of Christian flesh. I saw the houses of Mr. Jerome and Mr. Godfroy on fire, and have heard that there were prisoners in them. The inhabitants did not dare to bury the dead, on account of the Indians. The inhabitants have been threatened by the Indians, if they did not take up arms against the Americans.
ALEXIS LABADIE, his + mark.
MICHIGAN, February 6th, 1813.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Doctor Samuel M'Keehan 1813.

DOCTOR M’KEEHAN’S NARATIVE.

On the 31st January last I was ordered, by General Harrison, to proceed to the river Raisin, with a flag of truce, and from thence to Maiden, if not stopped by the Indians. We arrived at the foot of the rapids of the Miami, at dark, and not finding a company of rangers as expected, we encamped in a cave, the horse and carryall before the door, and the flag standing by them. About midnight the Indians fired in upon us, killed Mr. Lemont, wounded myself in the foot, and made us prisoners. After dispatching Mr. Lemont with the tomahawk, scalping and stripping him, they seized my horse, harness, great coat, blankets, and other clothing, and one hundred dollars in gold, which the General had sent to procure necessaries for the wounded of General Winchester’s army.

That night I was made to walk more than twenty miles, to where Captain Elliot was stationed with a party of Indians. The captain treated me politely, and sent me to Colonel Proctor. I was scarcely seated before the Colonel began to exclaim against Gen. Harrison; said he had been used to fight Indians and not British; found fault with my instructions, and said the flag was only a pretext to cover a bad design. I rebutted his insinuations with indignation, which I believe has been the cause of all my troubles since. I was not recognized, in my official character, until the 5th of February, when I was informed by Proctor’s aid that I should attend on the wounded with Doctor Bower, and that I would be sent to the United States, but by a different route from that which I came. Doctor Bower in a few days was sent home and I detained.

On the 2d of March, I was arrested, by order of Colonel Proctor, and accused of carrying on a private correspondence. On the 8th, without having any trial, ordered to Montreal, and hurried on from Port George, night and day, although thinly clothed, and the weather very cold. Front Kingston to Prescott, I was made to eat with the officers’ servants. This course of torture being finished, on the 28th, when I arrived. in Montreal, and without being asked any questions, or suffered to ask any myself, I was put into the dungeon, eight or ten feet below the surface of the ground, where find neither bed nor bedding, chair, bench, or stool denied pen, ink, anti paper, or even the use of a book, for two weeks. The only current of air that passed through my apartment came through the bowels of the privy! Here I was kept thirty-three days, when I was, to my great joy, put up with the American prisoners, and with them permitted to remain, till last Monday, when I was liberated by the intercession of Lieutenant Dudley, of the navy. Colonel Baynes, aid to the Governor, told me the outrage which had been committed on my person was contrary to his orders.

I left fourteen American prisoners in gaol, viz: George H. Rodgers, United States’ army; Wm. Hollenback, Onis Hooker, Philaster Jones, Harry Jones, Lewis Minor, Zebina Conkey, Phiney Conkey, Canton; Seth Barnes, Camden; Jared Witheril, John Campbell, Schoharie; Major Watson, Ogdensburg; Alexander M’Gregor, Balston, who were kept in close confinement, notwithstanding Colonel Lethbridge and Major Shackleton had pledged their words to Captain Conkey, before he left Montreal for Quebec, that they should have the liberty of the town during the day. But the Captain was scarcely gone, when the pledge was either forgotten or disregarded. The prisoners now are not permitted to procure such things as their small stock of money would provide. Sometimes they are half a day without water, and two or three days without wood; and if they complain they are cursed and abused by the gaoler, and told they are only allowed a quart of water in the day. I am requested to represent their situation to General Dearborn, which I intend to do as soon as I arrive at Sackett’s Harbor.
This is a sketch of the indignities I have had to put up with since the last of January.
I am, yours, &c.
SAMUEL M’KEEHAN, Surgeon’s Mate 2d Regiment Ohio Militia.
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LIST OF PERSONS LEFT IN MONTREAL GAOL.

Geo. H. Rodgers, U. S. Army.
Gains Hooker.
Jared Witherall.
Lewis Minor.
Pliny Conkey.
Wm. Hollenback.
Philaster Jones.
Major Watson.
John Campbell.
David Johnston.
Seth Barns.
Danny Jones.
Alex’r M’ Gregor.
Zebina Conkey.

Monday, December 28, 2009

WAR WAGED BY THE ENEMY-1813.

The men on this page were either impressed from other ships or were working on British ships when the war of 1812 came. Those who were on British ships at the time give themselves up as prisoners of war and refused to work any more for the British. But the British was not having none of this, the men were told to serve them or be punished or worse. The British believed they had the same right as the French had done and that was to get men to fight were ever the could get them, and the British would do the same and would be damn on the American diplomatic diplomacy.
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I, Beekman or Beckman Verplanck Hoffman, of the town of Poughkeepsie, do certify, that I am a Lieutenant in the United Navy; that I was a lieutenant on board the Constitution frigate in the action and capture of the Guerriere; that, after her surrender, I was sent on board; and after taking out the crew, fired and blew up the ship; that eight impressed American seamen were among the crew of the Guerriere, who were liberated at Boston. I was also on board the Constitution, in the action and capture of the Java and was sent on board that vessel, and after the crew were removed, set her on fire and blew her up. Amongst the crew of the Java, thirteen impressed American sea-men were found, three of whom had entered the British service, and were left, the other ten were liberated as Americans.

Poughkeepsie Aptil 16, 1813.
Beekman. Verplanck Hoffman.

Family. Wife Phebe W. Townsend, father Harmanus Hoffman, mother Catharine Verplanck.

Service: Midshipman, 4 July, 1805. Lieutenant, 21 May, 1812. Master Commandant, 5 March, 1817. Captain, 7 March, 1829. Died 10 December, 1834.
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Richard Thompson being sworn, saith, that he is a native of New Paltz, opposite Poughkeepsie; that he sailed from Wilmington, abdut1the 28th of April 1810,on board the brig Warren, William Kelly, captain, for Cork. On the homeward passage, in September following, he was impressed and taken on board the Peacock, a British sloop of war, and compelled to do. duty. That, while on. board that vessel. he made many unsuccessful attempts to write td his friends to inform them of his situation. He farther saith that after he had heard of’ the war, himself and two other impressed American seamen, who were on board the Peacock, went aft to the captain, and claimed to be considered as American prisoners of war, and refused to do duty any longer.

They were ordered off the quarter deck, and the captain called for the master-at arms, and, ordered us to be. put in irons; we were then kept in irons about twenty-four hours, when we were taken out, brought to the gangway, stripped of our clothes, tied and whipped each one dozen and a half lashes, and put to duty. He further saith, that he was kept on board the Peacock, and did duty till the.-action with the Hornet; after the Hornet hoisted American colors, he, and the other impressed Americans, again went to the Captain of the Peacock, asked to be sent below said, it was an American ship and that they did not wish to fight against their country.

‘The Captain ordered us to our quarters; called midshipman Stone to do his duty; and if we did not do our duty, to blow our brains out. “Ay, ay!” was the answer by Stone, who then held a pistol at my head, and ordered us to our places. We then continued at our pieces, and were compelled to fight till the Peacock struck; and we were liberated after an impressments of about two years and eight months.
Poughkeepsie, April 17, 1813, Richard Thompson .
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James Tompkins, being sworn saith, that he is it native of Ulster county opposite Poughkeepsie; that he sailed out of New York, in the month of April, 1812, in the Ship Minerva, bound to Ireland; that on her homeward, bound passage, in July after, this deponent, with three other American seamen, Samuel Davis, William Young, and John Brown were impressed and taken on board the British ship Acteon, David Smith; Captain. .We were taken on Saturday evening on Monday morning we were brought to the gangway, and informed that we must enter on board the ship and live as other seamen, or we should live on oatmeal and, water and receive five dozen lashes.

This deponent says himself and the other three impressed with him, did refuse to enter, and each of them were then whipped five dozen lashes. On Wednesday following, we were again all brought up and had the same offer made to us, to enter, which we refused, and we were again. whipped four dozen lashes, each. On Saturday after, the like offer was made to us, and on our refusal we were again whipped three dozen, lashes. On Monday fo1owing, still refusing to enter, we were again whipped two dozen., each. On Wednesday following we were again whipped one dozen each, and ordered to be taken below, and put in irons till we did enter and the Captain said he would punish the damned Yankee rascals till they did enter. We were then put in irons, and laid in irons three months.

During the time of our impressment the ship had a action, and. captured a French ship. Before this action we were taken out of irons and asked to fight, but we refused; and after the action we were again ironed, where we remained till the ship arrived at London. After arriving there we first beard of the war with America, and that the Guerriere was taken. This deponent took his shirt Samuel Davis and William Young took their handkerchiefs, made stripes and stars for the American colors, an hung it over a gun. and gave three cheers for the victory.

The next morning at six o’clock were brought up an. whipped, two dozen lashes Each, for huzzaing the Yankee flag. Shortly after this, we were all released by the assistance, of the American Consul and Captain Hill, who knew us. This deponent further saith that all had protections, and showed them, and claimed to be American, at the tune they were impressed.
James Tompkins.

Sworn before me this 17th day of April, 1813; it which time the said James Tompkins showed me his wrists, which, at his request, I examined, and there appeared to be marks on both of them. occasioned, as I suppose, from his having been in irons.
WM. W. .BOGARDUS, Justice of the Peace.
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The following American seamen were on a British ships of war, who upon hearing of the war offered to give themselves up as prisoners of war, and for doing so or for refusing to do service have been punished.

John Ballard, on board the Zenobia, offered himself a prisoner, refused, and was put in irons for one night.

John Davis, on board the Thistle, gave himself up as a prisoner, and refused further service, for which he was flogged.

Ephraim Covell, on board La Hogue, gave himself up as a prisoner, and, refused further service, in consequence of which he was kept seven days in irons.

John Hosman, on board La Hogue, gave himself up as a prisoner, and refused further service; was pat in irons, still kept therein, and was threatened by the commander with further punishment.

Russell Brainard, on board La Hogue, gave himself up as a prisoner, was put in irons, and still kept therein.

Thomas W. Marshall, Peter Lazette, Edward Whittle Banks, and Levi Younger, on board the Royal William, gave themselves up as prisoners, and. Were in consequence thereof put into close confinement for eight days.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Battle at Williamsbugh.

In the reports it states that these men were killed and wound in the action at Williamsbrugh in upper Canada, but the real action took place at the Battle of Crysler's Farm, also known as the Battle of Crysler's Field, and was fought on 11 November 1813, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. (The name Chrysler's Farm is sometimes used for the engagement, but Crysler is in fact the proper spelling.) A British and Canadian force won a victory over an American force which greatly outnumbered them, but was dispirited and badly led. The American defeat prompted them to abandon their "Saint Lawrence campaign", their major strategic effort in the autumn of 1813. In Williamsbrugh action Major General Wilkinson would loss a total of 339, men.
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The killed and wounded of a detachment of the Army of the United States, descending the St. Lawrence, under the command of major General James Wilkinson, in a action fought at Williamsburgh in upper Canada, on the 11th, of November 1813.

Killed.

Lieutenant William W. Smith, light artillery.
service: Smith, William Wallace. New Jersey New Jersey Cadet Military Academy 14 Apr 1809 (17) out of class, 2nd. Lieutenant Light artillery 1st, June 1812; 1st, Lieutenant 1 Oct 1813; died 3 Dec 1813 of wounds received 11 Nov 1813 in action at Chrystler's Fields Upper Canada.

Lieutenant David Hunter, 12th, infantry.
service: Hunter, David. Virginia, Virginia, 3rd, Lieutenant 12th,
infantry 29 Mar 1813; killed 11 Nov 1813 in battle of Chrystlers Fields Upper Canada.

Lieutenant Edward Olmstead, 16th, infantry.
service: Olmstead, Edward. Pennsylvania, 3rd, Lieutenant 16th, infantry 16 Apr 1813; 2nd, Lieutenant 13 May 1813; 1st, Lieutenant 30 Sept 1813; killed 11 Nov 1813 in battle of
Chrystlers Fields Upper Canada.

Wounded.

Brigadier General, Leonard Covington, mortally ( Since died.)
service: Covington, Leonard. Maryland, Maryland,, Cornet Light dragoons 14 Mar 1792; Lieutenant 25 Oct 1792; Captain 11 July 1794; resigned 22 Sept 1795; Lieutenant colonel Light dragoons 9 Jan 1809; colonel 15 Feb 1809; brig General 1 Aug 1813; died 14 Nov 1813 of wounds received in battle of Chrystlers field, Upper Canada 11 Nov. 1813.

Major Talbot Chambers, Assistant Adjutant General, slightly.
service: Chambers, Talbot. Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, 1st. Lieutenant 5th, infantry 18 June 1808; captain 31 Oct 1811; major Assistant Adjutant General 2 Apr 1813; major 4 rifle 21 Feb 1814; rifle regiment 17 May 1815; It colonel 8 Mar 1817; colonel 10 Nov 1818; transferred to 1st, infantry 1 June 1821; brevet Lieutenant colonel 17 Sept 1814 for gal con in the sortie from Ft Erie Upper Canada; cashiered 28 Apr 1826.

Major Darby Noon, Aid-de-camp, slight.
service: Noon, Darby. Ireland. New York, Major 41st, infantry 1 Aug. 1813; Honorable discharged 15 June 1815; department commissary of purchases 15 July 1815; Honorable discharged 1 June 1821; [died 9 Sept 1823.]

Colonel James P. Preston, 23, infantry, severely his right thigh fractured.
service: Preston, James Patton. Virginia, Virginia, Lieutenant colonel 12rh, infantry 19 Mar 1812; colonel 23rd., infantry 15 Aug 1813; Honorable discharged 15 June 1815; [died 4 May 1843.]

Major William Cummings, 8th, infantry severely.
service: Cummings, William. New York, Ensign 12th, infantry 14 Jan 1799; 2nd, Lieutenant 3 Mar 1799; 1st, Lieutenant 4 Apr 1800; honorable discharged 15 June 1800. Was later reinstated but I was not able to find his records.

Captain Edmund Foster, slightly.
service: Foster, Edmund. Massachusetts. Massachusetts, Ensign, rifle 12 Dec 1808; resigned 1 July 1809; 1st, Lieutenant 9th, infantry 12 Mar 1812; captain 13 Mar 1813; resigned 31 Oct 1814; [died 5 Feb 1834.]

Captain David S. Townsend, 9th, infantry severely-taken prisoner.
service: Massachusetts, Massachusetts, 1st, Lieutenant 9th, infantry 6 July, 1812; Captain 13 May 1813; Major, Assistant Adjutant General 27 July 1814; honorable discharges 15 June 1815; paymaster battalion corps artillery 29 Apr 1816; retained as major and paymaster 1 June 1821; died 28 Jan 1853.

Captain Mordecai Myers, 13th, infantry severely.
service: Myers, Mordecai. New York, Captain 13th, infantry 12 Mar 1812; honorable discharged 15 June 1815; [died 20 Jan 1871.]

Captain John Campbell, 13th, slightly.
service: Campbell, John. New York, 1st, Lieutenant 13th., infantry 15
May 1812; captain 15 Aug 1813; resigned 19 May 1814.

Captain John B. Murdoch, 25th, infantry.
Service: No service records could be found.

Lieutenant William S. Heaton, 11th, infantry Severely.
Service: Heaton, William S. Vermont, 2nd, Lieutenant 11th, infantry
12 Mar 1812; 1st, Lieutenant 13 Mar 1813; died 19 Nov 1813 of wounds received 11 Nov 1813 in battle of Chrystlers Fields Upper Canada.

Lieutenant John Williams, 13, infantry slightly.
Service: No service records could be found.

Lieutenant John Lynch, 14th, infantry severely-taken prisoner.
Service: Lynch, John. Maryland, Ensign 14th, infantry 9 Oct 1812; 3rd, Lieutenant 13 Mar 1813; 2nd, Lieutenant 15 Aug 1813; killed 11 Nov 1813 in battle of Chrystlers Fields Upper Canada.

Lieutenant Peter Pelham, 21st, infantry Severely-taken prisoner.
service: Pelham, Peter. North Carolina, Massachusetts. 2nd, Lieutenant 21st, infantry 12 Mar 1812; 1st, Lieutenant 16 Apr 1813; captain 28 Feb 1814; transferred to 5th, infantry 17 May 1815; honorable discharged 1 June 1821; [died 10 July 1826.]

Lieutenant James B. Brown 25th. Infantry slightly.
service: No service records could be found.

Lieutenant Archibald C. Crary, 25th, infantry, Severely in the skirmish the day before the battle.
service: Crary, Archibald C. Rode Island, 2nd, Lieutenant 25rh, infantry 12 Mar 1812; 1st., Lieutenant 16 Apr 1813; captain 2 May 1814; Honorable discharged 15 June 1815.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Land Claims Across The United States.

Here is a list of men and women? Who are claiming land. These names come from all over the United States. Although there is little or no family information in the reports. However the reports give a interesting insight on what was happening to them at this time in history and would be worth adding to your family history. I will give a example on the kind of information you may receive.

This information comes from, Public Land Volume 8., 1835-1838., which is housed at the Library of Congress.

Important note. If you find a name of interests and would like a report, please give the title of this page and the name and page No., for without it I may not be able to help you. My address can be found in my profile.

Example.

John Jeffers, Alabama.

That the petitioner represents, that, in the year 1830, not long before the day on which lands sold under the credit system and not paid for became forfeited, by the act of Congress provided in such cases, he purchased from one Dixon Stanback, as the administrator, of Stephen Heard, deceased, a certificated of further credit, for the northwest quarter of section twenty-eight, township six, range two, west, of the lands sold at the Huntsville land district, in Alabama; that he paid to said administrator a full consideration in cash for said certificate, and said administrator duly assigned it over. Petitioner states further, that alter said assignment, he applied to the register and receiver of said, land office, to pay the balance due by the terms of purchase for said land, but that said register and receiver refused to receive it, on the grounds that the transfer had not been made to petitioner in conformity with the provisions of the law of Alabama, regulating the sale of real estate of deceased persons; that the purchase of this certificate was made so lately before the day of forfeiture, that the time was not sufficient to observe the forms required to effect a legal transfer. Petitioner also states, that the land became forfeited, and was afterward sold by the government. He also asserts, that the full consideration paid by him to said administrator, was accounted for by him in his settlement of the estate of Heard; and that the widow and heirs of Heard have all removed out of the United States. Petitioner also sets forth, that he applied at the land office at Huntsville after said land became forfeited and was sold, to procure scrip, to the amount actually paid on the said tract of land, under the provisions of the act of Congress in such cases provided; but that this was also refused on the same grounds.

Under this state of facts, of the truth of which your committee are sufficiently satisfied, they believe the petitioner was prevented, without any fault of his own, from availing himself, not only of the benefits of the original contract for the said land, but also of the advantages granted to the legal holders of forfeited certificates, to the amount paid thereon; that he comes within the reason and spirit of the law, and has been only deprived of the benefits by a want of some formalities in the transfer of the certificate. They therefore report a bill for his relief.
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Alabama.

1. Lewis Durett ...p. 429.
2. Poas Hadgo ...p. 581.
3. Joel Chandler ...p. 586.
4. Etienne La Lande ...p. 589.
5. James Innerarity ...p. 888.
6. Jas. A. Williams ...p. 910.
7. John Hollinsworth ...p. 912.
8. Wm. Jas. Aarons ...p. 912
9. Samuel Smith ..p.. 924.
10. E. Moreland, W. M. Kennedy, R. J. Kennedy, and Mason E. Lewis ...p. 931.

Arkansas.

1. T. P. Eskridge and A. Fisk. ...p. 329.
2. Mary Tucker ...p. 426.
3. C. de Villemont ...p. 543.

Bounty land.

1. Simon Wright, New York ...p. 428.
2. W. C. Hazard, Rhode Island ...p. 531.
3. Benjamin Oden ...p. 532.
4. Daniel Warner ...p. 533.
5. John H. Stone ...p. 542.
6. H. B. Tyler, Virginia ...p. 591.
7. Samuel and John Rowe ...p. 592.
8. Aaron Stout ...p. 664.
9. Thomas Todd ...p. 702.
10. Levi Chadwick ...p. 707.
11. William Clark ...p. 708.
12. Francis Jarvis ...p. 914.
13. S. Burton, jr. ...p. 936.
14. Fras. Jarvis ...p. 914.

Florida.

1. Duncan L. Clinch ...p. 433.
2. Wm. Baker ...p. 493.
3. Louis Le Gras de Vobeceye ...p. 494.
4. Peter Alba ...p. 531.
5. Joseph E. Padro ...p. 709.
6. Jos. Hernandez ...p. 912.
7. Jennett Willis ...p. 925.

Illinois.

1. Samuel Dickerson ...p. 440.
2. Gideon Blackburn ...p. 577.
3. Daniel Malone ..p.. 581..
4. James Dutton ...p. 928.
5. Margaret Nation ...p. 451.
6. Zebulon Sheets ...p. 455.

Indian Land.

1. J. B. Hancock ...p. 557.
2. Allen Yates ...p. 563.
3. Poas Hadgo ...p. 581.
4. Jane Scammakon and Susan Hazleton ...p. 455.

Indiana.

1. Zebulon Sheets, Indiana, ...p. 455
2. William Bowman, Indiana ...p. 327.
3. Margaret Nation ...p. 451.

Louisiana.

1.John Fletcher, of Louisiana ...p. 976.
2. Eloy Segura, of Louisiana ..p.. 452.
3. Robert Bell, Louisiana ...p. 702.
4. Thomas M. Burland, Louisiana ...p. 706.
5. Polly Lemon ... 913.
6. Wm. Conway's heirs ...p. 497.

Michigan.

1. Chas. A. Grignon, Michigan ...p. 595.
2. George C. Willard , Michigan ...p. 601.
3. Thos. Reddock, Michigan ..p.. 915.

Mississippi.

1, Green Pryor, Mississippi ...p. 436.

Missouri.

1. D. Browning, Missouri ...p. 332.
2. J. Boone, Missouri ...p. 333.
3. August Brazeau , Missouri...p. 334.
4. John Wiley and Jefferson Greer, Missouri ...p. 454.
5. John Whitsitt, Missouri ...p. 495.

Ohio.

1. Solomon Sturges, Ohio ...p.560.
2. James Brewer, Ohio ...p. 578.
3. Mary Sroufe, Ohio ...p. 932.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Settlers On Choctaw Land.

Before the Choctaw treaty of 1830, the Choctaw give the rights to the settlers, to settle on their land, then when the removal came the new settlers were told they too would be removed. The settlers argued that the Choctaw, had given them the rights before the treaty and that they had made their improvements and built their homes before the removal dead line of May 1832. The government stated that in the treaty they bought all the land and all on it, and they too would be removed and if they refused to go, the United States Army would come and remove them by force. After many arguments between the Settlers and the government the settlers would win out.

Note. There are some of you who maybe interested in just where your ancestors land was and what may be on it to day. This can be easily be done by taken the information here and going to either the land office of register of deeds office in the county set of the county stated here and ask to see a section map of the county.
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Part of a letter, To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled:

Your petitioners, citizens of that portion of the State of Mississippi ceded to the United States by the Choctaw Indians, at the treaty of 1830, most respectfully represent: That they settled within that district of country prior to the 1st flay of May, 1832, by the permission of the Choctaws, and with the approbation, as was generally understood, of the agent of the government, and made valuable improvements. During the spring of 1832, a portion of the United States troops were ordered into the country, for the purpose of removing them from the public lands as intruders and trespassers, in violation of the stipulations of the treaty. On a proper representation of the subject to the Secretary of War the orders were countermanded, and they were permitted to remain with their families in the peaceable and quiet possession of their homes. (A copy of the correspondence with the War Department is made an accompanying document, marked A.) By their industry and labor, your petitioners opened valuable improvements, and erected comfortable cabins for the shelter of their families, cheered with the hope that Congress would, in their wisdom and liberality, extend to them the same privileges extended to other pioneers and settlers on the public lands, the right of pre-emption to a little spot of ground, sufficient to cover their labor, at the minimum price of $1.25 per acre. In their reasonable hope and expectations they were not disappointed.

List of the petitioners.

John Smith---Nathan Edwards---Baylis Nations---Robert Belshar---Josiah Edwards---Wm. Ormond---John H. Byres---Wm. B. Edwards---Woodard Roan---Wm. W. Byres---John H. McKennie---William Sillivent---William Blanton---A. McCarslin---Stephen Smith.
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WASHINGTON City, July 21, 1834.

Here is part of that. Letter.

SIR: Daniel Richmond, Conway Oldham, Josiah White, George Simmons, Jefferson Clay, Isaac Richmond, Samuel Hackenbury, David Clay, and Ignatius Baukston, claim a right of preemption, each, to eighty acres of land, situate within that district of country ceded to the United States by the treaty of Dancing Rabbit creek, under azid by virtue of the provisions of the act of Congress passed on the 3d day of March, 1833. They adduced to the register and receiver of the land office at Chocehuma, Mississippi, satisfactory evidence of their right to the lands which they claimed as aforesaid; but their applications were refused by them, because, in their opinion, the lands ceded by the treaty aforesaid were not public lands on the first day of May, 1832, within the meaning of the act.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, July 25, 1834.

Upon examination, I find that the parties were all actual settlers and housekeepers on the public lands prior to 1st May, 1832; that the entry and proof were made within the time limited by the act of 2d March, 1833, and thus the evidence of these facts in all the cases, the evidence is given according to the form prescribed by the instructions of the department. Thus sustained, it is my opinion that their right to the pre-emption claimed is authorized by the act of 2d March, 1833.
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THE STATE OF Mississippi, Holmes County:

I, Samuel B. Parrish, do solemnly swear, that I am an actual settler and a housekeeper on a tract of public land, viz., the northwest quarter of section number eight, in township number fifteen, of range number one east, and hereby apply to enter the west half of the northwest quarter of said section, under the provisions of an act of Congress approved on. The 2d day of March, 1833.
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THE STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabusha County:

Thomas C. McMackin, has made oath that he was an actual settler on the east half of southwest quarter, and also had an improvement on the west half of east quarter, section 19, township 24, range 6 east, (on which the town of Henderson is situated,) in the early part of the year 1832.
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THE STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabusha County:

David Mabray, has made oath that he settled and improved on the west half of the northwest quarter section 29, township 24, range 6 east, in the month of February, 1832, and that he, the said Mabray, believes that he was embraced under the act of the March, 1833.
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THE STATE OF Mississippi, Tallahatchie County:

I John Balfour solemnly swear that I was an actual settler and a housekeeper on a tract of public land, viz., lots six and ten of township number twenty-two, in range five east and intended to apply to the register and receiver at Chocehuma, prior to the public sale of said lands, and prior to any appropriation of the same, in October last, under the provisions of an act of Congress, approved on the 2d day of March, 1833.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Choctaw District:

I Robert Belsha, solemnly swear that I am an actual settler and a housekeeper on a tract of public land, viz., the west half of the southeast quarter of section four, township twenty-three, range live east, and hereby apply to enter the west half of the southeast quarter of said section, under the provisions of an act of Congress, approved on the 2d day of March, 1833.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabusha County:

John H. Byers, and made oath, in due form of law, that he was an actual settler on public land of the United States, in the limits of the Choctaw nation, in the year 1833, that a float was laid on the land upon which he settled, and that he has been debarred from entering his improvement. The land on. which he settled is designated as follows: Section No. 19, township 24, of range 6 east He now requests that he may have a float granted to him, (by virtue of the act of Congress granting pre-emption rights to settlers of 1833,) to be laid on vacant and unoccupied lots.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabusha County:

Wm. W. Byers, and made oath, in due form of law, that he resided on public land and cultivated the same in 1833; that he was deprived of the right of pre-emption by a float being entered on his improvements, and that he has been wholly deprived of the privileges granted to other occupants on public lands of the United States: he craves the general government to grant him a float of 160 acres, to the end that he may locate it on lands not otherwise appropriated. His residence was on the 19th section, range 6 east, township 24.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabusha County:

William Blanton, has made oath, in due form of law, that he resided on public land of the United States in 1833, made improvements, and cultivated the same. He was deprived of the privilege of taking his land by pre-emption, in consequence of the land sales, which were commenced at Choechuma on the 21st day of October, 1833, and continued 12 days. He does not ask or expect the land was sold; but prays that he may be permitted to take 160 acres on any vacant and inappropriate land of the United States. His improvement was on the 17th section, township 23, range 5 east.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabusha County:

Nathan Edwards, has made oath, in due form of law, that he was an actual settler on public lands of the United States, in the limits of the Choctaw nation, in the year 1833; that other persons resided on the same quarter section, and that he has been debarred from obtaining his improvement. The land on which he settled is designated as follows: Section seven, township number twenty-four, range six east. He has been prevented from the advantages of the pre-emption law, and now asks the privilege that has been extended to other early settlers, of taking a float or un-appropriated lands of the United States.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabusha County:

Isaiah Edwards, has made oath, in due form of law, that he resided on public lands of the United States in 1833 that the laud on which he lived was sold at the land sales at Choechuma; that he was not permitted to take his farm by pre-emption, in consequence of instructions not having been given to the register in such cases made and provided: and it also having been made known to him that he can get relief by memorial to Congress, he asks the privilege of having granted to him a float for one quarter section on any lands not otherwise appropriated. He resided and improved the northwest quarter of section 17, township twenty-four, range six east. The said land was purchased at Ohocchuma, by T. W. Winter, which appears on the record.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

John H. McKennie, has made oath, in due form of law, that he resided on public lands of the United States (agreeably to his interpretation of the treaty of Dancing Rabbit creek) in the years 1832 and 1833, and proved his claim up before Thomas B. Ives, before the land sales at Chocchuma, which commenced the 21st October, 1833, and requested the register to reserve his land under previous acts of Congress, but was informed he did not think that he was authorized to do so. Further, that the quarter section on which he resided was taken by another claim. He made considerable improvements, which enhanced the value of the land considerably. He further says, he was the first settler on the said land, to wit: the S. E. quarter of section 19, township 24, range 6 east, and that he had not entered any lands under the pre-emption laws of the United States, either in quarters or eighths. He now prays that he may have the privilege of taking 160 acres of vacant and un-appropriated lands belonging to the government, at the minimum price, and have the usual time of two years to pay for the same. He believes that his early settlement greatly enhanced the value of the government land in the part of the country he lives in. He yet lives where he first settled, but is compelled to pay rent for the improvements he made.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

Alfred McCaslin, has made oath, in due form of law, that he resided on public lands of the United States in 1832, and yet resides at the same place; and further says that his residence was floated by an orphan claim, and that he was prevented thereby from obtaining’ the said land o which he settled. The number of section on which he lives is 19, township 24, range 6, east, on. the west half of the southeast quarter of said section 19. He does not request that said land should be granted to him by pre-emption, but that he may have a float granted to him for one quarter section of land on that which is now vacant and un-appropriated.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

Baylis Nations, has made oath, in due form of law, that he resided on public land of the United States in 1832 and 1833, and cultivated, the same, but was not permitted to enter under the act of 1832, in consequence of no instructions having been received by the register at Chocchuma. The land was sold at the sales in 1833, and I have been deprived of my right of pre-emption. The land on which I resided at the time of the land sales was on the 27th section, township 24, range 6 east.
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Note. As most of the following oaths are the same as those above I will only give the names and the section numbers.

STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

WILLIAM ORMON, His residence and cultivation were in township 23, section 10, range 5 east.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

WOODARD ROAN, His residence and cultivation were in town ship 24, range 5 east, section 24.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

WILLIAM SILLIVENT, The land which he improved was the 34th section, township 24, range 5 east.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

STEPHEN SMITH, his residence was on the nineteenth section, S. E. quarter, township twenty-four, range six east.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Yallabuslia County:

WILLIAM STONE, the west half of the southwest quarter of section twenty, of township twenty-four, range six, east.
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STATE OF Mississippi, Choctaw District:

JOHN W. McLEMORE.

East half of the southeast quarter of section 33, township 23, range 4 east.

Friday, December 18, 2009

NAMES UNDER THE CHOCTAW TREATY 1830.

The names on this page are either full blood or half and others are white men with Indian wife’s. And they all had one thing in common they were asking for the Location of there land or asking for a reservation for land. There is a lot of good information here if your looking into your Indian ancestors. This information is in the form of letters and of testimony’s

Note. This information comes from Public Lands ( 1834-1835 ) Vol.,7., pages 1-139, 627-652, 659-665. This information is housed at the Library of Congress.
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IN RELATION TO THE LOCATION OF RESERVATIONS UNDER THE CHOCTAW TREATY OF THE SEPT. 27, 1830.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Office Indian Affairs, February 3, 1834.

SIR: Juba B. Hancock has transmitted to this office papers to establish his claim to reservations for himself and two children, under the 14th article of the treaty of September 21, 1830. He states that he is a white man, married to a Choctaw woman, the mother of these children. That his son, William Mitchell, was twelve years old on the 1st day of September, 1830, and his daughter, Mary Melinda, was ten years old on the 14th February, 1830. That his name and theirs were registered by Col. Ward, in August, 1831, but the leaf on which they were registered was lost. This statement is supported by the affidavit of Giles Thompson and David Fulsom, and P. P. Pitchlynn, certifying that the claimant was, for many years prior to the treaty a citizen, and entitled to all the privileges of a citizen. You are requested to inquire of Col. Ward whether these circumstances are truly stated, and if they are, you will locate a section for the father, and a half section for each of the children, and apprise the department of the result.
Very respectfully, &c., E. HERRING.

P. S. There is a third child, Caroline Delia, who is now about ten years of age, and of course entitled.
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WASHINGTON City, February 10, 1834.

SIR Under the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, George W. Harkins was entitled to two sections of land, the one to include his improvement, and the other to be a floating claim. A considerable time before the treaty Mr. Harkins had built and paid for a house on section 31 in township 16, range 1 east; and at that time said George W. Harkins had no other improvement in the nation, but resided with his mother.

But as he did not reside on that section at the time of making the treaty, it was denied to him, and given to Vaughn Brashears, who was also entitled under the treaty to his own improvement, which was situated on the section next adjoining, on the south, to wit: section 6 in township 15, range 1 east, to which latter section the said Brashears had a rightful and proper claim.

As the treaty provides that, in all cases of doubt, the construction shall be in favor of the Indian claims, it is thought that as Harking had no other residence or improvement of his own, that this must be the land to which, under the true meaning of the treaty, he is entitled. It is therefore respectfully asked that a patent shall not issue to said Brashears, but that the case may be considered, and the title to said section 31. awarded to George W. Harkins.
I have the honor to bet your obedient servant, GREENWOOD LEFLORE.
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WASHINGTON CITY, February 19, 1834.

SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, inquiring what knowledge, if any, Mr. Laud or myself has of the validity of the claim of John T. Harlan for reservation of land for himself and family, as members of the Choctaw tribe of Indians; and, in reply, I have to state for the information of your department, that at the date of the treaty of 1830, John T. Harlan was not a resident of the Choctaw country, having previously been ordered out of the nation by the United States agent., Col. William Ward, for the crime of murder; nor was he or his family ever recognized as members of the Choctaw nation. He is a white man, and his wife a Cherokee, from which nation he ran away for a crime similar to that committed in the Choctaw country.

I have therefore no hesitation in saying that his claim is altogether unjust, fraudulent, and unworthy of your consideration.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GREENWOOD LEFLORE.
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DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Office of Indian Affairs, December 17, 1833.

SIR: In answer to your letter of the 19th ult., to the Secretary of War, relative to the mode of locating the reservations for Delila and her children, Peggy Trahern and her children, and the widows of Pushmitaha and Puck-tshe-nubbee and their children, I am instructed to say that you will locate in one body those sections intended for Delila and her children; and in one other body those for Peggy Trahern and her children; and in. like manner with the other two widows. And in selecting the land for them, you will take neither the best nor the worst, but that which is of good average quality, fit for cultivation and improvement.
Very respectfully, ELBERT HERRING.
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DUMFRIES, September 20, 1833.

SIR: Your attentive acknowledgment of my letter, enclosing Mushulatubbee’s conveyance to D. W. Wright, I duly received, but have deferred replying until now. In order to a fair and equitable adjustment of the numerous contracts for floating claims and reserves, I will submit a few facts analagous of the whole; and from which I hope the War Department will be able, in part, to reach the cunning land speculator in his strongest hold.

In a majority of cases, a small advance was made by the citizen to the Indian for his possession, say from one-fourth to one-tenth the amount on as the price, the balance Agreed to be paid when the President ratified the sale. Promissory notes were given to the Indians, to be paid when the title became perfect. A bona fide deed an and warranty, with acknowledgment of the receipt of the whole purchase money, is given by the Indian who emigrates forthwith to Arkansas. The purchaser, as soon as he can, sells the land to an emigrant settler, and he, perhaps, to some one else. Indeed, it may go through half a dozen transfers before the ratification; and, consequently, before the money is due to the Indian, the first purchaser, by a few successful operations, realizes a fortune, leaving the Indian to seek him where he can find him, and the last purchaser in danger of losing his land and improvements, honestly obtained and paid for.

Mushulatubbee’s two sons (full blooded Indians), James and Hiram King, were allowed a section each at the treaty (at their father’s old place), on the great military road leading to Lake Pontchartrain, a most valuable location. Messrs. Wright, Hatch, and Hand, of Columbus, had formed a sort of combination or connexion to speculate in claims. Old Mushulatubbee was with them a great bobba shela (a friend ), and, together with the two floating sections, they got Mushulatubbee’s Sons two sections before mentioned, for which they gave three young negroes. Pending this transaction, Messrs. Grabel, Grant, and Lincecum, of Columbus, informed me that squire Maglue, or Maclue, who knew that the said negroes were free, had colleagued with a lawyer Tucker, of Columbus, to extort money out of Colonel Townshend, who brought the negroes from Tennessee or Kentucky, and sold them to the said company. Wright, Hatch, and Hand. Of the six negroes sold Mushulatubbee, five of them were free the sixth purchased from Grabel Lincecum. The said free negroes were the offspring of a free woman that accompanied a family from near Hagerstown, Maryland, to Kentucky, many years ago.

But to return to Tucker and Maclue: they went to Towushend, and threatened to make the discovery unless he would give them five hundred dollars. He agreed to do it, and gave his note accordingly; but when it became due he refused to pay it, on the ground of bribery and extortion. They sued him in the court at Columbus; the trial came on before Judge Nichols, and, perhaps, few cases have occurred where the enormity of crime was received with less concern. It was said that Wright & Co. took back those negroes, and put others in their places; but not believed., James King having been hurried off with them to Arkansas long before the emigration commenced.

Mr. Lincecum, also Peter Pitchlynn, told me it was only a sham; that the negroes (excepting one of them, drowned in the river Poteau,) were eighteen miles from Fort Smith. Wright, a few days after the treaty, took a deed for Robert Nail’s claim for a half section. Robert was then about eighteen years old. It was to be paid for as soon as the sale was ratified by the President. Robert and his mother had great confidence in Wright, and of course would sign any paper he required of him. Supposing, therefore, as soon as the emigration commenced, that he could get his money, he applied for it, and was told he would not pay him, but would place the money in the hands of Major Pitchlynn. He continued to battle Robert with this as long as I remained in the nation.

Wright & Co. had taken, I understand, a conveyance bond from the old interpreter, Middleton Mackay, for his grant from Congress, given in lieu of his reserve, which was not valuable. Mackay told me he had never received anything from them, and merely promised to give them the refusal. Mackay and his wife died of cholera on. the road between Memphis and Little Rock. I have no doubt some one has set up a claim for Mackay’s donation, and I am as certainly sure he never sold it.

The claim of Captain Billy Hays (a Choctaw) came directly under my notice: Nored and McNutt agreed to give him seven hundred dollars, viz., three hundred dollars on the first September, 1831, and four hundred more first January, 1832. McNutt left for Arkansas with the emigrants; Nored remained, and paid Hays two hundred and seventy-six dollars. The agreement was left in my hands, and I gave it to Major Armstrong, who told me he had left it with Colonel Ward at the old agency. Nored refuses most positively to pay the balance, on the ground that Captain Hays was not allowed as much land as he expected. Nored lives on the place, eighteen miles N. E. of Doak’s stand. I hope he will be made to pay to Billy Hays heirs every cent before any title is given him. The land is richly worth the money: a good house on it, a large enclosure, and four hundred and eighty acres.

Col. James McDonald, an educated Choctaw, was provided for in the treaty, and subsequently drowned himself in Pearl river, near Jackson. Robert Jones, a relative of McDonald, told me that Judge Caldwell, of Clinton, had obtained from McDonald’s mother) (his rightful heir, ) the claim for a paltry, or, at least, a consideration far short of its value.

In reference to the latter part of your letter, I ought only to say, “ the account of my injuries and wrongs are rather long, and the particulars tedious.” But, in using this apology, I do not abandon the task of recounting, to those who feel interested for me, the whole subject-matter thereof; and by which, although not justifiable in any law, yet decidedly so by those who have heard and believed my statement of the transaction. It is a matter of astonishment to myself and friends how I have encountered so many difficulties; and what has been the cause of it ? My own impression is, that it has ever been my misfortune to meet with oppression, and to resist to a degree beyond the necessity of the case.

During my service in the army and elsewhere for the government I have disbursed near an hundred thousand dollars. I was among the first commissaries appointed after establishment of the commissarait I have letters in the archives of the War Department showing my promptitude as a volunteer in the time of the war, and of my general character for capacity and integrity through life. I can procure ample testimonials from an extensive acquaintance in the different parts of the country I have resided. I defy any one to bring a charge of fraud or peculation against me in more than twelve years public service. My misfortunes are, therefore, rightfully ascribed to an irresistible impulse of passion, almost as fatal to my peace and happiness as the worst of offenses. I did think I should never offend again when that best of men, Major Eaton, listened to my wrongs, and gave me employment; I did use and every precaution to avoid collision with any person. But I am growing tedious, and will only add as I am rather under the ban, that I hope you will look on my case with a more favorable view hereafter than the first impressions induced you to do; and that I may not despair, at some future period, of being restored to the confidence of al1 my friends.
I am sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, WM. S. COLQUHOUN.

As you may have noticed these letters can get very long, and for this reason, I will only give parts of the letters or the names within them. I will however give the page number, so if you wish to have a copy of the letter, it can be found and copied. Those whishing to have a copy of a letter, or some information on a name, please give the ( Title of this page) and the name and page No., for without them I may not be able to help you. My address can be found in my profile.
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NEAR JONES’ BLUFF, Sumpter County, Alabama, September 29, 1833.

Jacob Daniel, has been a citizen, for twelve years and more, he served three years and five months as a regular soldier in the United States army, and most of the time in active service in the last war. He entered his name in the books, wishing to become a citizen of the United States. At the time he entered his name and wife and his four children who were under ten yeas. He also had a first son who was away at the Choctaw academy, in Kentucky, and forgot to put his name down. Mr. Daniel is now asking the Secretary of War, if his son is entitled to a section of land, even though he was not under his roof at the time the names were entered. Mr. Daniel is also asking the Secretary to look and see if his brother-in-law, who was a brother soldier, who served with him in the last war is on the books. Jacob Daniel, asked that all letters be directed to him at; Daniel’s prairie, Green county, Alabama.
Page No. 16.
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Names of person claiming sections of land.

1. Susan or Susannah Graham-p. 26, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 89, 133, 135.

2. John Hacha or Hachar?-p. 27.

3. William Prine-p. 27.

4. Stacy Collins-p. 27.

5. Levi Pickins-p. 28.

6. Captain Joseph Pickins-p. 28.

7. David W. Wall-p. 31, 32.

8. Thomas Wall-p. 31.

9. Amelia Trahern-p. 32.

10. Letha Trahern-p.35.

11. Peggy Trahern, second wife of Wesley Trahern-p.32.

12. James L. McDonald-p. 34.

13. Robert Jones-p.34.

14. Ann V. L. L. McEllyn or Ann L. Lewllyn, mother of Susan Graham-p. 33,34.

15. William Ott-p. 36.

16. Wesley Trahern, children, Anelia, Letha, Washington, First wife Delilah, Second wife Agnes now wife of James Foster. It was later stated that Peggy was not a wife?-p. 36.

17. Charles Frazier, Nelly Dyer, Rachel Davis, James Perry, Nancy Moore, Moses Perry, Molly Frazier, Moontubbi, Tishepia and Hala-p. 628, 632.

18. John T. Hammond-p. 632, 661.

19. John B. Hancock-p. 633.

20. Matthew Seabronch-p. 633.

21. Benjamin Bullock-p. 633.

22. Ho-pi-es-ka-re-ne, or “Little Leader.”-p. 633.

23. John Walker-p. 634.

24. Allen Jenkins-p. 637.

25. Lemuel George-p. 638.

26. Robert Turnbull-p. 639.

27. John T. Hammond-p. 639.

28. Moontubbee-p. 639.

29. Tis-ho-pia, -p. 639.

30. Rachel Davis-p. 639.

31. El-a-no-au-chi, -p. 639.

32. Och-in-chi-homa, -p. 639.

33. Tick-bafa-tubbee, -p. 639.

34. James Oxberry-p. 641.

35. Jacob Thompson-p. 644, 645, 659, 660.

36. John R. Contee-p. 645, 659, 660.

37. Thomas Stewart, mother Susan Graham-p. 646.

38. Benoni Taylor-p. 647.

39. Robert Hancock-p. 647.

40. Reuben H. Grant-p. 647.

41. Alexander Brashears-p. 648.

42. Allen Stanton-p. 648.

43. David W. Wall-p. 648.

44. Betsey Buckles-p. 648.

45. Imponah aka Billy-p. 649.

46. Cunneubee-p. 649.

47. Lucy McGilbry-p. 650.

48. John McGilbry-p. 651.

49. Thomas D. Wooldridge-p. 651.

50. Jesse Beams-p. 652.

51. Jesse A. Ivery-p. 652.

52. John T. Harlan-p. 662.

53. Edmond Jenkins-p. 638.

Note. To author more information in the Index.

Bounty Land Of Virginia 1834.

Land warrants granted by the State of Virginia to certain officers and soldiers in her navy, State and Continental line.

Now I won’t bother you with how much land he got as it is long gone, and the locality wasn’t stated anyways. But what is important is the names stated within the document, it gives the names of his heirs known at the time the document was written.
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In whose name the scrip is prepared to be issued.

*William Roberts, Ensign of the State line.

Heirs: Ann Brown, Lucinda Brown, Henrietta Brown, Charles Gideon Brown, Sarah W. Brown, heirs of William Brown. One of the heirs of Elizabeth Brown, a sister of William Roberts.

*William Roberts had two Land warrants here are the heirs from the second Land warrant.

Heirs: James T. Brown, Catharine R. Crigler, EIiz. hughes, three of the children of Elizabeth Brown, sister of William Roberts.
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Thomas Bonwell, Master of the navy.

Heirs: Betsey Bull, Sally Bonwell, Betsey Wise, Clement, Harriet, Tabitha, Sally and Leah BonweIl, Betsey East, James, Robert and Elijah Bonwell, part of the heirs of Thomas Bonwell.
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Stephen Bloxom, Seaman, navy.

Heirs: Betsey Bloxom, Rosey Bloxom and Rachel Bloxom.
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James Upshaw, Captain of the State line.

Heirs: Jas. Upshaw, Mariah Hawkins, Lewis G. Upshaw, Harriet Coekrill, Eliza T. Harwood, Martha F. Edwards, Sarah M. Mason, T. B. Upshaw, Arthur M. M. Upshaw, Heirs James Upshaw.
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Joseph Payne, Lieutenant of the Continental line.

Heirs: G. V. C. Payne, Richard Payne, Cornelius Payne, Jos. Payne, Eliz. Armstrong, Lavinia Howell, Robert Payne, Nancy Johnson, Mahala D. P. Williams, Marcos Williams, Robert P. Williams, Otho S. Williams and Mary E. Williams, heirs at law of Joseph Payne.
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Ths. Hamilton, Captain of the State line.

Heirs: Hans Roulston, donee of William Hamilton, devisee of Hans Hamilton, the legal representative of Ths. Hamilton.

Note, meaning of donee; "A donee beneficiary of a contract is a third-party to whom the promised beneficial performance comes without cost as a donation or gift. . . [W]here the contract rights of a donee beneficiary have not yet vested and where the beneficiary has not detrimentally relied upon a promise contained in the contract, [the] Court will not subvert the intent of the contracting parties when it is clear that they desired to alter the terms of the contract."

Note , meaning of Devisee, somebody bequeathed property: somebody to whom property has been bequeathed in a will.
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Ambrose Lewis, Sailor, plus Rodham Kenner.

Heirs: Phebe Dillon, Cinthia Lewis, Sal1y, Ely and Nancy Chow, heirs of Thomas Brown, the assignee of A. Lewis and R. Kenner.
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Nathaniel Wilkins, Lieurenant of the Continental line.

Heirs. George F. Wilkins and the other heirs, Cath. Wilkins, sister, and one of the heirs, Margaret S. Wilkins, one of the children of Robert Wilkins, Susan Ann Kendall and Thos. Kendall, Thomas K., Samuel L. and Eliz. A. Floyd, only children, &c., &c.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Gen. Andrew Jackson Smith & Gen. Abraham Buford

I got interested in these two gentlemen when I received a mail from Tom parson a park ranger of the Shiloh National Military Park, thanking me for having some of the information on one of the gentlemen he was looking into, which I will talk about at the end of this page. I found the information interesting and I hope you well too.
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GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON SMITH.

GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON SMITH, has recently come prominently before the public as commander of the Red River Expedition, was born in Pennsylvania, and graduated at West Point in 1838, in the same class with BEAUREGARD and HARDEE, of the rebel army, and Generals BARRY, M'D0WELL, and other officers in the Federal service. For seven years he was Second Lieutenant in the First Dragoons, with whom he served during most of that time in the Territories.

In 1847 he was made Captain, and served against the Indians in South Oregon. In 1861 he was appointed Colonel of the Second California Cavalry, and in March, 1862, was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers. In October of that year he was placed at the head of the First Division of General GRANGER'S army in Kentucky; but subsequently was attached to General GRANT'S army, as commander of the Tenth Division of the Thirteenth Corps. General SMITH led the right .division in the attack on Vicksburg in December of that year, and afterward commanded the Second Division of the Thirteenth Corps at the battle and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, in January, 1863.

After the return of this part of the army to the vicinity of Vicksburg, General SMITH was placed in command of the district of Corinth, from which post he was removed to take charge of the post of Columbus, Kentucky, in order to keep open the communications along the Mississippi River with General GRANT'S command, near the rebel strong-hold. Having cleared that part of Kentucky of guerrillas, General SMITH was, on January 24, 1864, relieved of his post command, and ordered to lead the Third Division of the Sixteenth Corps in the Sherman expedition through Central Mississippi. After the return of the forces under General SHERMAN to the Mississippi River, General SMITH was placed in command of the Red River Expedition, which he has so far led to victory.

General Abraham Buford.

FIGHT AT CULPEPPER.

The details of the advance, the fight, and the victory of General Pleasanton's cavalry—under Generals Buford, Kilpatrick, and Gregg—at Culpepper, on Sunday, show that it was not only a brilliant but an important affair, and may probably be regarded as the advance movement of General Meade's army. The cavalry crossed the Rappahannock and reached the banks of the Rapidan; came into collision with Stuart's cavalry and the light artillery of the enemy, and, after a series of skirmishes, drove them from point to point until they reached Culpepper, through which town they charged, driving the rebels before them, and capturing over one hundred prisoners and three guns, two 12-pounders and one 6-pounder. A large quantity of ordnance stores were found in the railroad depot at Culpepper, the guns being of English make, with sabre bayonets attached. General Buford's division followed up the enemy beyond Cedar Mountain, and encamped on the banks of the Rapidan.

Abraham Buford. Ky. Ky. Cadet Military Academy, 1st. July 1837 (51) out of class; bvt 2nd. Lieutenant 1 Dragoons 1 July 1841;" 2nd. Lieutenant 12 Apr 1842; 1st. Lieutenant 6 Dec 1846; Captain 15 July 1853; bvt Captain 23 Feb 1847 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Buena Vista Mex; resigned 22 Oct 1854; Brig General C S A war 1861 to 1865; died 9 June 1884.

Birth: Jan. 18, 1820
Death: Jun. 9, 1884

Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Graduated West Point in 1841. Veteran of the Mexican War. Appointed Brigadier General on September 2, 1862. General Buford took part in the Vicksburg campaign, and later assigned to General Nathan Beford Forrest Calvary corps until Forrest's surrender at Selma in April 1865. He served a term in the Kentucky legislature after the war.
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As I stated earlier Mr. Parson give me a thank you for my site and along with his thanks he stated what he was looking into. I found it interesting and got to looking around and the end result is this page, so it is my turn to say; “Thanks Tom.”
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Dennis.

Thanks on an excellent site. I was in search of officers in the 1st U.S. Dragoons prior to the Civil War. I found everything I was looking for, on your site, Well done.

I am writing an account of the Campaign and Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July, 1864. The Federal commander was Major General Andrew J. Smith, a former officer in the 1st Dragoons who rose from 2nd Lieutenant to Captain in the Dragoons and then to Major in the 1st Cavalry. I was interested in finding which officers, Union and Confederate, who served with Smith in the pre war army. Of particular interest was Abraham Buford who later joined the Confederate army and commanded a division at the Battle of Tupelo. The 1st Dragoons was a virtual "Who's Who" of Civil War commanders.

Tom Parson Park Ranger.
Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.
Shiloh National Military Park.