Here is a man of mystery I first ran across him while was doing some research on the pension rolls of Kansas. I liked the name and looked him up in the National Park Service, and found there was only one he was listed in the 31st., Indiana Infantry Co. A., from here the mystery began. His record showed that he enlisted in the 31st, in 1861, as a Sergeant and was already veteran and was later commission a Captain in June of 1865. I thought I would see if I could fine him in any battle reports in the official records ( O. R. ), I found two short paragraphs on him, and the mystery continues. The report was from a Colonel of the 31st., and told of Captain Waterman's deeds, this report was recorded in 1862, but how can that be as he wasn't commission a Captain till June of 1865. It was the right Waterman as he was the only one in company A.
I went to the site of ( Find a Grave ), and found him there he was buried in the Topeka Kansas Cemetery, but there was no mitilary information. I called the cemetery but got no answer I had fore gotten about the Labor Day weekend. So I called the ( Topeka Room ) at the Topeka Library to see if by chance they may have his obituary and they did. It will be reprinted here before this page is done. But the library give me another mystery they read some of the info, and it said he was enlisted as a private in a Ohio regiment. Upon hearing this I thought I had the wrong man. But then they told me he was from Atchison Kansas and had a business there at on time. Well I new I had the right man, for that's where I first got the name. All I can do is give you all the facts and maybe a family member can put a little light on this mystery.
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Pension List of Atchison Kansas, 1883.
No. 60,006, Waterman, Robter. H., P. O. Atchison, Gun shot wound to left side, $17, dollars per month.
From the company roster.
31st. Indiana Infantry, Co. A.
Robert H. Waterman, Residence Lodi, Rank Sergeant, Enlisted September 20, 1861, Remarks: Veteran; promoted to Second Lieutenant.
Indiana State Archives.
Robert H. Waterman.
Age: 19.
Enlisted: 1861/09/05.
Where enlisted: Terre Haute, Indiana.
Regiment: 31.
Company: A.
Discharge Date: 1865/10/16.
Remarks: Sergeant. Veteran volunteer, Jan. 1, 1864. Promoted to 1st Sergeant on Nov 1, 1864. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant on Nov. 1, 1864. Promoted to Captain on June 19, 1865. Discharged per Special Order #80.
The following is from a battle report. I will not give the full report only the part that states his name.
Numbers 125. Report of Colonel John Osborn, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, including skirmish at La Vergne, December 26. 1862.
Captain Waterman, of Company A. I cannot speak too highly of his bravery. When one of his men fell, he picked up his gun and nobly kept it still in use.
Lieutenant Ford, of Company A, after the regiment fell back, on the morning of the 31st, after Captain Waterman was missing, took command of his company, and nobly imitated the gallant conduct of his veteran captain.
Topeka City Directory.
1874-1875.
Robert H. Waterman, Clerk, lives VanBunen between Laorent and Railroad, North Topeka.
Back Ground.
Birth: 1842, Eugene township, Vermillion, Indiana.
Death: 1917
Burial: Topeka Kansas.
Father: Richard Mason Waterman.
Mother: Permelia Hosford.
Wife: Clara B. Bennett, married January 15, 1873, Shawnee, Kansas.
Obituaries of Robert H. Waterman and Mrs. Waterman.
Topeka State Journal.
11-16-1917, p. 1., col. 5.
Atchison Vet. Dies.
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Robert H. Waterman, Prominent in city's Business Circles for Years.
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Atchison, Kan., Nov. 16. Robert H. Waterman, Civil war veteran, died at his home here today, age 75. He was secretary-treasurer of the Howard Manufacturing company at the time of his death, and for years was active in business and commercial affairs of the city. Waterman entered the Civil war as a private in an Ohio regiment, and came out as a captain. He was severely wounded at Nashville. He was a member of the Loyal Legion and was active in the affairs of that order in Kansas.
Topeka State Journal.
11-16-1917, p. 7. col. 3.
Old Resident Dead.
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Robert H. Waterman Lived in North Topeka Many Years.
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Robert H. Waterman, for many years a resident of North Topeka, died at his home in Atchison today. While in Topeka, Mr. Waterman was connected with the old Ridenour Baker Wholesale company and with the John P. Cole company. He was later in business for himself untill his removal to Atchison. At the time of his death he was secretary-treasurer of the Frank Howard Manufacturing companry. Mr. Waterman was a member of the Loyal Legion and a charter member of the Golden Rule Lodge of Masons which order will have charge of the body on it's arrival in Topeka.
Topeka State Journal.
5-5-1925, p. 9. col. 4.
The body of Mrs. Robert Waterman former reident of Atchison, who died in California January 6, while arrive in Topeka Thursday evening. Miss Mary Bennett of Los Angeies is bring the body here. Friends who wish to attand the short services at the grave Friday afternoon are asked to assemble at Bomgardner's funeral home at 3 o'clock.
Authors Note. Well it looks like his obituary clear up some of the mystery. But what was he doing in Ohio and what regiment and company was he in. And how was he a captain in 1862, when wasn't promoted till June of 1865. There seems to be some mysteries still.
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I was just at the Robert H waterman gravesite today in Topeka Cemetary off 10th street. His grave (1842-1917), his wife Clara B (1852-1926), and their 2 children also: Bessie P (1875-1877)and Jessie M (1879-1880) and as far as I can see they never had other children. But there is military information on a stone at the foot of his grave because I remember it. I'll go back tomorrow and write it down for you.
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