Saturday, June 04, 2011

He Was A Scout.

Those of you who have family stories that your ancestor was a ( Scout ) in one of the American Wars, but couldn’t find proof that the story is true. Now is your chance maybe to find out. The men on this list cover three of the major American wars. Although these men scouted for the army, many were not enlisted, but were civilians employed by the military. There isn’t a lot of information on these names, but then this list is to let you know he was a Scout and give you a know starting point.
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First. On the 4th day of March, T. L. Hand and B. R. Moore were ordered out on a scout and to report to Major Fisher, commanding at Waynesville, Mo., from time to time. These men have made several scouts during the month.
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Second. On the 15th day of March, James C. Madden, scout, was sent out and ordered to report to Captain Murphy, commanding post of Houston, and to operate through Texas, Douglas, Ozark, and the northwest portion of Shannon Counties, and to report to Captain Murphy at Houston from time to time. I have not received any report from him yet.
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Third. On the 23rd day of March, George W. Johnson, scout, was ordered out with instructions to report to Captain Whybark, commanding post of Salem, in Dent County, Mo. He was instructed to feel his way carefully through Dent County, and to go into Shannon County and endeavor to find out the movements of the rebel Colonel Freeman, who is encamped on Currant River, and to report the result to Captain Whybark from time to time. No report from him yet.
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James D. Salisbury, sergeant Company K, Third Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, captured near Petersburg, Va., May 24, 1864; was a scout for the Tenth Army Corps.
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JOSE MARIA RIVAS, was charged as being a spy and was to be shot. But President
Lincoln give him a stay by giving the following statement:

Waiving the question of jurisdiction in the case the sentences not approved because the accused is not shown to have been within our lines in disguise or by false pretense except by hearsay testimony, and because in his admission that he was a spy he may not have understood the technical term and may have meant no more than that he was a scout of the enemy. He clearly is a prisoner of war.
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Rupel G. French will perhaps be crippled for life, probably die. Can't he but put in the position of a soldier enlisted or something to get his family the pension land, &c.? What can be done? He was a scout in our uniform on duty at the time of receiving his wound.
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Second Lieutenant ADAM CARNES, 32nd Ohio, was a scout before coming a Lieutenant.
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John Shaw, of Wisconsin asking to be paid for services as a spy or scout in the war of 1812, and compensation for losses sustained in furnishing supplies for the Missouri and Illinois mounted rangers during that war.
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Willis N. Arnold, of Mifflin, Tennessee, to be paid for services as scout and guide during the war,
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Ethan A. Sawyers, praying compensation for services rendered in the army as a scout and recruiting officer.
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Civil War, Mary M. Clark, widow of Leonard Clark, praying compensation for services rendered by her husband as a guide and scout for United States troops during the late war.
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John H. Parker, praying for compensation for services as a federal scout.
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Dabney Walker asking for pay for services as scout in the Army of the Potomac.
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William Hough, of the Loudon, Virginia, Rangers, praying for relief, as scout and guide.
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Hiram Osborne, praying compensation for services rendered as a scout during the late civil war. .
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William M. Riggs, praying compensation for services rendered the Union armies as scout and guide in the years 1864 and 1865.
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Daniel Mills, was a scout.
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Walter D. Plowden, for compensation for services as a spy and scout
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Civil War, John W. Smith, for expenses incurred and losses sustained in the United States service, as scout and spy.
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Civil War, Charles L. Hurlbut, of Norwalk, Ohio, for compensation for services as a scout.
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Civil War, Andrew Jackson, for compensation for services as a scout and guide during the late war.
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Patrick Murphy, a Union scout in the service of the Army of the United States, in the State of Kentucky, from June, 1862, to April, 1865.
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Thomas Max well, of Hardin County, Tennessee, for services as a scout in the Union Army during the late rebellion.
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David Beaty of Fentress County, Tennessee, did on the twenty-fifth day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, organize a company of independent scouts, numbering one hundred and two men, including himself as captain, and his first and second lieutenants; and whereas said company was on continuous duty engaged in the work of suppressing the rebellion from the date of its organization until the first day of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, serving under the orders of the commander of the army in Tennessee; and whereas said company was never legally mustered into the service of the United States by any properly authorized mustering officer, and neither officers nor privates of said company have ever received any compensation for said services from the government of the United States.
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Robert Pettit, of Fairfax County, Virginia, did on the sixth day of October, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, organize a company of independent scouts, numbering sixty-one, including himself as captain and his first and second lieutenants; and Whereas said company was on continuous duty, engaged in the work of suppressing the rebellion, from the date of its organization until the first day of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, serving under the orders of the commander of the post at Alexandria, Virginia; and Whereas said company was never legally mustered into the service of the United States by any properly-authorized mustering officer, and neither officers nor privates of said company have ever received any compensation for said services from the Government of the United States.
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War of 1812, Leslie Combs, on behalf of a company of spies or scouts, lately in the service of the United States, in the Northwestern Army, and of which he was Captain, praying that the said company may receive the pay to which they are entitled.
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W. W. Page, of Virginia, to be captain company of cavalry scouts stationed at Camp Lee, to rank from January 26, 1864.
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Captain H. J. Springfields, company of Alabama scouts and guides, praying compensation for services.
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David Kennamore and others, members of Captain Kennamore's company of independent scouts and guides, praying compensation for supplies furnished the United States Army in Alabama during the late war.
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James A. Mitchell and others, praying that provision may be made for the pay, pension, and exchange of persons employed as scouts in the same manner as is provided for soldiers enlisted in the regular or volunteer service.
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Sherman Underwood, late captain of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, for gallant services while scouting in Mississippi, to date from March 13, 1865.
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Second Iowa Infantry, Co. H.

Henry Russell, Age 18, residence Crawfordsville, Nativity Ohio, Enlisted May 1, 1861, Mustered in May 27, 1861, wounded in left hand severely April 6, 1862, Shiloh Tennessee. Wounded severely in stomach, while on duty as a scout for General Dodge, Russellville, Ala., Mustered out May 27, 1864, Pulaski Tennessee, expiration of service.
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Sixth Iowa Infantry, Co. C.

Francis Loughrey, Veteran, Age 35, Residence Fontaine, Pennsylvania, Enlisted July 4, 1861, as a fourth Corporal, Mustered in July 17, 1861, reduced to rank August 23, 1861. Promoted Eighth Corporal September 21, 1861. Taken prisoner while acting as a scout in July 1863. Absent on detached service at Department Headquarters, Army of Tennessee. Reenlisted and re-mustered January 26, 1864, Mustered out, October 1, 1865, Davenport, Iowa.
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13th., Indiana Infantry, Co. H.

Lazarus Williams, Residence Marion, county, Mustered in June 19, 1861, Scout, taken prisoner 1862, and was never heard from.

Friday, June 03, 2011

Shot Through And Through.

The men on this list are of both armies and were all shot in some place of the body.  Many would die from their wounds.
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Captain William Duncan, commanding Company K.

Lieutenant John A. McQueen, Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, commanding scouts, shot through the abdomen.

Service card.

Rank Private, Company K., Unit 15th., IL US Cavalry, Residence ELGIN, KANE CO, IL., Age 25, Height 5' 6, Hair DARK, Eyes BLUE, Complexion DARK, Occupation FARMER, Joined When FEB 29, 1864, Joined Where LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TN., Period 3 YRS, Muster In MAR 3, 1864, Muster In Where LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TN., Remarks PROMOTED 2LT.

Rank 2 Lieutenant, Company K., Unit 15th., IL US Cavalry, Age 25, Joined When MAY 21, 1864, Joined Where CASWELL, GA., Period 3 YRS, Muster In MAY 21, 1864, Muster In Where CASWELL, GA.
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Captain William Duncan, commanding Company K.

Henry Irish, private, Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, shot through the abdomen.

Service card.

Rank Private, Company K., Unit 15th., IL US Cavalry, Residence AURORA, KANE CO, IL., Age 24, Height 5' 10 ½, Hair BROWN, Eyes HAZEL, Complexion LIGHT, Occupation FARMER, Nativity DEVONSHIRE, ENGLAND, Period 3 YRS, Muster In APR 8, 1864, Muster In Where CAMP BUTLER, IL. Remarks TRANS TO CO K 10th., ILL., CAV. AS CONSOLIDATED.

Rank Private, Company K., Unit 10th., IL., US CAV. CON. Remarks KILLED NEAR MT ELON SC FEB 28, 1865.
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11th., Kentucky, Cavalry.

Joseph Chenault, of Company B, , 11th. Kentucky Cavalry, was shot through the body, and died almost without breathing again.

Captain Aandrew J. Bruner, of Company C, 11th. Kentucky, Cavalry, was also shot through the foot about the same time.
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5th., Kentucky Infantry.

Lieutenant Col. W. W. Berry, 5th., Kentucky Infantry shot through the wrist.

Private William Shumaker, of Company G, 5th., Kentucky Infantry was badly shot through the thigh, but persisted in fighting with the regiment till he was forced to the rear
by order of his captain.
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Third Iowa Cavalry.

Captain Israel Anderson, Company C, shot through the thigh.

Private Joseph T. French, Company A, shot through the thigh.
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One hundred and fifty-eighth New York Infantry.

First Lieutenant Ed. Reilly, of Company A, acting adjutant, a brave and fearless officer, was killed instantly-shot through the head.

Sergeant. John Moriarty, acting lieutenant, Company K, was killed-shot through the head.
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41st., Ohio.

Colonel Aquila Wiley, Forty-first Ohio Volunteers, commanding the First Battalion, was shot through the leg, making amputation necessary.
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17th., Kentucky Volunteers.

Captain J. W. Anthony was shot through the right hand.
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27th. Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Captain L. French Williams, commanding Company C, was shot through the head.

Captain William S. Bryan, commanding Company I, was shot through the heart.
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Sixth Arkansas Infantry.

Lieutenant-Colonel Feaster J. Cameron, was shot through the fore part of the body.
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Fifth Arkansas Infantry.

Surg. W. R. Kibler was shot through the body while sitting on his horse.
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Report of Capt. Isadore P. Girardey, Washington [Georgia] Light Artillery.

Lieutenant. J. J. Jacobus fell mortally wounded while gallantly commanding his section, shot through the forehead.

Gunner A. Roesel was killed while aiming his gun. shot through the forehead

John Halbert was shot through both arms.

J. T. Nethercut was shot through the neck.
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12th., Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Captain Frank B. Ferris, Company I, was shot through the body.

Captain William T. Swain, Company H, through the side.
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Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio, July 19, 1864.

Private Ezekiel A. Cloyd, Company H, Seventh Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, one of the prisoners, attempting to escape, was shot through the right arm. The would was of such a nature as to require amputation of the arm above the elbow. He has receive proper medical attendance and is doing well.
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6th., Connecticut Infantry.

Color-Bearer Sergt. Gustave De Bonge, Company C, while carrying the regimental State colors on the parapet, was shot through the forehead and instantly killed.
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5th., U. S. Colored troops.

David Quan, shot through the right lung, of Company G, Fifth Regiment U. S. Colored Troops.
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Report of Major William Atterbury, Eighty- third New York Infantry (Ninth State Militia.)

John Earle Banks, of Company G, short through the breast, died while being removed from the field.

Ernest Gedricke, of Company A, short through the abdomen, supposed to be mortally wounded.

Henry V. Williamson, of COMPANY G, shot through the leg, severely wounded, but will probably recover.

Fred. R. Warner, of Company C, shot through the leg, slightly wounded.
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Fourth Ohio, Cavalry.

Corporal John H. Booth, Company A, Fourth Ohio, was the first man inside the works. He was almost immediately after shot through the head.
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7th., Minnesota Infantry.

Charles H. Fadden, Company I, shot through the body, injuring the spine, since died. On the evening of the 27, April 1865.
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Fifth New York , Infantry.

Captain Charles S. Montgomery, commanding Fifth New York Veteran Volunteers, was shot through the brain.
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127th., New York, Infantry.

Surgeon Charles B. Dayton was shot through the right hand while attending to our wounded.
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Thirty-sixth U. S. Colored Troops.

First Lieutenant Edwin C. Gaskill, Thirty-sixth U. S. Colored Troops, for distinguished gallantry in leading his men when shot through the arm, within twenty yards of the enemy's works. He is promoted to a captain.
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Thirty-eighth U. S. Colored Troops.

Lieutenant, Samuel B. Bancroft, Company D., Thirty-eighth U. S. Colored Troops, has honorable mention for daring and endurance. Being shot through the hip at the swamp, he crawled forward on his hands and knees, waving his sword and cheering his men to follow.
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12th., New York, Light Artillery.

Lieutenant Henry D. Brower was killed, while fighting his piece in the most gallant manner, by a shot through the head.
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John Randolph Chambliss.
August 16th, 1864.

Brigadier General John Randolph Chambliss, who was shot through the body while standing in the road endeavoring to rally his men. General D. McM. Gregg and myself both got to his body a moment or two after he fell, but the men had cut some of the buttons and ornaments off his uniform before we arrived on the spot. General Gregg took possession of a small Testament found in one of General Chambliss' pockets, which he will send to his family when opportunity offers, and also secured a most excellent map of Richmond and its defenses from his person. This map is of great value to us. The body of General Chambliss was sent to the rear.
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Thirty-eighth Virginia Infantry.

Captain William G. Cabaniss, Company K, shot through the face so as to disable him from service.
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Thirtieth U. S. Colored Troops.

Colonel Delevan Bates, commanding Thirtieth U. S. Colored Troops, fell shot through the face at the head of his regiment.
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Montgomery County, Arkansas.

The wife of Mr. James Dosier was shot through the shoulders, and her child (one year old) shot through the arms.
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Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry.

Major Jas. G. Thurmand, fell dead, shot through the head.
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81st., Ohio Infantry.

James Mills, private teamer, company G., shot through the thigh.
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88th., Illinois Infantry.

First Lieutenant Dean R. Chester, commanding company G., was shot through, the leg while crossing the plain, but gallantly led his company to the second line of works.
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Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteers.

James Fitzwilliams, of Company G, was shot through the arm while gallantly leading his company at Lookout.

Private James Kearns, of Company A, was desperately wounded shot through the lungs.
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First South Carolina Volunteers.

Colonel F. Whitner Kilpatrick, of the First South Carolina Volunteers, distinguished not only for gallantry but for efficiency, was shot through the heart.
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78th., Illinois Infantry.

Major William L. Broaddus, received a fatal shot through the neck.
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42nd., New York Infantry.

Colonel James E. Mallon, commanding the brigade, was shot through the body and died in an hour afterward.
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Capt. Taylor's Company Virginia Light Artillery.

Hill Carter Eubank, shot through the leg. Eubank was about eighteen years of age; left the Military Institute at Lexington, Va., to join the army; was brave and attentive to his duties.
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143rd., Pennsylvania, Infantry.

Lieutenant William Lafrance, of Company E, was shot through the arm.

Lieutenant Henry M. Gordon, company F., shot through the leg, and taken prisoner while crawling after the regiment.
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2nd., Texas Infantry.

Sergeant William T. Spence, of Company B, charging their guns within 5 paces of the muzzles of the assailants, hurled them back headlong in to the ditch outside. The repulse was decisive. Spence fell on his side, shot through the brain. He lingered a few days.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Men Of Battle, Civil War.

Here are the names of men of both sides that fought in battle
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Report of Brigadier General James S. Robinson, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, of operations January 17-March 24.

First Battle March 16, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel D. Thomson, Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteers, severely wounded.

Lieutenant Colonel H. Watkins, One hundred and forty-third New York Volunteers, contusion in right leg.

Major John Higgins, One hundred and forty-third New York Volunteers, severely wounded.

Captain George Heinzmann, Eighty-second Illinois Volunteers, severely wounded.

First Lieutenant R. M. J. Hardenburgh, One hundred and forty-third New York Volunteers, mortally wounded, since dead.

Lieutenant Edwin E. Cummings, Thirty-First Wisconsin Volunteers, thumb shot off.

Second Lieutenant William Brant, Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteers, severely wounded in arm.

Second Battle March 19, 1865.

Captain William Ballentine, of the Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteers, who was mortally wounded, and has since died.

Lieutenant George Lyman, of the thirty-First Wisconsin Volunteers, who was wounded and captured by the enemy while gallantly leading the skirmish line at the beginning of the engagement, and who also afterward died. *
*Lieutenant Lyman was mustered out of service May 16, 1865.

Captain Robert Patterson, Sixty-First Ohio Veteran Volunteers, wounded slightly.

Lieutenant William H. Thomson, Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteers, wounded severely.
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Captain Harry T. Toulmin, part taken by the Twenty-second Alabama Regiment in the battle of Chickamauga.

Battle of September 20, 1863.

Captain J. D. Nott and Lieutenant Company fell mortally wounded.

Waller Mordecai, of Company B, fell mortally wounded.

Sergeant Laery, of Company H, bravely bearing the colors, fell severely wounded.

The colors were then seized by Lieutenant Leonard, of Company K, and borne by him until he was wounded and forced to give them up.

They then fell into the hands of Lieutenant Renfro, of Company K, who gallantly carried them to the front and planted them almost within the enemy's line.

Lieutenant A. B. Renfro, who fell pierced through the head with colors in hand.

Lieutenant Colonel John Weedon. Having led with distinguished coolness and bravery his command to within 20 paces of the enemy's line, he fell to rise no more.

Private Braswell, of Company A, who was then bearing the colors fearlessly rushed to the front and in advance of the line, and was there riddled with balls, as was subsequently shown by the recovery of his body.
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General J. B. Robertson, C. S. Army.

Battle of July 2-3, 1863, Gettysburg, Campaign.

Colonel J. C. G. Key, who gallantly led the Fourth Texas Regiment received a severe wound.

Colonel R. M. Powell, of the Fifth, who fell dangerous wounded while gallantly leading his regiment.

Colonel Van H Manning, wounded.

Lieutenant Colonels K. Bryan, of the Fifth, wounded.

B. F. Carter, of the Fourth, wounded.

Captain [J . R.] Woodward, acting major of the First Texas, was wounded.
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Lieutenant Colonel Walton Dwight, One hundred and fortyninth Pennsylvania Infantry.

July 1, 1863, Gettysburg, Campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel Walton Dwight, wounded.

Captain A. J. Sofield, Company A, fell.

Captain Brice H. Blair, of Company I, as having particularly distinguised himself for bravery and coolness, he gallantly keeping the field after losing and arm, until loss of blood compelled him to retire.

Captain John H. Bassler, of Company C, severely wounded.

Captain Johnson, of Company K, captured by the enemy at the Gettysburg Seminary.
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Tenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.

Battle September 1, 1864.

Captain James M. Davenport, of Company G, was gallantly leading his company, and while in the works of the enemy was severely wounded in the leg, which has since been amputated.

Lieutenant William E. Kelly, Company I, was severely wounded while gallantly leading his company.

Lieutenant Joseph T. Adcock, Company F, was severely wounded while gallantly leading his company.
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Battle of April 4, 1864.

First Lieutenant M. S. Dunn, acting adjutant Second New York Veteran Cavalry, who fell like a true soldier.
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Reports of Major C. E. Flournoy, Sixth Virginia Cavalry.

Sergeant John B. Stone, of Company H, killed.

Lieutenant C. B. Brown, of company I., killed.

Lieutenant J. T. Mann, of Company I, killed.
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Report of Brigadier General James H. Lane, C. S. Army.

Lieutenant William Doherty, killed.

Lieutenant Iowa Royster, killed.

Lieutenant John P. Elms, killed.

Lieutenant W. N. Mickle, killed.

Captain T. J. Linebarger, wounded.

Captain E. G. Morrow, wounded.

Captain John W. Randle, wounded.

Captain Thomas T. Smith, wounded.

Lieutenant E. T. Thompson, wounded.

Captain John McLeod Turner, wounded.
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Lieutenant Joseph G. Strong, adjutant Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry.

The battle of Port Gibson, the officers and men.

Lieutenant John J. Legan, of Company A., killed

Captain Shutts acting as major), was killed while gallantly leading his men on.

Captain Benjamin F. Kirby, of Company I, killed while doing his duty nobly.

Lieutenant John Buchanan, of Company H, lost his arm.

Captain John A. Staley, of Company F, was taken prisoner while crossing the field north of the Raymond road.
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The Twenty-fourth Indiana.

Battle of Vicksburg.

Colonel W. T. Spicely wounded.

Lieutenant Colonel R. F. Barter, who, while gallantly bearing the colors of his regiment, was severely wounded.
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Mentioned by Colonel Cockrell, commanding Missouri brigade.

Battle of Vicksburg.

Ordnance Sergt. William F. Luckett, mortally wounded while carrying ammunition through severe fire.

Colonel Eugene Erwin, killed while fighting most gallantly.

Lieutenant Colonel P. S. Senteny, killed while fighting most gallantly.

Lieutenants J. T. Crenshaw, killed.

John Rosebery, killed while fighting gallantly.
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Color Bearers Battle On.

Battle of Murfreesborough.

Sergt. A. Simas, flag-bearer of the Tenth Texas, (Colonel [M. F.] Lock), seeing in one of the charges a Federal flag-bearer with his flag waving his regiment forward, sprang forward and seized the Federal flag, when both fell dead waving their banners with their last breath. The Federal flag was captured. Sergt. James T. McGee, the only man left of the color-guard, seized our colors, but for a moment, when another of our noblest and bravest men fell to rise no more.

Private James W. Clark, of Company G, carried the flag of the Fifteenth Texas Regiment in the first charge, during which he was killed. The colors were then taken by Lieut. L. De Board, of Company F, who bore them the remainder of the engagement. Private Clark [D.] Jenkins, of Company D, First Arkansas Rifles, seeing a Federal officers making great exertions to rally his command, detached himself from his company, and, taking deliberate aim, shot him from his horse. The saddle had the saddle-cloth of a general officers. In the first charge in the morning, Sergt. J. R. Perry, color-bearer of the Fourth Arkansas Battalion, had his arm paralyzed by a short striking the staff, and the flag fell to the ground. Sergt. J. C. Davis, of Company A, immediately snatched the colors and bore them until reclaimed by Sergeant Perry.

Color-bearer H. W. Hamblen, Second Regiment Arkansas Rifles, gallantly bore his flag until shot down. The colors were immediately seized by Corp. J. W. Piles, of the color-guard, who bore them gallantly the remainder of the day. Color-bearer J. B. Bryant, of the Fourth Arkansas Regiment, was wounded. Lieutenant [John] Armstrong then took the colors and fell, mortally wounded. Lieutenant [G. D.] Goodner then took them, but was soon afterward wounded. Captain [John W.] Lavender bore the colors the remainder of the day.

In one of the charges of the Thirtieth Arkansas Regiment it had seven company commanders cut down and the color-bearer, yet the men never wavered. Later in the day a second color-bearer was wounded and the colors lost in a cedar brake, but whether found by the enemy or not is not known. The only field officer (Major [J. J.] Franklin) and several lieutenants alto fell, and yet this regiment maintained its organization. Seven color-bearers fell in General McNair's brigade and three in General Ector's. Col. G. W. Gordon, Eleventh Tennessee Regiment, fell, dangerously wounded, while most gallantly leading his regiment. I was informed by prisoners that the Federal General [Joshua W.] Sill was killed by my division while endeavoring to rally his defeated troops.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

My Fingers.

Cause for exemption.

Total loss of writh thumb; loss of ungual phalanx of right thumb; total loss of any two fingers of same hand; loss of the first and second phalanges of all the fingers of right hand. Permanent extension or permanent contraction of two fingers of right hand; all the fingers adherent or united.

32nd, Wisconsin Infantry, Captain Charles Carpenter, wounded left hand, third finger amputated.

3rd., New Hampshire, John L. Wing, Company K, wounded in finger (slight).

1st., South Carolina, Artillery, Quartermaster-Sergeant [William] Nicol, four fingers cut from left hand.

11th, United States Infantry, Captain J. M. Goodhue, finger amputated.

31st. Georgia Infantry, Colonel Lamar, wounded by having a part of one his fingers shot off.

6th., United States Infantry Co. B., John Steward, was shot through the middle finger with an arrow, which fortunately struck the stock of his rifle, preventing a serious if not fatal wound.

4th., Iowa Cavalry., Private Francis M. Boswell, Company F, was wounded, losing one finger.

Lieutenant-Colonel McGilvery, my chief of artillery, died suddenly yesterday from effects of chloroform taken during amputation of finger.

BATTERY C, FIRST ILLINOIS ARTILLERY, Sergeantt. L. S. Warner, wounded slightly in finger.

Lieutenant Colonel William O'Brien, Seventy-fifth Indiana, received a wound in the hand which resulted in the amputation of two fingers.

Captain [J. H.] King, Ninth Alabama (entitled to promotion of colonel), had a finger shot off.

59th., Ohio Infantry, Lieutenant John O'Connor, after being severely wounded in the hand, bound it up himself, and he continued in command until night, at which time he had his finger amputated.

Captain David A. Taylor, Third New York Light Artillery, Chief Signal Officer.
“While sending the message for the guns I was hit by a musket-shot on the index finger of the right hand, but fortunately was not much hurt.”

First South Carolina Infantry, Private Harrison, Company G, lost a finger by some inadvertence in running a gun into battery, but returned to his post after getting his wound dressed.

Seventh Connecticut Infantry, Sergeant (Acting Second Lieutenant) Upon, of Company F, was heroically at work when a grape-shot took off three fingers and dashed through his right shoulder. There are but very slight hopes of his recovery.

Forty-fourth New York infantry, Private Leland, Company F, fired over 20 rounds after he had been twice wounded in the head and after his finger had been shot off. He still lives, and is on bivouac with the regiment.

Colonel Cogswell was lightly wounded in the finger.

Captain Hauser, Thirty-third Indiana, rejoined his regiment after the amputation of his finger.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Saber.

When I started this project my impression was that sabers were only for the cavalry and infantry officers, but I soon learn that was not the case. In fact for many of the common soldier the saber was the only weapon they had, many soldiers went into battle with no weapons at all and were left to fight hand to hand. The reason for my misconception came from movies, books and paintings. In these we always see only a officers holding a saber, while all the soldiers are holding rifles.

I guess one reason the paintings and the pictures in the papers of the time showed the armies of both sides in this way was to show that their sons were fighting and dieing honorably. But I believe if the families of both sides had see the real picture of the battle field the war won’t have lasted as long as it did no matter what the political reasons were. It was one thing to sacrifice ones son honorably and another to know that your love one was being literally hack to pieces.
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I never thought much about the cost of a saber, but I found that for a complete cavalry saber for a Confederate soldier was $12., dollars, without a belt it was $10., dollars and fifty cents. The cost for a common cavalry saber without belt war $8., dollars, for a Artillery saber was $5., dollars.

After the battle of Gettysburg, 1,200 hundred sabers were taken from the field and shipped to the arsenal at Washington.

In a report Major Charles J. Whiting, of Second U. S. Cavalry, had this to say on the amount of sabers in his command:

“The troops under my command in the late expedition to Charlestown consisted of a battery of the Fourth U. S. Artillery, command by Lieutenant Dickenson; First U. S. Cavalry, 120 sabers, commanded by Captain Reno; Second U. S. Cavalry, 150 sabers, commanded by Captain Gordon, and the Sixth U. S. Cavalry, 300 sabers, commanded by Captain Sanders.”

In June of 1861, Colonel R. S. GARNETT, Adjutant-General of the Virginia Forces, had this to say about the sabers in his command.

“I received your dispatch to-day, and answered it in the same way, but imperfectly. There is no company of cavalry here fully armed. Two companies have double-barreled shot-guns, bought by their counties, but no sabers, and are but beginning to drill. There are two companies tolerably well drilled, with forty of fifty sabers each. One has no guns and the other a few. There are two other companies, one of which has about forty sabers and a few guns, just commencing to drill. There are about a hundred flint-.” lock pistols, which have been gathered from old companies. A number of sabers, of old patterns.”


In May of 1861, Virginia Forces give reports of companies having little or no sabers; Captain John S. Langhorne, has sabers, but no other arms. The company of cavalry from Bedford, commanded by Captain William R. Terry, has about fifty sabers, leaving twenty odd without any arms, and those having sabers have no other arms.

In January of 1865, Brigadier General W. L. Elliott, reported on the number of sabers that were captured by regiments under his command.

Private William Hicks, Company F, Forty-fourth Illinois, captured a saber at Nashville, December 15.

Captain L. C. Mills, Company C, First Lieutenant A. W. Clark, Company D, Private George W. Madison, Company F, and Private George Armstrong, Company C, Forty-fourth Illinois, each captured a saber at Nashville, December 16.

Private Peter Rohman, Company K, Forty-fourth Illinois captured a saber at Nashville, December 16, which has been forwarded to department headquarters.

Sergt. N. P. Ramsdell and Private John A. Hobart, Company G, and Private John H. Gatehouse, Company D, Forty-fourth Illinois, each captured a saber at Nashville, December 16.

Sergt. Elijah Kellogg, Company C, Seventy-fourth Illinois, captured a saber at Franklin, November 30, 1864.

First Lieutenant S. B. Moody, Company D, One hundredth Illinois, captured a saber at Nashville, December 16, 1864.


In November 1864, a report of Colonel Smith D. Atkins, Ninety-second Illinois Mounted Infantry, commanding Second Brigade. HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Near King's Bridge, Ga., tells of a saber charge.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Sanderson commanding, made a gallant saber charge against the enemy posted behind rail barricades; dismounted they drove them in confusion, killing and wounding many with the saber, and captured 20 prisoners, including 3 commissioned officers. I saw the charge myself."

Report of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Klein, Third Indiana Cavalry.

“We drew saber and charged into their ranks. They fled in disorder near a half mile toward the mail, where, the commons narrowing into a lane, they must fight or be run down. They fought from here to the mill desperately, using saber and clubbing muskets and pistols. The fight was hand-to-hand for 300 yards, when both parties plunged into the river. Even here we used the trusty saber with effect. We killed 3 men, wounded some 125 with saber, and captured 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 captain, one of General Wheeler's staff, adjutant Fifty-first Alabama and adjutant Eighth Confederate, both badly wounded with saber.”

Not all soldiers faced a saber fight bravely as General J. J. Reynolds states in one of his reports;

“Fred. Taylor, private, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, dispatch bearer, who is noticed in the official report of the action as having "ran off and secreted himself in the grass on the prairie, throwing away his saber, and after the affair was over returning to the train and recovering his saber and dispatches," is entitled to all the notoriety he is likely to incur at the hands of his fellow-soldiers for this disgraceful conduct.”

Edward Potter, forage-master, had this to say about one of his encounters:

“At this moment I discovered our surprise, and ordered a halt of the teams and the men to form in line of the left of the wagons, and replied to the order to surrender by firing five shots, killing 3 ;men, and receiving two volleys from them, when I engaged Colonel [J. B.] Hutcheson with my saber, disarming him, when I was overpowered by numbers, and surrender my saber to Colonel Hutcheson. While this was going on, the firing had commenced at the wagons, about 30 rods from me, in the rear, but how they were making of it I could not tell until I saw the teams advancing on the road where I was held a prisoner, and was told that every man was taken.”

In an open field fight the foot soldier would refuse to fight, they know once their fired their rifles they would not have time to reload in the face of a saber charge.

Captain AD. Schmidt, Company M, Fourteenth New York Vol. Cavalry, give this encounter with the saber.

“I received information at Nix's farm that the enemy, from 50 to 60 strong, under command of Major Randolph, of the Seventh Alabama Cavalry, all mounted and armed with sabers, pistols, and rifles, and only left that place about ten minutes before. I started at once after them in a sharp trot, and after following their tracks for 2 miles on the Pensacola road, I came up with the rear guard. The enemy, aware of my approach, wheeled in column and formed in line of battle behind a creek. Passing the narrow bridge by twos, I ordered a charge with sabers drawn, and was received with a volley of rifle-balls, which killed 4 of our horses and wounded Sergeant Oscar von Rosenfels and Private Seibold Endres, the latter dangerously. Before they had time to reload, I forced with my command a hand-to-hand combat, which resulted in scattering the enemy.”

In the skirmish at Neosho, Mo, Edmund B. Dixon got a slight saber wounds on head.

After a fight at Shiloh.

"I am killed" was heard. The horses stampeded. The entire command never before made right and left wheel quicker. Pools of blood were trace; an officer's saber with blood was found, two other sabers, four guns, saddles, blankets, saber-straps, hats-evidently cut off, all of which he burned, not being able to take along-were seen strewed for miles.

A Iowa man.

Loyd H. Dillon, second lieutenant Company C, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, who has repeatedly acted in the most gallant manner. He was very severely wounded at Guntown June 10, 1864. At Selma he led his company, which he was commanding, upon the enemy, killing several with his pistol and saber. At Columbus he was among the first men to rush upon the enemy and over the bridge into the city.

Soldiers were not the only ones that used sabers in a fight read the statement of John W. Twyman, private, Company H, Third U. S. Volunteers.

I, John W. Twyman, private, Company H, Third U. S. Volunteers, having been duly sworn, do state that while en route from Fort Leavenworth, Kans., to Fort Kearny, Nebr. Ter., on the 18th of May, 1865, when about two miles east of Elm Creek Station, Nebr. Ter., I was, among others, attacked by a party of Indians, numbering some fifteen or twenty, and 2 of our men killed and 6 (including myself) wounded. I was attacked by one of them with a U. S. saber, who struck me three times knocking me down. Then he returned to the party and another of them came to me and scalped me; then he hit me with his saber and left. They were dressed in buckskin clothing, so far as I could see, except the chief, or the one in charge, who was dressed in some kind of a light robe or blanket thrown over his shoulders. Two of them wore their hair short on both sides of their heads and "roached" up on top of their heads. I could not say how the rest of them wore their hair. My opinion is they were Pawnees, for the reason that they were so anxious to impress upon us they were Cheyennes. I think they did it in revenge for something, as they spoke of the whites breaking a treaty with them.
JOHN W. TWYMAN.

Washington Fulton, was also in the fight.

Statement of Washington Fulton, teamster in Government employ.

I, Washington Fulton, teamster in the employment of the Government, being duly sworn, do say that I was driving a Government team of six mules en route from For Leavenworth, Kans., to Fort Kearny, Nebr. Ter., transporting unarmed soldiers sent from hospitals and guardhouse at Fort Leavenworth, and that about two miles east of Elm Creek Stage Station, Nebr. Ter., the soldiers who wee with me were attacked by a body of Indians, numbering fifteen or twenty, about 2 p. m. on the 18th day of May, 1865, and 2 of the soldiers killed and 6 wounded, including myself. One soldier of the Third U. S. Volunteers, after being struck twice with a U. S. saber which they (the Indians) had in their possession, was knocked down and scalped by and Indian, they knowing hm to be alive. After he was scalped the Indians kicked him twice. Two or three Indians were dressed in old Government pantaloons, others in buckskin leggings. The Indian who had charge of the party attacking us wore buckskin leggings. His hair was long and had some kind of fur attached to his back hair. He was the only Indian who had long hair; he also had a revolver. Two of the attacking party had short hair "roached" on top of their heads. These two said they were friendly Sioux, but were as outrageous as any in their attack on us. I was about ten rods from the man who was scalped. Cannot say how all the Indians were dressed, nor give any particular description of them, but can identify one of them if I see him. One of them, the Indian who scalped the soldier, had a large scar over his eye; whether right or left eye I cannot say.
WASHINGTON FULTON.

An escape.

John Scott, Company K, who was with the party, received three saber cuts during the melee, but escaped and returned to the regiment with the rest of the party.

A fight with a General.

Captain J. C. Boyer, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, had a hand-to-hand fight with General rucker, of Forrest's command. The general struck the captain a severe blow with his saber; time, acquired possession of the captain a severe blow with his saber; the captain forced the saver from his hand, and the general, at the same time, acquired possession of the captain's, who drew his pistol and shot the general in the left arm, causing him to surrender.

In January of 1865, Color-Sergt. Jesse H. Hall, of the One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, who, when attacked by a rebel officer with a drawn saber, defended himself with his flagstaff and beat the officer into an unconditional surrender.

In October 1864, Private Ginley, G, First New York Artillery, who was acting as mounded orderly on the field. When the line was giving way he drew his saber and riding gallantry among the men succeeded way he drew his saber and riding gallantry among the men succeeded in rallying a large numbers and taking them back into the fight. But while we remember with pride the glorious deeds of those who fought so gallantly, we do not forget the heroes who have fallen at the post of duty. We deeply mourn their loss and will ever cherish and keep green their memory.

Joseph Hofmaster of the Fourth Michigan, or Henry Hofmaster of the seventh Pennsylvania.

Corporal Hofmaster, of Company L, charged into town, and selected a position where the enemy would have to pass him, and, with drawn saber, hewed away at them until he was disabled, receiving a wound in the left arm, also one in the right hand, nearly severing the grip of his saber, and cutting some of his fingers nearly off. A ball also hit his hat, cutting it entirely open on the top.

In May of 1863, Lieutenant-Colonel [R. M.] Martin, of Johnson's Kentucky Cavalry, having laid his skull open by a saber cut.

Major Williams D. Collins, First Vermont Cavalry, fights for life.

“I ordered the head of my command to oblique right and left, and on we rushed to a hand-to-hand encounter. We succeeded in forcing them back at the point of the saber, leaving several of their number weltering in their blood upon the pike, and as far as my knowledge extends without suffering any loss at this point, when I received a saber blow from one of two assailants (the other having fallen) on the side of my head, which deprived me of consciousness. I had fallen from my saddle to the ground, but soon recovered, to find myself surrounded by foes and a prisoner of war.”

In 1862, The new cavalry officers after two months discarded their sabers, as being useless, the reason they had not been fully trained in the use of the saber.

Report of Colonel Thomas Claiborne, Sixth Confederate Cavalry.

“Captain Ballentine was most of all conspicuous for his gallant bearing and use of his saber and pistol. He fired on and mortally wounded Major Shaeffer. He engaged in a saber hand-to-hand combat with a brave fellow named Hoffman, who several times pierced the captain's coat, but was forced to yield. Captain Ballentine was also attacked by blows of a carbine and quite severely bruised.”

Captain Thomas H. Botham, Company L, Third Michigan Cavalry, acted with great bravery, killing 1 man and wounding another with his saber.

Report of Colonel John Kennett, Fourth Ohio Cavalry.

“Lieut. W. W. Shoemaker, of Company H, led the charge; shot three times with a pistol. He was shot at with a gun. His first shot killed one of the enemy. His second shot the enemy ran, and he struck him with his saber across the mouth, cutting it in two. The horses of one of the rebels fell, and John Shanks struck him with the saber. Shanks' horse fell over him; jumping upon his enemy, he seized him a prisoner. His name is E. W. Pratt; sent to you last night.”

ELEVENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA,

David Hayes in doing well. His hurts are a saber cut on the head and two bullet wounds on the body. David Hayes, the wounded corporal, killed two, and received all his wounds while in hot pursuit at the very tails of the rebels' horses.
Note. There are no David Hayes in the 11th.

Report of Colonel R. Butler Price, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry.

“Lieutenant-Colonel Green was too severely wounded (three saber cuts in his head) to bring, in and was paroled after received the opinion of Brigade-Surgeon Johnson.”