Friday, September 23, 2011

Patrolman James Powers Chicago 1862.

The following was taken from the History of the Chicago Police Department, printed 1915.

James Powers, thought he could handle most anything that came his way.  But in the winter of 1862, he met his waterloo in the shape of "Big Denny" O'Brine, an Iowa tough who visited Chicago for a three week's drunk.
 
O'Brien was "Whooping it up" one day, driving up and down Clark Street, breaking the speed limit.  Powers halted him and was attacked and terribly beaten with his own club.  O'Brien escape.  Months later, when just back on the force Powers was thrown against a curbstone in a fight with a burglar and received internal inuries.  He was granted a furlough and a few week's later dropped dead. 

Authors note.  Driving laws in 1862?  Most large city and most small towns had driving laws.  Mr. O'Brien must have been driving a buggy or wagon.  A one horse buggy or wagon could weigh up to 1200 to 1500 hundred pounds. A one horse buggy at a full run could reach speeds up to 25-30 miles anhour.  That's the same as being hit by a car today.  More people were killed by being hit by a horse than a bullet.                    

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Richard Cayford New Jersey Loyalists 1776.

I couldn't find any family information on Richard Cayford, all I can give you is below.

Richard Cayford, in the minutes of the committee of safety of the province of New Jersey, January 12, 1776, we find a memorial concerning the arrest of this man with two other inhabitants of the county of Cumberland, “Convicted of being enemies to his country, by using their influence with the ignorant and unwary to raise a party to oppose the measures adopted for redress otgrievances, cursing and ill-treating all congresses and committees, and refusing to give any reasonable satisfaction for their exraordinary conduct.” It was found necessary by the committee to “Use spirted evertions for the discouragement of such behaviour.”

Cayford was then placed in close confinemont, required to pay charges of apprehension and give security for his good behaviour in the sum of fifty pounds. Nevertheless his toryism was too strong for prison bars or legal bonds and he next appears in the following year as a Captain in First Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers. He remained in this organization until 1781.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Lydia ( Boggs Shepherd ) Cruger.


February 26, 1766--September 25, 1867

Lydia Boggs was born February 26, 1766, in Brekeley county, West Virginia. In 1768 the family removed to Youghiogheny, and thence in 1771, to Beeler's fort ( Now Uniontown.) In 1777 they lived on Buffalo Creek, where Captaain John Boggs commanded a militia company. In August 1781, the Boggs household removed to a spot three miles below Wheeling but in 1782 retreated to Fort Henry and were present during the second sige. Shortly afterwards Lydia married ( 1785 ) Moses, son of Colonel David Shepherd, and lived at his homestrad until her husband death in 1832. The following year she married ( 1833 ), General Daniel Cruger, but kept her home at the old stone mansion on Wheeling Creek until her death in September 1867.

To read more about her and her family take this link.

http://www.lindapages.com/marshall/revwar.htm

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

James W. Ricker West Vigrinia.


To enlarge push on the photo.



Lieutenant James W. Ricker, mustered in November 8, 1861, age 20, was in company H., Promoted from Second Lieutenant Co. H., in company A., now 21 years, was promoted from First Lieutenant Co. H.

The following was taken from the history of the Second West Virginia Cavalry. Although the following was taken from the pages 133-34, of it's history it was to long to put here this will be a highlight of the event, and not word for word.


Lieutenant James W. Ricker was in command of company H., After a battle with the enemy they sat the woods a fire. After the battle it was found that the enemy had left a wagon of powder behind. Lieutenant Rick was ordered my a Major to destroy the powder by throwing it in the creek. Ricker rode up to the wagon and looked it over and told the Major that because of the fire it was too hazardous to unload. The Major call them called them cowards, then withdrew from the scene. Lieutenant Ricker took a guard of fifteen men and ordered the wagon unloaded.

The men started to unload the wagon and a few minutes later the wagon exploded, killing and wounding half the guard. Lieutenant Ricker was sitting on his hores near by and had a thrilling experieace. His hat was blown away so it was not found. His saber scabbard hanging at his side was shattered, his head was adorned with it's first gray hairs, and was otherwise so shaken up that he was not completely recovered to this day.

Monday, September 19, 2011

The Six McMillin Brothers West Vigrinia.

There was been a lot written about the McMillin Brothers, so I well not write what has already been written, “Well maybe a little”. What I noticed on other sites was their pictures which were all washed out and you couldn't not get a good look at them. Now I like old ink drawings that's why I decided to put their pictures here. Sometimes a ink drawing can be more interesting then the real picture.
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Note. To enlarge these pictures push on them.
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The following was taken from the pages of the history of the Second West Virginia Cavalry.

Page. 133.

On June 21, 1864, a wagon of enemy powder was captured. On June 22, the powder was ordered to be destroy by throwing it in a creek, with in a few minutes there came a fearful explosion which was on the grand, then a few seconds later the powder in the wagon exploded, killing and wounding half the guard. One of those killed was Marion McMillin the youngest of the McMillin brothers. He was of company C., and was on duty with company H.

Page. 213.

Lieutenant Emerson McMillin said: “Boys this won't do, let's go over.” When putting spurs to his horse, the ditch was cleared, and at the same time the rest of the regiment boldly want over and fell onto the rebel horsemen with sabre.

From the Records of Civil War Researcher, Billee H. Schlaudt, of Houston, Texas:

Marion McMillin - 19 years old, recruit, born in Gallia Co., Ohio. Mustered in 12/1/1863, Co. C, 2nd WV Cav., at Charleston, WV. Killed 6/23/1864, in an accidental explosion of a caisson near Cove Gap, VA.

Emerson McMillin - 18 years old, farmer, born in Gallia Co., Ohio. Resident of/or enrolled at Jackson, Ohio. Mustered in 11/8/1861, Co. H, 2nd WV Cav., at Parkersburg, WV. Re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer 11/22/1863, under General Order #191, War Department Series of 1863; transferred to Co. C. Sergeant. Promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant, and transferred to Non-Commissioned Staff. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, 1/7/1865, and transferred to Co. A. Mustered out 6/30/1865. Address in 1892:40 Wall Street, New York City, New York.

Murray McMillin - 19 years old, farmer, born in Gallia Co., Ohio. Resident of/or enrolled at Jackson, Ohio. Mustered in 11/8/1861, Co. H, 2nd WV Cav., at Parkersburg, WV. Re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer 11/22/1863, under General Order #191, War Department Series of 1863; transferred to Co. C. Private. Mustered out 6/30/1865. Address in 1892: Marietta, Ohio.

James Harvey McMillin - 28 years old, recruit, born in Gallia Co., Ohio. Resident of/or enrolled at Parkersburg, WV, and mustered in 9/9/1864, Co. G, at Wheeling, WV; mustered out under General Order #83, AGO., 5/5/1865 (or 6/7/1865). 1st Sergeant. Died July 23, 1873.

Milton McMillin - 31 years old, born in Gallia Co., Ohio. Recruit, promoted from 1st Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant, Co. G. Commission dated 11/2/1864; mustered out 6/30/1865. Died August 28th, 1865.

Andrew McMillin - 21 years old. Resident of/or enrolled at Jackson, Ohio. Mustered in 11/8/1861, Co. G, at Parkersburg, WV. Mustered out 11/29/1864, at expiration of term of service. Address in 1892: Jackson, Ohio.

Lieutenant James Dodds.


Push on photo to enlarge
 Second Lieutenant James Dodds, son of John and Sarah ( Morris ) Dodds, was born in Thorny Bank Scotland, April 11, 1844.  He came with his parents to this country in his youth, and attended the public schools in Carolina Mills, R. I., and was by occupation a clerk at the time of his enlistment as private in company L., Third Rhode Island Havy Artillery, Jan. 11, 1862.  He was mustered in Feb. 14, 1862.  Discharged to accept commission as Second Lieutenant in the Fourteenth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Dec. 15, 1863; mustered Dec. 29, 1863; assiganed to company G; detached by order as acting Aid-de-camp at Post Plaquemine, La., Nov. 29, 1864, and so borne untill January, 1865.  He returned with his regiment to Rhode Island in October, 1865.  His occupation since the war has been practically the same as when he entered the service, that of clerk.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Colonel Robert C. Allen 28th. Virginia Infantry.

Robert Allen was born on June 22, 1834, in Shenandoah County, Virginia and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1855. He practiced law in Salem before the war. On July 1, 1861, Allen was commissioned major of the 28th Virginia Infantry, and promoted to colonel, on April 20, 1862.

During Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, on July 3, 1863, Colonel Allen grabbed the regimental flag when the color bearer went down. He advanced to the stone wall and was shot down. Allen handed off the flag, placed his hat at the tip of his sword, waved it in victory and died.

After his death, Col. Allen was buried with his men in a mass grave in front of the stone wall. Most likely his remains were removed in the 1870s and sent south to Richmond and buried in the "Gettysburg Dead" Section of Hollywood Cemetery as an unknown. His name does not appear on records of identified remains removed from the battlefield.

Birth: Jun. 22, 1834.
Death: Jul. 3, 1863.

Burial:
Hollywood Cemetery
Richmond
Richmond City
Virginia, USA
Plot: Gettysburg Dead Section (Unmarked)

Created by: Ethan F. Bishop.

Authors note. Not to take any thing from the creater and his research, but in his memorial from the Virginia Military Institue it states; "Whenin a few yards of the cemetery wall, he fell pierced through the brain by a musket ball."

Colonel Aquila Wiley.

Colonel Aquila Wiley, Enlisted September 1861, for 3., years was 26., years old. Promoted to Major from captain company C., March 1, 1862; wounded April 7, 1862, in battle of Shiloh Tennessee. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel November 20, 1862. Wounded November 25, 1863, in the battle of Mission Ridge Tennessee, leg amputated; discharged June 4, 1864.

Mission Ridge.

Colonel Aquila Wiley, Forty-first Ohio Volunteers, commanding the First Battalion, was shot through the leg, making amputation necessary. The loss to the service of this officer cannot be properly estimated. He was always prompt and thorough, and possessed capacity and knowledge of his duties that never left him at fault. I know no officer of equal efficiency in the volunteer service, and none whose past service entitle them to better reward.

Aquila Wiley, was born 1835, in Pennsylvania, would marry Emma Rower on May 19, 1870, they had two children a son Walter Wiley and a daughter Ida Wiley, in 1880 was living with his family in Wayne, Wayne county Ohio, was a Sawyer, he died in 1910.