Saturday, October 18, 2014

Colonel Caleb James Dilworth.

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Caleb James Dilworth.

Birth: Apr. 8, 1827, Mount Pleasant (Jefferson County, Ohio.
Death: Feb. 3, 1900, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska.

Wife: Emily O. Phelps Dilworth (1835 - 1910).

Children: William A. Dilworth.

Burial: Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.

Illinois Eighty-Fifth, Infantry Regimental History.

COLONEL CALEB J. DILWORTH was born near Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, April 8, 1827. His parents, Abram  Rankin Dilworth and Martha Stanton Judkins, were of old Quaker stock. They removed to Indiana, and soon after to Illinois. They were living near Canton, in Fulton county, at the time of the  Black Hawk war, and took refuge with friends in Canton when  there was an Indian alarm. An elder brother, Rankin, graduated from the military academy at West Point in the class of 1844, and died from wounds received at the battle of Monterey in the  war with Mexico. A half brother, William H. Evans, was quartermaster of the Eighty-fifth during the last year of its service.

Colonel Dilworth read law with General Leonard F. Ross, of  Lewistown, and was admitted to the bar in 1848. In the fall of 1853 he married Miss Emily Phelps, daughter of William and Caroline Phelps, of Lewistown, Ill., the only issue of such marriage being a son, William A., now practicing law in Omaha, Neb.

In 1862 the subject of this sketch was practicing law in Havana, Ill., and assisted in recruiting the Eighty-fifth, and at the  organization of the regiment was commissioned lieutenant colonel. He served in that capacity until Colonel Moore resigned,  when he was promoted to be colonel. He commanded the regiment from June 14, 1863, until June 27, 1864, when, in the midst of  the indescribable turmoil of battle at Kennesaw mountain, Georgia, the command of the brigade devolved upon him through the  death of his seniors.

It was his plucky decision that held the ground wrested from the enemy, although his corps and army commanders doubted its possibility. At Peach Tree creek his brigade forced a crossing of that stream, although defended by largely superior numbers, fighting the battle out alone with the  Third brigade, and winning for himself and his command the  highest commendations of his superiors. He continued in command of the brigade until wounded by a gun shot at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., the ball passing entirely through his neck.

Recovering from his wound, he was hastening to the front to rejoin  his command when, upon his arrival at Chattanooga, he found  that communication with Sherman's army had been severed. He  reported to General Thomas for duty and was appointed to the  command of the post at Cleveland, Tenn., a position which he held with credit to himself until the post was discontinued. He was  then assigned to command at Covington, Ky., where he remained until the close of the war. He was commissioned brevet brigadier  general March 13, and was mustered out of the service June 5,  1865.

After returning to Illinois he practiced law at Lewistown until  the autumn of 1870, when he removed to Lincoln, Neb., where he resumed the practice of his profession. He was elected state's  attorney in 1874 and served two terms. In 1878 he was elected  attorney general, holding the office for two terms, and in 1892 he  was elected department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic of Nebraska and served one term.

As a soldier he was enterprising and fearless; he won merited distinction at the bar. He had retired from active professional life and was residing in Omaha, where he died on Saturday, Feb ruary 3, 1900. His remains were taken to Lincoln and buried in  Wyuka cemetery on the Monday following, past department com manders acting as pall-bearers, while department officers conducted the services.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Prince A. Gatchell.

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Prince A. Gatchell.

Birth: Aug. 4, 1841, Springfield, Penobscot County, Maine.
Death: Mar. 24, 1925, Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado.

Son of Albert S. and Lydia Staples Gatchell

Wife: Hattie Ostrander Gatchell..

Burial: Roselawn Cemetery, Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado.

First Maine Heavy Artillery Regimental History.

Captain PRINCE A. GATCHELL, Adjutant .

Originally from Company A, was promoted to Second and First Lieu tenant and transferred to Company M. Wounded at Spottsylvania May 19, 1864. Succeeded James W. Clark as Adjutant. Received medal of honor  for meritorious service at battle of Boydton Road, October 27, 1864. Commissioned Captain Company E just previous to muster out, but remained  as Adjutant till muster out, September 11, 1865. Residence, Buffalo, Wyoming

Thursday, October 16, 2014

George H. Damon, Thomas B. Leaver, Harriet P. Dame..

George H. Damon.
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George H Damon.

Birth: unknown.
Death: Jun. 25, 1862.

Burial: Contoocook Village Cemetery, Contoocook, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.

Second New Hampshire Infantry, Regimental History.

Thomas "Tom " B. Leaver.
There was an affecting scene at the regimental hospital, within the intrenchments, when the bodies of Leaver and Damon, who fell almost at the same instant, were carried back. Harriet Dame was  there, ministering to the wounded. In a moment of leisure she  went to the two stark bodies, and lifting the edge of the blankets  with which they were covered, saw the faces of the two boys who, from old acquaintance, were perhaps closer to her heart than any others in the regiment. " My God ! " she gasped, " It is Tom.Leaver ! " She had been a neighbor of the Leavers, in Concord, and had known Tom. from boyhood. With her own hands she tenderly prepared the bodies for burial, and saw them laid in the  ground at the foot of an oak tree near the hospital.

Volunteer nurse Harriet P. Dame. 

DAMON, GEORGE H. Co. B; b. Hopkinton; age 23; res. Boscawen (Fisherville, now Penacook) ; enl. May 13, '61; must, in June 1, '61; app. Corp. Oct., '61; killed June 25, '62,  Oak Grove, Va.

LEAVER, THOMAS B. Co. B; b. Nassau, N. B.; age 21; res. Concord; enl. May 11, '61;
must, in June 1, '61, as Corp.; app. Sergt. Nov. '61; killed June 25, '62, Oak Grove, Va.
                                  


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Rev. David Bittle Floyd.

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Rev. David Bittle Floyd.

Birth: March 1846, Maryland.
Death: January 23, 1922.

Wife: Mary E. Floyd, ( 1851 - 1941 ).

Children: Non recorded.

Burial: Green Hill cemetery, Martinsburg, Berkeley county, West Virginia.

Author.  If you whish to research  him and his family more, you will have to look in the records of; Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia.

He was also a Civil War Veteran.

Seventy-Fifth Indiana Infantry.
Company I.

David B. Floyd, Corporal, Residence Noblesville; Mustered in July 14, 1862.  Promoted to Second Lieutenant; Commission May 1,1865.  Mustered out  as Sergeant with regiment.

Author. He wrote The History of The Seventy Fifth, Indiana
 Infantry.  This book can be found and read on line.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Jared Irving Williams.

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Jared Irving Williams.

Birth: 1838, Lancaster, New Hampshire.
Death: December 23, 1914, Lancaster, New Hampshire.

Wife: Mary Hamilton Morse Williams, ( ? - May 30, 1916 ).:
Married 1857.

Children: Non recorded.

Burial: Unknown.

Coos county, New Hampshire, History.

Jared Irving Williams, youngest son of Hon. Jared W. Williams, was born at Lancaster August 19, 1832. He fitted for college al Lancaster and .Killingly (Conn.) academies, graduated from Brown university in the class of 1854, studied law with his father, and Carpenter & Thurston, of Providence, R. I., was admitted to practice at Lancaster in 1856, and at once became associated with his father and brother.

He was editor of the Cods County Democrat from the death of J. M. Rix in 1854 until the election of Lincoln in 1860; was town representative in 1879 and 1.880; has been superintending school committee and president of the board of education  of Lancaster since 1876; is a trustee of Lancaster academy.

He married, in 1857, Mary Hamilton Morse. Mr. Williams did service in the Rebellion, and attained the rank of captain; is a prominent and valued member of the G.. A. R. and various Masonic bodies; possesses decided mathematical and mechanical tastes, and is a civil engineer of no mean ability. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, and a delightful social companion

New Hampshire Seventeenth Infantry.
State records.

Jared Irving Williams, Co. A, born Lancaster; Age 29; Residence Lancaster; Enlisted October 18, 1862; as private; Appointed Captain December 30, 1862, as captain; Mustered out April 16, 1863.  P. O. address Lancaster.

Monday, October 13, 2014

August Goebel.

Goebel, August, Detroit. First enlisted in company B, Artillery section of  Detroit Scott Guards of Michigan Militia, Oct. 26, 1859, at Detroit, age 20. Promoted First Sergeant and elected Secretary, which position he held until the first call for troops in the Civil War, when he enlisted in same company, subsequently company A, Second Infantry, as First Sergeant, April 15, 1861, for 3 months, age 22. Mustered into state service April, 1861. Upon instructions from the War Department, directing the reorganization of the Second Infantry for 3 years' service, he at once re-enlisted in same company and rank, April, 1861, for 3 years.

Mustered into U. S. service May 25, 1861. Acting Sergeant Major Aug., 1861. Commissioned First Lieutenant Sept. 22, 1861. Commissioned Captain, company H, Aug. 25, 1862. Resigned on account of partial loss of hearing and was honorably discharged at Newport News, Va., Feb. 24, 1863. Participated with his regiment in the following engagements: Blackburn's Ford, Va., Bull Run, Va., Bailey's Cross Roads and Munson's Hill, Va., at Siege of Yorktown, Va., Williamsburg, Va., Fair Oaks, Va., near Richmond, Va., White Oak Swamp, Va., Glendale, Va., Malvern Hill, Va., Bull Run 2d, Va., Groveton, Va., Chantilly, Va., Fredericksburg, Va.

Was selected by Major General Philip Kearney, Division Commander, to command a detachment of two companies to go on a dangerous scouting expedition to ascertain the position of the enemy after seven days' battle ending at Malvern Hill, Va., Aug. 1, 1862, which purpose he very satisfactorily accomplished. Re-entered the service in Michigan State Troops and was commissioned as Captain of Detroit Scott Guards (company C, First Battalion), Aug. 2, 1861.Re-elected Captain Jan. 1, 1882.

Commissioned Major, First Battalion, March 25, 1882. Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, First Battalion, Jan. 15, 1865. Election declared illegal. Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, Fourth Regiment, July 23, 1885, at organization. Resigned and honorably discharged July 26. 1886. Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Inspector General, First Brigade, Oct. 18, 189o. Resigned and honorably discharged April 15, 1891. Present residence, Detroit, Mich.

August Goebel.

Birth: 1845
Death: 1905.

Wife: Sophia Hellinges / Hellings Goebel.
Married 1874.

Children: Meta S., Gretchen J., Clara A. Goebel.

Author. Re-research these names before stating as fact.

August Goebel was the cofounder of the Goebel Brewery in Detroit.

Burial: Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Edward Kirk Wilcox.

Massachusetts Twenty - Seventh Infantry, Regimental History.

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Edward Kirk Wilcox, son of O. W. and Mary Ann Wilcox, was born at Springfield, Aug. 24, 1841. He fitted for  college at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, and with Alexander Hyde, Esq., of Lee, entering Williams in 1858, but after two years decided upon a business instead of a professional life, and was temporarily with his father at Springfield.  He was of the first to enlist at his country's call, and mustered as sergeant-major of the Tenth Massachusetts regiment, June 21, 1861, marching with them to the front. Upon the  organization of the Twenty-Seventh Regiment he was appointed first lieutenant, and assigned to Company I,

Capt.  Henry A. Hubbard. On account of the sickness and early  death of his captain, he was in command of the company in all its North Carolina service, and was promoted captain, Feb. 13, 1862. Indifferent to danger, he was a spirited leader, with coolness and efficiency, inspiring his men by his own  demeanor. He was with the regiment on provost duty at  Norfolk, during the winter of 63 and 64, but upon the organization of the " Red Star Brigade," was appointed acting  assistant adjutant general on Brig. Gen l C. A. Heckman's staff.

After reaching Bermuda Hundreds, he was appointed  aide-de-camp to Gen l Weitzel commanding the Second  Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, and participated in all the  actions of the Army of the James. Of the battle of Drewry's  Bluff, May 16, 1864, he wrote, " It was the hardest fight I ever was in. How I escaped I cannot tell, as I was under  fire seven or eight hours carrying orders into the thickest of the fight."

May 17th, Gen l Stannard assumed command of the brigade, and Capt. Wilcox was transferred to his staff as acting  assistant adjutant general First Brigade, First Division,  Eighteenth Army Corps. May 30th, the Eighteenth Army Corps started for White-House Landing, effecting a junction with the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor on the eve of June 1st. Stannard's Brigade was led immediately into action, and its frequent changes and the nature of its service, rendered Capt. Wilcox s duties incessant and onerous. Says Durfee's " Annals of Williams College : " "

It so happened that as he was passing through his regiment, the morning of the 3d, a charge was ordered." Unconsciously, this  does not do him full credit ; it did not happen. Instructions as to the charge had passed through his hands at three o clock the day previous, and he was there from plan and purpose. He placed himself in front of the line, when one of his brother officers said, " Coxey, go back where you belong; this is  no place for you ! " to which he replied, " I am going with you ; my place is where I can serve my country."

When Gen l Smith s voice rang out on the morning air, " Forward ! * with a ringing cheer and call to his men, he dashed forward, foremost of all. Gaining the enemy's cnrvettes, he dashed over them in advance of the column, with his face set on the enemy's main line just in front, when he fell pierced with  a dozen bullets. " Coxey," as he was generally known,  was popular, genial, courteous and affable. His urbanity,  frankness and kindness, insured lasting friendship. His eoften expressed preference was, that he might be allowed to  return to his command, and share with them the honors and  dangers of the field. His name is now borne by Post 16, Grand Army of the Republic, Springfield, Mass., an excel lent painting of him gracing their hall.

Author. Captain Wilcox were instantly killed as he passed the last line of rifle-pits, by a rifle-ball through his neck.

Brothers and sisters.

Mary A. Wilcox.
Harriet B. Wilcox.
Frank H. Wilcox.
Willie A. Wilcox.