Thursday, September 27, 2012

Finding William A. Vaden, my Great Grandfather

The search for the true identity of my Great Grandfather has puzzled my family for 96 years.  I believe I'm going to be able to put an official end to the mystery this coming weekend when I visit Richmond, Virginia. 


Robert William Lewis circa 1930

My Grandfather, Robert William Lewis, was born in Richmond, Virginia on June 8, 1913.  By the time he was two years old, his father had passed away.  My Great Grandmother, Eunice Conway,  was only 21 years old and she was a widow with two small children.   My Great Aunt Dorothy Lewellyn Lewis was born on July 29, 1911.   The children were placed in an orphanage for about a year while Eunice got back on her feet.   During this time Eunice met Leon Ellwood Lewis, who she would later marry.  Both children would refer to Leon Ellwood Lewis as their father.   The 1920 Federal Census even goes so far to list Leon Lewis as the father of Dorothy and Robert.  They would both legally change their last name from Vaden to Lewis by their 18th birthday.   My mother's maiden name is Lewis, but it really should have been Vaden.  My Grandfather was born before birth certificates were a requirement.  I haven't been able to locate a marriage certificate for Eunice and the mysterious Mr. Vaden.  His death was a source of great sadness for Eunice.   My Grandfather had no recollection of his real father, other than his last name. 

I've been doing family research for about 2 years now.   I've become fairly savvy in the ways of connecting loose family ends.  Sometimes you just have to know where to start looking.   I started the search for Mr. Vaden by using what knowledge I already possessed.   1.)   He was a resident of Richmond, Virginia.   2.)  He died sometime between 1915 and 1916.  With this information, I started scrounging around various cemetery records and databases, looking for a male who was relatively young when they died in either 1915 or 1916, when Robert would have been about 2 years old.  I found a pretty interesting prospect, one W. A. Vaden, born in 1885 and died in 1916. 

From here, I used a little logic to connect the dots.  W. A. Vaden's plot is owned by "Mrs. W. A. Vaden" however "Mrs. W. A. Vaden" doesn't appear to be buried there.   I'll be able to confirm this part this coming weekend.  W. A. Vaden was 31 years old when he died.  He was the member of a secret society that was similar to the Masons.   My Great Grandmother was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, which is essentially a Mason organization for women.  That could be completely coincidental.  W. A. Vaden is buried in the same cemetery that my Great Grandmother's parents are buried in.   This too could be coincidental as there are a few thousand folks interred in Maury Cemetery in Richmond. 

I had to dig a little further, the info I had looked good on paper but I needed something more substantial.   I started searching the census records in Richmond and it's surrounding areas.   Eunice Conway was from Chesterfield County, Virginia, so I started looking there.  The 1900 Federal Census for Chesterfield County, Virginia proved to be very interesting.  There I found a William A. Vaden, age 15 and his little brother Robert Vaden, age 8.  In one Census Record, there was the name Robert and William.   Sadly by the 1910 census, it appears as though Robert had passed away.  William A. Vaden was apparently named after his father's brother, also William A. Vaden.  William's uncle served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.  It's not out of the realm of possibility that William would name his first born son after his deceased brother and himself;  Robert William Vaden. 

Eunice Conway was only 16 years old when my Great Aunt Dorothy was born.   It's been told that she was 15 when she married Mr. Vaden.   It's highly unlikely she would marry a fellow 15 year old, but it's entirely possible that a 15 year old be married to someone 10 years older, especially in 1910.  William A. Vaden was 10 years older than Eunice Conway. 

I felt good about the info I had found so I brought it to my mother and aunt's attention.   After their review of the info, it made sense to them as well.  I decided to reach out to Dorothy's son to see if he ever knew anything about the mysterious Mr. Vaden.   Lo and behold, he said he remembered his mom telling him her real father's name was William.  I get goosebumps just thinking about his response. 

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about the possibility of solving a 96 year old family mystery.  Here's a couple of pictures of William A. Vaden's grave that I found online.   I'll post more in a follow up article after the trip.

Grave of  W. A Vaden

plot owned by Mrs. W. A. Vaden

I've also found one incredibly interesting connection between W. A. Vaden's father, George Patterson Vaden and my Grandfather Robert William (Vaden) Lewis.   Both were railroad men.   My Grandfather worked on the railroad for 41 years.  George Patterson Vaden worked on the railroad during and after the Civil War.   He was also a member of the Richmond Fayette Artillery.  George Patterson Vaden will be the focus of a future blog entry once I complete a little research in Richmond.  Leon Ellwood Lewis was also a career railroad man.   I inherited his railroad watch from my Grandfather.  My cousin, Tommy inherited my Grandfather's railroad watch.   My Grandfather would have been beside himself to know his real Grandfather was also a railroad man. 

I feel the door can be closed on this mystery if I can prove that there is no Mrs. W. A. Vaden buried next to Mr. W. A. Vaden.   I aim to do just that within the next few days!

Company I, North Carolina 68th Infantry Regiment: Captain Richard Henry Lee Bond, my 1st cousin 5x removed



The 68th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was organized in July of 1863 for the purpose of protection of the State.  This unit was mustered but was never officially turned over to the Confederacy.  Although the 68th was under the orders of Confederate commanders, the unit was not supposed to be ordered beyond the State border.   This held true with one minor exception, a slight incursion of this regiment into eastern Tennessee.  

My 1st cousin 5x removed, Richard Henry Lee Bond, was Captain of Company I.  R. H. L. Bond was born in Gates County, North Carolina on October 6, 1830.  His exact date of enlistment is unknown. 


Cover Sheet for R.H.L. Bond

Because this unit was never officially turned over to the Confederacy, official records are hard to come by.  The 68th was assigned to the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia and served in North Carolina and East Tennessee. Later it guarded prisoners at Salisbury and confronted the Federals in the Kinston area. In April, 1865, the men were ordered to return home and acquire mounts so that the unit could be converted to cavalry.  While these orders were being carried out, the war ended.  There was no official parole for the unit, rather the men just disbanded and returned home. 

I have been able to locate a few "special requisitions" made by Captain Bond.   On November 7, 1862.  Bond received 5 Horses, 1 Wagon & Harness, and 1 Set Wagon from the Confederate Government. 




On August 18, 1863, Captain Bond was the recipient of 573 pounds of bacon at the going rate of $1/lb. 



The most severe engagement in which this Regiment participated was the Battle of South West Creek or Wise Forks, just south of Kinston, North Carolina.  The 68th was assigned to reinforce General Robert Hoke's command.  The battle took place on March 8-9, 1865.  After the initial skirmish, the men of the 68th were ordered to defend a bridge that crossed the Neuse River, near the town of Goldsborough.  Federal Forces started arriving from nearby Kinston.  A light skirmish ensued and the men of the 68th effectively burned the bridge to delay any pursuit from the advancing Federals.   Shortly after this engagement, orders were given to the officers to return with their men to their respective communities where they were originally mustered.   Here the men would procure horses from any neighbor owning more than one.   The men were then to return to their command with the horses and re-enlist into service in the Cavalry.   While these orders were being carried out, the news of General Lee's surrender started making it's way to the men.  Well armed, able bodied men were now sent home to await further instruction.  By the end of April 1865, the career of the 68th North Carolina and it's troops was over. 

Bond only lived an additional two years following the Civil War.   He died in Gates County, North Carolina on June 25, 1867.   He is buried in the Bond Family Cemetery in Gatesville, North Carolina.

Here's my relation to Captain R. H. L. Bond:

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Father & Son in the Texas Cavalry: George Brown Daniel and John Brown Daniel

I previously wrote about John Green Daniel.   I figured an easy follow up would be his 1st cousin, John Brown Daniel.  John Brown and his father, George Brown Daniel served in different Cavalry Companies from Texas.  Although both father and son served, this was not a typical "follow your father to war" situation.   John Brown enlisted in the Confederate Army almost a year and a half before his father.  George Brown Daniel volunteered his services to the Confederacy after his son was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War in July of 1863. 


6th Texas Cavalry Flag

John Brown Daniel was born in Van Buren, Jackson County, Missouri on March 16, 1843.  By 1850, the Daniel family had relocated to Grayson County, Texas.  John's father, George was born in Caswell County, North Carolina on September 7, 1817.  Sometime in the 1820's the Daniel family moved from North Carolina to Missouri.

John traveled to Camp McIntosh, Arkansas and enlisted in Company D of the Texas 6th Cavalry on March 4, 1862, just 12 days shy of his 19th birthday. 


John Brown Daniel's 1st Muster

Unfortunately for John, the unit had been dismounted, meaning their horses had been sent back to Texas, on April 15, 1862.  For the first 4 months of his enlistment, the 6th Texas Cavalry operated as an infantry unit.  In late August of 1862, detailing parties from each of the Unit's regiments were sent back to Texas to gather the horses.  The 6th Texas Cavalry was going to be remounted.  Before their horses could arrive, the 6th was engaged in the Battle of Cornith in early October.  By early November, the 6th Texas Cavalry along with the 3rd and 27th, were remounted and organized into the Texas Cavalry Brigade.  The 9th Texas Cavalry would later join for the raid at Holly Springs. 

John was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War during a raid in Yazoo City, Mississippi on July 19, 1863.

Prisoner List showing John's Capture

He was originally sent to Snyder's Bluff, Mississippi on July 30, 1863.

POW roll

John was sent from Snyder's Bluff to Camp Morton, Indiana.  On March 7, 1864, he was transferred to the illustrious Fort Delaware.


John's transfer to Fort Delaware

John would remain at Fort Delaware until June 9, 1865 when he took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and was finally released. 

John's Oath of Allegiance

John's capture surely was a motivator for his 47 year old father's enlistment.   George Brown Daniel enlisted in Company C of the Texas 15th Cavalry Battalion on August 3, 1863, just 18 days after his son was captured by Union troops.


Enlistment card for George Brown Daniel

The 15th Texas Cavalry had been unmounted since April of 1862.  They were consolidated with the 6th and 10th Texas Infantry Regiments in July of 1863. 


Flag of the 15th Texas Cavalry
The above pictured flag was carried by the 15th from the fall of 1864 through the wars end.  From the Texas State Archives:

The regiments carried this flag through the bloody carnage at the Battle of Franklin, the disaster at the Battle of Nashville, and up to the final surrender in May 1865. Several Texans died carrying this flag and it is said the blood of some of them can still be seen on the cloth. Rather than surrendering the flag, Mark Kelton of the 6th Texas took it from its staff and carried it back to Texas. He donated the flag to the State Archives in 1885, where it has been stored ever since.

The 15th Texas Cavalry participated in the following engagements:

Chickamauga, 19-20 September 1863
Chattanooga Siege,  September - November 1863
Chattanooga,  23-25 November 1863
Atlanta Campaign,  May - September 1864
Picketts Mill,  27 May 1864
New Hope Church,   27 June 1864
Atlanta Siege,  July - September 1864
Jonesborro,  31 August - 01 September 1864
Franklin,  30 November 1864
Nashville,  15 - 16 December 1864 Carolinas Campaign , February - April 1865
Bentonville,  19-21 March 1865


The unit surrendered with General Joseph E. Johntson's Army of Tennessee on April 25, 1865 in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Fortunately for the Daniel's, both father and son would survive the war.  George Brown Daniel lived an additional 16 years following the war.  He died in 1881 in Trenton, Fannin County, Texas.   His burial location is not known at the time of this entry,

John Brown Daniel lived for 59 years following the war.  He died on January 30, 1925 in Morgan Mill, Erath County, Texas.  He is buried in the Morgan Mill Cemetery in Erath County.


Grave of John Brown Daniel

Here's my relation to George:

George Brown Daniel (1817 - 1881)
is your 1st cousin 6x removed
James Key Daniel (1766 - 1851)
Father of George Brown
Josiah Daniel (1744 - 1811)
Father of James Key
William Ford Daniel (1774 - 1848)
Son of Josiah
L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)
Son of William Ford
William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)
Son of L. Chesley
Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)
Daughter of William Henry "Buck"
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
Daughter of Phebe Lucy
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
Daughter of Valeria Lee
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
Daughter of Phebe Teresa
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce

Here's my relation to John:

John Brown Daniel (1843 - 1925)
is your 2nd cousin 5x removed
George Brown Daniel (1817 - 1881)
Father of John Brown
James Key Daniel (1766 - 1851)
Father of George Brown
Josiah Daniel (1744 - 1811)
Father of James Key
William Ford Daniel (1774 - 1848)
Son of Josiah
L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)
Son of William Ford
William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)
Son of L. Chesley
Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)
Daughter of William Henry "Buck"
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
Daughter of Phebe Lucy
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
Daughter of Valeria Lee
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
Daughter of Phebe Teresa
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment (1st Junior Reserves): Five Young Confederate Cousins from the "Seedcorn of the Confederacy"

What remains of the North Carolina 3rd Junior Reserves Flag


The North Carolina 70th Infantry Refiment a/ka/ the1st Junior Reserves was formed in July of 1864, at Weldon, North Carolina.  As the the Civil War raged on, the Confederacy began to run out of viable men to serve in the Confederate Army.  The only option the south was to extend the age of conscripted sercive to 17 - 50 years of age.  Known as the "seedcorn of the Confederacy", the Regiment was formed by consolidating the 1st and 6th Junior Reserves Battalions which had recently been organized.  It contained men between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, and were drawn from the counties of Warren, Franklin, Nash, Granville, Wake, Orange, Caswell, Randolph, Chatham, Martin, Northampton, and Chowan.  The Regiment was assigned to the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.  The unit skirmished with Federals in the Roanoke River and Kinston areas.  Later it served in Laurence Simmons Baker's Brigade and saw action at Bentonville, North Carolina.  The Unit surrendered with the Army of Tennessee.


Map of troop engagement at Bentonville, NC



The Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina was the last major engagement in the Civil War.  This battle featured the Army of Tennessee commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston and the Army of the Cumberland commanded by General William Tecumseh Sherman.  Johnston's Army had moved out of the Western Theater and was desperately trying to link up with the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Robert E. Lee.  Sherman's troops had originally been ordered to move north and support Grant in Virgina.   Sherman knew this wouldn't work logistically.  His orders were amended to march through the Carolinas.  Here he would be able to aid Grant by continuing to destroy Confederate supply lines.  The Army of the Cumberland slashed and burned its way through South Carolina sparing little devastation.  By March of 1865, Sherman and his troops had made it all the way to a little town in North Carolina called Four Oaks.  Here they would face opposition in the form of the Army of Tennessee. 

At 3:00pm. the Confederate forces mounted an attack.  The attack initially drove back the Union left in confusion. 

".. It looked like a picture and at our distance was truly beautiful ... But it was a painful sight to see how close their battle flags were together, regiments being scarcely larger than companies and a division not much larger than a regiment should be."  Col. Charles W. Broadfoot, 1st North Carolina Junior Reserves, describing the attack by the Army of Tennessee

These Confederate attacks were uncoordinated and therefore unsuccessful in driving the Federals from their positions.  Union reinforcements arrived and checked the Confederate assault.  By midnight, the Confederates withdrew.


Below are brief biographies of my family members who served in the North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment aka 1st Junior Reserves. 



Private Benjamin Isaac Breedlove



Benjamin Isaac Breedlove was born in Granville County, North Carolina on October 4, 1846.  He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed.  Benjamin enlisted as a Private in Company B, North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/1st Junior Reserves at Camp Holmes on May 21, 1864 at the age of 17. 


1st Muster for Benjamin


Benjamin was present and accounted for through April of 1865, when he was issued parole in accordance with General Joseph E. Johnston's surrender to General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place in Durham, North Carolina. 


Parole for Benjamin


Benjamin Issac Breedlove lived an additional 61 years following the end of the Civil War.  He returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he died on March 18, 1926 at the age of 79.   He is buried in the Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery near Oxford, North Carolina.



Grave of Benjamin Isaac Breedlove

Here's my relation to Benjamin:

Benjamin Isaac Breedlove (1846 - 1926)
is your 2nd cousin 5x removed
Martha Patsy Crews (1806 - 1876)
mother of Benjamin Isaac Breedlove
Gideon Crews Jr. (1779 - 1859)
father of Martha Patsy Crews
Gideon Crews (1730 - 1815)
father of Gideon Crews Jr.
Abigail Crews (1775 - 1822)
daughter of Gideon Crews
L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)
son of Abigail Crews
William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)
son of L. Chesley Daniel
Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)
daughter of William Henry "Buck" Daniel
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
daughter of Valeria Lee Moss
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce




Richard Currin was born in Granville County, North Carolina on January 12, 1849.  He is my 1st cousin 5x removed.  Richard enlisted as a Corporal in Company B, North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/1st Junior Reserves in Weldon, North Carolina on June 10, 1864 at the age of 16.  Confederate records indicate that Richard was a Camp Guard at Camp Holmes.


1st Muster for Richard showing he was transferred to Camp Holmes

Following the end of the Civil War, Richard Currin returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 63 years.  He died in Granville County, North Carolina on August 23, 1928 at the age of 79.  His burial location is not known at this time. 

Here's my relation to Richard:

Richard Currin (1849 - 1928)
is your 1st cousin 5x removed
Mitchell Currin (1817 - 1890)
father of Richard Currin
James Currin III (1785 - 1866)
father of Mitchell Currin
Abner Currin (1810 - 1865)
son of James Currin III
Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)
daughter of Abner Currin
Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)
daughter of Martha Anne Currin
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
daughter of Valeria Lee Moss
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce



John Green Daniel was born in Caswell County, North Carolina on September 21, 1834.  He is my 2nd cousin 5x removed.  He was the second of eleven children born to James B. Daniel and Almeda Jane Stuart.  Three of his brothers also served in the Civil War. 


Tintype photo of John Green Daniel presumably on his wedding day


John's older brother Stephen W. Daniel and younger brother, James Leonard Daniel each served in Company G, North Carolina 3rd Light Artillery Battalion.  Another younger brother,  Drewry M. Daniel served in Company B, North Carolina 15th Infantry Regiment. 

John Green Daniel served in Company I, North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment.  This regiment was better known as the 1st North Carolina Regiment Junior Reserves.  John's enlistment date is unknown.   His original parole papers still exist and are in the possession of his direct descendants. 

John Green Daniel was probably raised as an aristocrat.  His father was one of the largest land owners in Orange County and also owned land in Caswell County, where the family lived until the early 1860's.


Sketch of John Green Daniel


Following the war, John was a justice of the peace, like his father before him.  He kept a record of the people that he married and the people to whom he loaned money. He liked to make home brew and wine. Once he was questioned by the law about his wine.   He told them he made it for church communion.  This answer seemed to work as there were no further issues.



John Green on his farm. 


John Green tending sheep on his farm


Grave of John Green Daniel

John Green Daniel died in Orange County, North Carolina on May 4, 1919.  He is buried in the Wheelous Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery just over the line in Person County.

Here's my relation to John Green:

John Green Daniel (1834 - 1919)
is your 2nd cousin 5x removed
James B. Daniel (1808 - 1904)
Father of John Green
James Key Daniel (1766 - 1851)
Father of James B.
Josiah Daniel (1744 - 1811)
Father of James Key
William Ford Daniel (1774 - 1848)
Son of Josiah
L. Chesley Daniel (1806 - 1882)
Son of William Ford
William Henry "Buck" Daniel (1827 - 1896)
Son of L. Chesley
Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)
Daughter of William Henry "Buck"
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
Daughter of Phebe Lucy
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
Daughter of Valeria Lee
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
Daughter of Phebe Teresa
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce



Samuel L. Moss was born in Granville County, North Carolina on January 2, 1846.  He is my 1st cousin 4x removed.  Samuel enlisted as a Private in Company B, North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/1st Junior Reserves in 1864 at the age of 17.  Following the war, Samuel returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 59 years.  Samuel L. Moss died in Walnut Grove, Granville County on June 26, 1924 at the age of 78.   He is buried in the Averette Family Cemetery in Granville County, North Carolina. 


Grave of Samuel L. Moss

Here's my relation to Samuel:

Samuel L Moss (1846 - 1924)
is your 1st cousin 4x removed
Richard Sell A. Moss (1815 - 1861)
father of Samuel L Moss
Benjamin Lucious Moss (1792 - 1847)
father of Richard Sell A. Moss
James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)
son of Benjamin Lucious Moss
William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)
son of James C. Moss
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
daughter of William Allen Moss
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
daughter of Valeria Lee Moss
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce



William Franklin Paschall was born in Caswell County, North Carolina on May 30, 1845.  He is my 3rd cousin 4x removed.  William enlisted as a Private in Company I, North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/1st Junior Reserves at Camp Holmes on May 18, 1864 at the age of 17. 
1st Muster for William

Following the end of Civil War, William relocated to Rockingham County, North Carolina where he lived an additional 59 years.  William Franklin Paschall died in Rockingham County, North Carolina on February 3, 1924 at the age of 78.  His burial location is not known at this time.

Here's my relation to William:

William Franklin Paschall (1845 - 1924)
is your 3rd cousin 4x removed
William Paschall (1814 - 1872)
father of William Franklin Paschall
Ward Edmund Paschall (1784 - 1828)
father of William Paschall
John Seth Paschall (1756 - 1816)
father of Ward Edmund Paschall
Samuel Paschall (1727 - 1805)
father of John Seth Paschall
Mary Paschall (1752 - 1805)
daughter of Samuel Paschall
Mary "Polly" Chadwick (1790 - 1860)
daughter of Mary Paschall
Annie Tyson "Fanny" Adcock (1835 - 1912)
daughter of Mary "Polly" Chadwick
William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)
son of Annie Tyson "Fanny" Adcock
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
daughter of William Allen Moss
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
daughter of Valeria Lee Moss
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce



George Pegram Gooch was born in Granville County, North Carolina on June 26, 1846.  He is my 3rd cousin, 3x removed.   George enlisted as a Private in Company B, North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/1st NC Junior Reserves on May 22, 1864 at the age of  17 years, 10 months and 10 days.  The description on his first muster roll lists him as being 5'11" with a fair complexion, light hair and blue eyes.  Prior to the war, George was a farmer by trade.



1st Muster Roll for George


On July 6, 1864, George was transferred to Camp Holmes near Raleigh, North Carolina for guard duty.



Muster roll showing George was transferred to Camp Holmes

George may have spent the duration of the war at Camp Holmes as there are no further Confederate Records to be found for him.  Following the end of the Civil War, George returned home to Granville County, North Carolina where he lived for an additional 43 years.  George Pegram Gooch died in Granville County, North Carolina on March 26, 1908 at the age of 61.  He is buried in the Bullock-Gooch Cemetery near Stem, Granville County, North Carolina.


Grave of George Pegram Gooch


Here's my relation to George:

George Pegram Gooch (1846 - 1908)
is your 3rd cousin 3x removed
Emmett Gooch (1821 - 1900)
father of George Pegram Gooch
Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Wheeler (1798 - 1870)
mother of Emmett Gooch
Martin Wheeler (1775 - 1822)
father of Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Wheeler
William Wheeler (1725 - 1780)
father of Martin Wheeler
Benjamin Wheeler (1755 - 1830)
son of William Wheeler
Benjamin Franklin Wheeler (1803 - 1883)
son of Benjamin Wheeler
Christopher Columbus Wheeler (1842 - 1912)
son of Benjamin Franklin Wheeler
Benjamin Elliott Wheeler (1883 - 1951)
son of Christopher Columbus Wheeler
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
daughter of Benjamin Elliott Wheeler
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce

Monday, September 24, 2012

The South Carolina 13th Infantry Regiment: The Harris Brothers and the Poole's


South Carolina Sovereignty Flag circa December 1860


The South Carolina 13th Infantry Regiment was formed in Spartanburg in the Summer of 1861.  Much like United States President Abraham Lincoln, Confederate States President Jefferson Davis issued his own call for troops.   The response in South Carolina was overwhelming.   Starting in July of 1861, men from across the lowcountry rendezvoused in Columbia, South Carolina.  The men traveled about 5 miles to Camp Lightwood Knot Springs where they were arranged into different regiments, each containing ten companies.   The men were then tasked to elect field officers.  Oliver Evans Edwards was elected as the Regiment's 1st Colonel.  He would be wounded at Second Manassas and Killed in Action at Chancelorsville. 

Following the initial muster at Camp Lightwood Knot Springs, the South Carolina 13th was ordered to the southern coast of South Carolina, near Pocotaglio, where it was brigaded with the 12th and 14th regiments.  The South Carolina 13th was present at the bombardment of Hilton Head by the Federal fleet. The men were ordered to evacuate their position.  After some very muddy wading to the mainland, the regiment was successfully withdrawn.  It was next stationed near Green Pond, near the line of Colleton and Beaufort counties.  At this time, the 13th, along with the 12th and 14th regiments, were formed into a brigade under the command of Brig. General Maxey Gregg. The brigade remained  on the coast of South Carolina until April of 1862 when it was ordered to Virginia.  Its first camp in Virginia was Milford Station, near Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad.   From here until the end of the war, the 13th would be attached to the Army of Northern Virginia. 

The South Carolina 13th participated in the following engagements while attached to the Army of Northern Virginia:

Seven Days Battles VA   (25 JUN - 1 JUL 1862)
2nd Bull Run VA   (28 - 30 AUG 1862)
Chantilly VA   (1 SEP 1862)
Antietam VA  (17 SEP 1862)
Shepherdstown Ford   (20 SEP 1862)
Fredericksburg VA   (13 DEC 1862)
Chancellorsville  (1-4 MAY 1863)
Gettysburg PA   (1-3 JUL 1863)
Falling Waters   (14 JUL 1863)
Bristoe Campaign   (9 - 22 OCT 1863)
Mine Run Campaign VA  (NOV - DEC 1863)
The Wilderness VA   (5 - 6 MAY 1864)
Spotsylvania Court House VA   (8- 21 MAY 1864)
North Anna VA   (23 - 26 MAY 1864)
Cold Harbor VA   (1 - 3 JUN 1864)
Petersburg Siege VA   (JUN 1864 - APR 1865)
First Squirrel Level Road VA   (30 SEP 1864)
Jones Farm VA   (30 SEP 1864)
First Pegram's Farm VA   (1 OCT 1864)
Five Forks VA  (1 APR 1865)

The 13th Regiment was present at the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865.  Of the 13th Regiment, 220 men were killed in battle or died of wounds.  262 died of disease and 678 men received wounds in combat.



 Flag flown at the Citadel on  January 9, 1861, when cadets fired on the Federal relief ship Star of the West



The Harris brothers are my double 2nd cousins, 5x removed.  They're "double cousins" due to the fact that their grandparents, James Harris and Priscilla Gilliam, were my 5th Great Grand Uncle and my 5th Great Grand Aunt, respectively, before they were married.  Both James and Priscilla's fathers served as Captains in the American Revolution.

Here's my relation to James Harris:

James Harris (1763 - 1804)
is your 5th great grand uncle
Capt. Isham Harris (1741 - 1824)
Father of James
Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)
Son of Capt. Isham
Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)
Daughter of Ransom
James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)
Son of Ann Washington
William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)
Son of James C.
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
Daughter of William Allen
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
Daughter of Valeria Lee
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
Daughter of Phebe Teresa
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce

Here's my relation to Priscilla Gilliam:

Priscilla Gilliam (1766 - 1814)
is your 5th great grand aunt
Capt. William Gilliam (1734 - 1804)
Father of Priscilla
Elizabeth R. Gilliam (1765 - 1831)
Daughter of Capt. William
Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)
Daughter of Elizabeth R.
James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)
Son of Ann Washington
William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)
Son of James C.
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
Daughter of William Allen
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
Daughter of Valeria Lee
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
Daughter of Phebe Teresa
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce


James and Priscilla were married in Granville County, North Carolina on June 20, 1783.  By 1790, they had moved to the Spartanburg, South Carolina Area.
The Brothers Harris both hailed from Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Albert Gallatin Harris was born on October 26, 1833.   His younger brother, Wilford Ivanhoe Harris was born on February 5, 1842.  Both brothers answered the call to serve their country at the same time.   They enlisted in Company C, South Carolina 13th Infantry Regiment on September 4, 1861.  Albert enlisted as as a Private, while Wilford enlisted as a Sergeant.  This is a little perplexing because Albert was 27 and Wilford was 19 at the time of their enlistment. 

Wilford's 1st Muster Roll

Albert's 1st Muster Roll


Albert had no interruptions in his service record and served from enlistment through the duration of the war.   Wilford was hospitalized twice during his enlistment.  He was first hospitalized for dysentery in May of 1863. 


Wilford's Sick Roll


The second time he was hospitalized was due to being wounded in battle on August 25, 1864.  Wilford's company was engaged in the Siege of Petersburg at the time of his injury.


Wilford's Wounded Report

Albert Gallatin Harris only lived for 16 additional years following the war.  He died in Toccoa, Georgia on March 27, 1881.  He was 47 years old.  His burial location is not known at the time of this entry. 

Wilford Ivanhoe Harris lived for 43 years following the Civil War.  He died in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1908.   Wilford is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Spartanburg, South Carolina.


Wilford's grave

Since Albert and Wilford were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to Wilford:

Wilford Ivanhoe Harris (1842 - 1908)
is your 2nd cousin 5x removed
James Gwynn Harris (1802 - 1893)
Father of Wilford Ivanhoe
Priscilla Gilliam (1766 - 1814)
Mother of James Gwynn
Capt. William Gilliam (1734 - 1804)
Father of Priscilla
Elizabeth R. Gilliam (1765 - 1831)
Daughter of Capt. William
Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)
Daughter of Elizabeth R.
James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)
Son of Ann Washington
William Allen Moss (1859 - 1931)
Son of James C.
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
Daughter of William Allen
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
Daughter of Valeria Lee
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
Daughter of Phebe Teresa
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce




Absalom N. Poole was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on October 7, 1821,  He is my 2nd cousin 6x removed.  Absalom served as a Private in Company E, South Carolina 13th Infantry Regiment.  His enlistment date is not known.  Confederate records show that Absalom was serving as early as October of 1863

On January 13, 1864, Absalom was detailed by Robert E. Lee to report to Surgeon Hancock at Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, where he was assigned to Guard Duty. 




Report showing Absalom's Guard Duty


Following the war, Absalom returned to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he lived an additional 30 years.  He was the uncle of John Rufus and William J. Poole

Absalom N. Poole died in Spartanburg, South Carolina on June 6, 1898 at the age of 76.  He is buried in the El Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Cherokee County, South Carolina.



Grave of Absalom N. Poole

Here's my relation to Absalom:

Absalom N Poole (1821 - 1898)
is your 2nd cousin 6x removed
John Poole (1774 - 1848)
father of Absalom N Poole
Elizabeth Stovall (1739 - 1832)
mother of John Poole
John Bartholomew Stovall (1706 - 1781)
father of Elizabeth Stovall
Josiah Stovall Sr. (1749 - 1798)
son of John Bartholomew Stovall
Rebecca Stovall (1772 - 1852)
daughter of Josiah Stovall Sr.
Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)
daughter of Rebecca Stovall
Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)
daughter of Phoebe Blackwell
Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)
daughter of Martha Anne Currin
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
daughter of Valeria Lee Moss
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce



John "Rufus" Poole was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina in February of 1829.  He is my 3rd cousin 5x removed.  Rufus was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in Company E, South Carolina 13th Infantry Regiment on August 27, 1861 at the age of 32. 


1st Muster for Rufus

For some unknown reason, Rufus resigned his commission on December 14, 1861.


List showing Rufus' Resignation

Rufus returned home to South Carolina, where he settled in Cherokee County.  He lived an additional 50 years following the end of the Civil War.  John Rufus Poole died in Cherokee County, South Carolina on June 16, 1915 at the age of 86.  His burial location is not known at this time.


William J. Poole was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on January 24, 1833.  He is also my 3rd cousin 5x removed.  William was the younger brother of John Rufus Poole.  William was commissioned as 3rd Lieutenant of Company E, South Carolina 13th Infantry Regiment on August 27, 1861 at the age of 28.



1st Muster for William


William was in and out of various Confederate Hospitals in Richmond, Virginia with various illnesses.  According to Confederate records, he was sent home on furlough to recuperate.  For some reason, William never made it back to his Regiment.  He was dropped from the Muster Rolls on February 20, 1863.


List showing William was dropped from the roll on Feb. 20, 1863


William recovered from his illness and lived an additional 13 years following the end of the Civil War.  He died in Spartanburg, South Carolina on January 28, 1878 at the age of 45.  He is buried in the Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery in Spartanburg, South Carolina.


Grave of William J. Poole


Due to the fact that John Rufus and William J. were brothers, I'm only providing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to William:

William J Poole (1833 - 1878)
is your 3rd cousin 5x removed
Col. Robert Coleman Poole (1802 - 1882)
father of William J Poole
John Poole (1774 - 1848)
father of Col. Robert Coleman Poole
Elizabeth Stovall (1739 - 1832)
mother of John Poole
John Bartholomew Stovall (1706 - 1781)
father of Elizabeth Stovall
Josiah Stovall Sr. (1749 - 1798)
son of John Bartholomew Stovall
Rebecca Stovall (1772 - 1852)
daughter of Josiah Stovall Sr.
Phoebe Blackwell (1812 - 1860)
daughter of Rebecca Stovall
Martha Anne Currin (1834 - 1917)
daughter of Phoebe Blackwell
Phebe Lucy Daniel (1862 - 1946)
daughter of Martha Anne Currin
Valeria Lee Moss (1890 - 1968)
daughter of Phebe Lucy Daniel
Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis (1918 - 1977)
daughter of Valeria Lee Moss
Joyce Elaine Lewis (1948 - )
daughter of Phebe Teresa Wheeler Lewis
Chip Stokes
You are the son of Joyce