Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Farrar Brothers: Three Confederates, One Yankee and One Gurerilla


"Brother vs Brother"

The Farrar brothers are all my 1st cousins 5x removed.  Their mother, Elizabeth Roland Harris Farrar was the sister of my 4th Great Grandmother, Ann Washington Harris.  Elizabeth married John Howard "Jack" Farrar in Warren County, North Carolina on November 20, 1817.  Jack was a War of 1812 Veteran, having served as a Sergeant in Captain Strother's Company, 10th United States Infantry.   Jack's father, Abel Farrar served in the American Revolution.  He is reported to have lost a leg in the Battle of Guilford County Court House.   Jack and his family moved to the Benton County, Tennessee area sometime around 1834.  Jack and Elizabeth would have 10 children who lived into adulthood, 7 boys and 3 girls.  Two sons, Samuel Terry Farrar and John Ingle Farrar are not believed to have served in any capacity with either the Union or the Confederacy during the Civil War. 

Albert Gallatin Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina in January of 1817.  He was the eldest Farrar brother.  In 1834, Albert followed his father and family to Benton County, Tennessee.  By 1854, Albert and his brother Junius, had settled near Cave Springs, Arkansas where they homesteaded around 200 acres.  By March of 1862, the Western Theater of the Civil War had expanded to Cave Springs, Arkansas.  Although there are no official records of Albert serving the Confederacy in any official capacity, family lore states he was killed during the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas between March 6 - 8, 1862.  His body was found on the battlefield and was buried in a private cemetery on the outskirts of Cave Springs.  An unconfirmed family legend states that Albert was quite possibly killed by his own brother Junius Henry Farrar.

Junius and Albert reportedly did not see eye to eye on secession.  This could have come in to play as the Battle of Pea Ridge raged near their homestead.  Either way, Albert's life was indeed ended at the battle.   He is buried in a small private cemetery on the outskirts of Cave Springs, Arkansas.


Grave of Albert Gallatin Farrar



James Franklin Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina on October 4, 1819.  He was the second son born to Jack and Elizabeth.  James also relocated to the Bedford County, Tennessee area with his family sometime around 1834.  James enlisted as a Private in Company K, Tennessee 41st Infantry Regiment at Camp Trousdale, Tennessee on November 2, 1861 at the age of 42. 


1st Muster for James

The Tennessee 41st Infantry Regiment completed it's organization at Camp Trousdale, Sumner County, Tennessee on November 28, 1861.  After its organization, the Regiment proceeded to Bowling Green, Kentucky where it was placed in Colonel W. E. Baldwin's Brigade, Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner's Division of the Central Army of Kentucky.  Other Regiments in the Brigade included the 14th, 26th Mississippi Infantry Regiments, 26th and 41st Tennessee Infantry Regiments. 



Battle Flag of the Tennessee 41st Infantry Regiment


The Brigade was ordered to Fort Donelson, Tennessee on February 12, 1862 where the Brigade was temporarily divided.  The 14th Mississippi and 41st Tennessee Regiments, along with Porter's and Graves' Batteries, were attached to Colonel John C. Brown's Brigade also in General Buckner's Division.  The 26th Mississippi and 26th Tennessee were detached to Brigadier General Gideon J. Pillow's Division. 



Battle of Fort Donelson, by Kurz and Allison (1887)


The Battle of Fort Donelson took place between February 11 - 16 of 1862.  The Tennessee 41st was held in reserve for the early stages of the battle.  The Regiment was not heavily engaged until the Federal assault on Buckner's position late in the afternoon of February 15th.  Out of the 575 men reportedly engaged, 2 were killed, 6 were wounded and 26 were reported as missing.  The remainder of the Regiment was surrendered with the rest of Buckner's force following the Union victory on February 16th. 

There is no report that James was captured at Fort Donelson.  Many men who were not captured at Fort Donelson served in other Regiments. Many of those men returned to the Regiment when it was reorganized on September 29, 1862.  

James reportedly had medical issues that caused him to apply for a disability discharge on December 1, 1862.  He was discharged on March 18, 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana. 


Muster Roll showing James' Discharge


James returned home to Bedford County, Tennessee after the war.  He lived an additional 39 years following the end of the Civil War.  James died in Flat Creek, Bedford County, Tennessee on March 16, 1904 at the age of 84.  His burial location is not known at this time.



James Franklin Farrar



Junius Henry Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina on February 12, 1823.  He was the third son and fourth child born to Jack and Elizabeth.  A daughter, Martha Holmes Farrar, was born in 1821.  An interesting side note:  Two of Martha Farrar Covey's son's, James Rager Covey and Welcome "Welk" Junius Covey served in Company F, Arkansas 15th Northwest Infantry, Confederate States of America during the Civil War.  They are both my 2nd cousins 4x removed.  Welcome Junius Covey was undoubtedly named after Junius Henry Farrar, yet the two served on opposite sides of the Nation's greatest conflict. 

Marriage Records indicate Junius Farrar was living in Benton County, Arkansas by July 7, 1843, when he married Cassandra Nail.  Junius was apparently a Union sympathizer.  He didn't join the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, but rather after his farm was burned down for the second time by bushwhackers. 

On July 12, 1863, Junius along with his sons John Harrison and Nicholas, enlisted as a Privates in Company F, Arkansas 2nd Volunteer Cavalry (United States).  John Harrison Farrar and Nicholas Farrar are also my 2nd cousin 4x removed.  They would have been 1st cousins with James Rager and Welcome Junius Covey.   Junius Farrar was 40 years old at the time of his enlistment.  John Harrison and Nicholas were 18 and 17 respectively. 


1st Muster for Junius

The Arkansas 2nd Volunteer Cavalry (United States) was organized in Helena, Arkansas and Pine Knob, Missouri in July of 1862.  Although Arkansas had seceded from the Union in 1861,  she provided 11 Federal Regiments to the Union Army during the Civil War.  Many families in the mountains of North-Central Arkansas held sympathy with the Union.  Groups of men formed secret societies, known collectively as the Arkansas Peace Society, that were set up to resist Confederate authority. 

In the Summer of 1862, the Union Army had made its way to Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas where they made an abortive attempt to capture Little Rock in Pulaski County.  Although the attempt on Little Rock had failed, a Union presence remained in Helena.  Helena would become a rendezvous point for loyal Arkansans seeking protection and vengeance from local bushwhackers. 

By July of 1862, a recruiting office had been set up on Main Street in Helena.  Colonel W. James Morgan of Missouri had been given permission to establish a Regiment known as the First Arkansas Mounted Rangers.  New recruits came in on a daily basis and it wasn't long before there were 3 Companies comprised of nearly 400 men.  Mismanagement on the part of local authorities and the dismissal of Colonel Morgan compelled Federal officials to send the recruits to St. Louis, Missouri in May of 1863 where they were consolidated with another Arkansas Regiment.  Following the consolidation, the unit's designation was changed to the Second Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry (United States).

The 2nd Arkansas spent much of its time patrolling Northern Arkansas in search of Confederate Guerrillas and Bandits who preyed on the local population.  Their specific knowledge of the terrain made them a valuable instrument in the Federal Army.  The Regiment very seldom acted as a unified command, but rather as small detachments that were scattered around the countryside to deal with the Confederate forces in the area.   On May 3, 1864, a foraging party from the 2nd Arkansas was ambushed by Guerrillas at Richland Creek.   The Confederates refused to take any prisoners, and by the time the fighting was over, nearly 40 men from the 2nd Arkansas were dead.  The Regiment gained success in its ability to conduct counter-guerrilla operations.  In January of 1865, the unit was transferred east of the Mississippi River and served in Tennessee and Mississippi until the end of the war. The Second Arkansas was the only Arkansas Union regiment to serve extensively outside the state during the war.

Junius Henry Farrar was elected Sergeant on November 18, 1863.


Muster Roll showing Junius was elected Sergeant


He was listed as being present and accounted for through August of 1865.  Junius Henry Farrar and his sons were mustered out of the United States Army on August 20, 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee.   They returned home to Benton County, Arkansas.  Junius reportedly lost an eye sometime after the Civil War due to an infection.  Junius and both of his sons received a Pension for their service to the United States.



Junius Henry Farrar


Junius lived an additional 34 years following the end of the Civil War.  He died in Benton County, Arkansas on June 24, 1899 at the age of 76.  He is buried in Elm Springs Cemetery in Washington County, Arkansas.



Grave of Sergeant Junius Henry Farrar



Rufus Harrison Farrar was born in Granville County, North Carolina in 1826.  Rufus was the fourth son and fifth child born to Jack and Elizabeth.   By the mid 1830's Rufus was also living in Bedford County, Tennessee.  Rufus enlisted as a Private in Company F, Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment on May 1, 1861 at the age of 35.



1st Muster Roll for Rufus


The Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment completed its organization in Nashville, Tennessee on May 6, 1861.  Following its organization, the unit moved to Lynchburg, Virginia where it was mustered into Confederate service by Colonel Edmund Kirby Smith on May 12th.  Due to the fact that it was the second Regiment from Tennessee to be mustered into Confederate service, it was given the designation  Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment.  William Brimage Bate was elected as Colonel of the Regiment. 



William Brimage Bate


The Regiment first came under fire at Aquia Creek, Virginia on June 1, 1861, when it was tasked with supporting Confederate Artillery Batteries in an engagement with Federal warships.  Following the engagement, the Regiment was assigned to Brigadier General Theophilus H. Holmes' Brigade along with the 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment.  Holmes' Brigade constituted the extreme right wing of General Pierre G. T. Beauregard's Army.  At the end of June 1981, the Brigade was ordered to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they were given orders to proceed down the Rappahanock River and capture Federal supply ships.  They succeeded in capturing the Saint Nicholas, the Halifax, and the Mary of Virginia. 

On July 19, 1861, the Brigade joined the remainder of Beauregard's forces at Manassas, Virginia where they prepared for an engagement with the Federal army.  On July 21st, Holmes' Brigade was placed in support of Brigadier General Richard S. Ewell's Brigade, and was not actively engaged in the fighting.  The Brigade did come under heavy fire while shifting position in the afternoon of the battle.  Following the Confederate victory at Manassas, the Regiment was ordered to Evansport, now Quantico, Virginia by way of Fredericksburg.  In Evansport, the Regiment was placed in Brigadier General Samuel G. French's Brigade.  Other units in French's Brigade were the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Battalion, the 35th Georgia, 22nd North Carolina, and 47th Virginia Infantry Regiments.  There the Brigade assisted in the erection of Batteries and other defenses.  In February of 1862, the Regiment re-enlisted for 3 years or the duration of the war. 

The Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment ended its service in the Eastern Theater on February 9, 1862, when along with the Tennessee 1st and 3rd Infantry Regiments, it was ordered to Knoxville, Tennessee to aid in the defense of Eastern Tennessee.  Actions in the Western Theater dictated a change in action after the fall of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry.  After a brief furlough, the Regiment rendezvoused at Huntsville, Alabama at the end of March.  The unit was reorganized on April 2, 1862 and proceeded to Corinth, Mississippi where they began preparations for the Battle of Shiloh.



The Battle of Shiloh by T. C. Lindsay


At the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, the Regiment was placed in Brigadier General Patrick R. Cleburne's Brigade, together with the 15th Arkansas, the 6th Mississippi, the 5th, 23rd, and 24th Tennessee Infantry Regiments.  Cleburne's Brigade was attached to Major General William J. Hardee's Corps in General Albert Sidney Johnston's Army of Mississippi.  Colonel Bate reported that the Regiment entered the Battle of Shiloh with only 365 effectives.  Colonel Bate was severely wounded and several of his men were killed or wounded in a charge on the first day of fighting.  Bate recovered from his wounds and was promoted to Brigadier General on October 2, 1862.



Muster Roll showing Rufus was killed during the Battle of Shiloh


Rufus Harrison Farrar was killed in action on April 6, 1862 during the Tennessee 2nd Infantry Regiment's charge on the Union line at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee.  He was 36 years old at the time of his death.  His burial location is not known at this time.



Lucius Augustus "Gus" Farrar was born on May 9, 1838 in Bedford County, Tennessee.  He was the seventh son and tenth child born to Jack and Elizabeth.  Lucius enlisted in Company K, Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment at Camp Harris, Tennessee on May 18, 1861 at the age of  23.  He was transferred to Company H sometime before the March - April of 1862 Muster Roll.


1st Muster Roll for Lucius showing transfer to Company H


Recreation of the Tennessee 8th Regimental Flag


The Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment began its organization in May of 1861.  Some elements of the Regiment had been assembled at Camp Harris in Franklin County, Tennessee on May 18, 1861.  The Regiment completed its organization on May 29, 1861 at Camp Trousdale.  By July of 1861, the unit totaled 887 effectives armed with percussion muskets.  The Regiment arrived in Huntersville, Virginia on July 21st and was assigned to Brigadier General Daniel Smith Donelson's Brigade along with the Tennessee 16th, and the Georgia 1st and 14th Infantry Regiments.  Donelson had selected the location for the Fort that bared his name in Tennessee earlier in the year.



General Daniel Smith Donelson


Donelson's Brigade participated in the Battle of Cheat Mountain on September 12 - 15, 1861.  Following the Union victory, the Brigade was sent to Port Royal, South Carolina on December 16, 1861.  There they skirmished with Federals at the Port Royal Ferry on January 1, 1862. 

On April 10, 1862, Donelson's Brigade totalling 1572 men, was ordered to report to the Western Theater in Corinth, Mississippi.  In October of 1862, the unit participated in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky.  The battle resulted in a tactical victory for the Confederates due to the number of casualties inflicted on the enemy.   The Federals claimed a strategic victory due to the Confederate withdrawal. 

The Brigade participated in the Battle of Murfreesboro/Stones River from December 31, 1862 - January 2, 1863.  The Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment was reported as doing "valiant service" during the battle, but was inflicted with heavy casualties, losing 306 men killed or wounded out of the 474 engaged.  During the Battle, Donelson's Brigade captured 11 pieces of Artillery and over 1,000 prisoners of war. 

The Tennessee 8th Infantry Regiment also participated in the Battles of Franklin, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and Nashville before joining General Joseph E. Johnston's command in North Carolina.   It was surrendered and paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina.
Lucius was elected First Sergeant on May 8, 1862 during the reorganization of the Company. 


Muster Roll showing Lucius' promotion to Sergeant


He was wounded and "left in the hands of the enemy" following the Battle of Murfreesboro/Stone's River on December 31, 1862. 



Muster Roll showing Lucius was wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro

Initially, Lucius was sent to a Federal Military Prison in Louisville, Kentucky on January 5, 1863.   From there he was confined to Camp Butler, Illinois on March 11th.


POW Roll showing Lucius was transferred to Camp Butler


Lucius was issued Parole sometime after March of 1863, vowing not to take up arms or do any hostile acts against the United States until regularly exchanged. 



Parole for Lucius


He appears on a Muster Roll for his unit in Dalton, Georgia on January 9, 1864.  On May 31, 1864, he is shown on a Muster Report as being present and accounted for, however he is listed as "pronounced unfit for field service by Medical Board and Certificate forwarded to headquarters."  

During the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, Lucius was again captured, this time by elements of General William Tecumseh Sherman's command. 


POW Roll showing Lucius was captured on July 22, 1864


He was again sent to a Federal Military Prison in Louisville, Kentucky before being sent to Camp Chase, Ohio on July 30, 1864.



POW Roll showing Lucius was transferred to Camp Chase


Lucius signed the Oath of Allegiance on March 22, 1865 and was released from Camp Chase, Ohio on March 28, 1865. 


Oath of Allegiance for Lucius


Lucius Augustus "Gus" Farrar lived an additional 47 years following the end of the Civil War.  He returned home to Bedford, Tennessee where he died on January 12, 1912 at the age of 73.  He is buried in the Moore Chapel Cemetery in Bedford County, Tennessee.



Grave of Lucius Augustus Farrar


Due to the fact that I share the same relationship with each of the Farrar brothers, I'm only listing one relation chart.

Here's my relation to Lucius Augustus Farrar:

Lucius Augustus Farrar (1838 - 1912)
is your 1st cousin 5x removed
Elizabeth Roland Harris (1800 - 1886)
mother of Lucius Augustus Farrar
Ransom Harris Sr. (1764 - 1832)
father of Elizabeth Roland Harris
Ann Washington Harris (1795 - 1870)
daughter of Ransom Harris Sr.
James C. Moss (1824 - 1891)
son of Ann Washington Harris
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

Friday, May 24, 2013

Memorial/Decoration Day

Civil War Flag of Company A, New York 16th Infantry Regiment


Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is as Federal Holiday that occurs on the last Monday in the month of May.  It is a day in which we take time to remember the sacrifices of those brave men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Memorial Day originated in the days following the American Civil War.  There is documentation that shows women in Savannah, Georgia were decorating the graves of Confederate Soldiers as early as 1862.  President Lincoln delivered his famous "Gettysburg Address" on November 19, 1863 at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Historians in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania claim that ladies decorated Soldier's graves there on July 4, 1864. 

The first well known well known observance of a Memorial Day-esque event was in Charleston, South Carolina on May 1, 1865.  During the Civil War, Union Soldiers were held as prisoners of war in the Charleston Race Course.  As many as 257 of those soldiers died there and were buried in shallow, unmarked graves.  Freed Blacks cleaned up and landscaped the burial ground and erected a stone arch labeled "Martyrs of the Race Course."  Nearly ten thousand people gathered on May 1st to commemorate the dead, most brought flowers to lay on the burial field.  This celebration would be referred to by some as the "First Decoration Day". 

In April of 1866, tens of thousands of ladies in the South gathered in their respective towns to commemorate their war dead.  Ladies Memorial Associations began to spring up all over the South.  Their purpose was to decorate the graves of the Confederate Soldiers who died during the war.  Soon, all the States in the South caught on and began celebrating Confederate Memorial Day.



General John A. Logan


On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, commander of the Union Civil War Veterans Fraternity, the Grand Army of the Republic or GAR, issued a proclamation that Decoration Day should be observed Nationwide and annually.  Logan emulated the practices of the Confederate Memorial Day holiday stating, "it was not too late for the Union men of the nation to follow the example of the people of the South in perpetuating the memory of their friends who had died for the cause they thought just and right."

On May 30, 1865, Memorial Day as we know it was celebrated for the first time.  Flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery.  Events were held in 183 cemeteries in 27 States.  Northern States quickly began to adopt the holiday.  Ceremonies were sponsored by the Women's Relief Corps, which numbered 100,000 strong.  By 1870, the remains of over 300,000 Union Soldiers had been reinterred in 73 National Cemeteries, located near various battlefields from the war.  The preferred name of the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882.  By 1890, all the Northern States had adopted the holiday.  Southern States refused to acknowledge the holiday, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I.  The National celebration did not become a common occurrence until after World War II. 



Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae


On May 3, 1915, Canadian Physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote the words to the now famous poem "In Flanders Fields".  McCrae was inspired to write it after presiding over the funeral of his friend and fellow soldier, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres.  "In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8, 1915 in London's Punch magazine.


"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields."


In November of 1918, humanitarian and Professor Moina Michael, penned the poem "We Shall Keep The Faith".   The inspiration of her poem was McCrae's "In Flanders Fields".  


"Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.


We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a luster to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.


And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields."


Michael then conceived an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who had died while serving the Nation in war.  She was the first to commemorate this practice. 

In 1967, "Memorial Day" was declared the official name of the holiday by Federal Law.  The "Uniform Monday Holiday Act" of 1968 moved four holidays, including Memorial Day from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create 3 day weekends.  This changed Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday in May.  Traditionally, United States flags are placed on the graves of Soldiers who died while serving our country. 


Graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day


Many cities in the United States have National Cemeteries where veterans and war dead alike are buried.  The Raleigh National Cemetery was one of five National Cemeteries established in 1865 to provide burial grounds for Union Dead.   The cemetery was established while General William Tecumseh Sherman was in possession of the City of Raleigh in April of 1865.  The location of the cemetery was formerly known as Camp Green, a U.S. Army post for the Union occupation fort.  A post cemetery containing 32 unknown Union Soldiers pre-dates the National Cemetery.   


Unknown Union Soldier's Grave at Raleigh National Cemetery


The cemetery also contains casualties and veterans from each war the United States has participated in since the American Civil War.  There are six groups of burials dating to World War II that contain the remains of 16 servicemen.  The graves are marked with flat markers that bear the name, rank, and date of death of each of the 16 men.



Sergeant William Maud Bryant


The Raleigh National Cemetery is also the final resting place for Vietnam War Era Medal of Honor recipient, Sergeant William Maud Bryant.  The following excerpt is Sergeant Bryant's Medal of Honor Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.  Sfc. Bryant, assigned to Company A, distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer of Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company 321, 2d Battalion, 3d Mobile Strike Force Command, during combat operations.  The battalion came under heavy fire and became surrounded by the elements of 3 enemy regiments.   Sfc. Bryant displayed extraordinary heroism throughout the succeeding 34 hours of incessant attack as he moved throughout the company position heedless of the intense hostile fire while establishing and improving the defensive perimeter, directing fire during critical phases of the battle, distributing ammunition, assisting the wounded, and providing the leadership and inspirational example of courage to his men.   When a helicopter drop of ammunition was made to re-supply the beleaguered force, Sfc. Bryant with complete disregard for his safety ran through the heavy enemy fire to retrieve the scattered ammunition boxes and distributed needed ammunition to his men.   During a lull in the intense fighting, Sfc. Bryant led a patrol outside the perimeter to obtain information of the enemy.   The patrol came under intense automatic weapons fire and was pinned down.   Sfc. Bryant single-handedly repulsed 1 enemy attack on his small force and by his heroic action inspired his men to fight off other assaults.   Seeing a wounded enemy soldier some distance from the patrol location, Sfc. Bryant crawled forward alone under heavy fire to retrieve the soldier for intelligence purposes.   Finding that the enemy soldier had expired, Sfc. Bryant crawled back to his patrol and led his men back to the company position where he again took command of the defense.   As the siege continued, Sfc. Bryant organized and led a patrol in a daring attempt to break through the enemy encirclement.   The patrol had advanced some 200 meters by heavy fighting when it was pinned down by the intense automatic weapons fire from heavily fortified bunkers and Sfc. Bryant was severely wounded.   Despite his wounds he rallied his men, called for helicopter gunship support, and directed heavy suppressive fire upon the enemy positions.   Following the last gunship attack, Sfc. Bryant fearlessly charged an enemy automatic weapons position, overrunning it, and single-handedly destroying its 3 defenders.   Inspired by his heroic example, his men renewed their attack on the entrenched enemy.   While regrouping his small force for the final assault against the enemy, Sfc. Bryant fell mortally wounded by an enemy rocket. Sfc. Bryant's selfless concern for his comrades, at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.



Grave of Sergeant William Maud Bryant
 

On May 18th, I visited the Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina.  While many National Cemeteries are located near the fields of battle that claimed the lives of those buried there,  Salisbury National Cemetery is located near the mass burial of thousands of Union troops who died while being held as prisoners of war at Salisbury Prison.  As many as 11,000 unknown Union Soldiers are believed to be buried there in unmarked mass graves in 18 separate burial trenches.  The area of the trenches remains unmarked, however the outline of the trenches is marked by "Unknown Soldier" Markers.



Marker for Unknown U.S. Soldier at Salisbury National Cemetery


In the early 1900's, Maine and Pennsylvania both erected monuments to their dead at Salisbury National Cemetery.   A Federal Monument was erected in 1876 to commemorate the unknown dead. 



Federal Monument erected in 1876


The inscription on the front panel reads:

"In 18 trenches, just south of this spot, rest the bodies of 11,700 soldiers of the United States Army, who perished during the years 1864 and 1865 while held by the Confederate Military Authorities as prisoners of war in a stockade near this place."



Inscription on the Federal Monument



Although the majority of my ancestors who served in the American Civil War were Confederate Soldiers, I have found 46 members of my family who served in the Union Army.  Five of these men made the ultimate sacrifice for the Union.

Below are the known Union casualties my family incurred during the American Civil War:

1) Private Pinkey Quinn Collins (3rd cousin, 5x removed)  Company A, Missouri 75th Infantry Regiment.  Died ten days after a gunshot wound received at the Battle of Crooked Creek, Missouri, August 15, 1862.  43 years old at the time of his death. 


Grave of Pinkney Quinn Collins


2) Private David Thomas Bressie (1st cousin 6x removed)  Company D, Missouri 32nd Infantry Regiment.  Died from disease at Young's Point, Louisiana, January 23, 1863.  41 years old at the time of his death. 



Grave of David Thomas Bressie


3) Sergeant Samuel I. Sneed (2nd cousin 5x removed)  Company B, Indiana 16th Infantry Regiment.   Killed during the Battle of Vicksburg, May 24, 1863.  34 years old at the time of his death. 

4) Private Andrew J. Sneed (2nd cousin 5x removed) Company B, Indiana 16th Infantry Regiment.  Killed in action during the Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 4, 1864.  20 years old at the time of his death.  Brother of Samuel I. Sneed. 

5) Sergeant David John Stovall (2nd cousin 5x removed)  Company I, Louisiana 2nd Union Cavalry Regiment.  Died from disease at General Hospital, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, September 4, 1864.  37 years old at the time of his death. 


Grave of David John Stovall


**An interesting side note, my 5th Great Grandfather, Allen Noblin was a Private in Byrne's First Virginia Regiment during the War of 1812.  Allen was killed in action in Petersburg, Virginia on October 25, 1814.  He was 34 years old at time of his death. 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Company B, North Carolina 71st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Junior Reserves: Captain William Hamilton Overman, my 5th cousin 5x removed

Captain William Hamilton Overman


During the final days of the American Civil War, as the number of Confederate troops dwindled, the only resource available to the South was to extend the age of military conscription.  The Confederacy already accepted all able bodied men between the ages of 18 and 45.  On February 17, 1864, the Confederate Congress passed a law placing in the “Reserves” those men between the ages of 17 and 18 and between 45 and 50.  Originally these men were not to serve outside their native State, however this rule was quickly disregarded out of necessity.  Known as the "seed corn of the Confederacy", Eight Battalions of Junior Reserves were created in the Summer of 1864.

Seventeen year old William Hamilton Overman was originally commissioned as Captain of Company A, North Carolina Second Battalion of Junior Reserves in May of 1864.  This Battalion was composed of  three companies and was organized at Camp Holmes, near Raleigh, North Carolina on May 31, 1864.  John H. Anderson was elected as Major of the Battalion.  Anderson had served as a Private in the famed "Bethel Regiment" and later as First Lieutenant of Company D, North Carolina 48th Infantry Regiment and had resigned on account of wounds.  The North Carolina 2nd Battalion of Junior Reserves was ordered to report to Goldsboro, North Carolina in June of 1864. 

On July 16, 1864, the Second and Fifth Battalions of Junior Reserves were combined into "Anderson's Battalion".  John H. Anderson was elected as Lieutenant Colonel and W. F. Beasley (of the 5th Battalion) was elected Major.   Anderson's Battalion spent the Fall of 1864 at Weldon, North Carolina.  On October 4th, Captain W. S. Flynn's company was added.  The Battalion was ordered to report to Tarboro and then on to Plymouth where the "CSS Albemarle" had just been blown up by Lieutenant W. B. Cushing of the Federal Navy.  After a brief march, just as the Battalion was nearly to Plymouth, they were met by the North Carolina 50th Infantry Regiment.  The 50th had been forced to evacuate the town by the Federal fleet.  Now that the "Albemarle" was out of commission, Federal gunships were able to maneuver freely along the Neuse.  Anderson's Battalion returned to Tarboro and then back to Weldon. 

On December 7, 1864, Captain W. R. Williams' Company was added, which converted the Battalion into a full Regiment.  John H. Anderson was elected Colonel.  W. F. Beasley was elected Lieutenant Colonel and N. A. Gregory was elected Major.  The Companies were reorganized and relettered.   The North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves, also known as the North Carolina 71st Infantry Regiment, was formed by the consolidation of the Second and Fifth Battalions.  Captain William Hamilton Overman commanded Company B, which was comprised of men mainly from Rowan County, North Carolina. 

On December 8, 1864, together with six Companies of the North Carolina 70th Infantry Regiment/NC 1st Junior Reserves, the Regiment was ordered to Belfield, Virginia to meet the advance of Federal General Gouverneur Kemble Warren's Corps. The Junior Battalions faced enemy fire for the first time and followed the enemy for several miles on their retreat.  The weather was very cold and the Confederates were poorly clothed and badly fed.  Although the men suffered from terrible exposure, only a few were killed or wounded in the fight.  For their conduct, the Legislature of North Carolina passed a special vote of thanks to the Junior Reserves. 

In January of 1865, the Regiment was joined by Millard's Battalion and sent to Coleraine, a small town in Bertie County nestled along the Chowan River.  There, the Confederates were expected to meet the advance of the enemy.  The men marched through deplorable conditions to find that the enemy had withdrawn from that location.  Following their return, the Regiment was ordered to Goldsboro and then on to Kinston where the Three Regiments of Junior Reserves (70th, 71st and 72nd North Carolina) and Millard's Battalion were placed in a Brigade commanded by Colonel F. S. Armistead, brother of General Lewis Armistead who was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.  The Brigade was attached to General Robert F. Hoke's Division.  Armistead's Junior Brigade camped on the north of the Railroad about one mile west of John C. Washington's farm. 



General Robert F. Hoke


On March 6, 1865, Federal troops from New Bern began advancing towards the encamped Confederates.  Armistead's Junior Brigade along with the rest of Hoke's Division marched down the South West Creek below Kinston, where the Regiment was on the left of the Confederate Army.   On March 8th, the men crossed the creek and formed a line of battle.  In handsome style, the young Confederates pushed back the enemy.  General Hoke put himself at the head of the troops after dark and moved by the left flank down the road towards the Neuse River with their purpose being to turn the enemy's right flank.   Around midnight, Hoke received information that caused him to order the Confederates to retrace their steps and retreat toward their original entrenchment west of the creek. 

On March 11th, the news that Sherman's troops were coming up by way of Fayetteville, made it's way to the Confederate Troops stationed in Kinston.  The Confederates marched through Goldsboro on their way to Smithfield, where they united with the Army of Tennessee under the command of General Joseph Eggleston Johnston. 


General Joseph E. Johnston


On March 17, 1865, the Army of Tennessee took up the movement to engage Sherman's Federals.  On the night of March 18th, the Confederates encamped just beyond the town of Bentonville, North Carolina.  As the sun began to shine on the morning of Sunday, March 19th, the North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves entered the Battle of Bentonville on the left of Hoke's Division.  By mid afternoon, the Confederates led a gallant charge and took two successive lines from the enemy.   The overwhelming numbers of the Federals enabled Sherman to out-flank the Confederates on their left during the night and the next morning, the Confederate line of battle, which had faced Southwest on Sunday, was thrown back and now faced nearly due East.  The Confederate line was strengthened by a breastworks made of logs and dirt and held against all Federal assaults on the 20th and 21st of March.  On the night of March 21st, the Federals again out-flanked the Confederates.  The North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves quietly withdrew from the field of battle and leisurely fell back to Mitchener's Depot.  Sherman's forces chose not to pursue, but moved on to Goldsboro to join the column from New Bern that the Confederates had engaged at South West Creek. 

Armistead's Junior Brigade elicited high praise not only from their commander, but also from Generals Hoke and Hardee, who commanded the Division and Corps respectively.  General Joseph E. Johnston added praises with his post war writings.  The North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves incurred 41 casualties during the Battle of Bentonville.  For three days with about 14,000 men, at no time with all reinforcements reaching more than 20,000, Johnston's Confederates held Sherman's 70,000 Federals at bay and had fought one of the most remarkable battles of the war. 

At Mitchener' s Depot, the Army was reorganized and took a much needed rest.  On April 6, 1865, the Confederates had a grand review, the last held in the Confederate armies.  The Junior Brigade was the largest in the parade.  Governor Vance was present and gave high accolades to the young men. 

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.  On the 10th Of April, the Junior Brigade along with the rest of the Army of Tennessee began their retreat coinciding with Sherman's advance from Goldsboro.  On April 12th, the Confederates passed through Raleigh with Hoke's Division acting as rear guard.  There, a few of the officers heard of Lee's surrender, but it was not well known the the Army at large.  At midnight, the last Confederate pickets passed through the city and early on April 13, 1865, the Federals had taken possession of the Capital of the State of North Carolina. 

The Confederates camped about seven miles west of Raleigh on the night of April 12th.  The next morning, the Army was divided, part going from Hillsboro to Greensboro, while Hardee's Corps, to which the Junior Reserves belonged, took the route through Chapel Hill through the Alamance Battle Ground (of Revolutionary War fame). 

The Junior Brigade halted several days at Red Cross, in Randolph County, to await President Johnson's actions on the Johnston-Sherman treaty made at Bennett Place, Durham, North Carolina on April 14th.   Initially this treaty was not approved in Washington, however the definite surrender of April 26th, 1865 had been arranged. 

On May 1, 1865, Major General Robert F. Hoke issued the following farewell address to the Division:

"Soldiers of my Division: 

On the eve of a long, perhaps final separation, I desire to address to you the last sad words of parting.

The fortunes of was have turned the scales against us.  The proud banners which you have waved so gloriously on many a field are to be furled at last;  but they are not disgraced.  My comrades, your indomitable courage, your heroic fortitude, your patience under suffering have surrounded these with a halo which future years cannot dim.  History will bear witness to your valor and succeeding generations will point with admiration to your grand struggle for constitutional freedom.  Soldiers, your past is full of glory.  Treasure it in your hearts.  Remember each gory battle field, each day of victory, each bleeding comrade.  Think then of your future.

"Freedom's Battle once begun,
Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son,
Through baffled oft, is ever won."

You have yielded to overwhelming forces, not to superior valor; you are paroled prisoners, not slaves;  the love of liberty which led you in the contest still burns as brightly in your hearts as ever, cherish it, nourish it, associate it with the history of the past.  Transmit to your children, teach them the rights of freeman and teach them to maintain them;  teach them that the proudest day in all your proud career was that on which you enlisted as a Southern soldier, entering that holy brotherhood whose ties are now sealed in the blood of your compatriots, who have fallen and whose history is covered with the brilliant records of the past four years.

Soldiers amid the imperishable laurels that surmount your brows, no brighter leaf adorns you than your late connection with the Army of Northern Virginia.  The star that shone with the splendor over its oft repeated field of victory, over the two deadly struggles at Manassas Plains, Richmond, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg has sent its rays and been reflected wherever true courage is admired and wherever freedom has a friend.  That star has set in blood, but yet in glory.  That army is now of the past.  Its banners trail, but not with ignominy;  no stain blots its escutcheon, no blood can tinge your face as you proudly announce that you have a part in the past history of the Army of Northern Virginia.

My comrades, we have borne together the same hardships, we have braved the same dangers, we have rejoiced over the same victory;  your trials and your patience have excited sympathy and admiration and I have borne willing witness to your bravery.  It is with a heart full of grateful emotion for your service and ready obedience that I take leave of you.

May the future of every one of you be as happy as your past career has been brilliant and no cloud ever dim the brightness of your fame.  The past looms before me in its illuminating grandeur.  Its memories are a part of the past life of each of you;  but it is all over now.  The sad, dark veil of defeat is between us and a life time of sorrow is our only heritage.

You carry to your home the heartfelt wishes of your General for your prosperity.

My command, farewell!

R. F. Hoke
Major General

Headquarters Hoke's Division, near Greensboro, N.C.

On May 2, 1865, the Confederates fell in ranks for the last time.  Parole was given to each man and the men began making their separate ways back to their homes.  Each man began to make the transition from soldier back into citizen.


My 2nd cousin 5x removed, William Hamilton Overman was Captain of Company B, North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves.


William Hamilton Overman was born in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina on October 19, 1846.  He is my 5th cousin 5x removed.  William was a student prior to the war.  He was commissioned as Captain of Company B, North Carolina 2nd Junior Reserves on May 23, 1864 at the age of 17. 


1st Muster for William


William was listed as being present and accounted for through April of 1864.  He was paroled on April 26, 1865 in accordance with General Joseph E. Johnston's surrender to General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place, Durham, North Carolina. 



Muster Roll showing William's Parole


William lived an additional 36 years following the end of the Civil War.  He died in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina on July 16, 1901 at the age of 54.  He is buried in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina.



Grave of William Hamilton Overman

The inscription on the back panel of William's grave reads:  "In war he was a brave and gallant Confederate Soldier, Captain at the age of seventeen.  In peace he discharge every duty with fidelity.  A true friend and affectionate brother;  a devoted son, a loving and tender husband.  "The memory of the just is blessed.""


Close-up of back panel



An interesting side note, William's younger brother Lee Slater Overman was the first United States Senator from North Carolina to be elected by popular vote.  The passage of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution in 1913 standardized the popular vote election of Senators.  Previously Senators were were appointed by the State Legislature, as was the case with Lee in 1902 and 1909.   Lee was born in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina on January 3, 1854.  He is also my 2nd cousin 5x removed. 



Senator Lee Slater Overman

Lee served in the United States Senate for 27 years until his death in 1930.   He wrote and sponsored the Overman Act of 1918 also known as the Departmental Reorganization Act, which gave President Woodrow Wilson extraordinary powers to coordinate Government Agencies during wartime.  He also chaired the Overman Committee, a subcommittee that investigated foreign propaganda in the United States during the first Red Scare from 1919 - 1921. 


Lee Slater Overman seated in the center while chairman of the Overman Committee


Lee Slater Overman died in Washington D. C. on December 12, 1930 at the age of 76.  His funeral was held in the Chamber of the United States Senate.  Lee is buried in Chestnut Hills Cemetery in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina.



Lee Slater Overman Family Plot

Close-up of the Grave of Lee Slater Overman


Since William and Lee were brothers, I'm only listing one relationship chart.

Here's my relation to William: