In honor of Memorial Day 2018 coming up this week we have been asked to write a Military story by our mentor, Amy Johnson Crow. Here is a definition of Memorial Day that will guide me in this post: "Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces. The holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, started after the Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate dead." from http://time.com/3892630/why-do-we-celebrate-memorial-day/
In my research, I have not found any of my direct ancestors who died while in the service of their country. There may be some, but I have not found that information, yet! So, I am going to focus on one particular family who was hit particularly hard by the Civil War, also known as the War of the (Southern) Rebellion, War Between the States or the War of Northern Aggression. (http://www.historynet.com/civil-war).
I have written before about my 3rd great grandmother (on my mom's side of the family) Elizabeth Davenport, born April 17, 1813 and died September 23, 1901. Her daughter, Lucinda Lewis, my 2nd great grandmother, lost her first husband, William H. Johnson, to this war. He was born around 1829-1830. William and Lucinda married July 11, 1850 in Newton County, Georgia, but had moved back to Newberry County, SC by 1860. According to the Confederate Civil War Records, William H. Johnson enlisted on May 13, 1862 as a Private in the 3rd Regiment of the South Carolina Infantry, Company E, also known as Kershaw's Brigade, possibly as a substitute for William Shultzbacher.
There were many young men from Newberry County, South Carolina in Company E and in this Brigade. During the Battle of Chicamauga, Tennessee, September 18-20, 1863, William, along with many others, was wounded. After the battle, the troops moved on toward Atlanta where William was buried October 28, 1863 in Oakland Cemetery, Row 17, # 2 grave, Atlanta, Georgia. Apparently he died in October in Fairgrounds Hospital #1, since he was mentioned in an October document as "Doing Well".
Elizabeth also lost a son, William Pitts, Jr. in the Civil War. After her first husband, George Lewis died, Elizabeth, between 1834-1836, married a Davenport cousin, William Pitts (December 27, 1812 - January 31, 1864). Their second son, William, Jr. served in the same Regiment as William H. Johnson, but in a different Company. William Pitts, Jr. had perished just nine days before William Johnson enlisted. A record of many of the deaths of several young men can be found in the Bush River Baptist Church Minutes, on Page 225, entitled "In Memory of our beloved Brethern who have fallen in the Servis [sic] of our beloved Southern Confederacy". About William Pitts it states, "William Pitts born 11th September AD 1837 Volunteered in Capt. Davidson's Company, 3rd Regiment S. C. at the first call of his country, and was wounded at the Battle of Richmond on the 29th of June, of which wound he died on the 20th July 1862."
Not only did Elizabeth lose at least one son in the war, her husband, William Pitts, and their two youngest children, Sarah Catherine, age 10 and Moses W., age 6, all died within 5 days of each other in 1864, before the War was over. The children died five days before their father on January 26. I am still researching Elizabeth's other sons, John and James, who would have been old enough to serve in the War, but records have not been found yet.
The widowed Elizabeth Davenport Lewis Pitts married Abner W. Reeder on November 15, 1868. Abner (who also happens to be my 2nd cousin 5 times removed on my Dad's side of the family) had lost two sons to the War, also. His eldest son, Sergeant James R. C. Reeder, was born about 1835. James also served in the 3rd Regiment S. C. Volunteers as William Johnson and William Pitts, but in Company B. Records show that he died September September 27, 1863 from wounds received in the Battle of Chicamauga, Tennessee, September 18-20, 1863, the same battle as William H. Johnson.
Capt. Gary was listed on one of the papers in his file as a commanding officer.
This record shows that he was enlisted on April 14, 1861 in Newberry by S. N. Davison for 1 year.
It appears he was hospitalized for several months for Typhoid Fever and Pneumonia in a hospital in Virginia, from about December 2, 1862, and returned to duty Feb 4, 1863. His promotion to 1st Sergeant was on August 1, 1863. This document names Abner W Reeder as his father, who will receive back pay owed him for service before his death.
And a document signed by Abner W. Reeder stating that he is the father of Sergeant James R. C. Reeder and that he died with no wife, child or children.
This document states that at the time of his death, September 27, 1863, he was 28 years old, 6 feet 1 inches tall, had fair complexion, Hazel eyes and light colored hair. It also states that he was a merchant by trade and that he was re-enlisted on April 14th, 1862 by Lt. Col. Rutherford in Newberry. It reiterated the details of his death and that he was serving under Captain T. W. Gary in Company B of the 3rd Regiment of South Carolina. It also lists $55.00 wages due and his debt to the Confederate Army for $35 for clothing.
As if this wasn't enough, Abner lost another son to the ravages of War. Alfred M. Reeder, born about 1846, enlisted into the same Company as his brother, James R. C. He was enlisted for 3 years on May 14, 1862 in Newberry by the same Col. Rutherford, just 1 month after his brother re-enlisted. He was admitted into Chimborazo Hospital No. 3, Richmond, Virginia on November 27, 1862 with Measles, and was furloughed to go home on December 4, 1862. He died June 10, 1863. This document states he died in Newberry, Virginia, but I believe it was more likely he died at home in Newberry, South Carolina. I am unable to verify the cause of death, but I assume it was from the effects of the Measles, since he had been furloughed home for Measles.
Elizabeth Davenport Lewis Pitts Reeder, along with her extended family including her daughter's husband, at least 1 son of her own, and 2 sons of her 3rd husband, made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and what they believed to be a right cause. It is persons like this and their families we remember on Memorial Day.
On this Memorial Day weekend, let us remember and give thanks for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their county.
'Til next time!
#52Ancestors
In my research, I have not found any of my direct ancestors who died while in the service of their country. There may be some, but I have not found that information, yet! So, I am going to focus on one particular family who was hit particularly hard by the Civil War, also known as the War of the (Southern) Rebellion, War Between the States or the War of Northern Aggression. (http://www.historynet.com/civil-war).
I have written before about my 3rd great grandmother (on my mom's side of the family) Elizabeth Davenport, born April 17, 1813 and died September 23, 1901. Her daughter, Lucinda Lewis, my 2nd great grandmother, lost her first husband, William H. Johnson, to this war. He was born around 1829-1830. William and Lucinda married July 11, 1850 in Newton County, Georgia, but had moved back to Newberry County, SC by 1860. According to the Confederate Civil War Records, William H. Johnson enlisted on May 13, 1862 as a Private in the 3rd Regiment of the South Carolina Infantry, Company E, also known as Kershaw's Brigade, possibly as a substitute for William Shultzbacher.
Elizabeth also lost a son, William Pitts, Jr. in the Civil War. After her first husband, George Lewis died, Elizabeth, between 1834-1836, married a Davenport cousin, William Pitts (December 27, 1812 - January 31, 1864). Their second son, William, Jr. served in the same Regiment as William H. Johnson, but in a different Company. William Pitts, Jr. had perished just nine days before William Johnson enlisted. A record of many of the deaths of several young men can be found in the Bush River Baptist Church Minutes, on Page 225, entitled "In Memory of our beloved Brethern who have fallen in the Servis [sic] of our beloved Southern Confederacy". About William Pitts it states, "William Pitts born 11th September AD 1837 Volunteered in Capt. Davidson's Company, 3rd Regiment S. C. at the first call of his country, and was wounded at the Battle of Richmond on the 29th of June, of which wound he died on the 20th July 1862."
The widowed Elizabeth Davenport Lewis Pitts married Abner W. Reeder on November 15, 1868. Abner (who also happens to be my 2nd cousin 5 times removed on my Dad's side of the family) had lost two sons to the War, also. His eldest son, Sergeant James R. C. Reeder, was born about 1835. James also served in the 3rd Regiment S. C. Volunteers as William Johnson and William Pitts, but in Company B. Records show that he died September September 27, 1863 from wounds received in the Battle of Chicamauga, Tennessee, September 18-20, 1863, the same battle as William H. Johnson.
Capt. Gary was listed on one of the papers in his file as a commanding officer.
This record shows that he was enlisted on April 14, 1861 in Newberry by S. N. Davison for 1 year.
It appears he was hospitalized for several months for Typhoid Fever and Pneumonia in a hospital in Virginia, from about December 2, 1862, and returned to duty Feb 4, 1863. His promotion to 1st Sergeant was on August 1, 1863. This document names Abner W Reeder as his father, who will receive back pay owed him for service before his death.
And a document signed by Abner W. Reeder stating that he is the father of Sergeant James R. C. Reeder and that he died with no wife, child or children.
This document states that at the time of his death, September 27, 1863, he was 28 years old, 6 feet 1 inches tall, had fair complexion, Hazel eyes and light colored hair. It also states that he was a merchant by trade and that he was re-enlisted on April 14th, 1862 by Lt. Col. Rutherford in Newberry. It reiterated the details of his death and that he was serving under Captain T. W. Gary in Company B of the 3rd Regiment of South Carolina. It also lists $55.00 wages due and his debt to the Confederate Army for $35 for clothing.
As if this wasn't enough, Abner lost another son to the ravages of War. Alfred M. Reeder, born about 1846, enlisted into the same Company as his brother, James R. C. He was enlisted for 3 years on May 14, 1862 in Newberry by the same Col. Rutherford, just 1 month after his brother re-enlisted. He was admitted into Chimborazo Hospital No. 3, Richmond, Virginia on November 27, 1862 with Measles, and was furloughed to go home on December 4, 1862. He died June 10, 1863. This document states he died in Newberry, Virginia, but I believe it was more likely he died at home in Newberry, South Carolina. I am unable to verify the cause of death, but I assume it was from the effects of the Measles, since he had been furloughed home for Measles.
Elizabeth Davenport Lewis Pitts Reeder, along with her extended family including her daughter's husband, at least 1 son of her own, and 2 sons of her 3rd husband, made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and what they believed to be a right cause. It is persons like this and their families we remember on Memorial Day.
On this Memorial Day weekend, let us remember and give thanks for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their county.
'Til next time!
#52Ancestors
Comments
Post a Comment