Translate

Friday, April 29, 2011

Dancing With the Cavalry

Unless you are a historian, not much thought is given to what was happening in America during non-emergency times.  In 1904 thousands of men enlisted in the U.S. Army:  The Civil War was over, but there were conflicts in Cuba, the Philippines, and the Russians and Japanese were at war.  However, most of the enlisted men stayed in the United States stationed at camps and forts.  One such “family” person was James Bernard Murphey, the great-grandfather of my daughter-in-law, Melissa Murphy Oliver.

Melissa has shared with me photographs from the time James was in the army, and one of them is particularly delightful:  I call it “Dancing with the Cavalry.”  It is labeled as being at Camp Sugar Springs, Wyoming.  I do not know if James is in the picture or not, but it is obvious that the men were able to make their own fun while out in the field.




In exploring the above picture and others, I delved into a time period of America that was little known to me.

James enlisted with the U.S. Army on October 7, 1904, for a three-year stint, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, approximately 100 miles from his hometown of Midlothian, Maryland, where he was born on February 22, 1882.  When he enlisted, the clerk who entered his name into the record “changed” the spelling from Murphey to Murphy. Sometimes it is a mystery as to why last names get changed; the entry (found on Ancestry.com) probably answers this question.  On the enlistment register, James is listed as being 5′3″ tall; having blue eyes, black hair, dark complexion.  He was assigned to the 22nd Battery Field Artillery.



The above picture shows James in his dress uniform.  Wanting to find out more information about his uniform, with the hopes it would direct me towards his actual type of military service, I tried to track it down.  It appears that he is wearing the standard uniform of enlisted men which was adopted in 1875.   The “field” uniforms were more casual as the below picture shows.  James is the fifth individual from the left.



James was stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah, which was originally established to protect the overland mail route and telegraph lines along the “Central Overland Route” to the west.  In 1906 the majority of soldiers stationed at Fort Douglas were transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas, including James.  He was discharged on May 23, 1906, at Fort Riley.


J.B. Murphy (right) at Fort Douglas

Friday, April 15, 2011

Civil War Relatives, Part 3


On April 12, 1861—150 years ago—the Civil War started at Ft. Sumter, South Carolina.  In thinking about that fact this week, I thought it would be interesting to see what members in the family tree served during the Civil War.  In previous blogs I looked at my family and my husband’s family.  Now, it’s my daughter-in-law’s, Melissa Murphy Oliver's, family.  Melissa’s family had a lot of relatives that served during the Civil War.  I personally believe that one of the primary reasons for this was that with few exceptions, they came from Pennsylvania.  Pennsylvania, of course, was the epicenter for one of the most famous battles:  Gettysburg.  Additionally, the southern border/state line of Pennsylvania was the Mason-Dixon Line—the demarcation of the North and South boundary.

Here is a listing of some of the members from Melissa's family that served in the Civil War.

Baer, Elisha (1834-1896)—enlisted as a Private on August 27, 1864 in Company D, 200th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  He mustered out on May 30, 1865, in Alexandria, Virginia, with “Distinguished Service.”  The 200th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and participated in many engagements, primarily in Virginia.  Even though Elisha’s service was for less than one year, he participated in five battles.
Beal, Conrad Jr. (1830-    )—on September 26, 1864, Conrad enlisted in the Pennsylvania 93rd Infantry, Co. H.  He was wounded on March 25, 1865, at during a battle at Petersburg, Virginia.  On June 7, 1865, he mustered out with “Distinguished Service.”  Conrad’s infantry unit was assigned to Peck's Brigade which was present at the siege of Yorktown and active at the battles of Williamsburg, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg. In all, Conrad fought in 35 battles.
Beal, Hiram (1830-1908)—on September 1, 1864, Hiram enlisted in Co. D, 79th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.  He mustered out on July 12, 1865, in Washington, D.C., with “Distinguished Service.” Hiram’s Infantry Regiment fought battles in Tennessee and Georgia.
Bittner, Jeremiah (1840-1898)—enlisted on June 3, 1864, as a Private in Co. D, 87th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.  He mustered out on 29 June 1865 in Alexandria, Virginia, with “Distinguished Service.”  The first assignment for Co. D was spent on guard duty along the Northern Central railroad from the Pennsylvania state line to Baltimore. Afterwards, it joined the Army of the Potomac.  Jeremiah fought in 32 battles in Maryland and Virginia.
Hershiser, Henry J. (1832-1907)—on December 25, 1861, Henry enlisted as a Private in Co. C, 54th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.  During 1865 he was mustered out with “Distinguished Service.”  Henry fought in 23 battles in Virginia and West Virginia.
Housel, Solomon Michael (1836-1914)—served as a corporal in Co. K, Pennsylvania 171st Infantry from November 1, 1862, to August 16, 1863.
Knepper, Amos W.  (1841-1935)—enlisted on August 14, 1862, as a corporal in Co. E, 133rd Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.  He was mustered out on May 26, 1863, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Amos served along side his brother Henry Franklin Knepper.
Knepper, Hiram (1839-1901)—on February 25, 1865, he enlisted as a Private in Co. H, 15th Regiment, Illinois Infantry.  Hiram mustered out on September 16, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Knepper, Henry Franklin (1839-1922)—served along side his brother Amos W. Knepper as a Private in Co. E, 133rd Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania from 1862-1864.
Knepper, James Sanks (1829-1870)—enlisted on February 5, 1865, with Co. A., 148th Indiana Infantry in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The Infantry served for six months in the Civil War with a regiment organized at Indianapolis, Indiana; the unit mustered out on September 5, 1865.  This particular regiment was kept constantly employed doing guard and garrison duty in the interior of middle Tennessee.
Miller, Aaron J.  (1847-    )—enlisted in 1861 as a Private in Co. K, 5th Regiment, 204th Volunteers, and Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery.  Aaron mustered out as a corporal in 1865. This Company was assigned to duty along the Manassas Gap Railroad, protecting supplies for General Sheridan.  Additionally, they engaged in many battles.
Stahl, Augustus Finely (1845-1920)—enlisted in August 14, 1862 as a Private in Co. E, 133rd Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.  He was mustered out in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on May 26, 1863.
Staub, Henry H. (1849-    )—enlisted on September 7, 1864, as a private in Company F, 210th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.  He mustered out on May 30, 1865, in Washington, D.C., with “Distinguished Service.”  As soon as the Regiment was organized it left for the front and joined the Army of the Potomac.  Henry fought in nine battles, all in Virginia.
Woodward, Absalom (1826-1900)—On July 2, 1863, Absalom, enlisted for a period of six months in the Union Army in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and served in Co. A, Dale’s 1st Battalion Cavalry.  He received his honorable discharge in Pittsburgh on December 26, 1863, and was suffering from a respiratory illness at the time. On August 13, 1864, at Montgomery Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, he re-enlisted for a period of one year as a Private in Co. F, 206th Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He was entitled to a government “bounty” of $100, one-third of which was paid on enlistment.  On September 12, 1864, he was listed as a private in Capt. Kinter's Company (which subsequently became Company F) of the 206th Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry.  He was mustered out at the close of the war in Richmond, Virginia, on June 26, 1865, having been paid only to December 31, 1864.  He had received $38.63 for clothing in kind or money advanced and was still owed $33.33 of his bounty.
Yutzy, Joseph Clay (1843-1918)—enlisted on October 29, 1862, as a private in Co. H, 54th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.  He was mustered out on May 31, 1865, with “Distinguished Service.”  He was captured on October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Virginia, and held as a prisoner of war until March 11, 1965.  Prior to being captured, Joseph participated in over 30 battles and skirmishes.
Yutzy, Samuel D.—enlisted as a 1 Sgt. in Co. K, 171st Regiment Volunteers Pennsylvania.  Samuel was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on January 31, 1863; he mustered out with the Company, on August 6, 1863.

Civil War Relatives, Part 2

On April 12, 1861—150 years ago—the Civil War started at Ft. Sumter, South Carolina.  In thinking about that fact, I thought it would be interesting to see what members in the family tree served during the Civil War.  In a previous blog I looked at my family, now it’s my husband’s, Jim Oliver's, family.

Here is a listing of some of the members from Jim’s family that served in the Civil War.

Forbes, Benjamin F.  “Frank” (1831-1900)—enlisted as a private on August 17, 1862, with Co. D, Minnesota 9th Infantry.  He was mustered out on May 5, 1865, as a corporal with a disability.  The Minnesota 9th Infantry was involved with the Indian wars and the Sioux Uprising.

Forster, Charles H. Sr. (1842—1922)—was born in Prussia (Germany), and immigrated to the United States in 1854.  Charles enlisted in Co. I, Illinois 15th Infantry Regiment Union on May 24, 1861; he was promoted to full Sergeant and mustered out on July 20, 1864.  He then transferred to Co. E, Illinois Vet Battalion Infantry on the same date; he mustered out on March 24, 1865, and transferred to Co. E, Illinois 15th Infantry Regiment on the same date.  He was mustered out on September 16, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  This constant transfer from one company to another was not unusual during the Civil War.  As one Company suffered casualties and its numbers became decimated, that Company would be “mustered out” and attached to another Company from the same state (or in some instances, a different state).


Heinze, Charles A. (1838-1883)—was born in Bettendorf, Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1850.  On August 19, 1862, he was inducted as a Private in the Mankato Citizen Soldiers Regiment, Mankato, Minnesota.  This regiment was actually a recruiting unit for the Civil Was; but, on their way out of town they were ambushed by Indians.  Before going on to serve in the Civil War, this regiment became involved in what is known today as the Sioux Uprising. 

Williams, William Henry (1838-1882)—On April 22, 1861, William enlisted as a Private in Co. D, 3rd Infantry Regiment Wisconsin; and on August 12, 1861, he received a disability discharge.  He then enlisted on August 17, 1862, as a Private in the 6th Regiment, Co. D, 6th Infantry Minnesota.  On December 14, 1863, he transferred to the 3rd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery.  The 3rd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery was organized at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, from the enlisted men of the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Regiments, Minnesota Infantry (William had been a member of the 6th Regiment). On April 28, 1866, he mustered out as a corporal. The 3rd Independent Battery was primarily station at frontier outposts.

My next posting will cover the Civil War relatives of my daughter-in-law, Melissa Murphy Oliver.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Civil War Relatives - Part 1

On April 12, 1861—150 years ago—the Civil War started at Ft. Sumter, South Carolina.  In thinking about that fact, I thought it would be interesting to see what members in the family tree served during the Civil War.  In going through my data, I found that during 1863, men who were not currently serving in the Union military had to “register” for the Civil War draft of 1863:  for the most part, all males who were born in the 1820s-1840s.

Here is a listing of some of the members from my family that served in the Civil War.

Duerre, Henry (1830—bef. 1880)—was born in Saxony, Germany, and immigrated to the United States before the 1860s.  On September 1, 1862, Henry enlisted as a corporal for Union side serving state of Minnesota.  On September 15, 1864, he was mustered out at Ft. Snelling with “distinguished service.”
Hayward, Ebenezer (1844-1864)—served on the Union side during the Civil War and died during the battle of Spotsylvania (Virginia) on May 12, 1864.
Hendricks, Eber Augustus (1846-1921)—was a cavalryman in the Union services and was wounded in North Carolina when a musketball went through his neck.
Huntsinger, Josiah B. (    -1862)—was a member of the 8th Iowa Volunteer Infantry which was organized in Dubuque, Iowa, and left for service September 24, 1861. Josiah died on December 4, 1862, in Tennessee (presumably from war injuries) and is buried at the Mississippi River National Cemetery near Memphis, Tennessee, which is now known as the Memphis National Cemetery.
Keener, Daniel (1820-1877)—Daniel enlisted on July 18, 1962, in Elmira, New York.  He was promoted to full corporal on June 30, 1963, and mustered out on June 5, 1965, Washington, D.C.
Keeney, Adlebert (1841-    )—was a member of the 11th N.Y. Cavalry Regiment which left the state on May 2, 1862, and mustered out on September 30, 1865.  Adlebert died from the injuries received during the War.
Keeney, Saleman (1845-1866)—Saleman is Adlebert’s brother and also served in the 11th N.Y. Cavalry Regiment.  As Saleman’s death was in 1866, right after the 11th N.Y. Cavalry Regiment was mustered out, one has to wonder if he, like his brother, also died from war injuries.
Metselder, George (1823-1896)—was born in Holland and immigrated to the United States before the 1860s. On January 5, 1862, George enlisted as a private in the 5th Regiment, Co. G, Minnesota Infantry, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota.  His regiment was originally organized to fight in the Indian Wars in the Dakota Territories, but they also took part in the Civil War during the Battles of Luka and Corinth in Mississippi in October 1862 and another battle during January 1863.  Henry received a disability discharge on March 18, 1863.
Shay, Francis “Frank” (1840-1923)—was born in Bohemia (today’s Czechoslovakia) and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1853. Frank was a member of Co. H, 1st Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.  The 1st Regiment Minnesota Volunteers was mustered into service April 29, 1861, and it was the first one tendered to President Lincoln upon his calls for troops after the attack upon Fort Sumter, April 19, 1861, and this regiment is considered to be one of the outstanding regiments of the Civil War.
Shay, Martin Michael  (1845-1924)—is the brother of Francis and was also born in Bohemia.  He served with his brother in Co. H, 1st Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.
Smith, Charles Allen (1840-1912)—enlisted on August 26, 1861, in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, as a private in Company E, 8th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers.  On September 5, 1865, Charles was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.  The Eighth Regiment (known as the “Old Abes” which was the name of an eagle that was carried with the regiment throughout their campaigns) was organized at Camp Randall, Madison, and its muster into the United States service completed on the 13th of September, 1861, and left for St. Louis on October 12, 1861.  They fought many battles in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Charles Smith

Swarthout, Parfrey—served in the Civil War, presumably with a Minnesota Infantry.
Swarthout, William Harrison (1840-1926)—William enlisted as a private on August 15, 1862, in Co. C, 1st Cavalry Regiment Wisconsin; he mustered out on July 19, 1865, in Edgefield, Tennessee. The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry was organized at Ripon and Kenosha, Wisconsin. The regiment participated in the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis on May 10, 1865. The regiment was mustered out at Edgefield, Tennessee on July 19, 1865.Swartout, Napoleon B. (1829-1900)—served as a private in Co. 5, 6th Regiment Minnesota Infantry Volunteers from 1862-1865.  The 6th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry was organized at Camp Release and Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on September 29 to November 20, 1862.  It mustered out on August 19, 1865, at St. Paul, Minnesota.  His regiment was originally organized to fight in the Indian Wars in the Dakota Territories, but they also took part in the Civil War during battles in Louisiana and Alabama.


Part 2 of  Civil War Relatives will look at my husband’s family and my daughter-in-law, Melissa Oliver’s, family.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

An Unknown Father

As you know, from my first post, I have the unique background of having two fathers:  one biological, one adoptive.  I have always considered my adoptive father as my father and really never gave too much thought about my biological father.  However, in doing research this past week on something completely different, I “stumbled” across my biological father’s death date.

Usually, adopted children do not know much about their biological parents, particularly those adopted before the era of “open adoptions.”  I, and my biological brother Douglas, were adopted together in a private adoption in 1949.  I have always known the names of my biological father, mother, grandparents, etc. as my adoptive parents were very honest and open about the circumstances of the adoption.

My biological father was Robert Douglas Evans, born October 31, 1919, in Missouri, and dying on January 5, 2011, in Kansas City, Missouri.  I know he had a brother and a sister.  I know that my mother and he divorced, he remarried, and he had children.  Somewhere I have half-siblings.  I know that he enlisted at Ft. Lewis, Washington, for WWII, and the state where my biological parents were married.  He served in both the Navy and the Army Air Corps.  He was stationed in Maryland and Maine.  I know he lived out the rest of his life in Missouri.  Other than that, I did not know him; I know only what I was told and what I find out through research.  I do know that my brother looked very much like his biological father.

Every once in a while I toyed with the idea that perhaps I should try to find him and let him know I was doing okay; but, I never got around to doing that and perhaps that, too, is okay.  Maybe someday I will “stumbled” across my half-siblings; but if I don’t, that is okay.

ROBERT DOUGLAS EVANS
1919-2011