Does anyone have any family members that served in the Civil War? Whats your history?

SFC A.M. Drake — Wed, 14 May 2014 07:15:02 -0400

1861-1865 more importantly do you have proof? My 3rd generation grandfather Albert Newsom(Buffalo Soldier) served he was married to my 3rd gen grandmother Sarah Newsom. Cool items of history. Final confirmation is coming from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

Date of service:
1863-1865 Company B 38th Regiment? (Pndg NARA verification)

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made May 14 at 2014 7:29 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Wed, 14 May 2014 07:29:13 -0400

My father follows lineage and ancestry and discovered we had several in our family line serve in the Civil War.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 14 at 2014 7:39 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 14 May 2014 07:39:02 -0400

While researching my ancestry, I found a great-great uncle who lost a leg in the battle of Murfreesboro (aka battle of Stones River). He was transferred to a 'convalescent' regiment in Cleveland Ohio and later transferred to Dayton Ohio to the (then) new convalescent home (now the site of the Dayton VA Medical Center and National Cemetery). On a side note, once he was discharged, he returned to Morgan County, Ohio and continued to FARM (with one leg) until his death at the age of 89 (as a result of breaking his remaining leg and gangrene setting in). Talk about resiliency!

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 9:12 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:12:57 -0400

My Great-Great-Great-Grandfather was Lieutenant Colonel James Dunbar Van Valkenburg.

He was born in 1829 in Lexington, NY and moved to Macon, GA in 1850. His father moved the family south to find a better climate for his ailing wife, who ultimately died of illness in 1851. While living in Macon, he volunteered with the Young American Fire Company No. 3. The Young American movement was a pro-small government, pro-states' rights faction of the Democratic Party that endeavored to serve the public. My ancestor contributed by starting that fire company. His father built the first steam-powered mill in Macon and began a modest business in the 1850s. He faced financial hardship because he was "an industrialist in an agricultural society."

In 1852, James married Molly Morgan, daughter of a middle-class family whose father had left for the gold rush and left a $20,000 inheritance to his daughter. Mrs. Morgan didn't take kindly to James, claiming he was after her daughter's money. James went as far as to draw up an official statement at the courthouse proclaiming he didn't care about the money, just Molly's heart. Apparently it got so bad that Mrs. Morgan forged a letter to James claiming to be Molly and told him "she didn't love him anymore." James saw through this and continued to call on her daughter. Mrs. Morgan posted friends of the family on the porch with guns. One night, Molly left to see her cousin across town. Mrs. Morgan fell for the ruse and she rode fifteen miles in the rain at night to meet James on a back road, where he waited with a preacher. They were married and had four children through the 1850s. When Molly inherited the $20,000, the Van Valkenburgs built a quaint home just outside of Macon and freed the nine slaves her father had owned. Both were against the institution and drew fire for their views.

As the 1850s drew towards the 1860s, both James and Molly became avid secessionists. James drilled with the local militia and was one of the first in line to call for Georgia's secession after President Lincoln's election. On 24 September, 1861, James resigned his position as fire chief and moved to enlist in the Army of Georgia. Mayor Tompson of Macon refused and commissioned him as a captain with the task of raising a company from the city. James established the Tompson Guards and recruited some 150 men. His entire fire company followed him into the Army.

The Tompson Guards were formally attached as Company I to the 61st Georgia Infantry Regiment, Lawton's Georgia Brigade, Ewell's Division, Jackson's Corps, in the Army of Northern Virginia. Their baptism by fire was at the Battle of Gaine's Mill on 27 June, 1862. From there on, the 61st Georgia followed the exploits typical of most units. They were on the right flank of Stonewall Jackson's line at Fredericksburg. During that battle, Captain Van Valkenburg was captured while tending to a wounded colonel by the 7th Pennsylvania Reserves. He was later included in a prisoner exchange, perhaps due to the efforts of US Congressman Robert B. Van Valkenburgh (he spelled his surname with an "h"). He made Major on 01 July, 1863 at Gettysburg (filling a vacancy made by a bullet), where the 61st was positioned on the south side of town opposite the top of the Federal line's "fish hook."

My ancestor's most intriguing exploit was at the Battle of the Wilderness. Major Van Valkenburg volunteered to go on a reconnoiter mission to find Federal stragglers sighted nearby and take them prisoner. He took forty men and rode out into the woods to maintain cover. His men sighted Union soldiers, then realized that they were looking at what could be up to a regiment of men. When informed of the undoubtedly larger force's presence, James declared that they had gone to take Federal prisoners, so that's what they were going to do. In a daring move, Major Van Valkenburg rode out of the trees alone and approached the unit with his sword drawn. He introduced himself and declared them prisoners of war, which the Federal Colonel found amusing and rejected. James then bluffed and informed him that if he wanted to fight an entire Brigade waiting in the tree line, he was welcome to send his men to their deaths. The Colonel reconsidered Major Van Valkenburg's declaration and acquiesced. After the Union troops laid down their weapons and turned over their flags, Major Van Valkenburg signaled and his forty men escorted the Federal unit back to camp. In an ironic twist of fate, Major Van Valkenburg had captured the entire 7th Pennsylvania Reserves (who had taken him prisoner at Fredericksburg), a force of over five hundred men. From then on, he was known throughout the 61st Georgia as the "Hero of the Wilderness."

Major Van Valkenburg was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Adjutant of the Regiment on May 12th, 1864. The 61st Georgia marched up the Shenandoah Valley, as General Gordon was moving his brigade north towards Winchester to make a push into Maryland and raid Washington, DC. While en route to the Federal capital, they were found and blocked by Union troops at Monocacy, Maryland on July 9th, 1864. The fighting quickly intensified and the 61st Georgia boldly advanced on the Federal positions, which remained steadfast. At the height of the battle, the opposing sides were only forty yards apart. In a gallant effort, Colonel Van Valkenburg rallied the men for a charge, riding towards the Union line. As the charge unfolded and the Federal soldiers fired a volley, bullets found their mark and killed him instantly.

After the Battle of Monocacy, a group of wounded and captured men from the Thompson Guards buried their beloved commander, the Hero of the Wilderness. They chose to lay him to rest at the foot of a solitary tree next to the farmhouse that had been at the epicenter of the battlefield. In 1866, his body was exhumed by the men of his old fire company and buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia.

The 61st Georgia continued on to the end of the war, comprising part of General Lee's bedraggled army at Appomattox Courthouse. By the war's end, only 150 of the 700 that marched in 1862 had survived. Eighty were wounded and only forty were armed.

Response by CPL Anthony Brown made Oct 31 at 2014 6:36 AM

CPL Anthony Brown — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 06:36:27 -0400

My great grandfather served in the NY 10th Calvary and was mustered out as a CSM in Virginia, I have to go look at his discharge papers to see just where. He was just one in a long line of family members who served gong all the way back to the "King Phillip's" war. He also was the cause of consternation in the older family members because he refused a Commission and became the first family member to serve as an Enlisted soldier. His son, my Grandfather, was the baby of the family and missed the Spanish-American War, was too old for WWI and was the only "Generational" member not to have served in the Military and that is a line the goes back to Plymouth Rock.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 7:21 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 07:21:02 -0400

I am not sure, but surely this Virginia gal has had at least one or two relatives who have served in the Civil War.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Oct 31 at 2014 8:11 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:11:47 -0400

That is great! I have wanted to do some research on my family tree but haven't gotten to it yet. Maybe I will do it once I actually retire from work.

I am from Virginia so I am sure I have someone back in my family history.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 31 at 2014 8:45 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:45:59 -0400

I know that I have ancestors on my fathers side of the family, Swartz & Egley that fought for the Union but I have not as of yet gotten into doing an ancestral search or family tree to delve into it. I will probably find ancestors on my mothers side as well being that they were form Michigan and more than likely served in the forces of the Union.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 9:08 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:08:01 -0400

Relatives on both sides, including William G. Cubberly, MOH who enlisted in Civil War at age 16, earned MOH during Indian Wars. Outlined in my newest book now on Amazon: Coberly Connections: Pilgrims, Patriots, Presidents.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 11:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 23:30:59 -0400

As I mentioned in another thread some time ago...my family's military service history goes back to the Revolutionary War. I come from a long and proud line of patriots. My SOLE concern while I was actively serving was that I would never bring shame to the Tousley name; that I would never dishonor my heritage in any way.

The following is a very short list of my ancestors that served in the Civil War. If I made this list exhaustive...it would exhaust you to read it.

* William H. Tousley (NY - UNION) - Regiment code 164, Roll ID 234, Soldier ID 24886.
http://www.mocavo.com/William-Tousley-New-York-Civil-War-Military-Collections-Index-1861-1865/ [login to see] [login to see]

* PVT. Theodore E. Tousley (Ohio - Union) - 7th Infantry, Company E.
http://www.fold3.com/document/299750718/

* Joseph C. Tousley (Ohio - Union) - Enlisted April 23, 1861 and mustered out August 31, 1861, Company K, 19th Inf. Reg. Ohio. Enlisted August 16, 1861 and mustered out September 25, 1865, Company A, 2nd Cavalry Regt Ohio [Unit 104 Ohio Infantry].

In 1880 Joseph C. Tousley was elected to the Legislature of the recently admitted State of Kansas. Later he was editor of a newspaper and prominent in the affairs of Oklahoma; in 1897 he served as speaker of the House in the Legislature of that state. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26604959

* Judge (COL - UNION) Hiram S Tousley - 88th Infantry Regiment Indiana.

The 88th Regiment Indiana Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Active: August 29, 1862 to June 7, 1865
Allegiance: Union
Branch: Infantry
Engagements:
Battle of Perryville
Battle of Stones River
Tullahoma Campaign
Battle of Chickamauga
Siege of Chattanooga
Battle of Lookout Mountain
Battle of Missionary Ridge
Atlanta Campaign
Battle of Resaca
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
Battle of Peachtree Creek
Siege of Atlanta
Battle of Jonesboro
Sherman's March to the Sea
Carolinas Campaign
Battle of Bentonville
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39440275

* Rev Joel F Tousley - Married Susanna McBride 1833 in Summit Co., OH. Joel & Susanna had fourteen children - four of which served in the Civil War. (Rev. Joel did not serve, but raised 4 sons that did!) http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6475774

* PVT. Thomas C. Tousley (Ohio - Union) - 10 Ohio Cavalry, Company E. Number 2224858
http://www.mocavo.com/Pvt-Thomas-Tousley-Usa-National-Park-Service-Civil-War-Soldiers-and-Sailors-Database-Soldiers-Index/ [login to see] [login to see]

* Andrew Tousley (Ohio - Union) - Served under General Rosencrans, 64th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His unit was stationed in Mississippi and Kentucky before participating in the Tullahoma and Atlanta Campaigns. He died in Jonesboro, Georgia on September 3, 1864 and is buried in Marietta National Cemetery.

As I humbly mentioned before, I am simply the tip of a very long spear. I stand on the shoulders of men much greater than me, but none of whom could claim greater love for their country than I.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 1 at 2014 1:19 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 01:19:21 -0400

I envy all your awesome family history. My last name isn't even Merino. Mom is adopted and dad took the stepdad's name. I come from a long, proud, (handsome), swarthy heritage of...........?

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Nov 1 at 2014 1:44 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 01:44:37 -0400

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Nov 1 at 2014 8:49 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 08:49:09 -0400

Yes... on both sides apparently. My Great Grandfather, George Washington Whiteside, was in the Nebraska Calvalry, and he went on to be a Judge in Kansas after the war.
I have his picture in full uniform and his wife's application for a pension, does that count as proof?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 4 at 2015 7:33 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 19:33:17 -0500

SFC A.M. Drake , at least six of my eight great, great grandfathers served during the War Between the States, as follows:
William H. Curlee, Logan's Mounted Infantry Company, CSA – grave marker
Noble Glenn Delashaw, 20th Alabama Infantry Regiment, CSA
Thomas Jefferson Holland, Company K, 48th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, CSA – grave marker, amnesty oath, State of MS testamentary letter
Lewis Gibson Kilgore, Company K, 59th Alabama Infantry Regiment, CSA – grave marker
Edwin William Sockwell, Company K, 4th Alabama Cavalry Regiment, CSA – grave marker
William Isom Thompson, Company D, 11th Alabama Cavalry Regiment, CSA

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 5 at 2015 11:43 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 11:43:17 -0500

I have several relatives who served in the "War of Northern Aggression"... :-) Although I don't have the documents, I have seen several.

My great-grandfather's house (plantation) was once used as General Grant's headquarters and it was on the dining room table of that house that the Union plans for the Battle of Shiloh were created. As a result, the house was spared the fate of so many other grand plantation homes in that it was not burned to the ground by that domestic terrorist General William Tecumseh Sherman, who ravaged the South.

OK ... some of this was "tongue in cheek", but the facts about my ancestors and the house are true, as is the reason for it not being destroyed by the Union Army.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 5 at 2015 12:03 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:03:10 -0500

PVT John O. Dawson served with the 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry/Company H (Union).
During the Battle of Lone Jack, John was severely wounded in the left thigh. He was also pinned under a horse, but was pulled free by a buddy. John lost his horse and gear during the battle. Because of his wound, John was discharged from service in 1863 and began to receive a disibility pension of $4.00 in 1878 At the time of his death his pension had been increased to $16.00 a month.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2015 4:48 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:48:57 -0500

According to my uncle who is a family history buff, my great great great great grandfather spoke just before President Lincoln at the Gettysburg address.

Response by Sgt Ken Prescott made Jul 25 at 2015 1:54 AM

Sgt Ken Prescott — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 01:54:34 -0400

My sister is the family genealogist; I'd have to ask her for the details, but I know one of my ancestors was at Cemetery Ridge with Company B of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The regiment died--but they gave II Corps time to deploy against the Confederate assault. Every man did his duty.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 2 at 2016 11:59 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 11:59:24 -0400

John O. Dawson served with the 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. During the Battle of Lone Jack, John was severely wounded in the left thigh. He was also pinned under a horse, but was pulled free by a buddy. John lost his horse and gear during the battle. Because of his wound, John was discharged from service in 1863 and began to receive a disability pension of $4.00 in 1878. At the time of his death his pension had been increased to $16.00 a month.

I'm sorry I don't have a better pic. As far as I know this is the only one still around. I created a site for him on Together We Served. It's a great way to honor him I thought: http://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=Profile&type=Person&ID=332484

TogetherWeServed - Connecting US Army Soldiers

Army.Togetherweserved.com is the place for Soldiers to reconnect with old friends, network socially and professionally, and remember their service.

Response by SSG William Jones made May 8 at 2016 1:49 AM

SSG William Jones — Sun, 08 May 2016 01:49:50 -0400

Yes, I had a maternal great-grandfather who fought in Company G, 2nd regiment, Georgia State Troops, CSA… and on the strength of that, I was admitted to the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). My great-grandfather was not foreign nor was he an enemy. He was an AMERICAN SOLDIER.