Author Topic: Relatives on Both Sides of the Conflict (Read 1092 times)

Cherokee Mike · « **on:** June 12, 2011, 05:19:45 AM »

My dad has been researching our family history and we discovered my great, great, great grandfather was a Cherokee private who fought for Confederate General Stand Watie. During another search we discovered my great, great grandfather from another family line was a private fighting for the North in the West Virginia volunteers.

My West Virginia relative was 39 years old when he enlisted. He had a wife and 6 or 7 children. Both relatives survived the war without injuries and lived for many more years.

I wish I could go back in time and visit with both relatives to talk about their experiences during the war. In particular, I would like to find out how my 39-year-old relative's wife reacted when he told her he had enlisted. That was border-line old age back then. Maybe having a large family gave him the motivation to get away for awhile.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2011, 06:37:56 AM »

I have a distant cousin that died at andersonville. I visited his grave which was well marked and well maintained. it didn't stir any emotions but I thought I'd like to bring him back and sit and talk a while. we today can't realize what went on then. history books don't tell you much.

SouthernByGrace · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2011, 11:37:50 AM »

Quote from: Cherokee Mike on June 12, 2011, 05:19:45 AM

I wish I could go back in time and visit with both relatives to talk about their experiences during the war. In particular, I would like to find out how my 39-year-old relative's wife reacted when he told her he had enlisted. That was border-line old age back then. Maybe having a large family gave him the motivation to get away for awhile.

You and me both, brother. I don't know of any my ancestors who fought for the North.
My great grandfather is my direct link to the War. (3 generations ago) In all, I have tracked down 49 close relatives who all fought for the South. My great grandfather was 15 when he joined in 1864, after trying over a dozen times since 1861. His unit was combined with several others and about two weeks before General Sherman came through southeast Georgia in late November 1864, they were sent to Virginia to fight with General Lee.
He had a 19 year old brother who died at the Battle of the Wilderness. His two oldest brothers were both severely wounded and were at home recuperating when General Sherman came through Georgia in late November, 1864. They were both taken from there homes and were refused any further medical attention. One of them died on the way to Savannah, and thrown out out of the wagon along the side of the road to rot, while the other one was able to make it to Savannah. From there, he was put on a train and taken to Elmira POW Camp in New York. He survived the War and the Camp, but was never able to work again.

Like you, I would love to be able to talk to them and get some sort of idea of their feelings on the War itself, the causes, etc. I'm one of the lucky ones, in that my great grandmother (they were married at 15), as well as two great uncles, kept explicit journals about the events they encountered. Although the journals do give me a really good glimpse into what went on, I would still love to talk to them and hear what they'd have to say.

I don't know for sure, but I think my great grandfather was probably the youngest in my family to serve, at 15. He was the baby out of 16 children. His oldest brother (the one who survived Sherman and Elmira) was 28 when he joined. A good bit of the land they owned back then is still in the family, owned now by first and second cousins, and some of the descendants of the former slaves (we know them well).

Great thread. Thanks for a good topic.

SBG

VT30-30 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:32:34 AM »

I to would like to be able to sit and talk with some of my relatives. My GGG grandfather was in the 10 th Vt. Vols. and was taken
prisoner at the Battle at Cold Harbor, Va on June 1, 1864. He was taken to Libby for a few weeks and then went to Andersonville.
He was pardoned on Feb. 28, 1865 and was in and out of hospitals until he was discharged in June 1865. He had health
problems the rest of his life.

SouthernByGrace · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2011, 08:18:45 AM »

Thanks for sharing your story, VT30-30. Could you imagine actually being able to talk to them? Whether we went back in time or they came forward, nothing could please me more. To know first-hand of what they went through, what their feelings were, how they suffered; it would be the ultimate gift to be granted such a thing.

SBG

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2011, 04:03:51 AM »

I did some research and found that my Great Grandfather migrated to this country from Poland in 1855 at the age of 16. Only few short years later in 1861 he enlisted in the 6th Texas Infantry of the CSA, and was taken prisoner in the battle of the Arkansas River, and several months later was involved in a prisoner exchange.

He served until 1865 with the rank of sargent.

That is all I know, and sure wish I could sit a talk with him a while and learn of all the hardship he went through. He had 9 children.

SouthernByGrace · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2011, 08:21:16 AM »

Hey Jimbo. Welcome to the forum.
Man! Can you imagine what he went through just to get here? He was just 16 and, like most people of the time, probably had never ventured more than 20 miles from home. Then he comes all the way over here, which Had to seem like it took forever, and got caught up in a War he could have never anticipated. Then he gets captured and becomes a POW.

The fortitude he must have developed had to be staggering. Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

SBG

SouthernByGrace · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2011, 08:26:41 AM »

Bugeye, you're exactly right. If we want to learn true history, we have to get out and go see for ourselves. A visit to Andersonville can be a very humbling experience.
The stories those men could tell...

Thanks for some great thoughts.

SBG

VT30-30 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2011, 08:46:54 AM »

SBG, I hope someday to get to Andersonville and see the area. I'm sure it'll be a very moving experience. I have my GGG granfathers
military record and their is a listing with his name and prison number. I've read that if I have his name and number I may be able to
find his name listed as a prisoner. I'm hoping to get down their in the next year or so.
Thanks Steve

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:09:20 AM »

Thanks SBG, and I'd been lurking around here off and on but the civil war and having ties to it have always peaked my interest.

My GGF was an adventurous soul to say the least, and my Grandpa died when I was just a young boy, and regretfully I never got to talk much to him about his dad.

There wasn't much record of his war exploits other than what I found looking up the history of the 6th Texas Cavalry, and I had always heard from my mom that he was a hard working family man and very religious.

Can't help but feel pride, and I've tried to model my life after his.

Thanks for the welcome and God Bless!

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:24:51 AM »

My GGG Grandfather fought with the 5th Tennessee Union Cavalry. My GGGUncles fought with the 35th TN Infantry CSA.

SouthernByGrace · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2011, 02:44:37 AM »

Hey Swampy, long time no see.

That's another situation where I would like to be a fly on the wall. Tennessee was pretty much split in half. I wonder if the two families ever talked about their choosing different sides before the War? Did they argue about it or were they simply not ever in contact with each other?

I can see it now, actually sitting there with them on the front porch, rocking and sipping on some sweet tea (as if there were any other kind

) and not being able to say a Word from being too awe struck...

Thanks for sharing Swampy

SBG

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2011, 03:41:04 AM »

I have a reunion photo of my GGG Uncles in the 1880s. They are wearing reunion uniforms and Jeb Stuart style hats. The dark looking fellow standing next to one of my GGG Uncles has the word (colored) after his name.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2011, 03:54:12 AM »

vt30-30.... they've got a big book with names and grave numbers. he'll be easy to find.

subdjoe · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2011, 04:31:39 AM »

This past week I got an email from some sort of long lost relative (can they be 'long lost' if you never knew about them?), not sure of the relationship, some number cousin or nephew with several removes or greats or something, asking if I was related to a certain person. Allowed that I was. Got sent some information that fills in some gaps in the family shrub (not fancy enough to be a tree). Seems that I had some sort of kin that went into Point Lookout and died there. Or that is the supposition. He went in but there all track of him stops. He isn't on the official list of those who died there.

SouthernByGrace · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2011, 01:55:23 PM »

Swampy, it would be great if you could get that photo on here. I'd like to see that. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but one like that is probably worth more like a million...

Great stuff guys.

SBG

squirrellluck · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2011, 06:53:24 PM »

Haven't found any union soldiers in my family tree yet. May be some and that would be ok too. We have always been taught to stand for our convictions. So far it is My ggg grandfather, gg grandfather and 2 of his brothers in the Louisiana infantry on my father's side. Several from his mother's side and my momma's gg grandfather. Have not seen the papers yet but supposedly most of my ggg grandfather's brothers were in the CSA. I think we just like to fight

We have't missed a war since before the war of 1812. Still researching the family before that. But yeah, would love to sit down with them and listen. I am afraid that those from both sides would be ashamed of what we have let this country become

SouthernByGrace · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2011, 04:06:36 AM »

Quote from: squirrellluck on June 18, 2011, 06:53:24 PM

Haven't found any union soldiers in my family tree yet. May be some and that would be ok too. We have always been taught to stand for our convictions. So far it is My ggg grandfather, gg grandfather and 2 of his brothers in the Louisiana infantry on my father's side. Several from his mother's side and my momma's gg grandfather. Have not seen the papers yet but supposedly most of my ggg grandfather's brothers were in the CSA. I think we just like to fight We have't missed a war since before the war of 1812. Still researching the family before that. But yeah, would love to sit down with them and listen. I am afraid that those from both sides would be ashamed of what we have let this country become

I agree.
I have my great grandfather's Confederate Pension papers. My cousin has all of his (ggf) brothers' Pension papers and I have copies. That's a long line of fighting men squirrellluck. I know you're proud of them all.

Thanks for sharing your story.

SBG

littlecanoe · « **Reply #18 on:** June 19, 2011, 09:03:42 AM »

The perspective that can be gained by a willing review and accurate interpretation of our countries corporate and individual family histories is amazing.
My paternal gggf was a volunteer member in the 7th Ky Vol Cav. It is very interesting to trace the movements of the 7th KVC through the Adjutant(sp?) Generals Compiled correspondence, 50 odd volumes, from the turn of the 20th cent. This combined with pension records reveals some interesting things.

Jumping ahead to my gf who died before his 95th birthday, he would be 100yo this September, is another education. To have heard him speak you would have believed him to be a died in the wool democrat yet he was a "Republican" a tradition that goes back to my gggf who fought for the Union.

This is the history and mentality that formed my opinions early in life and from which I've turned near 180 degrees. (Having been raised in KY, Lincoln was literally crammed down our throats because of his birthplace in Hodgensville. I don't recall much at all being taught about Davis' home in Western KY. Such is the nature of balance in education.)

The simple observations of a Ky hick,
lc

williamlayton · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2011, 10:56:27 PM »

The Close's came from New York, the Laytons came from Georgia.
My heritage, from New York, came to Texas in 1837. They did not support secession . Those from Georgia and Alabama did--but those in Texas before the civil war did not.
On my grandmothes side--the Eppersons--came from Kentucky before the war and did not support secession.
Lots of folks in Texas did not support secession.
Blessings