Saturday, April 13, 2013

Death Of Isaac Y. Smith, 43rd., Mass. Infantry..

The following was taken from the 43rd., Regimental History.

Page 71.  Private Isaac Y. Smith of Orleans, Mass., a member of Company E, was shot through the body as he lay upon the ground, and instantly killed ; those nearest to him only noticing a slight tremor or convulsion as he passed away. In the confused way in which we were lying, he was surrounded by the men of our company.

Page 73.  The incessant discharges of artilleiy made the heavens shake. Many of our men were hit by bullets and fragments of shell, and several were slightly hurt ; but only one was killed outright. A shell carried away the arm, and tore away the vitals, of Isaac Y. Smith, a private from Cod in Company E, killing him instantly.

Page 101.  Lieutenants Colesworthy of our compamy and Nickerson of Company E, were upon their feet at once when private Smith was killed. It was thought at first that his injury was only to the arm, and they proceeded to obtain a tourniquet. But it proved that the missile had not only cut off his arm, but had gone also through his body, and buried itself in the ground, so that he had passed beyond
mortal aid.

If you would like to read more about Mr. Smith and his service and family take this link.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=smith&GSfn=isaac&GSmn=y&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=44080184&df=all&

Friday, April 12, 2013

Andrew J. Jones, 55th., Illinois, Infantry.

ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES.

Illinois Civil War Detail Report.

Name; JONES, ANDREW J. Rank: PVT. Company: B. Unit; 55 IL US INF. Personal Characteristics. Residence: OAKWOOD, COLES CO, IL. Age: 20. Height; 5' 1. Hair: LIGHT. Eyes: BLUE. Complexion: LIGHT. Occupation: CLERK. Nativity: COLES CO, IL. Service Record. Joined When: AUG 27, 1861. Period: 3 YRS. Muster In: OCT 31, 1861. Muster In Where: CHICAGO, IL.

From the 55th., Regimental History.
 
Andrew J. Jones, of Company B. He was a small, active man, and a general favorite with his company. He had enlisted as a musician, but at his own urgent request had been placed in the ranks. He had before been wounded by a buck-shot at Shiloh, which hit him in the forehead, and came out at the back of the head without breaking the skull. At Russell s House he advanced with the rush of his company, and when about one hundred yards from the house he was seen to drop his gun and throw up his hands, and heard to exclaim with a loud voice, "Hurrah for the Fifty-fifth!" and immediately fell to the ground. After the contest was ended he was found dead, having been shot through the breast in the region of the heart.
Authors note.  Killed at Russell's House, May 17, 1862.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Murder of Frank C. Kendall, Arkansas.

  I have a very good friend who is a historian her name Wanda M. Gray, she is from Waldon Arkansas.  I met her a few years ago while she was working on one of the Civil War Battles that happen around Waldon.  Being a hobby military historian she asked for helpe on her book "Civil War in Scott County, Arkansas.''  She writes to me when ever she needs help on one of her stories.

She asked help on the story you are about to read, but I must say I was very little help.  I found the story very interesting and asked if it was ok to post it of couse she said yes. ''Thanks Wanda.''

Murdered Civil War Veteran.
BY
Historian Wanda M. Gray.
 
On the steamy hot day of 8 July 1920, Civil War veteran Frank C. Kendall, who served in Company I, 52nd Illinois Regiment of Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, met a brutal death in the now extinct community of Newman, in the also extinct township of Brushy, in Scott County, Arkansas. This 74 year old solitary figure lived alone near the caring and congenial neighbors Andrew J. and Myra Harrell near this remote village and when he didn’t stop by on his return from Waldron on the 6th of July to get the bread she had baked for him, Mr. Harrell went in search of him.

It would be two weeks before his ravaged body was discovered in an abandoned well about a mile from his home. Upon the recovery of the body, it was discovered that this old soldier, who had survived the bullets and cannon fire of many bloody battles in the Civil War, could not survived the furry of two shotgun blasts to the face and neck. 

Acting swiftly, Sheriff O. S. Bird arrested fifty year old Andrew Sherrills and twenty-two year old Alva Lamar, and charged them with the crime of murder, with robbery being the motive. In the August term of court they were speedily indicted for the meditated, deliberate assault and killing of Kendall by shooting him with a gun loaded with gun powder and leaden bullets. The evidence indicated that it was generally believed that Kendall drew a $50.00 a month pension check from the government and that on the 6th of July when he made this three month journey of 19 miles into Waldron to buy supplies that he had $200.00 on his person. 

Prosecuting Attorney J. Sam Wood tried Case No. 741 in front of Judge John Brizzola at Waldron o the 1st, 2nd, 3rd of August 1921. The defendants hired two local law firms Bates and Duncan, and Smith and Payne for their defense. Inspite of the best efforts of the able prosecutor J. Sam Wood, a jury of twelve highly respected citizens of the county returned a verdict of not guilty for both Sherrills and Lamar. 

There were no further arrests, therefore, the murderer of veteran Frank C. Kendall has never been brought to justice in this life. His body rests in a beautiful but remote forest, atop a ridge in the southeast part of Scott County, Arkansas in an abandoned cemetery. His government grave marker is protected only by a huge uprooted fallen pine tree that had also lived out its life’s span

Frank C. Kendall, Service Record.
 
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report.
Name: KENDALL, FRANK C
Rank: PVT
Company: I
Unit: 52 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence: DUNDEE, KANE CO, IL
Age: 18
Height: 5' 10
Hair: LIGHT
Eyes: HAZEL
Complexion: LIGHT
Occupation: FARMER
Nativity TRUMBULL CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When: JAN 25, 1864
Joined Where: DUNDEE, IL
Joined By Whom: LT DAVIS
Period: 3 YRS
Muster In: FEB 23, 1864
Muster In Where: ELGIN, IL
Muster Out: JUL 6, 1865
Muster Out Where: LOUISVILLE, KY
Muster Out By Whom: CPT GUTHRIE

The story as it appeared in the Walden News.


Push to enlarge.


John B. Biddle, 101st., Ohio Infantry.

Push to enlarge.
John B. Biddle.


Birth: 1838, Ohio.
Death; December 31, 1862, Murfreesboro, Ruthford County, Tennessee.
Burial; Stones River National Cemetery, Murfreesboro, Ruthford County, Tennessee.


LIEUTENANT JOHN B. BIDDLE Enrolled at Sulphur Springs, July 23, 1862. Mustered as Second Lieutenant Co. C.  Killed in Battle of Stone's River, December 31, 1862. He was instantly killed while the Regiment was making its third stand, at the northern edge of the cotton field. At the moment of his death he was waving his sword and encouraging his men to stand firm, no matter what the odds. Brave, generous, noble-hearted, he was greatly loved by all the boys who knew him.

Israel D. Jones, 19th., Maine.

Maine 19th., Infantry, Co. G.

Israel D. Jones, Private, Age 21, Residence China, Mustered in August 25, 1862.  Killed Haymarket, Virginia, June 25, 1863.

From the 19th., Regimental History.

Israel D. Jones, of Company G, the first soldier in the  Regiment killed by the enemy. In less than ten minutes from the time that Mr. Jones was chatting cheerfully with the man marching at his side, he was buried by the roadside and left  to sleep his last sleep.

Monday, April 08, 2013

John Rowley Kills Jerome Dupoy, Connecticut 7th., Infantry.

Murder at the battle of Oluster Fla.
February 20, 1864.

Company D., Connecticut Infantry.

A grewsome incident occurred in the battle. After it was over it was reported to Captain Skinner that Jerome Dupoy, a substitute of Company D had been killed, shot through the head by John Rowley, another substitute in the same company. Neither of the men could speak much English. Some time before they had a quarrel and Dupoy cut Rowley with a knife, and at the same time Rowley swore vengeance.

As on investigation there was no proof that the shooting was intentional. Captain Skinner did not report it. So much was said about it in the company, however, that Rowley was arrested on suspicion and placed in the guardhouse. There he was troublesome, could not sleep, saw ghosts and at last confessed that he shot Dupoy purposely in revenge He was afterward tried, found guilty of murder and hung.

Jerome Dupoy, Private, Residence Redding, Enlisted November 6, 1863.  Killed February 20, 1864, Oluster Fla.

John Rowley, Private, Residence Ridgefield, Enlisted November 2, 1863.  Hung by G. C. M., September 3, 1864, Petersburg, Va.