48th OVVI Researchers

The following are contributions from individuals whose ancestors were in the 48th OVVI or who are researching the unit's history. If you have information or photos relating to the 48th and would be willing to share them here, send email to Don Worth, webmaster@48ovvi.org.

 

 

 

Linda Beckelhymer Beckelhymer1@aol.com

Seeking information about John K Reed of the 48th Ohio. Background:

Hamilton Reed married Sarah Adams Aug.29,1822 in Clermont County Ohio. When he heard that land first opened up for sale ,he bought a farm near Laurel Ohio just a few miles from the ohio river. Hamilton was born May 6,1801 in Ky. he died Sept.2,1848 in Clermont county he is buried and Laurel Cermetery in clermont County ohio Sarah she was born Sept.12,1801 in New Jersey she died Nov.8,1874 she is buried in Bloom rose cemetary in Brown County Ohio CHILDRES Melvina Reed born1824 and died 1906 Rebecca E Reed born 1831 she married Enoch Stewart Dec.11,1859 she died 1902 in buried in Bloom Rose Cem. Mary Alice Reed born 1834 she married Santford Neal she died in 1902 and she buried in Neal Cem.Brown County Ohio Sarah A. Reed born 1843 Clermont county ohio she married Elijah Reddick Sept 24,1863 Ellen Caroline Reed Nov.17,1845 she married AaronLimming Dec.1,1867 she died june 6,1914 she is buried Warner Cem. Brown County Ohio John K reed born Aug,23,1827 clermont couhty he died Dec.24,1901 Ola Yell co.Arkansas John K.Reed was in Civil War bet 1861-1865 served in 48th infantry companr K of Ohio at Vicksburgs MS he was partly covered up in explosion of a mine but he dug out. John K. Reed married Sarah Burdsall Sarah Burdsall born Dec.4,1834 Clermont county ohio she die July 10,1857 in brown county ohio she is buried in Bloom Rose cemetery in brown conty ohio father Edmund Burdsall and mother Hester Ann Rodgers Giberson children Elizabeth Ellen Caroline Reed born apr.24,1853 clermont county ohio she married John W.Waite on Jan.15,1870 in brown county ohio she died July 22,1934 in Miller county Missouri buried in Livingston cemetery Millercounty Missouri George Marcellus Hamilton Reed born Nov.24,1855 in Kirbyville brown couthy ohio he married Louella Hudson on Dec.31,1882 in Lebanon Missouri .he remarried to Sarah Farquar on Mar.13,1925 George died on Nov.23,1938 [ John K Reed married Emma J.Malott who is are Great Great Grandmother John K. Reed married Emma Jane Malott Dec.12,1857 Emma Jane born Jan.13,1839 at Clermont county ohio she died Aug.20,1892 John K Reed born Aug 28,1827 died Dec.24.1901 childern Sarah Belle Reed born Mar.11,1856 birthplace Clermont ohio die Nov.29,1928 burial at Willamsburg Cemetery John K.Reed then married Ellen C.Verboice she was born about 1840 in Louisana she died Jun.6,1883 in Douglas county missouri Children Mary L.Reed born Aug.26,1867 Oscar A.Reed born Apr.1869 he married M.E.Huffman on Dec.10,1887 in Douglas county missouri Olive A.Reed born on Jan.12,1871 and die Sep.22,1873 miller county missouri and is buried livingston cemetery Miller county missouri. john K.Reed then married Hattie Ferister Irby Hawks on Sep.26,1883 she was born abt 1831-1865 she died abt 1888-1954 she was married to George Hawks was div from him at the time her and john was married her real name was Harriet Forester facts about her She living with son John in the 1903 census in Ola Arkansas in Yell county .She was the neice of General Beauregard he was a general in the civil war. children of john reed and Hattie Charlie O.Reed born Aug.8,1884 in Douglas co. missouri John Hamilton Reed born Dec.14,1885 in Douglas co. missouri Great Great Great Grandparents {james mom and dad} Christian Bone married Jonas Shoemake Sep.16,1836 in Greene.Ohio children James Shoemake born Feb.10,1855 Birthplace Blanchester Ohio

 

 

Gary Dulany Tyler, Texas gdulaney@cox-internet.com

Having been born & raised in Ohio, Summit Co., I enjoyed the Richardson letters. It is fascinating reading about prison life. I visited Camp Ford, briefly on Sunday afternoon. Lived in NW Iowa for a number of years. Captain Swiggett's town of Blakesburg is, I believe, located SE of Des Moines, and may have been located where Lake Red Rock or Rathbun are now. There was a lot of coal mining in this area years, ago. Visited Vicksburg, after Xmas. Will continue reading the rest of the chapters, today. What a great site.

Gary from Tyler, Texas.

 

 

Steve Koppelman Randolph, NJ ssskkopp@worldnet.att.net

While attending a local antiques show I came across and purchased a civil war era document--a final pay voucher for Private Josiah Washburn of the 48th Ohio, Co. I, who was discharged on Jan 26, 1863. Since that time I have been researching both the regiment and Private Washburn, obtaining copies of his military records from the National Archives (I'm still awaiting pension related information, if any). What I have found out to-date has led to more questions. First though, the following is what the military records tell me: 12/25/61: Enlisted 1/1/62: Transferred from Co. B to Co. I 2/27/62: Deserted from Camp Dennison, OH 8/8/62: Appeared on muster roll of convalescents forwarded from Louisville Barracks, KY to join his regiment 8/15/62: Rejoined regiment from desertion at Fort Pickering, Memphis, TN 12/20/62: Left sick at Fort Pickering 1/26/63: Discharged by surgeon's certificate due to bad ulcer on left leg before entering service, from General Hospital, Memphis, TN My main question at this point is why he would have deserted, only to rejoin his regiment about 6 months later? Since he rejoined his regiment after being forwarded from some type of convalescent facility, it's unclear as to how he would have gotten to this facility in Kentucky as a deserter (unless it was also some type of prison). Seems more likely that instead of deserting, perhaps he was ill and was sent to a hospital. Furthermore, his final pay voucher (that I acquired at the antiques show) indicates that he was paid for all 12 months of service in 1862 plus through Jan 26, 1863. Why would the army pay a deserter for 6 months that he was gone? I don't expect anyone out there to have exact answers to these questions, but if you have any information at all that may help to explain some of these apparent inconsistencies, or any information at all on Private Washburn, I would be very grateful. Please email me at the above address. Thank you, in advance.

Ruth Beechem Pensacola, FL BEECHEMS@cox.net

In research, I've found a 2nd cousin who was also from Delaware, OH and the family has numerous historical documents in their possession. One is a Fort Sumter 48th OVI reunion book (the cover is made from wood of Fort Sumter). It's autographed by many officers and has a handwritten note inside with Joseph W. Lindsey's name. We think he's related to us (this must have been valuable to him and he had no living children) and just received his pension file.. wonderful stuff and names of several 48th OVI soldiers who wrote affidavits to him (injured at Shiloh)

 

 

Pat Roddy patrodd@iapdatacom.net

Researching my gggrandfather Hugh Dunseith (1833-1893). The first record I have of him in Ohio is when he joined the 48th OVVI Co. "C" at Camp Dennison in October 1861. He was in many battles including Cornith, Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Magnolia Hills, Champion Hills and Sabine Crossroads in LA. Sabine Crossroads is where he was captured and sent to Camp Ford in Texas. He was in the exchange of troops and mustered out in 1865. He returned to Ohio and married Matilda Lafferty - he had served with her brother Elijah. They settled on 6 plus acres in Salem Township near Lynchburg. Their land was near a crossroads that led to Buford - this highway is now Rt. 134. I do not know where he was prior to 1861 but I believe he came from Ireland but when and where he entered the U.S. is not known. I would appreciate any information regarding Hugh Dunseith.

 

 

 

Laura J. Nuhfer nuhfer@wcnet.org

My g-g-grandfather was George Benton Aldrich who served in Company B. He was from around Delaware, Ohio. He enrolled on 11/11/1861 and was honorably discharged on Oct. 24, 1862 after being wounded sometime at Pittsburgh Landing. He received a shell wound to his left hip/leg and was sent a week later to Camp Dennison. He then enlisted in Co. G 88 Ohio Vol. Infantry 7/11/1863 at Camp Chase Ohio. (P.S. He had a son born in July 1862 that he named Shiloh Landing!)

Interestingly, when I was reading the regimental history, I discovered my husbands g-g-grandfather fought within a few hundred feet at Shiloh from Aldrich's regiment. He was a Captain in the 72nd Regiment Company D of OVVI that organized out of Woodville,Oh. I am unable to locate a site for him, however. I was really impressed with all the work put into this site.

 

 

 

Brian Trostel Oregon shawtrostel@earthlink.net

I am the great-great grandson of George Trostel, who is in your photo gallery. My dad has been researching him for years. We had never seen a picture of him until this one was added to your collection. I noticed that in your roster list of Company F, it says George enlisted in 1864. George was an original member of Company F, fought in the battle of Shiloh and many others, and was captured at the battle of Sabine Crossroads. He re-enlisted in 1864, I believe. As I said, my father has his entire Civil War record. Thank you for all the work you put into this site.

 

 

David Poche Mid-Missouri Civil War Round Table poche@midamerica.net

RE: F. M. Posegate comments on the Mississippi flag incident

I am by no means an expert on the Battle of Shiloh Church but my best guess would be that the Confederate unit involved in the Mississippi flag incident was either the 6th Mississippi or the 3rd Mississippi both of which were under Hardee and I would place a little more weight on the former than the latter. I base my guess on several articles written by Beauregard, Hardee, and Polk describing the preparation for the first day of battle from "The Confederate Soldier in the Civil War" by Fairfax Press (pp. 78 - 85). These articles unfortunately provide very little of the chronology of what actually happened.

Lets look at the possible players. Under Bragg, the following Mississippi units were : the 2nd Brigade (Chalmers); the 5th (Fant); the 7th (Mimson); the 9th (Rankin) and the 10th (Smith). Hardee's 3rd Corp had two Mississippi units the 6th (Thorton) and the 3rd (Hardcastle) and Polk had the Mississippi Battalion under Blythe. Breckinridge had the 15th (Statham) and the 22nd but Breckinridge was in the Reserve during the initial fighting so I discount his units. We know from your great grandfather's report that the fighting began at breakfast (probably near dawn) and that the incident with the Mississippi flag occurred about 10 a.m.

We know from the Beauregard article (p.77 ) that the Confederates initially entered the battle in three distinct waves along the Pittsburg Road: Hardee followed at some distance by Bragg followed at another distance by Polk and Breckinridge brought up the rear. Hardee was the first to deploy to a battle line. This must have happened at or near dawn. Hardee (p.80 ) states, "The order was given to advance at daylight on Sunday, April 6th. The morning was bright and bracing. At early dawn the enemy attacked the skirmishers in front of my line, commanded by Major (now Colonel) Hardcastle [ 3rd Mississippi - my note], which was handsomely resisted by that promising young officer. My command advanced, and in half an hour the battle became fierce….at the same time Cleburne's brigade [Hardee's Third Corp - part of which was the 6th Mississippi - my note] with the Fifteenth Arkansas, deployed as skirmishers, and the second Tennessee, en echelon on the left, moved quickly through the fields, and though far outflanked by the enemy on our left, rushed forward under terrific fire from the serried ranks drawn up in front of the camp [Union encampment - my note]. A morass covered his front, and being difficult to pass, caused a break in the brigade. Deadly volleys were poured upon the men as they advanced, from behind bales of hay, logs and other defenses and after a series of desperate charges the brigade was compelled to fall back." I speculate this is the time of the Mississippi flag incident. Hardee goes on to say "In this charge the Sixth Mississippi, under Colonel Thorton, lost more than three hundred killed and wounded out of an effective force of four hundred and twenty five men. It was at this point also that Colonel (now Brigadier-General) Bates fell severely wounded while bravely leading his regiment." Pinning the timing at 10 a.m. is difficult but Polk's article (p.81) states, "I took a position early in the morning near the forks if the road [Pittsburg Road - my note] to wait for the troops of General Bragg to pass. [Polk was in command of the third wave and Bragg was in command to the second wave - my note] While there in waiting, at 10 a.m., Generals A.S. Johnston and Beauregard, with their staffs, rode up from the rear, and halting opposite me, gave me orders to move promptly in the rear of General Bragg so that I might give the road to General Breckinridge, who was following me, coming in from General Bragg's route." Thus at 10 a. m. Polk and Breckinridge were not deployed and Bragg might have been only partially deployed. Polk goes on to further say "I was also ordered to halt my column one mile and a half in the rear of the place at which General Bragg's line of battle crossed the road, and to deploy my corps to the left on a line parallel to that of General Bragg, General Breckinridge having been ordered to halt at the same point and deploy his corps to the right, with his left resting on my right"

So my guess and speculation is that it was the 6th Mississippi that was involved in the flag incident.

Dave Poche
Mid-Missouri Civil War Round Table

 

 

David A. Sowry Cambridge Springs, PA valinorlothlorian@yahoo.com

My g-g-grandfather was Capt. James Edward Sowry, of the 48th Ohio Volunteers, captured at Sabine Cross-Roads. The family story is that he unraveled his socks to use as thread to sew their flag into fellow officer Capt. Gunsaulis's coat, he being the only officer captured who still had a coat with him. My second son is named James Edward Sowry, III, after his g-g-g-grandfather.

 

 

Rev. C. David Long Cincinnati, Ohio ChappyCDL@aol.com

My Great Great Uncle, Henry J. Long, was a member of the 48th Ohio, Company I. Corporal Long was enlisted on the 13th of January 1862 and was discharged November 11th, 1862 at Camp Dennison. He was a Wagon maker from New Harmony, Brown County, Ohio where he is buried. His discharge states that he was wounded at Shiloh. I have three pension affidavits that he was wounded in the face and neck at Shiloh on April 6th signed by First Sergeant Samuel H Stevenson of Georgetown, Sergeant Fredrick S. Stevens of Hamersville, both of Company I, and Corporal Lewis Windsor of Company B.

In January 1, 1864, he reenlisted as a private in the 34th Ohio Company, A (Piatt's Zouaves). He was wounded and captured at Cove Mountain, VA on May 10th 1864. He spent time in Confederate Hospitals and then spent the remainder of the war in Andersonville Prison, Georgia, (released April 28th, 1865).

I also have a CDV of a Sergeant in a Zouave Uniform with a benchmark of Hillsboro, Ohio (William A Morrow, photographer), that was from a 48th Ohio Photograph Album. Any help with H.J.Long or the Zouave CDV would be appreciated.

 

 

John C. Blair Denver, Colorado happyjc@comcast.net

My great grandfather, Leander V. Blair, who was from Hamersville, Brown, OH enlisted in Co. I at age 21, in 1862 and was injured while on a detail cutting logs to build rifle pits at Shiloh. He was sent to a hospital in Memphis. Later was transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corps in St Louis. He was finally discharged at Washington DC.

I have gone to the National Archives and have what they sent of his military and pension records. It includes statements from two of his fellow soldiers who witnessed his injury. He was ruptured.

Witnesses:

George W. Weeks, swore an affidavit on May 20, 1887 - that he was 42 years old and had served with Leander V. Blair as a Private in Co I, 48th Ohio Infantry Reg. The affidavit states that his address at the time was New Vienna, Clinton, OH.

Randolph F. Bryant, swore an affidavit on January 27, 1887 - that he was 42 years old and had served with Leander V. Blair as a Corporal in Co I, 48th Ohio Infantry Reg. The affidavit states that his address at the time was Lincoln, Lincoln, KS.

Leander Blair applied for a pension and finally received it in 1887.

I knew nothing about the above until I found out that he was buried in Clarinda, IA and his grave had a GAR marker on it giving the Co and Reg. numbers.

Thanks for the wonderful job you are doing!

John C. Blair
3333 E. Florida Ave #46
Denver, CO 80210-2518
Voice: 303-777-3162 E-mail: jcblair@worldnet.att.net

Don Martin Chillicothe, Ohio d76lm@yahoo.com

Captain James Sowry of the 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry is my great, great, great Grandfather. I have a copy of a newspaper article from the Cincinatti Tribune, in the 1880's, about Captain Sowry's military service and life.

I have a picture of James Sowry reviewing the troops (c. 1902). The picture and following information came from a gentleman I met at a Civil War round-table in Troy, OH, but I don't remember his last name. His first name is Norman and he lives in West Milton, OH, Miami County. He is working on a graves registry for Civil War Vets of Miami County.

The original picture circa 1902, belonged to Henry Arnold who died in 1947. It is most likely of members of the Isaac Duncan GAR Post 477, West Milton, OH. (West Milton is located about 35 miles north of Dayton on State Route 48) It was taken in front of Terrell's Drug Store (now Fox Pizza) in downtown West Milton.

Pictured on the first step from left to right followed by year of death is:

? , Peter Vore 1902, Henry Glunt (Glant?) 1915, Ephraim Earhart 1912, Charles Folchenur (Selling?) 1908, Dr. Kessler 1914, James Sowry 1905.

Pictured in the 2nd row from left to right are:

Sam Reddick (Bow Tie), Wesley Faulknor (Tall Man), Andrew Turner, Mark Campbell, Don Chase, Sam Folker, Mose Pierce, Henry Arnold 1947, Adam Boram, US Flag.

I'm not sure how much of this information is correct, but this is what I have been told. There is a small Quaker Museum In West Milton which has a copy of this picture, a painting of Isaac Duncan and the gavel used by the commanders of GAR Post 477 (James Sowry was one).

I also have a picture of the painting of Isaac Duncan, picture of the gavel (said to be made of wood from Libby's Prison), and a copy of a letter from the nephew of Isaac Duncan (William) telling a little of his uncle and how he (William) recived the gavel at age 7 or 8. I believe Isaac was in the 48th and killed at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. I'd need to check my records to be sure.

David Clemens Monterey, California DClemens@aol.com

Don, thanks for your wonderful 48th Ohio page; my great grandfather Harvey Lieurance served -- I have his discharge paper. I wondered if you are familiar with a poem titled "Sabine Cross Roads" by a Billy R. M., Fifer Co. C 77 Illinois Vol.? I found a copy, typewritten, among my grandmother's genealogical material.

David Clemens
Monterey Peninsula College

Connie Young young@one.net

My son and I have begun to research two diarys of the Civil War that were given to me by my grandmother. In the diary it mentions that James Sweet and James Hawthorne from the 48th Ohio "came to see some of our boys." The entry is on Saturday, April, 26th, 1863. As near as I can place them they were located "at Hamburg a few miles above Pittsburgh landing, camped a short distance from the river." "The river" being the Mississppi. The diary is hard to read because it was written in pencil and they are so old, also the spelling is sometimes hard to decipher.

If you have immediate knowledge of a battle near Farmington, MO towards the end of May 1863 please let me know, because the diary ends on May 26th. The writer of the diary as far as I can figure out is a cousin whose last name is Odgen.

Robert Moore cenantua@camcomp.com

One of the men from the 48th - Cyrus Hussey - later belonged to the 192nd Ohio at war's end and became involved in a little episode in the Shenandoah Valley that you might be interested in reading about:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/1850/injusticematter.html

Best Regards,

Robert Moore

Ron Garner Friday Harbor, WA rggarner@centurytel.net

John B. Philip Miller
48th OVVI

John B. Phillip Miller, who went by Philip Miller, was born 10 April 1840, in Holmes County, Ohio, to Abraham and Elizabeth (Weaver) Miller. On 26 November 1871, in Holmes County, Ohio, he married Frances Lint who was born 24 February 1840, in Coshochton County, Ohio to Coonrad and Sarah (Quigg) Lint. They had five children.

Philip Miller, who was a 5' 11" laborer, joined Company F of the 48th OVVI on 1 February 1862, at Defiance, Ohio for a three year enlistment. He apparently served without incident until January, 1863, when was sent to the hospital, returning in March or April of that year. On the special muster of 10 April 1863, Philip was absent but was present for the muster call for May and June of 1863.

On 29 February 1864, Philip Miller mustered out of the 48th OVVI at Berwick City, La. He was discharged by virtue of his reenlistment as a veteran volunteer under the provisions of General Order 191 series of 1863. He was present with his unit until 8 April 1864, when the entire regiment was captured at the Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, Mansfield, La. He was paroled at Red River Landing, La. on 23 October 1864 and reported at New Orleans on 27 October 1864, officially rejoining the regiment on 3 November 1864. Philip spent multiple times in the hospital from 14 November 1864 to 2 January 1866. He went on furlough starting 5 January 1865. He then switched regiments on 18 January 1865, joining Company E of the 83rd OVI. In the month of March, 1866, Philip was injured while attending the officer's horses while in Galveston, Texas. He strained his back which later lead to his spine to be badly afficted. His injury was a result of exposure and in carrying too heavy loads. At Galveston, Texas, on 9 May 1866, Philip was discharged from the Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

In the 1870's, Philip Miller applied for a pension because he could no longer work. This he was granted andat the time of his death on 14 March 1912 his last payment was $24.

Philip Miller is the great-great grandfather of Ronald G. and David A. Garner.

Steve Michaels Wisconsin Dept. Commander Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War steve_michaels@metronetworks.com

I wanted to write to thank you for the effort and the time you took in putting together such a fine web page and excellent tribute to the 48th Ohio. My GGG Grandfather, William Howard Wilson, served in Co. G of the 48th and was wounded by friendly fire at the Battle of Shiloh. A Great Uncle, Wilson Kratzer, was killed during the 1st day of that battle. He served in Company I of the 48th. Wm. H. Wilson's brother, Wright Wilson, who served in the 59th Ohio was part of the reinforcements who arrived in time for the 2nd day of the battle. I would be happy to provide further info on these men, as I have their records from the National Archives.

Martin Stewart Troy, Ohio mstewart4@woh.rr.com

I found your web page on the internet. Very well done. A footnote to the 1880 history of the Regiment. Leutenant Greer who was captured prior to Shiloh was actually John James Geer - my Great Great Great Uncle. Have done quite a bit of research on him. Own both a first and second edition of the book he wrote telling of his experiences. Other than the book, there are at least 2 other photos of John James that I know of - I've seen a photo of him and his wife, and a photo of him, Sarah, and 2 children. [see Capt. John James Geer page on this site for more about Capt. Geer.]

I found the (final) final resting place of Captain Geer. He died in 1867 and was buried in Springfield only to be removed in 1880. Turns out his wife, Sarah died at the age of 44 in 1880 and apparently their sons moved their Father to be with their Mother. Both are resting at The Mount Moriah Cemetery in Withamsville, Clermont County, Ohio. Sons J. Herbert Geer and William J. Geer there as well. Have not found the stones as yet, but will soon.

Lastly, I picked up an illustration of General Ralph P. Buckland, First Colonel of 72nd Regiment and his war horse, Barney, at a Civil War show in Springfield last year. Colonel Buckland was, as you know, the [48th OVVI's] brigade commander at Shiloh. My Great Great Great Uncle, John James Geer, was on Colonel Buckland's staff at Shiloh. Colonel Buckland was Commander of the 4th Brigade attached to General Sherman's 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee.

Ken and Fran Redman Derby, Kansas keredman@dtc.net

I cannot tell you how pleased we were to find your web site with the copy of Maj John Bering's book. My wife's Dad's mother's maiden name is Bering and John Bering was her uncle.

No one on Fran's side of the family even knew he had written a book (at least not those still alive today that we know), so we were totally ,surprised. I am looking forward to the last six chapters about his time in the POW camp.

I have forwarded a copy of a newspaper article about a presentation Bering made talking about an incident during the war. I hope it is of interest to you. If you have ANY additional information about him, I would appreciate it very much if you would let us know how to get a copy.

We have another article from about 1900 that says these Bering's are descended from Vitus Bering. So far we have gotten to within about 3 generations of him, but haven't made the actual connection yet. If you happen to know of genealogy on that, I would be deeply appreciative if you would let us know how to find it.

You have a great site.

Leah Larson LeahJL@aol.com

My gr-gr grandfather, William Tudor, was in Co. A of the OH 48. He was captured at the Battle of Shiloh. He was later discharged for medical reasons, but joined the OH 1st Reg. of the Cavalry. His twin, Clemment, was also in Co. A and was killed at Shiloh. William's (future) brother-in-law, Allen Pierce, was also a member of the OH 48th. Allen was wounded at Arkansas Post. Although he survived the battle, against the predictions of the surgeons, and went home, he never fully recovered and died before 1870.

I also have a letter written in the summer of 1861 by Margaret Pierce, Allen's sister and Wm.'s future wife, in which she describes the war fever that had captured all the young men.

I am presently looking for more information about my family's war experiences in the 48th, and when I get it together in some coherent form, I can send it on to you for your wonderful web page.

Doyle R. Calvi dcalvi@unidial.com

I am researching another outfit, but stumbled across a couple of soldiers who are buried in a small cemetery called the Columbia Baptist Cemetery in Pioneer Park, near Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first soldier's name is Dan'l Bartinus. The tombstone shows him to have been a member of the 48th Ohio Infantry. The other soldier is Sam'l McAdams and he is listed as being in Co. G., of the 138th Ohio Infantry.

Mary Lynn Reed marylynn@reedbarclay.com

We are researching, not so much the civil war history, but the full history of 'a character' in our family history, John K. Reed, the Sergeant of the joke [Chapter 6]. Your posting of the regimental history has greatly facilitated that research. We would be interested in any additional information anyone might have about Sgt. (and later 1st Lt.) Reed.

Stephen Williams Annville, Pennsylvania williams@lvc.edu

My great grandfather F. M. Posegate served in the 48th Ohio. He was the son of a gunsmith from a slave holding area of Missouri where, as a young man, he ran a newspaper "The West" that strongly supported the Union.

Francis Marion Posegate of St. Joseph Missouri moved his family to safety at his inlaw's home (and his fathers boyhood home) in Highland Co. Ohio for the duration of the war while he served as Lieutenant in Company A and Captain of Company D in the 48th Ohio. He was acting adjutant of the 48th during the Battle of Shiloh where he was wounded in the sholder on the first day.

The "Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866" F. M. Posegate with Co. A of the 48th O.V.I. He is listed as having mustered-in at the age of 24 on Sept. 9, 1861 for three years service. He was promoted from 2nd Lieut. to 1st Lieut. on Jan. 23, 1862, and to Captain of Co. D on Sept. 6, 1862.

Sometime after Vicksburg he resigned his commission with the 48th "due to failing eye sight" and returned to Highland County were he recovered enough to return to Tennessee with the 175th Ohio.

With the 175th O.V.I., he mustered-in Sept. 16, 1864 at the age of 26, as Captain of Co.E, and was appointed 1st Lieut. and Regimental Quartermaster on Oct. 10, 1864, and mustered out with the Regiment June 27, 1865.

[For more about Frances Marion Posegate and the experieneces of the 48th OVVI from his perspective, see The Buckeye from Missouri.]

From a manuscript for a speech F. M. Posegate made:

The Field and staff [of the 48th OVVI at the time of the Battle of Shiloh] consisted of

Col. Peter J. Sullivan, Cincinnati;
Lieut-Col. Job R. Parker, Highland County;
Major James S. Wise, Cincinnati;
Adjutant R. C. McGill, Cincinnati;
Surgeon, Milton F. Cary, Cincinnati;
Assistant-Surgeon, A. A. Johnson, Clinton County;
Hospital Steward Ira Brown;
Quartermaster William E. Brayman, Cincinnati;
Quartermaster Sergeant Hening C. Steward, Cincinnati;
Sergeant Major Edward Conklin, Cincinnati;

Its companies were commanded

"A" Capt. R. S. Robbins, Highland County;
"B" Capt. W. L. Warner, Delaware County;
"C" Capt. J. W. Frazee, Highland County;
"D" Capt. [Cyrus] Leynus Elwood, Highland County;
"E" John J. Ireland; Miami County:
"F" Capt. Virgil L. Moats, Defiance County;
"G" Capt. G. A. Miller, Brown County;
"H" Capt Richard J. Wilson;
"I" Capt. L. E. Bond;
"K" Capt. S. G. W. Peterson, Cincinnati,

with a full quota of Lieutenants, Sergeants and minor officers.

Ralph Baughn RNBAUGHN@comcast.net

My relative was my great, great grand uncle (if that make sense), Levi J. Reed. I have his discharge certificate and it shows that he was enrolled on September 9, 1861. He was 5 feet 11 and a quarter inches tall, fair complexion, and blue eyes. Levi Reed was a Private in Captain James R. Lynch's Company "A" of the 48th OVI. He was discharged in New Orleans on June 17, 1864 by reason of a Surgeons Certificate of Disability. I know he later received a pension because of some sort of respitory and kidney problems he developed during the war. Also on his discharge certificate, in the upper right hand corner is written " Approved by the command of Major General Banks."

I'm looking for references to track Levi J. Reed's service in more detail. Can someone point me in a direction?

Carley Bisher Worth Valencia, California worth@ucla.edu

My Great-Great Grandfather, George N. Bishir was born Jan, 1835 in Ohio, died 9 Apr 1906 in Lynchburg, Ohio, and was buried in Masonic Cem., Lynchburg, Ohio. He was a Cooper by trade.

George was described as being 5 feet 8 and three quarters inches tall with fair complexion, dark hair, and blue eyes. He served as a Private and later as Corporal in Co. "C" and then Sergeant in Co. “B”, 48th Regt., Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He enlisted in Ohio in October, 1861, as one of the first sixty volunteers in the 48th OVI and his unit served as a part of U.S. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee in the fourth brigade of the fifth divsion under General William T. Sherman. His regiment’s baptism of fire occurred early on the morning of April 6, 1862 when it was attacked in its camp at Shiloh, Tennessee. The 48th fought bravely, losing 20 killed, 92 wounded and two taken prisoner. Following Shiloh, the 48th drove the Confederates west to the siege and capture of Corinth, Mississippi in late May. After the abortive overland move south toward Vicksburg, the 48th was present when Gen. Sherman unsuccessfully attacked Chickasaw Bluffs in December, 1862 and had a part in the capture of Arkansas Post under Gen. McClernand in January, 1863. These were just the first of several battles that lead up to the seige and capture of Vicksburg in July of 1863. After the fall of Vicksburg, George’s unit became part of General Banks’ campaign up the Red River in western Louisiana. On April 8, 1864 after a desperate action near Sabine Crossroads, LA in which all of their ammunition was expended, his entire regiment was surrounded and captured. (This battle was also known as the battle of Mansfield.) The Confederates took him to a prison “pen” in Tyler Texas (known as Camp Ford), where he remained for six months awaiting exchange. He was parolled at Red River Landing, LA in October, 1864 and reported for duty a few days later in New Orleans. His unit was exchanged shortly thereafter and he was granted his “veteran” furlough in January of the following year. (In February, 1864, George and most of the rest of his regiment had reenlisted for another three years at which time they had been promised a 30 day furlough - it had been postponed due to their immediate departure for the Red River.) In 1865 he fought in the siege of Fort Blackly, Alabama. The victory there gave the Union army posession of Mobile and cut the Confederacy in two. At the conclusion of the war, the regiment numbered just 165 (over 900 had been part of the 48th when it was formed.) George was sent with his unit to Texas after the war and was discharged in Galveston in May of 1866.

According to his pension application, during his stay in prison he contracted through exposure “ague and fever. Also he was attacked with chronic diarrhea and Scurvy while in prison which he believes is chargable to the use of unwholesome food.” Later, while stationed in Galveston, Texas after the war he contracted “sore eyes” due to the “sand which was flying in the air” resulting in partial loss of his eyesight. He further contended that these disabilities resulted in general disability - “disease of the Kidneys and Liver, pain in the back, heart disease, and loss of teeth.” Based on these contentions, he was granted a pension in 1890 of $14 per month.

Shortly after the war, George married Delilah Morsman at the home of Jonathan Reuse, just outside the corporate limits of Lynchburg, Ohio. (Jonathan later married Delilah’s sister.) George and Delilah lived in Lynchburg and had five children - four were living in 1900.

Here is a newspaper article that described George's participation in the 48th OVVI.

Ronnie Hull - Captain Cmdg., Co C - 48th OVI Shreveport, La AOG48th@aol.com

[As Civil War Reenactors,] we have just started researching the 48th. The reason we chose the 48th Ohio is that we are recreating the brigade they were in during the Vicksburg and Red River campaigns. Right now we have the 77th Illinois, the 48th Ohio, the 19th Kentucky and the 130th Illinois. Now if we can just organize the 97th Illinois, we will have it. This was the 2nd Brigade, 10th Division, 13th Army Corps.