Sanders, Sr., Malachi Madison
Co. B, 14th Ga. Inf.
Listed as captured 5/5/64 Wilderness, VA. and released 6/19/65 from Elmira NY. He also served in the war of 1812 and was born in the late 1700's. Pretty amazing he survived at his age (his son Jr. also served in the same outfit but surrendered at Appomattox).
Information provided by Alfred Jones.
Sapp, F.W.
Pvt Company E 22nd NC
Enlisted in Wake County March 18, 1864 for the war. Captured at Hanover Court House, VA, June 1, 1864 and confined at Point Lookout, MD, until transferred to Elmira Prison, NY, JULY 12, 1864. Reported on a roll of prisoners of war killed or missing after railroad accident at Shohola, PA, July 15, 1864.
Information provided by Robert Clyde Sapp II.
Saunders, Robert James
Co. H, 5th NCV
Born 4-1861; died 9-10-1919. Joined 5-1861 Gates County . Wounded 7-1-1863 Gettysburg Pa, recovered and was taken prisoner near Spotsylvania either on 5-10-1864 or 5-12-1864. First taken to Point Lookout , Md. until 8-14-1864 . Transferred to Elmira, where he took the Oath 6-27-1865. He had to walk home from Elmira and almost died of diarrhoea. He is buried at the Confederate Home Cemetery , Raleigh, N.C.
Information provided by Walter K. Askew.
Saunders, Silas
Pvt., Co H Va Inf
1860 census age 22, farmer. Arrarat P.O., Patrick, County. enl 5/22/61, Spoon Creek, Patrick County. To hospital, sick, by 10/27/61`. Warm Springs hospital and home on sick leave through 4/1/62. Wounded 5/8/62, McDowell (W. Va.) Absent through 12/31/62. AWOL. Court martialed 1/27/64, guilty AWOL, sentenced to forfeit 4 months pay, to cut and carry wood 60 days for his company; to stand on the block 4 feet high for 2 hours every alternate day on the color line of the regiment with a placard on his back labeled "absence without leave" for 15 days and was not to be excused from any fights during that time. Captured 5/12/64 near Spotsylvania C.H. Point Lookout, Md. 5/18 to 8/3/64. Elmira NY 8/6/64 to 4/15/65 when he desired to take oath, saying he was "tired of war, [and he] desires to go to Kentucky where he has a sister residing." Released on oath, 6/21/65. 5'10" florid complexion, auburn hair, blue eyes.
Seay, Daniel E.
Pvt Co. F 5th SC Cav
Age 37, Residence: Lexington Dist., SC. Enlisted at Lexington, C.H., SC, 1 Jan 1862. Discharged for overage at McPhersonville, SC, 8 Jan 1863. Reenlisted at Dill.s Bluff, James Island, SC, 18 Sep 1863. Capt. at Haws. Shop, VA, 28 May 1864. Sent to Elmira, NY, and DOD (variola), 30 Jan 1865. Buried in Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira, NY.
Information provided by Fred Knudsen.
Secrist, Cpl Daniel W. Riverton Invincibles, Co. I, 10th Virginia Infantry Born 1843 near Conrad's Store (present-day Elkton), Va., son of Jacob & Ann Secrist. Enl. 6/17/61 at Conrad’s Store. Appointed from ranks to 2nd corporal, 4/25/62. Absent sick about 10/62 - 12/62. Wounded 5/3/63, gunshot wound right foot. Captured 5/3/63 at Chancellorsville, Va. Sent to Old Capitol Prison, Washington, D.C. 5/63. Paroled 6/25/63. Captured 5/12/64 at Spotsylvania CH. Sent to Pt. Lookout, Md., 5/18/64. Transferred to Elmira, 8/2/64. Died at Elmira 8/17/65 due to chronic diarrhea. His brother, Philip Moyer Secrist, also served in the same company and was also captured at Spotsylvania CH and followed his brother to Elmira. However, P.M. Secrist was paroled after taking the Oath of Allegiance 6/27/65. Daniel W. Secrist was buried at Elmira. Reburied Woodlawn Cemetery, Grave #1714.
Information provided by Robert Moore.
Sellers, W. Riley
Pvt. 4th SC Cav. Co. A
Private Prisoner of War at Elmira, NY.
Shepard, Elijah
Co. H, 14th Ga. Inf.
Born in Aug. 7, 1840 in Georgia, son of Edward and Winiford Sandford Shepard. Married Melissa Nobles. She died on March 19, 1911. Enlisted on March 4, 1862. Wounded on Dec. 13, 1862 at Fredericksburg, Va.. Captured on May 6, 1864 at Wilderness, Va. and taken to Elmira Prison, New York, where he was released on June 19, 1865. RCS 2-395, Mid 1800 People, p. 41, Widow's Pension List, Book 2, 1902 Voter's List (Dublin Dist., Laurens County). Dies 23 Apr 1904, Laurens County, Burried in Bluewater Cemetery
Shepherd, Joseph H.
Pvt 5th Va Inf Co I
• 5/11/61 Sangersville farmer; age 20
• AWOL, April 30 - May 31,1862 forfeited pay for the period.
• Detached, Feb. 1864.
• Captured May 19, 1864, at Spotsylvania; sent to Point Lookout and Elmira.
• Exchanged, Mar. 14, 1865.
Sherrill, Miles Osborne
Corporal in the "Catawba Rifles" on April 27, 1961. He served in Company A, 12th N.C. Troops (2nd Regiment N.C. Volunteers) At the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 10, 1864 he was severely wounded and captured. His right leg was amputated and he was confined at various Federal hospitals until being transferred to the prison at Elmira. In December of 1864 he was paroled, and was exchanged in February of 1865.
Shumate, Daniel
Co. F, 52th NC Inf. Daniel Shumate got sent to Elmira prison in New York and died there on January 6th in 1865. He entered the confederate army on September 2,1862 in Wilkes County N.C
Shuttlesworth, J. Quinton
Born about 1825. Died 1865. From Greenville, SC.
Simmons, John F.
2nd NC Inf Co. A
he served in Co. A, 2nd Battalion N.C. Infantry: Resided in Stokes County (NC) where he enlisted at age 28, February 24, 1863, for the war. …. captured near Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia May 10, 1864. Confined at Point Lookout, Maryland until transferred to Elmira, New York, August 10-14, 1864, Died at Elmira, March 13, 1865, of "chronic diarrhoea." (N.C. Troops 1861-1865, Vol. III, p. 276)
Information submitted by Richard Simmons.
Simmons, Peter M.
2nd NC Inf Co. A
He served in Co. A, 2nd Battalion N.C. Infantry: Resided in Stokes County (NC) where he enlisted at age 23, May 4, 1861, for twelve months. …. captured near Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia May 10, 1864, and confined at Point Lookout, Maryland until transferred to Elmira, New York, August 14, 1864, Died at Elmira, September 29, 1864, of "chronic diarrhoea." (N.C. Troops 1861-1865, Vol. III, p. 276)
Information submitted by Richard Simmons.
Simpson, Tyre
Wounded at Spotsylvania Court House (May 13 or 20th, 1864) and sent to Point Lookout, Maryland (May 23rd, 1864). From Point Lookout he was sent to Elmira, NY (July 3, 1864) and released after taking the Oath of Allegiance June 19, 1865.
Information submitted by Wayne Simpson.
Smith T, John
My great-grandfather, John Smith T, was captured at Fort Morgan on Mobile Bay in 1864 and was imprisoned at Elmira where he died during the winter of 1865. Note the unusual last name with the letter "T" following the name "Smith". John Smith T was named for his uncle, John Smith, who went to Missouri before it was United States territory, bought up Spanish land grants and became the largest lead miner in the state. At some point John Smith added a "T" to the end of his name and began to style himself John Smith T.
The original John Smith T was probably involved in the Aaron Burr conspiracy. I have heard that he was indicted but never brought to trial. He had a brother, General Thomas Adams Smith, for whom Fort Smith Arkansas is named.
The nephew of these two men, my great-grandfather, is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. I have never seen his grave, but I have photos of it. John Smith T's son, my grandfather, went to Elmira around the turn of the century with the intention of bringing his father's remains back to Alabama and burying them here. However, on seeing the beauty and tranquillity of the cemetery there and all the graves of the other Confederate dead, he changed his mind and left his father buried at Woodlawn. He did one thing, however, that makes John Smith T's grave site easily distinguishable. He bought a dark stone marker and replaced the white slab which marks all the other graves there. I have been told that, as a result, looking out across the cemetery, this particular grave is immediately visible.
Information submitted by Winston Smith T.
Smith, Bracey
Co G, 51st NC Reg
Taken prisoner and died from disease.
Smith, Evan
Pvt. Co K, 29th NC Inf
Captured at Hanover Court House, Virginia, May 29, 1862. Confined at Fort Monroe, Virginia and then Fort Columbus, New York. Paroled transferred to Apens Landing, James River, Virginia where he was received on July 12, 1862. Sometime before January 1, 1863, he was returned to duty. He was again captured May 12, 1864 at (Spot-oyl-vani sp?) Court House, Virginia. He was confined to Point Lookout, Maryland. Transferred to Elmira, New York on August 10, 1864 where he died April 2, 1865. Deceased chronic diarrhea. Buried at the Elmira Prison Cemetery plot location # 2579, W.N.C.
Smith, Frederick
Pvt. Co D, 14th NC Inf
Died at Elmira on or about March 1, 1865 of chronic diarrhoea.
Smith, John H.
Pvt Co C 51st Va Inf. Regt
7/20/61 Wytheville; POW Frederick Md. 7/10/64; Old Capitol Prison 7/17/64; to Elmira 7/25/64; died there 2/14/65 if variola. Buried Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, NY.
Smith, Isaac
44th Alabama Infantry Regiment, Company H.
Captured in the Battle of the Wilderness. Died Nov 2, 1864 in POW camp in Elmira, NY.
Information submitted by Brett Lee Smith.
Smith, Obadiah
Pvt Co C 51st Va Inf. Regt
7/29/61 Wytheville; POW Frederick Md. 7/10/64; Old Capitol Prison 7/17/64; to Elmira 7/25/64; released there 6/16/65; resident Wytheville; dark complexion; dark hair; blue eyes; 5'7 3/4"; alive in 1912
Snipes, Daniel
Manigault's Battalion Art
Daniel Snipes Pvt, Co. D, Manigault''s Battalion SC Artillery, Gregg''s Battery. Born Nov 1834 in Marion, S.C., married Elizabeth Lloyd, one of seven brothers to enlist.Daniel enlisted April 15, 1862 in Marion, S.C., mustered in at Charleston, S.C. on May 1, 1862. Promoted to Corporal while serving with Pegram''s SC Artillery. Promoted to Sergeant after Manigault''s Battalion became Gregg''s Company (McQueen''s Lt Artillery). Was captured April 2, 1865 and sent to Hart''s Island, NY ,then transfered to Elmira Prison Camp, NY. Released June 14, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance. Daniel is described as fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, and 5 ft 9. Was shipped to Savanna from where he walked home. Source of Information provided by The Snipes Family of America (S.F.A), and The South Carolina Archives (Confederate Military Records).
Information submitted by David Lynn Snipes.
Sparkman, William P.
Pvt. 51st NC, Co. F
Born in Robeson County and was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting in Robeson County at age 32, March 10, 1862. Present or accounted for until November-December, 1862, when he was reported absent sick. Returned to duty in January-February, 1863. Present or accounted for until captured at Cold Harbor, VA, June 1, 1864. Confined at Point Lookout, MD, June 11, 1864. Transferred to Elmira, NY, July 12, 1864. Died at Elmira on October 13, 1864, of "chronic diarrhoea."
Springs, Aaron
Co. H, 3rd NC Inf.
Aaron Springs lived in Columbus Co.
• Wounded 5/3/1863 Chancellorsville,VA
• POW 5/12/1864 Spotsylvania Court House, VA
• Confined 5/14/1864 Point Lookout, MD
• Transferred 8/10/1864 Elmira, NY
• Served NC , enlisted H Co. 3rd Inf Reg. NC died disease at Elmira, NY on March 11, 1865
Stackhouse, John
Pvt. 4th SC Cav. Co. E
Captured and died Elmira Prison, New York.
Stallings, William W.
From Barnesville, Monroe Co, Ga. was born Dec 20.1845 in Pike Co. Ga. He enlisted in the Rutland Volunteers, Company B, Monroe Co 45th Ga. Regiment, recruited by J.W. Dozier on Mar 10th ,1862. He was 16 1/2 yrs old.
He enlisted for 3 years or the war, at $11.00 per month with an initial bounty of $50.00. I have a copy of his 45th Regiment Flag which shows they fought at Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Frazier’s Farm, Cedar Run, Manassas, Ox Hill, Harpers Ferry, Shepherds ? (missing part of Flag), and Chancellorsville. The records show that he was in a hospital for wounds and contusions twice. He was admitted to the Wayside Hospital, General Hospital #9, Richmond, Va on May 6,1863 and sent to Chimborazo Hospital # 4 for Contusion-left side. He was then transferred about a month later on June 9th 1863 to Macon Ga where he would have been close to his family.
He was captured at the battle of the Wilderness on May 6th,1864 and was sent to a prison at Point Lookout, Maryland until he was transferred to the infamous Elmira N.Y. Prison on Aug 10th,1864. Elmira may have been the worst of Yankee prisons with as many as 25% of the prisoners dying there from abuse and neglect. He was released on an exchange of prisoners on Feb 20th,1865 and sent to an exchange area on the James River Virginia for exchange.
At sometime either before he enlisted or during the war he married Mary Bowers who was several years older than he and had a son who was also William who is believed to have been a lawyer in the area. After returning home for a short time after the war he left and moved to Louisiana where he lived with a Doctor who treated him for maladies contracted during the war and most probably at Elmira, He repaid the Doctor by hunting and fishing for wild game and fish in the area.
He became a Methodist Preacher and became a circuit rider in East Texas and changed his last name to Stallones reportedly because of a problem with a Black carpetbagger back in Ga who may not have survived the confrontation. He met in East Texas while a circuit rider, Amanda Box, from a famous family of the Texas Army and San Jacinto fame. Nelson Box her father, was a San Jacinto hero and was from the Stephen Box Family who had moved to Texas and started Box's Fort on the Angelina River west of Nacogdoches in 1824.
He and Amanda moved to a farm south of Athens ,Texas where several children were born. Around 1900 he moved to Hot Springs Arkansas. It is believed he moved there because of the curative effects of the springs there. He lived there happily for many years and died on Aug 24,1925 at the age of 80 years.
Information submitted by Leighton Stallones.
Stephenson, Benjamin T.
32nd N.C. Vol.
Present or accounted for until captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Va. 5-15-1864. Confined at Point Lookout , Maryland 5-18-1864. Transferred to Elmira 8-3-1864. Paroled at Elmira, on February 20, 1865 , and transferred to the James River Virginia, for exchange . Hospitalized at Richmond, Virginia , 2-25-1865 with diarrhea. Furloughed for thirty days on 3-29-1865.
Information provided by James R. Tunstall.
Stewart, William B.
Pvt, 64th Ga Inf.
William B. Stewart was born on 7 July, 1825 in either Georgia or North Carolina. I suspect NC. He was a farming 200 acres west of Bainbridge, Georgia when he enlisted as a private in the 64th Georgia Infantary Regiment. He had 8 young childred at the time, he was 38 when he enlisted.
He was captured at the battle of Petersburg and died in Elmira 5 Nov, 1864.
He married Nancy Hartford Webb, daughter of Samuel B Webb. We do not know time or place of wedding. We know no other biographical information regarding WBS or his brothers, sisters, or parents. We do, know about his children etc.. Anything else we know of him comes from Civil War Records
Information provided by Phil Stewart.
Stewart, William H. J.
Corporal Co A 51st Va Inf. Regt
• 2/2/63 Wise Co
• Pvt to Corporal (no date, but was listed as a Pvt on all muster rolls and as a Corporal on all POW rolls)
• WIA/POW Old Church 5/30/64
• Gunshot wound, flesh wound both thighs; Lincoln General Hosp, Wash DC 6/5/64 - 8/17/64 to Old Capitol prison to Elmira 6/9/64
• Exchanged 7/13/65
• Resident Bristol, TN; dark complexion; dark hair; hazel eyes 5'11".
Stinson, George Leander
B. ca. 1824, South Carolina m. ca. 1845, Nancy Lynn Pinkerton d. 11 February 1865, Elmira, N.Y.
George Leander Stinson, called Leander and Lee, was the son of Andrew and Elizabeth Stinson. Most of his records, other than military, show his name as Leander.
A farmer, Leander lived in the Beat 2 area in 1850. His real estate is listed; however, the dollar value is not clear. Living at home at the time of the census were his wife, Nancy, and two sons, John and James.
In 1860 Leander lived in Starlington. He held real estate valued at $1600 and personal property valued at $1000. Living at home were his wife and several children: J. C., J. L., E. D., M. E. and Joel. The children shown only as initials were John, James, Ivan and Mary.
Leander served in the Confederates States army with Company A, 1st Alabama Artillery. He was captured by Union troops at Fort Morgan, Alabama on August 23, 1864. His C.S.A. records data card indicates that he was on the roll of prisoners of war at Fort Columbus, N.Y.H. (New York harbor) before being transferred to the prison camp at Elmira, New York on December 4, 1864. He died at the camp on February 11, 1865 of chronic diarrhea.
Information provided by Mildred Brown.
Stinson, John A. Cooper
b. 19 October 1846, Butler County, Al. m. 31 May 1867, Annie Elizabeth Smith d. 9 August 1910, Providence Cemetery. John A. Cooper Stinson, called Cooper, was the son of George Leander Stinson and Nancy Pinkerton. He was born near Mt. Pisgah Church in the Starlington community. It is believed that the initial A stands for Andrew. Gary D. Wallace of Enterprise, AL provided the photo of Cooper Stinson at right.
Cooper is listed as a private in Company A, 1st Battalion, Alabama Infantry, C. S. A. during the Civil War. Enlistment records indicate that he joined the infantry in the fall of 1962 at Ft. Morgan, Al. Union soldiers captured him in 1864. The place of captured has not been determined. He was released from the military at a prisoner of war camp in Elmira, New York, on June 11, 1865.
Almost two years after his release, he married Annie Elizabeth Smith. Justice of the Peace A. M. Kellar performed their wedding ceremony.
On May 28, 1894, Cooper filed for a pension based on his military during the Civil War. The application states that he was 48 years old, farming land valued at less than $400 with less than $400 annual income, this being that he had contracted a disease while in the war. It does not indicate the name of the disease. Another application was filed on March 17, 1896 showed he was farming 85 acres of land with one mule. A third application was filed on May 7, 1897 showing 80 acres of poor land, which was mortgaged. A fourth attempt to receive a pension was filed April 13, 1898, stating that he had no assets.
At the time of his death, no pension had been awarded. His wife continued to file for the right to receive a pension based on his Civil War service. As of January 22, 1930, no pension had been approved. No records have been found to indicate otherwise.
Information provided by Mildred Brown.
Stinson, Leander
Co. A, 1st Ala Art.
Captured at Fort Morgan, Alabama, 1864. Transferred to Fort Columbus, NY (New York Harbor). Received at Elmira, NY on December 4, 1864. Died February 11, 1865. Buried in grave 2058.
Stokes, W.E.
Pvt Co. I 5th SC Cav
Residence: Barnwell Dist., SC. Enlisted at Pocotaligo, SC, 20 Feb 1863. Capt. at Trevilian Station., VA, 11 Jun 1864. Sent to Elmira, NY, and exchanged, 2 Mar 1865. Admitted to Jackson Hospital, Richmond, VA, with pneumonia, 9 Mar 1865. Granted a 60-day medical furlough, 17 Mar 1865. Alive in 1897.
Information provided by Fred Knudsen.
Stokes, Jordan M.
Co. A 2nd La Inf
Born in Mississippi (town unknown) on 25 July 1831. He moved to the Parish of Natchitoches, La.in 1837.
Joined the "Lecompte Guards" in 1861 in Natchitoches, La. This became Co. A, 2nd La. Inf. May 11, 1861 in New Orleans, La.. Present or absent not stated on the rolls to Dec. 1861. Roll Jan. and Feb., Absent, sick, Hospital at Williamsburg. Roll March and April 1862, Present or absent not stated. Rolls May 1862 to April 1863, Present. Rolls May 1863 to August 1863, Absent wounded, since May 3, 1863 ("I was wounded at Chancellorville in calf of leg --- supposed to be from a mini ball"). Rolls Sept. 1863 to Feb. 1864 Present. Re-enlisted for the War, Feb 21, 1864. Roll to Aug. 30, 1864 Absent, Prisoner in the hands of the enemy. Federal Rolls of Prisoners of War, Captured Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864. Received Pt. Lookout, Md., from Belle Plains, Va., May 18, 1864. Received at Elmira, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1864. Forwarded from Elmira, N. Y. to James River, Va., Feb. 25, 1865, and exchanged.("I was at North Carolina {Greenville}, sick with smallpox.-thru surrender."
Married Nancy E. Stokes (Widow Morrell) in 1870, and died at Natchitoches, La. 20 Nov. 1901.
Data from La. Records and his U. S. Pension application and his widows Pension application.
Information provided by Norma Jeter.
Stout, Lilburne
Pvt 5th Va Inf Co H
3/10/62 New Market; Present until captured May 12,1864; sent to Point Lookout and Elmira; paroled Mar. 10, 1865, and sent to James River for exchange.
Street, James
Pvt Co. B, 1st LA Cav.
Enlisted Feb. 21, 1862, Baton Rouge, LA. Rolls May, 1862, to June 30, 1863, Present. Federal Rolls of Prisoners of War, Captured East Baton Rouge, La., Sept. 24, 1863, or Oct. 3, 1864. Received New Orleans, La., from Baton Rouge, La., Oct. 10, 1864. Transfered. to Ship Island, Miss., Oct. 20, 1864. Sent to Fort Columbus, N. Y. Harbor, Nov. 5, 1864. Forwarded to Elmira, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1864, thence to James River, Va., Feb. 20, 1865, and exchanged.
Sturgeon, Hiram
Pvt. 38 Mi Cal Co D
Confederate Private Hiram Sturgeon died on April 5, 1865 at the Elmira Federal Prison in Elmira, New York. Private Sturgeon enlisted on April 29, 1861 in Company D, 38 Mississippi Cavalry Regiment, otherwise known as the Wilkinson Guards. Wounded near Okalona, he was discharged in July of 1862, for disability, but reenlisted shortly afterwards in Company E, Powers' Regiment, Mississippi Cavalry. Captured in the area of Fort Adams on October 8, 1864, Private Sturgeon was confined in the military prison at Natchez until October 15, 1864 when he was transferred to Ship Island, and subsequently from Ship Island to Elmira, New York on November 19, 1864. He died in the Union Prison on April 5, 1865.
Hiram Sturgeon was born about 1833 in Adams County, Mississippi just North of present-day Lake Mary. His parents were John Sturgeon and Mary Enlow Sturgeon, and Hiram spent his early years with his family, including one sister, Elizabeth Jane Sturgeon, and one brother, William N. Sturgeon until his parents both died in a yellow fever epidemic in 1842.
After the death of parents, Hiram was placed under the wardship of his uncle and namesake Hiram Enlow of Wilkinson County, and Hiram grew to manhood at Pleasant Hill Plantation in the Buffalo Community just North of Woodville. He attended the Buffalo School and other local community schools in that area, and after reaching manhood acquired several land patents in the Buffalo area as well as continued to farm and care for his property above Lake Mary. For several years during the mid-1850's, he was a resident of his property on the Mississippi River near Fort Adams, but finally chose as a bride Clarenda Cole, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Cole, and finally settled down in the area of Pleasant Hill Plantation in the Buffalo Community.
Hiram and Clarenda were the parents of two children, one John Thomas Sturgeon born in 1857 and William James Sturgeon born in 1859. Clarenda tragically died shortly after the birth of her second son, and Hiram was left to raise his two children as a widower. On April 29, 1861, he volunteered for service for a period of three (3) years in the Confederate Army in Company D, 38th Mississippi Regiment Cavalry, otherwise known as the Wilkinson Guards.
As a member of this Regiment he participated in many of the major battles and skirmishes of the North Mississippi Campaign, and was ultimately wounded or ill and sent to the hospital in Okalona, Mississippi. The surgeons at the Okalona Hospital discharged Hiram Sturgeon with a certificate of disability on July 18, 1862 and he returned to Woodville.
After returning to Wilkinson County, Hiram Sturgeon remarried, Martha Baker, and shortly thereafter reenlisted in Company E Powers' Regiment, Mississippi Cavalry.
Involved in numerous skirmishes in and about the area of Southwest Mississippi, Col. Powers was finally mortally wounded, and leadership of this Regiment was placed in the hands of Col. McKowen.
McKowen was also killed, and the unit fractured into small band operating virtually independently throughout the fall of 1864. According to the report of Prisoners of War confined at the Military Prison in Natchez, Mississippi from September 26 to October 15, 1864, the Fourth Illinois Cavalry at Woodville captured Hiram Sturgeon on October 7, 1864.
Family tradition, however, relates a somewhat different story, to which some degree of credibility may be attached. A cousin of the Sturgeon Family, Rufus Holmes who was a very old man in the early 1900's and supposedly present at the capture of Hiram Sturgeon, related this story to Eugene T. Sturgeon when he was a young man, and the story was passed down from Uncle "Gene" to the author. (Holmes Sturgeon).
According to Rufus Holmes, numerous local confederate soldiers who were banded together not by detrimental ties, but by a loose association after the destruction of Powers Regiment were observing from a hidden vantage point in the bushes and trees, looting and ransacking of stores in the town of Fort Adams by the Yankee soldiers. In the middle of the main street of Fort Adams was a large pile of tobacco, a highly prized commodity among Civil War soldiers of both sides, and since Hiram Sturgeon was reputed to have one of the fastest horses in Wilkinson County, the other men present made a bet with him that he could not ride out through the street of Fort Adams and scoop up the tobacco and ride back before the Yankees had an opportunity to stop him/
Unfortunately, Hiram Sturgeon took the bet, and rode out through the streets of Fort Adams, scooping up a large quantify of tobacco, and whirled around making his way back to the safe spot when he was surrounded by a troop of Yankee soldiers at gun point, who forced him off of his fast steed and to further humiliate him place him on an old slow gray mule. The Yankee captain in charge requisitioned his fast white horse, and Hiram was slowly led off to a barge nearby on the river.
Supposedly the following day as the barge made its way to Natchez, his two young children and his new wife stood along side the river bank in front of their house, which at that time sat just near the Mississippi River North of Lake Mary, and waved to their father as he passed by. That was the last time the two brothers ever saw their father.
From Natchez, Hiram Sturgeon was transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana, and subsequently to Ship Island, Mississippi on October 20, 1864. On November 5, 1864 by special order of Captain M. R. Marston, Hiram Sturgeon was sent to New York.
He arrived at Fort Columbus, New York Harbor on November 16, 1864 and was sent on to Elmira, New York where he arrived on November 19, 1864.
Notes made on his records at Elmira New York indicate that Hiram Sturgeon had a desire to get to Olney, Illinois where he had relatives residing.
Unfortunately, Hiram Sturgeon succumbed to pneumonia on April 5, 1865 at Elmira Prison in Elmira, New York, and is buried on the present ground in grave number 2591.
After his capture and death, his two children were viewed as orphans since they only had a stepmother, and she shortly thereafter remarried. According to the stories related by John Thomas Sturgeon to his children and grandchildren in later years, he and his brother "Jim" practically raised themselves for several years along the banks of the Mississippi River, living for a time in a plum orchard in an old abandoned house and surviving off of food and berries that they found in the wild.
Finally the two orphans were committed to the Natchez Protestant Orphans Home where they stayed for a brief time until they both ran away making their way back to Wilkinson County where Uncle Steven Dawson and his wife conveniently shielded them from the authorities. At one juncture they hid under a flour barrel when the officials from the orphanage come searching for them.
Ultimately, they too were placed under the guardianship and custody of their great uncle Hiram Enlow, who raised and educated both of them into early manhood.
According to report of Prisoners of War confined in military prison in Natchez Mississippi from September 26 to October 15, 1864, Hiram Sturgeon was COMMITTED to the prison on October 8, 1864, indicating that the 4th Illinois Cavalry captured him. In addition, the report made at Elmira, New York indicating additional notes about Hiram Sturgeon and an apparent interview in preparation of his taking the oath of allegiance to the United States indicates that he was captured on October 7, 1864. This could be a simple error, but it may be that he was captured on October 7th and then taken to Natchez on October 8th.
Bearss in his DECISION IN MISSISSIPPI indicates on page 485 that Col. Kent's combat team spent a "busy day", and "preparatory" to return to Natchez on the 8th of October the soldiers "loaded live stock, cotton, wagons and property of various descriptions aboard a transport at Fort Adams". The foot note indicates that noted on board this transport were: 73 mules, 24 horses, 330 beef cattle, 46 bales of cotton, and 6 wagons.
Bearss goes on to say on page 488 that "Kent’s combat team, accompanied by 250 negros…, boarded their transport at 8:00 A.M."
Casting off from Fort Adams, the steamboat churned up the river… and did not reach Natchez until dark.
Earlier Bearss notes on page 482 that Col. Kent had mounted 35 of his men on captured mules, and that he had organized a combat patrol consisting of these soldiers mounted on mules, "the 11 men of the 4th Illinois Cavalry", and 100 infantrymen. The objective of this combat force was to comb the countryside northeast of Fort Adams (this would include the area of Percy's Creek, Lake Mary, Smithland Plantation, and the various plantations near the Mississippi River all the way over to possibly the Beaver Creek Community). In fact, Bearss indicates that Kent's patrol penetrated as far as the Buffalo River, 10 miles from the base. He further indicates that although they confiscated many cattle they did not find any confederate activity in that area.
In the same paragraph, however, Bearss notes that Kent determined to remain at Fort Adams until the morning of the 8th of October.
Now, if Kent's combat patrol included the detachment of the 4th Illinois Cavalry that was present in Wilkinson County, which according to Bearss it did, and further if Kent remained in Fort Adams from October 6th to the morning of October 8th, and further if Hiram Sturgeon was captured on October 6th or October 7th by the 4th Illinois Cavalry, then it would stand to reason that Hiram Sturgeon was captured in the vicinity of Fort Adams, just as the family tradition supports.
In addition, the notes indicating that Kent's combat patrol (which would have included the 4th Illinois Cavalry detachment) were involved on the 7th of October in loading supplies out of the town of Fort Adams and on to the transport vessel, then this would also lend credence to the story that the "Yankees were ransacking the town of Fort Adams". Bearss also notes on page 485 that Col. Osband learned from his scouts that a confederate detachment formerly commanded by McKowen (and that would be Powers regiment, since Capt. McKowen was placed in charge of Power Regiment early on in this campaign) was still "lurking in the neighborhood". Once again, a combat patrol from the 4th Illinois Cavalry attempted to capture this particular detachment, but was unsuccessful and lost one man in the process. This event occurred on the morning of October 7th.
So judging from this note, obviously some members of McKowens command (formerly Powers Regiment) were still active in the area of Fort Adams on the morning of October 7th, since this is where Col. Osband was located when he learned of their position.
Earlier, Bearss had noted on page 482 that five miles form Fort Adams where the road to Pickneyville veered to the left, a skirmish had ensued involving Osband's troops and the third U. S. Colored Cavalry, during which Capt. McKowen was killed and his men, the remnants of Powers Regiment, were "scattered to the winds". This skirmish apparently took place on October 6th.
The notes made by Bearss do not indicate any captures at the skirmish five miles north of Fort Adams, nor are any captures noted in the combing of the countryside made by Kent's combat patrol including members of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry.
No captures are noted either on the 7th of October during the loading of the transport vessel at Fort Adams. Nonetheless, I am convinced that Hiram Sturgeon was involved in the skirmish five miles north of Fort Adams which scattered the remaining members of Powers Regiment, and further that he was involved in the early morning skirmish on the 7th of October in the neighborhood of Fort Adams in which the small uncommanded confederate detachment cut its way through the Yankees mortally wounding one of the union soldiers.
Further I am convinced that the same detachment lingered into the area of Fort Adams following this skirmish and in a brazen attempt to spoil the good humored looting of Fort Adams, Hiram Sturgeon was captured, just as Rufus Holmes stated, in attempting to scoop up tobacco out of the Main Street in Fort Adams, and probably was placed on one of the mules loaded onto the transport boat and taken to Natchez and committed to the prison there on the evening of October 8, 1864.
It should also be noted that on October 5th, Col. Osband surrounded the town of Woodville and sent in the Fifth Illinois Cavalry which took the Confederate soldiers in town by surprise capturing on October 5th twelve (12) prisoners.
It should also be noted that at the Battle of Bowling Green Plantation forty-one prisoners were captured.
On page 476 Bearss notes that Col. Frank P. Powers turned over command of his regiment to Capt. John C. McKowen.
Bearss further notes on page 490 that eighty-two (82) enlisted men and four (4) officers had been captured during the entire campaign, and this includes some excursions into Clinton, Louisiana area and the area of Liberty Mississippi. This would include the twelve prisoners captured at Woodville and the Forty-one captured at Bowling Green.
Information submitted by Burril Morrison, for Alonzo Holmes Sturgeon III.
Sumner, Matthew
Co. D, 64th GA Inf
Born 1832, GA; d. December 06, 1864, Elmira, NY. Private in 64th Regiment, Company "D" GA Infantry, died in Yankee prison, Elmira, NY of "chronic diarrhea".
Enlisted on 3-10-1862 in Albany, GA. He was captured near Petersburg on June 17, 1864 and is listed as a Prisoner of War at Point Lookout, Maryland on June 24, 1864. He was transferred to Elmira, NY on 7-27-1864. He died in the Elmira prison on 12-6-1864. On the "Record of deceased Prisoners of War, Elmira, New York, Register No. 4; page 166 is shown "Locality of Grave: No. 1028".
Two other brothers also died in the war: Berrien Sumner who died from chronic diarrhea in Virginia and William R. Sumner from the same.
Suthers, James
Pvt Co. C. 51st Va., Inf.
Born in Wytheville; 2/2/63 Dublin; POW near Wash., DC 7/12/64; Old Capitol Prison to Elmira 7/25/64; died 11/4/64 of pleuro pneumonia. Buried Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, NY.
Sutton, Pvt. John Bunyon
Co. A 18 North Carolina Inf. (formerly 8th NC Regt., The German Volunteers). Pvt. Sutton was a 40-year-old farmer from Bladen County NC when he enrolled for active service. He enrolled at Camp Hyatt in Wilmington, NC on July 10, 1861. Pvt. Sutton was captured at Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA on May 12, 1864 and arrived at Point Lookout, MD on May 18, 1864. Pvt. Sutton was transferred to Elmira, NY on August 03, 1864. Pvt. Sutton arrived at Elmira on August 06, 1864 and died there on September 23, 1864 of chronic diarrhea. Pvt. Sutton is buried in Woodlawn National Cemetery, grave 395.
Submitted by suttonwhome@aol.com
Swan, William Durvell
52nd Regiment Virginia Infantry
From an Olive Green " Composition Book" Written by William Swan to his son Ambrose December 28, 1921. The "Composition Book" 8.5"x6.75" was given to me by James McCauley Blanz. Mr. Blanz obtained the book and other records of Lawrence Garland Swan''s when his Aunt Lousie McCauley Swan died. Lousie McCauley Swan was my Great Aunt, younger sister of my Grandmother Edna McCauley Randolph. The Following covers three pages written in ink.
"William Duvall Swan, a son of Charles William and Agnes Ann Swan was born in Madison County on Mar 21" 1841. On June 16, 1858-Left the home of parents, going to Waynesboro Augusta County, Va. To assist Mr George Alexander Bruce a friend of my father in the milling business. My father having Sold his mill, But continued farming. I found that a nice little town of 5 or 6 hundred inhabitance. The Bruce family a good one. Consisting of parents. George Alexander and Sarha Ann Bruce and 3 children 2 Boys and one girl Robert, Bettie & Thomas.
"We were getting along nicely and happily when in the spring of 1861_ The Civil War broke out between the North and South. The older Bruce boy Robert and W. D. Swan Joined the Southern Army. The Waynesboro Guards Co. B "52" Regiment Va Infantry. We went through many a hard fought battle. Not wounded until 30" May 1864. Our mess consisting of 4. Robert Bruce Asbury Myers, George Miller and W. D. Swan. Went into battle 3 were killed. Swan with others captured. We were Sent to Point Lookout Md. There one month. Then Sent to Elmira Ky Prison. The war closed in April 1865. We were liberated on June 30" of that year. W. D. Swan returned to Waynesboro and resumed milling business. In 1866 The Presbyterian Church of the Town had occasion to appoint a committee of young ladies to Solicit contributions in aid of the church. Among the rest came a charming young lady to the mill to see what could be done for the church.
"So soon after the close of the war. There was but little to $ pieces in circulation. But I had Some drawing one of those Large Silver dollars from my pocket presented To the young lady. She received it with many a bow an smile and Soon departed. When not far away She took a Small stone and threw at me. I thought that a strange manner in which to return Thanks I had been in the habit of returning good for evil and did so in this case and let her depart in peace. But made up my mind to find out something about the rock throwing and accordingly Soon Called at her home. I found out nothing, and presumed it was a kind of love throwing rock.
"Little did I think at that time that charming young lady would become Mrs. W. G. Swan. But Such turned out to be the case."
Three blank pages then this entry: "W G Swan and Anna Lee Reeder were married in Waynesboro Va. June 4" 1868 at the Reeder home by Rev. William T. Richardson a Presbyterian preacher in that Town for a number of years."
Also found this poem.
Be Seated please
and make your Self at ease
A little story I will tell
Which ended well
It was about noon
on the 4" of June
Way back in 1868
When we Sealed our fate
One was Anna Lee
and the other W G
We were made one
The journey of life to run
Parson on hand
Had taken his stand
But looked a little funny
until he Saw the money
Then he Smiled
and made us one
out we filled
and the journey began
We then ate a bit
and said goodby
We Knew We Were right
and heaved not a sigh.
Additional Historical Note reference; May 30th 1864 52nd Regiment Virginia Infantry:
Full Battle Record
Please cite results as coming from: Record of Events Database, Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War, Virginia Center for Digital History http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/ vshadow2/mapdataForm.html.
Battle: Bethesda Church State: Va.
Regiment: 52nd Va. Inf.
Start Date: 28-May-1864
End Date: 30-May-1864
Commander: Col. James H. Skinner
Brigade: Pegram's
Division: Early's
Corps: Second
Strength: n.a.
Killed: 38
Wounded: 52
Missing: 26
Summary: Bethesda Church was the bloodiest battle of the war for the 52nd Va. Infantry. The regiment charged across the field towards the enemy. The enemy poured volley after volley into the Confederate lines, creating great gaps in the ranks.
Georgetown Weather: 5-28-1864, 69.5 (0700), 82 (1400), 64 (2100); 5-29-1864, 61.5 (0700), 70.5 (1400), 62 (2100); 5-30-1864, 65 (0700), 84 (1400), 71 (2100)
Local Weather: 5-27-1864, "It was very warm and showery during the day;" 5-28-1864, "It was quite warm and rained in the p.m." 5-29-1864, The day was quite warm; 5-30-1864, The day was very warm. (Hotchkiss)
Submitted by Kenneth K. Koch.