Our Civil War Veterans

1. John Boatright, Private, Company A, Griffin’s Battalion, Texas Infantry (Griffin’s Regiment) (21st Infantry)

Paraphrased from http://cen.1starnet.com/civilwar/boatrigjl.htm

John L. Boatright enlisted in Parker County, TX. on 6 May 1862, as a Private, in Company A, 21st Regiment, Texas Volunteer Infantry under Col. W. H. Griffin.

He died of “failing health” on October 27, 1890, (Information source: CSA Pension # 2877) in Williamson County TX…..

….East Texas Historical Journal., Volume IX, No 2, October 1971 documents the 21st Texas Infantry was stationed at Sabine Pass on August 31, 1863, one week before the Battle of Sabine Pass, under Griffin’s Battalion. This battalion consisted primarily of seasoned frontiersmen who were known as “sharpshooters”. During the week before the battle, the unit fortified and secured Sabine’s defenses.

Also documented in the referenced journal: The unit saw action on the Calcasieu River in Louisiana.

Also documented in the referenced journal: The unit was also stationed at Brownsville Texas and fought in the last battle of the Civil War at Palmito Ranch on May 13, 1865, (news of Lee’s surrender had not arrived in South TX) and were among the last Confederate unit to lower the Rebel Flag on May 20, 1865.

During John L. Boatright’s service in the CSA, his wife and children are documented in THE CONFEDERATE INDIGENT FAMILIES LISTS OF TEXAS, as having received aid in February 23, 1865.

After the Civil War, although in failing health and poor eyesight, John L. Boatright farmed several hundred acres in Llano County TX, until a few years before his death.

His widow received Confederate Pension #2827 registered in the County of Llano in the State of Texas.

2.  Calvin Champion, Private, Camp of Instruction, Talladega Infantry Regiment, Alabama, CSA

Talladega was one of two camps of instruction established in Alabama for collecting recruits. The Confederacy was faced with a serious manpower shortage in the winter of 1862, and Congress determined a compulsory military service law that went into effect in April 1862. Most men between the ages of 18 and 35 would be obliged to enroll, with exceptions for certain professions and other situations. Talladega and Notasulga were selected as campsites to collect recruits, which had been volunteers up to this time. Enrolling officers in each county collected men and took them to camp, where they were enrolled and eventually assigned to a front-line unit.

3.  William Chapman, Company H, North Carolina 60th Infantry Regiment

Regimental History

J. T. WEAVER,
Capt., Comdg. Regt.
[Capt. J. P. C. WHITEHEAD, Jr.,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 238-51
[Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]

Fought on 21 Oct 1862 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 25 Nov 1862.
Fought on 24 Dec 1862 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 30 Dec 1862 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 31 Dec 1862 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 1 Jan 1863 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 2 Jan 1863 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 5 Jan 1863 at Murfreesboro, TN Hospl.
Fought on 5 Jan 1863 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 1 Apr 1863 at Missionary Ridge, TN.
Fought on 9 Jul 1863 at Clinton, MS.
Fought on 12 Jul 1863 at Jackson, MS.
Fought on 16 Jul 1863 at Jackson, MS.
Fought on 17 Jul 1863 at Jackson, MS.
Fought on 19 Sep 1863 at Chickamauga, GA.
Fought on 20 Sep 1863 at Chickamauga, GA.
Fought on 24 Sep 1863 at Chattanooga, TN.
Fought on 15 Oct 1863 at Chickamauga, GA.
Fought on 25 Oct 1863 at Warm Springs, VA.
Fought on 31 Oct 1863 at Missionary Ridge, TN.
Fought on 25 Nov 1863 at Missionary Ridge, TN.
Fought on 26 Nov 1863 at Missionary Ridge, TN.
Fought on 23 Dec 1863 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 25 Feb 1864 at Rocky Face Ridge, GA.
Fought on 9 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 14 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at New Hope Church, GA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Calhoun County, GA.
Fought on 16 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 18 May 1864 at Adairsville, GA.
Fought on 20 May 1864.
Fought on 26 May 1864 at Rocky Face Ridge, GA.
Fought on 2 Jun 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 22 Jun 1864 at Kolb’s Farm, GA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1864 at Smyrna, GA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1864 at Marietta, GA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1864 at Smyrna, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Smyrna, GA, Ruff’s Mill.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Nickajack Creek, GA.
Fought on 5 Jul 1864 at Nickajack Creek, GA.
Fought on 20 Jul 1864 at Peach Tree Creek, GA.
Fought on 28 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA, Ezra Church.
Fought on 5 Aug 1864.
Fought on 31 Aug 1864 at Jonesboro, GA.
Fought on 4 Sep 1864 at McDonough, GA.
Fought on 15 Sep 1864 at Jonesboro, GA.
Fought on 29 Nov 1864 at Columbia, TN.
Fought on 30 Nov 1864 at Franklin, TN.
Fought on 1 Dec 1864 at Columbia, TN.
Fought on 7 Dec 1864 at Stones River, TN.
Fought on 7 Dec 1864 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 8 Dec 1864 at La Vergne, TN.
Fought on 17 Dec 1864 at Liberty, TN.
Fought on 20 Dec 1864 at Nashville, TN.
Fought on 21 Dec 1864 at Columbia, TN.
Fought on 26 Dec 1864 at Pulaski, TN.
Fought on 15 Jan 1865 at Greensboro, NC Hospl.
Fought on 19 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 22 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 12 Apr 1865 at Salisbury, NC.
Fought on 12 Apr 1865 at Raleigh, NC.

Although his Confederate records no longer exist (not unusual), and his pension was denied Lavina in 1925, I say that William enlisted and served with his brother Wiley, according to testimony given by Lavina and by William Henry Hedrick.  Personally, I trust Lavina and Mr. Hedrick’s testimony more than I trust the record-keeping of the War Department, especially for the Confederates.  It’s a shame that the records are extant, for here was a man.

4.  Hiram Hartson, Private, Company G, 17th Regiment, Texas Infantry (Allen’s), CSA

Regimental History
Cols. Robert T. P. Allen, George W. Jones, LtCol. Joseph Z. Miller,
Majs. R. D. Allen, John W. Tabor

The regiment was formed in March 1862 at Camp Terry, Austin, Texas and included men from Belton, Austin, Columbus and the counties of Burleson, Smith and Upshur. It was assigned to McCulloch’s, Flournoy’s, Waterhouse’s, Scurry’s brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. In June 1863 it lost 21 killed, 68 wounded and three missing at Milliken’s
Bend.

One offficer and 39 men were captured during the Red River campaign and it fought at Jenkins’ Ferry. It moved to Hempstead, Texas in 1865. It was included in the June 2, 1865 surrender of the Trans-Mississippi Department.

5.  William Heaton, Company K, 52nd Georgia Infantry Regiment, CSA

Regimental History

Battles Fought
WHAT A MERE TOMBSTONE DOESN’T TELL
Four days after his 18th birthday, on 3 April 1862, William Heaton enlisted in Franklin County Georgia in Company K, 52nd Georgia Infantry Regiment. This unit fought in some of the most brutal and murderous battles of the Civil War, and William lived to tell the tale:
18 Jun 1862, 8 Aug 1862, 9 Sep 1863 – Cumberland Gap, TN.
7 Aug 1862 – Tazewell, TN.
11 Oct 1862, 15 Oct 1862, 18 Oct 1862 – Nicholasville, KY.
15 Oct 1862 at Perryville, KY.
15-16 May 1863 – Baker’s Creek, MS.
10 Jun 1863 – Vicksburg, MS.
2-4 Jul 1863 – Vicksburg, MS.
15 Jul 1863 – Jackson, MS.
10 Sep 1863 – Knoxville, TN.
Fought on 15 Oct 1863
24 Nov 1863 – Lookout Mountain, TN.
25-28 Nov 1863 – Missionary Ridge, TN.
15 Dec 1863 – KY.
26 Dec 1863 – Chickasaw Bayou, MS.
14 Feb 1864 – Cherokee County, NC.
14 May 1864 – Tilton, GA.
14-16 May 1864, 14 Jun 1864 – Resaca, GA.
20 May 1864 – Cassville, GA.
21 May 1864 – Cartersville, GA.
25 May 1864 – 5 June 1864 – New Hope Church, GA.
15 Jun 1864 – Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
19 Jun 1864 – Marietta, GA.
19 Jun 1864 – Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
27 Jun 1864 – Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
3 Jul 1864 – Marietta, GA.
3 Jul 1864 – Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
3 Jul 1864 – Chattahoochee River, GA.
5 Jul 1864 – Marietta, GA.
10 Jul 1864 – Marietta, GA.
10 Jul 1864 – Chattahoochee, FL.
10 Jul 1864 – Atlanta, GA.
20 Jul 1864 – Peach Tree Creek, GA.
20 Jul 1864 – Atlanta, GA.
22 Jul 1864 – White County, GA.
22 Jul 1864 – Atlanta, GA.
31 Aug 1864 – Jonesboro, GA.
15 Sep 1864.
30 Nov 1864 – Franklin, TN.
15-16 Dec 1864 – Nashville, TN.
17 Dec 1864 – Franklin, TN.
15 Feb 1865 – Columbus, GA.
18-19 Mar 1865 – Bentonville, NC.
1 Apr 1865 – Five Forks, VA.
23 May 1865 (after Lee surrendered to Grant) – Greenville, SC.

Again, here was a man.

6.  Green McClure, Private, 30th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Gurley’s) (1st Texas Partisan Rangers), CSA

Regimental History
30th Texas cavalry Rgt.

Col. Edward J. Gurley, LtCol. Nicholas W. Battle,
Maj. John H. Davenport

The regiment, also called the 1st Texas Partisan Rangers, was formed in the summer of 1862 with about 800 men at Waco, Texas and included men from Waco, Round Rock and Hill County. It was assigned to D. H. Cooper, Gano’s, Parsons’ brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. It served in Arkansas and the Indian Territory. It lost 16 men at Poison Spring and 19 men at Cabin Creek. In May 1865 it disbanded at Austin, Texas.

7.  John Riffe, Private, Company C, Baird’s Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Showalter’s) (4th Regiment, Arizona Brigade), CSA

“The Legion that Never Set Foot in the Desert”, Baird’s Regiment Texas Cavalry (also called 4th Regiment Arizona Brigade) was made up of some very colorful men of the frontier.

8.  Mark Shannon, Private, Blacksmith, Company D, 1st Cavalry Regiment Texas, USA

Organized at New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 6, 1862, under the command of Edmund J. Davis, who, before the war’s end, became a brigadier general.

Until September 1863 the First Texas Cavalry was assigned to the defense of New Orleans. While in Louisiana, the regiment saw its initial action on the Amite River in May 1863 and participated in operations around Morgan City. In September 1863 the First Texas Cavalry sailed from New Orleans as part of the Sabine Pass expedition but was not in action. Returning to Louisiana, the regiment was engaged in the Western Louisiana (Têche) Campaign from October 3 through October 17, 1863. The regiment was moved back to New Orleans at the end of this assignment and embarked on October 23 as part of the Rio Grande expedition, landing on the south Texas coast on November 2 and occupying Brownsville four days later.  In September 1864 the First Texas Cavalry was involved in some minor actions near Morganza, Louisiana. On November 1, 1864, it merged with the Second Texas Cavalry Regiment.  The new command was called the First Texas Volunteer Cavalry. Ordered to Baton Rouge on November 19, 1864, the First Texas Volunteers engaged in patrolling and reconnaissance duties until the end of the Civil War. On June 29, 1865, the Volunteers were ordered to Texas and mustered out of service on November 4, 1865.

Regimental histories from Ancestry.com unless otherwise noted.

If I missed anyone, please let me know.

-Suzanne