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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 03414 9275
Go 973.74 In2we Wells, James K. History of the 31st Indiana infantry
HISTORY OF THE 31ST INDIANA INFANTRY By James K. Wells
[Owned in the 1960s by Arlington High School, Indianapolis]
[Copied in the 1960s for the collection of the Allen County Public Library under the direction of Fred J. Reynolds]
Allon County Public Library. 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 : Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
Thirty eight years has come and gone Since the breaking out of the rebellion in our Republic: -
In nursing upon the events which had transpired a few months prior to the breaking out of the rebellion our minds are refreshed with the thought. of an armed rebellion. a protest against constitutional and recognised government. Which was destined to blackin the fair pages of american history. The war for The Union had its inspiration in love of country and devotion to popular govern- vient. The silent but potent thought and force behind the patriotic sentiment of country and flag was the maintainance of law and social order.
If there was any fur- in fighting and dying for a united "country it was" that the law should be Supresise and where the end of legislation Should be the enactment of laws which see- re The enjoyment of life liberty and the pursuit of
In retrospective view of the way we are reminded that the people of our country were aroused from their revive by the voices in the streets by news boys"crying -. Fall of Fort Sumpter, Presidents Proclimation Tall for Seventy five thousand men! to fut down a rebellion .
This announcement startelad.
us, our imagination portraid coming struggle with all its fearful magnitude. War, civil war, with all its horrors seemed inevitable and even then was ready to burst like a volano upon the most happy and prosper- owo nation the sun ever stone upon. That nation which had by our fathers been brought forth on this continent a view nation conceived in liberty, and dedie- ted to the proposition that all men are created equal, That they are endowed by "Their Mercator with certain unalienable rights among them are "life, liberty and the pursuit of happyness.
The great civil war was to test whether that nation so dedicated could long endure.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
The spirit stiring drums, the way nected fifes, the silver throated bugles and the their hearts apipeals of orators filled with an inspira- tim of love of country and flag , moved the union army in war ,
The sad picture
filled many an eye with tears and many a heart with sorrow, when sothers bid fais. well to loved ones, mothers with anxious eyes looking through streaming tears after sons, Sisters with quivering life. after flushed faced brothers, and the mingled voices of children after fathers as they departed for the dangers of battle , the dread of hospital, or the horrors of
We remember when they left the the farm the shop, the office, the store, The factory, The furnace and the peaceful pursuits of home, to perform their past in the great contest of war, We remember when they marched a way under the . Slag of our country ; the remember
there steping to the invisie of war. We remember Seeing them enter the great battle for
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We remember seeing them in great columns of troops, charging upon the encing over The fields in front, where the earth was Shaken with the roar of artillery.
Where the shot and shell fill around 1
"them ," Where The air was filled with , :- Sulphurous gunpowder smoke, Where They loaded and shot Their ranks being elbo to ello. desimated they closed up, and like
iron man with nerves of steel they pushed in till victory was won , and the Stars and stripes our national emblem was planted on the citadel of treason.
We had four years of war, Four years of weeping homes while dearones we're absent, engaged in the great conflict of the bloody war, four years of strife on the great bloody battle field not with a foreign for , but with our own misguided 1 and infuriated brethren of the South, in our own land and nation, Four years of marching and exposure in weary marofes under the scorching rays of a Southren Sun, ..
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Four years of sleeping under the dripping clouds; four years of hospitals filled. with gangreens and contagious diseases, four years of famines & keletons starved and lives tortured out of brave men, and four years of wounded and mangled corpses.
But when the last battle was fought and the victory won; the boys. That were the blue came proudly home from the great battle field carrying under Tattered banners and bronsed Mando the ark of the Covenant of our. republic, in safety, out of the bloody baptism of the war to be saved forever But the roar of conflict never
ceases to reverberate in the brain of him who participated in the work ripon the great battle field, Whenever his thoughts are called to the subject of the war his mental attitude is that of the battlefield The great panorama of those battlefield is forever moving before his eyes. The mental strain given to his mental being is to terrific for any reaction.
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And in his tionights his mind is . refreshed with the thought of the great, strife and sacrifices of men living and dead who fought for and defended our country .
A great majority of which have passed over the dark river of deatho to join the encampment beyond .-
of each grave on the great battle- field and in our national Cemeteries. had a voice to tell what it's silent tenant last saw and heard on earth . we might Stand with uncovered heads and hear the whole story of the war.
With those of whom the oprt. Rest, Ind. volo . associated in the army of the Num - berland . " We should hear that one perished in the hospital at Henderson Kentucky when measles and munifs appeard .
at Gallerin And that another suffered and died from the effects of exposure and a low grade of carry fever, that another did of disease while wearily waiting for winter to end ,
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and that another fell on that bloody battle field at Fort Donelson, little. dreaming that the flag must be carried through three more years of blood- We should hear that
another fill at the battle of Shiloh, "when the tide of war had sicepted us back until within sight of Pitts burg Landing. We should hear the mingled voices from the dying on the battle field between the two contending armies, on that dark and dreary night. We should. shear the patriotic and the triumphant shouts of heroic men the next morning as they charged the enemy over the bloody field in front, amidot the roar of artillery That record over the Tennessee. We should hear the voice at the siege of Corinthi. Missiffi , He should hear the voices of the diseased and dying on the long and fatiguing counter marches under General Biule.
and we should hear the shorts & dying men at the bloody summit, at. the hard fought battle of Stone River when victory was won and murfreesboro was surrendered by the incamy to General Rosecrans.
We should hear them on the Tullahoma campaign as they moved. forward in one of the most extraordinary rains that ever was knowen in Tennessee
I've should hear the voices of a thousand heroic dead on the bloody battle field of Chickamauga.
I should hear the voices of of the dead and dying men on the Chatta- Mooga and atlanta campaign, a distance of onehundred miles, where it cost the Union and Confederate armies 60,000 men an average of 600 men to the mili.
again we should hear the voices of the heroes of the army of the Cumberland under the command of Ben, Climas
as they move back from atlanta Nashville Vinneren to annihilate; the Confederate aring, under the command of General Hood .
We should hear the voices If heroic men as they charged over the slut. thory and ice and upon the enemy's breast works . the 31st. Indiana Theing a mong the first to climb the rebel works and hold them until Houds army of 55,000 abandoned, We should hear the voices of those dead and dying victors when the joyful news If victory reached their ears which left in inspiration of love in their hearts for the country and flag they loved even when their lives were slowly eling away ,
We should further hear the voices of the dead and dying on the long march franc Nashville to Victoria Vistas . Where the BIST Regt, remained until discharge Having been under fire (3) different days and lost in killed 140 over 300 did of dissome and me 300 wounded ,
The Grand Old 31st, Indiana. Grand in the quotice of The majestic cause for which it fought; grand in the valor, the fortitude and heroism which was shone through all its defeat and victory; grand in the fidelity with which the citizens obligations were blended. with the soldiers memories.
It still sustains the principles it carried to victory. Grand because it helped to save the life of the station. One thousand of men who were inlisted in august 1861. come from all points of the Seventh Congressional. District and rendezvoused in campe Vigo at Terre Haute. They Said their lives upon the after of their country. On the 5th, day of September they were mustered into the United States Service. They went forthe steping to the music of war. We remember them as they marched in column through The city to the Depot to deficit for the seat of war;
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We come together in reunion to greet eachother again and talk over the Scenes of the past; and our comrades who rendered Service To their country in time of need. in the hour of. peril. If we serve no other purpose , will. impress upon the minds of the rising generation a profounder and deeper Sense of the perils through which we passed to preserve the unity of the Nation. We meet with no desire to boast of our services in the past. We cherish no. feelings of animosity or revenge against the min of the South. I know I speak The Sentiments of every true soldier when I say what ever pride we have in hast, what ever pride we brought back from the battle fields, i've joyfully laid. it aside up on one alter , and gladly merged the little soldier into a greater. one- that of american citizen. We were citizens before we were Soldiers. and when the survivors of the 31st, Indiana returned home, They laid if the implements & warfare and ...
took up the peaceful industries of life, and meet in organisation (reunion) with out any danger as expense to the mation , The ties that bind us as late soldiers are patriotic and benevolent. We are citisin soldiers ready if need be to defend our country against its enemies, of Anarchists. Taking Shelter under our shield thu. american Union, Should seek to ver- turn our institutions, we could be relied upon. and the great mass of men who fought on both sides in "our civil war in the United States, would stand for law and order. against the assaults of an internal oss foreign for, Our recent unpleasant- Muss with Spain has fully demonstra- ted that fact, But we trust our Service will never again be required. on battle field against foreign or domestic fare,
The 31st, Regiment of Indiana Infantry : volunteers. J'anticipated in the following engagements. Fort Donelson Tennessee. Reached the fort on the morning of the 14 th of February 1862. Was assigned for duty in the Third Division commanded by General Leeu- Wallace, First Brigade. Commanded by Bolonel Chiarls Beruft. Engaged the enemy early on the mor- ning of the 15 th, Suddenly and before
+ sale the one - day light our advance Tickets in morris. over the snow clad earth, the pickit gave the alarm and they were reinforced at once , and the enemy was baffled in Mis attempt of surprise.
Early in the morning and on the Right Wing of our aring where a brigade. of General, McMelernando men were, posted, the enemy first opened their rebel fire from their batteries. then their infantry charged union the lines of MBlernands men, But they were gallantly met by the Illinois troops into the enemy they poured a deadly fire .
Early in the morning , and while the . Battle raged desperately on the right. our brigade (Crufts) was hurried to The front, The mit some of Melerands noble men who had been overpowered and compelled to fall back, wounded and bleeding as they retired. : The 31st, had advanced but a few
rods from where it miet Me Gelesands sin, when we met the gounies pour- ing forth in masses from the woods . Mellermands men had found the Moinits nest and they came forthe with energy and determination to Show us their business end, which was sharp and quick. The contest was terrific. The enemy advanced so close that i've could See the white of their eyes , The field them at bay in our fract until almost surrounded. Not until. we saw the danger of being captured where we willing to retire . and even. Then we refused to turn our backs to them, but mady our escape "when the reneceny weis on celtics sich."
to -peer avoir bile sulley land.
The its name from a Linatt church house which Stand in its side!" a Short distance from the Landing the road forks, one is called the lower Pourinthe road, the other the ridge Corinth, Soad Beyond' the battle field the roads are numerous. On and near the Roads leading from Pitts burg Lariding. to Gorinthe a few miles from the landing, lay fire division of Ben, Grants army an the morning of the battle .
The advance line was composed and formed by three divisions, Gir. Sturmans, Prentiss, and May, Jen Meblernando. Maj, Ben, Smiths division commanded by W.H.L. Wallace. and Bem, Hurlbietes division lay between the Landing and Mu advance - fine. Our line of battle extended from Snake creek on the right to near bick creek on the left The center being nearest. the wnimy. Our lives of battle was about five miles in length and curved outwards from the river, our advanceline at the str.
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left was formed on the Hamburg road north of the crossing of Lick creek. On the 4Th of April there was Sonne Skirmishing with the enimies. advance . A brigade was ordered to the front it encountered the enemy. and aftera spirited action drove Themzip .On the 5- there was skirmishing along our advanced linco.
Ori Sunday morning. April 6th a general engagement was brought on by the rebels first attacting Bem Prentiss division. Printiss' mers become alarmed by the Sudden attact made by the enemy. but done every Thing they could to Stay the advance of your but hace to fall back through the heavy woods till they gained a protecting ridge, Hildebrands brigade of Shermanis division Succeeded in forming a line of battle . the other two brigades were formed to the right The rebels soon attacted them, and Stermans whole line on the right. the come engaged That the heavy columns of rebels Soon.
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About noon. Prendies, il Ulernaux and Sherman, were driven back Soniwhat Shattered and demoralised notwithstanding their men had fraught desperately. but were driven from their campo. Shut the union victory was not yet lost. Hurlbut and th, P. S. Wallace were making a gallant stand.
: At the time when Prentiss and Metalesman gave way . Huisbut and Mr.16. Le Wallace were thrown forward to meet the rebel ouset, the enemy charged upon the lines of Haulbits and Wallace time and again witte all the drunken fury of demons but as often as they charged. They were repulsed, Three times the rebels made a desperate to force Brutto briade back But the Making fire from Merufts men was to much for rebel Steel. The 31st. Indiana volunteers with the other regiments of Truffes brigade went into battle early in the morning of April 6th and was closely . engaged all day and was one of the last. regimento to retire in the evening . and on the front line early the next morning until the energy was souled
battle of Shell were wy killed and about. . one hundred and seven
fifty wounded. Was Fired Arm and Haft.
Jea Harry Killed, Nol; Craft, wounded,
The casualties of the 31st Rect, Ind, vols, in the battle of Shiloh were twenty killed including May. Fred Arn and Haft Geo, Harry and 107 viviended inclu .ding Cool, Gruft.
Casualties of To."B. Killed 2, Emanuel Huffman, and Joseph It, Milliano.
Wounded. 6. St. A. Jihose, E.g. Barten, J.E. Hostetter, Joseph Parr, W. W. Davis Vincen H. Nooksey, and others Slightly. Federal loss in this engagement is estim ated at over one thousand killed. Over Seven Thousand wounded and
over three Thousand missing, Total 13,298, The rebel loss killed over one thousand Hounded over eight thousand ; mussing , over nine hundred. Total loss of rebels 10,699" : .The loss on both sides wine probably much
Here our skirmishers were soon engaged, The 11th, Indiana and. 8th Missouri wished into the fight cheantime regiment after regiment in Wallace, division inoved on, pushing back the enemy as they ascended the ridge, receiving heavy fire from the rebels i've played the part of Boliaves, andas Scon as the fury, a bated the rose and marched forward, tius ive. graduly neared the enemy's works, We bild on line of investment , and. The enemy was thrown into confusion The Left wing of the Union
line of battle was commanded by General Te. F&Smith his forces had been fuld Mit readiness, during the hard struggle on the Right Wing and had held his line of investment ready to to move to any given point . .:
The Right wing of our army had regained what we had lost in the morning and it is now late in the after novin, The enemy vivere driven back and confused.
if little later and we were formed in line of battle a short distance, and to the rear and right on the top of a ridge, where the enemy appro ached sis, crying out "Brinavista". and i quick succession poured a terrific fire from their nuisketry But we were eager for revenge, and the command was scarcely given by Molones Gruft to fire and charge bayonet than the entire brigade poured a deadly volley in to the rapid approaching enemy, and then with a deafening roar they leaked forward? with such a real that the enemy could not stand the lead and steel: of Berufts heroic men, but retreated in 2 double quick time, and no never again had the pluck to meet is in battle- field and cast in to his Bunavisto? After this gallant charge we were moved further to the left, there we. were formed in line of battle mean a ? revene heading to wards the enemy's bed upiks, at this front the country is very much
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1
Grannis y number of
2
Dateof 21
Discharge
1 Tinans Isaac N. 2) Rose Alen I. 3 Pickens Francis M.
4. Haviland Steven S. 6. Strong Robert; 6 spear john is : > Winans dra
8 Wells games to , Haltum games J. 10 Pickens Wesley lich Ke Robert f.
12 Ring Orolena. 13 Hulst Robert f.
town
14 Jordan Henry 16
¿Confi vandalia 1. Bor Poland
15. News John te.
16 Brossard John B.
8 Gorz Spencis
....
17 M' Fire Williami'll
His, Aug. 15363. Disable.
Piusicias penais Priv. instead offline Spencer
18 Bowen John 19 Pool Johng.
poster. Franz Cloverdale Prin Stocton
80 Aug John ... 2) Antibus William
Freedom
Died on the Ohio kina
Rueba Arney
Barten Edward 2.
84. Bocs John.
on a stammer fraer. 51.62. Dis Inclo Ized in better of shitka nut. Deserted afug 8165
Nieba !
lowen cound 1861 Nopt, Neuba Ly5,5° Resigned west &Lt, Spencer 2St Cuba Sest Nuba 2" Sorgt Spencer " 3' sugar Spencer Übergt Terrehaute 5 Serst Stocton I'Mbar& Spencer 2 Borg Cuba 3. For Freedom
Resi'd , wounded ing Promotecl I'dt. t recht Resignil Sur 15.64 Promoted D" 6. 1; Lt. kind Sept 24.64 Discharged Dec1:62 By reason of disability Promotert hopital Sitios died of Savannah sem ! Mar. 1.62 .. Dis unds, ried, at Ft Donation Jenn. Provide H. Jan s' 63 Kes, Sept 30: 64. Killed at 205, Donela Feb 15+ 62 Pro. 2' lt Pulled in falte at tro troyended in battle at Chickamauga Fa Sept. 1 8, 63, How. ou
4 Corp Cuba
Dis. Jan 1b. C3. disolito
! . ...
Deservice Oct, 3:6% Hill. din Bacche at Ost Donelson dir. Feb. 1576.2. Dis inclo. Need at Marietta Sa
Veteran. poulard out as sugs, Die for
8.65 00 theoryl Dis. Nov. 16,63 Disability Dis. det.25.62 Disability falta at Ball Since Team Dis. Dec. 13,64.
22 Barns Steven N. .23
Ban
Resid
Nuba. 5. Sup Disch hisb. L' 62, Disability Net mustered out De0, 8' 65. 00 VGalaraet, 6. Licho, Need, in battle" Marta ! 64 Bustered out Sigt, 5, 64 Disc Dec. 1.62. Disability Nuba;" Net. Mustered nout Sept. 15,64. Vouba . Disc Mar. 25.63. Disability Dis'd was received Marietta Ja.
" Dirección ... stocton. "
Nuba Venda
Died at Calhoun H.y. Dee. 29'62. Discharged Aug. 19, 62. Hd Rood in battle at Shiloh Apr. 6. 62
Disch July 31 02. Disability Promoted to lidt. 64
Dis'd Sigt. 20162. Disability Disch Sept. 18,62 120. Meeke. in bath at Shiloh Am 6162
Staction =
1 .. Sitocheton
Mustered out Sept. 5 64, Net. musterod out Dec. SI65, as Corpul " " Verba" " stockton . Vierbra!
Died at Nas hvile Je Dec $162. Died at Calhoun H.M. Jan. 8.62, Died at Savannah den, Mar. 20162. Net. Died at Bowling green And. Aug. 15164.
Mustered out Set, 5,64. Disc Aug, 19, 62. Les, Reid, at Fit Donelson Jenny, Hab. 15'62 Net, Mustered out De C. F'65 as toryil. Died at Evansville Ond Дес. 80063.
Monstered out Sigt , 15 ; 64.
Disch, Left, 20,62. Disability
.. Nuba Hausertam ..
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35 Denny David. 40 41 Edgar Jamies . Everet John te . 42: Evans Lewis B. Lis Froch Micheal 44 Fowler goed 45 Frew Charles A. 46 Soff William 47 80ff Henry 16 48. Jard Sparingo D. 49 Soinser Hood Jacob
Muba " Cuba ... Moriba. Cuba !
١٠٠ Memba! .
Stockton ..
35 Boes games 26 Beman James ". 27, Bowen Elliott. 38. Bowen young 29 Brewer John 2. 30 Carpenter Joseph 3) Carpenter David.
....
3, Hoffman Jacob 13 Mooksey Nisicen 26 . \34 Horns Smith. 35 barns James B. 36 Verouse Obediah 37 38
Davis William It. Daniels William 16.
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nut , mustered out Die , 8,65 as Inusician." Stockton Disel Apr. 3'62 Disability Spencer Disu, Now, 4' 62. Disability Died at Calhoun Her, " Greenbatte Dec, 17161. Net. Deserted June 201 65 Poland 11
50 Green golin 6. "Spencer 5) Hassilin Eli 52 Hamilton Alsalem 53 Harden Benjamin Fi. 54 Highnote games 16. 55 Horn George Spencer " Dis'd Oct, 23.62. Disability " 56 Huffman Emanuel ("Spence .. Billed at Shiloh Apr, 6'62 Died Anr. 30, 62 W ds. Rxid Lancaster at Shiloh Apr. 6162. 5) Hostetter john 2. Fr. Jordan Jacob B. " Vandalia. Deserted grine 8,62. Transferd N. R.C. " Hausertown Ang, 15' 63 .. Dische mar, 27,63 Was, Read " Freedom " at Stone River Jenn " Hausertown Mustered out Dee. G' 65, Was, Net. Disco, June 20165,30 " (Cataract ; ] Ivds 4" July 64, near marietta 59. Johnson Dis berry 60 Senoyer Joseph 6) Sonybarger Lewis 62 Leonard Oliver 68 me mahan Francisco " Spencer , Hilled at HI, Donelson Feb I'LL 6419 Clairen William Point ! mustered out Set 15, 64 .. " Spencer." Dised Mar, 29'62. Disability "Spencer" Dised, Jan 15, 63. Disability „ Freedom !! Deserted June 15'62. "Freedom " Deserted June 8 62. Net. Mystered out Dec. 81 " Hausertown: 65, 00 Leigh, "Stockton ". Dised, Dec. 24'62 . Disability Wounded at Rocky Hace kids Mustered out Jan; 30,65. Net. Hustelle out Dec, 8- 165, 00 Mary Died at Farming ton chiss Only 7.62. vet . Disc Jan, 10, 6.5. wds 65:16 Juice William S. Lich Indoo Jefferson. 6) Mc Kee Albert B. 68, che Bride Gabriel. 6) Hishler Daniel 30 Needy John W. I Nelson William 16, Poland " 12 drichols gasper M. Vi freedom " 73 Vihart Simon P. Marts 74 Pool Andrew J. "Cataract"
Uranus
25 Pool John D. gr. D' Phillips William de , > Pichard games 78 Parr Joseph P ys. Pellet William H. 80 Ranken Samuel .. 81 Rose William D:
82 Reynolds James it. 83. Khoderice John 84 Seidle Simon:
85 Sipple James M . . 86Smith Augustus 8) Shanaman Michael 88 Stevens Isaciete. 89, Jalley Oren I 90 Siphon Vincent. 1) Jownson Thomas € 92 Jada John Me 93 Walden Lemuel
154 Williams Jacob B
$6 Woodburn James M " burg >> Whitaker William in. .. Vandalia 98 Wright Andrew J. " (Cuba " 19 gant Detbalt 11 Cataract.
Pri Reside mais mee " Maturact 5, Dised Nov, 27,62, Disability " Yerba " Deserted Nov. 20161 .
" Freedom" Dised gan, 14'63. Disability Disco, Aug. 25,62, Was Held at " Verba " Shiloh Bern, Apr. 6' 62.
Verba. .. Mustered out left, 15'64, as Both 11. " 'Spened " Filled at Sit, Donelson. Frb 15,62 Buschid, Jan, 20163, border " Spencer of the war Dpt, Killed at Store River
... Doland ..
Де. с. 30, 62. Dische, Oheb 20163. Disability „ Arney !! Djed at Nashville Venn. Stockton Sept. 24'62.
as form " Cataract Mustered out Sept, 15,64 , Stockton . Dischid Jan. 4' 62 Disability Wet. Died at Lorsville Stockton Ju.y. Aug, 10'64 Ings,
Deserted at Shiloh, Reins- Cataractstated, Deserted at Chickamauga. Died at Henderson H.y: " Freedom Oct, 30'6%.
Died at evansville Ind,
Patricko . May 15,62,
"Vandalia
Dische, Sept, 1962. Wds, at Fit, Donelson, Feb, 15,62. Died at Evansville Ind, Mar. 15,62.
" Terrehaute " Moriba! !! mustered out Sept. 15,64 Net, Died at Nashville Jem ctus, 22'64, Chilled at Shiloh Jenn,
95 Williams Joseph w .... Vandalia wm 6,62, as Sergh Patrick's. vet Promoted 2. Lt. Mustard out Dec. 8165. Net, Mustered out Бес, 565.
Dische Heb, 4,62, Disability Died at Calhoun Hy Jan, 12:62
:
Remarks
Remarko
Deserted July 80 65. Drafted.
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