I'm not sure "casualty" is the correct word as young Hurley died of disease. But because he was in the service of the Confederate Army at the time of his death, I consider him a casualty of war. A hideous war in which more men died from illness than did by battle. You may recall nearly 620,000 men/women perished during the War Between the States. 

Caswell died March 8, 1862--just six months after enlisting with the 34th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, Company C, on September 9, 1861. Here's a copy from his military file downloaded from Fold3.com/ 

Caswell was the first of eight children of Daniel and Melissa (Gibson) Hurley of Montgomery County, North Carolina. Daniel had died in July of 1859, and missed seeing his first and his third sons go to war. Caswell didn't actually go far from home with his regiment, but trudged around nearby counties. Poor rations and miasma left many ill. I found a couple of paragraphs (below) describing his last couple of months. Due to critical health, several in their regiment were left at Williamston while the unit continued on towards Roanoke. It was in Williamston that Caswell died. Was he lying in a tent or shelter? Was this 18 year old exposed to the elements his last day in March? 

"This regiment was organized at Camp Fisher, near High Point, where it was mustered into state service on October 25th, 1861, for twelve months' service. The regiment was ordered to Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, and was transferred to Confederate service on January 1st, 1862. On January 14th the regiment arrived at Goldsboro, where it went into camp while awaiting the distribution of arms. It's strength was reported as thirty seven officers and seven hundred and nine men present out of an aggregate of nine hundred and ten. Arms were issued on January 22nd. At about the same time, the regiment was reported, without further elaboration, to be 'becoming more and more unhealthy daily.'

On February 8th, 1862, a Federal amphibious force under General Ambrose E. Burnside captured Roanoke Island, and a Federal fleet began moving up the nearby coastal rivers. The 34th Regiment was ordered to Halifax, where it arrived on February 13th; it was then sent, in succession, to Jamesville, Weldon and Tarboro. On March 1st the Regiment moved to Hamilton under orders to prevent the enemy from ascending the Roanoke River."

I found an 1862 North Carolina map along with a charming photo of General Burnside's chops. Click to open the gallery:

Caswell's younger brother, George Freeman Hurley, served in this same regiment. He fared better, but spent time at one of the harshest Yankee prisons: Hart's Island--just off New York City, from April 7, 1865 to June 17, 1865. Records indicate he was fair complected, red headed, 5'7" with gray eyes. He swore an oath of allegiance to the United States on June 17, 1865 prior to his release. --NC Regiments, Walter Clark, Vol Z, p 589.

"On April 1, 1865, the regiment with the brigade, occupied a position on the right, south of Hatcher's Run. We learned soon after daylight that the Confederate lines between us and Petersburg had been broken. After this saddening news the regiment repulsed a force of Federal cavalry and then retreated to Southerland's Station, where a portion of Heth's and Wilcox's divisions hastily constructed breastworks from a rail fence behind which we repulsed two desperate assaults of the enemy, killing and wounding a large number and capturing a stand of colors and many prisoners.  Discovering that we were vastly outnumbered we fell back to the Appomattox River. There was no way of crossing the river except in a small boat which was scarcely sufficient to carry the higher officers. The regiment marched all night and reached Amelia Court House the next day. At this time the ranking officer was LTC George Norment, of the 34th Rgt, from Mecklenbery County.  Here we joined the main army and General Lee provided for us the much needed rations."   T. C. Lattimore, Shelby, NC, April 9, 1901. 

Meet Caswell Hurley's younger brother and my 2xGGrandfather, George Freeman Hurley, in a photo taken in 1902. Texas has a bit of a political biography on my populist red-headed ancestor:
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fhuae

Months ago I posted a dilemma concerning my earliest Wiser immigrant to Texas. Records and census images show the spelling of Hannah's four young sons to be WISER. Her maiden name has yet to be discovered. This 2nd Great-Grandmother remarried an aging San Jacinto veteran (GO TEXAS!) in 1853, and the handwriting on the marriage license indicates, oh, take a look for yourself, is it WOSTA or WOSTE or what-the?

http://treepig.posthaven.com/1853-marriage-of-hannah-wosta-to-samuel-leeper

Look on the left-hand sidebar where the Galveston Court Clerk wrote "Leeper" and "Wosta?"  See it? Many descendants have scratched their heads at this handwriting thankfully recorded for posterity. And many a researcher has run variations of Wosta through databases looking for immigration records, ship notes, earlier census records, etc. 

Phoey, it raises more questions than answers. Is Hannah's name on this marriage certificate that of her last husband or her maiden name? And could it be that our last name is NOT "Wiser" but another name? BTW, when you boarded a ship in Bremen or Hamburg long ago (in what later became Germany) you could not do so by just paying cash. You had to show papers validating your full name and residence. Captains were required to keep logs. Thousands of these logs are preserved. Many died when crossing the Atlantic. Their deaths were recorded, too. Both the originals and transcriptions of these records are available. And many cities' newspapers published the names of the first class arrivals. MORE: http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/passenger-arrival.html

WHICH BRINGS ME TO TODAY: A wonderful new database is available of World War I prisoners of war. Two of Hannah's Texas grandsons fought in France and Germany in 1918. I've long found it curious that two sons of a native German immigrant fought "the Huns" in a war that was to end all wars. Did they know much about their dad's ancestry? Surely it crossed their minds that they might engage in hand to hand combat in a muddy trench with a cousin or two, no? If I ever asked Grandpa this, I've since forgotten his response. And goodness knows he LOVED to talk about his time in the War. Do you know more from conversations with Elton?

http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/  Prisoners Of The First World War 

I ran a few surnames. Found several Wisers in the German Army. Found several of my husband's surnames in the French Army (let the teasing begin). But this result below REALLY interested me. Of all the combinations of WOSTE I've not thought of or seen this spelling: Woster. Do you see the similarity to the handwriting on the 1853 document? Click on both pictures:

I shall now be on the alert for all things WOSTER. 

I'm knee deep in West Virginia genealogy today researching my husband's Brown family. He lost an uncle to cancer this week, and the cousins have been sharing photos and memories on Facebook. All this serves to pique my interest in his maternal ancestry. I was up until 2:00 a.m. clicking away on Ancestry dot com and the Familysearch site. Very happy to find photos and stories that researchers have shared of Clay County residents 130+ years ago. 

Did you know my husband's fourth great-grandfather Alexander Brown fought in the War of 1812? I thought not. He served with Yancey's regiment in the Virginia militia. 

Alexander and his wife, Mary (Polly) Foster, lived in Monroe County, Virginia. One researcher reports that Alex and Polly had 16 children (gulp). Before marrying, Alex and his father in law posted a marriage bond on November 14, 1805 for a then HUGE sum of money. See a researcher's transcription below:

We Alexander Brown and Isaac Foster acknowledge our __ indebted to John Page ___ Governor of Virginia and ___ therefore in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars with condition that there is no legal cause to obstruct a marriage intended to be solemnised between the said Brown and Polly Foster of this county with our hands and seals this 14th day of November 1805 Alexander Brown (Seal) Isaac his X mark Foster (Seal) John Hutchison

Bob Legg wrote: "This appears to be a marriage license, where Alexander Brown and Polly Foster's father, Isaac, had to promise to pay a $150 fee. (Equal to about $2100 today) John Page was a former member of the 1st US Congress who was later Governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805." I appreciate Mr. Legg for sharing this document.

Among the alleged 16 children were a couple of sons trained as physicians. I found a colorfully worded bio for a grandson of Alexander and Polly. I too look forward to passing the psalmist's span of three score years in good health.

ANTHONY R. BROWN, M. D., of Clay, judicial center of Clay County, has passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, but is still engaged in the active and successful practice of his profession, in which he has made a record of faithful and effective service, the while he has broadened the province of his work to include also practice as a veterinary surgeon.

Doctor Brown was born in Nicholas County, West Virginia, February 15, 1848, and is a son of John and Susan (Neal) Brown, both likewise natives of that county and both representatives of pioneer families there. John Brown was born in the year 1812, was reared on a pioneer farm, and he eventually became one of the successful practicing physicians in his native county, where he remained until 1855. He then removed to Clay County, where he built up a large and substantial general practice, in connection with which he manifested a high sense of personal and professional stewardship. He became a loyal supporter of the cause of the republican party, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Of the nine children only two are now living, the subject of this sketch being the younger, and the elder brother, Dr. George W., being engaged in the practice of medicine at Lizemores, Clay County.

Dr. Anthony B. Brown was reared on the home farm and attended the schools of the locality and period. He was a lad of sixteen years when his youthful patriotism led him to enter the Union service in the Civil war, and as a member of a West Virginia regiment of volunteer infantry he continued in service until the close of the war. Thereafter he studied medicine under effective private preceptorship, and after thus duly qualifying himself he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, in which his success attests alike his technical skill and his unqualified personal popularity. He has maintained his residence in the Village of Clay since 1902, and in his professional service he has ever been ready to minister to those in suffering or distress, no matter how great the labor involved, how inclement the weather or how difficult the incidental traversing of muddy or unimproved roads. He has thus gained the gratitude and appreciative regard of those whom he has thus unselfishly served, and he is one of the substantial and honored citizens of Clay County. He is a republican in politics and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic.

As a young man Doctor Brown wedded Miss Elizabeth D. Jarett, and her death occurred in 1908. Of the six children of this union four are living. In 1909 Doctor Brown married Miss Ella Taylor, who was born in Braxton County, July 1, 1887, the three children of this union being William R., Ardelle M. and Naomi V.  

Source: The History of West Virginia, Old and New. Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 538.

My Mother's Great-Granddad served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was 20 years old when he signed on in May of 1864. I don't find that he saw battle, but do find that Corporal McCormick's unit had "garrison duty" at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for a few months before being mustered out in Saint Louis, Missouri.(1)  Other records indicate he was 6'2", dark hair, black eyes, and dark complected. This height was passed to many of his grandchildren.

He married, had seven kids on his farm in Illinois. When he was 62 he joined other family who were homesteading in New Mexico Territory. Today I found mention of him in a rural newspaper.(2)  William McCormick and other "old soldiers" had been awarded military pensions. William, now living near the town of Hagerman, got a whopping $12 a month. I've no clue what that sum would be in today's dollars, do you?

A couple of columns over from this article was a cute Mark Twain story. You know, Samuel Clemons was so very popular long ago. Oklahoma's Will Rogers later matched Twain in the public eye. WE NEED A NEW HUMORIST of their quality. 

William died in 1921 at age 75. He didn't live as long as his 90 year old dad. A kind soul shared William's parents' tombstone photo which appears to have been taken after sunset. But what the heck is that gargoyle on top? I've tried to brighten these photos, but failed. Click to see all three in the gallery:

Before I return to reading 100 year old newspapers, here's a brief bit of data on William's ancestors. Thanks for stopping by!

SOURCE: 

1.   http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UIL0138RI  

2.     The Spanish American, Feb. 1, 1908, Image 12, newspaper from Roy, Mora County, New Mexico. URL as of July 10, 2014: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92061524/1908-02-01/ed-1/seq-12/#  

I searched for Mark K Bullock on Newspapers.com and found these articles. They MIGHT be his, eh? Notice from which publication they first appeared. Did he even know that his poems appeared in newspapers after submitting them to Christian magazines? 

From:  September 30, 1954 in The Oklahoma City Star newspaper, p. 33.


From:  October 19, 1951, The Oklahoma City Star, p. 4. 


From:  February 13, 1953, The Oklahoma City Star, p. 25.


From:  April 14, 1950, The Oklahoma City Star, p.6. 

On New Years Day 1893 my paternal second Great-Uncle Sherman married Martha Garoutte in or near Tulsa, Indian Territory. 

Sherman had posted a $100 marriage bond with storekeeper Tom Archer. Tom was soon to suffer a fatal accident. So they named a street after him. Tom was later immortalized in Bob Wills' song "Take Me Back To Tulsa." Before the chorus, I'm Too Young To Marry, is the line: "Let me off at Archer, I'll walk down to Greenwood."

Please hear Wills himself sing it: 

 
 

(This link updated in March 2020, as a previous link expired from youtube)


Miss Martha was the daughter of David and Louisa Garoutte of Missouri. Dad would come visit his daughter via the "Katy." The nickname for the MKT railway (Missouri, Kansas, Texas) would later be called the Union Pacific Railroad. It was at the Frisco train station in Tulsa one day in 1906 that David Garoutte met writer/historian, S.C. Turnbo.

http://198.209.8.180/lochist/turnbo/index.html

Daniel Estefano was good enough to share a photo of the young Civil War soldier Garoutte. I won't steal the photo but instead ask that you see it here:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=garoutte&GSfn=david&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1910&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=11048366&df=all&

David Garoutte talked long with S.C. Turnbo, and Turnbo took notes. Two stories are:

1.  WAS HUNG FORTHWITH  -  http://thelibrary.org/lochist/turnbo/v2/st040.html

2.  MORE RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY DAYS  -  http://thelibrary.org/lochist/turnbo/V18/ST553.html

                Just pulled military records from Fold3.com  regarding your 2xG-Grandfather, William Welcome Wilhelm, and his brother, Archey. Arch's birth name was very likely John Archibald Wilhelm. One doc pictured below shows "Archible," for goodness' sake. Both the 1850 and 1860 censuses indicate a birth year of 1845--which made him 17 when he enlisted at Horse Head, Arkansas. Google the locations mentioned to learn the many places their unit walked and fought. Where Welcome fought, that is. I'm not sure Arch made it out of state. I've found no record of when Archey died or where he is buried. He had allegedly become seriously ill and was released from service. Sent home, he never recovered. As you know, more Civil War soldiers died from sickness than from injury in battle. Below are Archey's records. Click on the four images within each gallery:

          Here are 18 images from Welcome Wilhelm's military records. Sadly, I am inept at getting these pictures to appear consecutively--starting with the first page. My apologies. Please click and scroll over to the right and begin reading the LAST pic. As a reminder, Welk Wilhelm was born September 14, 1843 in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Shortly before 1850, his parents migrated to northwest Arkansas. He was 18 years old when he enlisted September 26, 1861 at Camp Jackson in Arkansas. Welk survived the War and married Mary Cowan in Florence, Texas in 1866. Together they had eight children before Welcome left his family in 1882 for parts unknown. (UPDATE: As of August 2017, I've changed the year 1883 to 1882 as to when Welk fled for parts unknown. Why? Because a newspaper article said so.)  Some say he left after killing another man in self defense. I call it abandoning your family. 

          It was in the late 1990s that I first found info on our Wilhelm ancestors' service with Company C, 15th Northwest Arkansas Infantry. I am grateful to the late Edward G. Gerdes for sharing his research:  http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/15infcoc.html

          The National Park Service has a brief summary of this unit's service:

 https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=CAR0015RI04

__________

Researchers Beatrice Willhelm Steeves (1907-1995) and Ola Irene Johnson (1914-1988) also have 1845 as Archey Wilhelm's birth year, along with 1843 for Welcome. 

Newspapers.com/ has Liberty County, Texas newspapers going back to the 1880s. My paternal grandfather, Elton, was born in that small southeast Texas community in 1896. I was happy today to find brief mention of him and his older siblings in a July 24, 1908 edition of The Liberty Vindicator. He would have been 12, and the sister whom he left home to visit for a week was Nora Jones and her husband Edward.

I don't find Nora and Ed in the 1910 census yet, but in 1920 they are living in Norman, Oklahoma. So I don't know what town young "Master Elton" spent his vacation. But clearly his older sister Nina had a "pleasant" visit there, too.

And brother Rufus was under the weather. Do you suppose Rufus Wiser, teenager, wasn't happy to see the news of his illness in the paper? I wouldn't have liked seeing my health condition trumpeted. (Ask me about my great-aunt's goiter making the paper once, good grief!). 

Rufus' good health returned by the time the Fairchilds offered their home to guests for an evening of "charming hospitality." This page follows the one above--both on page 2 of The Vindicator:

The full page is below if you have a hankering to read about kidney trouble, theological difficulties and the Man Zan Pile remedy for er, well, you know. If you have trouble viewing it, right-click to save to your device for enlargement.

Found an interesting death notice for a young man from Osage County, Oklahoma. No relation to my family, but they lived nearby. Flynn Franklin Button, survived by his parents Frederick and Alice Button, and four siblings: Gertie, Gardner, Pearl and Olive. Only 23 when he died in France at Le Chatelet, Departement du Cher, Centre.

He trained at Camp Travis in Texas with the 358th Infantry, 35th Division, Co. C, and was sent overseas in April of 1918. I looked on both ancestry.com/ and Fold3 just now, but don't find any military records save for his draft card from June of 1917. IHmm,  tried "Dutton" and "Sutton." My lunch hour is nearly over, so I'll quick share his photo and obit that researcher Emily Jordan shared to a memorial page for young Flynn.

Died on the field of battle, 

I was noble thus to die, 

God smiles on valiant soldiers, 

His record is on high.

I am a big fan of HBO's "True Detective" http://www.hbo.com/true-detective#/ and bought the southern gothic horror book, The King In Yellow, from which the television series is allegedly based. Each week the detectives uncover more leads into the dark mystery surrounding a few rural parishes in Louisiana. Each week I spend way too much time mulling over the plot during the middle of the night when I should be sleeping. The show is THAT good! And disturbing. Some of those parishes (counties) I recognize from my research. 

St. Landry, Vermilion and St. Martin Parishes were early residences of my southeast Texas families before land opened up for white settlers after the Battles at San Jacinto and Bexar. In the 1840s many of father's ancestors moved to Chambers, Liberty and Jefferson Counties in Texas--from Louisiana. Some of my Louisiana kin are:

My third Great-Grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Abshier and his wife Hannah (Weed), who appear in the Federal Census of 1810 in St. Landry;

My fourth Great-Grandfather, Jean Jacques Abcher, died in St. Landry in 1836; 

My third Great-Grandpa, Jean Baptiste Boulet, was born in St. Martin Parish in 1799; and

My second Great-Grandparents, Benjamin Franklin Abshier, Jr. and his bride, Carmelite Boulet, were married in September 1842 in St. Landry. This is a later photo of the couple.