Who has researched their ancestors that fought in the civil war?

Question

Who has researched their ancestors who fought in the civil war and what kind of stories have you learned?
Thanks,
SuthrenGirl

Answer 1

Civil war re-enactors are a hot thing, and most of these will make really in depth studies of their units. There also is a multi volume series of contemporary records. Some web sites have photos taken of veterans at reunions in the early 1900s.
Personally, one of my treasures is a transcription of several letters written by my ancestor, to his family, telling honestly about the hard conditions. He wrote to his mother, commenting about a promise he made about controlling his swearing! He later became a Methodist minister. His brother lost an eye at one of the battles, and descendants today still have the minnie ball (bullet).
There are many diaries and such that exist, too.
http://www.cyndislist.com/cw.htm
A place for you to start.

Answer 2

My sister and I are just beginning to find out about our ancestors that fought in the Civil War and some of the things we've read are fascinating. One story we heard involved our great-great grandfather standing right next to his older brother when the brother was shot and killed. Most of his brothers fought in the war and were all very young. Most did not marry until they were in their late 30's or early 40's and I'm curious to see if we find a connection between their war experiences and the fact that they waited so late in life to marry. I suspect that financial ruin may have had something to do with it, but we haven't gotten that far. I get a little side tracked when I start reading the war stories so it may be a while before I discover much more than I already know.......

Answer 3

I began doing Civil War research when my daughter was in high school trying to find an ancerstor who had fought in it in order to get her a Daughters of the American Confederacy scholarship. By the time I found that ancestor I was hooked on genealogy.

I had a great-great grandfather who fought on the side of the South. He was from Tennessee and fought at the Battle of Chickamaugh (Ga) and was captured and sent to a prison in North Carolina where he spent the duration of the war. His widow (he died in 1905) applied for benefits and this is where I got a lot of my information from.

Answer 4

I heard as a child that I had an ancestor who fought for the North in the civil war. He was shot in the stomach and died in a southern prison. At the time I thought of a dark dungeon with straw on the floor. But more recently I realized it was probably an outdoor prison-camp (like Andersonville). Where the prisoners were exposed to the elements mostly, and were lucky to share the southerners meager food supplies. Of course, when "the slaves were freed," all their supplies dwindled to nothing. Freeing other people's slaves is always profitable.

Answer 5

You'll likely have better luck if the relative fought for the Union. Mostly because records in the south may have been burned or trashed during reconstruction. Knowing the full name, State relative lived in( generally same state they would have volunteered in) That States Archive most likely has a web site. For about 15 dollars you can probably get the relatives mustering in and out information, what group he was with etc. My great grandpas information was obtained through Illinois Civil war veteran site. Its fun looking them up

Answer 6

My paternal great grandfather (my grandfather's father) fought for the Union during the American Civil War, loosing his right arm in the process. My great grandmother was disinherited for marrying a Yankee; however, she later redeemed herself when she married a man whose first wife was Jefferson Davis' daughter.

At leas three great-great grandfathers also fought in the Civil War--this time on the Confederate side. Contrary to popular belief, these men came from families that didn't own slaves. Most of them came to Texas after the Civil War to start their life anew.

Answer 7

My great grandfather and two of his brothers fought in the Civil War. My gr grandfather made it home safe. One of his brothers died in Vicksburg, MS and is buried in the National Cemetery. The other died outside of Nashville, TN and is buried in an unmarked grave. Both died of small pox. The brother that was left at home never got over the loss of his two brothers. I have letters that the family wrote to reach other in the round robin style. Paper was scarce so they just continued on the same paper.

Then I had a distant cousin that was shot in the leg and the lung and lived for 20 yrs. Then the bullet in his lung moved and he bled to death before the dr could get next door to him.
Can you imagine living 20 yrs with two bullets in you and then 20 yrs later die from the wound? Wonder if they would consider him a casualty after all those years.

Answer 8

Some of these stories can be found in journals, family Bibles, local history books, museums, etc.

I was researching a g-g-g-grandfather (Joseph K. Vaughan) from Pennsylvania. He left his wife and daughter and enlisted and fought for the North -- and after a couple years, re-enlisted. Days later he was captured in battle and sent to Andersonville Prison in Georgia where he eventually succumbed to dysentery.

I actually got in touch with one of the gentlement who takes care of the cemetery at Andersonville Prison (which is now something of a museum) and he located the grave of my ancestor. I have a photo of his stone and I hope to get down there for a visit soon.

Answer 9

I inherited a bunch of very old photos with a gentleman who was always proudly posed with his crutches. Cousins and I could never figure it out. After I got involved in genealogy, I found out that he was with the 1st Wisconsin Calvary and fought nearly the entire war, until he was wounded by gunshots to the head and shoulder, 1865, at a battle in West Plains, Georgia. This was the reason for the crutches .His fellow soldiers went on to actually capture Jefferson Davis.

Fascinating stuff, and there's plenty of War of the Rebellion stories out there.

I've moved on to the Revolution for my ancestors; but all of these trials and tribulations that they endured, on both sides, are fascinating, and hopefully their strength and dedication can be examples to all us modern humans.

(PS. He died in 1911 at age 80. Two wives, four known children...)

Answer 10

Just last week, i traced an ancestor that was from Mississippi. I found out that he was with Co. D. 15 Reg't. He was taken prisoner at Edwards Depot, on May 17, 1863 and exchanged at Fort Delaware, Del., July 4, 1863. I think that is pretty cool. Now i want to know more!