Looking for Information

[idlewild]

I have been doing some research on my ancestors in the Civil War. This would be the Dunham family line. So far I've been able to track down only a few who served in the war, but I am still searching through geneologys seeing if I can't find more cousins, uncles, etc. (oh man there are alot of Dunhams in the U.S., now which ones am I related too...)

I am currently hunting for information on my ggg grandfather Henry Clevelin Dunham. I did a bit of searching, found out he was in the 15th Regiment, U.S. Reserve Corps, Missouri Home Guard as the Assistant Surgeon.

I haven't yet been able to really track down a history of this regiment, so I was wondering if anybody on this board knew anything about the 15th, what battles they where engaged in, just sort of an outline of what they've done, what they did. Anything is helpfull!

Much thanks!!

[johan_steele]

http://www.civilwararchive.com/regim.htm has the complete Dyers Compendium, I would start your search there.

[larry_cockerham]

Shane, thanks very much for the url. Seems to be a bit heavy on US Army, but I had three ancestors who served in these units. Emily you might also try a simple Google search for that regiment. That works pretty well most of the time.

[idlewild]

Yes, that URL did provide some useful information. Did a more extensive search on google, found a bit more than the first search i did a few days ago. Thanks guys, I think I've found what I was looking for!

Now, onto the rest of my extensive family. I'm sure i've got a whole fleet of ancestors and releatives who served. Finding them will be fun, there are oh so many. Thats what happens when your family has been in America since 1633, they spread out... Wish me luck!

[pvt gauss]

idlewild, compliments,
I had to get in on this only,ironically enough, cause my wifes maiden name is Dunham. I`m sure alot of these people out here have more expertise in such things than I do but the National Archives is a wealth of info. Confederate records leave a little to be desired as far as completeness[real word?] but with a little info. they will do a search for you and send you what they have[there is a cost $16.00 per request if I remember correct]. In my case anyway well worth the cost. Good hunting-eh.
Paul

[idlewild]

How funny! That was my Grandma's maiden name. Speaking of my Grandma, she was the one who sparked it all by doing an extensive research on our part of Dunham family line a few years ago. She traced it all the way back to the 1400's when the name was first heard of. If it hadn't been for her I would have never know squat about my ancestors (along with the funny little fact that Sir Francis Drake is my 2nd cousin i think, i'm related to him at least, he's just a few centuries older than me ... it made my day when I found that out). I'll havta check out the National Archives, and also find out what my Grandma used in her research so that i don't repeat something she already did.

[larry_cockerham]

For the civil war, particularly in the southern states, the regiments were usually comprised of men from no more than two or three counties. Yes, there were some regiments such as the 10th TN Cavalry comprised of men from several different states, but that was unusual. Remember that the Confederate army was almost completely re-staffed after 1863 because of so many casualties. If you can isolate ancestors by county location in the south, then finding the regiments is much easier. Many rosters exist and are published on the internet and not too difficult to find. Success will vary a bit from state to state and whether or not the yankees burned the courthouse!