Help looking for a photo- Co K, 55th Illinois Infantry

sko2014

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Nov 12, 2014
Does anyone have a photo of the men in the 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry? I am searching for Company K.
I would especially love to find a photo of William E. Moneymaker and his brother James K P Moneymaker. William survived the war. He was a prisoner at Andersonville. Perhaps there are photos of survivor reunions?
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Does anyone have a photo of the men in the 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry? I am searching for Company K.
I would especially love to find a photo of William E. Moneymaker and his brother James K P Moneymaker. William survived the war. He was a prisoner at Andersonville. Perhaps there are photos of survivor reunions?
Any help would be appreciated.

Though not the brothers you're looking for, here's 4 members of company K :

P1130446.gif


Hiland H. Kendrick

Residence Elmwood IL;
Enlisted on 4/7/1862 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

On 4/7/1862 he was commissioned into "K" Co. IL 55th Infantry
He Resigned on 9/16/1864


Promotions:
* Capt 2/9/1863
..........................................................................................................
P1130833.gif


Elijah Courtlandt Lawrence

Residence Chicago IL;
Enlisted on 11/14/1861 at Chicago, IL as a Private.

On 11/14/1861 he mustered into "K" Co. IL 55th Infantry
He was discharged for wounds on 2/7/1863


He was listed as:
* Wounded 4/6/1862 Shiloh, TN


Promotions:
* 2nd Lieut 3/5/1862 (As of Co. B)


Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 3/5/1862 from company K to company B


Other Information:
born in Massachusetts


After the War he lived in Boston, MA
...........................................................................................................
P1130845.gif


John Town McAuley

Residence Chicago IL;
Enlisted on 11/14/1861 as a Private.

On 12/31/1861 he mustered into "K" Co. IL 55th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 10/31/1864 at Atlanta, GA


Promotions:
* Sergt Major 11/14/1861
* 2nd Lieut 7/1/1862 (As of Co. C)
* Capt 9/4/1862 (As of Co. B)


Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 9/4/1862 from company C to company B


Other Information:
Member of GAR Post # 28 (Ulysses S. Grant) in Chicago, IL
died 5/5/1923
..................................................................................................................
P1130888.gif


Henry A. Smith

Residence Chicago IL;
Enlisted on 11/14/1861 as a Private.

On 11/14/1861 he mustered into "K" Co. IL 55th Infantry
He Resigned on 2/9/1863


Promotions:
* 1st Sergt
* 2nd Lieut 7/1/1862


Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 3/1/1862 from company K to company D


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men
- Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Commandery of MOLLUS
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
 


"Thank you for the photos. It is an interesting feeling to look upon faces who knew my relatives.
Was it common to be transferred to a different Company?"


From time to time both armies re-organized for various reasons. One reason could be heavy casualties. One way would be to combine companies. Toward the end of the war, the Confederates were being forced to consolidate regiments.
 
Another member of the regiment,
View attachment 56684
14-year-old Orion Perseus Howe not only was a Union drummer boy in the 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, he was also a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions at Vicksburg.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/506795764288422404/

Such a innocent face ! Doesn't look 14 to me !

- Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men
- Deeds of Valor. How our Soldier-heroes won the Medal of Honor
- Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1994
- Congress Medal of Honor Legion of the United States :
P1124261.gif

Orion P. Howe

Residence Waukegan IL; 12 years old.

Enlisted on 9/1/1862 at Waukegan, Lake Co., IL as a Musician.

On 9/1/1862 he mustered into "C" Co. IL 55th Infantry
He was discharged on 10/1/1864


He was listed as:
* Wounded 5/19/1863 Vicksburg, MS


Other Information:
born 12/29/1849 in Hiram, Portage Co., OH
died 1/27/1930 in Springfield, MO
Buried: Springfield National Cemetery, IL; Grave 4-207A

Medal of Honor Information:
He was awarded the Medal of Honor
for action on 5/19/1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
(A 14 year old drummer boy, remained upon field of battle
although severely wounded)
 
Such a innocent face ! Doesn't look 14 to me !

- Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men
- Deeds of Valor. How our Soldier-heroes won the Medal of Honor
- Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1994
- Congress Medal of Honor Legion of the United States :
P1124261.gif

Orion P. Howe

Residence Waukegan IL; 12 years old.

Enlisted on 9/1/1862 at Waukegan, Lake Co., IL as a Musician.

On 9/1/1862 he mustered into "C" Co. IL 55th Infantry
He was discharged on 10/1/1864


He was listed as:
* Wounded 5/19/1863 Vicksburg, MS


Other Information:
born 12/29/1849 in Hiram, Portage Co., OH
died 1/27/1930 in Springfield, MO
Buried: Springfield National Cemetery, IL; Grave 4-207A

Medal of Honor Information:
He was awarded the Medal of Honor
for action on 5/19/1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
(A 14 year old drummer boy, remained upon field of battle
although severely wounded)
A previous thread on Orion P. Howe,
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/children-of-the-war-orion-p-howe.104933/
 
From the above link, it appears the first photo I posted was his little brother Lyston Howe.
Thanks for posting.

During the May 19, 1863 assault at Vicksburg Howe's regiment the 55th Illinois Infantry found themselves pressed in close to the Confederate lines in a deadly firefight after having made their charge that day. The continuous fighting quickly drained every man's cartridge box and those of the surrounding dead and wounded. The decision was made to ask for volunteers to run back over the open ground to ask for more ammunition to be sent forward. Several volunteers came forward despite the fact that they would have to cross several hundred yards of open ground under a murderous fire. Orion P. Howe was one of those volunteers. He actually made two trips if memory serves me correct as they sent up the wrong caliber ammo at first. It was during the second trip that he recieved his critical wound.

Despite his young age Orion was not the youngest man with the 55th Illinois Infantry...that distinction belonged to his brother Lyston Howe.

View attachment 48986
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=31716896
 
Such a innocent face ! Doesn't look 14 to me !

- Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men
- Deeds of Valor. How our Soldier-heroes won the Medal of Honor
- Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1994
- Congress Medal of Honor Legion of the United States :
P1124261.gif

Orion P. Howe

Residence Waukegan IL; 12 years old.

Enlisted on 9/1/1862 at Waukegan, Lake Co., IL as a Musician.

On 9/1/1862 he mustered into "C" Co. IL 55th Infantry
He was discharged on 10/1/1864


He was listed as:
* Wounded 5/19/1863 Vicksburg, MS


Other Information:
born 12/29/1849 in Hiram, Portage Co., OH
died 1/27/1930 in Springfield, MO
Buried: Springfield National Cemetery, IL; Grave 4-207A

Medal of Honor Information:
He was awarded the Medal of Honor
for action on 5/19/1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
(A 14 year old drummer boy, remained upon field of battle
although severely wounded)

Thank you. I am so glad there is a photo of him. I read about him in the book written about the 55th Illinois. I will print his photo and information to keep with the book.
 
Last edited:
All I can think of is the poor mother. Thank you so much for adding the article. I have the book about the 55th Illinois. I will have to read it again and see if I find any mention of the father.
 
Your quite welcome ! :smile:

Let us know what you find.

I will but it will take a bit. The typing is small and not very dark. Written in the more flowery language of the day. Slow reading for me but so very interesting. If I start reading it again I won't be able to put it down and my research will go on the back burner.
On the subject of names, I love Orion Perseas and Lyston D (forget what the D was?) Something innovative I hope.
 
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