Anyone need help tonight?

Okay, if you are REALLY bored, you can check into the history of my ancestor, John B. Mitchel of the 31st Alabama Infantry. His gravestone and his muster-in roll list him as J.B. Mitchel, although other members of his immediate family spelled the last name as "Mitchell".

His unit participated in the Kentucky campaign, Champion Hill, were captured and paroled at Vicksburg, then were sent to Chattanooga just as Lookout Mountain fell, were part of Cleborne's defenses at Missionary Ridge, participated in the Atlanta campaign, then Nashville, were combined with another Alabama Infantry unit and sent east to fight against Sherman in N. Carolina.

The problem I have is that after enlistment, the only records of him is in his muster-in role. At the very least he should show up as being paroled at Vicksburg and in N. Carolina after Johnston's surrender. No reference in the unit history of him ever being wounded, granted leave, gone AWOL, deserted, etc. Instead, we only have a reference in the Vicksburg paroles to an E.B. Mitchel, so perhaps this is a mistake by the Union officer processing the paroles. He was ultimately parolled near his home (not in N. Carolina) several months after the war by the provost marshall for the area.

I'd love to be able to fill out some details, and I hope against hope that some day I will find a picture of him.
 
I have a small mystery I've been trying to clear up. Sometime in the 1950's my great uncle George Rice took a trip to Gettysburg and took a picture of a unit marker that showed the location of Battery B 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery when they moved into reserve early on the 3rd. I was mystified as to why he would go all the way out there from Colorado to shoot a unit marker. Doing a little research I found that there was a Sgt Thomas Rice that served with the battery. I believe they are related but don't know the relationship as my Uncle George passed away in 1976. Is it possible that you have the resources to track the lineage of Sgt Rice to clear that up?

If you can figure this out, my payment will be lunch and a piece of hot gingerbread with lemon meringue sauce at the Dobbin House in Gettysburg when next I'm out there (hopefully next summer)
 
I forgot to mention: J.B. Mitchel was in company "H" of the 31st Alabama Infantry. Checking my notes, the 31st Alabama Infantry was consolidated into the 27th Alabama Infantry before being sent to N. Carolina.
 
I am sitting here bored out of my mind for some reason. If you need help with an illusive ancestor just let me know. I will see what I can find.


Hmmm, are you still bored??? My father has been searching for an ancestor of ours for ages. The only family member who knew ANYTHING about our family's history passed away many years ago. If you would like some really hard and difficult research...lol here is the name...

James M. York... enlisted in Ohio (Warren, Ohio?) His middle name was more than likely Main.

James is a ggguncle of mine.

If you are too busy now... that's fine. Just thought I'd try to help! :wink:


Honeybee:bee:
 
Hmmm, are you still bored??? My father has been searching for an ancestor of ours for ages. The only family member who knew ANYTHING about our family's history passed away many years ago. If you would like some really hard and difficult research...lol here is the name...

James M. York... enlisted in Ohio (Warren, Ohio?) His middle name was more than likely Main.

James is a ggguncle of mine.

If you are too busy now... that's fine. Just thought I'd try to help! :wink:

I will give it a try!



Honeybee:bee:
 
I have a small mystery I've been trying to clear up. Sometime in the 1950's my great uncle George Rice took a trip to Gettysburg and took a picture of a unit marker that showed the location of Battery B 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery when they moved into reserve early on the 3rd. I was mystified as to why he would go all the way out there from Colorado to shoot a unit marker. Doing a little research I found that there was a Sgt Thomas Rice that served with the battery. I believe they are related but don't know the relationship as my Uncle George passed away in 1976. Is it possible that you have the resources to track the lineage of Sgt Rice to clear that up?

If you can figure this out, my payment will be lunch and a piece of hot gingerbread with lemon meringue sauce at the Dobbin House in Gettysburg when next I'm out there (hopefully next summer)


I will give it a try. I have all of the genealogy "subscriptions".
 
Was your Mr. Christian a doctor by any chance ?

I don't know but I doubt it. A cavalryman, I suspect. There was a letter home attributed to him in another thread that contained no discussion of medicine, but of obtaining a fresh horse. There's a soldier in the NPS database of that name in the 3rd VA Cav but it doesn't add up to the letter. There are several dozen more, a few of whom could have been at GBurg, given their unit histories. I'm just curious.
 
looking for John E Murrays DAD, John was born 1857 in.tower city P.A..His dad was born in England His mom Mom PA. looking for George A Barnes DAD. George was born 1864 Schuylkill P.A So were both parents. I have all info for them and there kids but cant get to either dads. AHHHHHHHHHH John was married to Sarah Banes and george to rose haslem (East tenn found roses granda pa for me yeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaa)
 
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I am sitting here bored out of my mind for some reason. If you need help with an illusive ancestor just let me know. I will see what I can find.
Take a stab at any of the Ratcliff's listed in my signature. It seems everyone liked to name their child Edom or Thomas and it has led to problems in genealogy research. Have a smack at it though if you feel extremely adventurous!
 
William S. Christian, CSA, said to have been at Gettysburg, PA, July, 1863. I have no further information, but thanks for the offer. :playfull:
William Steptoe Christian - Born 1830, physician by trade. Captain Co. C 55th Virginia, Major - May 1, 1862, Lt. Colonel - June 23, 1862, Colonel - May 2, 1863. Wounded at Glendale. Captured at Falling Water - July 14, 1863 and exchanged the following March. Resigned March 14, 1865. Entry in Confederate Colonels by Bruce Allardice and Encyclopedia Virginia online. http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Christian_William_S_1830-1910#start_entry
 
I don't know but I doubt it. A cavalryman, I suspect. There was a letter home attributed to him in another thread that contained no discussion of medicine, but of obtaining a fresh horse. There's a soldier in the NPS database of that name in the 3rd VA Cav but it doesn't add up to the letter. There are several dozen more, a few of whom could have been at GBurg, given their unit histories. I'm just curious.

Would have been at Gettysburg . Connected to the Horse Artillery of the Cavalry Corps :

John S. Christian

Residence was not listed; 28 years old.

Enlisted on 5/10/1861 at Lynchburg, VA as a 4th Corpl.

On 5/10/1861 he mustered into VA Lynchburg Light Artillery
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Detailed 4/15/1864 Battalion Headquarters (As carpenter)
* Detailed 8/31/1864 Battalion Headquarters (As carpenter)



- The Virginia Regimental Histories Series
 

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