Awkward End to Service

[rbortega]

Did anybody have an ancestor who served in either army that had their war service end abruptly due to an awkward or embarrassing situation? For example, my 4 x Great Grandfather DeWitt C. Greenman enlisted in the 23rd Iowa Infantry at the age of 41 and ended up getting a disability discharge because of Piles (or inflamed hemorrhoids).

 

[Northern Light]

Did anybody have an ancestor who served in either army that had their war service end abruptly due to an awkward or embarrassing situation? For example, my 4 x Great Grandfather DeWitt C. Greenman enlisted in the 23rd Iowa Infantry at the age of 41 and ended up getting a disability discharge because of Piles (or inflamed hemorrhoids).

At least he was cavalry!

 

[MRB1863]

Had a GGrandfather who died as a result of disease after Antietam. Imagine surviving that horrific fight then coming down ill only to die in a federal hospital and be buried hundreds of miles from home all alone. To top it off, his name is spelled wrong on his grave marker, too!

 

[huskerblitz]

One of my relatives severely bruised his shin just under his knee. The reason...ran into a tree/branch during a night march on their way to Jackson, MS. He wasn't discharged, but did wind up serving in the ambulance corps as a driver and as a nurse. It was one of the reasons he got a pension.

 

[DixieRifles]

ended up getting a disability discharge because of Piles (or inflamed hemorrhoids).

I think there were many soldiers who discharged themselves when they got the runs.

 

[Lost Cause]

Not quite the end of his service, but a Union Brig. Gen. arrested for refusing an order concerning the transportation of another Brig. Gen.'s personal wagon train.

 

[Chattahooch33]

I had an Uncle, Sgt. Robert L. Sellers of the 7th Missouri Cavalry (US) that was arrested. Turns out he was going out on missions to requisition horses for service but instead of bringing them back he was selling them and pocketing the money. Figures he was a yank .

Uncle, Pvt. Joseph Monroe Anderson of the 39th Georgia was captured in Dalton, Georgia as a spy. He was acquitted after trail but held for the duration of the war in Chattanooga.

Uncle, Lt. Col. William Clay Walker of Thomas' Legion Cavalry was murdered in his bed while on sick furlough in western North Carolina.


I guess these are kind of awkward.

 

[MissREP]

Not that I'm aware of--though one of my Union great-grandfathers brought syphilis home to his wife. Poor lady died crazy.

 

[Reb]

Not that I'm aware of--though one of my Union great-grandfathers brought syphilis home to his wife. Poor lady died crazy.

That's definitely awkward.

 

[IslayMalt]

I think there were many soldiers who discharged themselves when they got the runs.

That's definitely a good one.