Hello! First post. A question about a direct ancestor.

[kayjayjay]

Hello! I came looking for a place to ask a particular question and it looks like I found a place I might frequent. A little background:

I'm doing personal research on my direct ancestor, Stephen Alford, Private, Co. D, 126th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 2d Brig., 3d. Div., 6th Corps, Army of Potomac. (Pardon me if I might not be following conventions with listing his military designation.) Stephen and his wife's story has stolen my heart. Coming to find that Stephen was present for many significant seiges, battles, and skirmishes in the last half of the war only increases my attachment.

I'm currently reading 1) To Appomattox, Nine April Days, 1965, by Burke Davis and 2) the Concise History of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Reg't, Ohio Volunteer Infantry by J. H. Gibson who just so happens to have served in my ancestor's very company. I've also consulted a government document, 3) the "Official Roster of the Solidiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866, Vol. VIII."

Now my question: Stephen mustered out in Washington D.C, just days before the the official muster out of the company, which was June 25, 1865. According to the rosters above, Stephen's muster out was June 17, after the "Farwell Order" by Gen. Keifer of the 6 Corps. It appears odd he mustered out just eight days before the muster out of the company. Why might this have been the case? Edited.

 

[CMWinkler]

Welcome.

 

[Belle Montgomery]

Welcome from NE Ohio! I'm sure someone knows the answer to your question on here.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Stephen and his wife's story has stolen my heart.

This part of your post piqued my interest. Hopefully you will find time to share more when you are ready. And I'm sure someone will be able to help you with your question. Welcome, and enjoy

 

[kayjayjay]

This part of your post piqued my interest. Hopefully you will find time to share more when you are ready. And I'm sure someone will be able to help you with your question. Welcome, and enjoy

Thanks. I promise I will do so!

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the talk forum from Southeast Missouri located on the banks of the muddy Mississippi River.

 

[Taylin]

From what I see on ancestry he enlisted on June 23rd 1864. Maybe just for a year, hence the muster out date.

Another source suggest he was drafted. Ancestry doesn't appear to have any documents on him that I can see, only transcriptions. Someone with Fold3 might be able to see more.

 

[Zella]

Hello! I came looking for a place to ask a particular question and it looks like I found a place I might frequent. A little background:

I'm doing personal research on my direct ancestor, Stephen Alford, Private, Co. D, 126th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 2d Brig., 3d. Div., 6th Corps, Army of Potomac. (Pardon me if I might not be following conventions with listing his military designation.) Stephen and his wife's story has stolen my heart. Coming to find that Stephen was present for many significant seiges, battles, and skirmishes in the last half of the war only increases my attachment.

I'm currently reading 1) To Appomattox, Nine April Days, 1965, by Burke Davis and 2) the Concise History of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Reg't, Ohio Volunteer Infantry by J. H. Gibson who just so happened to serve in my ancestor's very company. I have also consulted a government document, 3) the "Official Roster of the Solidiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866, Vol. VIII."

Now my question: Stephen mustered out in Washington D.C, just days before the the official muster out of the company which was June 25, 1865. Stephen's muster out was either June 23 (see #3 above) or June 17 (see #2 above). Both after the "Farwell Order" by Gen. Keifer of the 6 Corps. It appears odd to be mustered out just days before the muster out of the company. Why may have this been?

(Mods, this may be better suited for a different forum. Please move if appropriate.)

Welcome!

Was his wife's name Rebecca?

From what I see on ancestry he enlisted on June 23rd 1864. Maybe just for a year, hence the muster out date.

Another source suggest he was drafted. Ancestry doesn't appear to have any documents on him that I can see, only transcriptions. Someone with Fold3 might be able to see more.

I checked Fold3, but they just have his index card not his full service records.

 

[dixie1861]

Hi and welcome!!!

 

[Stiles/Akin]

Hello! I came looking for a place to ask a particular question and it looks like I found a place I might frequent. A little background:

I'm doing personal research on my direct ancestor, Stephen Alford, Private, Co. D, 126th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 2d Brig., 3d. Div., 6th Corps, Army of Potomac. (Pardon me if I might not be following conventions with listing his military designation.) Stephen and his wife's story has stolen my heart. Coming to find that Stephen was present for many significant seiges, battles, and skirmishes in the last half of the war only increases my attachment.

I'm currently reading 1) To Appomattox, Nine April Days, 1965, by Burke Davis and 2) the Concise History of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Reg't, Ohio Volunteer Infantry by J. H. Gibson who just so happened to serve in my ancestor's very company. I have also consulted a government document, 3) the "Official Roster of the Solidiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866, Vol. VIII."

Now my question: Stephen mustered out in Washington D.C, just days before the the official muster out of the company which was June 25, 1865. Stephen's muster out was either June 23 (see #3 above) or June 17 (see #2 above). Both after the "Farwell Order" by Gen. Keifer of the 6 Corps. It appears odd to be mustered out just days before the muster out of the company. Why may have this been?

(Mods, this may be better suited for a different forum. Please move if appropriate.)

If someone musters out then it could be sickness or any variety of reasons.

 

[kayjayjay]

Welcome!

Was his wife's name Rebecca?

Thanks, and yes it was!

 

[Taylin]

I seen a Rebecca too, in a little story post about him.
@kayjayjay Birth and Death dates help too, as well as family and etc. I'm assuming it's Stephen Alford 1836-1896

 

[Zella]

Thanks, and yes it was!

You'll have to order it from NARA, but he received a pension. His wife also applied for one after he died. His application will likely have additional information on his service, as would his service record.

Unfortunately, it looks like Ohio's service records are not on Fold3, so you would probably have to order that from NARA
too.

 

[kayjayjay]

From what I see on ancestry he enlisted on June 23rd 1864. Maybe just for a year, hence the muster out date.

Maybe! Otherwise would be a remarkable coincidence. The "Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1866" says, however, that he was under a 3 year period of service. Could that be misinformation in a document compiled more than twenty years after the fact? Where might I look for perhaps more service records of the time to look over? What should I look for? [Edit: Thanks for the pension lead Zella.]

Another source suggest he was drafted.

He was indeed and listed under "Recruits" section in one ex post facto roster with other draftees and substitutes.

 

[MRB1863]

Hello and welcome from 35 miles north of Gettysburg!

 

[Zella]

Maybe! Otherwise would be a remarkable coincidence. The "Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1866" says, however, that he was under a 3 year period of service. Could that be misinformation in a document compiled more than twenty years after the fact? Where might I look for perhaps more service records of the time to look over? What should I look for? [Edit: Thanks for the pension lead Zella.]

He was indeed.

You are very welcome!

I have never ordered something from NARA yet since I have been able to find most of my ancestors' service records on Fold 3, but the gist I get from their website is it isn't too bad, just takes some time and paperwork. Someone with more experience with requesting these records would probably have some good tips for you!

https://www.archives.gov/research/military/civil-war/resources

 

[Taylin]

https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=Start&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov
You can make an account here and order reproductions of his service records for 30$ It's pretty easy to navigate from my experience, the only downside is you might have to wait 3 months before you get them. I've ordered 3 times for different ancestors, each time has taken 2.5, 3, and 1 month(s) respectively. They might include his draft papers, as well as a "Form for examining recruits" which is basically a question sheet that your ancestor would answer. "Have you been sick?" Are you this or that, etc etc. Mine came with his Substitute papers which was nice. You'll also get monthly or semi-monthly roll calls where it'll state if he reported for duty, was sick, wounded, at hospital, etc. One one such call my ancestor was reported to be the company cook which was interesting and matched some oral history from my Grandfather.

 

[kayjayjay]

https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=Start&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov
You can make an account here and order reproductions of his service records for 30$ It's pretty easy to navigate from my experience, the only downside is you might have to wait 3 months before you get them. I've ordered 3 times for different ancestors, each time has taken 2.5, 3, and 1 month(s) respectively. They might include his draft papers, as well as a "Form for examining recruits" which is basically a question sheet that your ancestor would answer. "Have you been sick?" Are you this or that, etc etc. Mine came with his Substitute papers which was nice. You'll also get monthly or semi-monthly roll calls where it'll state if he reported for duty, was sick, wounded, at hospital, etc. One one such call my ancestor was reported to be the company cook which was interesting and matched some oral history from my Grandfather.

Great, thanks! I will definitely make an account and order. I'd love to find any little ol' snippet like you found.

 

[redbob]

Welcome aboard from Alabama, and good luck on your search.

 

[John Winn]

Welcome from Southern Oregon (northern Jefferson).

@Taylin is correct as to obtaining a service record. As your relative's wife got a pension I'd definitely recommend you get the pension application file also. Unfortunately, it's another $30 but those files contain a lot of information that isn't in the service record (e.g. genealogical info, details of medical conditions, and often details of service not found in the reocrd) and is well worth it. Copy the form that @Zella posted as you'll need that information.

And while you can order both service and pension records on line I'd actually recommend you do it the old-fashioned way and mail it in as I've had a lot of problems with ordering on line (I researched 46 veterans and ordered a lot of files). Also, if you mail you can attach a copy of the pension application which is helpful as the staff seems sometimes unable to find the file if you just give them the number and will often say there isn't a file; with the copy attached they miraculously find it.

Good luck in your search.