Washington State that is....
Hello all
I joined this forum to learn more about the Civil War and specifically my great great grandpa Lavern Stanton who was in Company H 36th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and his brother Tolmus Stanton, who was also in the 36th Illinois Infantry, Tolmus was killed Dec 31 1862 at Stones River Georgia. He is buried there.
I've found out a few things about them I'll share later and even found a relative on-line on another civil war forum, we share our great great Grandpa Lavern.
One interesting thing about our family, Tolmus Stanton was engaged to a woman named Lydia and they were to be married after the war, sadly Tolmus was killed in battle at Stones River, but then Lavern married Lydia after the war and here I sit writing about it.
I look forward to perusing the forum. I'm retired and I love it, I have time now to study all sorts of things.
Welcome !
Stone's River after battle report:
Report of Capt. Porter C. Olson, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry.
HDQRS. THIRTY-SIXTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,
January 9, 1863.
The Thirty-sixth Illinois Regiment, Col. N. Greusel commanding, was
called into line at 4 o'clock on Tuesday morning, December 30, 1862,
and stood under arms until daylight, to the left of the Wilkinson pike,
our right resting upon it, and 5 miles from Murfreesborough. At 9 a.m.
we moved forward to Murfreesborough; two companies were deployed
as skirmishers to the right of the road, and were soon engaged with the
enemy's skirmishers. When 2 miles from Murfreesborough the regiment
was deployed in the corn-field to the right of the pike, and two
companies were deployed forward as skirmishers, as ordered by Gen.
Sill. The regiment lay in line in this field until 2 p.m., at which time the
whole line was ordered to advance. The skirmishers kept up a sharp
fight, the enemy's line retreating and ours advancing. We drove the
enemy through the timber and across the cotton-field, a low, narrow
strip stretching to the right into the timber. A rebel battery, directly in
front of the Thirty-sixth, directed a heavy fire on us. Our skirmishers
advanced to the foot of the hill, near the cotton-field, and here kept up
a well-directed fire. We were ordered to support Capt. Bush's battery,
which was brought into position in the point of timber where our right
rested, and opened fire with terrible effect upon the enemy. We
remained as a support until nearly dark, when Capt. Bush went to the
rear, the enemy's battery, or, rather, its disabled fragments, having been
dragged from the field. In this day's engagement the regiment lost 3
killed and 15 wounded; total, 18. We occupied the hill during the night,
and our skirmishers were in line at the edge of the cotton-field.
On the morning of December 31, soon after daylight, the enemy
advanced in strong force from the timber from beyond the cotton-field
opposite our right. They came diagonally across the field. Upon reaching
the foot of the hill, they made a left half-wheel and came up directly in
front of us. When the enemy had advanced up the hill sufficiently to be
in sight, Col. Greusel ordered the regiment to fire, which was
promptly obeyed. We engaged the enemy at short range, the lines being
not over 10 rods apart. After a few rounds, the regiment supporting us
on our right gave way. In this manner we fought for nearly half an
hour, when Col. Greusel ordered the regiment to charge. The enemy
fled in great confusion across the cotton-field into the woods opposite
our left, leaving many of their dead and wounded upon the field. We
poured a destructive fire upon them as they retreated until they were
beyond range.
The Thirty-sixth again took position upon the hill, and the support of
our right came forward. At this time Gen. Sill was killed, and
Col. Greusel took command of the brigade. A fresh brigade of the
enemy advanced from the direction that the first had come, and in
splendid order. We opened fire on them with terrific effect. Again the
regiment on our right gave way, and we were again left without support.
In this condition we fought until our ammunition was exhausted, and
until the enemy had entirely flanked us on our right. At this juncture
Maj. Miller ordered the regiment to fall back. While retreating, Maj.
Miller was wounded, and the command devolved upon me. We moved
back of the corn-field to the edge of the timber, a hundred rods to the
right of the Wilkinson pike and 2 miles from Murfreesborough, at 8
a.m. Here I met Gen. Sheridan, and reported to him that the
regiment was out of ammunition, and that I would be ready for action
as soon as I could obtain it. We had suffered severely in resisting the
attack of superior numbers. I had now only 140 men. The regiment
fought with great obstinacy, and much is due to Col. N. Greusel for his
bravery in conducting the regiment before being called away.
Adjutant Biddulph went to find the ammunition wagon, but did not
succeed. I then informed Quartermaster Bouton that I needed cartridges,
but he failed to find any except size .58, the caliber of most of the arms
being .69. I was now ordered by Maj.-Gen. McCook to fall back
to the rear of Gen. Crittenden's corps. I arrived there about 10 a.m.
I here obtained ammunition, and dispatched the adjutant to report to
Col. Greusel the condition and whereabouts of the regiment. He
returned without seeing the colonel. Lieut. Watkins soon rode up,
and volunteered to take a message to Col. Greusel or Gen.
Sheridan. He also returned without finding either officer. I now went in
search of Gen. Sheridan myself; found him at 12 o'clock; reported
to him the regiment [what there was left of it] ready to move to the
front. He ordered that I should hold the regiment in readiness and await
his orders.
At 2 p.m. I received orders from Gen. Sheridan to advance to the
front, on the left of the railroad, and connect my command temporarily
with Col. Laiboldt's brigade. We were here subject to a very heavy
artillery fire. A 12-pounder shell struck in the right of the regiment and
killed Lieut. Soren L. Olson [a brave and faithful officer, commanding
Company F] and Corporal Riggs, and wounded 3 others. At dark we
were moved by Lieut. Denning one-quarter of a mile to the rear,
where we remained for the night.
At 3 a.m. January 1, 1863, by order of Gen. Sheridan, we marched
back to his headquarters, on the Nashville pike, a distance of half a
mile, where, at daylight, I reported to Col. Greusel. As ordered by
him, we took position to the right of Capt. Bush's battery, fronting west.
We built a barricade of logs and stone, and remained through the day
ready to receive the enemy, but no attack was made.
On the morning of the 2d, the regiment was in line at 4 o'clock; stood
under arms until daylight. We remained ready for action during the day
until 4 p.m., when, by order of Col. Greusel, we moved to the right,
on the line formerly occupied by Gen. Davis. During the night
considerable skirmishing occurred on our front.
On the morning of the 3d instant, the regiment stood under arms from
4 o'clock until daylight. At 8 a.m., by order of Col. Greusel, we
changed position to the right, and somewhat to the rear, letting our right
rest upon the Nashville pike.
On the morning of the 4th, we were under arms at 4 o'clock; no
fighting occurred on our part of the line during the day.
In the action throughout, the regiment behaved in the most gallant
manner. The officers, with only a single exception, distinguished
themselves for bravery and coolness; the men, with unflinching courage,
were always ready, and met the enemy with a determination to conquer.
I tender my thanks to Adjutant Biddulph for the gallant and efficient
manner in which he assisted me, and also to the other officers for their
gallant action throughout the stormy conflict, which resulted in victory.
I append to this report a list of casualties.*
PORTER C. OLSON,
Capt., Cmdg. Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteers.
Lieut. J. B. WATKINS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XXXII.] THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN. PAGE 359-29
[Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]
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A comrade of your ancestors in company H :
Nelson Burnett Sherwood
Enlisted 8/14/1861 as a Sergeant
He was severely wounded at Stones River, Tennessee 12/31/1862.
Promoted to 1st Lieutenant 11/23/1864
Mustered out at New Orleans, LA. 10/8/1865
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