Help researching ancestor

[luke1861]

Through FindAGrave and similar sites, I have determined that William Moore Lea (1817-1887) was one of my ancestors. The NPS soldiers and sailors database lists him as a chaplain in the 9th Arkansas Infantry. How would I learn more about this man? Thanks

his information on findagrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97000687/william-moore-lea
his entry on NPS database site: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search...oldierId=913153B2-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A

 

[Bruce Vail]

This book looks as if it may be worthwhile:

Amazon.com

 

[BrianB]

All CSA service records are scanned and online at fold3.com

There is a charge but (periodically) fold3 will have a "free weekend" or similar promotional event....keep an eye on the web site. In particular, they tend to do free days right around Memorial Day or Veterans Day (and memorial day is coming up.

He might have gotten a pension. The problem there is he died in 1887, and a lot of southern states did not start paying pensions until around 1890. Also, only states in the south paid pensions - if he moved to (for example) California, he would not have been able to get a pension. If he DID get a pension, it would have been from the state of his post-war residence - not necessarily Arkansas. So, if he lived in a state that paid pensions to Confederates prior to 1887, you might want to check for the existence of a state pension. Familysearch.org (which is free) has applications for some states. Otherwise, you may need to write the state archives of that state.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Through FindAGrave and similar sites, I have determined that William Moore Lea (1817-1887) was one of my ancestors. The NPS soldiers and sailors database lists him as a chaplain in the 9th Arkansas Infantry. How would I learn more about this man? Thanks

his information on findagrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97000687/william-moore-lea
his entry on NPS database site: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search...oldierId=913153B2-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/30361363

He may have transferred to the 1st Ark, Mounted Rifles. It looks like he was paroled with that unit, or they were consolidated at some point.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/30052640

 

[bankerpapaw]

Through FindAGrave and similar sites, I have determined that William Moore Lea (1817-1887) was one of my ancestors. The NPS soldiers and sailors database lists him as a chaplain in the 9th Arkansas Infantry. How would I learn more about this man? Thanks

his information on findagrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97000687/william-moore-lea
his entry on NPS database site: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search...oldierId=913153B2-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A

My Maternal Grandparents were Leas. I'm originally from Arkansas.

 

[Bruce Vail]

All CSA service records are scanned and online at fold3.com

There is a charge but (periodically) fold3 will have a "free weekend" or similar promotional event....keep an eye on the web site. In particular, they tend to do free days right around Memorial Day or Veterans Day (and memorial day is coming up.

He might have gotten a pension. The problem there is he died in 1887, and a lot of southern states did not start paying pensions until around 1890. Also, only states in the south paid pensions - if he moved to (for example) California, he would not have been able to get a pension. If he DID get a pension, it would have been from the state of his post-war residence - not necessarily Arkansas. So, if he lived in a state that paid pensions to Confederates prior to 1887, you might want to check for the existence of a state pension. Familysearch.org (which is free) has applications for some states. Otherwise, you may need to write the state archives of that state.

First step is to get the Combined Military Service Record (CMSR) from Fold 3. But CMSR does not contain all CSA service records, so keep that in mind as you progress through your research. East Tennessee Roots has provided with the same info as Fold3 but from the National Archives.

Next, I would obtain copies of any or all regimental histories that you can locate. My experience is that the provides good context for the CMSR and opens up other avenues of inquiry.

 

[MWood1841]

I see two different records for a William M Lea showing for Arkansas in Fold 3. They look like maybe one in the same person holding rank as Chaplain. I'm operating on my phone, but can download full pdf's for both later.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

From trying to reconcile the bits of legible information read above for Chaplain William M. Lea, have compiled the following possible relevant timeline for him.

Jun. 9, '61 - he enrolled at Little Rock in the Confederate Army, perhaps as a brigade chaplain (and maybe shortly afterwards got assigned as chaplain of the 1st AR Mounted Rifles).

Dec. 30, '62 - he was appointed at Canton, MS, as chaplain of the 9th AR Infantry.

Sep. 15, '64 - he resigned as chaplain of the 9th AR Infantry.

Sep. 16, '64
to Apr. 9, '65 - during this period he may have returned to the role of brigade chaplain for the AR regiments in Reynold's brigade.

Apr. 9, '65 - all the depleted AR regiments of Reynold's brigade in NC were consolidated into the 1st Consol. AR Mounted Rifles.

Apr. 26, '65 - he surrendered in NC (and was paroled on Apr. 28), shown as a member of the 1st Consol. AR Mounted Rifles.

 

[Stryker65]

From trying to reconcile the bits of legible information read above for Chaplain William M. Lea, have compiled the following possible relevant timeline for him.

Jun. 9, '61 - he enrolled at Little Rock in the Confederate Army, perhaps as a brigade chaplain (and maybe shortly afterwards got assigned as chaplain of the 1st AR Mounted Rifles).

Dec. 30, '62 - he was appointed at Canton, MS, as chaplain of the 9th AR Infantry.

Sep. 15, '64 - he resigned as chaplain of the 9th AR Infantry.

Sep. 16, '64
to Apr. 9, '65 - during this period he may have returned to the role of brigade chaplain for the AR regiments in Reynold's brigade.

Apr. 9, '65 - all the depleted AR regiments of Reynold's brigade in NC were consolidated into the 1st Consol. AR Mounted Rifles.

Apr. 26, '65 - he surrendered in NC (and was paroled on Apr. 28), shown as a member of the 1st Consol. AR Mounted Rifles.

Good work! I could barely read any of it.