Help with Information on Samuel J. Manning

[Tjw16g]

After doing some digging I managed to get through a genealogical brick wall and find an ancestor by the name of Samuel J. Manning. He served in the 15th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers and at some point was transferred to the 1st Engineer Corps. His records in the former unit end in 1863 and his records in the latter start in spring 1864. In the Alabama Confederate Census he wrote that he served in the 56th Alabama Cavalry. So I assume that gap is filled by that unit. I can't find records for him in that unit. Can you help me find those records?

While in the 1st Engineers he got sick in September 1864 and spent time in Richmond hospitals. He was listed as still being absent sick in October 1864. There are no further records. He wrote in the 1921 Alabama Confederate Census that he served at Petersburg and then from Petersburg to Danville before surrendering with Lee. Can you help me find out if any records exist for him after October 1864 that would corroborate his story in the census?

He also wrote in that census that he was assigned to building pontoon bridges. Were any Confederate pontoon bridges built between April 1864 and Appomattox? If so where? I would be grateful for any information on the 1st Engineer Corps service. I am attaching his fold3 records for both units I could find.

 

[lupaglupa]

Take a look again at the records you have linked for the 15th. The notes on the first page for the 15th battalion partisan raiders show that this unit was consolidated with the 13th to form the 56th. The last muster roll Samuel shows on is dated 28 Feb, 1863. That doesn't mean he left then - just that there isn't another muster roll that he's on. Records are not perfect or complete. Have you gotten his pension application?

My guess is he was with the 15th when it consolidated and thus called it by its later name in the census.

As to pontoon bridges, I'd post that question in a forum that looks at that, maybe Naval War.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

You can access his Confederate Pension Application here.....https://www.familysearch.org/en/

all that's needed is a free account.

 

[Jackson Hornets]

The 15th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers was consolidated along with the 13th Battalion into the 56th Regiment Alabama Partisan Rangers, also sometimes referred to as the 1st Regiment Alabama Partisan Rangers. Love how confusing Confederate designations make this type of research.

They served in the western theatre if I recall correctly. I had a set of like 4 uncles in Company G that came from the 13th Alabama Battalion.

It's interesting that he was transferred to the engineers from a PR outfit. Then to another theater entirely? What a life.

Check his 1860 civilian census records for what his trade is listed as. It could be a clue as to why.

Also, use spelling variations and just "Samuel Manning" without the middle initial. I've found records this way I otherwise ignored. Sometimes records are lost, he could've been on furlough, served with a different states' units. I see why this was a brick wall. I will try to look up what I can.

 

[DixieRifles]

Love how confusing Confederate designations make this type of research.

I DON'T love it one bit.

The 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers served in Mississippi for awhile. Also I was searching for an artillery crew who served in a battery under General Chalmers and I found 4 were on loan from the 56 Partisan Rangers. I scanned thru service records of others and many who were loaned out to other units/duties. I think some were assigned to build fortifications at Mobile(where the 56 PR was organized).
So maybe this engineer had started out in 56 PR and assign temporary duty with engineers and finally transferred permanently.

 

[DixieRifles]

I searched FOLD3 service records, hoping to find his name under Officers and Staff or somewhere. Nothing new.

 

[lupaglupa]

It would be instructive, I think, to look at the records of other men from the same unit. Do they have records from the period in which Samuel Manning has none? That would indicate that he was indeed somewhere else. If they do not - it may show that the gap is not caused by his personal absence but by an absence of records.

 

[Story]

1st Engineer Corps was a Confederate Government unit, right?

What about this S.J. Manning?

Page 1 - US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - Confederate Government (CSA), 1861-1865

www.fold3.com

(not signed in, can't see details, that's why it's in the form of a question)

 

[Tjw16g]

1st Engineer Corps was a Confederate Government unit, right?

What about this S.J. Manning?

Page 1 - US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - Confederate Government (CSA), 1861-1865

www.fold3.com

(not signed in, can't see details, that's why it's in the form of a question)

The only records I don't have are from the gap when he would have been in the 56th Alabama Cavalry/Partisan Rangers. I assume the records just don't exist for that time.

 

[Story]

The only records I don't have are from the gap when he would have been in the 56th Alabama Cavalry/Partisan Rangers. I assume the records just don't exist for that time.

So that's your guy?

 

[Tjw16g]

So that's your guy?

Yes. He served in the 15th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers in 1862 which was merged into the 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers in 1863 he then transferred into the 1st Engineers in 1864. Records exist for him in the 15th Battalion and the 1st Engineers but not in the 56th Alabama.

 

[Story]

Yes. He served in the 15th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers in 1862 which was merged into the 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers in 1863 he then transferred into the 1st Engineers in 1864. Records exist for him in the 15th Battalion and the 1st Engineers but not in the 56th Alabama.

Yes, I read all that in your original post. You got this.