looking for info.

[Snicole1214]

I am not sure if I have come to the right place or not but I am hoping someone can direct me to the right place to look or even someone I can talk to. I am doing some personal research on a soldier that served in the civil war. He is believed to have died during the battle of Gettysburg, 1863. I am taking a guess that it would have been at the battle of little round top. I know his first name was Jonathan, his profession was a Doctor and he fought in the union. He also had a (only) son that served with him and died as well although I am unsure as to whether or not it was the same time. I have no last name to go by however I am told he died from injuries sustained by bayonet, and I know only 1-6% of soldiers died due to bayonet. He had a wife ( name unknown) and I am led to believe Jonathan was his only child. He also had one female servant. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Nathanb1]

First, I'm going to move this to a better forum. Second, it might be helpful if we knew why you've come to your conclusions about Jonathan (such as Little Round Top), and I'm sure others will have additional questions. Welcome aboard.

 

[Snicole1214]

I've come to that conclusion due to stories handed down of a grassy hill and because his injuries were sustained by bayonet. If I researched correctly little round top was the location of the bayonet charge. Since the injury was specific I thought it would have been safe to assume this was his place of death however it was just a theory. I know that it will probably be a long shot that I'm able to find anything but I am still hopeful. My hope is that I find a last name that will be able to lead me to family history ECT. Thank u for welcoming

 

[TinCan]

Wow, that's going to be a bit tough. Good luck with it all the same. Welcome aboard from Kentucky.

 

[kel1985]

Welcome to the boards from Pittsburgh...I can't help you, but I'm sure somebody here can!

 

[James B White]

Out of curiosity, is this information from a past life regression or psychic? I'm guessing that might be the source, since family or community stories with that much detail usually have a last name or home state attached, but stories with paranormal sources are generally specific in enough details to sound convincing but vague enough to be unfalsifiable.

 

[Dbersh]

Wasn't there multiple bayonet charges at Gettysburg? I know 20th Maine on LRT is probably the most famous but the 1st Minnesota's charge I think had more impact and a devastating effect to the unit but it accomplished their mission by delaying the CSA long enough for reinforcements to arrive to secure the Unioin line...if my memory is correct.

 

[donna]

Welcome to the forum. A last name is almost essential. What are your surnames? If you know them, start putting in the first name with different family surnames. Check this in Ancestry.
If you learned this information from family members, maybe you can check with them to see what else they know.

Good luck.

 

[Snicole1214]

Out of curiosity, is this information from a past life regression or psychic? I'm guessing that might be the source, since family or community stories with that much detail usually have a last name or home state attached, but stories with paranormal sources are generally specific in enough details to sound convincing but vague enough to be unfalsifiable.

No it is from a chest that was found in my parents attic. A letter with a smeared name and address that states her husband Jonathan was killed, the date was something 1863. A lot of it is smeared from moisture. The details I have are what we found in the chest. Id like to return the chest to the family but have nothing to really go by. The letter states that his death was by bayonet and being that the war produced so little of those types of deaths I am hoping that perhaps I can find a Jonathan that fits my description. As I said, he was a Doctor. Had a child but I could only find info on this one child, I am unsure if there are more. Only one servant, fought in the union and I am assuming that he was from pennsylvania given the fact that is where we found the chest, however the family could have moved around or the chest could have been purchased at a yard sale.

 

[Snicole1214]

There is a letter, that we can barely read describing a grassy hill with scattered trees. I myself have never been to gettysburg so I am going off internet research. As I said Im assuming that this is his place of death given that it was by bayonet. But I could be wrong

 

[DixieRifles]

"A grassy knoll" --- Doesn't sound like Little Round Top or any place along that ridge. Maybe Seminary Ridge.

You did state he served with the Union.

Also realize that he may have received his injury at Battle of Gettysburg but could have died days or weeks later. So his name would be listed among thousands of Wounded In Action. Whew! I wouldn't know where to begin. Then again, I don't do much research related to that battle.

 

[Snicole1214]

"A grassy knoll" --- Doesn't sound like Little Round Top or any place along that ridge. Maybe Seminary Ridge.

You did state he served with the Union.

Also realize that he may have received his injury at Battle of Gettysburg but could have died days or weeks later. So his name would be listed among thousands of Wounded In Action. Whew! I wouldn't know where to begin. Then again, I don't do much research related to that battle.

Yes he served with the union. and yes I realize that he could have died days or weeks later I've been searching 1863-1864. Where would I find then list of wounded in action? perhaps I can narrow it down...I mean how many Doctors where named Jonathan, injured by bayonet......famous last words lol

 

[AndyHall]

Bayonet wounds were rare, and fatal bayonet wounds exceedingly so. There was a Confederate regimental surgeon, Simon Baruch, who wrote up a paper on bayonet wounds and was only able to locate two, both of whom recovered well. I recall reading that -- some engagements excepted -- more bayonet wounds came from confrontations in camp and overzealous sentries than from enemy action.

 

[James B White]

No it is from a chest that was found in my parents attic. A letter with a smeared name and address that states her husband Jonathan was killed, the date was something 1863. A lot of it is smeared from moisture. The details I have are what we found in the chest.

Ah, okay. That helps, because at least we know we're looking for a real person.

Is it possible to scan the letter and post the scan? Even a smeared name and address might yield something.

 

[Shadow9216]

Well.....
It's a bit of a steep task, but you've got a few clues to work with:
1) died 1863-1864
2) had a son who died
3) served in Union
4) believed to have fought in G'burg
5) believed to have suffered bayonet wound

First thing I'd do is search Pennsylvania regiments which fought at Gettysburg- look for two of the same last name, then see if one is named Jonathan. If no results, you can widen the search to all Pennsylvania regiments between 1863-1864, and all Union regiments which fought at Gettysburg. You might get lucky.

I'm puzzled why a doctor would be fighting instead of tending the wounded? That's another potential clue- were any Union field hospitals overrun and/or attacked during the fighting? Maybe he could be found there- plus, it's probably a smaller pool of men to look at.

Any chance you could post scans of the letters?

 

[Shadow9216]

Bayonet wounds were rare, and fatal bayonet wounds exceedingly so. There was a Confederate regimental surgeon, Simon Baruch, who wrote up a paper on bayonet wounds and was only able to locate two, both of whom recovered well. I recall reading that -- some engagements excepted -- more bayonet wounds came from confrontations in camp and overzealous sentries than from enemy action.

There was a similar Union study which examined bayonet wounds to the head- there were about 20-30 cases, a large number fatal.

 

[AndyHall]

There was a similar Union study which examined bayonet wounds to the head- there were about 20-30 cases, a large number fatal.

Yes, I should have specified, to the trunk.

 

[James B White]

To clarify, were both father and son named Jonathan?

"I know his first name was Jonathan, his profession was a Doctor and he fought in the union.... and I am led to believe Jonathan was his only child"

I'm puzzled why a doctor would be fighting instead of tending the wounded? That's another potential clue- were any Union field hospitals overrun and/or attacked during the fighting? Maybe he could be found there- plus, it's probably a smaller pool of men to look at.

It's not clear that he even enlisted as a surgeon. He may have been a doctor in civilian life, but enlisted as a private or got a commission as a field officer.

 

[AndyHall]

It's not clear that he even enlisted as a surgeon. He may have been a doctor in civilian life, but enlisted as a private or got a commission as a field officer.

Yep. Seems unlikely that a military surgeon would be in a position to get stuck with a bayonet.

 

[Snicole1214]

Well.....
It's a bit of a steep task, but you've got a few clues to work with:
1) died 1863-1864
2) had a son who died
3) served in Union
4) believed to have fought in G'burg
5) believed to have suffered bayonet wound

First thing I'd do is search Pennsylvania regiments which fought at Gettysburg- look for two of the same last name, then see if one is named Jonathan. If no results, you can widen the search to all Pennsylvania regiments between 1863-1864, and all Union regiments which fought at Gettysburg. You might get lucky.

I'm puzzled why a doctor would be fighting instead of tending the wounded? That's another potential clue- were any Union field hospitals overrun and/or attacked during the fighting? Maybe he could be found there- plus, it's probably a smaller pool of men to look at.

Any chance you could post scans of the letters?

Ive been confused to this as well. I'm unsure if he was practicing while he served or not. I just know he was a doctor. Thank you for the insight. Ive been trying to upload the letter but its not taking. Im going to try again at my parents