- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Location
- Collierville, TN
This first post follows my great-great-grandfather on the COLE family and his children including his son-in-laws. My objective is to tell their collective stories but keep it pretty brief. I list the family and then will cover each one separately. My next post will cover the HILL and TILGHMAN family members.
The COLE Family of Black Hawk, Carroll County, Mississippi
Biographies of the following veterans are described in this thread. I will tell their story in a chronological order as to their time in service. Here are the names of my Great-Great-Grandfather and his children and his son-in-laws. A biography for each person follows, below.
The first family to enlist:
Robert E. Cole, Company G, Black Hawk Rifles, 22nd Mississippi regiment
Robert E. Cole was the first member of his family to enlist on April 20, 1861. The company traveled to Grenada to join up with other companies to form a regiment but there were no units available. When the Black Hawk Rifles arrived, all the regiments had been formed. For months, the unit could not find enough men to assemble together. Several members became discouraged. Captain H. J. Reid traveled to Richmond to obtain an order from the war department to have their companies mustered into Confederate service as independent companies. On Sept. 6, 1861, 78 officers and men re-enlisted into a unit that became the "22nd Mississippi Regiment, Company G". The regiment was sent directly to the campaign in Kentucky.
The regiment was bivouacked at Camp Beauregard near Feliciana, Ky., from Nov. 1st to Dec. 25th. During this period from Nov. 1st to Dec. 25th, the regiment participated in night marches in the freezing rain. Many soldiers became sick due to exposure to the elements. Several of the regiment were discharged due to illness or died of pneumonia. Even the regiment's commander, Col. Bonham, became ill and died. Private Robert Cole died on Dec. 1, 1861. His father, Richard Cole, traveled to Kentucky to claim his son's body. He signed discharge papers that described Robert as a student and included a physical description. He also received his son's back pay of $11/month and $4 clothing allowance.
Since his Father signed for receipt of his back pay there in Kentucky, it is assumed that he brought his son’s body back to their home in Black Hawk. Next to his mother’s grave is his headstone, which reads:
When I began searching for a family who served in the Civil War, I read the inscription on Robert’s headstone and dismissed him as being a soldier. I incorrectly surmised that he died too early to have been in any battle in Mississippi or surrounding area. It just didn’t fit any time-line. I was prompted by a local librarian to order his service records as she was convinced this had to be a relative of mine. I’ve learned to listen to these librarians.
Fast forward to 1910, when Mrs. George Fuller of the Daughters of the Confederacy decided to create a monument to those who died at Camp Beauregard. She placed ads in the "Confederate Veteran", the Memphis Commercial Appeal and other newspapers requesting veterans to contact her about their experience at Camp Beauregard, KY. From the responses, she published a booklet entitled "A History of Camp Beauregard" on the history of the camp and the soldiers who died there during the winter of 1861-62. The funds raised from the sale of the book purchased a monument that was erected in 1920.
Among the many letters that were published in this book were some from veterans of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. One letter listed the names of the members of Company G who died there, including Private Robert E. Cole.
The following letter was written by the Surgeon of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. It gives a detailed account of the suffering that they experienced. The letter ends with his remarks that these men should be honored as much as any soldier who died in the field of battle.
Dear Madam:
I am in receipt of your favor of the 7th instant in behalf of the Confederate monument to be erected to the memory of the Confederate dead at Camp Beauregard, Ky.
I can add but little to the facts contained in your printed circular except to correct a few errors as to my Regiment the 22nd Miss. Inf., which at that time was called Bonham’s Miss. War Regiment. We, the Black Hawk Rifles, had enlisted at Iuka, Miss., for the war, early in September, 1861. We were assigned to Col. Bonham’s War Regiment, then at Memphis, Tenn. Col. Bonham having been commissioned by Pres. Davis to raise a regiment for the war. Our company filled his regiment.
The field officers were appointed by Pres. Davis; Col., D. W. C. Bonham* , Lieut. Col. Frank Schaller (a Frenchman); Major Chas. G. Nelms; Surgeon Dr. John Meyers; ***’t Surgeon Dr. G. C. Phillips; Quartermaster Wm. Jane; Adj. Wm. Burke. In a few days we were ordered to Columbus to reinforce Gen. Polk, but without leaving the train we were ordered back to Union City. In a week or ten days we were ordered to Camp Beauregard to protect Gen. Polk’s right. In a few days there were between 6 and 7000 troops assembled there; all new and fresh from home, except the 1st Missouri and 9th and 10th Arkansas, who had seen service before crossing the Miss. River.
Col. John S. Bowen of the 1st Missouri Regt., a graduate of West Point, was made a Brigadier General and placed in command of the Brigade on Gen. Bowen’s staff and Dr. Phillips became acting surgeon and afterwards full surgeon of the 22nd Miss. Regt. { Phillips became surgeon for the Company}
The measles had gone through the regiment before it was made up of the companies then composing it, in many cases leaving some bronchial or intestinal {sic} trouble, rendering them easy marks for pneumonia and typhoid fever. The weather became cold and rainy, then sleet and snow. The drilling and picket duty to most of the men was very hard, and the diet was not what they were accustomed to. It was mostly fresh beef and flour, no vegetables, with plenty of coffee, tea, tobacco and whiskey. Soon typhoid fever and pneumonia broke out among the men. There were 75 cases of typhoid fever and typhoid pneumonia in my hospital tent during one month. I speak only of our own regiment. It was as bad or worse than other regiments. Then the most terrible disease, cerebrospinal meningitis broke out, killing nearly every case attacked, and frequently in a few hours. In one instance the men in a certain mess had just come in from drilling, and whilst waiting for their dinner to cook, one of them commenced to talk queer, then jerk his head back and fell over in convulsions. One ran to the Surgeon’s quarters and burst in his tent, saying - “Come, Dr., quick, one of our men has that thing.” When we reached the tent another one of the men had been taken in the same way and in three hours both were dead. The drs.{sic} were all at sea. None of us had ever seen a case of this disease. We knew the brain and spinal cord were affected, but who so many similar cases? This was an epidemic and more fatal than yellow fever. We knew that a disease very similar in symptoms to this attacked the new recruits in the French Army during Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt, but this did not help us, as no remedy was known for it.
Col. Bonham* sent for me and asked if nothing could be done to stop this high death rate among his men. It was worse than a battle. The men became depressed and gloomy, each one feared that he would be the next one taken and if so it meant death. Men in apparent perfect health, on going to bed, would be taken in the night, and by the next night might be dead. I advised the Col. to move his camp, if only half a mile, and to have his commissary issue corn meal, bacon, dry salty meat, turnips, potatoes, onions and cow peas as rations to the men, that this was an experiment, but I could advise nothing else. This was done and for the two weeks afterwards that we remained there, (being then ordered to Bowling Green, Ky.) we had no more of this terrible disease and typhoid fever and pneumonia fell very markedly. The troops remaining there continued to suffer.
These men, who suffered and died at Camp Beauregard, were just as brave and patriotic as their comrades and friends, who fell upon the great battlefields of the War Between the States, and in whose honor and memory beautiful and noble monuments have been erected. They too should be honored in the same way. It was no fault of theirs that they did not live to be killed at Shiloh, Vicksburg or Franklin, where so many of the regiment were killed, and whose resting places are marked by headstones and beautiful monuments - erected by loving descendants and friends in memory of their heroism, courage and glorious death.
I am Very respectfully yours,
Then in the 1980’s, the Tilghman-Beauregard Camp of the SCV re-published Mrs. Fuller's book to raise money for an addition to the monument. A larger base was added to the monument. Also at some time, headstones were ordered and placed in the cemetery where the monument is located. Several of the headstones were for soldiers of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. One of them is marked with Pvt. Robert E. Cole of Company G. Robert Cole has two burial sites!! However, I truly believe that he was brought home and buried in Black Hawk, Mississippi.
I thought I was lucky to have a letter and a story written by Robert’s regimental surgeon that explains how these men died. Another stroke of luck is that the captain of the Black Hawk Rifles published a small booklet that tells about Company G. Captain H. J. Reid was the commander of Company G and later promoted to colonel of the regiment. His book, “Sketch of the Black Hawk Rifles”, is not as much a history of the regiment and their experiences as an accounting of every soldier who enlisted, killed, discharged, or surrendered. I’ve never seen any book quite like this for one company and it is a great source to have on my relative.
Now fast forward to 2004. A small group of descendants of Richard W. Cole gather at the Methodist Cemetery at Black Hawk to dedicate the refurbished headstones of Eliza Cole and her son, Robert E. Cole. Their headstones were repaired and supported by installing a new based that was slotted to accept the old headstone. The new bases were engraved with their names and dates. Robert Cole’s base was engraved to record his service in the Black Hawk Rifles. Family members spoke words over the graves and re-told the stories based upon our research. The Stanford Battery reenactment group fired a 3-volley salute from original 3-inch ordnance rifle gun.
_________________________________________________________________
Here I will insert the story of the son-in-laws who enlisted in the same regiment.
Son-in-Laws to Richard W. Cole
William Ball Company G, Black Hawk Rifles, 22nd Mississippi regiment
James Slicer Purcell Company G, 22nd Mississippi regiment
William J. Ware Company G, 22nd Mississippi regiment
Three more names that appear on the roster of the Black Hawk Rifles are three men who were married to Richard Cole’s daughters or would marry one after the war. These are not direct relatives but it is interesting to see how the war impacted the Cole family through the daughters.
Records for William Ball show he enlisted in the Black Hawk Rifles early. Thanks to the booklet published by Captain Reid and his service records, Private William Ball appears to have been sick on several occasions and away from his regiment. He was discharged from the 22nd Mississippi due to medical problems, but would later serve in the defense of Atlanta. Private William Ball appeared on a roster of local militia defending the city. He was finally discharged from service due to illness.
James Slicer Purcell and Sergeant W. J. Ware served through the entire war with the 22nd Mississippi. They were among the 27 men who were present with Company G when it surrendered on April 26, 1865.
Some historians have estimated the 22nd Mississippi Regiment traveled a total of 6,000 miles during its service. Kentucky in winter 1861/1862, Bowling Green(KY), passed through Nashville, Shiloh, Corinth, Fort Pemberton(Greenwood), traveled back into central Mississippi, Meridian(Sherman’s Meridian campaign), then towards Rome(GA), Resaca, New Hope and Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Bentonville (NC), and finally surrendered at Greensboro(NC).
The 22nd Mississippi had a remarkable record of service even though it was basically without its commander. Lt.-Col. Frank Schaller replaced Col. Bonham who died at Camp Beauregard. Col. Schaller lead the regiment at the Battle of Shiloh. After that he was absent from the regiment. He spent time in Virginia and even on something like a recruiting tour. Once he almost made it back to his regiment but returned to his extended leave. His journal is published in the book: "Soldiering For Glory"; the Civil War Letters of Colonel Frank Schaller, Univ. of South Carolina Press, 2007. It is not a very glowing account of his military service.
James Slicer Purcell married Richard Cole's daughter, Frances Melissa Cole, in 1869 and settled in Louisiana. William J. Ware married Richard Cole's daughter, Virginia "Jennie" Cole, and later moved to Texas.
Richard Cole’s youngest son was not old enough to serve in the war. However, Richard Bascum Cole married Martha Jane Barrentine, the daughter of Henry Jackson Barrentine--- another veteran of the Black Hawk Rifles. Richard B. Cole moved to Texas and had 12 children and many descendants of the COLE family.
Most of these veterans were from Company G, Black Hawk Rifles. Included in this photo are George C. Phillips(back row, left), the surgeon for the regiment and Captain H. J. Reid (back row, center).
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After researching my Great-Grandfather Henry Cole for 5 years or so, my aunt handed me a newspaper clipping with his obituary. After I calmed down, it was exciting to find out that I was on the right path.
Henry Asbury Cole, Company A, Neill’s Guards, 30 Mississippi regiment
Family oral history said Henry Cole ran away from home at age 16 to join the army. After researching records, the current family historians have surmised what may have occurred. After his brother Robert enlisted and even maybe after the news of his brother’s death, Henry left home at age 16 as the story says. However, he does not appear in the rolls of any unit for a few more years. We think he took odd jobs in the Army camps and may have worked as a mule-skinner or hauling supplies.
Henry enlisted in Company A, 30th Miss., which consisted of men from Carroll County. In this same unit was a soldier 10 years older than Henry by the name of Benjamin F. Tucker. After the war, Henry would marry Benjamin Tucker's widow, which suggests the two must have become very acquainted during service. Private Tucker's records indicates he was occasionally assigned wagon duty and transported injured soldiers to the hospital. It is possible that, prior to his enlistment, Henry Cole was assigned as a contract mule skinner to assist Private Tucker. The two were most likely acquaintances in Carroll County before the war, even though Henry was at least 10 years younger than Benjamin.
We are not sure how he got to Chattanooga. However, on Nov. 22, 1863, Henry enlisted in Company A, "Neill's Guard", 30th Mississippi Regiment. Company A had been formed from Black Hawk, so Henry must have known several of the men in this company. The 30th Mississippi was part of Gen. Edward Walthall's brigade, which was placed on the western base of Lookout Mountain. The night before the battle, the three brigades of the Confederate's left flank were placed under a new commander and repositioned on the mountain. The next day, Nov. 24, the Yankees had three divisions in position on the west side of Lookout Mountain; one division from each of their three armies. Their plan was to attack across Lookout Creek from the west and advance north along the slope of Lookout Mountain and crush the Confederate left flank that encircled Chattanooga.
Before the Battle of Lookout Mountain began on Nov. 24, the 30th Miss. was under arms an hour before daybreak. Much of the regiment was placed as a picket line along Lookout Creek and Tennessee River. As the Yankees crossed below them, the picket line found themselves being cut off from defenses on Lookout Mountain. Companies I & C were sent forward to strengthen the picket line as it gave way before the Yankee assault. The whole regiment deployed as skirmishers to support it. Men clung to their posts in the rocks until surrounded and captured. The brigade finally rallied after a 3-hour fight just past the Craven's house and held until dark9. Out of his original 1500-man brigade, Gen. Walthall's brigade lost 8 killed, 42 wounded, and 845 missing. Company A of the 30th Miss. lost 1 officer, 1 NCO and 2 slightly wounded with 14 men missing.
Private Henry Cole was one of those taken prisoner. He was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, then on to Rock Island Barracks located on the Mississippi River near Chicago. During the winter months, this camp experienced a fever epidemic. Fifteen hundred men died from exposure to the cold during the first 6 months of the camp. The death rate at this time was higher than any time at Andersonville.
Benjamin Tucker, (no relation but first husband of Henry Cole’s wife) Company A, Neill’s Guards, 30 Mississippi regiment
Benjamin Tucker was from Carroll County and enlisted with Company A, 30 Mississippi Regiment. He was assigned to wagon detail and made some trips to carry wounded and delivery supplies. Private Benjamin Tucker was killed in one of the battles around Atlanta, leaving a widow and two children.
After the war, Henry Cole would marry his widow and raise the two Tucker children.
A couple of years after the war, Henry married the widow Sarah Land Tucker. They raised the two Tucker children plus four of their own. His name appeared on a list of veterans in a book for the Confederate Veterans Reunion of 1904 in Memphis, TN. He was admitted twice to the hospital at Confederate Soldiers' Home at Beauvoir, Miss.; once in 1914 and again in 1920. In 1920 he applied for his pension benefits while living with his daughter. On May 22, 1922, he again entered the Beauvoir hospital and died there on Aug. 27, 1923.
Henry was buried at the Beauvoir Cemetery on the grounds of the Jefferson Davis Home. His tombstone, which bears the incorrect unit, reads:
_______________________________________________________________
The next post will contain the history on the HILL and TILGHMAN veterans on my Mother's side of the family. Hold your comments until I finish with the next post.
The COLE Family of Black Hawk, Carroll County, Mississippi
Biographies of the following veterans are described in this thread. I will tell their story in a chronological order as to their time in service. Here are the names of my Great-Great-Grandfather and his children and his son-in-laws. A biography for each person follows, below.
- Richard Wesley Cole, Company C, 5th Mississippi Cavalry; KIA
- Robert E. Cole, Company G, Black Hawk Rifles, 22nd Mississippi regiment; Died, disease
- Henry Asbury Cole, Company A, Neill’s Guards, 30 Mississippi regiment, PW
- William Ball (Richards’ son-in-law) Company G, Black Hawk Rifles, 22nd Mississippi regiment
- James Slicer Purcell (Richards’ future son-in-law) Company G, 22nd Mississippi regiment
- William J. Ware (Richards’ future son-in-law) Company G, 22nd Mississippi regiment
- Benjamin Tucker, (no relation but first husband of Henry Cole’s wife) Company A, Neill’s Guards, 30 Mississippi regiment
The first family to enlist:
Robert E. Cole, Company G, Black Hawk Rifles, 22nd Mississippi regiment
Robert E. Cole was the first member of his family to enlist on April 20, 1861. The company traveled to Grenada to join up with other companies to form a regiment but there were no units available. When the Black Hawk Rifles arrived, all the regiments had been formed. For months, the unit could not find enough men to assemble together. Several members became discouraged. Captain H. J. Reid traveled to Richmond to obtain an order from the war department to have their companies mustered into Confederate service as independent companies. On Sept. 6, 1861, 78 officers and men re-enlisted into a unit that became the "22nd Mississippi Regiment, Company G". The regiment was sent directly to the campaign in Kentucky.
The regiment was bivouacked at Camp Beauregard near Feliciana, Ky., from Nov. 1st to Dec. 25th. During this period from Nov. 1st to Dec. 25th, the regiment participated in night marches in the freezing rain. Many soldiers became sick due to exposure to the elements. Several of the regiment were discharged due to illness or died of pneumonia. Even the regiment's commander, Col. Bonham, became ill and died. Private Robert Cole died on Dec. 1, 1861. His father, Richard Cole, traveled to Kentucky to claim his son's body. He signed discharge papers that described Robert as a student and included a physical description. He also received his son's back pay of $11/month and $4 clothing allowance.
Since his Father signed for receipt of his back pay there in Kentucky, it is assumed that he brought his son’s body back to their home in Black Hawk. Next to his mother’s grave is his headstone, which reads:
Robert E. Cole
son of R.W. & E.J. Cole
Sept 18, 1841 - Dec 1, 1861
son of R.W. & E.J. Cole
Sept 18, 1841 - Dec 1, 1861
When I began searching for a family who served in the Civil War, I read the inscription on Robert’s headstone and dismissed him as being a soldier. I incorrectly surmised that he died too early to have been in any battle in Mississippi or surrounding area. It just didn’t fit any time-line. I was prompted by a local librarian to order his service records as she was convinced this had to be a relative of mine. I’ve learned to listen to these librarians.
Fast forward to 1910, when Mrs. George Fuller of the Daughters of the Confederacy decided to create a monument to those who died at Camp Beauregard. She placed ads in the "Confederate Veteran", the Memphis Commercial Appeal and other newspapers requesting veterans to contact her about their experience at Camp Beauregard, KY. From the responses, she published a booklet entitled "A History of Camp Beauregard" on the history of the camp and the soldiers who died there during the winter of 1861-62. The funds raised from the sale of the book purchased a monument that was erected in 1920.
Among the many letters that were published in this book were some from veterans of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. One letter listed the names of the members of Company G who died there, including Private Robert E. Cole.
The following letter was written by the Surgeon of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. It gives a detailed account of the suffering that they experienced. The letter ends with his remarks that these men should be honored as much as any soldier who died in the field of battle.
August 17, 1914
Mrs. Geo. T. FullerDear Madam:
I am in receipt of your favor of the 7th instant in behalf of the Confederate monument to be erected to the memory of the Confederate dead at Camp Beauregard, Ky.
I can add but little to the facts contained in your printed circular except to correct a few errors as to my Regiment the 22nd Miss. Inf., which at that time was called Bonham’s Miss. War Regiment. We, the Black Hawk Rifles, had enlisted at Iuka, Miss., for the war, early in September, 1861. We were assigned to Col. Bonham’s War Regiment, then at Memphis, Tenn. Col. Bonham having been commissioned by Pres. Davis to raise a regiment for the war. Our company filled his regiment.
The field officers were appointed by Pres. Davis; Col., D. W. C. Bonham* , Lieut. Col. Frank Schaller (a Frenchman); Major Chas. G. Nelms; Surgeon Dr. John Meyers; ***’t Surgeon Dr. G. C. Phillips; Quartermaster Wm. Jane; Adj. Wm. Burke. In a few days we were ordered to Columbus to reinforce Gen. Polk, but without leaving the train we were ordered back to Union City. In a week or ten days we were ordered to Camp Beauregard to protect Gen. Polk’s right. In a few days there were between 6 and 7000 troops assembled there; all new and fresh from home, except the 1st Missouri and 9th and 10th Arkansas, who had seen service before crossing the Miss. River.
Col. John S. Bowen of the 1st Missouri Regt., a graduate of West Point, was made a Brigadier General and placed in command of the Brigade on Gen. Bowen’s staff and Dr. Phillips became acting surgeon and afterwards full surgeon of the 22nd Miss. Regt. { Phillips became surgeon for the Company}
The measles had gone through the regiment before it was made up of the companies then composing it, in many cases leaving some bronchial or intestinal {sic} trouble, rendering them easy marks for pneumonia and typhoid fever. The weather became cold and rainy, then sleet and snow. The drilling and picket duty to most of the men was very hard, and the diet was not what they were accustomed to. It was mostly fresh beef and flour, no vegetables, with plenty of coffee, tea, tobacco and whiskey. Soon typhoid fever and pneumonia broke out among the men. There were 75 cases of typhoid fever and typhoid pneumonia in my hospital tent during one month. I speak only of our own regiment. It was as bad or worse than other regiments. Then the most terrible disease, cerebrospinal meningitis broke out, killing nearly every case attacked, and frequently in a few hours. In one instance the men in a certain mess had just come in from drilling, and whilst waiting for their dinner to cook, one of them commenced to talk queer, then jerk his head back and fell over in convulsions. One ran to the Surgeon’s quarters and burst in his tent, saying - “Come, Dr., quick, one of our men has that thing.” When we reached the tent another one of the men had been taken in the same way and in three hours both were dead. The drs.{sic} were all at sea. None of us had ever seen a case of this disease. We knew the brain and spinal cord were affected, but who so many similar cases? This was an epidemic and more fatal than yellow fever. We knew that a disease very similar in symptoms to this attacked the new recruits in the French Army during Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt, but this did not help us, as no remedy was known for it.
Col. Bonham* sent for me and asked if nothing could be done to stop this high death rate among his men. It was worse than a battle. The men became depressed and gloomy, each one feared that he would be the next one taken and if so it meant death. Men in apparent perfect health, on going to bed, would be taken in the night, and by the next night might be dead. I advised the Col. to move his camp, if only half a mile, and to have his commissary issue corn meal, bacon, dry salty meat, turnips, potatoes, onions and cow peas as rations to the men, that this was an experiment, but I could advise nothing else. This was done and for the two weeks afterwards that we remained there, (being then ordered to Bowling Green, Ky.) we had no more of this terrible disease and typhoid fever and pneumonia fell very markedly. The troops remaining there continued to suffer.
These men, who suffered and died at Camp Beauregard, were just as brave and patriotic as their comrades and friends, who fell upon the great battlefields of the War Between the States, and in whose honor and memory beautiful and noble monuments have been erected. They too should be honored in the same way. It was no fault of theirs that they did not live to be killed at Shiloh, Vicksburg or Franklin, where so many of the regiment were killed, and whose resting places are marked by headstones and beautiful monuments - erected by loving descendants and friends in memory of their heroism, courage and glorious death.
I am Very respectfully yours,
G. C. Phillips M. D.
Ex Surgeon
22nd Miss. Regiment
Confederate Infantry
Ex Surgeon
22nd Miss. Regiment
Confederate Infantry
Then in the 1980’s, the Tilghman-Beauregard Camp of the SCV re-published Mrs. Fuller's book to raise money for an addition to the monument. A larger base was added to the monument. Also at some time, headstones were ordered and placed in the cemetery where the monument is located. Several of the headstones were for soldiers of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. One of them is marked with Pvt. Robert E. Cole of Company G. Robert Cole has two burial sites!! However, I truly believe that he was brought home and buried in Black Hawk, Mississippi.
Grave of Pvt Robert E. Cole at Camp Beauregard, KY
I thought I was lucky to have a letter and a story written by Robert’s regimental surgeon that explains how these men died. Another stroke of luck is that the captain of the Black Hawk Rifles published a small booklet that tells about Company G. Captain H. J. Reid was the commander of Company G and later promoted to colonel of the regiment. His book, “Sketch of the Black Hawk Rifles”, is not as much a history of the regiment and their experiences as an accounting of every soldier who enlisted, killed, discharged, or surrendered. I’ve never seen any book quite like this for one company and it is a great source to have on my relative.
Now fast forward to 2004. A small group of descendants of Richard W. Cole gather at the Methodist Cemetery at Black Hawk to dedicate the refurbished headstones of Eliza Cole and her son, Robert E. Cole. Their headstones were repaired and supported by installing a new based that was slotted to accept the old headstone. The new bases were engraved with their names and dates. Robert Cole’s base was engraved to record his service in the Black Hawk Rifles. Family members spoke words over the graves and re-told the stories based upon our research. The Stanford Battery reenactment group fired a 3-volley salute from original 3-inch ordnance rifle gun.
Photo of the Team Cole at the 2004 re-dedication of the
Grave of Pvt Robert E. Cole (left) and his mother
Eliza Cole(right) at Black Hawk, MS.
Grave of Pvt Robert E. Cole (left) and his mother
Eliza Cole(right) at Black Hawk, MS.
_________________________________________________________________
Here I will insert the story of the son-in-laws who enlisted in the same regiment.
Son-in-Laws to Richard W. Cole
William Ball Company G, Black Hawk Rifles, 22nd Mississippi regiment
James Slicer Purcell Company G, 22nd Mississippi regiment
William J. Ware Company G, 22nd Mississippi regiment
Three more names that appear on the roster of the Black Hawk Rifles are three men who were married to Richard Cole’s daughters or would marry one after the war. These are not direct relatives but it is interesting to see how the war impacted the Cole family through the daughters.
Records for William Ball show he enlisted in the Black Hawk Rifles early. Thanks to the booklet published by Captain Reid and his service records, Private William Ball appears to have been sick on several occasions and away from his regiment. He was discharged from the 22nd Mississippi due to medical problems, but would later serve in the defense of Atlanta. Private William Ball appeared on a roster of local militia defending the city. He was finally discharged from service due to illness.
James Slicer Purcell and Sergeant W. J. Ware served through the entire war with the 22nd Mississippi. They were among the 27 men who were present with Company G when it surrendered on April 26, 1865.
Some historians have estimated the 22nd Mississippi Regiment traveled a total of 6,000 miles during its service. Kentucky in winter 1861/1862, Bowling Green(KY), passed through Nashville, Shiloh, Corinth, Fort Pemberton(Greenwood), traveled back into central Mississippi, Meridian(Sherman’s Meridian campaign), then towards Rome(GA), Resaca, New Hope and Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Bentonville (NC), and finally surrendered at Greensboro(NC).
The 22nd Mississippi had a remarkable record of service even though it was basically without its commander. Lt.-Col. Frank Schaller replaced Col. Bonham who died at Camp Beauregard. Col. Schaller lead the regiment at the Battle of Shiloh. After that he was absent from the regiment. He spent time in Virginia and even on something like a recruiting tour. Once he almost made it back to his regiment but returned to his extended leave. His journal is published in the book: "Soldiering For Glory"; the Civil War Letters of Colonel Frank Schaller, Univ. of South Carolina Press, 2007. It is not a very glowing account of his military service.
James Slicer Purcell married Richard Cole's daughter, Frances Melissa Cole, in 1869 and settled in Louisiana. William J. Ware married Richard Cole's daughter, Virginia "Jennie" Cole, and later moved to Texas.
Richard Cole’s youngest son was not old enough to serve in the war. However, Richard Bascum Cole married Martha Jane Barrentine, the daughter of Henry Jackson Barrentine--- another veteran of the Black Hawk Rifles. Richard B. Cole moved to Texas and had 12 children and many descendants of the COLE family.
1899 Reunion of Veterans of 22nd Mississippi Regiment
Most of these veterans were from Company G, Black Hawk Rifles. Included in this photo are George C. Phillips(back row, left), the surgeon for the regiment and Captain H. J. Reid (back row, center).
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After researching my Great-Grandfather Henry Cole for 5 years or so, my aunt handed me a newspaper clipping with his obituary. After I calmed down, it was exciting to find out that I was on the right path.
Henry Asbury Cole, Company A, Neill’s Guards, 30 Mississippi regiment
Family oral history said Henry Cole ran away from home at age 16 to join the army. After researching records, the current family historians have surmised what may have occurred. After his brother Robert enlisted and even maybe after the news of his brother’s death, Henry left home at age 16 as the story says. However, he does not appear in the rolls of any unit for a few more years. We think he took odd jobs in the Army camps and may have worked as a mule-skinner or hauling supplies.
Henry enlisted in Company A, 30th Miss., which consisted of men from Carroll County. In this same unit was a soldier 10 years older than Henry by the name of Benjamin F. Tucker. After the war, Henry would marry Benjamin Tucker's widow, which suggests the two must have become very acquainted during service. Private Tucker's records indicates he was occasionally assigned wagon duty and transported injured soldiers to the hospital. It is possible that, prior to his enlistment, Henry Cole was assigned as a contract mule skinner to assist Private Tucker. The two were most likely acquaintances in Carroll County before the war, even though Henry was at least 10 years younger than Benjamin.
We are not sure how he got to Chattanooga. However, on Nov. 22, 1863, Henry enlisted in Company A, "Neill's Guard", 30th Mississippi Regiment. Company A had been formed from Black Hawk, so Henry must have known several of the men in this company. The 30th Mississippi was part of Gen. Edward Walthall's brigade, which was placed on the western base of Lookout Mountain. The night before the battle, the three brigades of the Confederate's left flank were placed under a new commander and repositioned on the mountain. The next day, Nov. 24, the Yankees had three divisions in position on the west side of Lookout Mountain; one division from each of their three armies. Their plan was to attack across Lookout Creek from the west and advance north along the slope of Lookout Mountain and crush the Confederate left flank that encircled Chattanooga.
Before the Battle of Lookout Mountain began on Nov. 24, the 30th Miss. was under arms an hour before daybreak. Much of the regiment was placed as a picket line along Lookout Creek and Tennessee River. As the Yankees crossed below them, the picket line found themselves being cut off from defenses on Lookout Mountain. Companies I & C were sent forward to strengthen the picket line as it gave way before the Yankee assault. The whole regiment deployed as skirmishers to support it. Men clung to their posts in the rocks until surrounded and captured. The brigade finally rallied after a 3-hour fight just past the Craven's house and held until dark9. Out of his original 1500-man brigade, Gen. Walthall's brigade lost 8 killed, 42 wounded, and 845 missing. Company A of the 30th Miss. lost 1 officer, 1 NCO and 2 slightly wounded with 14 men missing.
Private Henry Cole was one of those taken prisoner. He was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, then on to Rock Island Barracks located on the Mississippi River near Chicago. During the winter months, this camp experienced a fever epidemic. Fifteen hundred men died from exposure to the cold during the first 6 months of the camp. The death rate at this time was higher than any time at Andersonville.
Benjamin Tucker, (no relation but first husband of Henry Cole’s wife) Company A, Neill’s Guards, 30 Mississippi regiment
Benjamin Tucker was from Carroll County and enlisted with Company A, 30 Mississippi Regiment. He was assigned to wagon detail and made some trips to carry wounded and delivery supplies. Private Benjamin Tucker was killed in one of the battles around Atlanta, leaving a widow and two children.
After the war, Henry Cole would marry his widow and raise the two Tucker children.
A couple of years after the war, Henry married the widow Sarah Land Tucker. They raised the two Tucker children plus four of their own. His name appeared on a list of veterans in a book for the Confederate Veterans Reunion of 1904 in Memphis, TN. He was admitted twice to the hospital at Confederate Soldiers' Home at Beauvoir, Miss.; once in 1914 and again in 1920. In 1920 he applied for his pension benefits while living with his daughter. On May 22, 1922, he again entered the Beauvoir hospital and died there on Aug. 27, 1923.
Henry was buried at the Beauvoir Cemetery on the grounds of the Jefferson Davis Home. His tombstone, which bears the incorrect unit, reads:
H. A. Cole
Co. A. 37th Miss
Photo of my cousin at Beauvoir
Co. A. 37th Miss
Photo of my cousin at Beauvoir
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The next post will contain the history on the HILL and TILGHMAN veterans on my Mother's side of the family. Hold your comments until I finish with the next post.
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