Question about Union records

[L_Robertson]

Hi all, new guy here. I recently received my 3rd G Grandfathers civil war records from the National Archives. He was an Asst. Surgeon in the 150th Illinois Infantry. The records I received only consist of the "Field and Staff Muster Rolls". On the last page, titled "Field and Staff Muster Out Roll" is a notation which says:

"Was an enlisted man and discharged Feb. 13th 1865 to accept promotion by special orders ______ War Dept. and mustered in as 2nd Asst. Surgeon Feb. 14th 1865"

I don't know what it says in the blank spot between "orders" and "War".

So, I searched for him as an enlisted man in the Illinois regiments and found a record for someone with the same name, James G. Cox. He is listed in the 81st Ill. Inf., enlisting as a private on August 1 1862. Also states "Rank In: Private, Rank Out: Corp." A further note in the "remarks" line says "Corp'l. Capt'd June 11 1864."

Further research showed the 81st was in a battle known as "Battle of Guntown" Miss. on June 10th 1864, and that they lost 120 enlisted men by capture and that they were all sent to Andersonville. I then found the name again on the National Park Service site when I searched prisoners at Andersonville. All the information there matches and additionally states "Held at Andersonville and Survived".

I am now stuck attempting to find something to connect the two James G Cox s' to show they are the same man. My question is, are there any records of prisoners that were released from Andersonville prior to the end of the war? I think I read somewhere that some prisoners were released during the war in exchange for the Union allowing food/clothing into the South? Or, do I need to order the records for the James G Cox that was in the 81st and hope the answer is there?

Thanks in advance for any assistance with this.

Lance Robertson
Binghamton NY

 

[TerryB]

You need the records of both. I'd look it up for you on Fold3, but they don't have the Illinois records scanned.

 

[AndyHall]

First, welcome from Texas. Lots of folks here who are willing to assist with queries like this.

I cannot answer your question about releases from Andersonville, but I would suggest you order the CSR for the James G. Cox in the 81st Illinois. If he is, as you suspect, the same man as the Assistant Surgeon in the 150th, and therefore your relative, you're going to want those documents regardless.

The other thing I'd look for are any postwar materials (e.g., an obituary) that might describe his wartime service -- that would presumably confirm his service in both units.

 

[AndyHall]

In 1890 he was living in Porter, Richardson Co., Nebraska, the census that year showing his commission in the 150th from 14 Feb 65 to 16 Jan 66.

 

[AndyHall]

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Lance, there is an extensive user-created file on Dr. James Guthrie Cox (1823-1910) on Ancestry, which includes obits and mentions of his military service both in the Mexican War and as Assistant Surgeon with the 150th. None of them, however, mention his service as an enlisted man with the 81st -- he was already a practicing physician then -- which makes me suspect they may not be the same men.

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Obit:

Death of Dr. James G. Cox Another Pioneer Resident Answers Final Call. ​

​

After battling with the vicissitudes of life for a little more than eighty-seven long years the early career of James Guthrie Cox was brought to a close on last Saturday morning, July 16, and as the hands of the clock pointed to the hour 8:40 another of the fast depleting ranks of the earlier settlers of this commonwealth was called upon to answer the final summons. Mr. Cox had been in failing health for some time past, at intervals requiring the closest attention of doctor and nurse, and only by reason of his extreme vitality was the hand of death stayed until this hour. On the morning of his death he arose as usual and partook of breakfast, afterwards lying down to rest, and although he evidenced no outward sign of a change for the worse in his condition, he slowly lapsed into unconsciousness and as silently passed away.​

​

James Guthrie Cox was born in Spencer County, Kentucky, June 15, 1823. At an early age he moved with his parents to Indiana, receiving his literary education at Hanover College. At the age of twenty-six he began the study of medicine, and after receiving his degree commenced the practice of his profession at Jacksonville, Ills., where in 1853 he was united in marriage to Rebecca Galbraith. To this union three children were born, two of whom, Mrs. T.J. Hitte, of Lancaster, Cal., and Mrs. Ellis Tucker of Pensacola, Fla., survive the father. The son Sam D. Cox, for years one of the most prominent newspaper men of the state, met with death at the hands of an assassin while conducting a newspaper at Minatare, Neb., some years since. After the death of Mrs. Cox, which occurred in 1869, Mr. Cox came west, and after a few years spent in Kansas he came to Nebraska settling in Humboldt in the year 1862, where he continued to practice medicine. Those of his old associates during these years of trial and hardship attest to the kindly disposition and generosity of the doctor, asserting that he was never known to refuse to make a professional visit when called upon, and always made his distance calls on horseback. He was again united in marriage in 1880 to Miss Keziah Cornelius, soon after which event he gave up the practice of medicine and engaged in farming, which he followed for a period of thirteen years, when he again took up his residence in this city. ​

​

Not oblivious to the demands of his country during his earlier career, Mr. Cox served in the Mexican war under General Taylor and saw service in the battle of Buena Vista, and was assistant surgeon in the 150th Illinois Vol. Inf. during the civil strife. Besides the widow and two daughters, two sisters, Mrs. A.C. Thomas of Danville, and Mrs. Wm. Barnes of Owensburg, Ky., are left to mourn his demise. Funeral services were held from the Christian Church, of which congregation Mr. Cox was a faithful conscientious member, on Monday of this week, and the remains, followed by a large concourse of sympathizing friends, were conveyed to and interred in Prospect Cemetery, northeast of town.​

​

All of this material is swiped from courtesy of his record on Ancestry. I believe you can get a free trial membership and have a look.

 

[AndyHall]

OK, this is from the Illinois CW Database, and is for the James G. Cox who enlisted in the 81st -- he was 26 when he enlisted in 1862, while the other James G. Cox, the Assistant Surgeon (later full Surgeon) in the 150th, would have been nearly 40. Pretty sure they're different guys.

____________

ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES​

Illinois Civil War Detail Report​

Name COX, JAMES G​

Rank PVT​

Company A​

Unit 81 IL US INF​

​

Personal Characteristics​

Residence DUQUOIN, PERRY CO, IL​

Age 26​

Height 5' 5​

Hair LIGHT​

Eyes GRAY​

Complexion FAIR​

Marital Status SINGLE​

Occupation FARMER​

Nativity DELAWARE CO, IN​

​

Service Record​

Joined When AUG 1, 1862​

Joined Where PERRY CO, IL​

Joined By Whom J P COWENS​

Period 3 YRS​

Muster In AUG 26, 1862​

Muster In Where CAMP ANNA, IL​

Muster In By Whom ​

Muster Out​

Muster Out Where​

Muster Out By Whom​

Remarks APPOINTED CORPORAL DEC 25, 1862 PRISONER OF WAR CAPTURED NEAR LEWISTOWN MISS​

 

[reading48]

I'm sure you will get more help on your quest
Hello and Greetings from the Commonwealth of Penna.

 

[L_Robertson]

Thanks Terry and Andy,

Andy, the info you found on Ancestry is mine. You should have found it in a tree named Hitte-Cox. The photo and obit was sent to me by a librarian in Humboldt NE where he lived the latter part of his life. That individual was also kind enough to go to the cemetery where is was buried and photographed his headstone for me.

I see what you men about the age difference, I hadn't caught that.

So....

What of the statement on his papers that says "Was an enlisted man and discharged Feb. 13th 1865 to accept promotion by special orders ______ War Dept. and mustered in as 2nd Asst. Surgeon Feb. 14th 1865"?

Where to go from here......

Thanks again,

Lance

 

[L_Robertson]

Also -

This morning I went back and looked at the records for every James Cox listed on the Illinois CW Database site. Not one was close to the correct age of my James Cox.

Since he was already a resident of Illinois for nearly 10 years prior to the start of the war, I would think it unlikely that he would have enlisted with a different state. (?)

And, since he was already practicing medicine at the start (profession noted as "M.D." in the 1860 census) of the war why would he have enlisted as anything other than a doctor. (?)

Is it possible the entry on his record about previously an enlisted man is incorrect to begin with?

Any ideas?

Lance