Timber Toes Utt, 7th Kansas Cavalry

[Paul Gillette]

I've been re-reading Stephen Starr's excellent regimental history "Jennison's Jayhawkers, A Civil War Regiment and Its Commander" and came across several references to Captain Levi "Lee" Utt of Company A. He enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant in 1861 and is credited with turning Co. A into an aggressive, well-drilled outfit. Sited for bravery by General McPherson for his conduct during the battle of Corinth, Utt had his foot blown off by a Confederate cannonball in 1863 during an engagement in Alabama, resulting in the loss of his leg. Returning home to Kansas to convalesce, Utt had a wooden leg made and returned to the 7th in 1864, prompting his men to give him the nickname Timber Toes. Promoted to Major, Utt was mustered out in 1865 and headed west.

He bought a ranch in San Diego County, got married, spent a few years in Mexico, and eventually settled in Redlands, California, where he died in 1895. I was surprised to find him in Redlands, as I only live an hour from there. I stopped by this morning to pay a visit at beautiful and historic Hillside Cemetery. Over 100 Civil War veterans are buried there, including 17 Confederates. Perfect weather, didn't see another person at the cemetery, and I found Timber Toes fairly easily-

 

[Sheltowee]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[DixieRifles]

Interesting stiry of a tough trooper.

The 7th Kansas Cav patrolled the area around Memphis for a year or more. There is a journal written by one of the men that is at the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum — based on my info from 10 years ago.
I tried to find out if the 7th Kansas Cavalry ever camped out here where I live— Collierville, TN, on the M&C RR. I was hoping to document that William Cody "slept here"!

 

[Mike Serpa]

Gotta love his nickname!

 

[Stryker65]

A lot of those wooden-leg generals had funny nicknames ... I know Ewell did, and I'm sure there are others.
-Stryker