What does this odd discharge language mean?

[Kamm]

I'm researching a corporal in the 1st Iowa Cavalry. He was involved in scout duty in Missouri. In his company descriptive book, the remarks from his captain state he "was discharged July 31st, 1862. Reason gunshot wound received about April 12, 1862 from an enemy though not in the line of his duty." His certificate of disability for discharge states "His disability arises from a gunshot wound received during his time of service but not in the regular discharge of his duty; though from an enemy in arms against the authority of the U.S." In reading through Roster and Records Of Iowa Soldiers, War Of The Rebellion, Historical Sketches Of Volunteer Organizations, Vol. IV, he is one of only 3 out of 111 soldiers listed as wounded without a place or date cited.
What do you make of the vague and ambiguous wording about his injury?

 

[lupaglupa]

That is weird and obviously the circumstances were something officialdom felt needed stating. Maybe he was doing some illegal foraging when he got fired on? I feel like he had to be breaking a rule in some way for them to be making a point about the circumstances.

 

[RedRover]

That is weird and obviously the circumstances were something officialdom felt needed stating. Maybe he was doing some illegal foraging when he got fired on? I feel like he had to be breaking a rule in some way for them to be making a point about the circumstances.

I suspect, as you mention, he might have been in some manner absent without leave when wounded. Perhaps "foraging" in a manner contrary to law? Whatever the case was, his captain wished it known that his injury was not sustained in the line of duty, viz. in combatting the military and naval forces of the Confederacy.

 

[CavRTO]

I'm researching a corporal in the 1st Iowa Cavalry. He was involved in scout duty in Missouri. In his company descriptive book, the remarks from his captain state he "was discharged July 31st, 1862. Reason gunshot wound received about April 12, 1862 from an enemy though not in the line of his duty." His certificate of disability for discharge states "His disability arises from a gunshot wound received during his time of service but not in the regular discharge of his duty; though from an enemy in arms against the authority of the U.S." In reading through Roster and Records Of Iowa Soldiers, War Of The Rebellion, Historical Sketches Of Volunteer Organizations, Vol. IV, he is one of only 3 out of 111 soldiers listed as wounded without a place or date cited.
What do you make of the vague and ambiguous wording about his injury?

He may have fallen prey to the "sins of the flesh" with a woman of decidedly secesh leanings.

 

[Rebel_Giratina]

Sounds like he got in trouble with the locals.

 

[Old Soldier]

He was not wounded in battle, nor when on duty. It states it was due to "an enemy in arms against the authority of the U.S." which, in this war could be any of the occupied territories of the Confederacy - IOW a local who did not like soldiers in blue uniforms especially those who were doing things he did not like. The list, as already explained, could be quite long. It may have been criminal or just plain anti-social. I wonder what the repercussions by Union forces were?

 

[lupaglupa]

Whatever he was doing, it ****** off the brass enough that they felt the need to mention that he wasn't following the rules when it happened. Are there any letters or diaries from the 1st Iowa cavalry that you know of @Kamm? This sounds like the sort of incident that would have gotten mentioned.

 

[John Hartwell]

What was his name? Where did he live (pre- and post-war)? We may be able to track down other sources for you.

We have a pretty good record of that sort of thing here.

jno

 

[Story]

What was his name? Where did he live (pre- and post-war)? We may be able to track down other sources for you.

We have a pretty good record of that sort of thing here.

jno

Yes.
Please and thank you.

 

[Kamm]

What was his name? Where did he live (pre- and post-war)? We may be able to track down other sources for you.

We have a pretty good record of that sort of thing here.

jno

Thank you very much for the idea. I'll check with my boss and see if they are comfortable with me sharing the name.

 

[Kamm]

Thank you all for the insights. All sorts of interesting possibilities and what you share confirms that the whole situation is mysterious and unusual. I'll follow up soon!

 

[Kamm]

Update: our corporal in the 1st Iowa Cavalry is Ernest Hall (Ernest Hemingway's maternal grandfather). He was from Dyersville, Iowa and, after the war, returned to Dyersville and later moved to Chicago. I'd be grateful for any resources or insights you could point me to.

 

[Old Soldier]

Keep going, Kamm. Once you get into your stride, it will be hard to stop - promise.

 

[lupaglupa]

Records show Ernest Hall was a corporal in Company L of the 1st Iowa Cavalry. He got a pension based on his service in 1904. That means his pension application will be on file in Washington at the National Archives. That will have a lot of information on him. You can request a copy through the National Archives website or from one of the companies that pull records (that's faster). A lot of our members have used Gopher Records and been happy with them.

 

[Bruce Vail]

I infer from the vague language that your corporal was shot by an unfriendly civilian. Of course the more interesting question is what made the civilian so angry that he would shoot a soldier?

 

[lupaglupa]

I think he was not shot by a civilian but but a combatant from the opposing forces. Note that it says "from an enemy in arms" in the record. The problem seems to be with Hall, he was "not in the regular discharge of his duty." I still feel scavenging is the most likely cause, but he could have wandered off for any number of reasons.

 

[lupaglupa]

I think if we are to get any definitive answer it will come from letters or diaries. I found two collections of letters written by men in the 1st cavalry. Unfortunately, neither mentions Hall but they do give a glimpse into the life of the regiment.

1862-64: Horace Payne to Mary (Payne) Hills

I could not find an image of Horace but here is a tintype of Theodore Y. Cremer of Co. I, 1st Iowa Cavalry (Jules Martino Collection) These letters were written by Horace Payne (1839-1912) of Compa…

sparedshared13.wordpress.com

1863: George VanBeek to Ellison Smith

Trooper George VanBeek of Co. C, 1st Iowa Cavalry (courtesy of Jane Mott) This letter was written by 29 year-old George VanBeek (1834-1906), Co C, 1st Iowa Cavalry. George enlisted on 20 June 1861 …

sparedshared22.wordpress.com

 

[Old Soldier]

I think he was not shot by a civilian but but a combatant from the opposing forces. Note that it says "from an enemy in arms" in the record. The problem seems to be with Hall, he was "not in the regular discharge of his duty." I still feel scavenging is the most likely cause, but he could have wandered off for any number of reasons.

That is why I suggested it may have been in occupied territory. Any civilian would also be seen as an enemy - until proved to the contrary.

 

[lelliott19]

Does anyone know where in Missouri the 1st Iowa Cavalry was on April 12, 1862?

 

[lelliott19]

Records show Ernest Hall was a corporal in Company L of the 1st Iowa Cavalry.

Apparently in May 1862, the 1st Iowa Cavalry was camped near Lexington, MO

The Daily Gate City. (Keokuk, IA), May 28, 1862, page 3.