Wounded at Missionary Ridge, died ?

[Allyn]

Edward Strait or Straight and his younger brother Emra or Emery Harrison Strait enlisted together on 16 Aug. 1861, at Northville, Illinois. They both served in Co. F, 36th​ Reg. Illinois Infantry. My problem surrounds the death of Edward. He apparently died of wounds received at Missionary Ridge, 25 Nov. 1863, but didn't die until 23 Jan. 1864. Unfortunately, one source says he died at Chattanooga, and another source says he died while on furlough at home, which would have been LaSalle Co., Illinois. These two places are nowhere near each other. Any suggestions on how to clear up this discrepancy?

 

[Stryker65]

Most likely he was MWIA at Chattanooga, went on furlough and died at home. This was not uncommon, I believe the most notable example of this was Brigadier General Edward N. Kirk, who was MWIA at Stones River (12/31/62), went home, and died of his wounds seven months later (7/21/63).

 

[rpkennedy]

I would guess that the hospital that he was sent to was in Chattanooga but he was sent home, either to recuperate (unsuccessfully as it turned out) or because he was dying.

Having men die several months after receiving their wound was not atypical. I know of quite a few men who were wounded at Gettysburg and died of their injuries in September, October, November, and December. In my own family, I had a relative that was wounded on May 12 at the Mule Shoe at Spotsylvania and died in a hospital in Washington in July. Some men unfortunately lingered far longer than others.

Ryan

 

[Jamieva]

They probably sent him home to recover thinking he would recover and gangrene or other infection set in. That's what we often see in a lag time between wounding and death like that. He was well enough to travel which meant they didn't expect him to die from that wound.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Seems feasible he died from his wounds while on furlough at home in Illinois on Jan. 23, '64.

After reading the regimental history, it appears likely he was transferred from the Chattanooga Hospital to home, shortly after being wounded in the arm at Missionary Ridge, on Nov. 25, '63. In the days following this action, it appears all able members of the 36th IL were issued Veteran furloughs to their homes. (See https://archive.org/details/historyofthirtys00benn/page/548/mode/1up @ p. 540 & Ch. XXXII).

(Thought the reported fractures in his right forearm wound would not have limited his mobility or prevented him from being mobilized for the return home according to the furlough - seems like wound complications emerged after he returned home).

 

[lupaglupa]

Edward's father, Joshua, qualified for a pension in 1879. His application for that pension will almost surely have the full information on Edward's wounds and death.

 

[Allyn]

Thank you for the tip about the pension. Joshua Straight's sister Esther was my direct ancestor. I've been concentrating on her, just recently branched out to other family members.

 

[Library Lady]

The pension file for Edward Strait is quoted in this Find-a-Grave page.

Edward Strait (1838-1864) - Find a Grave Memorial

Joshua Strait b. 1811 Chenango Co., New York d. 24 Mar 1897 Humboldt Co., Iowa married 1st Sarah Thompkins b. unk d. 1841 New York married 2nd Eunice Euphemia Covell b. 13 Sep 1820 Chautauqua Co., New York d. 25 Dec 1888 Somonauk, De Kalb Co., ILL. Children of Joshua and Sarah: John Bowen...

www.findagrave.com

 

[Wawyasto]

My G-G Uncle John C Rains Company B 89th IL Infantry was wounded in the left knee at Missionary Ridge Nov 25 and died Dec 26 1863 at Chattanooga.