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Page 181 Lieut. W. W. Woodmancy
W. W. WOODMANCY, late 1st Lieutenant of Co. D, 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, was born in Dryden, Tompkins county, N. Y., March 16th, 1835, and at the age of nineteen obeyed the noted saying of Horace Greeley, and moved westward to Bloomington, Ill., which was then the terminus of the first railroad west of the now great city of Chicago. After remaining at Bloomington a short time he went to Southern Wisconsin, thence to Omaha, Nebraska, where he arrived in June, 1857, and remained until August, 1859, when he departed for Jefferson City, Mo., residing there until March, 1861, when he removed to the western part of Pettis county, Mo., near Knob Noster in Johnson county. Soon after Lieut. Woodmancy arrived in the vicinity of Knob Noster, the war cry echoed throughout all parts of the country, and on the 4th day of July, 1861 at the meeting of the Johnson County Home Guards, in Warrensburg, the county seat of Johnson county, he was one of the 150, who volunteered to go to Lexington, Mo., for the purpose of securing arms for the Johnson County Home Guards, which were reported as being transported to Lexington by steamer from St. Louis, as there were no railroads in that part of the State in the early times. Page 182 After two days patiently waiting, the steamer with the arms arrived and preparations were being made to turn them over to the volunteers, when a little incident worthy of mention transpired. While preparing to unload the arms, a man appeared on the scene armed -,with pistols, knives, etc., defying any man or number of men to arrest him for anything he might say or do. He went so far in this bravado that it became necessary for the boys of "hoop pole county," to arrest him, and send him to Jefferson Barracks, without the loss of a man or the shedding of any blood. After nine days’ absence the detail returned with the arms to Warrensburg and distributed them to the Home Guards, and after making one more trip, concluded that that kind of soldiering did not suit them, and on going to Jefferson City, heard of G. B. Boomer, who was there trying to form a regiment, but had so far recruited only six men. Lieutenant Woodmancv with the others joined Boomer on the September 11th, 1861. After studying tactics and drilling about ten days, they organized a camp rendezvous at the old town of Medora, twenty-one miles east of Jefferson City, and after four months, hard service, from Sept. 11th, 1861 to January 9th, 1862, was mustered into the regular volunteer service for three years. During their stay in camp at Medora, the following incidents occurred, the relation of which will be interesting to all comrades of the old " Boomer Battalion." R. C. Crowell, being on recruiting service at Fulton, was captured by, the Confederates, and in order to secure his return, it was agreed to capture and hold three prominent rebel citizens. To do this it was necessary to make a detail of about fifty men, who packed their knapsacks and Page 183 supplied themselves with sixty rounds of ammunition, and proceeded cautiously, under the cover of darkness, across the Missouri River, for the purpose of capturing the three unarmed men. Securing two of them they came to the third man and found him feigning sickness. Captain Koops, a German, told him they would haul him, and when asked how, replied, "mit de bagonet," which was so satisfactory to the man that he at once concluded to walk. After holding these men a few days, they were released and permitted to return home. Lieutenant Woodmancy, after his muster on January. 9th, 1861, continued in active service with his regiment until the term of service expired, January 9th, 1865, when he was mustered out at Savannah, Ga. After visiting his old home and friends in New York, he returned to Missouri, and in July, 1865, purchased a farm., three miles northeast of Knob Noster, Mo., and on October 9th of the same year, married Miss L. V,. Askren, of Pettis county, and has resided there ever since. His post office address is Knob Noster, Johnson County, Mo. Page 184 John N. Prickett was born in Bond county, Illinois, December 24th, 1820, and was brought up on the farm in Bond and Montgomery, counties. When the war broke out he was teaching school. He enlisted in Co. A, an independent company, of Sharpshooters raised in St. Louis, September 5th, 1861, -,and drilled in Filley's foundry on old Broadway. The company went with General Fremont on his expedition through Missouri to Springfield as his infantry body guard -and returned with him to St. Louis, doing provost duty, in the city until moved to St. Louis Arsenal, and was there until the company became part of the glorious 26th. Was with the regiment in all its marches, skirmishes and battles until after the Battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th. When the regiment left Corinth, Comrade Prickett being unable to follow on account of sickness was left in the hospital at Corinth, Miss., and from there went to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., and was discharged for disability, January 6th, 1863. He enlisted again February 3d, 1865, at Alton, Ill., in Co. G, 150th Illinois Infantry. Was 1st Sergeant until July., and from that time until mustered out in January,, 1866, served as 1st Lieutenant. The 150th was first on duty at Bridgeport, Ala., and along the railroad toward Chattanooga, and then at Cleveland, Tenn. Page 185 from thence to Dalton, Ga., from there to Spring Place, Ga., and then back to Dalton; from there to Atlanta, July 8th, August 14th to Lagrange, Ga., seventy miles on Macon and West Point Road, and was there until ordered back to Atlanta, January 17th, to. be mustered out. Lieutenant Prickett was discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., January 31st, 1866. Married Julia A. Denny, October 25th, 1866, who died January 18th, 1878. There are two children living by the first wife-Willie S. Prickett and Adie May Prickett. Married Nancy S. Wiley, June 9th, 1881. Page 186 John W. Maupin was born May 18th, 1839, near Union, Franklin county, Missouri. His father was a native of Kentucky, and immigrated to Missouri at an early day. Being a staunch Union man, he, of course, urged his sons to respond to the first call for volunteers in 1861. John W., the youngest of three brothers, and the subject of this sketch, was the first to enlist. He served as private in the ranks of the three month’s service and was at the capture of Camp Jackson, May 10, 1861. At the expiration of the three month’s service he enlisted for three years as Orderly Sergeant of Co. F, 26th Missouri Infantry. He participated in several battles and was wounded in the battle of Iuka, Miss., September 19th, 1862. While at home on leave of absence in September, 1863, he was married to Miss Josie N. Crowe, of St. Louis. He was twice promoted in the 26th Missouri for his bravery. In April, 1864, thinking that the war would soon close, and at the repeated and earnest request of his young wife, he resigned and came home. He was not content to remain long however, for as times grew worse he recruited Co. D for the 47th Regiment, Missouri Volunteers and was commissioned captain of said company, in which he served until the close of the war. Capt. M. now lives in Austin, Tex., and is engaged Page 187 in the upholstering business. He has reared a family of four children, three sons and one daughter, as follows: George E., James A., Amos W., and M. Justine. His eldest son, George, whom he named for Col. George Boomer, died not long since.
Henry Hofman, of Taos, Cole county, Mo., was born August 30th, 1845, and enlisted in Co. H, 26th Missouri Infantry, September 16th, 1861, and was honorably discharged April 1st, 1865. The following is his service record: New Madrid, March 14, 1862; Island No. 10, April 7th, 1862; Iuka, September 19th, 1862; Corinth, October 3rd and 4th, 1862; Raymond, May 12th, 1863; Jackson, Miss., May 14th, 1863; Champion Hills, May 16th, 1863; Siege of Vicksburg; Missionary Ridge, November 25th, 1863. Battle of Nashville, Tenn.; Battle of White Oak Swamp, N. C. Comrade Hofman is a farmer, was married to Lucy Schaffer, November 4th, 1873; and has six children named as follows: Sophia, born January 3rd, 1875; Margaretta, born August 10th, 1877; Albert, born January 16th, 1880; Annie, born July 8th, 1883; Robert, born January 1st, 1886; Alma, born October 28th, 1890. Page 188 Amos W. Fritchey is a native of Pennsylvania. Enlisted April, 1861, in Co. D, 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry for three months. Was honorably discharged at expiration of service. Then enlisted September, 1861, at St. Louis, in Co. A, Holman’s Independent Company of Sharpshooters. In the spring of 1862, at Bird’s Point, was consolidated with the 26th Missouri Infantry in Co. A, as 8th Corporal. In August, 1862, was promoted to Orderly Sergeant. In November, 1862 was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, in command of Co. A. Was captured at Battle of Mission Ridge, November 25th, 1863. Was held a prisoner of war until May 15th, 1865, then was paroled and honorably discharged by Special Order No. 229 from the War Department. At present is living in Claremont, Richland county, Ill., and follows the business of druggist. Page 189 W. M. Jones and Brothers Wilson M. Jones, was born in Franklin county, Missouri, October 15th, 1839, reared on a farm in the western part of the county, and educated in the common schools. He enlisted in Co. F, 26th Missouri Volunteers, September 20th, 1861, and was the third of seven brothers, five of whom were in Co. F, 26th Missouri. Comrade Wilson M. Jones was shot on the spine, at Iuka, Miss., but was with his company during the battle of Corinth, Oct. 3rd and 4th, 1862, and on the march after the Confederate General Price. He was only able to partially use his limbs on account of the wounded spine, and was sent to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, where by the spring of 1863, he had gained some strength. Seeing in the newspapers that the 26th Missouri was to go to Vicksburg, comrade Jones concluded that he would rather die with the boys in the field than in the hospital. He found a friend to carry his knapsack to the cars, and taking what the boys called "a French leave," made his way mostly by steamboat to Helena, Ark. Down on the Yazoo Pass he met the regiment returning to Helena and was with or near the command until after the siege of Vicksburg, when he again succumbed to a violent fever, was again sent north, and honorably discharged in Page 190 1864. Comrade Wilson M. Jones has had varied experiences in life, and now resides at Dry Branch, Mo., and owns the finest lead mines in Franklin county. Thomas W. Jones, the eldest of the brothers served in the 18th Illinois Volunteers and died in 1867. H. M. Jones, the youngest brother served in the 10th Missouri Cavalry, and now occupies the position of a Police Sergeant in St. Louis. Joel Jones, of Co. F, 26th Missouri Infantry, was discharged at Farmington, Miss., in May, 1862, and is now Dr. J. Jones, of Dade county, Mo. George W. Jones of Co. F, 26th Missouri was discharged at Farmington, Miss., in May 1862, and in 1863 joined Co. M, 10th Mo. Cav. He was wounded while with Gen. A. J. Smith, had three horses killed under him at the battle of Big Blue, Kansas, and received a slight wound while charging the rebel lines. He saw Confederate General Marmaduke, and was trying ot give him a warm reception, when the third horse was killed and he was wounded. Comrade G. W. Jones was sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and died for want of attention. David C. Jones, of Co. F, 26th Missouri Infantry, was on every march and in every battle, and never missed a day’s duty, although only fifteen years old when enlisted. Page 191 After the capture of Vicksburg, he sickened and died of exposure. David was never wounded, and was loved by all who knew him. John H. C. Jones, of Co. F, 26th Missouri, was taken sick at Vicksburg, sent north and transferred to the Veteran Relief Corps, and served his full term. He participated in all the battles up to Vicksburg, in which his company was engaged, and has resided in St. Louis since 1866, and now lives at 5744 Berlin avenue in that city. John A. Niebling, at the age of fifteen years, enlisted September 9th, 1861, under the name of his stepfather, John A. Poolman, as a Drummer in Co. A; Independent Sharpshooters, which was mustered into the 26th Missouri Infantry about six months afterward. He served with the regiment in all its marches and battles, and after being mustered out in St. Louis, dropped his stepfather’s name (J. A. Poolman) and resumed his own name, J. A. Niebling. He keeps a general store, and is Postmaster at Ferguson, Missouri. Page 192 John H. Allen, a member of Co. H, 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, was born in Roan county, Tennessee, on the 19th day of March, 1844, and consequently is now forty-eight years old. He removed with others to Osage county, Mo., in 1855, where he has lived since , except when away in the army, or later while teaching music. His home is still the same on a neat little farm near Luystown, Mo. He has a family consisting of a wife and four children – two boys and two girls, all now grown, the youngest being sixteen years old. Comrade Allen was seventeen years old when the war broke out, and he enlisted in Co. B, Osage County Home Guards, where he served with credit to himself and company until same was discharged after arduous service along Missouri Pacific Railroad and Missouri River. As soon as the Home Guards were disbanded he enlisted under Capt. John F. F. Koops, of Co. H, 26th Missouri. He never shirked duty, but was often unfit for service, and would not go to hospital if he could walk, but diarrhea so reduced him that he fell over as if dead at Camp Clear Creek, Miss., when he was sent to Benton Barracks where he remained three months before being able for duty. Comrade Allen was with the regiment, and participated in all Page 193 the marches, skirmishes, etc., up to the time of being sent to the hospital. In September, 1862, he thought he could stand service in the field, and securing his discharge from the hospital, joined the regiment then in camp at Jacinto, soon after marching with them to Iuka, where he was shot through both thighs, and lay until ten o’clock next day, when he was picked up by a detail engaged in burying the dead. Comrade Allen was in hospital at Iuka a short while, then removed to Corinth, Miss., where he lay in full view of one line of that awful battle for one day. He was moved that night to another point, out of range of Price’s guns, from which he saw the second day’s fight. After lying in hospital at Jackson, Tenn., over five months, Allen was discharged, and was unable to get on a passenger car without help. He reached home in March, 1863, and engaged in farming. Has been unable to perform manual labor of any sort for the past ten years, and has taught vocal music with fair success, when health would admit, in Osage, Maries, Pulaski, Camden, Morgan and Cole counties. Has suffered since the war from wounds and disease, but was able to attend the reunion in Pacific, Mo., in October, 1892. Page 194 Serg’t David N. Simons was born in Jefferson, Schoharie county, New York, December 22nd, 1831, removed to Broome county, N. Y., in 1852, where he married his now deceased wife in 1854, removing with his family to Missouri in 1859. Serg’t Simons says: "Although nearly thirty years have rolled away since my discharge from the service, by reason of disability contracted in the line of duty at Camp Clear Creek, Miss., my recollections of the 26th Missouri Infantry are still vivid and cherished with pleasurable and patriotic emotions." "My connection with the regiment was so brief, and its active operations so comparatively uneventful while I marched in the ranks, that I can claim no part in the honors afterward won by the distinguished services of the regiment on many a bloody field. Yet I consider it no small honor to have been associated, even briefly, with such brave and patriotic men, and I am proud to find my name on the roster of so distinguished and organization." "For the satisfaction of such comrades as remember me, I will tell them that at the present time I am postmaster at Page 195 Chilhowee, Mo., and that I still love the flag, "Old Glory," with patriotic devotion." With "cheers for the living and tears for the dead," I send greetings to all surviving comrades. D. N. Simons,
William H. Root was born in Vernon, Ind., November 24th, 1841. Moved with his father to Montgomery county, Ill., in the spring of 1856, being then fifteen years of age. Was enrolled on the 21st day of August, 1862, in Co. A, 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry. Joined the regiment at Jacinto, Miss., about September 5th. Comrade Root was in the battle of Iuka, September 19th, and Corinth, October 3rd and 4th, 1862; on the Yazoo Pass expedition in spring of 1863; in battle of Raymond, May 12th; Jackson, May 14th; Champion Hills, May 16th; Siege of Vicksburg, 1863; in battle of Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25th, 1863; battle of Allatoona, Ga., Oct. 5, 1864; on Sherman’s campaign through Georgia, and siege of Savannah to the sea. Was through South and North Carolina campaign during which campaign he participated in the following engagements: Tallahatchie River, Columbia, Feb. 17th; skirmish on Lynch’s creek, Feb. 25th; raid to Florence, March 5th, and battle of Bentonsville, North Carolina, March 20th and 21st, 1865. He went through with the army and participated in the Grand Review and was discharged May 30th, 1865, at Washington D. C. Page 196 William H. Moss, was born on September 17th, 1841, in Montgomery county, Illinois, In the fall of 1861 he went to St. Louis and enlisted in an independent company, and his first service was to go with Gen. J. C. Fremont to Springfield, Mo., and then back to St. Louis, where he joined the 26th Missouri Infantry, and served in the ranks until reaching Savannah, Ga., and was one of those who re-enlisted as a veteran. While in camp at the Etawah river, Ga., Comrade Moss, on the recommendation of Dr. C. F. Barnett, received a warrant as Hospital Steward from Col. B. D. Dean. On arrival at Savannah, the regiment was mustered out, and the veterans organized in one company, (Co. I). He was detached from the battalion and sent to the Post Hospital as Steward, Dr. J. S. Prout and Dr. C. F. Barnett recommending him for the position. The battalion went on with the army to Washington, then to Arkansas, and St. Louis, and there mustered out. Comrade Moss performed his duty at Savannah until the close of the war, when he was ordered to report to the battalion to be mustered out, but owing to the railroads being in bad condition through Georgia, and crowded with the renewal of business, it took him ten days to get to St. Louis, and he found the battalion mustered out and dispersed. Page 197 He received his honorable discharge and a muster roll a yard long with his name inscribed upon it. At Corinth and Iuka, Thomas Merry was Moss’s left-hand man, until he was shot and killed, and at Champion Hills, Comrade Moss had the honor of carrying the flag after Sergeant Rowen was shot and killed. Afterward James McCain was detailed as color bearer. Sergeant Page secured the flag from Rowen’s dead body and bravely assisted in rallying the boys. In May 1866, W. H. Moss married Miss C. J. Wheeler and moved to Litchfield, Ill., and embarked in the grocery business, afterward engaging in the grain trade. In the fall of 1871, he removed to Sedalia, Mo., and engaged in carpenter work, which he had learned in early life. He was a contractor for several years and is now working in the Sedalia planing mill. Harry Oscar Moss, born in Litchfield, Ill., comrade Moss'’ son, is a draughtsman in an architect’s office, and a member of Co. D, 2nd Regiment Missouri National Guard, holds a warrant as Quartermaster’s Sergeant, and has taken his turn in wearing the medal as the best drilled man in his company. Page 198 William J. Campbell, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on February 9th, 1842, and in November, 1852, his father moved to Franklin county, Mo., where he died in 1858, leaving his son to care for himself. At the beginning of the war Comrade Campbell was working in Missouri for a farmer who was a thorough rebel, in fact was drilling a company of rebels at the time. In the early part of June, 1861, while setting out tobacco plants, the farmer and his sons commenced discussing the war and everything in favor of rebeldom. Campbell took no part in the conversation, and the farmer took occasion to say that there was "only one black Republican in the crowd, and that was Bill." And that they ought to hang him and have some sport. Comrade Campbell dropped the tobacco plant he was in the act of setting out and demanded his wages which he received after some talk, and left the place. He secured work on the farm of another rebel, and was not treated so harshly. The first opportunity to enlist occurred on the September 19th, 1861, when Campbell enlisted in Co. F, 26th Missouri Infantry, and assisted to elect B. D. Dean, Captain; B. C. Anderson, 1st Lieut.; William L. Wheeler, 2nd Lieut. The date of his enlistment was October 2nd, 1861, and the Page 199 muster-in, was on December 17, 1861. Company F was proud of Captain Dean, and when he became Colonel of the regiment, the boys were prouder than ever before. Comrade Campbell was with the 26th Missouri until the expiration of its term of service, when he re-enlisted, served under Major R. C. Crowell, and was mustered out in August, 1865. Returning to Missouri, Campbell remained until 1872, when he went to Moline, Elk county, Kansas, and on December 24th 1876, married Miss Hattie Lamb, and still resides in the vicinity of the above named town. Robert L. Price was born June 29th, 1840, and married April 16th, 1860. He enlisted on September 6th, 1861, under Gen. John C. Fremont, in Co. A, Sharp’s rifles, as Fremont’s escort to Springfield, Mo. Comrade Price was a member of Co. A, 26th Missouri Infantry, and served three years. He is a Deputy City Marshal of St. Louis, and has one daughter, Ida Price, now Mrs. Ida Cook. |
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