Memorials › John Harmon

John Harmon

12 Dec 1847 – 11 Oct 1923

Birth12 Dec 1847
Death11 Oct 1923
CemeteryHaven Hill Cemetery
Olney , Richland County , Illinois , USA
Added byWalk The Earth -J K Wilson on 17 Feb 2013
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59585238

Bio

Civil War veteran, County. F, Fifth Illinois Cavalry. He enlisted on 28 December 1863 and was mustered out on 27 October 1865. Fifth Cavalry, of this regiment Company L was recruited in Richland, Wayne, Cumberland and Jasper counties, all in Illinois, principally. The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, in November, 1861, and Hall Wilson appointed Colonel. On February 20, 1862, the regiment moved to Benton Barracks, Saint Louis, Missouri, March 3, it moved to Pilot Knob. On the 27th. it marched to Doniphan, and had a skirmish with the enemy, capturing their camp, April 1. On the 27th, the regiment started on a march for the Mississippi River, joining Curtis' army at Jacksonport on the 29th, and reaching Helena, July 13. October 22, a forage train was attacked by the enemy and seventy-eight of the Fifth Cavalry captured. On January 11, 1863, the regiment made an expedition to Duval’s Bluff, and in April, pursued Marmaduke, who was retreating from Missouri. May 29,1.S63, the regiment embarked for Vicksburg; and on June 1, landed at Snyder’s Bluff. June 3, the Fifth Cavalry made a reconnaissance to Mechanicsburg, drove the enemy ten miles, carrying on a spirited skirmish in the meantime. Forming a junction on the following day with Brigadier-General Kimball, who had two regiments of infantry, eight pieces of artillery, they attacked the enemy, who was strongly posted, and defeated him. With General Sherman‘s army, the Ninth and Fifteenth Corps, the Fifth moved toward Jackson on the 6th, and five days later, the Third and Fourth Iowa, Second Wisconsin and Fifth Illinois, composing the cavalry brigade, went on an expedition to Canton, Mississippi, arriving after some fighting on the 17th, and after destroying the public workshops, railroad, etc., returned to the main army at Jackson. On August 3, the Fifth joined the expedition to Grenada, Mississippi. Reaching the Mississippi Central, at Durant, and, capturing wagon-trains, destroying bridges, etc., it moved up the railroad, driving the enemy, under Chalmers, and effecting a junction with Colonel Phelps' force. Owing to destroyed bridges, the captured rolling stock could not be saved and 40 engines with 320 cars were burned. The force then moved toward Memphis, encountering on the 21st, a force of the enemy's cavalry, which the expedition defeated, the Fifth losing one killed and five wounded. On returning to Memphis the regiment was embarked for Vicksburg and went into camp on the Black River, August 29. Remaining here until May 1, 1864, the regiment was moved to Vicksburg, and subsequently took part in the movement toward Jackson, and in a cavalry charge at Brownsville, routing the rebel General Wirt Adams. January 1, 1864, many of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, the veterans receiving their furlough in March. May 10, the veterans returned and the regiment once more united, eight companies were dismounted. Companies A, B, C, D, retaining their horses. On July 1, this battalion joined in an expedition to Jackson. On the return march the raiders were attacked by a large force of the enemy which was repulsed only after a severe engagement. September 27, the same force moved down the river, and, landing at Port Gibson, drove the enemy from the place. From thence the regiment moved to Natchez; thence to Tonica Bend, where the expedition landed and moved to Woodville. Here a rebel camp was surprised and captured, but during the night, the enemy advanced with three guns and 600 men. The Fifth Cavalry and Third United States Colored Cavalry charged the enemy the next morning, driving him in confusion. November 20, the regiment went with an expedition to destroy the Mississippi Central Railroad, over which supplies were being sent to Hood. Its object was successfully accomplished, the command destroying miles of road. In January, 1865, the regiment moved to Memphis, and a little later went with an expedition to southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana. In March the regiment was aligned to guard duty on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and was thus engaged until July, 1865. The regiment was then ordered to Texas, and assigned to Custer's command. It was posted at Hempstead, Texas, until October 6, when it was ordered to Springfield, Illinois., arriving on the 16th; on the 27th it. Was mustered out, and received final payment and discharge October 30, 1865. On 1 June 1880, he and his family were living in Willow Hill Township, Jasper County, Illinois.

Inscription

CIVIL WAR

Photos

Family

Parents

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family