Deogratias: A Civil War Veteran

Erwin, NOV 12, 1930 -- H.B., 90, passed away Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at his home on the Old Unicoi road near the Fishery. The decease, who has been a resident of this section for the past 63 years was born in the State ofVirginia. He was a Civil War veteran having seed four years in Company B., Tenth Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, from which he received an honorable discharge.

At the close of the war he purchased and settled on the farm where he resided at the time of his death. For over 50 years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and lived a beautiful Christian life.

He and Mrs. B. (who preceded him to the grave by eight years) reared a family of six children, all of whom are living except a daughter, Lora who died three years ago.

Impressive funeral services were held from the late residence Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock... Interment was made in the family cemetery near the old home. The beautiful floral tributes and the large attendance a the funeral were evidence of the high esteem in whichthe deceased was held

HB was a member of the Union Army under Captain A. T. Moorehead at the time of his discharge from Company B 12th Tenn Calvary Regiment. He was discharged as a Sgt. on October 2, 1865 and his discharge is recorded in Nashville, Tenn on October 26, 1865. He is reported to have been 5'11" tall with fair skin and blue eyes. He was discharged at age 21.

The photo and passage below was among the many treasures I received from my newfound double cousin-in-law! She has shared with me information about my family history going back to 17th Century England and photographs going back to my great-great-great-grandfather.

The photo at left and the obituary below are of my great-great grandfather. He is the second ancestor I have found to have served in the Union Army despite being resident of a southern state. Her information contained some details about this situation in rural East Tennessee during the Civil War.

During the Civil War years, from 1861 to 1865, divided loyalties in East Tennessee would add to the anguish of the national war for local residents. Often known as "the brother's war," families and communities became divided in their support for the Confederacy or the Union.

There was a majority of East Tennesseans who would remain loyal to the Union in the midst of the state's decision to join the Confederate States of America.

As tragic as this scenario was during the war, it proved to be a major challenge for communities in their effort to pull back together after the war and look to the future.