Wednesday, April 7, 2010

The War, Papa and A Patch of Land- Part I

   My sister, Vickie and I went to the Maury County Archives today. She just went along for the ride with no old bones to dig up.  I, on the other hand, had three things to research-the war, Papa and a patch of land. None of the three directly relate to the other.   For today I will start with the war.              .
    Jim's gg grandfather, John R. Hooten, fought in The War between the States. He served in the Co. C of 9th(Gantt's) Tennessee Calavry Battalion beginning in November 1861. In February of 1862 John was captured at Fort Donaldson and held prisoner at Camp Morton in Indiana. He was one of only a few within his company to be captured. From what I have read, Camp Morton was estimated to hold 2000 prisoners, but 3000 prisoners were housed within months of opening. John arrived by train at the camp around February 24, 1862 and marched about a mile to the fairgrounds( the location of Camp Morton). Housing consisted of 4 large, wood-frame fair buildings that were nothing more than exhibition halls, stables and barns which had dirt floors covered with straw.
   I am so thankful for the muster rolls.  Even though they do not account for the entire period, they do allow you follow a soldier's movement during the war. John was exchanged in Vicksburg September 16, 1862 and rejoined his company. Muster rolls indicate John was in French's Division Hospital in Lockhart, Mississippi from August to October of 1863.  From June 30 to December 31, 1864 John was absent on a surgeon certificate. On March 16,1864 John's company was at Tunnel Hill, and the battalion was paroled on May 3, 1865 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 
   Today's question: what type of  injuries or illness did John acquire during the war? 

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