Inferential Genealogy Study Group in 2nd Life – Civil War Papers

In Inferential Genealogy Study Group in 2nd Life – Search Broadly #7  I mentioned that I had found some Civil War records. Have only heard about them, but not seen them. Up until today, no matter where I looked, I could not find David Ridgely Howard anywhere related to the Civil War. I was beginning to question if everyone in the Civil War would be found in the Civil War records. The fact that I have seen two indications that he had been wounded, not once but, twice, I thought for sure I would find something.

Well I did. 20 pages of documents on Footnote.com.

He enlisted August 21, 1862 in Richmond, Virginia by Capt R. B Winder for “3 yrs or war”.

Company Muster Rolls were included, including “Sep & Oct, 1864”. He was absent with remarks of “Wounded on Weldon R.R. Aug 19, 1864”. This confirms one wounding that I have found.

Then there were three Hospital Muster Rolls, so I can follow him through the hospitals. Then there was the Medical Directors Office record. “Aug, 19, 1864 – vs flesh upper ext portion left thigh” and was put on furlough for 60 days. The next record told us why. “G.S. amputation right lef flesh upper est portion of thigh”.

So, more details are here but there are two major questions still “on the table”

1) was he wounded at Gettysburg

2) why did he enlist in Richmond

Back to the books that I have picked up and waiting arrival to find the story of how he got from Baltimore to Washington, and now to Richmond. My Civil War re-enactor friend gave me some hints and hoping that one of this sources helps fill in the blanks.

Lots of data entry into my genealogy software. Am working on creating his Civil War Timeline that are now documented by these Civil War Pension files.