I am transcribing this from a 40-page typewritten photocopied document that was among my father’s research. I do not know the veracity of it all nor do I know how many posts the series will take up. What is in italics is what I transcribed. My notes are not in italics.
In 1861 the war began. Four of her (Sarah Lord Wilox’s) sons enlisted; only two came back, one of the two shattered in health from a long imprisonment.
Sarah Wilcox died October 2nd, 1883.
Immediately after the firing on Ft. Sumpter (sic), came President Lincoln’s first call for troops. Wilbur I. Wilcox was at this time teaching. Willard J. Wilcox was engaged in making brooms. They immediately dropped their employment, and enlisted in the first company and first regiment that left Illinois for three months’ service – Co. A, 1st Regiment, Chicago Light Artillery. Willard was then 26, Wilber, 24 years of age. Saturday they went to Chicago and enlisted; Sunday they were journeying toward Cairo. They returned home on a furlough at the expiration of their enlistment, but re-enlisted for three years, or during the war, before returning home. After a few days at home they started again for Cairo and rejoined their battery.
Cairo (Kay-ro), Illinois, was where U.S. Grant based his operations out of.
Willard fell from a caisson in Dec. 1861. As soon as (he) was able to travel after this injury, he visited his mother, remaining with her until after the marriage of his sister Mary on Jan. 1, 1862.
Before his furlough had expired he was recalled to his company. He was with the company which moved from Cairo, Jan. 10, 1862, on a reconnoisance (sic) into Kentucky, returning Jan 22nd. At the battle of Shiloh, Willard and Wilber were both wounded. Willard carried a minie ball* in his head the remained of his life in consequence of this injury.
During the advance on Corinth, Willard and others were sent out after horses, at which time Willard was again wounded, receiving six buckshot wounds in the shoulder, and back of the head.
The Battle of Shiloh was a Union victory at heavy cost. It was one of the bloodiest battles in the war with nearly 24,000 casualties. My brain can’t fathom that number! Corinth is a short distance from Shiloh, across the border in Mississippi, and was a Confederate stronghold.
Wilber was Sergeant when killed July 22, 1863. (Vicksburg?)
Willard re-enlisted in the veteran corps after three years’ service. He received four hundred dollars and a 30-days’ furlough. He was sergeant when mustered out in July, 1865.
Thomas Wilcox enlisted Aug. 11, 1862. He joined Co. A Chicago Light Artillery at Memphis. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. He was released at the close of the war.
John Wilcox enlisted Sept. 4, 1862, 1st Sergeant Co. K, 88th Ill. Infantry/ He was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, Sept 20, 1863. He is buried with the unknown dead at Chattanooga.
Daniel E. Barnard enlisted Sept. 4, 1862, Capatin Co. K, 88th Ill, Infantry; mustered out at the close of the war.
Erastus A. Barnard was drafted Sept 27, 1864; assigned to Co. H, 30th Infantry; mustered out June 4, 1865. He marched with Sherman’s army to the sea.
E.A. Barnard was taken ill during the march to Savannah. He remained with the army until Savannah was entered. He was in the hospital there from Dec. 24, 1864 to April 1, 1865. Thence he went to Pocotaligo; from there by boat to Wilmington; then marched to Raleigh and joined his regiment the day before Johnston surrendered.
General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to General Sherman at Bennett’s Place, Durham’s Station, N.C., in April of 1865.
Erastus A. Barnard married Mary L. Wilcox. Daniel E. Barnard was his brother.
William Orson Wilcox (my ancestor) did not serve. I do not know why except, perhaps, he was left in charge of Sarah and his brother’s respective families.
*The Minié ball, or Minie ball, is a type of hollow-based. Invented in 1849 shortly followed by the Minié rifle, the Minié ball was used in the American Civil War where it was found to inflict significantly more serious wounds than earlier round musket balls. (Source: Wikipedia)
Jaci Dawn 