Civil War Relatives, Part 2

On April 12, 1861—150 years ago—the Civil War started at Ft. Sumter, South Carolina.  In thinking about that fact, I thought it would be interesting to see what members in the family tree served during the Civil War.  In a previous blog I looked at my family, now it’s my husband’s, Jim Oliver's, family.

Here is a listing of some of the members from Jim’s family that served in the Civil War.

Forbes, Benjamin F.  “Frank” (1831-1900)—enlisted as a private on August 17, 1862, with Co. D, Minnesota 9th Infantry.  He was mustered out on May 5, 1865, as a corporal with a disability.  The Minnesota 9th Infantry was involved with the Indian wars and the Sioux Uprising.

Forster, Charles H. Sr. (1842—1922)—was born in Prussia (Germany), and immigrated to the United States in 1854.  Charles enlisted in Co. I, Illinois 15th Infantry Regiment Union on May 24, 1861; he was promoted to full Sergeant and mustered out on July 20, 1864.  He then transferred to Co. E, Illinois Vet Battalion Infantry on the same date; he mustered out on March 24, 1865, and transferred to Co. E, Illinois 15th Infantry Regiment on the same date.  He was mustered out on September 16, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  This constant transfer from one company to another was not unusual during the Civil War.  As one Company suffered casualties and its numbers became decimated, that Company would be “mustered out” and attached to another Company from the same state (or in some instances, a different state).

Heinze, Charles A. (1838-1883)—was born in Bettendorf, Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1850.  On August 19, 1862, he was inducted as a Private in the Mankato Citizen Soldiers Regiment, Mankato, Minnesota.  This regiment was actually a recruiting unit for the Civil Was; but, on their way out of town they were ambushed by Indians.  Before going on to serve in the Civil War, this regiment became involved in what is known today as the Sioux Uprising. 

Williams, William Henry (1838-1882)—On April 22, 1861, William enlisted as a Private in Co. D, 3rd Infantry Regiment Wisconsin; and on August 12, 1861, he received a disability discharge.  He then enlisted on August 17, 1862, as a Private in the 6th Regiment, Co. D, 6th Infantry Minnesota.  On December 14, 1863, he transferred to the 3rd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery.  The 3rd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery was organized at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, from the enlisted men of the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Regiments, Minnesota Infantry (William had been a member of the 6th Regiment). On April 28, 1866, he mustered out as a corporal. The 3rd Independent Battery was primarily station at frontier outposts.

My next posting will cover the Civil War relatives of my daughter-in-law, Melissa Murphy Oliver.