Silas G. Maxwell was born to parents, Caswell Maxwell and Abigail Cloud in 1833. In his civil war papers he lists his birth as Salem, Washington County, Indiana. Caswell may have came to Indiana with brothers, John and Thomas from Kentucky. Abigail was the daughter of Joseph Cloud. Caswell and Abigail applied for a marriage license on 3rd day of January 1829, but were not married until the 28th of January, as recorded by Joseph Fleuts, Clerk of the Circuit Court. There is a possibility that Silas was not the first born considering the time of marriage and his birth in 1833, but he is the first known child. In 1835, another son was born, Caswell Jr. On April 5, 1836, when Silas was about 3 years of age, his father, Caswell Sr. died. Abigail was then left with two babies to care for. Then on October 8, 1837, Abigail married John Rogers and had two more children, John Rogers Jr. and Amanda. But Abigail was not to find happiness for John Rogers abandoned his family about the year 1844, and Abigail was now left with 4 small children. Silas being the oldest at age 7. John Rogers neglected to provide for his family from the time he abandoned them until Abigail heard of his death in Kentucky about January 1, 1863. Silas worked for several farmers and tried to help his mother provide for the family. Abigail did what ever work she could do with her hands. When the Civil War started, Silas then age 28, decided to join the Union. His papers state that he was a private in Company "G", 13th Regiment. He enrolled on April 23, 1861 at Salem, Indiana by Captain S. D. Sayles, and mustered in June 19, 1861 in Indianapolis, Indiana by Lt. Col. Wood. First organized for one year's service but later re-organized for three year's service. On the 4th of July it left Indianapolis for the field and on the morning of the 10th joined Gen. McClellan's forces, at the foot of Rich Mountain, West Virginia. On the next day it participated in the battle of Rich Mountain, under Gen. Rosecrans, losing 8 killed and 9 wounded. On the 13th it moved to Beverly, and from there to Cheat Mountain Pass, where, under Gen. Jos. J. Reynolds, they took part in numerous skirmishes and on the 12th and 13th of September, in the engagement which resulted in the defeat of Gen. Lee's forces on Cheat Mountain Summit and Elkwater. The Regiment marched with Gen. Reynold's Command in the force at Greenbrier, on October 3rd and during the engagement supported Howe's Battery, 4th U.S. Artillery. From the 29th of October till the 7th of November it was engaged in a scouting expedition through the country bordering the Holly and Kanawha Rivers. After this it marched to Allegheny, under Gen. Milroy, and on the 13th of December participated in the battle at that place. On the 18th the Regiment left Beverly and joined Gen. Lander's forces at Green Spring Run, where it remained till spring, during which time they took part in two expeditions of minor importance. On the 5th of March 1862, they marched towards Martinsburgh, where Gen Shields took command of the division. They then moved to Winchester, from where they marched on a scout up the valley to Strausburgh. Returning to Winchester they participated in the battle of Winchester Heights on the 22nd of March, six killed and 33 wounded. It then followed in the pursuit of Stonewall Jackson's Army, as far as New Market and Columbia Bridge. On February 2,1863, Silas first entered the Regimental Hospital and returned to active duty on March 12,1863. He seemed to have never fully recovered because he re-entered the hospital on March 26, 1863. Returned to active duty April 3, 1863. At Summersville on the 7th of May, while scouting, the Regiment sustained a loss of four wounded and twenty-four prisoners. Silas made it through this by being in the hospital. On the 13th it moved down the valley, crossed the Blue Ridge and reported to Gen. McDowell who ordered the Regiment to return to the valley to aid in driving the rebels out again. On the 28th of June it embarked on a steamer and proceeded to Harrison's Landing, on the James River, arriving there on the 2nd of July. They then remained until the 15th of July. On the 15th of August, they marched down the Peninsula to Fortress Monroe. Again Silas re-entered the hospital on the 16th of August. On the 30th, they went to Suffolk on the Nansemond River, at that time stayed for nine months engaged in numerous operations. It was at this time that Silas became ill and entered the hospital. On August 16, 1863 Silas entered the Regimental Hospital complaining of diarrhea and returned to active duty on September 4, 1863. Silas re-entered the hospital the next day, September 5th. It does not say when he returned to duty. On September 30, 1863 he was once again in the hospital, leaving on the 25th of October and again re-entering on the 11th of November. This was to be his last time, he died on January 28, 1863 at Hilton Head Military hospital, Hilton Head, South Carolina of Acute Meningitis. He was buried at Hilton Head Military Cemetery Lot No. 270. Later, most all of the graves were moved to Beaufort National Military Cemetery, Beaufort County, South Carolina. This is his final resting place. Plot 594.
