War Between the States Participants

More military history - specifically those ggg-grandfathers of mine who fought in that conflagration now know to history as the "War Between the States" 1861-1865.

Lt John J Cannon

Lt John J Cannon was a Federal Cavalry Officer during the War Between the States. John J Cannon was born in 1836. He enlisted in the Federal Army at Williamsport, MD on 30 September 1861 for a period of 3 years of 'the War'. The original name of the Unit to which John J was assigned was Company A, 1st Regiment Virginia Cavalry. This Unit was later renamed and John J was attached to Company I, 1st Regiment Cavalry Volunteers.

John J Cannon's military service record sheds some light on his career. He began his military service time as a Private of Cavalry - but was promoted to 2nd Lt of Cavalry. He records that during January 1862, he contracted Bronchitis - his wording - "was being whipped by Jackson (Stonewall) - tents burned and had to lay out in the cold". He next reports that on 18 February 1862 - "had a horse shot out from under me and was caught and mashed by the horse". John J was promoted this day to 2nd Lt of Cavalry for "gallantry before the enemy". The report does not mention any specific 'gallantry'. Included in his military file is a Special Order No. 211 which reads that "...Private John Cannon, Russel's Cavalry Company, at Bloomery Gap has been promoted to Lt of Cavalry..." A citation given by the Governor of Maryland is also included which awards John J the 'butter-bars' of a 2nd Lt.

John J Cannon was a poor farmer. His whole life was lived in the Potomac Highlands of (West) Virginia. He saw his duty to serve in the military and enlisted in the Virginia Cavalry (Federal). There is an old family legend concerning the War Between the States. Some of the Cannons spell their name CANNON, others CANAN. I asked my WV Cousin about this and she replied that it was because some fought for the North and some fought for the South.

Lt John J Cannon's Commission

Lt John J Cannon's signature

John J Cannon died on 12 May 1909 in Mineral County, West Virginia.

Sgt J. Floyd Young

Joseph Floyd young enlisted in the Army of the Confederacy on 1 September 1862. This was in Mercer County, Virginia (now West Virginia). Records researched at the State Capitol in Charleston, WV read that Mr Young was 22 years old; height 5'4"; complexion dark; eyes blue; hair dark. His term of enlistment was 3 years or 'the War'.

J Floyd Young appears on the muster roll of Company D, 17th Virginia Cavalry (subsequently became Company A) for 5 September - 31 October 1863. According to the History of the 17 Virginia Cavalry, the 17th had before this time participated in the infamous Battle of Gettysburg. Sgt Young was a participant of that famous battle which ended in Lee's defeat.

According to elder family members, Sgt Young was wounded during the War. A great-grand-daughter still living in Summers County, WV remembers 'Grampa Floyd' who, she relates, was '...shot directly through the head, the ball entering one temple and passing out through the other..' this is also recounted in Miller's 'History of Summers County, WV (1908). J Floyd Young went blind in one eye immediately and later in life lost sight in his other eye. According to family legend, the bleeding of the wound was stopped by the introduction of a silk handkerchief into the wound.

The 17th's muster roll for Company D on 28 February 1864 lists Young as 'wounded'. He is recorded as enlisting on 22 February 1864. On 30 April 1864 he is listed as 'present'.

Sgt Young was retired from military service on 15 May 1864. Included in his military file is a POW parole record signed by Mr Young 'swearing loyalty to the United States of America and promising to never take up arms against said Republic and promising to live as an honest and decent citizen'.

J Floyd Young was a farmer. I do not know his political ideas; he did not own slaves. It is likely he felt his first duty was to Virginia. He died on 5 November 1929, much beloved of his family.

JF Young's Amnesty Oath

Pvt John Calvin Harvey

Pvt John Calvin Harvey was assigned to Company I 60th Virginia Regiment. He was in Cumberland, MD with the Confederate Army on one of the 3 occassions that Cumberland was surrendered to the Confederates.

John Calvin Harvey was not a slave-owner. Once again, here was a Virginian who believed his first duty was to Virginia.

Jonathon Calvin Harvey's records record that he deserted at Christiansburg and was captured by the Federals. He signed the Amnesty Oath and was released from Cumberland, Maryland.