John L's devilish advocate

I asked my "smelly" cousin--and I mean that in a good sense because she makes soap--if she could give credence to my assertion that John L. McGuire might have been disabled. Here's her reply:

"OK now, I am just playing the devil's advocate here!"

Don't worry, I won't get mad. I asked for your opinion.

"It certainly *could* be true. But really it is just supposition unless you find a document saying he was disabled."

I agree, which is why I said 'definitely maybe."

"It's possible that he was in another unit before that one. I've seen that before. In one case, the man was discharged for a medical reason, then rejoined later with another unit. I believe I've also seen where a man just changed units. Technically, just because you can't find evidence of him being in another unit, it doesn't mean that he wasn't."

Good point, one I hadn't considered. Please see an upcoming post about Charles to see an example of this.

"But assume he joined for the first time in 1863. There might be several reasons for this. I imagine the pressure to join wasn't as strong early in the war, as it was later when the South wasn't doing so well. Towards the end, they were taking really young men and really old ones (and probably ones who were infirm, too)."

Yes, that fits with what I have read.

"'He had a family' wasn't a concern. Almost everybody who went to war from the South (and almost all of them did) had a family. I'm not sure how in the world they justified running off and leaving their families, but they did."

I just read today about a 40-year-old guy joining. Apparently age was less of an issue at that point than it is in today's professional Army. See the article below.

"Maybe he was a pacifist? (Unlikely.) Maybe he was an anti-secessionist or a loyalist? (Also unlikely, but you never know.) Maybe he had some ailment that prevented him from joining earlier? Maybe he didn't want to join, but was drafted? (They started a draft in 1862.)"

I just found a short article about Confederate conscription in the Civil War. Here it is:

"The first Confederate conscription law also applied to men between 18 and 35, providing for substitution (repealed Dec. 1863) and exemptions. A revision, approved 27 Sept. 1862, raised the age to 45; 5 days later the legislators passed the expanded Exemption Act. The Conscription Act of Feb. 1864 called all men between 17 and 50. Conscripts accounted for one-fourth to one-third of the Confederate armies east of the Mississippi between Apr. 1864 and early 1865."
Source: "Historical Times Encyclopedia of the Civil War" Edited by Patricia L. Faust

http://www.civilwarhome.com/conscription.htm

"After looking at his brothers, I thought maybe he joined after his brother Charles died in the war. But I have that date as May 1863, and John joined Feb 1, 1863. But Charles was also with Co C in the 18th, and also in Chattanooga. I can't find his service cards, so I'm not sure if he was also a guard with the Hospital or not. (John McGuire's are filed under John S McGann!)"

I already knew about the cards being filed under John S. McGann; these are in the microfilms at the BPL.

"The really odd thing to me is *where* John joined. From Cedar Grove, in Jackson county. What in the world was he doing up there?! I'm wondering if he joined that unit because that's where his brother was, and Cedar Grove was where he had to go to join that unit...? I really don't know."

That one I can answer:

"Leeds began as a small farming settlement around 1828 when the Cedar Grove Post Office was opened. Once the county line of Shelby and Jefferson Counties was changed, a new post office opened in 1869 and was called Oakridge. Later, in 1884, the Leeds post office was opened. Leeds was incorporated as a town in 1887. It was named for the city of Leeds in England."

http://www.usacitiesonline.com/alcountyleeds.htm

I still think the biggest indicator that John L. might have been disabled is that he enlisted as a hospital guard. The job was one of the dirtiest, smelliest jobs going, and certainly not taken by the best fighting men.

More on this debate in a later post!

Black text copyright July 2010 by ALRoots.Blogspot.com. All rights reserved.

Was John L. McGuire disabled?

Was John L. McGuire disabled? Sounds crazy. But it's possible, even plausible.

Here's the short version:

John L. McGuire joined the 18th AL Infantry Company C in 1863 as a hospital guard. If he'd been able-bodied, he'd have joined the company as a fighting man in 1861 when it was formed. Also, hospital guards were usually people who were disabled, wounded, or otherwise not fit for combat, like the men in the Union Army's Invalid Corps/Veterans Reserves.

How did John L. become disabled? In 1851 Moses and Alphonso Johnson beat him so badly that he took them to court. The summons on file in the Shelby County Historical Society says that:

"{Moses and Alphonso Johnson did}make an assault and him the said John Maguire then and there did beat, wound and ill-treat and other wrongs to the said James Maguire then and there did to the great dameage of the said John Maguire."

So, was John L. McGuire disabled?

Maybe.

DEFINITELY maybe.

Here's the long version.

In checking my last post about Charles McGuire, I encountered some discrepancies that jolted me, and actually caused my brain to make a very logical connection between two ancestors who fought in the Civil War. John L. McGuire enlisted in the 18th Alabama, Company C. John Hushan enlisted in the New Jersey Infantry, 7th Regiment, Company F. John L. enlisted in either 1861 or 1863 and died in a prisoner of war camp at Rock Island, IL, in 1864. John Hushan was wounded, sent to the Invalid Corps/Veterans Reserves, survived the War and died in NJ in 1883.

In May 2007 Jessie J. (JessieJ@aol.com) wrote me that John L. McGuire enlisted in the 18th AL Company C on February 1, 1863, at Cedar Grove. His unit was called the Cahaba Valley Rangers. But another source lists the company formation as 1861, not 1863. Which is right? Did John L join up later, or did I transcribe it incorrectly, or what?

Several sources show that both the 18th Alabama and the Cahaba Valley Rangers were formed in 1861.

1. Alabama Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men from 1540 to 1872 by Willis Brewer says: "{The 18th Alabama Infantry} ...regiment was organized at Auburn, Sept. 4, 1861, and the field officers were appointed by President Davis...."

As for the Cahaba Valley Rangers, they organized in 1861, too.

2. The Alabama Archives show that the file for the Cahaba Valley Rangers starts in 1861 (http://www.archives.alabama.gov/findaids/v31543fm.htm)

3. This source about the Lowery family says that Company "C" 18th Alabama Infantry - "Cahaba Valley Rangers" as organizing July 24, 1861 at Cedar Grove (Leeds) with men from Shelby, St. Clair, Jefferson, Autauga Counties. (http://wwlowery.tripod.com/csalowery.htm).

But that's a genealogy researcher, and they're not always reliable. Could this be true?

Probably, because:

4. James M. McLaughlin, head honcho of the CVR, received his commission in on August 30, 1861. (http://www.archives.state.al.us/civilwar/soldier.cfm?id=134401)

So both the 18th AL and Company C, the Cahaba Valley Rangers were definitely formed in 1861.

I asked Jessie J. for the source of John L.'s enlistment yesterday, July 11, and she kindly sent this back:

"Confederate Records:

{John L.}...joined Feb 1 1863 at Cedar Grove, Alabama as a hospital guard. Captured at Cassville, Georgia May 19, 1864. Taken to Nashville, TN and then on to Louisville, KY. May 25, 1864 he was transferred to Rock Island, Illinois. He was placed in the prison hospital where he died. [FHL 0880596]"

So her source is the Family History Library Item # 0880596. While FamilySearch.org family trees aren't always documented correctly, this is a microfilm/fiche created by the United States War Department Record and Pension Office with records from the National Archives. You'll find a link here:

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=300893&disp=Compiled++service++records++of++Confeder%20%20&columns=*,0,0

I tend to trust this information.

So........

If the Cahaba Valley Rangers were formed in 1861, why did John L. wait until 1863 to enlist? First, he had a family. Second, in 1861 he was 27, older than the prime fighters of 16 - 25. Third, his social status was fairly high in that he was the son of a land owner, and maybe a land owner himself. And lastly, possibly, because he was disabled.

There's documentary evidence to show how he might have become disabled. You may recall that in 1851 John L. was so badly beaten by Moses and Alphonso Johnson that he took them to court in Shelby County. That beating might have seriously injured him and given him a limp, a bum arm, or something that made him less than prime cannon fodder. Yet John L. was definitely able to function: the 1860 US Census for AL lists him in Jefferson County as a farmer with a growing family.

The telling detail is that John L. enlisted as a hospital guard. The basis for this theory is my gggrandfather's John Hushan's experience in the Union Army. I'm quoting here from his Civil War records:

"...Transferred to Invalid Corps S.O. 130, HdQtrs 3rd AC {Army Corps} August 15, 1863--*so appears on roll."

The July-August muster roll goes a little further: "Transferred to invalid Corpts by order of Gen. French {Maj. General William H. French?}, SO {Special Order or Standing Order} 130 3rd AC {3rd Army Corps}, Aug 15/63, *so appears on roll."

The last page of his records is a muster out roll, dated....Oct. 7, 1864. The remarks state: "Transferred Aug. 15/63, Maj. Genl French, physical disability, Vet Reserve Corps."

The long article about the Invalid Corps/Veteran Resrves that follows says that "those of a minor degree of physical efficiency by reason of the loss of a hand or arm, foot or leg, were assigned to Companies of the Second Battalion, to be armed with side arms only, and were to be employed in Hospitals as Cooks, Nurses, Clerks, Orderlies, &c., and as Guards to Hospitals or other Public Buildings." The article is on the website of the NJ State Library; the link is here:

http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Searchable_Publications/civilwar/NJCWn1460.html

So, what do you think?

Did John enlist in 1861 or 1863? Might he have been disabled?

So, was John L. McGuire disabled? Maybe.

Definitely maybe.

##########

About the Invalid Corps/Veteran Reserve Corps:

http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Searchable_Publications/civilwar/NJCWn1460.html

"Under the provisions of General Orders No. 105, dated War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., April 28, 1863, the organization of an Invalid Corps was authorized. The Corps was to consist of such Officers and enlisted Men of commands then in the field, as were unfit for active field service on account of wounds or disease contracted in the line of duty, as well as those who had been honorably discharged from the service by reason of wounds or disability contracted while in the line of duty; they being able and physically qualified for doing Garrison and other light Military duties away from actual field service. By virtue of the authority thus given, a large number of Officers and enlisted Men in the service, but absent from their commands, were transferred to and joined the Corps, and under the provisions of Circular No. 13, dated War Department, Provost Marshal General's Office, Washington, D. C., May 25, 1863, the Acting Assistant Provost Marshal of each State was directed to open a Recruiting Rendezvous for the Corps at or in the immediate vicinity of his Head Quarters, for the enrollment of such honorbly discharged men who desired to re-enter the service; the term of enlistment was to be for three years or during the war. Under the provisions of Circular No. 15, dated War Department, Provost Marshal General's Office, Washington, D. C., April 27, 1864, those who enlisted or re-enlisted in the Corps were to be credited upon the quota of the State, the same as other troops. The Corps was organized in Companies of two classes or Battalions - the men enlisted in or transferred to the Corps who were most efficient and able-bodied, capable of using the musket, performing Guard duty, or making light marches were assigned to Companies of the First Battalion, and were to be employed as Provost Guards, Guards in cities, &c., and were not liable to active campaigns with the Army in the field; those of a minor degree of physical efficiency by reason of the loss of a hand or arm, foot or leg, were assigned to Companies of the Second Battalion, to be armed with side arms only, and were to be employed in Hospitals as Cooks, Nurses, Clerks, Orderlies, &c., and as Guards to Hospitals or other Public Buildings. Officers desiring to re-enter the service in this branch, received their appointment and were commissioned direct from the War Department. Under the provisions of General Orders No. 111, dated War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., March 18, 1864, the name of the organization was changed from Invalid Corps to Veteran Reserve Corps."

Copyright July 2010 by ALRoots.Blogspot.com. All rights reserved.

The life of John L. McGuire

John L. McGuire was probably the fourth son of Davidson and Margaret Kelley McGuire. Depends on whether you credit James as the first or the second son, or a son at all. At any rate, John L. was in the middle of the family, after Timothy, Mary Jane, James, Charles, Elizabeth Jane, and Mahala.

He carried a family name, "John L." being the name of several cousins. I have never known what the "L" stands for, nor have I seen any explanation anywhere. It could stand for "Lafayette," which is a common middle name in the family. It could be "Lee," after some neighbors. Or, according to Jim McGuire, it could be just plain old "L." Nonetheless, the "L" was an integral part of his personality. It appears often.

John L. was definitely born about 1833 in AL, probably in Leeds on his father's land. Some sources list his birth as Columbiana, and that may be, but I've never seen any documents to prove it. Doesn't it make sense to think he was born at his dad's farm??? His birth month was probably January through June based on the dates of the 1850 and 1860 Censuses for Jefferson County.

The sources for this material include the 1840, 1850 & 1860 Censuses, Jessie Johnson (Civil War record), the Shelby County Historical Society (Moses Johnson fracas and Civil War record), Birmingham Public Library (Civil War record), and the Hebron Baptist Church records at Samford University in Birmingham.

John L. McGuire's timeline:

• 1833: Born in Columbiana, Shelby County or more likely Leeds, Jefferson County, between January and June

• 1840, age 6 or 7: In household of Davidson McGuire in Jefferson County and enumerated as the male 5 - 10.

• November 7, 1850, age 17: Enumerated in household of Davidson McGuire in Jefferson County at age 17. Farmer.

• August 1, 1851, age about 18: John & James are assaulted by Moses and Alphonzo Johnson in Shelby County. Takes them to court in Shelby County.

• October 1852, about age 19: Received by baptism into Hebron Church, Leeds, AL.

• January 24, 1854, probably aged 20 or 21: Marries Britta Ann Green in Jefferson County two days after Charles McGuire marries Sarah Ann Hurst

• December 1854, aged 21 or 22: Cited for swearing in the records of Hebron Church, Leeds, AL.

• January 1855, aged 22 or 23: Excluded from Hebron Church, Leeds, AL, because he doesn't respond after his brother-in-law talks to him about the swearing. No record so far of his rejoining or finding another church.

• May 4, 1857, age 24 or 25: Ellen Nora McGuire born

• Oct. 22, 1858, age 25 or 26: Mary Drucilla McGuire born

• June 21, 1860, age 27: Enumerated in the 1860 US Census for AL at Elyton P.O., Cahaba Valley, Jefferson County, AL. J. L. McGuire is listed in the Cahaba Valley with his wife Britana, 26, daughter Ellin, 5 and daughter Mary, 3. He is 27, a farmer, born in AL, has $50, and cannot read.

• June 30, 1860, age 27: Stephen Arnold Douglas born

• 1860 - 1863, age 27 - 30: Unknown baby girl born

• Feb., 1 1863, age 29 or 30: Enlists in Confederate Army at Cedar Grove, Alabama, as a hospital guard. Company C, Alabama 18th. His brother Charles is in the same group.

• May 19, 1864, age 30 or 31: Captured at Cassville, Georgia. Taken to Nashville, TN, and then on to Louisville, KY.

• May 25, 1864, age 30 or 31: Transferred to Rock Island, Illinois. He was placed in the prison hospital where he died of pneumonia.

• July 17, 1864, age 31: Dies at Rock Island prison of "pleury pneumonia." Buried in Confederate Cemetery Lot #1321.

I am reserving comments and opinions about his character and actions for a later post. More anon.

Copyright July 2010 by AlRoots.blogspot.com