April 12 marks the 150th anniversary of the Confederacy's attack on Fort Sumter that triggered the start of the U.S. Civil War. At the Yahoo! Contributor Network, we asked readers and contributors to share short anecdotes about their Civil War ancestors.
Below are several pieces we've highlighted.
Some accounts were horrifying: Contributor Killeen Gonzalez writes about four of her ancestors -- two sets of brothers -- who fought in the war. William and Jacob Henion, her great-great grandfather and uncle, witnessed terror firsthand at Andersonville, a Confederate prison: "They endured being incarcerated in a series of Confederate prisons, including the notorious Andersonville. The men suffered unspeakable horrors there, which Jacob kept in a detailed diary. Sixty-four men from Jacob's unit went into Andersonville, and only four survived." Read more here.
Some stories were endearing: Read Susan Montag's piece about her great-great grandparents, John and Lizzie Castillo. John fought in the 12th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Lizzie's Union-soldier father was killed in action. They married in 1885 and were together until John died at age 81 in 1923. Lizzie lived until 1944 to see her 90th birthday. Read more here.
Others were comical: Consider the story of William Barnett, a long-ago uncle to contributor John Barnett. William wasn't a solider; rather, he was a "thief" at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. John writes that his distant uncle salvaged weapons, supplies and "whatever else he came across of value" after the battle. William's brother, Louis, also went treasure-hunting at Shiloh, but he wasn't so lucky -- so the story goes. Louis was "harassed by wild dogs, sliced by a discarded bayonet, driven off the path by paranoid soldiers, and eventually lost his way entirely." Read more here.
If you have a personal historical connection to the Civil War, we want to hear about it. Sign up with the Yahoo! Contributor Network to share your ancestors' stories. We'll add the best ones here.
Read on for more interesting tales from contributors just like you:
Civil War relative's Bible, diary are priceless for Atlanta family: Rick Limpert writes about inheriting items from George Casper Limpert, his great-great-great grandfather: "While the rifle and accessories are mostly thought of as collector's items, it's the Bible and diary that mean the most to our family, and you can't put a value on that. One can only imagine the lonely and cold nights he must have spent reading the Bible. I'm sure this is how many soldiers passed their time." Read more here.
The story of 'little' Daniel E. Haring: Amanda Haury's great-great-great grandfather, Daniel E. Haring, earned the nickname "the little soldier" due to his 5-foot-2-inch frame. She wouldn't have discovered his story if she hadn't gone digging. She writes: "Genealogy gives you a glimpse into your family's past and can provide priceless details and information about your family's origins. Each family tree is unique, with each branch holding a piece of rich history. Many Americans are the direct descendants of Civil War soldiers without even knowing it." Read more here.
My great-great grandpa moved the Union Army: 18-year-old Andrew Kinney, the great-great grandfather of contributor Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben, was truly a mover and shaker during the Civil War. Part of the 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, Kinney helped with the North's war logistics. "To say an 'army marches on its stomach' makes the point metaphorically that a well-fed army operates more effectively," Marilisa writes. "Literally, however, an army marches on its feet. In order for the infantry to march, and the cavalry to ride and the artillery to move huge cannonades, the engineers need to mobilize them." Read more here.
A private's desertion, imprisonment and escape during the Civil War: Tamara L. Morris' great-great grandfather, William James Knox Polk Hill, was also imprisoned at Andersonville. She writes: "Polk was captured during a skirmish at Sandersville, Ga., on Nov. 25, 1864. This was during Sherman's 'March to the Sea' to capture Savannah. He was a prisoner of the Confederates for a short time at the tail end of the war -- three months -- but it was certainly three months that probably seemed like eternity." He lived as a farmer and a minister and had eight sons who lived to adulthood. He died in 1907 at the age of 62 of a chronic ailment that stemmed from his time as a prisoner of the Confederacy. Read more here.
Here are more stories from contributors. To tell your own, sign up with the Yahoo! Contributor Network.
James Richford, a Civil War ancestor with Irish roots
A look at my great-great grandfather, Pvt. Andrew Kinney, and his Civil War service
Remembering the Bogarts, my Civil War ancestors
George Washington Wingfield is my family's link to the Civil War
Immigrant ancestor's Civil War service a source of pride
Remembering Washington Van Dyke Roberts, a Union Army 'Hundred Days Man'
Ephraim S. Brown, of Georgia, fought for the North and South
My Civil War ancestors -- on opposing sides
One in blue, one in grey: My Family's Civil War story
Account of ancestor Emery Armstrong Ross shows Civil War in its pain, glory
Ancestor's Civil War legacy: Cherokee Indians and N.C. mountain men
Search of family tree surfaces great-great-great grandfather Mitchell M. Pittman
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