John Paul's service during the US Civil War
John Paul enlisted as a Private in the Army September 19, 1864. He was in Company B, 44 Regiment Wisconsin Infantry. His company was one of five companies under Lieutenant Colonel Bissell that "... were present at the battle of Nashville, December 15th and 16th. They were in the trenches between Fort Negley and the Franklin Pike, a portion of them being detailed to guard prisoners." He was honorably discharged as a Corporal June 30, 1865. While John Paul only served one year near the end of the Civil War, he suffered physically. I read his pension file. There are numerous affidavits from friends and neighbors regarding his health problems. Basically they say he was healthy when he entered the army in 1864. John Paul said he was kicked by mule in left side of chest while in Nashville. His Captain William Rousch testified that April 1, 1865 John Paul was sent to Joe Holt Hospital, Paducah, KY with chronic diarrhea, rheumatism from exposure, loss of sight in right eye and loss of all his teeth. Note in Pension file:
“... being unable to walk home from the depot on his return from the army and believe, that he Paul Steinbach, was unable to do any manual labor for some time after his return...” Charles Ruedebusch – WI, merchant On June 1, 1866 they sold their Wisconsin property to Elizabeth's brother John Gensmer and moved to Minnesota. They had two more children while living in Minnesota - Edward and Therese |
Regimental History
Forty-fourth Infantry WISCONSIN (1 YEAR) Forty-fourth Infantry. -- Col., George G. Symes; Lieut.-Col., Oliver C. Bissell Maj., William Warner. This regiment was organized at Camp Randall, Madison, in the fall of 1864. Co. A left the state Oct. 10, and was followed by Cos. B. F. D and C, successively, the last reaching Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 30. The other companies reached Nashville in Feb. 1865, and the regiment was employed in post and guard duty until March 9, when it was ordered to Eastport, Miss., to escort the Union prisoners to be turned over by Forrest, but not getting them it returned to Nashville and left on April 3 for Paducah, Ky., where it remained on picket duty until Aug. 28, when it was mustered out. Its original strength was 877. Gain by recruits, 235; substitutes, 2; total, 1,114. Loss by death, 57; desertion, 48, transfer, 121; discharge, 92; mustered out, 796.Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 70 Complete regimental history Description of Battle of Nashville |