Upon discharge from the 142nd he enlisted on Oct 5, 1864 at the age of 23 as a private in the 66th OVI to serve for one year, [ as a substitute for John Vernon ] serving until the end of the war. In the 66th, he was at Atlanta and with Sherman on the march to the sea. He was in Raleigh, N. Carolina when Johnson surrendered.

John DeWitt served a total of 48 months in the infantry in 4 different regiments. He spent a total of 4 months in hospitals. [ information gleaned from his service and pension records. ] The 1890 Special Union Veteran's Census lists cause of disability...." chronic diarrea, Hart disease, kidney problems, rhumatism, and lung problems" His pension application states that he was no longer able to work at his occupation as a blacksmith and was running a dry goods store with his wife Mary.

[ John T DeWitt was the g.g.grandfather of Grace-Marie Moore Hackwell. He was born on July 11, 1841 in Holmes Co., OH. He married Mary Ann Hoagland on Dec. 12, 1865 and they were the parents of Charles, Alonzo, Estella and her twin George and Marcus. John died on May 11, 1914 in Brinkhaven, Knox, OH. He is buried in the Brinkhaven Cemetery and his headstone reads ..." John T. DeWitt, 4th OVI. " There is a bronze GAR star at his grave site. ]
Submitted by....Shortyhack@aol.com (Grace-Marie Moore Hackwell)

Post, Morton W.....was born at Chillicothe, Ohio on 13 ,September 1807, the second son of Russell E. Post and Mariah Easterly.His father had a private school at Delaware Ohio in 1817. That is the only knowledge of his father that I have except that he was in the war of 1812 in a unit from Fairfield, Ohio. His parents obviously divorced as his mother remarried to a Quackenbush at Albany,
New York, ca 1816. Which parent raised him I do not know. Morton married Eleanor Russell 25, January 1829 at New Lebonon ,N.Y. According to
his pension papers he had seven children. He was a paper maker by trade as was his older brother Russell E. Post. The two brothers and their families migrated from Berkshire, Mass. area to Orange County, NY to Ithaca, NY to Niagra Falls, NY back to Dalton, Mass and from there to Stuebenville, Ohio and Wheeling ,WV.

They were living at Wheeling in1861 when he made a visit to Delaware, Ohio and enlisted on Oct.24th in the 66th Regiment for 3 years. He must have lied about his age when he enlisted because although the roster shows him to be just 44, he would actually have been about 54-55.

He was captured at the Battle of Port Republic and sent to Belle Isle prison camp. He was so debilitated when released that he was discharged from the unit on Nov. 23, 1862 at Harper's Ferry, VA . on the surgeon's certificate of disability.

Apparently the war and his time after capture at the battle of Port Republic affected him, as in the 1880s he spent time at the soldiers home at Dayton ,Ohio and later at the vets hospital in Washington DC. He died 16 ,April 1892 there and was put to rest at Arlington cemetery.
Submitted by.....artc@discover.net (Art Courtright)

Aden Webb..... of Lawrence Co. Ohio was born on Oct. 22, 1834 the son of Elias and Jane Webb. He enlisted first in the 5th W.V. Infantry for three years and then in the 66th O.V.I. He was with Sherman on the March to the Sea . He received a wound at Rocky Gap, W.V.

(editor's note....I have not been able to locate a battle at Rocky Gap, WV. If anyone has information about this battle, I would like to hear from them.)

It is not known whether Aden's wound was received while serving in the 5th WVI or in the 66th OVI. In his own word recorded in the Hardestry Lake Atlas of Ohio....."Wounded in a severe hand to hand combat that lasted twenty four hours with the dead and dying strewn all over."

Aden married Westena Mays on Feb. 11, 1854. Their children were John and William. Aden was discharged with the regiment in July , 1865 at Louisville, KY. He received a pension . He died in Lawrence Co. Ohio on Aug. 25, 1906.

Aden had four brothers who served in the Union Army. Granville in Co. H. 2nd WVI, Eli in 191st OVI, George in the 5th WVI and Amos in the 27th OVI. All were discharged with honors.
Submitted by..... wardhill@zoomnet.net (Minnie M. Anderson)
Thank you for your time and effort. Minnie

Thomas Ray Patten.....was born in Beaver Co. in 1846. He turned eighteen in September, 1864, and enlisted in the Northern Army on October 7, 1864 in Ironton, OH. He was sent as a replacement in the 66th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During September, the 66th completed the siege
of Atlanta under Sherman, then began a three month long march to Savannah, Georgia. Thomas must have joined them along that march, and
was there during the Siege of Savannah (December 10-21, 1864). He came down with jaundice from January 23 to 27, 1865, and also missed duty because of an abcess from July 1-7, 1865. He mustered out with the rest of his regiment on July 17, 1865, near Louisville, KY.

Thomas married Mary E. Kellogg on March 3, 1871, somewhere near Delevan, IL. He presumably moved there along with his brothers James, Joseph, and Milo. Mary died only three months later and Thomas married Elizabeth Fuller in 1873. She, too, died, and Thomas married a third time. He may have gone back to Ohio to meet his third wife, Millie McElhaney. They had two sons, Walter Sydney and William Thomas. She died in 1892 when Walter was twelve years old and they lived in Indiana. Walter and William were sent to live with relatives in Delevan. Thomas married Julia Dodds Secrist on New Years Day, 1896, a few months after her divorce. They had one child, Millie L., in June, 1897. Julia survived Thomas, living past 1931. Millie married John Harms and stayed in
Delevan.

Thomas spent most of his life as a farmer, although he never owned any land. When he died he had $100 and about $10 worth of clothes and tools. He had been receiving $100 per month from the government as war benefits. He was buried in Delevan, IL. He was a member of the G.A.R. He was 5 1/2 feet tall with light hair and complexion.
Submitted by....tsp1624@earthlink.net

Gray, Stephen Kenneth.... my great-uncle , b. 2 Sep 1845, d. 21 Nov 1863 was a member of 66th OVI. Enlisted Union Co., OH following brother James Gray in this regiment. Jim wounded, believed at Chancelorsville, and was hospitalized at Aquia Creek when Gettysburg was fought. Kenny shot on Culp's Hill and spent some weeks in Letterman Field Hospital (I have
records from National Archives). He was moved to Columbus, OH where he later died of his wounds.

Kenny was never married. Mother applied for a pension based upon her son's service but first payment arrived right after her death and was never cashed.

My great-grandfather Silas George Gray, Kenny & Jim's brother also served (Co B. 187th OVI) as did another brother John Gray who was never heard from again. Four went, two returned.

I have found 66th OVI marker on Culp's Hill .

I can add to the history of the 66th Rgt with my great-uncles who served from Union Co., OH.

From the Company Muster Rolls as received from the National Archives, Pension records File: Stephen Kenneth Gray, born 2 Sep 1845, Pvt., Co. F, 66th Rgt., Ohio Infantry, age 18 years. Company muster roll Camp McArthur, OH 21 Dec 1861. Mustered in 13 Nov 1861 for 3 years. Absent sick 25 Dec 1861 at Dover, OH (mother's home), Jan & Feb 1862 sick in hospital; Mar & Apr sick hospital in Cumberland, MD. On ambulance duty in ambulance corps Mar 1863. Jul 4, 1863 sick at Gettysburg since July 2nd. Nov 21, 1863, died of wounds received Battle of Gettysburg, wounds received July 2 or 3 supposed.
Kenny's gravestone reads: Stephen K. Gray, son of J(ohn) & J(ulia) A(nn) Gray, young boy of 66th Rgt., died Nov 21, 1863 of wounds received at Gettysburg. Aged 19 years, 9 months.

I have complete hospital records including records from Camp Letterman, the field hospital at Gettysburg, as well as the hospital in Columbus, OH where he died.

His older brother, James I. Gray, was a re-enlisted veteran of Company F, 66th OVI. Muster record reads James Gray, Co.F, 66th OVI, age 22, height 5'7", dark complexion, eyes gray, hair black, born Union Co., OH, occupation farmer. Enlisted Dec 3, 1861 Marysville, OH for 3 years. Entry by T.G. Keller. Remarks: Re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer.

Other extracts on muster records from National Archives:Private, absent sick hospital Sharpsburg, 8 Sep 1862. Absent on leave 20 Dec 1863, ending 27 Jan 1864.
(I believe Jim came home to bring brother Kenny's body home for burial. Kenny is recorded as buried at Green Lawn
Cemetery, Columbus, OH, but in fact is buried on the family plot at Millcreek Cemetery, Watkins, Union Co., OH. I believe Jim had the body exhumed and re-buried.)

Muster roll continues: Wounded in action - Chancellorsville 3 May 1863, In hospital Aquia Creek, VA. Record continues through 1865. My father remembered that Jim had been with Sherman on Georgia campaign.
Last record states: Muster-out roll, Louisville, KY 15 Jul 1865. Bouty paid $210.00, still due $190.00. Veteran mustered out by reason of General Order No 24 Headquarters Army of Tennessee, dated Jun 26, 1865.

I have many other papers on Jim & Kenny as well as my great-grandfather Silas George Gray who served in the 187th OVI. Another brother, John Gray, was missing in action but I do not know unit or battle. Family received a telegram saying 'Missing in Action' and nothing else was ever heard.

There is a John Gray buried on Anteitam Battlefield from OH but I have no idea if he is mine or not.
Any help in finding my missing John Gray, brother of the above 3 men would be greatly appreciated. All I know: John Gray, born ca 1839 son of John & Julia Ann (Sherman) Gray; born Union Co., OH.

Submitted by...revjgray@bright.net
(Rev. John Gray, TSgt, USAF (Ret)
What you have created is incredible! Thanks for what you are doing with Civil War history....your labors of love are much appreciated.

Hodges, James Birney..... was born in Delaware County, Ohio, 7 Feb. 1844, the first son of Nathaniel Willard Hodges and Sally Ann Underhill of Fairfield County, Conn. Enlisted 18 Nov. 1861 at age 17 in Co. E, 66th. OVI at Camp McArthur, Urbana, Oh. Wounded 9 June 1862 in the Battle of Port Republic and was taken prisoner. Was held at Lynchburg Prison for two months, then transferred to Belle Isle Prison at Richmond for five weeks. He was still incapacitated from his gunshot wounds when released in a prisoner exchange. He was then hospitalized in an undetermined university hospital in the city of Baltimore until 4 July 1863. He was then transferred to Patterson Park Hospital and remained there an additional month until taken to a convalescent center at Camp Tyler where he spent an additional three months. After he was wounded, he saw no active service in the field and preformed no service of any kind until Aug. 1864 when he was assigned as an orderly at headquarters of the First Brigade, 2nd. Division, 20th. Army Corps.Upon his honorably discharge at Savannah, Ga. on 22 December 1984, he returned to live with his parents on their family farm near Radnor, Delaware County, Oh.

He served a total of 37 months but was a convalescent for much of the time. His pension records show his claim for an invalid pension was granted on 21 April 1865. He was awarded $4.00 per month for half disability. He married Mary Gaines Howison of Muskingum, County, Oh. on 9 Feb. 1871. The were the parents of six children. He engaged in farming until his death 10 March 1924. He is buried in the family plot at Radnor Cemetery in Delaware County. He was my great-grandfather.
Submitted by.....teddyb@bright.net (Theodore B. Byus)

Dempcy, Marshall Lamborn .....was born in Wayne Township, Champaign County, Ohio, May 27th, 1838. He was the son of Jefferson and Jane Dempcy, and the youngest son of a family of four sons and four daughters. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, near Cork, immigrating to America and settl ing in Delaware where he married. Their only child, Jefferson, in early manhood migrated to Chester County, Pa., where he married Jane Pritchard and soon after moved to Ohio and settled on the farm which was the birthplace of the subject of this sketch. Young Marshall's early life was uneventful. He assisted his father and brothers upon the farm where he developed habits of industry, economy and self reliance that served him in good stead after he left the parental home and was obliged to depend upon himself. His education was limited, but he was a
diligent pupil and made the most of his meagre dvantages. When he had nearly reached his majority he took an Academic course at
Urbana, O; and later attended Normal school where he fitted himself for teaching. He afterwards taught two or three terms of common school in his native county, and one or more terms of singing school for which he had previously fitted him self. He was now a tall straight, athletic young man. His bearing was dignified yet he had ready wit and keen sense of the humorous side of things. He was regarded as the best of company and had the rather unusual faculty of making himself popular with all classes and conditions of people.

In 1860, he went to Lexington, Lafayette county, Mo., and was there during the excitement of, and preceding the breaking out of the war. the
secession sentiment was fierce and every young man was obliged to show his colors. If his sentiments were against secession, they had no use for him, and he must take his chances if he remained. Marshall, in this
emergency, lost no time in making known to them his Union sentiments, and, heeding the advice of some friends, lost no time in getting out of the country and returning home. On October 19th, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Co. A, 66th Regt, O.V.I. Soon afterwards he was promoted to Second Lieutenant of his company and after thorough drilling at Camp McArthur, they were ordered to the front in January, 1862.

In regard to the circumstance of his departure from home, Liet. Dempcy says in his diary: "One expression made by mother and entirely
acquiesced in by father, I shall not forget; and in this day when some are claiming that the soldier possessed all the patriotism and made all
the sacrifice, seems worthy to be recorded. In the midst of much weeping and in broken but thoughtful language she said, 'Marshall, if thee
believes it to be thy duty to go it is not for us to say stay.' I believe now there was more self sacrifice and patriotism in and behind that simple expression than in a whole regiment of such soldiers as I possessed."
The 66th Regt became a part of the Army of the Potomac. Its first real engagement with the enemy was at the battle of Port Republic, June
9th, 1862, where it suffered severely, and Lt Dempcy, after carrying from the field on his shoulders a wounded soldier who had pleaded piteously to be removed, got separated from his command and was made prisoner with others, and taken to prison at Salsbury, N. C., where he was confined about two months, then taken to Libby prison where he remained until
August 18, when he was released and sent beyond the lines. He returned home emaciated and much broken down from his cruel treatment in the rebel prisons. In a letter to his brother from Libby prison, Lt. Dempcy wrote: "Instead of scraping off the maggots from my food I scrape them on, as they aid in keeping me from starving."
On the 29th day of October, 1862, he was exchanged and rejoined his regiment at Pleasant Valley, near Harper's Ferry, Va., where he found a First Lieut. commission awaiting him. In March, 1863, on account of
disability, he resigned his command in the 66th Regt. and came home, immediately thereafter organizing the 124th Regt. O.N.G., of which he was chosen Major, but he did not go into service with the Regiment, as a pryor application for appointment as a senior Captain in a colored regiment had in the meantime been granted, and his commission forwarded to him. This new commission connected him with the 23rd Regt. U.S.C.T. then organizing at Camp Casey, Washington, D.C. He was senior Captain of said regiment, Col. J.C. Campbell, commanding. His regiment was placed with the 9th Corps under Burnside, May 4, 1864 and in connection with four other colored regiments formed the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Division,
of that corps. Capt. Dempcy was early made Adjt. General of this Brigade, commanded by Col. H. G. Thomas, of the 19th U.S.C.T., and with it took part in the battles of the Wilderness, of Spottsylvania, of Coldwater and at Petersburg, besides many skirmishes and engagements of lesser note. At Petersburg he was made Provost Marshal of the 4th division 9th A.C. on General Ferero's Staff. Of the battle of Petersburg, Colonel Dempcy says in his diary: "I participated in the terrible fight of July 30th, when the mine was sprung under the enemy's works. This, by its management, was made one of the most brutally murderous conflicts of my experience. We were exposed to a fire from both flanks and fronts until over half were killed or wounded. I was one of four out of twenty officers of the Twenty-third Regiment that survived."
On the last of October, 1864, he took a lieutenant colonel's commission in his regiment and soon after received the commission of
colonel of the same. He held this commission when the regiment mustered out in December, 1865. The last date indicates that Colonel Dempcy was doing service long after the close of the war. The troubles along the frontier of Texas called for troops and his regiment was sent down there under his command to restore order.
In 1866, Colonel Dempcy married Sarah E. Hunter, an estimable young lady of Mingo, Ohio, who has borne to him four children, two sons and two daughters. He purchased a general store in Cable, O., which he conducted
for a time but the business was not to his liking and he sold out, and in 1867 moved his family to Cleveland. Here he purchased some vessel and tug interests, and later disposing of these he went into the lime business with one A. Engle, under the firm of name of Engle & Dempcy. This partnership continued some years but did not result successfully. Colonel Dempcy exchanged the business for a farm in Warrensville, where he resided until his death.
He served 3 terms, 6 years, in the Ohio legislature as representative for Cuyahoga County, and at the last election was chosen one of the members of the State Board of Equalization from this district.
He died on the 7th day of February about 10:30 a. m. when .."He bravely entered the phantom bark .. And sailed out on the unknown sea." Biography by H.L. Pennington. Marshall Lamborn Dempcy...born at Wayne, Champaign Co., OH, on May 27th, 1838; died at Warrensville, OH on Feb 7th, 1891. Buried at Lakeview Cemetery, Cleveland, OH on Feb. 10, 1891. Pall bearers: John Caley, Ralph Akins, C. La Roe, John Gibbs, John Litzell, Alonzo Cannon.
Submitted by: ssydik@juno.com (Shannon E. Sydik)

Briggs , Samuel Blakey..... born 4-2-1827 in Bucks County, Penn. Enlisted Company G, 66th OVI. Later in Co E 134th OVI . Died January 13, 1896 in Champaign County, Ohio. Married Mary Ann William January 2, 1851, Champaign County, Ohio .

Samuel enlisted in Company G of the 66th OVI on October 28, 1861 and was wounded at the Battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862. He was discharged by the Surgeon General on January 7, 1863 in Georgetown, DC because of disability. According to the Champaign County Civil War soldiers book, he enlisted as a Private and was discharged as a Corporal.

Samuel's pension records show a 2nd enlistment in Company E of the 134th OVI on May 6, 1864. He was discharged on August 31, 1864.

Samuel and Mary Ann are listed in the Champaign County, Jackson Township

census of 1860 (page 246.) They are listed in the Johnson Township census of 1870 (page 46) and 1880 (page 290B.) Samuel is listed in the 1890 Veteran's census for Champaign County.

Champaign County deed book X page 369 shows that Samuel purchased 50 acres

on March 4, 1852. This farm was located is the NW quarter of Section 29, Township 3, Range 11. He sold this farm to his father in law, William Williams on December 12, 1859 (Book 29, Page 580.)

Samuel and Mary Ann purchased a lot in St. Paris on April 9, 1868 (Book 40, Page 241,) after the war and that is most probably where Samuel died. His occupations are listed as carpenter, and working in a tile factory.
Submitted by......bandit@erinet.com