Alfred Cope Back (1845 - 1874)

Born 21 Jul 1845 in Breathitt, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 19 Dec 1874 at age 29 in Breathitt, Kentucky, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David South [send private message]

Biography

Alfred was born in 21 July 1845. Alfred Back ... He passed away in 19 Dec 1874. ^[1]

This is cited from family history:

Alfred was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted 1 Jan 1861 for 12 months. He served in the 5th KY Infantry, CSA, Co. A and B. He was reported as a deserter on 1 May 1862, but he was sick at a private house from Dec. 1862 until April 30, 1863. He was only 16 years old when he enlisted. During the war Alfred was shot in the back by Bob Frazier while he was drinking water from a creek. He was unable to work after this and was a teacher to supplement his income. Bob Frazier, one of Captain Billy Strong's gang of killers, was originally a Confederate soldier and a friend of Alfred, serving with him in the same regiment. He joined the Union army later because they were giving $50.00 bonuses for enlistments. There was a price on his head, so he was out to get his old friends when he shot Alfred. Alfred was found, severely wounded but still alive, and brought home. There was a hole in his head from the bullet. They put a silver dollar in his skull to cover the hole, and sewed his scalp over it. It never really healed and grew worse over the years. His neck and spine were distorted. He was in constant pain, and his wife, Malissa changed the dressing every day for years. When Alfred finally died, Malissa nearly lost her mind and was sick for a long time.

This is another story I have on Alfred. During the war Alfred was shot from behind by Bob Frazier, a Union soldier who had originally served with Alfred, but had switched sides and joined the Union to get a $50.00 bonus. There was supposedly a price on Alfred's head and Frazier shot him while he was kneeling to drink water from a creek. Alfred was found and brought home. There was a hole in his head from the bullet. They put a silver dollar in his skull to cover the hole and sewed his scalp over it. It never really healed and grew worse over the years. His neck and spine were distorted and he was in great pain. Melissa changed the dressing every day for years. When Alfred finally died, Malissa nearly lost her mind and was sick for a long time. Alfred was unable to work at physical labor after this incident, and was a teacher to supplement his income. He and his family lived at Georges Branch. His Spouse Malissa Strong was the daughter of William Blackburn Strong. Malissa is buried in the Lazarus Back Cemetery, Quicksand, Breathitt County, Kentucky. They had three Children. Lou Ellen Back 1868-1943 Sarah Elizabeth Back 1872-1964 Floyd D. Back 1874-1948

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Sources

1. ↑ First-hand information as remembered by David South, Wednesday, August 27, 2014. Replace this citation if there is another source.

• Census Records:
  • "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M65Y-HBK : 4 April 2020), Alfred Back in household of John Back, Breathitt county, part of, Breathitt, Kentucky, United States; citing family 174, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZB9-R8L : 11 November 2020), Alfred C Back in entry for John Back, 1860.
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 18 November 2020), memorial page for Alfred Cope Back (21 Jul 1845–19 Dec 1874), Find A Grave: Memorial #99241353, citing Strong Cemetery, Whick, Breathitt County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by Phyllis Strong Reeder (contributor 47610158) .
• More information at https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/LHL1-3CV