Henry L Rader (1829 - 1864)

Born 17 Feb 1829 in Dulaney, Greene, Tennessee

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 25 Jul 1864 at age 35 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois

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Biography

Sgt Henry Rader Henry Rader was born on 17 Feb 1829 in Dulaney, Greene Co, Tennessee He died on 25 Jul 1864 in Camp Douglas, Union Prison, Chicago, Cook Co, IL. He has reference number HENRY2. by Harry Roberts Civil War Legends. During the Civil War some soldiers, whether Union or Rebel is not known, camped in the woods back of the Harry Rader home. They built their fires against trees, some of which, when recently cut, bore old burn marks from these bivouacs. Major Lister, who was born in 1868, remembers his mother telling him of seeing a group of Union Soldiers pass by the old Henry Rader home, where she was staying with her sister. The soldiers passed at night and we could see the sparks flying from their shoes as they struck rocks on the roadway. They rode by the house on past where the church now stands and disappeared into the night, later to surprise General Morgan in Greeneville.

Buried in a Confederate Mound at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois. Grave marker inscription " I 64 N.C."

Sources

• Find a Grave Memorial # 38248114

Henry Rader (1829-1864) Henry Rader left Dulaney on horseback and rode to Rader's Sidetrack where he boarded the train for joining the Confederate Army. He and his cousin Daniel Rader had no special concern for the Confederacy but were influenced by some other men of the area. This according to what Mr. Wilmer R. Rader told me. Uncle Andy, a 12 year old boy, rode another horse and went to the sidetrack with his father to bring the horse back home. Wouldn't you like to have heard their conversation on the way to the sidetrack. I doubt if Uncle Andy ever told anyone what was said. I do not know any dates regarding his service except the date of capture and his death. He died of dysentery in Camp Douglas just outside of Chicago, Ill. I have read of the neglect and unsanitary conditions which existed there. Henry Rader was stationed at Big Creek Gap which is north west of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the Cumberland Mountains. The reason for that camp was to guard one of the passes through the Cumberland Mountains. To prevent the invasion of a Union Army which was stationed in Kentucky from early in the war waiting until it was safe to bring an army into East Tennessee That opportunity did not present itself until the summer of 1863. The Confederates had a Knoxville based army in East Tennessee guarding the railroad, and rich agricultural area as long as they were able. In the summer - early August - the Confederates under Gen. Buckner were ordered to move toward Chattanooga to help protect the army of Gen. Bragg. Gen Buckner left one brigade to defend Cumberland Gap and another along the railroad east of Knoxville - and marched his main army toward Chattanooga. Gen Burnside was in command of the army in eastern Kentucky. He marched toward Knoxville, but not by the way of the Cumberland Gap which was heavily fortified to withstand an assault from the north (Kentucky). Instead he entered Tennessee by some very rugged passes through the mountains west of he Gap. Burnside and part of the XXlll Corps of the Dept. of the Ohio, arrived in Knoxville on Sept. 2 and immediately sent a part of his army to capture Cumberland Gap, from the poorly fortified south (Tennessee) side. The Confederate garrison of some 2,500 men was under the command of Brig. Gen. John W. Frazier. He surrendered with very little resistance, losing in addition to his small army 3,000 stands of small arms. (A stand consisted of a complete outfit for a soldier, rifle, bayonet, cartridge & belt. Or sometimes the rifle belt of ammunition alone) and 36 cannon. I presume that the prisoners were taken to Knoxville and then sent to Camp Douglas. Reports on whether Henry Rader was able to come home after he joined seemed to be indefinite. Since he evidently was stationed in the Knoxville area it is most probable that he did come home for a visit before being captured.

The home of HENRY and POLLYAN RADER is a landmark in Dulaney Community and probably one of the oldest structures in the county. It was built long before HENRY bought it for his family in 1858. It is vacant and used for storage at present, but we were impressed by the fine craftsmanship revealed in the brickwork of the chimney and the solid log construction. It stands near the crest of a hill. A descendant, MARGARET RADER, remembers it as being a very inviting spot with a wide veranda and shaded by large oak trees. A spring once gurgled at the foot of the hill. She said a constant stream of visitors came to the home in the olden days.

Henry was a farmer and he actually established a blacksmith shop in Dulaney, which is a village off the Warrensburg Road about twelve miles southwest of Greenville. The bellows and blacksmithing tools are still intact and have been used by succeeding generations. Henry joined the Confederate Army, was captured by Union forces and later died in a prison camp in the Chicago area. A comrade brought his sword back to the family which remains a treasure among descendants.

Added by Tom Rader on Dec 03, 2011