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John M. Fleming was born about 1841 in Mason County, Kentucky. Due to the comment on his Jan/Feb 1865 Company Muster Roll, under Remarks, "Free on or before the 19th day of April 1861"[1] it is assumed that John was born enslaved. His family is unknown. John is described as being "aged 24 years, 5 feet 7 inches high, black complexion, black eyes, black hair, and by occupation a Engineer."[2] He resided in Quincey, Illinois at the time he joined the military and records indicate he was single.
John M. Fleming joined the company in its original formation as the 1st Regiment Iowa Infantry of African Descent on 31 Aug, and mustering into service of the United States at Keokuk, Iowa on 11 Oct of 1863.
While he was in hospital in late April, he was, it appears to have passed as he remained present from 25 July 1865 as escort to Coloumbus, Ohio to guard prisoners. He was back in Arkansas by early September where, he died from pneumonia or, as is noted elsewhere, from billious congestive fever. He died in his quarters on 11 Sep 1865. It is possible he got sick during his escort duty as remarks on one of his record cards state: "Disease contracted in line of duty."[3]
John was owed $34.06 at the time of his death. He appears on the Company muster-out roll dated 15 Oct 1865 from DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. It is unknown where he was buried as he is not currently listed in any Arkansas cemetery.
I, Foster-19042, came across John M. Fleming while researching an ancestor with the same name. He had detailed records for such a short life and yet, nothing is known about him. He lingers in my mind and while the Civil War is not a subject of my interest, I'm learning much, thanks to John, especially about the 60th and the U.S.C.T. in general. I would like to continue adding members of at least Co. B as I find them and I hope one day, if it's out there, I can at least find where John is buried.