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16th USCI, Company A

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Contents

Regiment Information

See the main page for the 16th Regiment United States Colored Infantry for more information about the regiment.

Company Information

Company A began recruiting enlisted men in November 1863. The first enlistees were mainly former enslaved people from the contraband camp next to Clarksville, Tennessee. Throughout the war, the ranks would continue to be filled by men from other parts of the country, especially Ohio. The men who enlisted in Tennessee typically signed a contract for three years, necessitating their service until the regiment mustered out in April 1866; by contrast, those who enlisted in Ohio usually did so for only one year, and many completed their service and left for home before the final mustering out.

A total of 5 officers and 135 enlisted men served in Company A between November 1863 and April 1866.

No officers, in any of the 16th's companies, died on active service.

Of the 135 enlisted men who served in Company A, 54 (40%) mustered out with the regiment on 30 April 1866, and 22 (16%) completed a shorter term of service.

34 of the men died of disease during their service, a staggering 25% of the total enlisted men who served in the company. An additional 9 men were transferred from the company to the Invalid Corps due to serious physical debility, and many or all of them may have died after the transfer.

There were very few desertions. Only 8 men deserted (including at least one whose charge was later overruled by a court), representing only 6% of the total men.

For a full account of each enlisted man's fate, including those not mentioned above (such as accidental drowning, which claimed two lives in this company), see the "Discharge Reason" column in the tables below.

Company Officers

Company A was commanded throughout its existence by Captain William J. Abdill. In January-February 1866, Captain Abdill would also become responsible for the men of Company C (who at that time were commanded by a lieutenant), and was therefore the senior officer to witness and report on the series of heinous tragedies that would befall that company.

There was much more turnover amongst Company A's lieutenants. 1st Lieutenant Hislop resigned in April 1865 over dissatisfaction at being skipped over for promotion, and 1st Lieutenant Rivenburg resigned in December 1865 to attend to family and business matters. 2nd Lieutenant Irvine was transferred to a different company in October 1865. 1st Lieutenant Buzzell only joined the company for the final two months of its service (March-April 1866). This means that during the tragic and chaotic early months of 1866, Captain Abdill had zero lieutenants who were officially assigned to his company.

Company Commander

  • Captain William J. Abdill: November 1863 - April 1866
    • On detached duty November 1863 - February 1864, and May 1865 - December 1865

Lieutenants

  • 1st Lieutenant Thomas Hislop: November 1863 - April 1865 (resigned)
  • 2nd Lieutenant Charles D. Irvine: November 1863 - October 1865 (transferred)
    • Transferred to Company I
  • 1st Lieutenant Lovitt S. Rivenburg: September 1865 - December 1865 (resigned)
    • Transferred from Company I
  • 1st Lieutenant Marcus H. Buzzell: March 1866 - April 1866
    • Promoted from 2nd Lieutenant and transferred from Company K

Roster of Enlisted Men

Names in bold are connected to the Global Family Tree.

The Age column refers to the given age at time of enlistment.

"ETS" in the Discharge Reason column stands for "expiration of term of service." Some soldiers only enlisted for a one-year term and were therefore discharged before the unit mustered out.

A - D

Surname Given Names Rank Age Birthplace Enlistment Date Enlistment Place End of Service Discharge Reason
AbstenAlfredCorporal, Private21Tennessee, Sumner County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
AlexanderReubenPrivate24Tennessee, Davidson County11/17/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
AllenThomasPrivate27Tennessee, Montgomery County11/10/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
AllensworthKingMusician, Private30Kentucky, Madison County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
AllensworthWashington1st Sergeant, Private19Kentucky, Robertson County11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/27/1864Died of disease
AndersonIsaacPrivate26Tennessee, Montgomery County11/18/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Left sick in hospital
AvantCharlesPrivate23Virginia2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
BakerPeterCorporal, Private42Tennessee, Gallatin11/12/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BarkerEdmundPrivate19Virginia, Mecklenburg County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BassJohnPrivate30North Carolina2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
BeasleyAlfredPrivate25Kentucky, Todd County3/17/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BowmanClayPrivate27Kentucky, Christian County11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BowmanJamesPrivate30Tennessee12/4/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
BradleyThomasCorporal, Private21Tennessee, Gallatin11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville7/7/1864Died from drowning
BrethetJamesPrivate27Virginia, Richmond11/19/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BrownJamesPrivate18Georgia9/9/1864Ohio, Cincinnati12/3/1864Died of disease
BryanJosephPrivate18Tennessee, Montgomery County11/19/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BushAbramPrivate, Corporal22Virginia2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BushGeorgePrivate20Virginia2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville8/9/1864Died of disease
BushPatrickPrivate19Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville3/9/1864Died of disease
CampbellJamesPrivate21Kentucky, Trigg County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
CanadaJohnPrivate19Arkansas11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ChambersHenryPrivate24Kentucky, Caldwell County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville2/22/1864Died of disease
ClarkIsaacPrivate45Kentucky, Louisville11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
CornealVincentPrivate18Tennessee, Montgomery County11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1865Died from wounds
CornealWallacePrivate19Kentucky, Christian County11/20/1863Tennessee, Clarksville5/11/1866Died of disease
CornealWarnerPrivate23Kentucky3/19/1863Tennessee, Clarksville1/22/1864Died of disease
CrittendenJohn J.Private20Kentucky, Jefferson County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville12/27/1864Died of disease
DardenAbramPrivate28Tennessee, Robertson County11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DeloneyReubenPrivate28Virginia3/11/1865Ohio, Cincinnati3/10/1866ETS
DePradSamuel H.Private27Kentucky2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky7/22/1865Died of disease
DismucksArthurCorporal, Private22Tennessee, Sumner County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville10/24/1866Released from military prison
DrainAsaPrivate25Tennessee, Clarksville11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DrainFrederickPrivate19Tennessee11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DrainLewisPrivate20Tennessee, Cumberland County11/18/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/13/1866Died of disease
DryWillisPrivate19Kentucky, Casey County11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DublinWashingtonPrivate28Kentucky, Jefferson County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DuffyGeorgePrivate20Kentucky11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DukeGeorgePrivate22Tennessee, Clarksville11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville1/28/1866Died of disease
DunlapBenjaminPrivate25Tennessee, Montgomery County11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out

Notes:

Corneal, Vincent: His death from a "gunshot wound to the pelvis" occurred after the war was over, and was probably the result of a tragic accident. There was also at least one man in his company, Private Warren Haines, who was imprisoned specifically for murder; there are no details in Private Haines' file, so it is not known if he murdered a fellow soldier or a civilian, but if it was a soldier, it may have been Private Corneal.

E - K

Surname Given Names Rank Age Birthplace Enlistment Date Enlistment Place End of Service Discharge Reason
EdwardsRobertPrivate21Kentucky, Todd County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
EvansJohnPrivate18Ohio, Green County2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
FartsonTaylorPrivate18Tennessee11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville2/23/1864Deserted
FinchCalebPrivate18Alabama, Florence2/15/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
FinchMarshallPrivate, Corporal25Kentucky, Mason County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
FletcherBenjaminPrivate, Sergeant42North Carolina11/5/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
GalbraithJohnPrivate18Kentucky, Christian County11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville1/8/1866Died of disease
GalbraithLewisMusician, Private19Kentucky, Todd County11/10/18633/5/1864Tennessee, ClarksvilleDied of disease
GarrettAndrewPrivate29Kentucky, Hopkins County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville8/27/1864Died of disease
GilmoreShedrickPrivate36Virginia2/1/1864Tennessee, Clarksville10/16/1865Deserted; Charge removed 3/9/1892
GradyVanPrivate27Not stated11/10/1863Tennessee, Clarksville2/6/1864Died of disease
GriffyCharlesPrivate, Corporal24Tennessee, Columbia2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
GriffyRichardPrivate20Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville8/24/1864Died of disease
GriffyThomasPrivate40Kentucky, Christian County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville3/21/1864Died of disease
HainesWarrenPrivate21Georgia11/2/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/29/1865Imprisoned for murder
HamiltonJamesPrivate26Tennessee, Wilson County12/3/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
HarrisAaronMusician15Alabama, Franklin County3/26/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1865Mustered out
HarrisJohn T.Private29North Carolina3/8/1865Ohio, Columbus3/7/1866ETS
HarrisonJohnSergeant, Private18Tennessee, Providence11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/17/1866Deserted
HaynesPolkPrivate21Tennessee, Henry County3/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
HesterArmsteadPrivate24Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
HesterRichardPrivate45Virginia, Mecklenburg County3/17/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
HigginsWilliamPrivate18Kentucky2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky5/16/1865Died from drowning
HillPeterPrivate37Virginia, Sussex County9/5/1864Ohio, Columbus9/5/1865ETS
HollandPeterPrivate27Virginia2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
HollinsPrestonPrivate22Kentucky, Christian County3/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/14/1865Confined in military prison
HuffAlexanderPrivate20KentuckySee notesSee notes5/24/1864Died of disease
HuffWilliamCorporal, Private33Kentucky, Logan County11/8/1863Tennessee, Clarksville8/1/1864Died of disease
JacksonAndrewPrivate18Tennessee, Cleveland3/28/1864Tennessee, NashvilleNot TakenDropped for illegal examination
JohnstonGeorgePrivate18Virginia, Pulaski County2/7/1865Ohio, Middleport2/16/1866ETS
JohnstonRobertPrivate21Tennessee, Nashville11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
JonesBenjaminPrivate47Virginia, Surry County11/18/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
JonesRobertPrivate23Virginia, Richmond9/17/1864Ohio, Columbus4/30/1866Mustered out
KendrickEliPrivate24Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville3/22/1864Died of disease
KingGeorge W.Private19Tennessee, Bedford County9/6/1864Ohio, Columbus9/5/1865ETS
KnowlenMorrisPrivate, Corporal27Tennessee, Montgomery County11/4/1863Tennessee, Clarksville1/1/1865Died of disease

Notes:

Huff, Alexander: He does not appear on any of the company muster rolls. All of the information about him is from death records, which were incorrectly placed in William Huff's file (William died almost a year later). Since he died in early 1864, it is likely that Alexander took ill and was sent to the hospital shortly after enlistment, so he never officially "mustered" with the regiment.

L - P

Surname Given Names Rank Age Birthplace Enlistment Date Enlistment Place End of Service Discharge Reason
LambJohn A.Private21Tennessee2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
LarkinsReubenPrivate26Kentucky, Caldwell County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/9/1864Died of disease
LarkinsRobertTeamster, Private24Kentucky, Trigg County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
LeftridgeJohnPrivate20Virginia, Bedford County2/16/1865Ohio, Middleport2/16/1866ETS
LevelChesterfieldPrivate21Kentucky, Trigg County11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LevelEllickPrivate21Tennessee, Robertson County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville5/24/1864Died of disease
LevelGeorgePrivate19Kentucky, Todd County11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/3/1864Died of disease
LevelJames D.Private19Kentucky11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LevelJohnPrivate, Corporal19Tennessee, Montgomery County11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LevelJohn G.Private25Tennessee11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
LevelMonroePrivate18Tennessee, Springfield11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LevelWilsonPrivate21Virginia11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville5/26/1864Died of disease
LevelZachariahCorporal25Kentucky, Todd County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/5/1864Died of disease
LockhartAllenPrivate24Tennessee, Robertson County11/6/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
MaloneHanselPrivate45Virginia, Brunswick County8/22/1864Ohio, Columbus3/9/1865Died of disease
MarleyJudgePrivate23North Carolina8/8/1864Ohio, Chillicothe9/19/1865ETS
MartinGreenPrivate, Corporal19Tennessee, Montgomery County11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MaxeyJohn N.Private30Kentucky, Logan County2/14/1865Ohio, Marietta2/16/1866ETS
McCauleyIsaacPrivate39Tennessee11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
McMurryJerrySergeant28Tennessee, Sumner County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MedaleAdamPrivate19Tennessee, Robertson County11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville7/15/1864Died of disease
MedaleEldridgePrivate20Tennessee, Robertson County11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MerriweatherHumphreyCorporal, Private20Virginia, Richmond11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MerriweatherJohnPrivate24Virginia, Amherst County11/11/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MetcalfHenryPrivate19Kentucky, Christian County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
MetcalfMathewPrivate, Sergeant34Kentucky, Washington County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MitchelsonIsaacSergeant, Private31Kentucky, Crittenden County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MitchelsonRichardPrivate22Kentucky, Caldwell County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville5/31/1865Deserted
MoodyGeorgePrivate30North Carolina2/15/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
MurphySamuelPrivate, Musician21Kentucky, Hickman County11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville7/26/1864Died of disease
NosweatherAndrewPrivate30Tennessee, Montgomery County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville11/5/1864Died of disease
OsborneManuelPrivate34Tennessee, Montgomery County11/19/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
OutlawHaysePrivate27Tennessee, Montgomery County11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/6/1864Died of disease
OutlawHenryPrivate19Tennessee, Montgomery County11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
PerkinsAddisonPrivate18Virginia, Orange County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville11/13/1864Died of disease
PerkinsMartinPrivate18Virginia11/8/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/12/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
PetersAndrewPrivate21Virginia3/20/1865Ohio, Cincinnati3/29/1865Deserted
PhilpotAaronPrivate, Corporal24Tennessee, Montgomery County11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/9/1866Died of disease
PolkHenryPrivate19Tennessee, Robertson County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
PollockJohn L.1st Sergeant, Private24Kentucky, Bourbon County11/28/1863Tennessee, Clarksville8/16/1865Deserted

Notes:

Q - Z

Surname Given Names Rank Age Birthplace Enlistment Date Enlistment Place End of Service Discharge Reason
ReddickMiltonCorporal, Sergeant22Tennessee, Wilson County11/12/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
RodgersJarrettPrivate, Corporal22Tennessee, Montgomery County11/19/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
RuckerIshamPrivate18Tennessee, Rutherford County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
SaundersHumphreyPrivate25Kentucky, Woodford County9/10/1864Ohio, Xenia9/9/1865ETS
ScobyThomasSergeant, Private23Tennessee, Wilson County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/17/1866Deserted
ScottWilliamPrivate37Virginia, Bedford County8/6/1864Ohio, Chillicothe9/19/1865ETS
SmithJohnPrivate35North Carolina, Granville County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville3/31/1864Died of disease
SmithThomasPrivate35Tennessee12/4/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
SmithWashingtonPrivate21Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
StreetsWilliamPrivate18Ohio, Fairfield County8/27/1864Ohio, Columbus4/30/1866Mustered out
ThomasJohnPrivate20Tennessee, Knoxville9/20/1864Ohio, Cincinnati9/19/1865ETS
ThompsonRobertPrivate25West Virginia, Mason County2/16/1865Ohio, Middleport2/16/1866ETS
TroySamuelPrivate41Virginia2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
WadeSamuelPrivate20Not stated9/12/1864Ohio, Columbus9/16/1865ETS
WadkinsRobertPrivate25Tennessee8/9/1864Ohio, Cleveland9/5/1865ETS
WilcoxAndrewPrivate18Tennessee, Nashville2/8/1864Tennessee, Clarksville6/1/1864Deserted
WilliamsWillisPrivate24Kentucky, Fayette County8/10/1864Ohio, Chillicothe9/19/1865ETS
WoodsOliverPrivate18Virginia9/22/1864Ohio, Ironton9/21/1865ETS
YoungCharlesPrivate, Corporal21Ohio, Highland County9/5/1864Ohio, Columbus9/4/1865ETS

Notes:





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