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16th USCI, Company B

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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 B 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 3 officers and 125 enlisted men served in Company B between November 1863 and April 1866.

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

Of the 125 enlisted men who served in Company B, 68 (55%) mustered out with the regiment on 30 April 1866, and 14 (11%) completed a shorter term of service.

24 of the men died of disease during their service, representing 19%, or almost one out of every five men who served in the company. This gives Company B the lowest death by disease rate among all the companies of the 16th, but it is still more than double the average for all Civil War regiments (including white regiments), which stood at 7.5%.

Seven 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. Only one man from the company, Private Clinton Collins, was actually fully discharged from the service for his disability.

Company B was the only company in the 16th to suffer a loss in active combat--Private John J. Jones, who was Killed in Action on 5 December 1864 while on reconnaissance preceding the Battle of Nashville.

There were very few desertions. Only 5 men deserted (including at least one whose charge was later overruled by a court), representing only 4% percent 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 one life in this company), see the "Discharge Reason" column in the tables below.

Company Officers

Company B was commanded throughout its existence by Captain Artemas Curtis. Captain Curtis was occasionally absent due to illness or detached duties--including a brief stint as Acting Regimental Commander when Colonel Gaw was on leave in February-March 1865--but he always returned to his company, and was in command when it mustered out on 30 April 1866.

Captain Curtis had only two lieutenants assigned to his company, and both would leave before the regiment mustered out. After starting with Company B, 2nd Lieutenant Martin H. Crider spent two months at Company G in January-February 1865 before he was officially transferred there in May 1865. And 1st Lieutenant Elihu H. Wadsworth served with Company B from December 1863 until 20 April 1866--when he was promoted to Captain and transferred to the command of Company D, which mustered out with the rest of the regiment only nine days later. Lieutenant Wadsworth wrote a letter in April 1865 accusing Colonel Gaw of stalling his career and defaming his character; the last-minute promotion and nine-day command he was given in April 1866 were probably a consolation prize.

Company Commander

  • Captain Artemas Curtis: November 1863 - April 1866
    • Absent sick at hospital June 1864 - August 1864
    • Detached service February 1865 - March 1865, and June 1865

Lieutenants

  • 1st Lieutenant Elihu H. Wadsworth: December 1863 - April 1866
    • Promoted to Captain and transferred to command of Company D on 21 April 1866
  • 2nd Lieutenant Martin H. Crider: November 1863 - January 1865; February 1865 - May 1865
    • Temporarily assigned to Company G in January 1865, and permanently assigned there in May 1865

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
AginJerryPrivate22Mississippi3/23/1865Ohio, Cincinnati9/9/1865Deserted
AllenJosephCorporal, Private44Tennessee, Montgomery County12/1/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
AsburyJames1st Sergeant, Private38Tennessee, Palmyra11/19/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
AsburyKitPrivate, Corporal19Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BakerWilliamCorporal, Private27Kentucky, Trigg County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BalthropJacksonPrivate38Tennessee, Dickson County11/10/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/16/1865Died of disease
BeamanWillisPrivate27Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville9/19/1864Died of disease
BeasleyFrankCorporal, Private40Kentucky, Todd County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/23/1865Transferred to 42nd USCI
BibbJohnCorporal, Sergeant20Kentucky, Logan County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BradleyJasperCorporal, Private25Tennessee, Wayne County11/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/21/1866Deserted
BrighamGeorgeCorporal25Tennessee, Stewart County11/27/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BrightDennisCorporal, Private22Tennessee, Warren County11/28/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BristoThomasSergeant, Private19Kentucky, Todd County11/24/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BrownHenryCorporal, Private26Tennessee, Warren County11/28/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
BrownJamesPrivate19Missouri, St. Louis3/10/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ButcherThomasPrivate38Virginia2/7/1865Ohio, Morning Sun2/6/1866ETS
ByersEssexPrivate22Virginia, Amherst County2/7/1865Ohio, Middleport10/7/1865Died of disease
CarpenterAlexanderPrivate24Virginia, Amherst County3/8/1865Tennessee, Clarksville6/24/1865Died of disease
CheathamGeorgePrivate, Corporal20Kentucky, Fayette County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/25/1864Deserted
CheathamOscarPrivate20Tennessee11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/31/1864Died of disease
CokeJohn W.Private30Kentucky, Elizabethtown11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
CollinsClintonPrivate18Kentucky, Logan County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville11/16/1865Discharged for disability
CollinsScottPrivate20Kentucky, Logan County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
CornealLewisPrivate22Kentucky, Todd County11/24/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/27/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
DavidSterlingPrivate33North Carolina11/27/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DavieJacksonPrivate33Tennessee, Stewart County2/15/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DrainThomasPrivate18Tennessee11/27/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
DupieWilliamPrivate20Tennessee, Montgomery County11/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/27/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps

Notes:

E - K

Surname Given Names Rank Age Birthplace Enlistment Date Enlistment Place End of Service Discharge Reason
ElyHendersonPrivate25North Carolina, Warrenton11/28/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/27/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
FergusHenryPrivate19Virginia, Richmond11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville5/26/1864Died of disease
FergusonCharlesPrivate27Kentucky, Logan County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
FosterGeorgePrivate19Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
FosterJohnPrivate18Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
FrancisClerkPrivate18Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
GarthEdwardPrivate18Tennessee11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/24/1864Died of disease
GarthJohnPrivate18Virginia11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/27/1864Died of disease
GarthRantyPrivate26South Carolina, Charleston11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
GrenterHenryPrivate21Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/25/1864Died of disease
GriffyPerryPrivate25Kentucky, Caldwell County3/9/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
HaisleyJohnPrivate44Kentucky, Woodford County3/2/1865Ohio, Sandusky3/1/1866ETS
HarlanClemenPrivate23Tennessee, Montgomery County11/28/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/12/1865Died of disease
HarrisHenryPrivate18Tennessee, Montgomery County2/18/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/20/1865Died of disease
HarrisonIsaacPrivate18Kentucky, Todd County11/24/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
HutchinsonOlmsteadPrivate35Tennessee, Montgomery County11/27/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
JacksonAndrewPrivate19Missouri11/13/1864Tennessee, Chattanooga4/30/1866Mustered out
JohnsonWilliamPrivate21Kentucky2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
JonesJohnPrivate20Kentucky11/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
JonesJohn J.Private18Tennessee, Murfreesboro11/28/1863Tennessee, Clarksville12/5/1864Killed in action
JonesSamuelPrivate25Kentucky, Caldwell County3/8/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/20/1865Died of disease
JonesWilliamPrivate18Ohio, Greene County2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
JonesWilliamPrivate32Kentucky, Trigg County2/13/1864Tennessee, Clarksville3/30/1864Died of disease
KaleJohn B.Private18West Virginia, Greenbrier County2/14/1865Ohio, Pomeroy3/31/1865Died of disease
KirbyAlexanderPrivate18Tennessee11/29/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/12/1865Discharged

Notes:

L - P

Surname Given Names Rank Age Birthplace Enlistment Date Enlistment Place End of Service Discharge Reason
LedfordGreenPrivate18Kentucky, Trigg County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LedfordMerrittPrivate24Kentucky, Trigg County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LedfordSamuel G.Private22Kentucky11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LevelDanielPrivate22Kentucky, Mercer County11/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LoganJamesPrivate19Mississippi, Jackson3/24/1865Ohio, Cincinnati3/24/1866ETS
LyneJohnPrivate19Kentucky, Logan County12/2/1863Tennessee, Clarksville1/12/1865Died of disease
LyonsEdmundPrivate20Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LyonsJames HenryPrivate, Corporal27Kentucky, Logan County3/2/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LyonsSamuelPrivate18Kentucky, Logan County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
LyonsWilliamPrivate21Kentucky, Logan County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville5/12/1866Discharged from special duty
MaburyLeonardPrivate40Tennessee, Montgomery County11/27/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/27/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
MillerPhilipPrivate32Tennessee, Murfreesboro1/30/1865Ohio, Dayton2/6/1866ETS
MimsJosephPrivate, Corporal30Kentucky, Elkfork11/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MonroeJamesPrivate22Kentucky, Todd County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville1/21/1864Died of disease
MooreJacobPrivate22Tennessee, Montgomery County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MooreMosesPrivate30Tennessee, Montgomery County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville8/26/1864Died of disease
MooreOliverPrivate25Tennessee, Montgomery County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
MorrowChesterfieldPrivate20Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville9/29/1865Deserted; Charge removed 11/2/1891
MorseMosesPrivate, Musician18Kentucky11/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
NimarJohn W.Private20Virginia, Norfolk2/14/1865Ohio, Marietta2/16/1866ETS
OgdenHarrisonPrivate21Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
OlyphantGreenPrivate18Tennessee, Maury County11/18/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/7/1865Died of disease
OsbornNoblePrivate18Tennessee11/24/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
OvertonRobertPrivate, Corporal25Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
PagePittsPrivate, 1st Sergeant22Tennessee, Smith County11/28/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
PettusHenryPrivate24Tennessee, Montgomery County11/23/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
PoindexterHenryPrivate38Alabama1/30/1865Ohio, Dayton1/29/1866ETS
PoindexterRossPrivate35Virginia, Richmond11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/27/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
PolkRamiePrivate19Tennessee, Robertson County11/13/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
PollardIsraelPrivate20Kentucky, Caldwell County3/9/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out

Notes:

Q - Z

Surname Given Names Rank Age Birthplace Enlistment Date Enlistment Place End of Service Discharge Reason
ReevesMosesPrivate20Kentucky, Elkton11/24/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
RobbLeviPrivate35Tennessee, Rutherford County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
RodgersMadisonPrivate28Tennessee, Montgomery County11/21/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
RodgersWilliamPrivate23Tennessee, Montgomery County11/19/1863Tennessee, Clarksville9/3/1864Died of disease
SaundersCharlesSergeant40Virginia, Richmond11/16/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ScottEdwardPrivate18West Virginia, Raleigh County2/15/1865Ohio, Pomeroy2/16/1866ETS
ScottJamesPrivate20Virginia, Greene County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville9/12/1864Died from drowning
SebraAbrahamPrivate25Kentucky, Todd County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/27/1864Transferred to the Invalid Corps
SebraSamuelMusician18Kentucky, Kingston11/24/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ShearnAbramPrivate19Tennessee, Montgomery County11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/5/1864Died of disease
ShearnClaybornSergeant28Tennessee, Montgomery County11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ShelvyHenryPrivate22Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
SimmsWilliamPrivate18West Virginia, Charleston9/21/1864Ohio, Cleveland9/20/1865ETS
SimsJerryPrivate44Virginia2/24/1865Ohio, Marietta2/23/1866ETS
SmithPatrickPrivate18Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
SmithPeterPrivate18Kansas3/23/1865Ohio, Cincinnati3/24/1866ETS
StephensEdwardPrivate28Kentucky2/17/1865Ohio, Sandusky2/16/1866ETS
StiggerWilliamPrivate26Tennessee, Montgomery County11/27/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
StoneAaronPrivate22Tennessee, Dover12/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville3/8/1864Deserted
StoryRobertPrivate, Corporal21Virginia, Richmond11/15/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
TateJamesPrivate23Kentucky, Todd County12/24/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/10/1864Died of disease
TateThomasPrivate, Corporal20Kentucky, Todd County2/4/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ThomasFrankPrivate28Kentucky, Christian County2/15/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ThomasIshamPrivate26Kentucky, Todd County2/4/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
ThomasThomasPrivate44Tennessee, Cumberland County11/18/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
TillmanJamesPrivate23Kentucky, Christian County3/28/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
UnderwoodAlbertPrivate, Sergeant20Kentucky, Russellville11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
VenerableJacobPrivate19Kentucky, Logan County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
VentrissRobertPrivate19Tennessee, Dickson County11/25/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WadeCharlesPrivate22Kentucky, Christian County3/28/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WalkerAnthonyPrivate18Kentucky, Logan County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WareEllickPrivate19Tennessee11/9/1863Tennessee, Clarksville7/2/1864Died of disease
WareGeorgeCorporal, Private21Tennessee11/11/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WashingtonGeorgePrivate18Kentucky, Todd County11/30/1863Tennessee, Clarksville12/15/1864Died of disease
WeathersJordanPrivate18Kentucky, Todd County2/22/1864Tennessee, Clarksville3/17/1864Died of disease
WhitfieldScottPrivate, Corporal24Tennessee, Montgomery County11/18/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WhitfieldShadePrivate18Tennessee, Montgomery County2/16/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WileyJacksonPrivate, Commissary Sergeant34Virginia2/14/1865Ohio, Marietta2/16/1866ETS
WillsHendersonPrivate29Kentucky, Garrettsburg11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WillsWilliamPrivate18Kentucky, Christian County2/17/1864Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out
WoodardJohnPrivate45Tennessee11/14/1863Tennessee, Clarksville6/21/1864Transferred to Invalid Corps
WoodsGeorge WashingtonSergeant, Private21Tennessee, Nashville11/7/1863Tennessee, Clarksville4/30/1866Mustered out

Notes:

Wiley, Jackson: He enlisted as a Private in Company B, but was promoted to Commissary Sergeant and transferred to the Regimental Staff.





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Categories: 16th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, United States Civil War