Abram R Wood (abt. 1827 - 1862)

Biography

Abram Wood was born around 1825 to 1829. He married Julia Ann Kinyan in Coldwater, Branch County, MI.^[1] They had a son, Frank Clifford Wood.^[2]

He entered military service as Captain in Company C of the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry^[3] on June 20,1861, for 3 years service. He was accidently killed while on picket duty at Yorktown, Virginia on April 18, 1862.^[4] He was shot by one of his own men, Private [Barnes-13307|Luke Barnes].^[5]

Tragedy in the Battlefield

While participating in the Seige of Yorktown, a terrible accident occurred. The Union suffered many less casualties than the Confederacy, 182 compared to 300,^[6] but at least one death was the result of friendly fire. The diary of Charles Camp Doolittle mentioned fellow soldier, Luke Barnes. Doolittle was commissioned first LT. of Company E in the 4th Michigan Infantry, promoted to Captain and Colonel. He wrote on Friday, April 18, 1862,

All the regiment on picket. Not feeling very well did not go out until 9 o’clock. Reserve in our old camp. My company relieved Co. I at 6 o’clock P.M. and were relieved at 12 o’clock by Co. E. Capt. Wood shot by Luke Barnes of his own company and died at 12 o’clock. Very quiet lines. Beautiful, warm day

^[7]
The diary of Martin Van Buren Bryant states on the same day,

Very hot. 4th on picket. A number of shells thrown at us. None hurt. Captain Wood shot through the bowels by one of his men. Died at 12 p.m.

^[8]
Enoch Davis wrote in his diary the following day,

Saturday (April) 19th — Capt. Wood shot through the bowels & died through an accident on picket. Joseph Springsted started home.

^[9]

2nd Lieutenant Ebenezer French, also of Company C, assisted with final arrangements and returning his private belongings home to his wife. He also planned to inform his widow of how to claim his pension.^[10]

The Captain is buried at the Yorktown National Cemetery, in Yorktown, VA.^[11] There is also a memorial gravestone in his home town in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ "Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCDR-8YX : 17 January 2020), Abram R. Wood, 1847. Image of record
2. ↑ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP73-7F7C : 1 March 2021), Abe Wood in entry for Frank Clifford Wood, 1920.
3. ↑ "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSC3-LM5 : 25 August 2021), Abram R. Wood, 1861-1865. [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-B3PP-S7RC?i=233 Image 234 if 2463.
4. ↑ "Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH88-VNY : 23 February 2021), Abraham R. Wood, 1862.
5. ↑ Wilkinson, George, Crossing Hell on a Wooden Bridge: The Fourth Michigan Infantry in the American Civil War
6. ↑ Yorktown National Parks Service: Civil War.
7. ↑ Wilkinson C C Doolittle
8. ↑ Wilkinson M Bryant
9. ↑ Wilkinson Enoch Davis
10. ↑ Wilkinson Ebenezer French
11. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #11664672
12. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #102639669

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWDT-D2R : 18 February 2021), Abram Wood, 1860.
• "United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD5-ZL5M : 20 February 2021), Abram R Wood, 1863.
• "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSC3-LM5 : 25 August 2021), Abram R. Wood, 1861-1865.
• "United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N41F-HQ7 : 24 March 2016), Abram R. Wood, 1863.