This faded photo is of my Great Great Grandfather on my paternal side, Josiah Stewart Boothby. It was probably taken around 1894 when he served in the Oregon State Legislature in Salem, Oregon. I have written several stories of his life in Heppner and Lexington Oregon around the turn of the century, but the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks writing prompt for this week brought me back to his story, and specifically to his Civil War military experience. And since it is Memorial Day today as I write this, I also wondered about the origins of our current Memorial Day. I learned some things I never knew!
Memorial Day was originally known as "Decoration Day" and originated in the years following the Civil War. It officially became a federal holiday in 1971. The Civil War ended in the spring of 1865 and had claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history. The result was the creation of the country's first national cemeteries, where, by the late 1860's, various towns and cities began holding springtime tributes to fallen soldiers. Flowers were laid on graves and prayers were recited.
Some records show that one of the earliest commemorations was organized by a group of formally enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. They memorialized Union soldiers who perished at a makeshift prison at the Washington Racehorse and Jockey Club in Charleston by giving the soldiers a proper burial (they exhumed their bodies from the mass grave behind the grandstands and reburied them in a new cemetery). On May 1, 1865, they then organized a parade around the racetrack, as black children carried bouquets. This was organized a year before other U.S. cities began their observances, and three years before the first national observance. This is a fascinating story and the author David W. Blight published a book in 2001 called Race and Reunion The Civil War in American Memory detailing his findings. Even then, the memories of the war began to become segregated and this poignant story was eventually lost to the majority of the country.
https://www.history.com/news/memorial-day-civil-war-slavery-charleston
This is the pension record of Josiah Boothby (US Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1943 Ancestry.com). At the time he was married to his second wife, Susan Jane Yates Boothby, who received a pension as a widow after Josiah's death in 1905. Josiah's experience in the war left him with failing health that would effect him for the rest of his life. I found his affidavit on a webpage put together by a Boothby cousin (sersale.org). She transcribed the letter as it was written, poor spelling and all. The transcribed letter now can be found on Josiah's Find A Grave memorial.
Josiah had served in the 7th Regiment, Missouri Infantry with Company F under Captain William B. Collins. His obituary states that he also served under Colonel Stevens, General Logan and General Grant, and that he participated in 22 regular battles. The obituary states that 1,200 men started out in his regiment and about 134 officers and men were left when the was ended. Part of his service was at the battle, capture and siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi in the spring of 1863.
His petition describes his illnesses as pleurisy, scurvy, diarrhea and then kidney and bladder infections. It is hard to imagine the hardships these soldiers had to endure on and off the many battlefields during the war. Was serving in this war worth it to him? I often wonder what Josiah's motivation was for joining the Union army. Was he politically motivated with an interest in preserving the Union? Did he even have antislavery views? He was living in Willow Springs, Kansas in July of 1860 (Year: 1860; Census Place: Willow Springs, Douglas, Kansas Territory; Page: 137) and was 37 years old. He was working as a farmer. There was a severe drought in 1860, and the drought led him to Alexandria, Missouri where he and his family lived until the outbreak of the war in 1861. I did some quick research on Willow Springs during the 1860's and learned that it was also the home of Methodists, Quakers and the German Brethren who took an early stand against slavery. Perhaps he carried his community's beliefs with him to Missouri. So, whatever his motivation, he was mustered in on June 1, 1861 (U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 Ancestry.com) and fought for the Union.
(https://www.kshs.org/preserve/pdfs/douglascounty_willowsprings.pdf)
Here is the transcription of Josiah's petition for a pension, written after the letter from his commanding officer (below) (transcription done by sersale.org)......
Independence Polk County Oregon
December 17th, 1882
Hon Comitioner of Pentions.
The first Sickness I had while in the Service. was, westren Mo. it was plurice in left side. was teated by the rigtmantle surgon. That was December 61. May 1862 while Camped neared Corinth Miss. was taken down with Chills and fever and Camp Direah. was treated in Camp Hospitle by the regt Surgon in about too weekes got well enouhf to go to my Company. in 1863 while on the march around Vixburge and near rayon Miss. about the first of May of that yeare. was taken with Dierah and Scurvey kept on duty until I gave out completely breaking down in my back. Was taken to field Hospitle Stade thare for Several dayes don't remmeber but think Som ten dayes. The surgon Said my kidneys and Blader was badly afected. and wanted to Send me to a Hospitle Boat. I told him I thought that I wold com around all rite in a few days. So he let me go to my companey. I did not think at the time that I had Contracted a lifetime disease. I lost all my teath in cocequence of the Scurvey. Tho I hav not Said aney thing about the Scurvy in making out my Claim for a Pention. Soon after the capture of Vixburg I had a nother atact of the Same Complaint of kidneys as before. was treated in my one tent. by the regtmat Surgon. From that on untill I was Discharged from the Survis. was treated a number of times in my one regtmental Quarters. as time wore on from the time I was Discharged until the presant time has bin groing worse. as I grow older I Cant remember the names of aney of my regtmatal surgons. Tho the last one. was a hired Sitasan Surgon. I hav tride to giv the Departmant as Presisie acount of the times and pases of MY Direant Sickness as my Best recolection would Serve me.
Very Truly youre obediant Survant
Josiah S. Boothby
State of Iowa; Lee County
I WBCollins having been duly sworn on my oath say I am the same WBCollins who was Captain Company "F" 7th Mo fifth fols(?) and am personally and ultimately acquainted with Josiah S Boothby late of said Company "F" 7th Regt Mo fols(?) and now I understand the said Boothby resides in Independence Oregon that on or about the 5th day of May A.D. 1863 the said Boothby while in the field was taken down with affection of disease of the kidneys and bladder and as I now remember was prior to that time a few days complaining and left the Company and regiment then in the field near Raymond Mississippi. that said disease as I believe was brought about the the exposure incident to the Campaign. that I was in command of said Company at that time and remember of this severe sickness but do not remember the details and particulars thereof or of the length of time he was absent from the company-that when he enlisted he was apparently stout and healthy. That I have no interest in his application for pension and reside at Keokuk Lee County, Iowa
WB Collins
Subsented and sworn to before me WB Collins this 1st day of July AD 1880 whom I certify to be the identical person he represents himself to be as I believe from his appearance and statements and have no interest in the above application for pension witness my hand and seal of official
SS James
Clerk of District Court
in and for Lee County Iowa
Josiah Stewart Boothby's Death Certificate (Ancestry.com). He died from uremia caused by degenerated kidneys (chronic kidney disease) in 1905.
I will write more on Josiah's life in another blog post. But for today, it is enough to reflect on his military service and sacrifice as I also think about the many nuanced origins of Decoration Day. He did not lose his life during this conflict (we honor those who have lost their life in service on Memorial Day) but he certainly paid with his health. He died in 1905 after end stage kidney disease which also caused him to lose his eyesight. He lived to be 81 years old.
Decoration Day was begun to help our nation heal its wounds from the War. People told and retold their own stories, honored fallen heroes and reconciled with former enemies. On this day, May 31, 2021, at this moment in history, let's remember to listen to everyone's stories.
Relationship Reference: Me->Dale Boothby->Sterl Boothby->Josiah T. Boothby->Josiah Stewart Boothby
I had not previously read about the Charleston race track story, thank you for including it in your post. The pension request by your 2x great grandfather is heart breaking. I have seen other letters like his. My great grandfather was at Vicksburg, but he was a boy not a nearly 40 year old man. I know from reading the regimental records, it was the older men who suffered the most. My great grandfather said he regularly ate raw onions to keep away the camp diseases, he lived to 93. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIn light of current history, I thought I would delve a bit into what the Civil War and Memorial Day meant over 150 years ago. We can always learn from the past. Or, our ancestors' sacrifices and suffering were in total vain. We are so lucky to have these records, and if we don't take time to reflect on their meaning, why are we doing this project? Just some more musings on this subject.....
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