Galvanized Yankee Discharge & Pension Papers – (9th Va Cav- 8th Minn. Infantry).

Galvanized Yankee Discharge & Pension Papers – (9th Va Cav- 8th Minn. Infantry).  James F. Owens enlisted on October 12, 1861 at King George Co., Virginia as a private into Co. “I”,  9th Virginia Cavalry, and deserted on May 16, 1863, at Brandy Station.  In October  27, 1863, he enlisted into the “Unassigned Recruits” and was discharged at Washington, D.C. in August 13, 1865.

After enlisting into the “Unassigned Recruits” he was enlisted into Co. “I” of the 8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, who at that time were doing guard duty at various locations in Dakota Territory, until the Spring of 1864, when the regiment was assembled to serve in General Alfred Sully’s Northwestern Indian Expedition against the Lakota. Mounted on horses, the regiment participated in the battles of Killdeer Mountain, Battle of the Badlands, then crossing into Montana Territory, the regiment reached the Yellowstone River to Fort Union.  The expedition traveled north toward Canada in pursuit of the Lakota, without success, and returned to Fort Union, were 4 companies were left, and the remainder of the regiment was assigned to the Department of Cumberland, at Nashville, Tenn.

I don’t have details on what companies remained at Fort Union.  The regiment was mustered out in July of 1865, at Washington, D.C.

“in the battle of Killdeer mountain, where the Indians were defeated and driven into the mountains. Cos. E, F, H and I followed them through the ravines and drove them from the hills. They then returned to the supply train on Heart river and moved at once on the Bad Lands, which were reached Aug. 5. On the 8th they were attacked just at the edge of the plain by 5,000 Indians, who were driven for 12 miles, with a loss in killed and wounded of nearly 1,000, the troops losing about 100, only 9 of whom were killed.”

“Camp No. 36, August 1, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 28th of July last, in obedience to the order of Lieut.-Col. Rogers, I took command of Companies E, I, F, and H, of my regiment, at 6 p. m., at the camp abandoned by the enemy, and advanced to the front, covering Capt. Jones’ Third Minnesota Battery, and deployed them to the right as skirmishers, and then advanced up the side of the bluff without opposition until we arrived near its top, where the enemy attempted to check our advance with a force of from 250 to 300 warriors. But the steady advance and prompt fire of my men soon drive them from their strong position, with a loss upon their part of some 12 killed and a large number wounded. I then occupied the bluff with my command until I received orders from Brig.-Gen. Sully to return to camp, which order I obeyed, reporting to Lieut.-Col. Rogers at my place of advance about dusk. ” *  from Civilwardata – history of the 8th Minn Inf.

At the 3rd Battle of Murfreesboro, apparently Co. I did take a part there.

The discharge contains hand-written “Oath of Identity” filled in by Owens, stating he was from the Town of Courtland, Spottsylvania Co. Va. etc..  The two Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions documents state that Owens was entitled to an increase in pension benefits in 1899, and noted that he was a member of the 8th Minnesota, then living at Spottsylvania, Va. The other document dated 1909, states that Owens received another increase on his pension, and names him again as a member of Co, “I”, 8th Minnesota.

Very rare to find paper of any kind for Galvanized Yankees, Confederates soldier after capture, volunteered to fight for the Union, instead of wasting away in a prison camp. Most of these Confederates were kept in regiments serving on the Indian Frontier, but it seems that Owen returned to the east with General Sherman’s Army.

Fine condition,