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The Resource George B. Marshall collection, 1861-1865

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Summary: In December 1912, George B. Marshall drafted this 77-page, handwritten reminiscence of his Civil War years at the request of his wife Clara, to whom he dedicated "this sketch." He wrote about Cumberland Gap in the spring of 1862, about Vicksburg in 1863, about being a hospital patient in New Orleans, about being in Florida and Texas in 1864, and Louisiana in 1865. On page 6, he wrote about seeing his brother marching toward Perrysville, Kentucky. Later, his brother was a prisoner of the Confederates after being captured along with General Abel Streight near Rome, Georgia, by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. George gives a great deal of detail for a narrative written from memory. On pages 13-14, he wrote about staying in the home of John Lynch's sister from Putnam County, Indiana. George told her that he lived in Putnam County until a few years ago when he moved to Jeffersonville. In August 1864, while visiting in Greencastle on leave, George told Mr. Lynch about staying with his sister. On page 57, Mr. Marshall wrote: "The officer who ordered us to Matagorda Bay forgot to send us provisions, and matters soon assumed a serious turn." On page 75, he praised Col. James Keigwin. On page 76, he wrote about Captain John W. Kane who "was so mean," and about Captain James W. Thompson of Jeffersonville, for whom he had "the highest praise."

Biographical or historical data: George B. Marshall was born in 1844, to Hiram and Sarah Marshall in North Carolina. One day in early September, George and his school mate, Beverly W. Sullivan, left school and enlisted in the 49th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, which was organized at Camp Joe Holt just below Jeffersonville, Indiana. Both boys were underage, but gave their ages as 18. On November 21, 1861, George was promoted to Sergeant Major. He was mustered out on September 13, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. On October 1, 1868, George married Clarinda Tucker, whom he called Clara, in Morgan County, Indiana. The 1870 federal census lists them in the household of Thomas Rowark in Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana, with baby Lucile, age 3 months. George was 26 and Clara was 22. The 1880 census shows three children: Lucile, age 10; Sallie, age 5; and William H., age 6 months. He died on October 1, 1918, and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery in Utica, Clark County, Indiana. In 1920, Clara Marshall, age 71, lived with her daughter Sarah (Sallie), age 44, and her husband Richard T. Buchanan, along with their son Richard, age 5, in Indianapolis.

Context

Context of George B. Marshall collection, 1861-1865