This article was first published in the Ohio Genealogy Society Civil War Journal, Vol. XII, No. 3. August, 2008

John Wallace Campbell, Civil War Veteran, Co. G. 71st O.V.I.

By Sheri Taylor Bockelman

John Wallace Campbell was born on 1 August 1842 to Joseph Campbell (1820-abt.1851) and Clarissa Brannum (1823-08 Aug 1842) in Washington Township, Allen County, Ohio.[1] His grandfathers, John Livingston Campbell, Sr., (b. Ireland, 1778-d. 05 Sep 1859 Auglaize Co.), and Robert S. Brannum, (Kentucky, 1791-d. aft.1850 Auglaize Co.), were pioneers of that county.[2] The 1850 census shows John Campbell, 8, in the Joseph Campbell household [3]; in 1860, John Campbell, 17, farm laborer, is shown with his paternal grandmother, Elizabeth McCullough Campbell, (b. Pennsylvania, 16 Jan 1793, d. 27 Jan 1866, Auglaize Co.) widowed, Farm Governess.[4]

John Campbell, residence was not listed, 18 years old, enlisted 22 April 1861 as a Private. On 27 April 1861 he mustered into “K” Company, Ohio 15th Infantry; mustered out 27 August 1861.[5]

From Dyers Compendium: 15th Regiment Infantry (3 months): Organized at Columbus, Ohio, April 27, 1861. Moved to Zanesville, Ohio, May 8, thence to West Virginia. Duty on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and operations in the vicinity of Philippi, Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford June 3-July 16. Action at Bowman's Place June 29. Ordered to Columbus, Ohio, and mustered out August 27-31, 1861.[6]

John Campbell, residence was not listed; 19 years old, enlisted on 1 November 1861 as a Private. On 1 November 1861 he mustered into "G" Company. Ohio 71st Infantry; he was discharged for disability on 13 February 1864 at Gallatin, Tennessee.[7]

Excerpt from Dyers Compendium (applicable to John Campbell’s service): Ohio 71st Regiment Infantry was organized at Camp Tod, Troy, Ohio, September, 1861, to January, 1862. Mustered in February 1, 1862. Ordered to Paducah, Ky., February 10. Attached to District of Paducah, Ky., to March, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to April, 1862. Garrison at Fort Donelson, Tenn., to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, to September, 1863. Post of Gallatin, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to April, 1864. […] Regiment service: Reconnaissance toward Columbus, Ky., February 25-March 3, 1862. Action at and occupation of Columbus March 3. Moved from Paducah, Ky., to Savannah, Tenn., March 6-10. Expedition to Yellow Creek, Miss., and occupation of Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 14-17. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Ordered to Fort Donelson, Tenn., April 16. Garrison duty at Fort Donelson and Clarksville, Tenn., and operations in Northern and Middle Tennessee until August. Action at Clarksville August 18. Post surrendered by Col. Mason. Fort Donelson, August 25 (Cos. "A," "B," "G" and "H"). Cumberland Iron Works August 26 (Cos. "A," "B," "G" and "H"). Expedition to Clarksville, September 5-10. Pickett's Hill, Clarksville, September 7. Garrison duty at Forts Donelson and Henry, Tenn., until August, 1863. Guard duty along Louisville & Nashville Railroad (Headquarters at Gallatin, Tenn.) until July, 1864.[8]

Army of the United States Certificate of Disability for Discharge: John Campbell, of Captain John W. Moody’s Company G of the 71st Ohio Regiment of United States Volunteers was enlisted by John W. Moody at Wapakoneta on the first day of November 1861 to serve three years; he was born in Auglaize County in the State of Ohio, is twenty-one years of age, five feet three inches high, ruddy complexion, black eyes, brown hair, and by occupation when enlisted a farmer. During the last two months soldier has been unfit for duty 60 days. Station: Gallatin, Tenn. Date: February 13, 1864. (Signed) E.A. Paine, Brigadier, Commanding Post. I certify that I have carefully examined the said John Campbell, Private, of Captain John W. Moody’s Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of “inflammation of the cornea if his eyes which renders him unfit for the invalid corps or field service.” (Signed) Wm. W. Crane, Asst. Surgeon. 71st OVI Oct-Nov Div. Post. Discharged this Thirteenth day of February, 1864 at Gallatin, Tennessee, (Signed) E. A. Paine, Brigadier, Commanding Post.

John Campbell, age 21 years, a resident of Wapakoneta, filed a Claim for Invalid Pension in Judge Edward Woodruff’s Probate Court in Hamilton County, Ohio on 30 March, 1864. He obtained the legal services of Attorney Thomas Bupert of Cincinnati, Ohio, to assist him. Confirming his identity and condition of his disability were W. L. Rhodes and P. A. Rhodes, who stated that the applicant is “afflicted with sore eyes and is nearly blind.” John Campbell statement: “At a place called Stockade near Gallatin in the state of [Tennessee] on or about the middle of November 1863, while on Guard duty at said Rail Road station being there exposed, caught a cold, which resulted as he verify before in sore eyes, which nearly destroyed his sight. That said disease was contracted while in the line of his duty as a soldier. That he is a farmer by occupation and is thereby totally disabled from earning his subsistence.” It is signed by an X (his mark) for John Campbell.[9]

The 71st O.V.I. became part of General Grant’s Army of the Tennessee; Company G was one of four assigned to guard Gallatin, the new headquarters, and the railroad. One soldier in Company C wrote home that their primary concern was isolated “bushwhackers.” [10] Winter cold, precipitation, constant exposure with lack of warm clothing, blankets or sanitary conditions caused debilitation among many soldiers – such was likely the case in mid-November 1863. Two Indiana brothers serving in Tennessee contracted colds while on picket duty in Strawberry Plains: one died a month later of pneumonia, and the other hospitalized for three months. [11] It is fair to say that John Campbell and his comrades of the 71st were often more susceptible to the elements than to the Confederate Army.

John Campbell’s Civil War Index Card shows date of filing for his pension as 2 April 1864, Application No. 43.367, Certificate No. 82.537.[12]

In 1880, John W. Campbell, 37, farmer, lives in Clay Township, Auglaize, with wife, Clara, 35; Nora R., 15, Lillian M., 13, Amy R., 12, Edgar B,, 11, Anna L, 9, Martha E., 8, Roy A., 6, Guy S., 5, Myrtle L. 2.[13]

History of Western Ohio and Auglaize County, p.548, lists Campbell, J.W., Co. K, 15th O.V.I. and Co. G, 71st O.V.I., with dates of service. The History of Auglaize County, p.492 also lists J.W. Campbell. In 1883, List of Pensioners of the Roll for Auglaize County, John Campbell “loss of L. eye & eye[sight]” receives $18 monthly.[14]

1890 Special Schedule – Surviving Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Widows, etc.: Clay Township, Auglaize Co., Ohio, line 40, John W. Campbell, disability incurred: disease of eyes.[15]

In 1900 in Clay Township. John Campbell, 57, farmer; wife Clarah, 53; son John, 19, daughters Grace, 15, Nelvah, 13.[16]

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C. January 15, 1898: Form requesting answers to five questions, to be returned with “executed voucher for your next quarterly payment.” The information is genealogically factual: John Campbell married Zebuline Clarinda Rhodes on 24 Dec. 1863 by Judge John L. Williams in Wapakoneta, Ohio; recorded in probate office. Thirteen children, all living, nine girls and four boys: Nora R. b,11 Dec 1864, Lillian M., b.3 Sept. 1866, Amy R., b.1 Jan. 1868, Edgar B., b.11 Apr. 1869, Annie L., b.2 Feb. 1871, Martha E., b.3 Oct. 1872, Roy A., b.27 Feb. 1874, Guy S., 3 Oct. 1875, Myrtle L., b.5 Apr 1878, Estie R. b.5 June 1881, John F., b.28 Jan., 1882, Gracie E., b.14 Oct. 1885, Nelvah Blanch b.6 Oct 1886. (He wrote “Over” then on back “if you want middle name in full, send me a larger blank.”) He dated the reply 30 March 1898.

John Campbell, widower, farmer, died at 5 p.m. on 1 November 1911, aged 69 years, 3 months. There are two death certificates on file at the Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics, with slightly different causes of death: “Imperfect nutrition caused by septicemia due to trauma; contributory: abdominal aneurysm.” The second version adds “operation for hydrocele” – both are signed by D.C. Fox of Roundhead, Ohio (clearly not the same handwriting.) Undertaker: D.A. Sieferd, Jr. Wapakoneta, Ohio. Burial: 4 November 1911, Wesley Chapel.

From Auglaize County Obits, Death Mentions & Funeral Cards, p.62: Campbell, John. W., died November 1, 1911, New Hampshire – born August, 1842 Washington twp., -m’d Zebuline Clarinda Rhodes who died – Civil War 71st Reg. O.V.I. – 13 children, two died; Mrs. Nora Gossard of Wapak., Mrs. Lillie Stimmel of Columbus, Ed of Bellefontaine, Mrs. Anna Stevenson of Michigan, Mrs. Martha Taylor of Columbus, Roy of Fletcherville, California, Guy of Lewistown, Myrtle at home, Mrs. Neva Rhoades of Bellefontaine; buried Wesley Chapel Cem.[17]

Pensioner Dropped. Department of the Interior United States Pension Agency, Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1911, certificate No. 82.537 […] Pensioner John Campbell […] was last paid at $40 to Sep 4, 1911.

In an Application for Reimbursement on 26 April 1912, daughter Myrtle Lamina Campbell, age 34, made the following declaration to receive any accrued pension for expenses paid and the burial of John Campbell: He was married once, to Clara Rhodes, who died 7 January 1903; he had no children under age 16 and no life insurance; there was an executrix of his estate, his “real estate” valued at $600 “left to me for a home provided it did not have to be sold for debts.” She stated his cause of death as blood poisoning, illness began about 20 September 1911; that he became so ill as to require the daily attendance of another person “for about three years – he was quite feeble.” She said that his nursing care was done by “Practically myself. The other members of the family assisted according to their convenience.” Charges shown, all unpaid: D.C. Fox, physician, $82.50; Myrtle Campbell, nursing and care, $200.00; D.A. Sieferd, undertaker, $112.00; H.S. Chapman, groceries,$67.80; North & Huber, groceries, $8.65; total $388.15.

John Campbell must have been an endearing father and grandfather: J.W. Campbell family reunions were held until at least the first Sunday in August, 1930 in Faurot Park. At the 29th Reunion, letters were read from family members unable to attend. Those present included surnames Gossard, McCullough, Taylor, Andrews, Hunt, Stimmel, Bidwell, Stevenson, Littlejohns, Winegardner, Wilson, Cartmell, Andrews, Richards, Hogan, Price, and Smith.[18]

Lineage: John Wallace Campbell was my 2nd great grandfather. His daughter, Martha Eloise Campbell b. 03 Oct 1872, Auglaize Co., d. 06 Mar 1949, Columbus, Franklin Co. Ohio, was married on 20 Mar 1890 to Murray Wilson Taylor b. 21 Dec 1861, Van Buren, Shelby County, Ohio, d. 17 Nov 1924, Columbus, Franklin Co. Ohio; son of Thomas Henry Taylor, b. 14 Nov 1831, Quincy, Logan County, Ohio, d. 18 Aug 1889, Mercer, Auglaize County, Ohio, and Elizabeth Livingston Campbell, b. 01 Oct 1833, Allen County, Ohio, d. 24 Jan 1913, Washington Township, Auglaize County, Ohio; their son, my grandfather, Gerald Howard Taylor, b. 27 Sep 1906, St Marys, Auglaize, Ohio, d. 12 Sep 1978, College Station, Texas, married on 02 Nov 1929 to Olive Mae Hiles b. 08 Jun 1913 New York, d. 29 Jan 1975, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio; daughter of Clarence E. Hiles, b. 23 Aug 1875, Hocking, Ohio, d. 30 Oct 1938, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, and Mae Gertrude (maiden name unknown), b. 18 Feb 1890, England, d. 09 Mar 1970, Bexley, Franklin County, Ohio; my father was Jack Gerald Taylor, Sr., b. 11 July 1930, Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, d. 18 Dec. 1997, College Station, Texas.[19]

© 4 June 2008 Sheri Taylor Bockelman, all rights reserved; sources noted.

[1] State of Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death, File No. 57084 John Campbell

[2] History of Auglaize County, Ohio, Indianapolis, Historical Pub. Co., 1923; 1333 pgs; p. 375, 474-477.

[3]1850 United States Federal Census, Washington Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, enumerated by Eli M. Denison on 2 Sept. 1850, line 31-35, dwelling #783. Ancestry image 10 of 17. Roll: M432_660; Page: 274; Image: 551; 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1850. M432, 1,009 rolls.

[4] 1860 United States Federal Census, Washington Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, enumerated by J.A. Marshall on 26 July 1860, line 22-23, dwelling #1466. Ancestry image 14 of 25. Roll: M653931; Page: 487; Image: 369_. Ancestry.com. _1860 United States Federal Census_ [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.

[5] Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio (c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com. Historical Data Systems, Inc. PO Box 35, Duxbury, MA 02331

[6] www.civilwararchive.com, The Civil War Archive 1998-2008, Source - "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)

[7] Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio (c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com. Historical Data Systems, Inc. PO Box 35, Duxbury, MA 02331.

[8] www.civilwararchive.com, The Civil War Archive 1998-2008, Source - "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)

[9] The National Archives, Pension Records, Soldier’s Certificate No. 82.537, Veteran John Campbell.

[10] A Short History of the 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry prepared by Martin Stewart for the 2005 Overfield Tavern Museum Annex Civil War Exhibit Troy, Ohio; online http://www.tdn-net.com/genealogy/military/ashorthistory.htm

[11] Thomas and Isaiah Staley: http://www.staleyhistory.com/history/history_text.html

[12] Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900. (The National Archives): NARA T289. Pension applications for service in the US Army between 1861 and 1917, grouped according to the units in which the veterans served, http://www.footnote.com.

[13] Year: 1880; Census Place: Clay, Auglaize, Ohio; Roll: T9_993; Family History Film: 1254993; Page: 314.1000; Enumeration District: 1; Image: 0472. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls.

[14] List of pensioners on the roll January 1, 1883 Washington: G.P.O., 1883, 3963 pgs., p.25.

[15] Year: 1890; Census Place: Clay, Auglaize, Ohio; Roll: 63; Page: 3; Enumeration District: 1. Ancestry.com. 1890 Veterans Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1890. M123, 118 rolls.

[16] Year: 1900; Census Place: Clay, Auglaize, Ohio; Roll: T623 1240; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 29. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

[17] Volume 1 Book 2 of the Auglaize County Union twp & Wayne twp book John W. & Claire Campbell are both buried in the Wesley Chapel Cem. in the East One; J.W. Campbell born Aug 1 1842 died Nov 1 1911, Co. G, 71st O.V.I. civil war; Rootsweb.com message board reply, 10 Feb 2008, from PJ Jacobs; and 1996 Auglaize County Ohio Obits, Death Mentions & Funeral Cards Vol 1 Book 1, A to M, p.62.

[18] Lima News, article received via email from J.W. Campbell family member, descended from son John Francis Campbell.

[19] Ancestry.com family tree: Thomas Taylor & Elizabeth Campbell; family records and other sources.