John W Larkin by Allie Zorro

In November 1861, the 6th Virginia Cavalry was organized at Manassas Virginia. This organization was a cavalry regiment that was brought up in Virginia to fight in the confederate states army during one of the earliest industrial wars; The Civil War. Not far from where the 6th cavalry was made, is the birthplace of John W Larkin in Prince William, Virginia. Born in 1831, Larkin lived in Prince William with his mother Sarah roach. He would soon be a part of the 6th Virginia Cavalry and would risk his life in the name of his country.

The census of 1860 marked the eighth census of the United States. In this census information that it collected included name, age, sex, color, and birthplaces of those living in the united states in 1860. John W Larkin is one of millions recorded in this census. I found a lot of information about himself and his family. At the time of this census recording, he was 27 years old living in Prince William with his mother, Sarah Roach. During this census Sarah was 62 years old. She was born in Fauquier County in 1798. Larkin was a white male and his occupation before the war was that of a farmer. Although their location was unknown at the time, John had many relatives listed. Ann Larkin, Amanda Larkin, Sarah A Larkin, John W Larkin, Chas F Larkin, Penelope Larkin, and Francis Larkin are just some recorded.

On the tenth day of September 1862, Larkin enlisted in the Civil war as a confederate soldier. At this time he was 29 years old. This enlisting document was signed by Capt. Adams in Salem, Virginia. Larkin’s rank in was a private and he was part of the organization that formed close to his hometown: The 6th Virginia Cavalry. The 15 pages of enlisting documents start on Sept, 10, 1862, his enlistment date, and end on June 28th 1864. He was present for all of the company muster rolls until his death date on June 28th. His rank out was a corporal.

The battle that Larkin fought in and was killed in was the Siege of Petersburg. This battle lasted from June 1864 to March 1865. This nine month battle involved a lot of trench warfare between the Union, led by Ulysses S. Grant, and the confederate, led by Robert E. Lee. Petersburg was a very important place for the confederate army and this is the reason the Union was setting up miles long of trenches to try to destroy it. Due to lack of resources and Sherman's army coming towards him quickly from the south, Lee finally left both Richmond and Petersburg and this led to him going towards the Appomattox Courthouse. Larkin died before the retreat of Lee so he didn't get to finish fighting for the confederates in this battle. He was taken to Chimborazo hospital in Richmond Virginia after feeling sick. His official cause of death was Typhoid, a severed disease spread by close contact or contaminated food and water. Although he passed on early in the battle, his role was still very important for the confederate army.

Larkin played a big role in the civil war and was very brave for fighting for his country. Throughout his two years in the army, he persevered through several battles with the 6th Virginia Cavalry until his tragic passing due to an unfortunate disease. Although his documents state facts about his time in the Confederate army, he was a son to Sarah Roach and had a large extended family waiting for him to return home from battle. His time in the army is well appreciated by many and Larkin will always be remembered as an important soldier in one of America's most famous battles.

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http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/petersburg.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

John Larkin