Hello family and friends. I am working on a history of our ancestors which includes why and how they came to America, and what they did once here. This is a project. Sources of information for this chapter about Great grandfather's Nathan include: Eveland family history my Mom, Mary Jenkins Eveland and her Father in law Reverend John Frederick Eveland put together; Wikipedia; The Family Search website; Ohio Census data; Facebook Eveland history group members, To find a Grave website; Public Broadcasting Service; Pettaway Ohio county records; Ohio volunteer infantry records, and recollections from family members stories.
Here is what I have written so far. There are a few parts such as the dates of Nathan’s war engagements, Sgt Elias letter home, and the second inaugural that were copied and pasted into this document.
There are several Evelands other than Nathan that took part in the Civil War. Some of them were his cousins. This account concentrates on him. Am fairly sure there were a number of Jenkins that took up arms too. Perhaps one day I can find out more about them. It is also known that our great great great great Grandfathers both maternal and paternal were soldiers during the Revolutionary war. Hopefully that will be a chapter to write up in the future.
Another goal I have is to include more of the story of Betty Lee’s family. A brief account of Father Lee, Jin Shin WW11 service as a member of the Chinese American Composite Wing ( flying tiger flew hundreds of missions crashed several times) and of Mother Chao, Pei Ying escape from communism is in my memoir. What I hope to find is what their ancestors did and what life was like for them.
The same can be said for Johann David and Rebecca, the first of us that arrived in the new world.
So, you can see there is much more to be done. Your contributions such as grammar corrections, content input, and so as this effort continues are most welcomed.
Photo of Nathan with other 114th veterans. Now sure of the year but guessing it is from around 1885. Nathan is front row second from the left.
Form the Line Boys” came the command as Nathan Eveland's 114th Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiment broke from March formation to that of a single line attack position. With 15,000 other Union soldiers including 5000 whom were African American to their right and left the line stretched for miles as they avoided abatis, trenches, mines while musket shots from Fort Blakely whizzed around them. Adrenaline built with each approaching steps with some northern troops unable to control their excitement any longer broke the line to scale the wall as soon as they could. Here are excerpts from a letter Sgt Elias Moore of the 114th wrote.
“Dear Mother; No doubt time this reaches you, you will have received from the daily papers the news of the capture of Fort Blakeley and Spanish Fort… Knowing your anxious on my account, I hasten to inform you of my safety. I passed through it without a scratch... The Fifteenth Massachusetts Infantry were in our front, behind a good sand fort constructed the night before by us... Soon our regiment was ordered into line, and glancing to the right and left, I found the other regiments of our brigade forming in line of battle… The 34th Iowa was on our right, and the 83d Ohio deployed in front of our brigade as skirmishers… The skirmish line had not advanced more than fifty yards, when the rebels opened on them with grape and canister , showering it over and around them as thick as hail. During this time the rebel infantry was not idle but gave us volley after volley, but not with the deadly effect you would suppose, as their aim was not accurate, and too high. When our skirmishers were within about one hundred yards of the rebel works they left their outer line of rifle pits and ran for the fort like scattered sheep… We were yet laying in, or rather standing on, our advanced line of rifle pits, cheering our skirmishers on to victory or death. When the rebels began to scale their wall, it was only by repeat commands and threats from the officers that the men could be restrained from rushing to the charge without orders. At last they could no longer be held in check, but rushed to the charge, amid the iron storm and leaden hail, to participate in the glorious victory, which we knew awaited us. I never saw more cool courage displayed than was shown by both officers and men, each striving to be the first inside the works… Harrison Titrick (Teterick) was horribly mangled, one leg being blown off, the other broken and torn but still hanging to the body. Several pieces of the shell and metal had entered his bowels, and torn great holes in his body. His whole lower extremities were shattered and broken, his breast lacerated and his face horribly disfigured. He lived about two hours, was conscious most of the time and suffered very much. He called his near friends around him and sent messages to his parents. He was a brave soldier and a good boy. It was hard to see him die so… Many of the rebel prisoners are now under guard taking up the torpedoes. This kind of warfare is nothing short of cold blooded murder.”
A siege had started as troops enveloped Fort Blakeley a week prior to the battle which took place just hours after Lee surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. Estimates are that during the siege and battle 75 rebels were killed and 2800 captured. 150 Union soldiers also died and over 600 were wounded. There was yet another fight a few days later in Columbus Georgia but Fort Blakeley is considered to be the last major battle of the Civil War.
photo of Abatis deterrents were pieces of wood rising perpendicular fashion in opposing directions from the ground.
Private Nathan Eveland, my Great Grandfather, was a direct descendant of Johann David and his wife Rebecca plus their toddler Johannes who fled the abject poverty, and persecution of the Palatinate region of what is now southwestern Germany. Johann and family arrived in New York 1710. To get there they sailed over 4 weeks down the Rhine to Rotterdam, where they stayed in soggy marsh land for several more weeks awaiting ship's passage for the 8-day journey to London.
Once in London they and the other 13,000 Palatine emigrants were housed wherever space could be found. Public squares, taverns, empty buildings, warehouses and barns were the norm. Charitable contributions of food and clothing kept the family alive until could board one of ten ships bound to take them and 3000 other indentured passengers to the New World. Before leaving on the two to four month journey they remained at port on board the ships. Crowded conditions, and bad food led to typhus rampaging amongst them. 80 people died on one of the boats and on another 300 were infected. By the time they finally got to America in the summer of 1710 approximately one third had either perished on the way to London or on the boats to America. The survival rate for their group was about the same as what their great grandson Nathan’s 114th Ohio Volunteer Infantry endured where one of three perished.
The indentured were to receive 40 acres of land upon the completion of 7 years labor collecting pine tar for the crown. They felled over 100,000 trees but only produced 200 barrels of tar. Far below the goal of 30,000. Given the poor progress made plus the realization that only 7 acres could be allotted the pine tar endeavor collapsed. Johann and the rest left the forests of New York and migrated to other parts of the colonies including, New York City, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey where he first settled. There they added more children to the family. One of their sons moved on down to the Carolinas. The other offspring remained in the East and stayed in close contact.
Many of the reasons for the exodus of those from the Palatine region were also encountered by the refugees as they continued on their way to America. Chiefly, lack of food, shelter, clothing, religious persecution and harassment from the ruling princes of the Palatinate region which included Alsace, Switzerland, and SW Germany. If not for the aforementioned charity of people along the route and in London many more would have perished than what did.
Unfortunately as their numbers piled up in Rotterdam and London many of the inhabitants there became soured on the emigrants and tent settlements were attacked by angry mobs off and on. Even Queen Anne whose benevolence was key to survival ceased allowing them to migrate to England after 1710. I think she reneged on that but it was Johann’s good fortune that his family was able to get on a boat to the new world when they did.
Johann David’s great grandson William married and started a family in New Jersey prior to moving to some of the best agricultural land to be found in Ohio. There Nathan grew up working the farm up to the time he enlisted in 1862 at the age of 21. I think one of the reasons he joined the 114th Ohio Volunteer Infantry rather than wait for draft was that he wanted to do his part to stomp out slavery. His parents and grandparents were very religious members of the United Brethren denomination which took a strong stand against slavery and Nathan was exposed to those beliefs from a young age.
As a member of the OVI Nathan would have received standard issue uniform, musket, bayonet, and scabbard. Many also received or brought their own knives. The regiment was formed at Camp circle Ohio and afterwards received training prior to joining up with General Sherman’s army.Here is a history of the 114th assignments from 1862 formation. A detailed write up of what the 114th took part in during the Vicksburg campaign follows as well as information about the Red River Campaign of 1865.
In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal government with 260 regiments of men, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Ohioans also served in several other regiments from other states, most notably from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in federal units. 330,000 Ohioans served in the Union military during the conflict.
Infantry regiments formed in Ohio became known as regiments of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They served for varying lengths of time, averaging one hundred days to three years. On September 11, 1862, the 114th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry organized at Camp Circleville, at Circleville, Ohio. The men in the 114th were to serve for three years, and they principally came from Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway, Fayette, Hocking, and Vinton Counties, Ohio.
Here is a list of the movements, battles, sieges the 114th took part in:
12/28/ and 12/29 1862 - Chickasaw Bayou Mississippi
January 12 and January 13 1863 Arkansas Post
March 15 1863 Milikens Louisiana
April 30 1863 marched 30 miles south of Vicksburg and crossed over to the eastern side of the Mississippi River.
May 1st 1863 Port Gibson/Thompsons Hill Mississippi
May13 Raymond Mississippi
May 16 Battle of Champions Hill Mississippi
May 17 Big Black River MS
May 19 and May 20 Assault Vicksburg MS
May 22 Assault Vicksburg MS
May 26 to June 22 Siege of Vicksburg
October 12, 1864, Atchafalaya Alabama
April 9, 1865, Fort Blakeley Alabama
Altogether the 114th covered over 10,000 miles thru 11 states, most of that on foot. Some miles via river transport and train.
The regiment suffered the greatest number of their men killed and wounded at the battles of Port Gibson/Thompson Hill, Champion Hills and Big Black River. On December 20, the 114th boarded transports and sailed down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, disembarking at Johnston's Landing on the Yazoo River. The regiment joined General William T. Sherman's command at Johnston's Landing and participated in the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou (December 26 to 29, 1862). On January 1, 1863, the Union soldiers, including members of the 114th, withdrew, boarding transport ships on January 2. The ships transported the soldiers to the vicinity of Arkansas Post, arriving on January 10. The next day, the Battle of Arkansas Post occurred, with the Union forces, including the 114th, capturing Fort Hindman from the Confederates. Following this engagement, the 114th sailed to Young's Point, Louisiana, arriving on January 23, where the regiment entered into winter quarters.
On March 8, 1863, the 114th moved to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. On April 5, 1863, Union General Ulysses S. Grant began his campaign to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi. The 114th fought in every major engagement of this campaign, including the Battles of Thompson's Hill (May 1, 1863), Champion Hill (May 16, 1863), and Big Black River (May 17, 1863). Those fights were during Grant’s Vicksburg campaign. The 114th remained at Vicksburg after the siege for a few months before going to Louisiana.
On November 28, 1863, the 114th boarded transports and sailed to Pass Cavallo, in Texas. The regiment went into camp at Decrow's Point on December 2, 1863. On January 14, 1864, the 114th moved to Matagorda, Island, remaining at this location until April 18, 1864, when officials ordered the regiment to Alexandria, Louisiana. The 114th arrived at Alexandria on April 26, providing reinforcements to General Nathaniel Banks's beleaguered army. The regiment participated in an engagement with Confederate forces at Graham's Plantation. On May 13, 1864, the Union forces retreated from Alexandria, arriving at Morganza, Louisiana on May 22, 1864. The 114th next participated in the Battles of Marksville and Yellow Bayou, with the Union forces emerging victorious at both engagements. The regiment stayed at Morganza until November 1864, conducting periodic reconnaissance and performing garrison duty.
On November 21, 1864, officials ordered the 114th to the mouth of the White River in Arkansas. There was much going back and forth for the 114th between Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Texas with most of that travel on foot. After the capture of Fort Blakeley, they moved again to Texas where they, among other duties, patrolled the border to catch rebel soldiers before they could cross to Mexico. On July 31, 1865, the 114th was dissolved and Nathan went I assume by train back to Ohio.
During the 114th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry's term of service, thirty-nine men, including three officers, died on the battlefield. At least another 56 were severely wounded with several of them getting discharged due to disability. An additional 272 men, including two officers, succumbed to disease or accident.
More details of The 114th part in The Campaign and Siege of VICKSBURG
The union victory at Vicksburg was a stunning achievement which split the confederate supply lines in two. Situated on top of irregular bluffs 300 feet above where the Mississippi made a horseshoe bend the fortress had thus far proved to be impregnable. Ringing the city were eight miles of trenches and 172 cannons. Lincoln declared prior to its capture that taking the city would be a key to winning the war. Ulysses S Grant devised a plan to head down the western side of the river. The plan involved marching 20,000 men 30 miles south of Vicksburg to a spot where they could cross over to the eastern side of the river. The trick was to get their transports past the Vicksburg batteries. Gunboats with their ironsides were used to shelter the transports as they struck out at 11:00 pm. The problem with the gun boats was that though the sides were solid the roofs were made of wood and when hit they caught fire lighting up the river. Admiral Porter soon figured out that those ships close to the bank were not getting shelled so he had the boats hug the eastern bank where cannon shells could not reach.
All but one of the boats made it through and on to the spot where the transports would carry the men across the mile wide river. Once on the east side they did not go straight north to Vicksburg as the rebels anticipated. Instead, they travelled in a north easterly direction and fought several battles along the way including Port Gibson, Thompsons Hill, Raymond, Big Black River, Champions Hill, and Jackson which laid the groundwork for Vicksburg to run out of food and supplies during the siege.
Once near Vicksburg two unsuccessful assault attempts were made on the fortress. Each time union soldiers including the African American regiments fought valiantly. It was said that the hand to hand combat during those assaults was amongst the most fierce of the Civil War. After the May 20 assault Grant wanted to attack again the next day but his advisors persuaded him not to in order for the dead and wounded that lay on the battle ground to be removed. On that day, May 21, troops from both sides mingled together swapping stories and goods. May 22 the union made another push and again got repulsed. The ravines were wide and steep which made the going difficult.
After that second failed attempt the decision was made to settle into a siege of the city where over 29,000 rebels and 3000 civilians were quartered. Union troops would advance in small increments from time to time. They made use of saw barrels which consisted of lots of wood and twine tied together in such a fashion that when pushed soldiers behind could dig trenches.
Photo of a Sawbarrel
By the end of June with no help on the way General Pemberton knew he had to surrender and on July fourth Vicksburg was given up. Grant, knowing he could not feed over 29,000 additional troops decided to let the men go, and that the officers could keep their side arms.
The internal conflict between the states for all intents and purposes was over after the siege and battle for Fort Blakeley. The 114th dissolved July 31 1865 and soon after Nathan returned to Ohio and married Emily Jane Turner September 2, 1865. Three of their five children survived to adulthood including my grandfather John Frederick. Nathan embarked on a 40+ year career as a preacher with the United Brethren denomination, which his son and Grandson also served. Daniel and Louisa Eveland, Nathan’s parents were religious United Brethren church members as well.
United Brethren, officially formed in 1800 was the first United States original protestant denomination. All the others before them originated in Europe.
UB’s took a strong stance against slavery and in the 1840s declared that those who owned slaves could not be UB church members. The Emancipation Proclamation, January 1863 powered the willingness of southern slaves to move north. That same year the 54th Massachusetts, an African American unit, showed how determined they were to fight for freedom during the assault on Fort Wagner. That opened the flood gates for more such units resulting in 185,000 African American troops helping to speed the end of the war. They were paid $3 less a month than those who were white but nonetheless fought with great bravery and skill. At the capture of Fort Blakeley Nathan and 11,000 others fought alongside 5000 African Americans.
There was much antiwar sentiment in the north and the south. Conscription brought out a lot of pent-up resentment, epitomized by the so-called New York draft riots. At least 100 people were killed over the course of a few days where hatred of African Americans ran rampant and blacks were hung for public display. Such actions made clear that the true cause of the war was slavery. Lincoln’s second inaugural, March 4 1865 addressed the issue and the hope for the nation’s future:
“Fellow-Countrymen:
At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war--seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.
One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."
With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
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Emily Jane passed away in 1903 at the age of 63. That October 20 Nathan married Nancy Resinger, a widow seven years his elder. She left her home to be by his side as he served an Iowa based church. It is not known what year Nathan stopped spreading God’s word. I believe that the horrors he survived during the Civil War led him to choose a full-time vocation where he could provide comfort for those suffering, and hope for their future. He died at his son John Fredericks’ Missouri home on July 22, 1914, and is buried at Veterans Memorial Park, Vida Phelps County, Missouri. Nancy passed in 1921
His grit, determination, courage, faith, and love lives on as does that of Johann David, Rebecca and everyone else.
Nathan Eveland tombstone at Veterans Memorial Park, Vida Phelps County Missouri
