My Family in the Civil War, Part Ten: Entry into War

This is the tenth in a series on my Civil War ancestors

The 1850s passed fairly quietly for Edward and Susannah Moore. After the death of their son William Bryant in 1851, they also lost their 10 year old son Joseph Danner Moore in 1854. I do not know the cause of his death.

Daughter Martha married Richard Spaulding  in 1852.  Their now oldest son Edward married Richard's little sister Clorinda Spaulding in 1856.  Several grandchildren were being born.  By 1860, the family at home was getting smaller.

1860 Federal Census Orange County, Indiana

The parents were now approaching 60. Their daughter Clarissa was married the next year. Christopher got married later in 1860. By this time, the Moores had grown their farm to about 300 acres, 80 of which was cleared.

On April 12, 1861, the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Answering the call for volunteers, the oldest Moore boys enlisted together on November 2 of that year. Edward and Christopher both joined Company G of the Indiana 49th Infantry.  At the same time, two of their sisters' husbands joined the same unit. They were all married with children by this time. The following summer, David signed up with the Indiana 16th Infantry.

This left the farm to be run by Edward and Susannah, both aged about 60, the twin girls Elizabeth and Mary, aged 15, and the youngest boy Bartlett, who was only 13.

The first blow to the immediate family came on July 19, 1863. Edward died of wounds he received in battle at Jackson, Mississippi eight days before.  Edward's first lieutenant, Thomas Buskirk, testified that he saw Edward receive his wound, and was with him when he died.

Testimony of Thomas Buskirk regarding death of Edward Moore

I found a very detailed post about the battles of Jackson on the Mississippians in the Confederate Army blog, and recommend it if you want to know more.

Reports came in to Orange County of their many boys that died of wounds and disease during this awful time. Recruitment continued for volunteers, and a draft was also initiated. As the war dragged on, more men were needed to replace those lost. 

Soldiers were supposed to be 18 to serve.  This rule was bent over time, particularly for musicians.  Musicians were needed to run camp. They sounded times to rise, eat, go to bed, and everything in between. Though musician was considered a non-combat position, they were absolutely necessary on the field as they were the only sounds that could be heard over the musket and cannon fire. Generals used them to direct the men as to what they should be doing. 

On February 16, 1864, Bartlett Cofin Moore, youngest child of Edward and Susannah, enlisted as a bugler in Company I of the 38th Indiana Infantry. He had seen brothers, brothers-in-law, uncles, cousins, and neighbors go off to fight. The urge to do his part was probably great. He was 15 years and five months old. 

Unidentified Union Bugler, image found at Library of Congress