As I became interested in my family history, one of the earliest items I received from a cousin was a copy of a letter dated Jan the 1st 1865, written to my maternal great great grandfather in a beautiful flowing script. It said this:
Mr. Isaac Basye
Dear sir duty prompts me to communicate to you the painful intelligence that your son Harrison is missing the circumstances is as follow was on the 24th of last month, Dec, we was fighting the enemy near Pulaski, Tennessee and had to cross a deep creek which was in the rear of the line of battle. I sent Harrison and three other men to look out a ford the other three men returned and Harrison was missing It appears that they found a ford and about that time they discovered the enemy close to them and attempted to escape by crossing the creek which was nearly swimming and with boggy banks after they got in the river the enemy fired on them and the other men can’t tell what became of Harrison as everyone had to take care of himself. Harrison’s horse came out without anything on but the halter and bridle. I think the girth must have broke as he came out of the creek and perhaps Harrison fell off and was only captured as the enemy was very close I hope he yet lives and will one day meet his friends at home If I get any information of him I will inform you of him whenever I learn of his fate I miss him very much Jas was my mess mate and when he fell Harrison took his place now he has gone swank and myself is the only one left of the Towash mess Pat left us about six weeks ago we have just returned from Tennessee but the campaign in Tennessee proved somewhat disastrous to our arms Savannah GA has fell I have no news from VA Tell Mrs Basye and family not to grieve James died on his countrs alter Harrison took his place but I hope he yet lives may the god of mercy comfort you in your affliction My kindest regards to you all Jas M C Wilson
Harrison DID live and I was able to follow his civil war whereabouts through fold3, formerly known as footnote.com. Harrison’s brother James, referenced in the letter died in the war, and his records are there as well.
James and Harrison enlisted in the 6th Cavalry of Texas, also known as Stone’s regiment, at Dallas, TX on Sept 7 1861. They each had a “Double B.S. Gun,” a “six shooter,” and a horse. James was 20 years old and Harrison was 17.
Harrison was captured twice during the war, including the event mentioned in the letter at Pulaski, Tennesee in 1864. At the end of the war, he was at Camp Chase, Ohio, where he signed an ‘Oath of Allegiance” to the United States on June 13, 1865, and found his way back to Texas.
I’ve been researching my family history for over 30 years, and I really knew nothing about muster rolls. I learned about them through the Who Do You Think You Are? episode with Matthew Broderick.
fold3 has a seven day free trial, and if you have ancestors from any of the early American Wars, you may find their records there. There are also pensions and claims records.
I'm a working girl, so I won't be around much to respond, but thanks for reading and good luck in your search endeavors.