A Fallen Hero

  With the start of our Civil War veteran documenting project again this summer, it's started me thinking about all the vets of that war in my own family.  This unmarked tintype our family has always has intrigued me.  There's two possibilities, an uncle and a cousin, because frankly he doesn't look like any of my grandpas who served in the Civil War.  One of the possibilities is my cousin Gill Judah (pronounced Jew-dee).  Gill is the son of Henry and Margaret (Martin) Judah.  Henry is the brother to my ggg-grandpa Eli Judah.  The Judahs were a close knit bunch and the ones that made it out to Buchanan County, Missouri and Atchison County, Kansas from Indiana were frequently found in each others households in the census.   Gill is one of those not fortunate enough to make it through the war. So, I started hammering away on what happened to him.

photo taken courtesy of a wonderful Find a Grave volunteer

   In 1860 Gill's family was living in Atchison County, Kansas.  That same year his dad died at the young age of 55.  So, it would be a safe bet that after the official start of the Civil War, Gill used signing up as a way to help his mom out.   Gill served with Company C of the 8th Kansas Infantry, mustering in on November 30, 1861.  Interestingly enough, the Colonel in charge of the 8th Kansas (and would later become governor of Kansas), John A. Martin, was from Atchison.  His company was stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas for a while, but then went out east to see action in the Tullahoma & Chickamauga campaigns.  His last battle was the battle of Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863, almost 2 years after he enlisted.  These guys from the 8th Kansas were so tough that General Wood said that "what that regiment could not take, it was not worthwhile to send any other regiment to look for".  At Missionary Ridge the minie balls fell like hail upon them and the heavy ammunition fire was well, heavy.  By the end of it all, Gill ended up with a minie ball that had fractured his left knee.  He was carried to a field hospital in Chattanooga where he later died from his wounds. 
  In his pension record, it contains a letter to his mother from a man serving with the U.S. Christian Commission:

Chattanooga, Tennessee
December 17, 1863

Mrs. Margaret Judah,
   I am about to announce to you the saddest fact perhaps of your life.  It is the death of your dear son Gill M. Judah which occurred on the night of the 15th or morning of the 16th.
   I went down on the morning of the 16th to find him with two others dead.  He passed off in peace without much pain I think.  I am very thankful and glad to say to you that I believe he died the death of the righteous--that his last days were spent in Christ.  I met him a few days before his death and felt quite an interest in him.  I spoke with him about his soul; he said he had no hope.  I pointed out with emphasis the importance of a preparation for the result that might occur.  He was fully resigned to his fate, submissive to the Lord's will.  The letter I wrote for him to you was in part dictated by me.  Yet he was fully imbued with its spirit. 
  I send ot you a lock of his hair knowing that you would place high value on it.  THis is my practice as far as I can do it.  There is about $3.00 in money and other effects of his in charge of General Ward Master Mr. Stewart.  You can secure it by writing to him or me for them.
  May God give you sustaining grace to hear with patience, fortitude and Christian resignation this heavy stroke of affliction.  His profession of the saviors love in his hear will certainly be cheering and soothing facts to soften and temper your bereavement.
  May the Lord satisfy to your soul this sad trial.  Trust Christ for all needed consolation.

Yours truly,
Rev. J. L. Landis
U.S. Christian Commission

What a beautiful letter!  It saddens me that something like that could not be conveyed in the current climate in the U.S. armed forces. 

Gill is buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with numerous other brave men.
 
While I still don't know the identity of my Civil War soldier, I sure am thankful that he got me interested enough to find out more about the brave men in my family that served their country:)

8th Kansas monument at Missionary Ridge courtesy of www.kansasmemory.org