72nd Ohio Infantry

Captured at Brice's Crossroads June 12 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville, Escaped and recaptured.

He was captured at Shiloh and died at Pittsburg Landing or Moscow TN July 9 1862

27 Years of age, enlisted Dec 12, 1861, 3 yrs, Captured Jun 11, 1864, near Ripley, MS; died Jan 30, 1865, in Rebel Prison at Andersonville, GA; veteran

No family notes have been added.

Henry Jervis Potter enlisted in the summer of 1863 in a volunteer company of Home Guards for the military defense of the State of Ohio during the Civil War. Henry re-enlisted at Fremont, February 27, 1864 in Co E, 72nd Regiment, under Col R.P. Buckland and on March 1 went to Sandusky to be mustered in and receive his township bounty money. He next proceeded to Columbus to get his State bounty, supposing he could return to go with the veterans. Instead, he was sent to Tod Barracks, refused leave of absence to visit his family and friends, and was hurried on to the front in company with 13 other raw recruits. Their squad proceeded down through Cincinnati, Louisville, and Chattanooga to Stevenson, Ala, then back to Cairo, Ill and down the Mississippi to Memphis. In the unfortunate battle at Guntown, Henry was captured by Rebel cavalry in a thicket of scrub oaks while trying to make his escape. He was taken to Andersonville prison, which he entered on June 13, 1864, and was stripped of all his valuables as well as some of his clothing. It rained, almost constantly during the first two weeks, and he had neither shelter from the alternate drenching down-pour and hot sun, nor comfortable covering during the chilly nights, and Henry had only pants, blouse, and a cap to wear. After a month's confinement Henry was taken sick with scurvy and diarrhea and had no medical treatment except what his comrades could give him. On the 21st of August gangrene set in, and, at his request, two of his comrades carried him outside the stockade where he hoped for better air and treatment, but died two days later. On the day of his death 108 Union soldiers were carried out and buried in one long trench. Their graves were marked with slabs giving their name, company and regiment.

My gr-grandfather, Amos Crane, was born ca. 1833-35 in Sandusky County, Ohio. He enlisted 3 oct., 1862 in Sandusky County and served in the 72nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He died 24 April, 1865 near Sand, or Sandy Ridge, Alabama on a march from Mobile to Montgomery, Alabama. As he died in a field hospital, I have never been able to find his place of burial. Amos had two other brothers that served in the 72nd Ohio Infantry. His brother, Ira Crane, perished 3 days after Amos died, on the Steamer Sultana after being released from Andersonvile Prison. Another brother, Joel Crane, was able to return home as an invalid.

According to his recruiter, John C. Stewart, Christian served with this regiment from 18 October 1861 until 22 September 1864. At that time, he and about 275 other members of the 72nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry were captured by troops commanded by General Nathan Bedford Forrest at Guntown, Mississippi (also known as Brice’s Cross Road). For nearly nine months, he was confined as a prisoner of war at Andersonville, Georgia. According to Stewart, twelve of the nineteen men from Company G died at Andersonville. Somehow, Christian Engel managed to survive, but his health was badly compromised. After nine months’ confinement in Andersonville, some of the prisoners were moved to Mellen Prison. On the way, they stopped for a few days at Wilmington, North Carolina. Christian escaped from prison sometime around 22 February 1864, but he was delirious during much of that time and had no recollection of anything until he was hospitalized in Columbus, Ohio. In time, he was sent home from the hospital, and when his health improved, he returned to his regiment and remained with it until 18 April 1865, when he was mustered out at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Source: VA Center in Seattle, Washington. Pension Records.

Enlisted as a Corporal on November 15, 1861 or February 18, 1862 at the age of 31. Promoted to Sargeant on July 1, 1865. Mustered out on September 11, 1865 at Vicksburg, MS.

Enlisted on November 16, 1861 or February 18, 1862 at the age of 18.

John Simon Welsch Enlisted in the 72nd OVI at Fremont Ohio,11/7/1861 at the age of 21, As far as I have been able to tell he was with Co.H. of the 72nd from it's beginning. He was promoted to Corporal Co.H in May or June of 1863. Then in either late December 1863,or early January 1864,he was mustered out and re enlisted as a Veteran Vol.at Germantown Tennessee. He was promoted to Sgt. Co.H in Jan or Feb.1864 at which rank he served until was mustered out. On June 11 1864 he was captured at Ripley Mississippi,after the Battle of Guntown, also known as the Battle of Brice's crossroads. He was held at Andersonville Prison, Ga. He was transferred to Confederate Col. O'Niell in January 1865, and escaped in April 1865. He arrived in Union lines Savannah Ga. April,3,1865. Transferred from Annap Md. to Camp Chase Ohio May 6 1865 where he reported May 9 1865. He Mustered out June 24, 1865 at Camp Chase Ohio. He was also held at Cahaba Prison at an unknown point in time.

Hiram Smith enlisted on 22 Sept.1862. He was a prisoner of war at Andersonville Prison. He and a companion Dave Kinney, made their way home to Nutter's Fork after having escaped enemies' country. They hid by day and traveled by night, living on raw corn or whatever they could find. They later rejoined their regiment and served until the end of the war. Hiram was mustered out of Company K, 72nd Infantry Regimant on 07 August 1865 at Vicksburg, Missouri.The source of this account is The History of Nutter's Fork by Lillie Smith Carothers.

This is supposedly my great-great-great grandfather. He is buried at Shiloh National Cemetery in site #1674. He was killed 06 Apr 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh.