Re: drafted by Confederates, escaped, served Union
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In reply to:
Re: drafted by Confederates, escaped, served Union
Elizabeth Hanson 4/08/05
Just a few more thoughts: early in the war Confederates could join a Union unit easily. After 1862 or so it was harder. That might help narrow down the enlistment time frame.
Also, he may have enlisted with troops who were as far from home as he was. My great-uncle enlisted with the 7th Illinois while it was in Tennessee.
If he did manage to get back to Iowa to enlist, did he have brothers or brothers-in-law? They often joined the same units. For example, did John's sister's husband serve? My great-uncle had 3 brothers and 2 brother-in-laws in Iowa units, 3 of them in one regiment, 2 in the same company.
Do you have any other clues like a middle initial? I had another great-uncle, Daniel Henry, who went by Daniel H. or D. Henry or D. H., depending on the circumstance I guess. That can add to the confusion.
Finally, in my great-uncle's case, none of his Union military record or pension mentions his Confederate service. (For obvious reasons.) The only reason later family knew was a short, vague paragraph in a local paper many years after the war. Good luck in your search!