Wesley's War

Tapscotts played minor roles in the Civil War. Among those with Tapscott surnames, more fought for the Confederacy than for the Union, and among the Wabash Valley Tapscotts, only Wesley “Tabscott” (see posts of 7 Jun 2015, 6 Aug 2015), a private in the Union Army, saw active service. Enlisting for two terms with Indiana regiments, Wesley served in northern Alabama, where he could have battled his relatives. The Alabama Tapscotts (post 16 Jun 2015), were, of course, Confederates.

Ruins of Nashville & Chattanooga RR bridge and construction of  temporary
pontoon bridge, 1864 (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Online Catalog).

Wesley first joined the 133rd Indiana Infantry, Co. E, mustering in at Terre Haute on 17 May 1864. His regiment was sent to Bridgeport, Alabama, where they were charged with guarding the railroad bridge across the Tennessee River. After 100 days’ service, the regiment mustered out 5 Sep 1864.

The following year Wesley joined the 149th Indiana Infantry, Co. H, mustering in 2 Mar 1865, again in Terre Haute. The regiment was sent to Decatur, Alabama, a strategic site at the junction of two railroads. Just a month later, on 9 Apr 1865, Lee surrendered at Appomattox, signaling the beginning of the end of the War. While serving in Decatur in June 1865, Wesley was taken ill and was hospitalized at Huntsville, Alabama, where he was discharged 11 Jun 1865. He was among the lucky ones. Forty-three soldiers of the 149^th died of disease. (Another twenty-seven deserted).

During our recent steamboat trip, Mary Frances and I traveled on the Tennessee River, docking at Decatur and passing by Bridgeport.

All genealogical data reported in these posts are from primary and/or reputable secondary sources, or reliable transcriptions thereof, and never from unsourced online trees. Contact the author to request sources, which have been omitted here to improve readability. Permission is granted to use any posted material for any purpose as long as the source is cited: Robert E. Tapscott, title of posting, Tapscott Family History, Blogspot.com, date of posting.