I've always taken pride in my Civil War ancestors. Interestingly enough, I've only found 2 Civil War soldiers in my direct lineage, and both of them fought for the Confederacy. That may be one reason why I've always enjoyed the film, Gone With the Wind. Some of the people and events featured remind me of my Confederate ancestors and the lives they lived. I have always been intrigued with some of the interesting first names of many of my Sartain and Garvin cousins who lived during the Civil War era and just afterwards (names like: Russell, Lewis, Martha, Quintillus, Maizie, Elmira, and the like). I have not joined any lineage groups connected with the Civil War, although I would be eligible for both the Sons of Confederate Veterans and also the Sons of Union Veterans.
2) Russell Sartain, who served with Company H of the Mississippi Infantry on the Confederate side
According to a biographical sketch of Ludwig Gensmer from the history of Winona County, Minnesota, "Ludwig was educated mostly in what is now Norton township, and remained with his father until 1865 when he enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He saw active service, and proved himself a good soldier. After his discharge and muster out, in August, 1865, he returned home. His father then presented him with a farm located on section twenty-eight, Norton township, which he greatly improved, and on which he erected suitable buildings."
My Civil War ancestors are:
1) Henry Washington GARVIN, who acted as a doctor in the Civil War (although he had no formal training in this area) on the Confederate side. He was in Wm. B. Stout's Company, 8th Brigade Infantry.
He was b. 28 June 1833 Madison Co., GA, d. 21 Feb. 1909 GARVIN Co., OK; md. 16 May 1851 Lafayette Co., MS to Elizabeth Ann SARTAIN, b. 30 July 1837 Madison Co., GA, d. 29 Oct. 1921 Katie, OK. (They are both buried in the Katie Cemetery.)
He was b. 24 August 1828 Madison Co., GA, d. 24 April 1909 Gibtown, Jack Co., TX; md. ca. 1869 Madison Co., GA to Martha Auntny BEARD, b. 23 Oct. 1833 Madison Co., GA, d. 23 March 1913 Gibtown, Jack Co., TX (Russell and Martha are both buried in the Gibtown Cemetery.)
In addition, Lewis Sartain, the first husband of my Martha (Beard) Sartain also served in the Civil War for the confederacy and died during that conflict on 11 August 1862 near Richmond, Virginia. Lewis was a double-first cousin of Russell Sartain, who became Martha's second husband. Lewis Sartain's younger brother, Guilford Sartain, also served in the Confederacy and was the one who wrote Martha the sad news that her husband had died which serving in Richmond, Virginia. It is assumed that Lewis Sartain is buried at Richmond. These were all Confederate soldiers on my mother's side of the family.
The way I could join the Sons of Union Veterans would be through Adelhardt Roemhildt, the younger brother of Traugott Roemhildt, one of my German ancestors on my father's side or through Ludwig Genzmer, younger brother of Martin Gensmer, Jr.. Sons of Union Veterans allows collateral relatives to join, and not just direct descendants. These are the only known Civil War relatives on my father's side of the family, and also the only known Union soldiers:
1) Friedmann ADELHARDT ROEMHILDT, Union Soldier from Wisconsin
He was born 6 October 1826 at Bohlen, Schwarzburg, Schwarzburg-Rudolfstadt, Thuringen, died 25 April 1896 in Elysian Township, Le Sueur Co., Minnesota. He married Friederike "Rika" Koeppen on 20 August 1853 at Theresa, Dodge Co., Wisconsin. She was born 14 November 1835 in Prussia, and died 15 February 1920 in Elysian Township, Le Sueur Co., Minnesota. (They are both buried in the German Lake Lutheran Cemetery near Elysian, Minnesota. Adelhardt has a veteran's. marker at his grave.)
2) Ludwig GENZMER, Union Soldier from Wisconsin
He was born 5 February 1844 in Alt Ruednitz, Brandenburg Province, Prussia, and died after 1913 at Lewiston, Winona Co., Minnesota. He married 1st, Wilhelmine "Minnie" Schultz on 23 December 1867 at Lewiston, Winona Co., Minnesota. Minnie was born 21 July 1844 Prussia and died 2 June 1901 Winona Co., Minnesota. He married 2nd to Lauretta Kueter on 30 November 1902 in Winona Co., Minnesota. (Ludwig and his first wife, Minnie, are both buried in the Trinity Lutheran Church cemetery in Norton Township, near Rollingstone, Winona County, Minnesota.)
Possibly there were others of the Gensmers and Roemhildts who also served in the Civil War since those families had already arrived in America by that time.
Last updated January 1, 2003.
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