He was just seventeen years old.
He ends up sick and in prison.

The following is the account of Martin Van Buren. Ellis, in his Civil War military records and his  being charged with "desertion from the Army" and his letter to the General requesting released from Army Prison at Knoxville, Tennessee

According to the records Martin V. Ellis was charged with desertion for being absent without proper authority from March 19 through May 18, 1865, for a period of sixty two days.  For this offense he was sent to prison in Knoxville, Tennessee.  The company Muster Roll states that he deserted on March 9, 1865 from Athens, Tennessee, he was a Private, in Company F, 7 Reg' Tenn. MTD. INF.  " Translation [Company F, Seventh Regiment, Tennessee, Mounted Infantry]. He enlisted on November 8, 1864, at Clinton, Tennessee for a period of one year. 

His bounty paid for enlisting, was $33.33, his personal information was that he had blue eyes, he was 5 feet, 11" tall, his complexion was fair, his hair was fair and his occupation was a Farmer and he was just 19 years old and a young man.

The reason Martin was separated from his company, is told in his letter written to obtain his civil war pension some Twenty Five Years Later.
  
This letter to the Commissioner of Pensions was written by Martin, trying to get an Army pension for his service in the Civil War. This information is copied from a copy of the hand written documents, the original documents are on file in Washington D.C.

New River Tennessee
April the 20th, 1890

Honorable General B. Raum
Commissioner Of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir;

In answer to yours of February the 17th, 1980.  I have been a resident of the Scott County, Tennessee every since I was Discharged from the Army in 1865.  My post office address was Huntsville until about 1880, the office of New River and Robbins was created since that time. I have got mail at one or the other of them offices.  My Occupation has been Farming.  I contracted Measles whilst at Knoxville in the year 1865.   Before they broke out on me we took the train for Nashville, Tennessee.  When I arrived at Nashville I was broke out with the Measles and very sick.  I stayed there 10 or 12 days. I was under the treatment of on assistant surgeon Dr. Enoct Collins who is now dead. When the Regiment was ordered to Athens, Tennessee I thought I was able to go and did go with them when I got to Athens, I got down with a relapse of the Measles which settled in my lungs, back and kidneys.  I was very sick and got very low (ill) was confined to my bed for about three weeks.  I think I got to Athens about the First of March 1865.  I have suffered consistently all the time more or less, all the time with my Lungs and Back and Kidneys from the first of March 1865. When I got down with a relapse of Measles ~~~ more especially if I get wet or cold or expose myself in any way.   I have not been able to stand hard labor at any time since I was discharged for the Army in 1865.  Hoping this will be a sufficient statement..

I am your truly;

Martin V. Ellis

(Seal Stamped "US PENSION OFFICE APR 23, 1890")

Martins send this letter asking for release from Prison in August 1865.

FEDERAL PRISON
KNOXVILLE, AUGUST 23, 1865

General

I have the honor to request most respectfully that you will consider my case favorable and grant my release from confinement as I have been in prison since the 14th May 1865, my offense being for staying from Camp a week over the time granted to me.  My Regiment has been mustered out and my father who has served in the same Co. and Regiment is in town awaiting my release so that we can go home to Huntsville together.  Hoping you will deem it consistent with military laws to grant my petition.

I have the honor to be granted.

Very respectfully your servant

S/S MARTIN ELLIS
PVT. CO. F, 7TH TENN. MTD, INFANTRY

Major General, Stoneman, Commanding
Dept. Of Tenn..
Knoxville

The war department issued a document on November 12, 1888, from the Adjutant General's office, stating that "the charges of desertion in March and April of 1865, against this man are removed under the provisions of the act of Congress, approved July 5, 1884. This was some twenty three years after the fact, all charges of desertion were dropped against Martin V. Ellis.  He received a civil war pension of eight dollars a month, until his death on November 15, 1900.

 
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April 04, 2003
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