James Franklin Deemer
9th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry
Company "D"
James Franklin Deemer
9th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry
Company "D"
James Franklin Deemer was born April 10, 1841 Hancock
Co., Ohio. His parents were Peter and Lydia Johnson Deemer. James joined the
Civil War August 27, 1861 at Plymouth, Indiana. He served as a Private in
Company D Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. From the National Archives
and the book "Shiloh". "The Ninth Indiana belongs to a banner
record, on the Federal side, at Bloody Shiloh. It seldom happens to any unit of
a fighting force, while still engaged in action, to receive words of thanks and
congratulations while still on the fighting-line. Flags have been decorated with
medal of honor, individuals have been so rewarded for deeds of bravery and
prowess, but to the Ninth Regiment from the Hoosier state fell the unique honor
of having the words "Well Done" given to them while still under fire.
General Nelson,
on April 7th rode up and thanked them, and well was it deserved, for they saved
the flank of Hazen's brigade by stubborn bravery that has hardly ever been
equaled. Posted on the line of a rail fence that offered little or no
protection, the Ninth held their ground against a force that numbered them two
to one who charged time and time again up to the muzzles of their rifles only to
be beaten back by the steady and continuous volleys. But the cost was high, the Ninth suffered the heaviest loss in numbers of any regiment in the
Army of the Ohio in the battle 170 men killed or wounded. Later General Nelson
presented the regiment with a set of National Colors, above is an actual photo
of the colors." James fought in the battles of Shiloh,
Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and
Siege of Atlanta. He was detached from July to October 1863 to build a
monument near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. (The Hazen Monument at Stone's River
battleground. One of the oldest and nicest Civil War Monuments.) He mustered out
on September 6, 1864 at Chattanooga, Tennessee by expiration of his term of service. I
have a copy of a diary written during the Civil War by James' brother George
Washington Deemer of the 130th Indiana. It states that after James was discharged
and George had been wounded and was taken to a hospital at Jefferson, Indiana.
James was with George at the hospital when the war ended.
After the war James married Lavinia Leticia Bellville
December 25, 1865 Wood Co., Ohio. He went to Howard City, Ks. for 5 years, then
moved to Morgan Co, In. for 5 years, 1 year in Davidson Co., Tn. where he worked
in a bucket factory. They then moved to Cullman Co., Al. where he became
postmaster. He was something of a sculptor, modeller in clay and a fiddle maker.
Which I own a fiddle he made. He and Lavinia had 5 children. Mary Elizabeth
Alice, George Emmitt Ellsworth, Lydia Eliza Dille, (my g-grandmother) Edith
Estelle Frances. and Wallace Harrison. James died in Cullman Co., Al. April 10,
1927 at the age of 86 from prostate cancer and is buried at Emaus Cemetery,
Cullman Co., Alabama.
James Franklin Deemer was the GGG-Grandfather of these
four little Union soldiers.
From left to right:
Chase Kobeck, Sam Burress, Will Henry Burress, & Hunter Jones
Sam & Will Henry Burress
John Selby Brian was the ancestor of: Reita Jones Burress, Chasity
Massey,
Diana Jones, Misty Jones Massey, Laura Jones Schmidt and
Kimberly
KobeckThompson
Personal
Genealogy Web Page
of Reita Jones Burress
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Flag graphics courtesy of 9tn Indiana
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