Richard McCoy
83rd Illinois Infantry
Company
"G"
Richard McCoy was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, which is
now part of West Virginia.
He came with his parents, David and Ann Donaldson McCoy to Allen County,
OH in about 1835 and later moved to Knox County, IL.
He married Priscilla Simpkins in 1850.
The family lived in Haw Creek Township where Richard farmed.
Richard volunteered in the 83rd Illinois Infantry in 1862..
Company G was mustered into service in Knox County on August 21,
1862. The Regiment was moved to
Cairo, IL then to Fort Henry and on September 5th to Fort Donaldson where they
remained until September 20, 1863. The
Regiment had heavy guard duty along the banks of the Tennessee and Cumberland
Rivers and had daily skirmished with the enemy.
On February 3rd, 1863 at Fort Donaldson, nine companies of the 83rd
successfully resisted the attack of Forrest and Wheeler with 8000 men.
The Regiment lost 13 men and 51 wounded.
While at Clarksville the Regiment was engaged in several expeditions
under Major General L.H Rousseau in pursuit of Forrest and Wheeler, who were
attempting the destruction of General Sherman's communications. Before the
muster out of the Regiment, the following order was received by Colonel Smith
commanding:
Colonel
A. A. Smith, Commanding Fifth Sub. District Middle Tennessee
Dear
Colonel - By and order just received the troops of 1862 will be mustered out of
services. Your Regiment will go out
under that order. I am unwilling to
part with you and your officers and men without expressing my highest
commendation of the soldierly bearing and gentlemanly conduct of all during the
time they have been under my command. At
the time when I most needed brave men and steady soldiers to drive Wheeler and
Forrest out of the district I was but too happy to avail myself of the services
of as many of your Regiment as could be spared for that duty.
And relying greatly upon them I was not disappointed in their deportment.
I have not been troubled with complaints against them for disorderly conduct and
marauding, but their deportment in the army and community has been brave and
soldierly, proving that the brave man and true soldier is always honest and
just. I can truly say I do not know
a regiment in the service whose brave and soldierly bearing more fully entitles
it to the respect and gratitude of the country than the Eighty-third Infantry,
and you and they will take with you, individually and collectively, my sincere
thanks for your efficient services and my kindest wishes for your future welfare
in all things. I am, Colonel, very truly, etc. Lovel H. Rosseau Major General
Commanding
Priscilla
died 7 Aug. 1914. Her obituary
portrays her life as a dedicated mother and wife:
Leaves
Many Descendants - Her Life Was Full of Activities
(Special
to the Republican-Register.)
KNOXVILLE,
Ill., Aug. 12 –
Sketch of Her Life
Mrs.
Priscilla McCoy was born in the state of Pennsylvania, September 4th, 1834, and
departed this life at her home in Knoxville, Illinois, on Friday, Aug. 7, 1914,
at 9:40 p.m. She was the daughter
of Hiram and Catherine Simpkins and moved with her parents to Maquon, Illinois
in her childhood, She married to
Richard McCoy January 3, 1850. To
this union seven children were born, viz. Mrs.
Catherine Adams,, deceased; Mrs.
Frank [Franzina] Adams, of Knoxville; L.
R. McCoy [Lewis Richardson] of Long Beach, Cal.;
Mrs. Lissa Brink of Orion, Ill; Sherman and Thaddeus and Mrs. Gladys
Newell of Knoxville. She also
leaves to mourn her loss thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great
grandchildren. She was the eldest
of a family of nine children, all of whom with father and mother, except one
sister, await her on the other side.
Mrs. Jane Tyler of Merlin, Oregon, surviving her.
Her husband departed this life February 6, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. McCoy moved to Knoxville in 1879 and Mother McCoy occupied
the same house in which she passed away, for 34 years.
She found Christ in early childhood and lived a devoted and exemplary
life down to the close of her earthly pilgrimage.
She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Knoxville.
She was also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps in Knoxville, her
husband having rendered three years faithful service to his country during the
Civil War. Mrs. McCoy visited him
during his active service and was present at the battle of Fort Donaldson.
She cared for four small children in his absence.
Three times she journeyed to the Pacific coast to visit her parents.
The last time when 72 years of age, she went along and for two years
cared for her invalid mother until she passed to the better world. She was a
devoted mother, a consuming passion led her to serve and sacrifice for her
children and grand children and these now rise up and call her blessed.
All the children and grandchildren except the son in California were
present during her last illiness and tenderly cared for her.
She frequently expressed her willingness to go, saying it will be
glorious for but sad for those left behind.
Mrs. McCoy was a true and affectionate wife, a loving and devoted mother,
and a kind neighbor. She was a
woman of large sympathies, none ever appealed to her in vain when it was within
her power to give. She will be
mourned by all who knew her.
Judy
Weaver Great-granddaughter of Richard McCoy
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