Can you tell me who the father was for Martha Cagle who married Rev
George Day or do you
have census records of this family for 1850 and 1860.
Lee cagle
Okla City
Martin V. Day who died here Thursday was a Civil War veteran with a
record that is most interesting. His funeral Sunday at 10 A. M. Marks
the passing of another victim of the Andersosnville Prison. He was a son
of Reverend George and Martha (Cagle) Day. His father was born in south
Carolina and his mother in North Carolina. Our subject was born in
Walker County, Alabama in 1845 and when only three years of age, came
with his parents to Illinois. Locating near Columbus, Pope County, where
government land was extensively entered. They remained there about ten
years from which place they moved to a farm in Massac County where they
remained only two years locating in Johnson County near the present site
of Reevesville in 1859.
When the just call was made for volunteers to fight for the old
flag, Mr. Day, then 16 years of age offered his service, was accepted and
enlisted in Co. H, 56th Illinois Infantry. The regiment having been duly
trained left Shawneetown via Paducah far the great Shiloh Tennessee
battlefield and although not arriving in time for the fight they
encouraging joined in the pursuit of the enemy which took them in the
direction of Corinth, Miss. The enemy was driven well toward Holly
Springs, Miss. but the Union forces dropped back upon Corinth previous to
the battle of that place. Mr. Day's regiment was ordered into camp on
Clear Creek where on account of disability due largely to youthful age he
was discharged and returned home. After health was restored, he
re-enlisted in Co. E, 15th Kentucky cavalry at Paducah. He remained in
this regiment more than nine months, during which time they were engaged
in scout and guerilla fighting in Kentucky
When the time of service expired the regiment was discharged and our
heroic young veteran re-enlisted the same hour in Paducah in Co. C, 13th
Tennessee Cavalry for three years or until the close of the war. The
organization completed their duty at Union City, Tennessee, where they
remained until late in 1863, later being ordered to Fort Pillow where on
April 12, 1864, the most severe battle in which our subject was engaged
took place and in which he suffered some wounds and was captured by the
enemy under General Forest. He spent about nine month in Andersonville,
Ga. He was moved to Charleston, South Carolina about Christmas 1864
remaining but a short time when he with others were moved to the prison
stockade outside the city, and later with other prisoners was taken to
Augusta, Ga., where he remained until the end of the war. He was then
released and reported back to the 6th Tennessee Cavalry, the 23th Cavalry
having been consolidated the the 6th. After a thrilling and eventful
service of four years, our subject was discharged at Pulaski, Tenn., in
July 1865.
Coming home again Mr. Day still a young man, was married within a
few years to Miss Josephine Parham in Russellville, Ky. And to this
union six children were born with five still living who are William M.
Day, F. H. Day and G. W. Day of Texas; MIss Deliah Day at home and Day
(May?) in California.
His first wife died in 1884 and he was married a second time to
Nellie Table who soon passed away. So again in 1890 he was married to
Mahala Jennings who has been his faithful companion to the present. For
many years he was a Methodist, but later, in 1908, united with the
Baptist church at County Line near Grantsburg. He always voted the G. O.
P. ticket and was always patriotic throughout.
HIs Civil War Record: at 16, enlisted in Co. H, 56th Illinois Infantry,
left Shawneetown via Paducah. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn, April 6 -7, 1862.
Joined pursuit of the enemy in the direction of Corinth, Miss; enemy
driven toward Holly Springs, Miss; camped on Clear Creek; discharged due
to illness.
Re-enlisted, Co. E, 15th Kentucky Cavalry at Paducah, Kentucky; 9 months
as scout and guerilla fighting in Kentucky; when time of service expired
the regiment was discharged.
Re-enlisted, Co. C, 13th/6th Tennesse Cavalry; 3 years or until close of
war; completed duty at Union City, Tennesse; remained at Union City until
late 1863; on April 12, 1864 at Fort Pillow most severe battle for Martin
V. Day; he was wounded and captured by General Forrest's troops.
Prisoner at Andersonville, GA until Christmas of 1864, moved to
Charleston, SC, to a prison stockade outside of city; then taken to
Augusta, GA until end of war.
Discharged at Pulaski, Tennesse, July 1865.
Ruth J. Day <gwday(a)filertel.com>