Hi Dale and List:
In a message dated 2/18/99 9:39:25 AM Central Standard Time,
rdk2182(a)juno.com writes:
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The following story mentions "five sons". My information identifies four. Of
those
four, three - Calvin, Washington, and John - appear to have migrated to Brown
County prior to the Civil War. If anyone on list could point me to the
appropriate
source to identify their Army units and where to obtain government records
about
their service and the court-martial, I would appreciate it.
Excerpted from:
Peter Stephens and Some of His Descendants
Edited by: Dan V. Stephens
Published: Hammonds & Stephens Co. , Fremont, Neb. , 1936
Polly Stephens, who married Jacob Moser, was the mother of five sons
all of whom served as soldiers in the Civil War. They were all in the
same Indiana company and had gone through the war without a scratch,
until it was almost over, when Washington was shot by one of his own
men, Hiram Reynolds. Washington was working in the kitchen when he
gave Reynolds orders to do something or he would tell the Captain.
Reynolds said, "I guess you'll not" and walked out to his tent to get
his gun. Washington reached up to get his rifle and his hands were
wet and maybe greasy from working in the kitchen. In any event he
pulled the trigger accidentally and shot up through the ceiling.
Hiram Reynolds shot through a knothole in the board and hit Washington
in the head killing him. The bullet lodged in one of the boards and
one of his brothers brought it home with him. Hiram Reynolds was
court-martialed and hanged for his deed, one of Washington's brothers
"pulling the rope" or "pushing the trap" of whatever method was used.
This story was told by Dr. J. E. Moser, a grandson of Washington.
Regards,
Bob Moser - Oklahoma