Civil War Service Recap - William Jamison

Military Service Record - Civil War - for William Jamison

William Jamison served in the military during the Civil War, enlisting early on in May of 1861 and continuing well past the end of the war, serving in the western plains, until he mustered out in 1866.

William enlisted in the 2nd Virginia Volunteers, from Pittsburgh, in a recruiting drive from nearby Wheeling, in what was then still Virginia. He remained with this organization throughout the war (and after) as it went through several different configurations, reorganizations and consolidations. He eventually mustered out in Leavenworth, Kansas, from what was by then Company H, of the 6th West Virginia Calvary. He fought in several battles, was wounded at least once, was captured by the Confederates at New Creek, and served as a prisoner of War, in Richmond. After the war he served in Washington as a guard in the Booth affair, then later fought Indians as far west as Laramie, in the Dakota and Wyoming Territories, before leaving the army in 1866.

Below is a basic outline and time line of William's service. This is not intended as a comprehensive history or narrative of his service or that of the various units or battles he was involved in. Rather just a general recap of the basic timeline of his service. A more comprehensive and detailed history and accounting of these things can be found elsewhere.

15 May 1861		Enrolled, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in what was originally Captain Ewing's Company, 2nd Regiment, Virginia Volunteers.[1][2]
13 June1861		Mustered in at Wheeling Virginia,[1] as a Private, in Company G, 5th Cavalry, 2nd Regiment, Virginia Infantry.[1][2]
after May 1863		Serving in what was then renamed: Battery G, 1st Regiment, West Virginia Light Artillery.[2][3]
23 November 1863		Involved in an incident at New Creek, West Virginia, resulting in charges of "Brutal Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline."[4]
24 February 1864		Reenlisted, at Martinsburg, West Virginia, as Veteran Volunteer with the 1st Regiment, Light Artillery.[5] Given a furlough "of at least thirty days in their states before expiration of original term."
11 August 1864		Mustered Out, at Martinsburg, West Virginia,[9] a formality of reenlistment.
before Sept 1864		Rejoined his unit, which had now become Company H, 5th Cavalry, 5th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry.[2][6]
28 November 1864		Wounded (shot in the left hand) and taken prisoner during Rosser's Raid,[7] at Fort Kelley, New Creek, West Virginia, where after he was confined at Richmond, Virginia, from 7 December 1864, until 15 February 1865.[8]
15 February 1865		Paroled at Richmond, Virginia, arriving at CGB (College Green Barracks), Maryland, that same day. Sent to Camp Chase on 17 February 1865.[8]
24 February 1865		Arrived at Camp Chase, Ohio.[8]
2 March 1865		Furloughed for 30 days, returned 1 April 1865 to Camp Chase, Ohio.[8]
5 April 1865		Sent to Wheeling, West Virginia,[8] eventually rejoining his unit at Harpers Ferry which was now consolidated with 6th Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers.[9][10]
April-May 1865		Served in the Washington, DC, area, including escort duty in the Booth detail and guard duty for officers in various Court Martial issues.[9]
June 1865		Sent to Fort Leavenworth, in Kansas, where he and many others from his unit, were put in the guard house for "refusing to cross the plains." Eventually resumed duty and went as far as Laramie, Wyoming Territory.[9]
22 May 1866		Discharged as a Private Company H, 6th Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry.[9]
		Mustered Out, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.[9]

Note: There seems to be a few minor discrepancies with some dates, locations and unit designations, between those listed in the original service records and that in the pension documents. Dates, places and units listed above are those from the original service record, when conflicted.