Clan William: Freeman and Orion Vaughn, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry, Company A

Battle of Vicksburg

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson >  Henrietta Munson > Freeman and Orion Vaughn

Freeman Munson, a one-time war deserter and farmer who resided most of his life in Trumbull County, Ohio, fathered at least five children that I've found. Among them was my 3rd great grandfather, Amos (the eldest) and Henrietta, the oldest girl, born in 1815. Henrietta married John Lorin Vaughn in 1833 and to them were born ten children.

The eldest was Freeman, born about 1834, who was named for his grandfather. The second boy was Orion, who was born in 1838. Both were born in Trumbull County, Ohio and eventually moved on to Grant County, Wisconsin.

When the Civil War rolled around, Orion was the first in the family to join up with the Wisconsin volunteers on 8/14/1862. His older brother, Freeman, joined  a week later on 8/21/1862. Pulled together in Racine, Wisconsin in October 1862, the two were assigned to the 33rd Wisconsin Infantry, Company A. A fascinating journal of the activities of this company is detailed in William S. Parr's diary here.

This excerpt from a chronicler of the 33rd

"The 33rd Wisconsin Infantry was organized in Racine during October,1862 the regiment served with distinction throughout the war. Originally, the Regiment received great attention from the letters sent home by the soldiers. As the active campaigning continued, the letters slowly dwindled and so did the press and fanfare The 33d Wisconsin served in the western theater, under General Ulysses S. Grant, Gen. William T. Sherman, General Nathaniel Banks and Gen. George Thomas — participating in major battles and numerous small but, deadly engagements that received little attention in history books about the war.

Constantly called upon to act as a rear-guard or to rescue the predicaments caused by the poor decisions of others, this Wisconsin regiment is very representative of the bulk of Wisconsin regiments the state sent to the war: most such regiments served in the Western Theater; most were involved in gritty, sweaty, long-range summer campaigns; most were involved in a myriad of smaller actions, marches and skirmishes that have escaped the attention of both contemporary and modern chroniclers of Wisconsin's Civil War experience."

Civil War Wisconsin

A. J. Smith

Freeman and Orion both attained the rank of corporal during their service. Freeman and his brothers in arms fought in many skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Vicksburg, the list for which can be found here and here. The 33rd was placed under Andrew Jackson (A. J.) Smith's division of XIII Corps during Vicksburg and his division of XVI Corps for the Red River Campaign. Smith was an 1838 graduate of West Point and graduated 36th of 45, yet had a successful volunteer and regular Army career before retiring in 1869.

Freeman was injured in battle at Tupelo, Mississippi, on July 14, 1864. Later in August, the Madison Wisconsin State Journal made a report of the sick, injured, and dead. It indicated that Freeman had been transported aboard the hospital transport ship, D. A. January from Memphis, TN to the US General Hospital at Jefferson barracks, in St Louis. He was then reported to have died on August 26, 1864.

The U.S. Army Hospital Steamer D. A. January was a side-wheel steamer that served as a floating hospital. Outfitted to allow for the best in patient care, it contained a surgical suite, baths, a kitchen, nurses quarters, hot and cold running water, and an ice water cooler. Windows circulated air through the wards, which held nearly 450 beds. During its four years of service, the D. A. January transported and cared for more than 23,000 wounded men. (Source: U.S. Army Medical Department, Office of Medical History) 

Orion made it out alive and was mustered out on August 9, 1865. The regiment was decommissioned and all went on to live their lives. Orion would marry in 1870 and died in 1920, being buried in Winnebago County, Wisconsin.