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17th Iowa Infantry
James W. George
Following from records at the National Archives, Washington, DC;
Near a place called Bray's Station, in the state of Tennessee, on the 12th day of January, 1863, James W. George, Private in Co. G. 17th regiment of Iowa Volunteers, in the war of 1861, was ordered by Capt. Horner, to clean his gun for inspection. There were several guns stacked around the center pole of the tent, and a strap around the top of them to keep them from falling. Young James took hold of his own gun with his left hand and the strap that held them up caught on the bayonet of his own gun. He reached up with his right hand to loosen it and by some means while pulling the gun out from the others one of them (not his own) was discharged, blowing the thumb off his right hand. he was treated at the field (Regimental) hospital.
James took part in the siege of Corinth, Jackson, Mississippi, Champion's Hill, siege of Vicksburg, and Mission Ridge. He suffered dislocated hip by a grenade blast that discharged after being hurled over the wall near his position. At another battle near Tilton, Georgia, Jim was then taken prisoner and held for one month.
He m. 1st.,October 15, 1865, Ellerzan "Ella" Prosser b. at Peoria co., Illinois, the twenty-first of February, 1843, dau of Abraham & Margaret Ann (Bevans) Prosser. They lived at Farmington, Fulton co., Illinois, before removing to Marion co., Iowa, settling near Pella. Both James And Ella are intered at Graceland cemetery, Pella, Marion co., Iowa.
Note:
Ella's sister:
Eliza Matilda Prosser b. July 20, 1845, Peoria co., Illinois. m. January 21, 1866, Marion co., Iowa, George W. McCoy, b. January 22, 1844, Spring Mountain, Cashocton co., Ohio, the son of J. W. & Luiza (-------) McCoy. He migrated with his parents to Marion co., Iowa, in 1855, when when he was ten years of age.
George W. McCoy resided at the home in Dallas Twp., until the outbrake of the civil war.
He enlisted March 15, 1862 in Co. G 17th Iowa, Vol. Inf. Pvt. @ age 18. His discription was as follows: Height, 5'6"; complexion, dark; color of eyes, hazel; hair, dark; occupation, farmer.
He served in the same unit as his future brother - in - law, James W. George - Both were held prisoner at Tilton, Ga. for a period of 40 days then exchanged and both mustered out at the close of the war in 1865.
Contributed by gg grandson of J. W. GEORGE
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