| Notes |
- Everett Van Vlack, b. 1847 in IL, d. Jan. 6, 1863 in Cape Girardeau, MO. "He moved with his family to Wisconsin and when he was 15 or 16 years old, he signed up for service during the Civil War. He was a private in Capt. Smith's Co, 1st Regt, Wis. Calvary which subsequently became Co. H, 1st Wis. Cav. On Feb. 19, 1862, he was among a group of recruits leaving Viroqua to join Company 'H' of Col. Daniel's 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. The news article goes on to say that they "went off in good spirits," some never to return... The state of Wisconsin alone contributed 91,379 soldiers to the Union Army. They were supposed to be 18 years old to join up, but many joined by lying about their age. Everett was on active duty from February 1862 until about July 1, 1862. From that time through much of the rest of 1862, the company muster rolls show him as absent. The reason being, he ws listed as being sick in the post hospital at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was briefly returned to duty on November 23, 1862 but was admitted into the hospital again that same day with pneumonia. Everett died there in that (no doubt) over-crowded, understaffed and poorly-supplied hospital on January 6, 1863. He wasn't much over 16 years old and had served only a few months. One record shows the cause of death as "general debility" and another shows it to be pneumonia. His inventory of one forage cap, one great coat, one flannel sack coat, one pair of trousers, 1 pair boots, and 1 pair gloves was sent home to his parents in Wisconsin." (American Patchwork, Bette Lodoen, pg. 42, 1994)
|
1847 - 1863 (16 years)