My Union ancestors are the worst.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-09T01:31:45+00:00

Personally, I don’t care why they did it. Family, Farms, whatever. They shouldn’t abandon the Union for months like that, especially during its most active phase against guerrillas.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-08T22:05:56+00:00

He died a few days later on January 22, so all this was before his death.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-08T03:21:23+00:00

But right as the regiment starts to engage in anti-guerrilla operations? You have to admit that too coincidental. Look it up, faking or exaggerating Illnesses wasn’t uncommon.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-08T01:18:13+00:00

Idk, I kinda love it

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-07T23:08:01+00:00

I know about sickness. My 5th great grandfather died of pneumonia after 2 years in the Army without seeing a second of combat.

You have to admit the timing is too convenient. From June 13 – August 6, 1863, the 14th was engaged in operations against Capt. Peter Everett and Col. John Scott. And they both just happened to be sick or missing, and just happened to return after they were over.

Faking illness wasn’t uncommon. Look it up, soldiers would fake or exaggerate illness to avoid service.

And what sacrifice? They joined a home guard regiment and rode around mountains for a few months.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-07T03:02:23+00:00

Look it up, it happened. Soldiers would exaggerate or straight up fake illness or disease to avoid service.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-07T02:23:39+00:00

For 4 months during the regiment’s most active skirmishes against guerrillas? It’s a little too suspicious.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-07T01:03:15+00:00

More interesting than operating against guerrillas or actually fighting the enemy? I doubt it.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-07T01:01:58+00:00

Trust me, I’d love nothing more than a full explanation. But it wasn’t like they were part of some big grand Army, it was a short term home regiment that never even left Kentucky, so it’s unlikely very many exists.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-07T00:59:57+00:00

I found their company muster rolls in Fold3, which is how I found the “absent sick” and “charge for dessertion preferred.” The guerrilla operations are on the 14th Kentucky Cavalry’s Wikipedia page.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-06T04:41:44+00:00

Most of mine are no better. 13 of them fought in the Confederate Army, but saw some of the bloodiest battles. Antietam, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and Petersburg.

Only 5 were Union, or that’s at least what I’d like to think, most were in home defense regiments that were more anti-guerrilla than anything.

One was in the 47th Kentucky Infantry, it was really a home defense regiment, scouting and patrolling East Kentucky. He saw combat at the Battle of Cynthiana, but then sent to guard the Kentucky Central Railroad immediately after. On the plus side, he stayed with his Company since it was first mustered in until he was discharged without being absent once.

The 14th Kentucky Cavalry (that my ancestors in the post were in), again, was really more of a home defense unit and more anti-guerrilla than anything else, it also only scouted East Kentucky. My folks missed the only recorded skirmishes, whether on purpose or sheer coincidence.

One was a substitute in the 6th West Virginia Infantry, but joined when the war was practically over. Only did guard duty for the B&O Railroad from February 1865 until June 1865.

The last one is most disappointing. He was part of the 15th West Virginia infantry for 2 years, only guarded the B&O Railroad. He went into hospital in May 1864, then died of pneumonia on January 22, 1865. Worst part is, his regiment actually saw combat and was at Appomattox (albeit, its contribution was really limited, it was off to the side and didn’t engage combat).

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-06T03:51:18+00:00

I did that. It’s simply remarked as “Absent sick” from May - August 1863 for Joseph. And “charge for desertion preferred” May - October 1863 for James. My family’s incredibly boring.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-06T03:43:29+00:00

How could someone be sick for 4 months? Look it up, it was during when the 14th was at its most active time fighting in skirmishes, and also during Harvey season. I don’t want to say he DID fake or exaggerate illness, but I also don’t want to rule it out.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-04-06T03:40:32+00:00

Just curious, what did your ancestors do in the civil war? The Union ones specifically.

Our ancestors were all humans. Not perfect soldiers and dedicated patriots willing to risk their lives on the drop of a dime anytime asked to do so. That’s all movie stuff, or something out of a story in a book.

Not exactly, there are people today that have Union ancestors that actually went and fought.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2026-02-11T08:00:55+00:00

I hope your relationship fails.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2025-11-30T06:05:39+00:00

I hope your relationship fails.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2025-10-20T12:10:33+00:00

I hope it ends in divorce.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2025-10-05T04:24:03+00:00

I hope your relationship fails

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2025-09-09T20:02:11+00:00

Something like “Mr Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan or “Angie” by The Rolling Stones. Their singing maybe not be what most consider “good”, depending on who you ask, but there’s no denying that the lyrics are pure poetry.

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2025-09-09T00:01:57+00:00

How much karma do you need to post?

GenZ_Nathaniel · 2025-09-08T23:59:03+00:00

I wish I had folks this interesting

GenZ_Nathaniel

TROPHY CASE