Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Amos, John Border April 13, 1833 - February 20, 1901 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ann Sinton asinton@verizon.net January 28, 2009, 8:13 am Author: Ann Sinton The Biography of John B. Amos, Civil War Veteran By Ann M. Sinton Biography of John B. Amos (1833 – 1901, Civil War Veteran The Amos family dates back to at least 1800 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, with a John Amos being listed in every census up until John B. Amos, the subject of this biography and thereafter. Bedford, Pennsylvania was first settled about 1750 and was known as Raystown. Two years later the name was officially changed to Bedford and in 1766 the town was surveyed and laid out. The county of Bedford was organized in 1771. 15 John B. Amos was born on April 13, 1833 in Bedford Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. He was the fourth child of ten and eldest son of John Amos, an arms maker of Bedford County, and Rebecca Border, sister of Daniel Border, a well known arms maker and partner in the company “Amos and Border”. The Amos & Border Company was well known for their model of the Pennsylvania Long Rifle, shown below, in the early 1800’s. 16 Not many details are known of John’s early life, but he begins to show up in records with his christening at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bedford, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1834.14 In the 1840 census he is listed as a male between 5 and 10 years of age in his father’s household and again in the 1850 census he is listed with his father. 2, 3 By this time he is 17 years old and his occupation is recorded as that of a farmer.13 It is not known what crops John grew, but rye was the major crop grown in Bedford County up until 1860. It was used often for whiskey making. After 1860, general farming was the prevalent description of farming in Bedford county. 27 At the age of 22, John was married to Sarah Mowry of Bedford Township, on May 3, 1855 by the Rev. B.F. Benedict in Bedford, Pennsylvania. 8 In 1858, a John Amos is listed as a “Director of the Poor” in Bedford County. 1 It is not clear, however, if this is John B. Amos, his father John, or one of several other John Amos’ living in Bedford County at that time. By the 1860 Census John and Sarah’s family is recorded in Bedford Township. John is 27 years old, Sarah is 24, Franklin is 2 and Ellen(Elnorah) is 9 months old. One short year later, John’s life follows the path of thousands of other young men with the start of the American Civil War. Leaving behind his young wife, Sarah, 3year old Franklin, 2year old Elnorah and new addition 3 month old Jennie, John musters into his regiment on October 12, 1861 as a private.5 According to Pennsylvania State Archives records, at the time of John’s enlistment he is described as 5’11” with a light complexion, light hair, and grey eyes.19 His initial enlistment into Company D of the 55th Pennsylvania Infantry will last 3 years. At the start of the Civil War, the call for recruits went answered by men of all walks of life, patriotism being the main motivator for enlistment. Regiments were formed by state and enlistment periods ran anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. When attempting to form local units, public gatherings were scheduled complete with speeches, flag waving, bands, and veterans of previous wars. Some states were able to provide some of the uniforms for the men but women’s sewing groups were counted upon to clothe their soldiers as well. Gray was a favorite color in the early part of the war, causing much confusion during some battles as both North and South used the color. Equipment ran the gamut from obsolete muskets to the modern Sharps rifle. The initial encampment of the company was usually located in their home community which would allow family visits. The first activity would be the election of officers for the company. Captains and Leuitenants were chosen by the men. Training while the company was still in the home area varied. When the time came for the company to depart, the men were granted a furlough to say their goodbyes to family and friends. The actual departure of the unit was a public affair usually marked by a parade thru town. The men would then board a train or boat that would carry them to their final training destination. A ”Bedford Inquirer” newspaper article dated October 11, 1861 telling of this regiment’s departure was found and states as follows: BEDFORD RIFLEMAN The Bedford Riflemen under the command of Capt. Thos. J. Lyons and Lieut. Sol. S. Metzger, left our place yesterday for Harrisburg. They numbered about 60 men. Capt. Lyons’ company is composed of as steady, orderly and good looking men as have yet left our County, and every man looks every inch a soldier. The company before leaving were addressed at the Court House by Dr. O. N. Hickok, and Gen.(?) G.W. Bowman in quite eloquent and patriotic addresses. At the conclusion of (cash appeals?) they were loudly and enthusiastically cheered. The company was followed out of the borough by an immense crowd from the town and surrounding country. The Bedford Riflemen leave our place with the unanimous wish of our citizens for their welfare and safe return to their homes and friends. God bless them! John’s regiment was formally organized at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.9 The regiment was made up of 10 companies from the following counties: Bedford(D,H, & K), Cambria(A & C), Berks(B), Schuylkill(E), Indiana (F), Dauphin(G), and Blair(I).11 Camp Curtin was named for Pennsylvania’s then Governor, Andrew Curtin. It was located between Reel's Lane, the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks to the east, Maclay Street, and Fifth Street. Camp Curtin became the Federal’s largest camp and it’s proximity to major railroads made it the perfect location for shipping men and supplies to the armies. It’s strategic location also made it a target of the Confederates in both the Antietam and Gettysburg campaigns. 12 At Camp Curtin, drill and discipline were beginning to be taught to the new recruits. The day began with reveille at about 5 or 6 a.m. There was roll call, breakfast call, sick call, call for guard duty, then drill call and dinner call - all before noon. The men had a short period of free time after their meal then came more drilling. Companies were dismissed in late afternoon, but their work was not over. The men had to brush their uniforms, polish shoes and brass in preparation for the nightly retreat exercises which included another roll call, inspection of the troops and a dress parade. Supper call followed this and then yet another roll call after which the men were ordered to their quarters. Taps was the final call of the day. The drills for new recruits were made up of mostly handling arms and practicing maneuvers. Often mock skirmishes were held. The men’s main shelter was the tent. There were several types, some held 12 men and some as little as 4 men. The men were also issued a haversack. This held his cartridge box, bayonet, blankets, canteen, and knapsack. The knapsack held clothing, stationery, photos, personal hygiene items, books, and other personal items. There were also food implements either packed on the knapsack or hooked to the soldier’s belt. On top of everything was the winter overcoat, an extra burden, often discarded to lighten the weight of the pack which could weigh as much as 40 or 50 pounds. Once the initial wave of emotion wore off, the day to day routines quickly became the source of complaints over everything from camp conditions to missing family. Many desertions took place as the war continued. Privates in the Union Army were paid $13 per month, by the end of the war it was only up to $16. Regulations called for soldiers to be paid every two months, but they were lucky to receive their pay at four month intervals. Leuitenants made $105 per month, so John’s promotion to Lt. at the end of the war made quite a difference in his pocket on payday. This newspaper article from the November 22, 1861 “Bedford Inquirer” tells of the regiment’s departure from Camp Curtin in Harrisburg. Col. Richard White’s regiment left Harrisburg on Wednesday last. Col. Power’s regiment left on Monday last. Destination South Carolina. In White’s regiment are the following Companies: Capts. Filler’s, Lyons, Geo. S. Mullin’s and Madera’s. In Power’s regiment is Capt. H. L. Ryce’s Company from Bedford. So on November 22, 1861, about a month after John’s enlistment, the regiment, nearly 800 strong, left for Fortress Monroe, Virginia where their training continued. While at Fort Monroe, John spent 12 days confined to the General Hospital there with a case of German Measles, recovering in time to make the voyage to Port Royal, South Carolina. The regiment was attached to Brig. Gen. Thomas Sherman’s Expedition to South Carolina, which had begun sailing from Hampton Roads on October 29, 1861. 10 On Dec. 8, 1861, John’s regiment set sail on the 4 day voyage to Port Royal, South Carolina, near Hilton Head. Upon their arrival they were immediately put on duty guarding the small islands in the area. 11 During this more than 2 year tour in South Carolina, the 55th participated in various actions under the command of Col. Richard White of Indiana Co., Pennsylvania.11 In February of 1862, the regiment was transferred to Edisto Island, where it met it’s first opposition. On March 29, 1862, several of the companies were attacked by Confederate troops numbering approximately two thousand. The rebels were repulsed, but about 20 Union soldiers were killed or wounded. During this action, John’s service record shows that he was sick in quarters for the months of March and April 1862. His records do not specifically detail the reason for his “sick in quarters” status, but some common ailments were diarrhea, dysentery, malaria, typhoid, yellow fever, rheumatism, pneumonia, scurvy, and tuberculosis. Outbreaks of smallpox and measles were common as well. Many more deaths during the civil war were attributed to disease than to battle wounds.18 In May of 1862, John was promoted to Corporal. The 55th continued duty through the sizzling South Carolina summer and in October of that year was part of a four thousand troop expedition up the Broad River., northwest of Beaufort. The mission was to destroy the Savananah & Charleston Railroad at the Pocotaligo Bridge. On October 22, 1862, the 55th engaged the enemy at both the Caston and Frampton Plantations, but were driven into retreating back over the Pocotaligo River burning the bridge as they went. The battle at the bridge lasted for 6 hours, but the Union army was forced to retreat again overnight due to the fact that they were running low on ammunition and they were unable to overcome the enemy. This engagement was counted as a loss with the 55th’s casualties: 1 officer killed, 3 enlisted killed, and 25 enlisted wounded.10 In a report from Col. Richard White of the 55th Regiment in reference to actions taken at these battles, he commends the companies that participated. John’s Company D among them. From Col White’s report: “Near Frampton the command was ordered to double-quick which was promptly obeyed. At this point it came under a very heavy and destructive fire from shell and canister from the enemy’s batteries. The order was received to form in column and advance; and, although the most of the command had never been exposed to a cannonade so severe and so sustained and men were falling rapidly from it’s effects yet the order was executed with admirable promptitude and precision, the officers, with one exception, setting a noble example, which was imitated by the rank and file. The order was then received to get under cover for a time, while our artillery operated against the enemy’s guns. Then the order was sent to charge. Together with the 47th PA Volunteers and 6th CT my command rushed, in and although the ground was exceedingly difficult, covered with a dense thicket, with a swamp in front, our men, with remarkable energy, at once overcame these obstacles, swept over the hostile position, and rapidly pursued the fleeing enemy. The pursuit was continued to Pocotoligo where the enemy had again taken up a strong position, broken the bridge over the creek in his front and while re-enforcements were arriving to his support opened a heavy fire of cannon and musketry. My command, having come up at the double-quick was ordered into position on our left. In obedience to an order for two companies of sharpshooters to operate against the enemy’s batteries, Companies A and B, were thrown forward. These companies well armed with good weapons, went in with the greatest enthusiasm and their deadly fire soon caused the enemy’s cannonade to slacken, and more than held their own in the contest with the enemies sharpshooters. This, being carried on at short range, was quite bloody. Companies D and E, were also sent forward to support our battery, but being armed with altered smooth-bore muskets their fire could not compete with that of the enemy’s splendidly armed sharpshooters. They were brought off. These gallant men fulfilled every duty practicable to men in their situation. Company D fired as long as they could load their muskets, which after a few rounds became so foul that a cartridge could hardly be rammed down, and even then many of the cones were blown out of the seats. The experience of Company E in the matter of arms is the same as that of Company D. In the latter company the captain received a ball through his sleeve and four of his men were wounded. Captain Bennett of Company E, was killed on the spot. I trust I am within the line of duty in respectfully claiming the attention of the general commanding to the fact that the usefulness of my command was limited by its armament. So far as it was equipped with rifles and Springfield muskets so far was it of account. I was compelled to withdraw gallant men and capital marksmen because the weapons they carried were worse than useless. True our bayonets might have counted for something, but that was the fault of the enemy, not ours. He did not wait to give us an opportunity to handle them. Late in the evening I was ordered to withdraw my command beyond the second line of defense and from there to Mackey’s Landing. This was accomplished in the best of order. My command remained there until all the troops had embarked, being the last to quit the spot.”10 Shortly after these engagements, John found himself admitted to the regimental hospital with an intermittent fever, most likely malaria, common to the South Carolina coastal area. This fever occurred a total of three times, each stay at the hospital lasting from 2 days up to as many as 11 days. 20 After the expedition up the Broad River, the regiment was quartered at Port Royal Ferry, near Beaufort, SC, for more than a year. They were assigned to picket duty there. Picket duty was the most hazardous duty work that infantrymen would perform in the field. They were the advanced outpost who were the first to encounter major movements made by the enemy. They were a favorite target of snipers and were often the first to be killed, wounded, or captured. This duty was rotated among the various companies in the regiment. 22 According to John’s pension records, he reenlisted along with the rest of his regiment as a Veteran Volunteer and John was promoted to !st Sergeant on Jan. 1, 1864. On Jan. 22 1864, the regiment left for Harrisburg to be dismissed on furlough, which lasted until Mar. 23, 1864. John is personally listed in his service record as absent on furlough during January and February and present with the regiment in March, April and May. He must have visited home and family in Bedford during this furlough because later in the year, in October 1864, he would become a father to his fourth child, a son, Charles. On Mar. 23, 1864, the 55th Pa. returned to South Carolina, but only for a short time. Now with nearly 1500 men, the 55th Pa. was transferred to the Army of the James and embarked for Virginia and a more active arena of the war. At Gloucester Point, Virginia, on April 12, 1864, the 55th was transferred to the Dept. of Va & NC, 10th Army Corps, 3rd Division, 1st Brigade under the command of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler.10 From May 5 – 28, 1864, Gen. Butler conducted operations along the south side of the James River and against Petersburg, Virginia. Upon arriving at the General’s lines at Bermuda Hundred, the regiment was armed with axes and was tasked with chopping timber. They performed this duty under fire from artillery and rebel sharpshooters. 11 The Battles of Swift Creek & Chester Station were fought on May 9-10, 1864 in Chesterfield Co., Virginia. The 55th participated in these battles which had neither Union nor Confederates being able to claim victory. At 5 am on May 9th, the brigade began it’s duty of tearing up and burning several hundred yards of the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad track, disabling a roadway that served as a line of communication and transportation, and destroying telegraph lines. During this operation no enemy troops were sighted. About 10:30 am the brigade began marching toward Swift Creek and came upon another Union brigade who was engaged with the enemy. !st brigade was ordered to support these troops and as a result were exposed to artillery fire. The 55th took some casualties in this action. The firing ended about dark and the brigade was able to camp close to a small church near Swift Creek. The next morning, about 10 am, the brigade was ordered to the support of another division who was engaged with the enemy near where the railroad had been torn up. By the time they arrived the enemy had already retired. The men of this brigade were praised for their performance of these two days under the excessive heat of the sun “without much apparent suffering”.10 After being repulsed at Swift Creek, General Butler returned to his entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. On the 12th of May 1864, he moved his troops north to engage the Confederates at Drewry’s Bluff, still in Chesterfield Co, Virginia. In stiff fighting, Butler was successful but still cautious which gave Beauregard time to fortify his troops. At dawn on May 16th, the Confederates attacked. The 55th, feeling the full force of the enemy attack, held their ground in a position on the extreme left of the line, until they were almost completely surrounded, when three companies (C,D, and E) led by Col. White attempted a charge, they found that the enemy was too strong for them. The Colonel’s horse was shot from under him and he was taken prisoner along with some other of his men. The fog ultimately created disorganization on the Federals part and Butler again withdrew to his Bermuda Hundred lines and became “bottled up” there.10 The loss of men to the regiment in those 8 days was 15 officers and 300 men. It was during this action on May 16th that John Amos received his first injury. The incident is described by Josiah Hissong, of his Company. Josiah says that “I was present when Amos was struck with a piece of iron, a joint bar for joining rails together. It was fired from a cannon on a truck car, I helped Amos out of the ditch where he was knocked by the blow. The joint bar first struck the track several times before striking Amos, therefore it was partly spent but came with force enough to knock him down into the ditch.” 5 John’s injury was to his hip. And the Battle at Drewry’s Bluff was another Confederate victory. The Army continued operations on the Bermuda Hundred front from May 17 – 28, 1864. On the 28th, the 55th PA began moving via transport vessels up the James River and down the York River to White House, Virginia and were transferred to the 18th Army Corps in the Army of the Potomac, becoming the 1st Brigade(General Stannard) in the 2nd Division(General Martingale). By June 1st, they had arrived at Cold Harbor, Virginia. The 55th participated in the Battle of Cold Harbor immediately upon it’s arrival at that location. John must have been well enough to continue on with his regiment, because he would again be injured in the coming days. The Battle of Cold Harbor would go on from June 1 – 12, 1864. At dawn, on June 3rd, the 55th PA regiment, under the command of Capt. John Shearer initially, would charge on the enemy works, taking the first line and almost the second line, when they were ordered to fall back, but the order was mistaken as an order to lie down. Some of the regiment lay down, but the rest did fall back and rallied under fire. In this charge, Shearer fell wounded as well as his replacement, Capt. Nesbitt. Command fell to Capt. Hill, who restored order to the regiment in the face of severe fire from the enemy. During the withdrawal from the front, the 55th was deployed in the front line, as a rear guard while other regiments withdrew. This is the only charge ordered by General U.S. Grant that he ever regretted . Thousands of Union soldiers were lost on that day. The battle raged on until June 12 and became yet another Confederate victory. 11 John was wounded at Cold Harbor on June 3rd. His injuries were a gunshot wound to the jaw and an injured wrist as described in his pension file. He was wounded by a piece of shell which fractured the right jaw, cutting off the arteries, lacerating the neck causing stiffness in the neck and also the left wrist was knocked out of place. Wounds of the neck and head area were often tended to after those of the extremities because they were usually considered mortal, so John can be counted as extremely fortunate to have survived ,not only the wound, but the treatment as well. The wound would have first been dressed by the regimental surgeon before John’s being sent north to Mt. Pleasant General Hospital on June 8th, 1864. Most of the thousands of soldiers wounded or killed at Cold Harbor were left on the battlefield for 4 days before an order was issued by General Grant to retrieve them. John may very well have been one of these. His wounds were serious enough this time to keep him hospitalized as his service records show that he was “in hospital” during July and August of 1864. Medical care during the Civil War was of a varied state, depending upon the medical officer in charge, availability of supplies, and the cleanliness of the camp. Field hospitals were one of the first places a sick or wounded soldier would be treated. Dependent upon the severity of your wound or sickness, you would be evacuated to a Regimental or General Hospital as our John was after the wounds he received at Cold Harbor. Some hospitals were showpieces, but many more were makeshift, utilizing warehouses, schools, churches, etc. Poor ventilation and sanitation allowed many diseases to run rampant and it wasn’t long before even the newest recruit would come down with one malady or another. On Sept. 8, 1864 John’s records show that he was committed to Old Capitol Prison, in Washington D.C., “for suspicion of being implicated with counterfeiters of US Treasury notes”. Furthermore, it is not clear whether he was in hospital there as well. However, he is listed as “in hospital” until February 28, 1865. The Secret Service was organized to conduct investigations into the counterfeiting problem arising during the Civil War. Many individuals were detained with no charges pressed. Conditions in jails and prisons were sparse at best. One description tells of a cell in Detroit with only an iron bedstead with a mattress full of seaweed or straw and a tub “for nature’s necessities”. Some cells were only furnished with a bench for a bed, no blanket for warmth. Some prisoners were left in irons overnight with no food as well. Conditions at Old Capital Prison may have been a “little” more hospitable as they hosted many high profile prisoners. Military Justice was not much better, as officers were given lesser punishments or none at all for the same offenses committed by an enlisted soldier. 18 10Punishments also varied from regiment to regiment depending upon the commander’s wishes. Old Capitol Prison was located on the present site of the U.S. Supreme Court building at First St. and ‘A’ St NE in Washington DC. The original building was erected about 1800 as a tavern and boarding house. It remained as such until the British burned the U.S. Capitol building in 1814, during the War of 1812. On 8 December 1815 the U.S. Congress leased this building for their use. In 1817 President James Monroe was inaugurated on a platform outside the Brick Capitol, as this building became known. By 1825 the new U.S. Capitol building was built and this temporary structure became, among other things, a boarding house, a school, and a hotel at times. It also became known as the Old Capitol. In 1853, Senator Isaac P Walker (Wisconsin), Representatives Orlando B Ficklin (Illinois), and Representative Sampson W Harris (Alabama) resided in Mrs. Hill's Old Capitol. By the time of the American Civil War in 1861 it was a vacant building again. During the civil war this building again was inhabited, this time as the Old Capitol Prison. It housed both Confederate and Union prisoners as well as prisoners of state. Some famous prisoners were Belle Boyd and Rose O’Neal, confederate spies, Captain Henry Wirz, commander of the infamous confederate Andersonville prison in Georgia, and the April 14,1864 Lincoln assasination conspirators. Captain Henry Wirz was hanged 10 November 1865 in the Old Capitol Prison yard, and was the only Confederate tried and hanged for war crimes. Four of the Lincoln conspirators, Lewis Paine, George Atzerodt, David Herold, and Mary Surratt were hanged in the yard of the Old Capitol Prison on 7 July 1865. 28 During the period of time that John was hospitalized and in custody his son Charles was born in October 1864. His regiment continued to see action during this time as well, participating in the siege of Petersburg and Richmond from June 1864 until April 1865, as well as the pursuit of Gen. Lee in April 1865. Gen. Lee surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 and on April 14, 1865 President Lincoln was assassinated. John’s Regiment was present at Appomattox for the surrender and thereafter sent to Richmond, Virginia, where they stayed until July 1865. Confusingly, John’s records show that he was discharged on June 8, 1865 “for promotion to 2nd Lieut. in his same company and regiment”. On June 12, 1865, he was commissioned to 1st Lieut. This is curious especially following his “imprisonment”. On August 30, 1865, John mustered out of his regiment in Petersburg, Virginia as a 2nd Lieut. and the regiment returned to Harrisburg to receive their final pay and return to their homes. About a year after his return home, his daughter Annie was born in September 1866. Annie was followed by Ralph in1869, Ross in 1871, Rena in 1873, Sallie in 1875, and Mary in 1877. John’s father would also survive to see his son come home from war only to pass on two years later. John and family show up in three more census reports. In 1870, the first one after the war, the family is living in Bedford Township. John is 36; Sarah, 30; Elenora, 9: Jennie, 8; Chrles, 4; Ann Rebecca, 3; and Ralph, 1. John’s occupation is farm worker and Elenora and Jennie attended school that year. In 1880, John and Sarah have increased their family again and are still living in Bedford Township. John, 46, is now listed as a laborer. Sarah, 42, is keeping house. The children living with them are: Jennie, 19; Charles, 16; Annie, 14; Ralph, 11; Ross, 8; Irene, 6; Sallie, 5; and May, 3. All of the children, except Sallie and May, attended school that year. Interestingly, the census taker that year was John’s brother, Josiah Amos, age 32. The 1890 census was lost in a fire, so we do not know John’s family circumstances that year, but the 1890 Veteran’s Schedule did survive. It shows John as a veteran of the civil war living in Bedford Township with the ailment of rheumatism. John and Sarah are still living in Bedford Township in 1900. John is now 67 years old but still working as a laborer, even though he reports that he was unemployed for 6 months that year. . Additionally, he is able to read and write as well. Three daughters, Anna, Sallie, and May are still living with them. A granddaughter, Virginia Arnold, age 10, daughter of Elnora and William Arnold, also lives with them at this time. A stairbuilder, George Householder, and his wife and son are listed as boarders in John’s household. George turns out to be the husband of one of John’s daughters, Irene. While John was in the hospital and prison, his son Charles was born in October of 1864. John’s regiment continued to see action, participating in the siege of Petersburg and Richmond from June 1864 until April 1865, as well as the pursuit of Gen. Lee in April 1865. In March and April of 1865, John is shown as in custody of Col. Baker, Chief of Detectives Washington, DC and was then delivered to civil authorities for trial on May 30, 1865. While John was in custody of Col Baker, on April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox and on April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. John’s regiment, the 55th PA, was present at Appomattox for the surrender and thereafter sent to Richmond, Virginia, where they stayed until July 1865. The results of John’s trial, if there was one, are not known at this time, so one can only surmise that either charges against him were dropped or that he was found innocent, since his service records show him being discharged on June 8, 1865 for promotion to 2nd Lt. in his same company and regiment. In newly organized units, the initial officers were elected by the men. Thereafter, promotions came down from the regiment’s Colonel. Generally, Sergeants were promoted to Leuitenant because of a vacancy. Promotions to recognize valor occurred occasionally, but that would have been the exception. On June 12th , John was commissioned to 1st Lt. And on Aug 30, 1865 John mustered out of his regiment in Petersburg, Virginia as a 2nd Lt.1 and proceeded to Harrisburg, where he received his final pay. There the regiment was disbanded and they returned home. About one year later, his daughter, Annie was born in September 1866. Annie was followed by Ralph in 1869, Ross in 1871, Rena in 1873, Sallie in 1875, and Mary in 1877. John’s father, John Amos the gunsmith, would survive to see his son come home from war only to pass on 2 years later. His mother, Rebecca, lived until 1888. John & Sarah Amos, as well as, John & Rebecca Amos are buried near each other in the Bedford Cemetary on Rt. 220 . John and family show up in four more census reports. In 1870, the first one after the war, the family is living in Bedford Township. John is 36; Sarah, 30; Elenora, 9; Jennie, 8; Charles, 4; Ann Rebecca, 3; and Ralph, 1. John’s occupation is farm worker and Elenora and Jennie attended school that year. In 1880, John and Sarah have increased their family again and are still living in Bedford Township. John, 46, is now listed as a laborer. Sarah, 42, is keeping house. The children living with them are: Jennie, 19; Charles, 16; Annie, 14; Ralph, 11; Ross, 8; Irene, 6; Sallie, 5; and May, 3. All of the children, except Sallie and May, attended school that year. Interestingly, the census taker that year was John’s brother, Josiah Amos, age 32. The 1890 census was lost in a fire so we do not know John’s family’s circumstances that year, however the 1890 Veteran’s Schedule does survive for that census year. It shows that John was living in Bedford Township at the time and was a civil war veteran. A disability of rheumatism is listed. The family shows up again in Bedford Township in 1900, which would also be the last one for John and Sarah. John is now 67 years old but still working as a laborer. Additionally, he is able to read and write. John does not own his home, but is listed as renting. John and Sarah have been married for 48 years by this time. Sarah is 65 and has 9 of her 12 children still living. She is listed as being able to read and write as well. Three daughters, Anna, Sally, and May are still living with them. A granddaughter, Virginia Arnold, age 10, probably daughter of Elnorah Amos Arnold and William Henry Arnold, also lives with them at this time. A stairbuilder, George Householder, and his wife and son are listed as boarders in John’s household, but are actually John’s daughter and family. John’s veterans pension was only about $ 17 a month and even tho he lists an occupation, he also states that he was unemployed for 6 months that year. John Amos is also listed as a member of the local GAR post for Civil War veterans. This would be Post #332, the Maj. William Watkins Post. This Post met on the 4th Tuesday of each month according to the book, “History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Cos. of PA.” The GAR was founded in 1866. Membership was limited to honorable discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865. John first applied for his veteran’s pension in 1876. It took two years for the pension to be granted. He received $4 per month. The award was, however, retroactive to 1865, therefore John received an initial payment of $515.27. In 1879, John applied for an increase in his pension. None was granted until 1885, when he was awarded $6 per month. Another increase was granted in 1886 and brought his payment up to $8 per month. By 1894 John was receiving $12 per month. Each time he applied for an increase of pension rate, he had to go thru a medical exam to find out if his disability had gotten worse or not. There was red tape to be waded thru, with affidavits needed to attest to his disability and proof of service and marriage required as well. Over the years, some were rejected and then approved when his disability was proven. John must have lived a life of pain and disability after the war. From the documents in his pension file, it can be seen that his disabilities grew worse over time, until he was unable to do much work at all and had much trouble sleeping and dealing with the pain of his injuries. He was described as having one leg 2” shorter than the other and his muscles had atrophied so that the shorter leg also measured smaller than the other. He walked with a definite limp and used a cane. Also noted in documents are complaints of neck cramping, scarce vision in his right eye, hearing loss, a cut in his tongue, continuous twitching and jerking of the muscles in his right leg, and constant pain of the lower jaw and right hip. At the time of his death at age 67, on February 20, 1901, he was collecting $17 a month. The maximum veteran pension payment at that time would have been $18 a month. His wife, Sarah, also made a claim to collect the pension as his widow. At her death in 1905, she was collecting $8 a month. 5 John’s obituary from the Bedford Gazette, February 22, 1901 (Page 1) reads: Lieut. John Border Amos The subject of this sketch was born on April 13, 1833, on the old Amos farm near Bedford now owned by Adam Sellers and died on February 20, 1901, at his home in Bedford township. He was aged sixty-seven years, ten months and seven days. The deceased was a son of John and Rebecca Amos. He served his country during the civil war as a member of Company D, 55th regiment, and Pennsylvania volunteers, enlisting as a private on October 12, 1861. He was promoted successively to corporal, sergeant, 1st sergeant and to second lieutenant, June 8, 1865, and was mustered out on August 30, 1865. At the battle of Cold Harbor Lieutenant Amos was severely wounded. He married Miss Sarah Mower, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mower, of Rainsburg. Twelve children were born to them, three of whom—William, Frank and an infant daughter—preceded him to the spirit world. His wife and the following children survive him: Mrs. William Arnold, of Bedford township; Jennie and May, of Philadelphia: Charles, of San Jose, Central America: Annie and Sallie, at home: Ralph, of Bedford township: Ross, of Altoona, and Mrs. George Household, of Pittsburg. He is also survived by four brothers and two sisters—Daniel W., of Saxton; Samuel B., of Bedford township; Frank M. of Hendricks, W. Va.; Josiah, of Bedford borough; Mrs. Rebecca Akers, of Altoona, and Mrs. Elizabeth McMullin, of Missouri. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock at the home of decedent and will be conducted by Rev. M. L. Culler, of the Lutheran church. Interment in the Bedford cemetery. Lieutenant Amos was an enthusiastic hunter and an ardent disciple of Izak Walton. He knew the haunts of the big bass and timid trout and frequently acted as guide for fishing parties composed of guests at our summer resorts. He was an honest, kind-hearted man and had many friends who will sincerely mourn his death. By now you are probably wondering how I am related to this farmer-soldier, John Amos. He is my great, great, great grandfather. It is hoped that you found this biography interesting and informative. As always these things are a work in progress and I hope to find out even more about our soldier, Lt John Border Amos. I would love to hear from any other descendents of John B. Amos. Sources for John Amos Biography 1. "History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, Pa." 1884, Waterman, Watkins & Co. 2. 1840 Census Bedford Twp, Bedford Co, PA - www.ancestry.com 3. 1850 Census Bedford Twp, Bedford Co PA - www.ancestry.com 4. 1880 Census Bedford Twp, Bedford Co PA - www.ancestry.com 5. Civil War Pension Records of John B. Amos obtained from the National Archives, Washington, D.C. 6. Battle Descriptions of some of the 55th PA Infantry's Actions in the Civil War http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/battles.htm 7. Information on Old Capitol Prison - Source: http://www.mgl.ca/~sroberts/oldcapitolprison.html 8. Bedford Co. Marriage Records Board - www.pa-roots.com 9. Civil War Soldier database – www.ancestry.com 10. Official Records – Civil War – www.ehistory.com - including battle descriptions and correspondence 11. Bates, Samuel P. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65, Harrisburg, 1868-1871. 12. History of Camp Curtin - http://www.campcurtin.org/campcurtin/about.html 14. International Genealogical Index (IGI) at www.familysearch.org 15. “History of Bedford” manuscript penned by Helen Heacock Davidson for an English class in 1926. 16. “Arms Makers of Pennsylvania”, James B. Whisker, Selinsgrove: Susquehanna University Press, 1990. 17. 55th Regiment Pennsylvanis Volunteers – www.pa-roots.com 18. “The Life of Billy Yank – The Common Soldier of the Union”, Bell Irwin Wiley, Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, 1952. 19. Pennsylvania State Archives – http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive 20. Carded Medical Records for Civil War Veterans, John B. Amos; National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. 21. Battle Flag - http://cpc.leg.state.pa.us/main/cpcweb/history/flags/showflag.html? accession=1985.081 copyright: Capitol Preservation Committee 22. www.civilwarhome.com 23. www.sonofthesouth.net 24. www.civilwarclipart.com 25. Matthew Brady Photo 26. “Historical Maps of Civil War Battlefields”, Michael Sharpe, PRC Publishing, London, 2000. 27. www.mypennsylvaniagenealogy.com/pa_county/bed.htm 28. http://www.mgl.ca/~sroberts/oldcapitolprison.html 29. http://suvcw.org/garinc.htm - GAR medal 30. http://www.memberbbb.com/bedford.htm - newspaper clipping 31. Bedford Cemetary – Rt. 220, Bedford, Pennsylvania – tombstone information 32. Bedford Inquirer microfilmed newspaper, Pioneer Library, Bedford, Pennsylvania Copyright, 2005 Additional Comments: Photo uploaded is John Border Amos' gravestone. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/bedford/photos/bios/amos604gbs.jpg This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 41.1 Kb