25
Henry Kilburn and Horace Cookingham, 12th Ohio L.A. Battery
January to July 1865
Henry Kilburn and Horace Cookingham continued as part of the Murfreesborough garrison in Fortress Rosecrans for the first two months of 1865. Then on February 28, the 12th Ohio Battery was removed from the District of Tennessee to form part of the Artillery Reserve (Major Mendenhall), Department of Cumberland (General Thomas). Sometime during the month of March they were moved from Murfreesborough to Chattanooga.
On April 8, 1865 Henry Kilburn was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He received an honorable discharge as Sergeant on April 18, and the next day was mustered into the 12th Ohio with a commission and assigned to duties as 2nd Lieutenant.
Their garrison duties continued without significant incident over the last few months of the war. Lee surrendered to Grant in Virginia on April 9; Lincoln was assassinated on the 14th; and Johnson surrendered to Sherman in North Carolina on the 26th. The last Confederate Generals in Alabama and Mississippi surrendered in May, removing any remaining threat to Tennessee.
Henry Kilburn continued to suffer from the effects of his rheumatic fever, and in June he submitted this letter of resignation:
HeadQuarters 12th Ohio Battery
Chattanooga Tenn, June 14th 1865
Sir,
I have the honor herewith to tender my resignation as 2nd lieutenant in the 12th Ohio Battery, on account of ill health. I would respectfully state that there is, including myself, five commissioned officers belonging to and on duty with the Battery.I certify on honor that I am not indebted to the United States on any account whatever, and that I am not responsible for any Government property, and that I have not been paid since my muster-in as a commissioned officer.
Very respectfully your obedient servant
Henry C. Kilburn
2nd Lieut 12th Ohio Battery
H.M. Cist Asst Adj’t General
Department of Cumb ``
Nashville Tenn ``
Henry’s request was accepted, and on June 17 a Special Orders was published resigning Henry from the Army. The muster rolls and Official Records give June 18 as the actual date of release.
Henry returned home to Ohio. He would receive a disability pension for most of his life and would continue to suffer from the rheumatism. The promotion to lieutenant would cause him some problems in claiming the disability – the Government would claim that he must have been fit in order to receive the commission, and his discharge as sergeant said he was in good health. We have copies of many of the letters concerning his claims, which took years to settle after the war.
Horace Cookingham remained on duty with the Battery in Chattanooga for another month. During the second week in July they were moved to Camp Chase, Ohio. Horace Cookingham was discharged on July 10; the 12th Battery, Ohio Light Artillery was dissolved on July 12, 1865.
Go to Next Chapter Return to Index