Ohio Civil War Volunteer Infantry

Question

My 2x Great Grandpa, John Bandy born 1846 is shown in the "US Civil War Soldier Records Profile 1861-1865" AND in the "US Civil War Pension Index to Pension Files 1861-1934", to have served in the Ohio 135th Infantry AND the Ohio 180 Infantry. However, in his obituary it states that he was a member of the 46th OVI. I am confused. How can I clear this up for my records.?

pmcg · Accepted Answer

Hi Peggy, 
 That is a mystery! I went & looked at the Civil War Service Card Index (on Fold 3) & found there were 3 cards John Bandy's listed for Ohio. - One who served in the 8th Independent Company Ohio Sharpshooters, one who served Co. I 135th OH Infantry (OVI) & one listed in Co. E 180th OH Inf. I did not find a John Bandy in the 46th OVI, but he could have served under another name. An alias or a simple misspelling of his name for example (mistake an "A' for an 'O' & his name becomes Bondy. Mistaking a "B" for an "R" becomes Randy. Many people couldn't read or write & even those that could, often didn't worry about the spelling of their name. Often you will see a pension index card that has a soldier's alias as well as his real name. They are filed under both names. There was no evidence of this for a John Banduy in an OH Regiment. All that said, I went & looked further at the 3 OH Service Cards for John Bandy or you can find them on Ancestry as I did. 
 I looked in the Official roster of the soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Vols. 1-12 . Akron and Cincinnati: 1886-1895. They are on Family Search (a free site -just register) 
 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/75066?availability=Family%20History%20Library 
 This is the roster for the 8th Indpt Co. Sharpshooters showing John Bandy. The initial recruits were enrolled in Oct 1862 before the Regiment was mustered into US service in 1863. I at first wondered if thesharpshooters had possibly been assigned with the 46th OVI (& that is where the report of his service with 46th OVI came from but no evidence of this & I believe this is a different man)

This John Bandy is listed as 29 yrs old when he enlisted in Oct. 1862- so born c.1833. You reported your GGGrF was born 1846 . Also this John Bandy served in Reg't till July 1865 so its unlikely the same man. 
 He had a Pension Index Card with his widow listed - looks like Talitha Bandy & that he died in Nov 1919 in Gallia OH

The soldier you cited that served in the other 2 regiments is listed as 18yrs old when he enlisted in May 1864 in the 135th OVI - which matches more with the 1846 birthdate

I couldn't find a roster for Co. E of the 180th OVI but the Reg't was organized in Sept-Oct.1864 & as John was mustered out of the 135th in Sept. it makes sense 
 This is the Pension Index Card you mentioned & it shows his death Oct 31 1930 Cecil OH

The "C" number on the card is indicative of the pension extending beyond 1928 (I believe) when the active pension files were transferred to the Veterans Admin. I think these have since been returned to the National Archives, but perhaps someone from the Archives Staff can confirm (or deny) that! I would incluse both cards if requesting his pension 
 Also on the 1890 Veteran's Census for Emerald Twnshp Paulding Co. OH (which the veteran or widow was supposed to show paperwork -like a discharge - that showed his service) records him with the 180th OVI & for a disability, listed 'throat trouble' 
 
 I found his obit (on Find-A-Grave) that as you said mentions his service in 46th OVI. The 46th OVI was organized at Worthington OH between Oct 1861 & Jan 1862 for 3-yrs service. Men who completed their 3-yrs service were mustered out but the Reg't was maintained with new recruits & re-enlisted veterans till mustered out in July 1865. 
 I'm not sure if you have requested his Pension Record but because it was an Invalid pension the soldier filed it & gave the information on his service (vs. a family member, like a widow that may not have been married to him when he served & not have accurate info). I believe if there was any documentation of his serving in the 46th OVI that would be included in the record. 
 I would assume that saying he served in 46th OVI was a mistake by whoever gave the information to the newspaper - either misunderstood or, mis-transcribed, etc. 
 T he OH Soldiers Grave Registration Cards (1804-1958) - on Family Search or Ancestry 
 https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Ohio,_Grave_Registrations_of_Soldiers_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records 
 "The information on the grave registration cards was taken from burial or cemetery records." 
 The card shows him as with the 180th OVI (which is usual to show the last Reg't he served with) 
 
 Hope that helps you fele better about stating his service in the 135th & 180th OVI. Usually the obit can be a helpful assest in determining a veteran's service but I think in your ancestor's case it was a mistake that has caused confusion. Hopefully his pension record will be a final confirmation of his service. Best of luck with your family research! 
 P.McG

Ohio Civil War Volunteer Infantry

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