Private Co. K 23rd Michigan Infantry

Enlisted 8-8-1862 Discharged 6-28-1865

Civil War veteran:

23 Michigan Infantry Co K

Captured January 27, 1864 Knoxville, TN

Andersonville Prison

Escaped May 17, 1865

Joseph King, one of the sons of John Charles King, Sr. and his wife Briget Murtaugh, was well-educated for the times. He had been given 100 acres of his father's farm for help in paying his father's debts. He joined the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry during the War of the Rebellion [Civil War], and being taken prisoner at Knoxville, underwent the hardships at Andersonville for eighteen months, but he lived through them and with eleven other comrades escaped and returned to the Union Army. He was relegated to his own regiment and returned to Detroit to be mustered out. He was taken sick the night after reaching Detroit, and died there. He was a man of great popularity, not only among his comrades in arms, but also with the citizens of Flint, where he made his home.

(Portrait and Biographical Album of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties, 1891, pp. 356-7.)

Note: Above biography courtesy of Joann Osgerby Geybels

A letter to Joseph King's family:

This is a letter written by Capt. Damon Stewart, Flint, Mich. He was the First Lieutenant of Company K. Capt. Stewart wrote this letter to the sister of Joseph F. King, Mrs. Elizabeth King Sheridan, in response to her letter of 25 Jan. 1864 to Joseph asking about his welfare. (Letter transcribed exactly as written.)

Camp, 23rd Mich. Vol. Infantry

Near Knoxville Feby 7th 1864

Mrs. Sheridan

Dear Madam

You will pardon my opening your letter to Joseph, but I was anxious to know who to write to. Joseph with five more in his company were taken prisoners on the 27th last month. Yesterday I heard of them. None were hurt and were on their way to Richmond. Joseph was making the best of it by singing his jolly good camp songs.

I wrote a few days ago to John, but was afraid that he might not get the letter. I think that you will hear from Joseph himself before long. I hope that he will either get paroled or exchanged before long and when he does will probably be allowed to pay you a visit.

Please give my respects to your Mother, Father and brothers and sisters. The Rebels took all that Joseph had with him. The men being on Picket at the time.

Sincerely Yours,

Damon Stewart

Capts. Comd.g Co. K

23rd Mich Vol. Infantry

(Conly_2011-02-13 p Public Tree at Ancestry.com.)