John Wesley Yancey, the son of Ambrose and Phebe Jane Goff Yancey of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was a devout Methodist and was studying for the ministry before he enlisted in the Union Army in Iowa, and he was very proud to do so. His fellow soldiers wanted him to be an officer, but he refused the offer because he thought that someone who had a family and needed the extra pay ought to be an officer. According to family members he expressed his faith in God and said he would gladly die just as his brother-in-law, Henry Clarke Zickefoose, did for the freedom of slaves, and he was glad that his family's farm in Iowa did not have to go through the destruction he had seen in the South during the war.
John Wesley Yancey, cavalryman, was killed in action on his horse during the Civil War at Big Black River, Mississippi, on June 22, 1863. He served with Company K, 4th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.
John W. Yancey was killed near Black River in the rear of Vicksburg age 23 years 4 months 6 days. He was a member of the Company H 4th Iowa Cavalry. He was buried at Flower Hill Chapel on Bird Song Ferry Road, 15 miles east of Vicksburg June 22, 1863. His remains were later transfered to the Vicksburg National Cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi. His father Ambrose Yancey of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, tried to have his remains returned to Iowa, but he had no success. I, Rebecca Osmond Hold, found his grave in April, 2009, and believe that I am the only family member to visit it, as no one else knew where he was buried.∼
Enlisted as a Private on September 30, 1861 at the age of 21. Joined Co. K, 4th Iowa Cavalry Regiment on November 25, 1861.

John Wesley Yancey, the son of Ambrose and Phebe Jane Goff Yancey of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was a devout Methodist and was studying for the ministry before he enlisted in the Union Army in Iowa, and he was very proud to do so. His fellow soldiers wanted him to be an officer, but he refused the offer because he thought that someone who had a family and needed the extra pay ought to be an officer. According to family members he expressed his faith in God and said he would gladly die just as his brother-in-law, Henry Clarke Zickefoose, did for the freedom of slaves, and he was glad that his family's farm in Iowa did not have to go through the destruction he had seen in the South during the war.
John Wesley Yancey, cavalryman, was killed in action on his horse during the Civil War at Big Black River, Mississippi, on June 22, 1863. He served with Company K, 4th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.
John W. Yancey was killed near Black River in the rear of Vicksburg age 23 years 4 months 6 days. He was a member of the Company H 4th Iowa Cavalry. He was buried at Flower Hill Chapel on Bird Song Ferry Road, 15 miles east of Vicksburg June 22, 1863. His remains were later transfered to the Vicksburg National Cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi. His father Ambrose Yancey of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, tried to have his remains returned to Iowa, but he had no success. I, Rebecca Osmond Hold, found his grave in April, 2009, and believe that I am the only family member to visit it, as no one else knew where he was buried.∼
Enlisted as a Private on September 30, 1861 at the age of 21. Joined Co. K, 4th Iowa Cavalry Regiment on November 25, 1861.