PVT Ferdinand Potts and the Civil War:
Ferdinand would never marry, never have children, never get to experience a long life filled with the pains and joys of growing older, never attend a veterans reunion. What he did get to experience was the horror of war and the physically wrenching pain that resulted from contracting Typhoid Fever during his tour of duty in the Civil War which in a short time took his young life. The following is his story, what little we know of it.
Ferdinand was born in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan to John and Jane Jamison Potts. He was their first born child. His stone appears to say he was 26 years and 2 months old when he died. That would place his birth date in either October or November of 1839 with October being statistically the more likely month.
Ferdinand's father, John Potts, is thought to have originally come from Steuben County, NY, since both his wife Jane Jamison and his friend John Jordan also came from there. For a short time they stayed in Livingston County, MI. In Dec 1838 John Potts and Jordan Jordan along with their families journeyed from Livingston County to settle in Barry County, MI. About one year later Ferdinand was born. He was the oldest of the five children John & Jane would have. On the 1840 Federal Census Ferdinand is found in the John Potts household listed as a male child under 8 years of age.
In 1841 Ferdinand's parents received land grants in the northeastern part of Woodland Township in Barry County totaling some 160 acres. It was in this section of the Michigan wilderness that Ferdinand would grow into manhood helping his parents eek out a living as farmers on this wild undeveloped land. Little did he know that one day he would be called upon to serve as a soldier in the United States army.
Ferdinand's fate was determined when his name appeared in the June/July 1863 record of the Civil War Draft Registrations. He was listed as a 23 year old single man living in Woodland, MI. Amusingly his name is given as King Ferdinand Potts. There is no other record of him being referred to as "King." So whether King Ferdinand Potts is his full name or a joke played by him or the recorder is unknown.
On September 12 1864 when Ferdinand was 24 years of age he enrolled at Woodland, Michigan to serve as a soldier in the army of the United States of America for three years. On that day he swore an oath before Asa Pike, Justice of the Peace at Woodland, Michigan:
"I, Ferdinand Potts do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers wheresoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War."
Ferdinand is described as standing five feet five inches tall, having blue eyes, light hair, light complexion and by occupation a farmer. On that day he was declared fit for duty, "being free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity." A few days later on September 20, 1864 at Grand Rapids, Michigan he was mustered into the service of the United States in Company E, 3rd Regiment of the Michigan Infantry Volunteers.
The following is the record of the 3rd Michigan Infantry's service during Ferdinand's deployment:
-Defense of Decatur, AL against Hood's attack October 26-30, 1864. On duty at Decatur until November 25.
-Moved to Murfreesboro, TN, November 25-27 and on duty there until January 16, 1865. Defended against Hood's attack on Murfreesboro December 5-12, 1864.
-Moved to Huntsville, Ala., January 16, 1865. Then to Nashville, TN on January 31, and back to Huntsville, AL on February 6.
-Expedition to Bull's Gap and operations in East Tennessee March 16-April 17.
-Moved to Nashville, TN April 20-24, and on duty there until June 15.
-Moved to New Orleans, LA, June 15-July 5 and then to Indianola, TX, July 6-10.
-March to Green Lake and duty there until September 12 (It would have been during this period of time in August that Ferdinand began showing symptoms of Typhoid Fever and was no longer able to perform his duties as a soldier).
-March to San Antonio September 12-26. Guard and provost duty at San Antonio, Gonzales and Victoria until May, 1866 (The march to San Antonio, TX for Ferdinand must have been a horrible journey).
-The Regiment was mustered out at Victoria on May 26 and discharged at Detroit, Mich., June 10, 1866.
Just over a year from Ferdinand's muster in date near San Antonio, Texas, Dr Comfort M. Slawson, the assistant surgeon for the Third Michigan Infantry, wrote on October 11, 1865, "I certify that I have carefully examined Private Ferdinand Pots of Company E. and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier" due to his chronic ailment from which he had been suffering from for the last sixty days and which had prevented him from performing his duties. The Doctor recommended a period no less than thirty days for Ferdinand to have "a change of climate comforts of home and the comforts of home diet...for the especial benefit for his recovery for without which it is doubtful if he recover."
On December 15, 1865 Dr. Henry Smith of Woodland, Michigan wrote that Ferdinand had applied to him on November 7, 1865 for an examination in order that application might be made to Colonel M. B. Houghton, commander of the Michigan Regiment, for an extended furlough. Dr. Smith certified that upon examination he found that Ferdinand's chronic condition prevented him from performing his duties and recommended his furlough be extended no less than thirty days.
A few weeks later on January 3, 1866 Ferdinand Potts died at his parents home in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan of Typhoid Fever in the service of his country. This date is in agreement with his gravestone and a handwritten document by Lyman Wilson, Capt., Co. E, 3rd MI Infantry. Some of Ferdinand's military documents set his death on 13 Mar 1866, the date of which was used in the books published by the Michigan Legislature.
On May 25, 1866 Ferdinand's name appeared on the Muster-Out Roll in Victoria, Texas.
His family salutes him and remembers him with honor for his courage and willingness to fight for the cause of the United States of America in the Civil War.
His marker is very worn and and broken. The top and bottom halves presently lean up against his parent's stone. The base may still be in the ground nearby. His footstone still stands in position with the initials. F. P.
*Military info on Ferdinand Potts is from his military papers at Woodland Library, Woodland, MI. The history of the 3rd Michigan Regiment (Reorganized) is from http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unmiinf1.htm#3rdr. Add'l resources were "Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65: Ohio, Michigan"), and "Record of service of Michigan volunteers in the civil war, 1861-1865" (Pub. by authority of the Senate and House of representatives of the Michigan Legislature under the direction of Brig. Gen. Geo. H. Brown, adjutant general), p. 185.
Bio by David D. Burns, M. Div.
Find A Grave Member# 47319474
Updated 3/20/2023
Ferdinand would never marry, never have children, never get to experience a long life filled with the pains and joys of growing older, never attend a veterans reunion. What he did get to experience was the horror of war and the physically wrenching pain that resulted from contracting Typhoid Fever during his tour of duty in the Civil War which in a short time took his young life. The following is his story, what little we know of it.
Ferdinand was born in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan to John and Jane Jamison Potts. He was their first born child. His stone appears to say he was 26 years and 2 months old when he died. That would place his birth date in either October or November of 1839 with October being statistically the more likely month.
Ferdinand's father, John Potts, is thought to have originally come from Steuben County, NY, since both his wife Jane Jamison and his friend John Jordan also came from there. For a short time they stayed in Livingston County, MI. In Dec 1838 John Potts and Jordan Jordan along with their families journeyed from Livingston County to settle in Barry County, MI. About one year later Ferdinand was born. He was the oldest of the five children John & Jane would have. On the 1840 Federal Census Ferdinand is found in the John Potts household listed as a male child under 8 years of age.
In 1841 Ferdinand's parents received land grants in the northeastern part of Woodland Township in Barry County totaling some 160 acres. It was in this section of the Michigan wilderness that Ferdinand would grow into manhood helping his parents eek out a living as farmers on this wild undeveloped land. Little did he know that one day he would be called upon to serve as a soldier in the United States army.
Ferdinand's fate was determined when his name appeared in the June/July 1863 record of the Civil War Draft Registrations. He was listed as a 23 year old single man living in Woodland, MI. Amusingly his name is given as King Ferdinand Potts. There is no other record of him being referred to as "King." So whether King Ferdinand Potts is his full name or a joke played by him or the recorder is unknown.
On September 12 1864 when Ferdinand was 24 years of age he enrolled at Woodland, Michigan to serve as a soldier in the army of the United States of America for three years. On that day he swore an oath before Asa Pike, Justice of the Peace at Woodland, Michigan:
"I, Ferdinand Potts do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers wheresoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War."
Ferdinand is described as standing five feet five inches tall, having blue eyes, light hair, light complexion and by occupation a farmer. On that day he was declared fit for duty, "being free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity." A few days later on September 20, 1864 at Grand Rapids, Michigan he was mustered into the service of the United States in Company E, 3rd Regiment of the Michigan Infantry Volunteers.
The following is the record of the 3rd Michigan Infantry's service during Ferdinand's deployment:
-Defense of Decatur, AL against Hood's attack October 26-30, 1864. On duty at Decatur until November 25.
-Moved to Murfreesboro, TN, November 25-27 and on duty there until January 16, 1865. Defended against Hood's attack on Murfreesboro December 5-12, 1864.
-Moved to Huntsville, Ala., January 16, 1865. Then to Nashville, TN on January 31, and back to Huntsville, AL on February 6.
-Expedition to Bull's Gap and operations in East Tennessee March 16-April 17.
-Moved to Nashville, TN April 20-24, and on duty there until June 15.
-Moved to New Orleans, LA, June 15-July 5 and then to Indianola, TX, July 6-10.
-March to Green Lake and duty there until September 12 (It would have been during this period of time in August that Ferdinand began showing symptoms of Typhoid Fever and was no longer able to perform his duties as a soldier).
-March to San Antonio September 12-26. Guard and provost duty at San Antonio, Gonzales and Victoria until May, 1866 (The march to San Antonio, TX for Ferdinand must have been a horrible journey).
-The Regiment was mustered out at Victoria on May 26 and discharged at Detroit, Mich., June 10, 1866.
Just over a year from Ferdinand's muster in date near San Antonio, Texas, Dr Comfort M. Slawson, the assistant surgeon for the Third Michigan Infantry, wrote on October 11, 1865, "I certify that I have carefully examined Private Ferdinand Pots of Company E. and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier" due to his chronic ailment from which he had been suffering from for the last sixty days and which had prevented him from performing his duties. The Doctor recommended a period no less than thirty days for Ferdinand to have "a change of climate comforts of home and the comforts of home diet...for the especial benefit for his recovery for without which it is doubtful if he recover."
On December 15, 1865 Dr. Henry Smith of Woodland, Michigan wrote that Ferdinand had applied to him on November 7, 1865 for an examination in order that application might be made to Colonel M. B. Houghton, commander of the Michigan Regiment, for an extended furlough. Dr. Smith certified that upon examination he found that Ferdinand's chronic condition prevented him from performing his duties and recommended his furlough be extended no less than thirty days.
A few weeks later on January 3, 1866 Ferdinand Potts died at his parents home in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan of Typhoid Fever in the service of his country. This date is in agreement with his gravestone and a handwritten document by Lyman Wilson, Capt., Co. E, 3rd MI Infantry. Some of Ferdinand's military documents set his death on 13 Mar 1866, the date of which was used in the books published by the Michigan Legislature.
On May 25, 1866 Ferdinand's name appeared on the Muster-Out Roll in Victoria, Texas.
His family salutes him and remembers him with honor for his courage and willingness to fight for the cause of the United States of America in the Civil War.
His marker is very worn and and broken. The top and bottom halves presently lean up against his parent's stone. The base may still be in the ground nearby. His footstone still stands in position with the initials. F. P.
*Military info on Ferdinand Potts is from his military papers at Woodland Library, Woodland, MI. The history of the 3rd Michigan Regiment (Reorganized) is from http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unmiinf1.htm#3rdr. Add'l resources were "Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65: Ohio, Michigan"), and "Record of service of Michigan volunteers in the civil war, 1861-1865" (Pub. by authority of the Senate and House of representatives of the Michigan Legislature under the direction of Brig. Gen. Geo. H. Brown, adjutant general), p. 185.
Bio by David D. Burns, M. Div.
Find A Grave Member# 47319474
Updated 3/20/2023
PVT Ferdinand Potts and the Civil War:
Ferdinand would never marry, never have children, never get to experience a long life filled with the pains and joys of growing older, never attend a veterans reunion. What he did get to experience was the horror of war and the physically wrenching pain that resulted from contracting Typhoid Fever during his tour of duty in the Civil War which in a short time took his young life. The following is his story, what little we know of it.
Ferdinand was born in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan to John and Jane Jamison Potts. He was their first born child. His stone appears to say he was 26 years and 2 months old when he died. That would place his birth date in either October or November of 1839 with October being statistically the more likely month.
Ferdinand's father, John Potts, is thought to have originally come from Steuben County, NY, since both his wife Jane Jamison and his friend John Jordan also came from there. For a short time they stayed in Livingston County, MI. In Dec 1838 John Potts and Jordan Jordan along with their families journeyed from Livingston County to settle in Barry County, MI. About one year later Ferdinand was born. He was the oldest of the five children John & Jane would have. On the 1840 Federal Census Ferdinand is found in the John Potts household listed as a male child under 8 years of age.
In 1841 Ferdinand's parents received land grants in the northeastern part of Woodland Township in Barry County totaling some 160 acres. It was in this section of the Michigan wilderness that Ferdinand would grow into manhood helping his parents eek out a living as farmers on this wild undeveloped land. Little did he know that one day he would be called upon to serve as a soldier in the United States army.
Ferdinand's fate was determined when his name appeared in the June/July 1863 record of the Civil War Draft Registrations. He was listed as a 23 year old single man living in Woodland, MI. Amusingly his name is given as King Ferdinand Potts. There is no other record of him being referred to as "King." So whether King Ferdinand Potts is his full name or a joke played by him or the recorder is unknown.
On September 12 1864 when Ferdinand was 24 years of age he enrolled at Woodland, Michigan to serve as a soldier in the army of the United States of America for three years. On that day he swore an oath before Asa Pike, Justice of the Peace at Woodland, Michigan:
"I, Ferdinand Potts do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers wheresoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War."
Ferdinand is described as standing five feet five inches tall, having blue eyes, light hair, light complexion and by occupation a farmer. On that day he was declared fit for duty, "being free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity." A few days later on September 20, 1864 at Grand Rapids, Michigan he was mustered into the service of the United States in Company E, 3rd Regiment of the Michigan Infantry Volunteers.
The following is the record of the 3rd Michigan Infantry's service during Ferdinand's deployment:
-Defense of Decatur, AL against Hood's attack October 26-30, 1864. On duty at Decatur until November 25.
-Moved to Murfreesboro, TN, November 25-27 and on duty there until January 16, 1865. Defended against Hood's attack on Murfreesboro December 5-12, 1864.
-Moved to Huntsville, Ala., January 16, 1865. Then to Nashville, TN on January 31, and back to Huntsville, AL on February 6.
-Expedition to Bull's Gap and operations in East Tennessee March 16-April 17.
-Moved to Nashville, TN April 20-24, and on duty there until June 15.
-Moved to New Orleans, LA, June 15-July 5 and then to Indianola, TX, July 6-10.
-March to Green Lake and duty there until September 12 (It would have been during this period of time in August that Ferdinand began showing symptoms of Typhoid Fever and was no longer able to perform his duties as a soldier).
-March to San Antonio September 12-26. Guard and provost duty at San Antonio, Gonzales and Victoria until May, 1866 (The march to San Antonio, TX for Ferdinand must have been a horrible journey).
-The Regiment was mustered out at Victoria on May 26 and discharged at Detroit, Mich., June 10, 1866.
Just over a year from Ferdinand's muster in date near San Antonio, Texas, Dr Comfort M. Slawson, the assistant surgeon for the Third Michigan Infantry, wrote on October 11, 1865, "I certify that I have carefully examined Private Ferdinand Pots of Company E. and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier" due to his chronic ailment from which he had been suffering from for the last sixty days and which had prevented him from performing his duties. The Doctor recommended a period no less than thirty days for Ferdinand to have "a change of climate comforts of home and the comforts of home diet...for the especial benefit for his recovery for without which it is doubtful if he recover."
On December 15, 1865 Dr. Henry Smith of Woodland, Michigan wrote that Ferdinand had applied to him on November 7, 1865 for an examination in order that application might be made to Colonel M. B. Houghton, commander of the Michigan Regiment, for an extended furlough. Dr. Smith certified that upon examination he found that Ferdinand's chronic condition prevented him from performing his duties and recommended his furlough be extended no less than thirty days.
A few weeks later on January 3, 1866 Ferdinand Potts died at his parents home in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan of Typhoid Fever in the service of his country. This date is in agreement with his gravestone and a handwritten document by Lyman Wilson, Capt., Co. E, 3rd MI Infantry. Some of Ferdinand's military documents set his death on 13 Mar 1866, the date of which was used in the books published by the Michigan Legislature.
On May 25, 1866 Ferdinand's name appeared on the Muster-Out Roll in Victoria, Texas.
His family salutes him and remembers him with honor for his courage and willingness to fight for the cause of the United States of America in the Civil War.
His marker is very worn and and broken. The top and bottom halves presently lean up against his parent's stone. The base may still be in the ground nearby. His footstone still stands in position with the initials. F. P.
*Military info on Ferdinand Potts is from his military papers at Woodland Library, Woodland, MI. The history of the 3rd Michigan Regiment (Reorganized) is from http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unmiinf1.htm#3rdr. Add'l resources were "Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65: Ohio, Michigan"), and "Record of service of Michigan volunteers in the civil war, 1861-1865" (Pub. by authority of the Senate and House of representatives of the Michigan Legislature under the direction of Brig. Gen. Geo. H. Brown, adjutant general), p. 185.
Bio by David D. Burns, M. Div.
Find A Grave Member# 47319474
Updated 3/20/2023
Ferdinand would never marry, never have children, never get to experience a long life filled with the pains and joys of growing older, never attend a veterans reunion. What he did get to experience was the horror of war and the physically wrenching pain that resulted from contracting Typhoid Fever during his tour of duty in the Civil War which in a short time took his young life. The following is his story, what little we know of it.
Ferdinand was born in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan to John and Jane Jamison Potts. He was their first born child. His stone appears to say he was 26 years and 2 months old when he died. That would place his birth date in either October or November of 1839 with October being statistically the more likely month.
Ferdinand's father, John Potts, is thought to have originally come from Steuben County, NY, since both his wife Jane Jamison and his friend John Jordan also came from there. For a short time they stayed in Livingston County, MI. In Dec 1838 John Potts and Jordan Jordan along with their families journeyed from Livingston County to settle in Barry County, MI. About one year later Ferdinand was born. He was the oldest of the five children John & Jane would have. On the 1840 Federal Census Ferdinand is found in the John Potts household listed as a male child under 8 years of age.
In 1841 Ferdinand's parents received land grants in the northeastern part of Woodland Township in Barry County totaling some 160 acres. It was in this section of the Michigan wilderness that Ferdinand would grow into manhood helping his parents eek out a living as farmers on this wild undeveloped land. Little did he know that one day he would be called upon to serve as a soldier in the United States army.
Ferdinand's fate was determined when his name appeared in the June/July 1863 record of the Civil War Draft Registrations. He was listed as a 23 year old single man living in Woodland, MI. Amusingly his name is given as King Ferdinand Potts. There is no other record of him being referred to as "King." So whether King Ferdinand Potts is his full name or a joke played by him or the recorder is unknown.
On September 12 1864 when Ferdinand was 24 years of age he enrolled at Woodland, Michigan to serve as a soldier in the army of the United States of America for three years. On that day he swore an oath before Asa Pike, Justice of the Peace at Woodland, Michigan:
"I, Ferdinand Potts do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers wheresoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War."
Ferdinand is described as standing five feet five inches tall, having blue eyes, light hair, light complexion and by occupation a farmer. On that day he was declared fit for duty, "being free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity." A few days later on September 20, 1864 at Grand Rapids, Michigan he was mustered into the service of the United States in Company E, 3rd Regiment of the Michigan Infantry Volunteers.
The following is the record of the 3rd Michigan Infantry's service during Ferdinand's deployment:
-Defense of Decatur, AL against Hood's attack October 26-30, 1864. On duty at Decatur until November 25.
-Moved to Murfreesboro, TN, November 25-27 and on duty there until January 16, 1865. Defended against Hood's attack on Murfreesboro December 5-12, 1864.
-Moved to Huntsville, Ala., January 16, 1865. Then to Nashville, TN on January 31, and back to Huntsville, AL on February 6.
-Expedition to Bull's Gap and operations in East Tennessee March 16-April 17.
-Moved to Nashville, TN April 20-24, and on duty there until June 15.
-Moved to New Orleans, LA, June 15-July 5 and then to Indianola, TX, July 6-10.
-March to Green Lake and duty there until September 12 (It would have been during this period of time in August that Ferdinand began showing symptoms of Typhoid Fever and was no longer able to perform his duties as a soldier).
-March to San Antonio September 12-26. Guard and provost duty at San Antonio, Gonzales and Victoria until May, 1866 (The march to San Antonio, TX for Ferdinand must have been a horrible journey).
-The Regiment was mustered out at Victoria on May 26 and discharged at Detroit, Mich., June 10, 1866.
Just over a year from Ferdinand's muster in date near San Antonio, Texas, Dr Comfort M. Slawson, the assistant surgeon for the Third Michigan Infantry, wrote on October 11, 1865, "I certify that I have carefully examined Private Ferdinand Pots of Company E. and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier" due to his chronic ailment from which he had been suffering from for the last sixty days and which had prevented him from performing his duties. The Doctor recommended a period no less than thirty days for Ferdinand to have "a change of climate comforts of home and the comforts of home diet...for the especial benefit for his recovery for without which it is doubtful if he recover."
On December 15, 1865 Dr. Henry Smith of Woodland, Michigan wrote that Ferdinand had applied to him on November 7, 1865 for an examination in order that application might be made to Colonel M. B. Houghton, commander of the Michigan Regiment, for an extended furlough. Dr. Smith certified that upon examination he found that Ferdinand's chronic condition prevented him from performing his duties and recommended his furlough be extended no less than thirty days.
A few weeks later on January 3, 1866 Ferdinand Potts died at his parents home in Woodland Township, Barry County, Michigan of Typhoid Fever in the service of his country. This date is in agreement with his gravestone and a handwritten document by Lyman Wilson, Capt., Co. E, 3rd MI Infantry. Some of Ferdinand's military documents set his death on 13 Mar 1866, the date of which was used in the books published by the Michigan Legislature.
On May 25, 1866 Ferdinand's name appeared on the Muster-Out Roll in Victoria, Texas.
His family salutes him and remembers him with honor for his courage and willingness to fight for the cause of the United States of America in the Civil War.
His marker is very worn and and broken. The top and bottom halves presently lean up against his parent's stone. The base may still be in the ground nearby. His footstone still stands in position with the initials. F. P.
*Military info on Ferdinand Potts is from his military papers at Woodland Library, Woodland, MI. The history of the 3rd Michigan Regiment (Reorganized) is from http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unmiinf1.htm#3rdr. Add'l resources were "Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65: Ohio, Michigan"), and "Record of service of Michigan volunteers in the civil war, 1861-1865" (Pub. by authority of the Senate and House of representatives of the Michigan Legislature under the direction of Brig. Gen. Geo. H. Brown, adjutant general), p. 185.
Bio by David D. Burns, M. Div.
Find A Grave Member# 47319474
Updated 3/20/2023
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