Terry,
The following is stated in "Memoirs of the Lower Ohio Valley", Vol II, Federal Pubishing Co. 1905
Biography for James P. Ferrell, son of John H.
"In 1861, he (John H.) enlisted as wagon master in the Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, but was transferred to the navy by Gen. Grant and made a master pilot, serving in that capacity during the entire conflict".

I've checked the muster rolls, etc. for the 29th and can't find his name though. I've read several diaries, journals, etc. belonging to men from the 29th and can't find his name in any of them. I don't know if the above statement is true or not. It would seem "likely" to be true since his brother was Capt. and later Colonel of Company A, but again I don't know whether his enlisting in the 29th is true or not.

I tried once ordering his pension file but was told they couldn't find it. The papers I have on him belonged to his attorney who applied for the pension for him (which are the same papers you get with a gov. pension file minus the Affidavits). He claimed deafness as his disability. There are several pages which refer to his service in the U.S. Navy and piloting the Neosheo.

One page from the Department of the Interior dated Sept. 6, 1884 says that certificate #3918 for Original pension, has this day been issued in favor of John H. Ferrell whose P.O. address is Elizabethtown, County of Hardin State of Ill; etc. The rate of pension $7.50 per month, commencing July 4, 1865, and $15 per month commencing Apr 3, 1884. It has "Navy" handwritten across the top of the page. There isn't any mention of him receiving the MOH on any of these pages (most are the gov. forms that were filled out; or pages with instructions).

John H. didn't die until April 1900 according to his death record and the headstone. There wasn't a gov. marker obtained for him until about 1999 or 2000.
Ann