J. K. Davisson
Regiment Name 24th Indiana Infantry
Side Union
Company E
Soldier's Rank_In Pvt.
Soldier's Rank_Out Pvt.
Alternate Name Joseph/Davisson; Joseph K./Davisson
Film Number M540 roll 18
Name: Joseph Davisson
RESIDENCE: Pike County, Indiana
Enlistment Date: 31 Jul 1861
Side Served: Union
State Served: Indiana
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 31 July 1861.
Enlisted in Company E, 24th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 31 Jul 1861.
Regimental History
Twenty-fourth Infantry INDIANA
(3 years)
Twenty-fourth Infantry. Cols., Alvin P. Hovey, William T.
Spicely Lieut.-Cols., John Gerber, William T. Spicely, Richard
F. Barter, John F. Grill, Francis A. Sears, William S.
Pollard; Majs., Cyrus C. Hines William T. Spicely, Richard F.
Barter, John F. Grill, Francis M. Redburn, David Kelly.
This regiment was organized at Vincennes and was mustered in
July 31, 1861. It left the state Aug. 19, joined Fremont's
army at St. Louis, and moved to the interior of Missouri.
In Feb. 1862, it was ordered to Fort Donelson and reached
Paducah the day after its surrender. It then moved to Fort
Henry and later joined Grant's army at Pittsburg landing. It
was conspicuously engaged at the battle of Shiloh where
Lieut.-Col. Gerber fell.
Col. Hovey was appointed brigadier general on April 28, and
Maj. Spicely was commissioned colonel. The regiment
participated in the siege of Corinth, moving from there to
Memphis and then was transferred to Helena, Ark., where it
remained until the spring of 1863, engaging in numerous minor
expeditions through Arkansas and was in many skirmishes.
It moved with Hovey's division of the 13th corps to the siege
of Vicksburg and was in nearly all the skirmishes and battles
of that campaign, including Port Gibson and Champion's Hill,
charging and defeating the enemy at the latter place. It was
in the trenches before Vicksburg from May 19 to July 4, and
was then stationed at and near New Orleans until Jan. 1, 1864.
It reenlisted as a veteran organization in January and
returned home on furlough. It passed the year at various
points in Louisiana, and while at Morganza in December the
67th regiment was consolidated with it.
It was transferred to Barrancas, Fla., in Jan. 1865,
participated in the investment of Mobile, took part in the
battles about Fort Blakely and in the assaults made upon the
enemy's works was the first to place its colors thereon. It
was then sent to Selma, Ala., and afterwards to Galveston,
Tex.
On July 16, the regiment was reorganized as a battalion of
five companies, the other five being made up largely of men
who had enlisted prior to Oct. 1862, in the 24th and 67th, and
were mustered out July 19. The battalion remained at
Galveston until mustered out on Nov. 15, 1865.
The original strength was 1,053; recruits, 377; reenlistments,
343; total, 1,773. Loss by death, 251; desertion, 61;
unaccounted for, 161.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 3
Shiloh after battle report:
Report of Col. Alvin P. Hovey, Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry.
CAMP FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIV., DEPT. OF MISS.,
Battle-field, near Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 8, 1862.
SIR: On Sunday, the 6th instant, my regiment, in connection with the
First Brigade of the Third Division, was ordered to march from
Crump's Landing, Tenn., to the field of action at this place. We arrived
a little after sundown, while the musketry was still ringing and cannon
roaring, with my regiment on the extreme right and in front. Before
arriving we had been informed that the enemy occupied the right of the
road in force. Under the directions of Col. Smith, commanding the
brigade, skirmishers were thrown out, and my regiment rapidly marched
forward and formed in line of battle before some tents, supposed to be
occupied by the enemy. On being challenged, however, they proved to
be Birge's Sharpshooters, and we were received with cheers instead of
bullets. Here the whole brigade bivouacked for the night, sleeping on
their arms, under one of the most severe rains of the season.
About 5.30 o'clock on Monday morning, the 7th instant, the battle
opened on our left by forces supposed to be under command of Gen.
Buell. Our brigade was immediately formed in line of battle, my
regiment upon the extreme left, in an open field, and marched rapidly on
what I supposed to be the center of the enemy. About 6.30 o'clock a.
m. we threw out skirmishers in advance, and
received the first fire of the enemy. From this point we passed through
a small woodland ravine into an open field, and at a double-quick rushed
rapidly forward to a slight depression, where our men were halted to
support one of our batteries, which was playing with deadly effect upon
one of the rebel batteries. At this point we again threw out skirmishers,
who fired with terrible effect upon the officers and men who were
manning the rebel batteries. The enemy being again driven back, our
brigade was thrown in advance of our artillery into a narrow skirt of
woods between two fields. Here we were halted a short time, and the
shell and shot of our battery and the battery of the enemy rained thick
and fast above and around us. Again the enemy slowly retired in order,
and we were pressed rapidly through another field, halted, threw out
skirmishers, and a stubborn conflict ensued.
About 11 o'clock a. m. three gallant officers of my
regiment-Lieut.-Col. Gerber, Capt. McGuffin and Lieut.
Southwick-fell. Capt. Spicely, Capt. Bolton, Lieut. Smith,
Lieut. Butler, and several non-commissioned officers and privates
were wounded. Out Skirmishers and battery again forced the rebel
forces back, and our brigade followed rapidly into the woods, and a
terrible conflict of musketry ensued, which continued for several hours,
the enemy contesting every inch, but retiring before us. During the day
every company of my regiment was deployed as skirmishers and did
good service. They were generally under the superintendence of Capt.
Spicely, who acted as major until the fall of Lieut.-Col. Gerber.
From that time Capt. Spicely acted as lieutenant-colonel and Adjutant
Barter as major of the regiment. I cannot speak too highly of their
effective services on that occasion. They were cool, brave, and
determined, and had the full confidence of the men. Capt. Spicely,
through wounded and stunned by a ball on the temple, continued on the
field the whole day and performed the full duties of a true soldier.
I say, with a pride I cannot conceal, that the Twenty-fourth never
faltered nor gave one inch from the first change in the morning until the
enemy gave way in the evening. In an exposed condition in the open
field, over hill, valley, and woodland for more than 3 miles, assailed by
every missile known in modern war, their march was on ward, with
loud cheers and full confidence in victory. The conduct of my officers
and men meets with my unqualified approbation.
I herewith transmit a list of the killed and wounded of my regiment.*
Permit me, through you, to tender to Col. Morgan L. Smith my
thanks for the cool, brave determined, and effective manner in which he
managed our brigade during that glorious and trying day.
I am, sir most respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALVIN P. HOVEY,
Col. Cmdg. Twenty-fourth Regt. Indiana Vols.
Lieut. D. C. COLEMAN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brigade, Third Division.
Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10
Battles Fought
Fought on 7 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN.
Fought on 1 May 1863 at Port Gibson, MS.
Fought on 1 May 1863 at Magnolia Hills, MS.
Fought on 16 May 1863 at Champion's Hill, MS.
Fought on 17 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS.
Fought on 20 Jun 1863.
Fought on 28 Feb 1864 at Orleans, IN.
Fought on 18 Mar 1864 at Indiana.
Fought on 14 Apr 1864.
Fought on 1 Apr 1865 at Fort Blakely, AL.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Fort Blakely, AL.
Fought on 5 Apr 1865 at Fort Blakely, AL.
Fought on 9 Apr 1865 at Mobile, AL.
Fought on 9 Apr 1865 at Fort Blakely, AL.
1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Joseph Davisson
Age in 1860: 24
Birth Year: abt 1836
Birthplace: Indiana
Home in 1860: Clay, Pike, Indiana
Gender: Male
Post Office: Petersburg
He was a painter, single, living in the home of Sarah Hornbrook, age 52. There is conjecture that he married her daughter, Elizabeth, age 23.
JR