David,

Arza's grandfather, Joseph Goodspeed, was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts in June 1774, and moved to Athens County, Ohio in 1818. He had five sons and three daughters, and lived on a farm about two miles west of Athens, where he died Feb. 12,1857. Two of his sons were named David and Ezra, who were both born in Barnstable, and came with their father in 1818. They were both successful farmers in the area. Major Arza Goodspeed, was the son of David, and was killed during an assult on the defenses of Vicksburg. The above info is from a history of Athens County, Ohio. The family of David Goodspeed, including Arza, can be found in the 1860 Ohio census.

Arza first enlisted as a Lieutenant in Co. C, 3rd Ohio Infantry, on April 19,1861. This was a three months unit at the time. On July 8,1861, Arza was mustered out of the 3rd Ohio, and the same day was mustered into Co. D, 4th West Virginia, as a Captain. Probably he left the Ohio unit for the promotion, and for enlistment into a three year unit. However, after he left, the 3rd Ohio was also reenlisted as a three year unit. Athens County, Ohio is directly across the Ohio River from West Virginia, and a large number of men in the 4th West Virginia, were from Ohio. Arza was later promoted to Major and killed at Vicksburg.