In reading through the website for the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV, I ran across an interesting page that made reference to a Grant administration veto. What it boils down to (at least my take on it) is that because these Southerners (Southern Unionists) enlisted to seek refuge (at least that was President Grant’s take on it), they were not entitled to enlistment bonuses. I really don’t think that Grant’s veto was a fair reflection of true loyalty/Unionist sentiment found in some of those Southern Unionists. Certainly, some enlisted to take refuge (and get a little revenge after chased down by Confederate conscript hunters), but I do believe that there was true desire to serve the Union. Personally, my favorite story is of Dr. James Gillespie and his son. They were in Page County, Virginia at the beginning of the war (having been residents for at least a decade – and the doctor being a native-born of Albemarle County, Va.), but ended up in a West Virginia unit – something I will have to talk more about at a later time. I would think that West Virginia units were entitled to bonuses weren’t they?
That said, I’m curious… has anyone come across anything about Southern Unionists in other units (with Northern state designations) that were not entitled to bonuses? In my own research, I have run across Virginians out of the Shenandoah Valley who enlisted in units such as the 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry, the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry and a few others, but I didn’t even think to look at the situation with bonuses. I did notice that certain districts were credited with the enlistment of these Southern Unionists (for example, when the man enlisted in the 143rd, I think a district around Harrisburg, Pa. was credited with the enlistment. I have to say that this is rather interesting in that the Southern Unionist helped to fill a quota for that district, though he wasn’t from there, but had taken refuge in Pa.). I’m just curious to see if Grant’s veto was imbalanced in dealing with Southern Unionists as a whole.
Cenantua's Blog 
Patty Matthews
October 30, 2009
I am very curious about the Southern Unionists supposedly joining (or being drafted into) the 143rd PA Inf.
Can you cite names and sources?
The reason I ask is that we have been researching the 143rd PA Inf. and have located and photographed the headstones of about 1300 of them.
In all of my previous research, I have not come across this information before.
Patty
cenantua
October 30, 2009
Hi Patty, Thanks for asking… I posted a good bit about what I know about Henry “Hiram” Meadows in one of my other blogs. You can see it here. His grave is unmarked at present. We are hoping to change that, though getting a headstone to the cemetery will be quite a task as it is on the side of a mountain in Page County. Let me know if you have any other questions. Robert
cenantua
October 30, 2009
I should add that the primary source for much of the information on Henry Meadow’s service can be found in his pension record.
Patty Matthews
October 30, 2009
Hi Robert,
I did find his pension card, but have never had his file pulled by NARA. I just read the story of his life. Thanks for that. I will be better able to understand him now.
We tried for several days to find his grave, but were unable to locate the cemetery. No one seemed to have ever heard of it.
I’ll have his file pulled when I visit the Archives in December.
Thanks for the lead.
Patty
cenantua
October 30, 2009
Patty, Glad it provided some useful info. Incidentally, there are two Meadows family cemeteries back in Jollett Hollow. One is obvious, but the other is actually a walk up, higher on the mountain above the site of the more obvious cemetery. I only know that because I know one of Henry Meadows’ descendants. That said however, the descendant didn’t have any more descriptive items detailing his ancestor’s service and was actually totally unaware of any ties with a Union soldier.
Patty Matthews
October 30, 2009
Our goal is to write a book with a bio on each man from the 143rd (1526 in all) and include a CD or DVD with headstone photos.
We have also collected more than 120 photos of the men of the 143rd, so it is getting to be quite the project.
What started out as sheer curiosity has turned into a major undertaking.
It’s been a wonderful experience, full of stories that would make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. We have met some wonderful folks (and a few not so wonderful ones…lol) on our trip through 22 states in search of our soldiers.
Hopefully, for those without a headstone now, we will inspire a family member or a veterans’ organization to take action and honor them with a proper stone.
We have found several men who even have the wrong headstones. We are doing what we can to remedy that situation, as well. The 5 stones that we were able to get replaced were only done because we found a monument company that installed them at no charge.
Thank you for your clarification on the Southern Unionists.
All the best,
Patty
cenantua
November 3, 2009
Patty,
Thanks for all that you are doing. I’m glad that, even among nearly 1600 men in the regiment, one of them can be identified (so far?) as a Southern Unionist. It’s a story that needs to be told and understood and even if Meadows is a blip on the radar with the 143rd, it’s significant. Best, Robert
Leroy E Meadows
April 27, 2010
Mr Moore,
I Regret not finding this website and blog nearly 7 months late. I realy appreciate the hard work and effort you have put forth in researching the Southern Unionists. Henry Meadows was my second Great Grandfather, and it would be a honor to get a proper headstone on his grave, I know the site very well and can help in any means to make this happen. My Great Aunt even has Henry’s journals and letter’s he wrote during the war.
Any Iformation would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Leroy E Meadows
Robert Moore
April 28, 2010
Delighted to hear from you, Mr. Meadows. Yes, I would very much like to see him get a proper headstone. I would also LOVE to read copies of those wartime journals, if possible. Please contact me again. Robert
Candy Meadows
January 16, 2011
We would all love to read copies of the journal and letters.
Robert Moore
January 16, 2011
Me too. Very much so…
Patty Matthews
April 28, 2010
Leroy,
Can you please contact me at this address:
civilwarwidow@gmail.com
We are researching the 143rd PA Inf. and would like to “pick your brain”, so to speak, about Henry Meadows.
All the best,
Patty Matthews
Leroy E Meadows
April 28, 2010
Sure, ask me anything. I will try hard to help.
Larry Purtell
June 2, 2010
Thee are three men from company-H buried very close to whre I live in Susquehanna County.
Company_He was raised completely in this area by Capt. John Morris. I used to ahve more names and what cemterys there are buried in. I have a copy of the letter sent to John Barnum announcing the death of son, Henry Clay Barnum of company-H. If I can be of any help please let me know.
Larry