Brothers In Arms, Brother Against Brother, By G.C. Stevens

 This is a family history of the military service of Inman, Curtis,  Stawinski, Stevens family. This is a work in progress, and only a snap shot of the overall picture our family members who have served this Republic. We live in dangerous times, I therefore created this page to rededicate my efforts to defend our history, and this Republic.

-Gene Stevens 

Flag Day, June 14th 2024 

Anyone wishing to contribute additional information. Please contact me at; gene9156@yahoo.com 

Photo of G.C. Stevens, 

Reenacting The Civil war

by Asa Stevens,  

Edited by Mike McGinity 

List of known,

 family members 

who served. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

RUFUS INMAN

CONTINENTAL ARMY

"Sons of Liberty Flag"

These flags represented a movement. "Liberty" flags were quite common throughout the colonies; examples exist from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, South Carolina and Georgia. The Taunton *was* an early flag of the "movement," prior to the Sons of Liberty's stripes. I think the "Liberty" Flags were meant to be substantially the same throughout the colonies.

-Dave Martucci, 17 February 1998

Liberty Flags (U.S.) (crwflags.com)

WAR OF 1812

William Wylie Curtis

Patriarch and Pioneer

STEWARTS COMPANY

Family tradition says that William Wiley was born in Ireland and came to the United States as an infant and had several brothers. The 1850 Census shows that he was born in Pennsylvania in 1793 and the 1860 Census shows that he was born in Virginia in 1793. Calculating his birthdate from his gravestone produces a birthdate of February 6, 1795. A Greene County, Ohio history says that William Wiley was born in Greensville County, Virginia on February 6, 1793 and this is probably accurate. The ancestor who came from Ireland is possibly one or more generations further back in the family.The names of William Wiley's parents remain unknown but it is likely that his father died when he was young since it is reported that William came to Greene County, Ohio in November 1805 along with his stepfather and family. They arrived in Greene County after a "tedious and toilsome journey of seven weeks." William Wiley served in the military during the War of 1812. 

                                                   -Compiled by Mary Jo Sartin

                                                                       CIVIL WAR

                                                                 1861-1865

   Flag of the 5th Alabama Confederate  (above) 

                                                 and the 54th Illinois Infantry.  (bottom)

Hilliards Legion (left) 5th Alabama Regiment (Right)

5th Cavalry Regiment, organized at Tuscumbia, Alabama, in December, 1862, recruited its men in Morgan, Lawrence, Fayette, Franklin, Lauderdale, Tuscaloosa, and Marion counties. It was placed in General W.T. Martin's, then Roddey's Brigade, and took an active part in the operations in East Tennessee and Northern Alabama. Later the unit transferred to the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana and fought at Brice's Cross Roads, Pond Spring, and Selma, where many were captured. The small force that remained surrendered at Danville, Alabama, on May 6, 1865. Its field officers were Colonel Josiah Patterson, Lieutenant Colonel James M. Warren, and Major R.F. Gibson.

James Riley Inman from Find a Grave

54th, Illinois Infantry History

54th Illinois

         JOSEPH CURTIS         

Adjutant General's Report

The Fifty-Fourth Infantry was organized at Camp Dubois, Anna, Illinois, by Colonel Thomas W. Harris, in November 1861, as a part of the “Kentucky Brigade”. It was mustered into United States service, February 18, 1862.

February 24, 1862, ordered to Cairo, Illinois. March 14, moved to Columbus, Kentucky. Three companies were stationed at Humboldt, Tennessee, during the fall of 1862, and, December 18, the Regiment was ordered to Jackson, Tennessee. December 20, marched to Lexington, Tennessee, and returned on the 22d. 24th, marched to Britton’s Lane and Toon’s Station, returning December 28. Meantime General Forrest captured detachments of the Regiment, stationed on the railroad, and destroyed nearly all the records. The balance of the records were lost by the Quartermaster’s Detachment, in transit from Columbus to Jackson. Remained at Jackson, with two companies at Medon Station, and two at Toon’s, during January, February and March, 1863. In April, went to Corinth, and returned.

Left Jackson for Vicksburg, as part of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, Brigadier General Nathan Kimball commanding Division, May 30, 1863. June 2d, arrived at Haines Bluff, on Yazoo River. Was on the extreme left of Sherman’s army, on the Big Black, confronting Johnson’s army, on the Canton road.

                                     

Photo courtesy Vicksburg NP

July 24th, 1863, ordered to Helena, as a part of General Steele’s expedition against Little Rock, Arkansas. August 13th, marched, and September 10th, arrived at Little Rock. October 15th, moved to Benton and Rockport, and returned.

                                                 ATTACKED BY COPPERHEADS 

                                                                       IN

                                                   CHARLESTON ILLINOIS

January 1864, three-fourths of the Regiment re-enlisted, as veteran volunteers, and were mustered February 9th, 1864. Left for Mattoon, Illinois, for veteran furlough, March 28th. Veteran furlough having expired, the Regiment re-assembled at Mattoon. The same day an organized gang of Copperheads, led by Sheriff O’Hair, attacked some men of the Regiment at Charleston, killing Major Shubal York, Surgeon, and four privates, and wounding Colonel G. M. Mitchell. One hour later the Regiment arrived from Mattoon and occupied the town, capturing some of the most prominent traitors.

April 12th, moved to Cairo. 14th, to Columbus. 16th, to Paducah. Left Paducah 22d, and arrived at Little Rock 30th.

May 18th, left for Brownsville. Moved, 19th, in pursuit of General Shelby, and arrived at Little Rock 30th. June 25th, moved to Duvall’s Bluff, and thence to Clarendon. Fought Shelby on the 26th. Returned on the 29th. August 5th, assigned to guard 16 miles of Memphis and Little Rock railroad, having five stations, with two companies at each. August 24, was attacked by Shelby, with 4,000 men and 4 pieces of artillery, and one station captured. Six companies were concentrated at a station, by Colonel Mitchell, and fought five hours, when their hay breast-works being burned by the enemy’s shell, they were driven out and captured by detail. Loss, Lieutenant Thomas P. James and 13 men killed, and 35 wounded. Companies F and H, at a distant station, were not attacked. Were paroled at Jacksonport, Arkansas, and arrived at Benton Barracks, Missouri, September 9, 1864.

The Regiment was exchanged December 5, 1864, and arrived at Hickory Station, on Memphis and Little Rock railroad, January 18, 1865, and remained as railroad guard until June 6, 1865. Arrived at Pine Bluff, June 9, 1865. Marched, August 18, and arrived at Fort Smith, Arkansas, August 30. October 4, marched, and arrived at Little Rock, October 6.

Mustered out October 15, 1865. Arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, October 26, and was discharged.

Since the organization the Regiment has had 1,342 enlisted men and 71 commissioned officers.

 

                                                              JOHN H. CURTIS Private

Military Age 17

Service Entry Age 18

Muster In Age 18

Muster Out Age 21

Birth Date abt 1844

Birth Place Crawford Co, Illinois

Height 5' 6

War Years 1861-1865

War Civil War

Company D

Unit; 98th Illinois Infantry

Period 3 Yrs

Service Entry Date 9 Aug 1862

Service Entry Place Crawford Co, Illinois

Joined By Whom Wm Wood

Muster In Date 3 Sep 1862

Muster In Place Camp Centralia, Illinois

Muster In By Whom L Cpt

Muster Out Date 27 Jun 1865

Muster Out Place Nashville, Tennessee

Muster Out By Whom Cpt Hosea

Residence Place Oblong, Crawford Co, Illinois

Marital Status Single

Occupation Farmer

-Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry

 Organized at Centralia, Ill., and mustered in September 3, 1862. Moved to Louisville, Ky., September 8, 1862, thence to Jeffersonville September 9, and to Shepherdsville September 19. Attached to 40th Brigade, 12th Division, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, Centre 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps, to October, 1863. Wilder's Mounted Infantry Brigade, Army of the Cumberland, to November, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland, November, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to December, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to November, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to June, 1865.

SERVICE:

Moved to Elizabethtown, Ky., thence to Frankfort and Versailles September 30-October 13, 1862. March to Bowling Green, Ky., October 26-November 3, thence to Scottsboro November 10. To Gallatin November 26, and to Castillian Springs November 28. To Bledsoe Creek December 14. Operations against Morgan in Kentucky December 22-January 2, 1863. Moved to Cave City, thence to Murfreesboro, Tenn., January 2-8, and duty there till June. Expedition to Auburn, Liberty and Alexandria February 3-5. Regiment mounted March 8. Expedition to Woodbury March 3-8. Expedition to Lebanon, Carthage and Liberty April 1-8. Expedition to McMinnville April 20-30. Reconnoissance to the front May 23. Armed with Spencer Carbines May 31. Liberty Road June 4. Liberty June 10. Middle Tennessee or Tullahoma Campaign June 24-July 7. Hoover's Gap June 24-26. Occupation of Manchester June 27. Dechard June 29. Pelham and Elk River Bridge July 2. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Friar's Island September 9. Lee and Gordon's Mills September 11-13. Ringgold September 11. Leet's Tan Yard September 12-13. Pea Vine Ridge September 18. Alexander's Bridge September 18. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-21. Operations against Wheeler and Roddy September 30-October 17. Hill's Gap, Thompson's Cove, near Beersheba October 3. Murfreesboro Road near McMinnville and McMinnville October 4. Farmington October 7. Sims' Farm near Shelbyville October 7. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Raid on East Tennessee and Georgia R. R. November 24-27. Charleston November 26. Cleveland November 27. March to relief of Knoxville and operations in East Tennessee November 28, 1863, to January 6, 1864. Near Loudon December 2, 1863. Expedition to Murphey, N. C., December 6-11. Operations in North Alabama January 23-29, 1864. Florence January 25. Demonstration on Dalton, Ga., February 22-27. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Faced Ridge February 23-25. Near Dalton February 23. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Battle of Resaca May 13-15. Rome May 17-18. Near Dallas May 24. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Near Big Shanty June 9. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Noonday Creek June 19-20. Powder Springs, Lattimer's Mills, June 20. Noonday Creek and assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Rottenwood Creek July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Garrard's Raid to Covington July 22-24. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Garrard's Raid to South River July 27-31. Flat Rock Bridge July 28. Kilpatrick's Raid around Atlanta August 20-22. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. Near Lost Mountain October 4-7. New Hope Church October 5. Dallas October 7. Rome October 10-11. Narrows October 11. Near Rome October 13. Near Summerville October 18. Little River, Ala., October 20. Leesburg October 21. Ladiga, Terrapin Creek, October 28. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., thence to Louisville, Ky., November 2-15, and duty there refitting till December 26. March to Nashville, Tenn., December 26, 1864, to January 12, 1865, thence to Gravelly Springs, Ala., and duty there till March 13. Wilson's Raid to Macon, Ga., March 22-April 24. Summerville April 2. Selma April 2. Montgomery April 12. Columbus, Ga., April 16. Macon April 20. Provost duty at Macon till May 23. Moved to Edgefield and duty there till June, 1865. Mustered out June 27 and discharged at Springfield, Ill., July 7, 1865.

                                                                             

                                                WWII 

       World War II service

         Eugene Stawinski

USS Zaniah departed Mobile on 17 September, bound—via Key West, Florida—for Hampton Roads. Arriving at Key West on the 20th, the auxiliary vessel joined a coastwise convoy—KN-339—passing up the eastern seaboard from the 21st to the 24th, before steaming independently for Hampton Roads. Zaniah conducted her shakedown training in the Chesapeake Bay before shifting to New York City.

Transfer to the Pacific Fleet

Getting underway again on 23 October, Zaniah sailed southward, transited the Panama Canal on 4 November, and arrived at Pearl Harbor on the 22d. Zaniah underwent further conversion at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard—receiving additional office spaces and living quarters to accommodate the staff of a fleet service division. In addition, the ship's force joined yard workmen in installing a large electronics repair and supply department and additional water condensers to enable the ship to furnish fresh water to ships in forward areas of the South Pacific Ocean.

Repairing battle-damaged ships

Zaniah, thus outfitted for her special operations-departed Pearl Harbor on 10 January 1945 bound for Manus, in the Admiralties. Arriving on the 26th at Seeadler Harbor, she operated for a time with Sierra (AD-18) in repairing battle-damaged ships which put into Manus. Houston (CL-81) was among the warships which benefited from her services.

Supporting invasion forces at Philippine Islands

Zaniah soon shifted to the Solomons, providing water and repair services at Purvis Bay, Florida Island, from the day of her arrival, Washington's Birthday 1945. She returned to Manus on 19 March before sailing for Hollandia, New Guinea, to join a Philippine-bound convoy, GI-18, on the 29th. Zaniah arrived at San Pedro Bay, off Leyte, on 4 April and discharged her much-needed electronics and machinery parts before sailing for the Carolines.

Supporting repair efforts at Okinawa

The auxiliary ship operated at Ulithi from 13 to 24 April, providing repair services to ships damaged during the conquest of the Ryukyus. Zaniah, herself, sailed for Okinawa on the 24th and arrived on 1 May—one month after the first landings on the embattled island. The first ship of her type in the area, she arrived at a critical time, as her commanding officer wrote: "when damage was at its height and repair facilities and personnel were scarce."

Performing repair work under dangerous conditions

Zaniah's boats soon began a 24-hour schedule of transporting repairmen, in shifts, to damaged vessels. Initially, many men found themselves working 18-hour stints; and, despite daily air attacks and alerts, repair work progressed well. Salvage units from Zaniah cleared debris and made damaged hulls seaworthy until more permanent repairs could be made; others restored electrical plants and propulsion machinery; still others performed repairs on the vital and delicate radars and electronics installations on ships. Zaniah bore a charmed life—she was never attacked by Japanese planes during her sojourn off Okinawa. On 22 June, two ships were struck nearby LST-534 and Ellyson (DMS-10) -- the closest that the vital auxiliary came to being attacked.

-wikipedia

and

 U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships - U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo 19-N-244943 from Navsource.org, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9510123