Orrin H. Williams Company G

Private Orrin H. Williams, born July 6, 1847 in Dayton, OH, enlisted Nov. 7, 1861 at age 14 at Attica Point, IN.  He was mustered into service Dec. 12, 1861 assigned to 40^th Indiana Regiment, Company G.  This photograph, probably taken June 1865 in Madison, IN, shows Orrin and his new bride Alice Goines, shortly before he was granted a discharge for disability.  He was described in Army records “with fair complexion and brown eyes, 5 feet 3 ½ inches high”. 

Orrin remained in Company G throughout his service and fought in the battles of Shiloh, Chaplain Hills, Stone’s River, Mission Ridge, Resaca, New Hope, and Kennesaw Mt.  His service record states he “also served as regimental and brigade bugler”.  He was wounded severely at Kennesaw with a gunshot to his right thigh, resulting in gangrene and later paralysis in his ankle. 

Orrin survived his injury to father ten children, of whom several were musicians in Chicago, son Harry a noted composer in NYC, and daughter Emma a business woman in Terry Haute, IN. 

-contributed by Jane Rhodus

Richard Rusk Company C

Waveland Independent
Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana
March 26, 1920

Richard Louis Rusk died at his home on E. Greene St at 8 on Wed. morning. He has been in failing health for several months but his condition became critical only a few days since. Funeral services at eleven this morning, conducted by Rev. JT Boyer. Interment in the Presbyterian Cemetery. Mr. Rusk was born in this township May 7, 1847. He was the son of William and Lucy Harrel Rusk. He marr. Mary Ellen Steadman in 1872. Four children were b. to them, 3 dying in infancy. One daughter, Mrs. Charles R. Dancer, of Ft. Wayne, survives. Mrs. Rusk died in 1902. Mr. Rusk married Mrs. Mary A. Lewis in 1905 and she survives him, together with two brothers, Baltus B. of Guion and George W. of Browns Valley; also two half brothers, and four half sisters. A sister, Mrs. Matilda Miller and two brothers, William and John preceded him in death. Mr. Rusk enlisted in Co C 40th IVI, early in the Civil War, being less than 16 years old. He was in every battle in which his regiment participated and was wounded at Kennesaw Mountain June 27, 1863. He was mustered out in 1865. He was one of the veteran teachers of this section, having taught for 10 years, after which he farmed until his health compelled him to retire. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a public spirited citizen.

Waveland Independent
Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana
April 2, 1920

The late Richard Rusk was led to enlist in the Army during the Civil War by the fact that his uncle, AP Harrel, but little older than himself, had enlisted and he wanted to be with him. Another uncle, also named Harrel was in the 40th Indiana. At Kennesaw Mountain, the uncle was wounded in a curious way. A cannon ball struck a tree near him and a splinter knocked him down and paralyzed him but did not render him unconscious. At nearly the same moment, Richard Rusk was struck in the forehead by a spent ball and dazed so that he started running into the rebel lines and would certainly have been killed or captured if comrades had not caught him and held him. AP Harrel died in the Soldier’s Home at Danville, Ill on the Saturday preceding Mr. Rusk’s death on Wednesday, so the comrades were not long separted. Mr. Rusk knew that his uncle was seriously ill, but was not told of his death.