Ogburns On The Union Side In The American Civil War

At least three Ogborns died fighting for the Union during the American Civil War. Henry Ogborn was born about 1845 in Indiana and during the Civil War belonged to Company I, Indiana 72nd regiment. He died due to disease, probably on a scouting expedition near Murfreesboro, Tennessee and is buried at Murfreesboro National Cemetery. William E. Ogborn was born about 1843, also in Indiana and belonged to the same Company I, Indiana 72nd regiment. He was captured by Confederates during a scouting expedition for General Sherman in Mississippi in early 1864,died on 18 September that year and was buried in Andersonville Prison Cemetery, Georgia. Henry and William E. Ogborn were first cousins. Allen W. Ogborn was mortally wounded at Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on 2 July 1863, where he was decorated. He was born in 1840 in Henry County, Indiana. and was a sergeant of Company B, 19th Indiana Regiment.He died 18th July 1863 in General Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried at Grove Cemetery, Greensfork, Indiana. He like several other Quaker cousins refused to remain pacifist during the Civil War. He was a 2nd cousin to Henry & William E.Ogborn.

Ogburns Fight For The Confederates In The American Civil War

Many men from Mecklenburg County in Virginia had earlier joined colourful companies such as the “Boydton Cavalry,” “Clarksville Blues,” “Chambliss Grays,” “Mecklenburg Guards,” “Mecklenburg Rifles,” and “Confederate Guards.”

C. W. Ogburn, a member of the Chambliss Grays, was killed in action at Howlett House near Richmond Virginia on June 21, 1864. Who C. W. Ogburn was, is not known.

What is known is that he was not Charles Wesley Ogburn, younger brother of Benjamin Watkins Ogburn.Charles Wesley Ogburn (1834-1885), also was a soldier in the Chambliss Grays. He enlisted early in 1861 but soon became disillusioned with the glamour–and slaughter–of warfare. He was discharged on May 17, 1862 when the family “furnished a substitute in the person of James Knight.” In short, he bought his way out of the Confederate Army.Four Ogburn brothers and their uncle, all from Forsyth County, North Carolina, served with distinction during the Civil War.

Marcellus H. Ogburn (1837-1921), a member of Company G, 1st Cavalry, fought at Richmond and Petersburg. He had his horse shot out from under him in battle.

The other three brothers all served in Company D, 57th Regiment. Sihon A. Ogburn (1840-1927), was wounded at Fredericksburg and was at Appomattox with General Lee at the end of the war. Charles J. Ogburn (1842-1927), was wounded at Chancelorsville and lost his right foot. John W. Ogburn (1844-1933), was twice captured and imprisoned at Point Lookout, Maryland. Matthew L. Ogburn (1832-1913), uncle to the four Ogburn brothers, served with Company D, 21st Regiment, and was wounded at Pavilion Station.

Four Ogburn Brothers – Civil War Veterans

The following article was published in the Northfleet Dispatch in January 1994
“The Ogburn brothers, of North Carolina, were faithful soldiers of the Confederacy and still survived those days of hardships and suffering. They became prominent citizens in Winston-Salem, N.C. The picture at the front of page of the newsletter represents them as a remarkably well preserved group of veterans, their ages running from Seventy to seventy-six at the time the picture was taken.
Three of those brothers – C.J, J.W.,and S.A.Ogburn – served in Company D, 57th North Carolina Infantry. H.M.Ogburn, after almost twelve months in the home guards, went into the 1st North Carolina Cavalry, Company G, Barringer’s Brigade but he and others of the command had to return home and find mounts for themselves. They then re-joined the command in Richmond, VA.,and took part in the fighting about that city and Petersburg. He writes that their greatest experience was when they went to City Point and helped Gen. Wade Hampton to capture the 2,600 fat beef cattle, a pleasing undertaking to a set of hungry soldiers. His horse was shot from under him, but he was not wounded and stayed until the surrender at Appomattox.
The three brothers who served in the 57th North Carolina Infantry had varied experiences. J.W. Ogburnwas at Chancellorsville and saw Jackson pass along the line just about 2 hours before he was mortally wounded. Ogburn also took part in the battles of Brandy Station (where he was captured), Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Harper’s Ferry, Petersburg (where he was again captured) and many other engagements. He was in prison at Point Lookout, Md., for six months after the first capture, and when captured at Petersburg he stayed in prison until after the surrender, returning to his home on the 29th of June 1865.
S.A. Ogburn took part in the first charge at Fredericksburg, receiving three severe wounds, which kept him in the hospital for four months, and it was nine months more before he could return to his command. Even then he was not fit for field service; so he was appointed as quartermaster and commissary for the regiment, and as such served until the surrender at Appomattox. His last service was to issue the Federal rations to his regiment. He then bade the boys goodbye and started on his long walk of 275 miles to his home in North Carolina.”

C.J. Ogburn volunteered in June, 1862, and had some experiences guarding prisoners before joining the 57th Regiment at Petersburg. After getting to Richmond he contracted measles and was sent home on a ninety days’ furlough. He re-joined his command at Fredericksburg and took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, where he lost his right foot. After going back to the regiment he was assigned to Quartermaster E.A.Vogler at Salem, N.C. for the remainder of the war.

Chased By The Yankees In The American Civil War

Toward the end of June 1864, a Union Cavalry force of about 2000 men marched through northern Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Benjamin Ogburn had a personal encounter with the Yankee raiders that he was to share with his children and grandchildren until his dying day.

A Negro slave came dashing up on a mule to “Cottage Hill” shouting, “Master Ogburn, Yankee raiders are on their way here. They are up the road at North View.” So Benjamin quickly got his hog meat out of the smokehouse and hid it in the attic of the house. Then he started running to the Meherrin River when the Yankees spotted him running across his fields and gave chase.

Ben managed to jump into the river and hid under a large overhanging rock. The Union raiders stood on the very rock Ben was hiding under and cursed the escape of their foe. They went back to the house, “requisitioned” a few chickens and left.

That night, after dark, Ben left the safety of his watery retreat and returned home