Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Theodore Carson

23^rd MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: Summer, 1862 Saginaw, MI
Mustered In: 9/13/1862 Saginaw, MI
Mustered Out:  6/28/1865 Salisbury, NC

28^th MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 10 & 11/1864 Marshall and Kalamazoo, MI
Mustered In: By Companies on various dates at Kalamazoo, MI
Mustered Out: 6/5/1865 Raleigh, NC

REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (23^rd)

The 23^rd Michigan was a three year infantry regiment. During the American Civil War (ACW) it served in the western theater of operations.

Leaving the state, the 23^rd moved into Kentucky where it spent the winter of 1862/’63. In July of the latter year, the unit started on a long march in pursuit of Confederate forces under the command of General John Morgan. This lengthy campaign moved through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. 

Returning to Kentucky, in 8/1862 the regiment began a campaign into eastern Tennessee. This movement was focused around Knoxville with a battle occurring near Campbell’s Station (11/16).  During this conflict the 23^rd lost heavily in killed and wounded. Additionally the regiment would share in the hardships that, until 5/1864, plagued the Rebels at Knoxville.

In the spring of ’64 the 23^rd started towards Atlanta, GA with the forces of Union General W.T. Sherman. After an encounter with the enemy at Rocky Face Ridge (5/7- 13/1864), the regiment assaulted Rebel works at Resaca, GA (5/13 – 15/1864) which resulted in sixty (60) being killed or wounded within a few minutes. Other clashes with the Gray forces occurred at Kennesaw Mountain (6/27/1864) and the siege of Atlanta (7/1864). 

After the fall of Atlanta the 23^rd returned to Tennessee in pursuit of the Rebel troops under General Hood. This period concluded with a stunning Confederate defeat at Franklin, TN (11/30/1864). 

During the early months of 1865 the 23^rd once again joined forces with Union Gen. Sherman’s troops as they marched northward through the Carolinas. The unit marched to Raleigh, NC and then started for Greensboro where the Confederate surrendered. The 23^rd was then sent to Salisbury, NC where it was mustered into history.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers killed or mortally wounded: 3; Officers died of disease, accidents, etc.:4; Enlisted men killed or mortally wounded: 70; Enlisted men died of disease, accidents, etc.  257 ‘

REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (28^th)

The 28^th was three year infantry regiment. During the American Civil War (ACW) it served in the Deep South’s western theater of combat.

A consolidation of recruits destined for the 28^th Michigan with those of the 29^th Michigan resulted in creation of the unit that took to the field in late1864.

Leaving the state on 10/26, the 28^th travelled to Louisville, KY. Upon arrival at that location it took charge of a wagon train en-route to Nashville, TN. Arriving at the latter location it took part in the battle for Nashville (12/15 – 16/1864).

After defeating Confed. Gen. Hood’s army the unit returned to Louisville, KY then,^ in 1/’65, moved northward to Alexandria, VA.  Arriving there the regiment boarded transport vessels and sailed to North Carolina. There it joined the forces of Union Gen. W.T. Sherman as they marched northward through the Carolinas.

At Wise/Wyse Forks (3/7 – 10/1865) the 28^th clashed with Rebel troops. During three days of heavy fighting the unit lost seven (7) killed and thirteen (13) wounded. It then marched inland to Kinston and on to Goldsboro where it was assigned train guard duties.

Following surrender of the Confederate armies in 4/1965 the 28^th continued duties in North and South Carolina before being mustered out of existence at Raleigh, NC. It then travelled northward to Detroit, MI where the men were paid off and discharged.

 
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:

 Officers killed or mortally wounded:  1; Officers died of disease, accidents, etc.: 1; Enlisted men killed or mortally wounded; 5; Enlisted men died of disease, accidents, etc.:126   . 

SOLDIER: (23^rd)
Residence: Inf. Not Avail.   Age: ca. 26 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 1/4/1864Bangor, MI   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 1/6/1864
Transferred Out: 6/15/1865
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Transfer: Pvt.

SOLDIER:  (28^th)
Residence: Inf. Not Avail.   Age: ca. 27 yrs.
Transferred In: 6/15/1865   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered Out: 6/5/1866 Raleigh, NC
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

Theodore Carson was born ca. 1838. His place of birth was Detroit, MI.

Beyond not having specific date, month and year, other unknowns are his parents’ names. Also a mystery is whether or not he had brothers and/or sisters.

Theodore reportedly came to Washington Territory (WT) /State (WA) in 1889. The U.S. Census at the dawn of the twentieth century found him residing in Lopez San Juan County, WA.

In 1902 the old soldier applied for a U.S. Government disability pension based on his days of Civil War soldiering. While the request was granted, without accessing pension files housed in Washington D.C.’s National Archives, details of his monthly financial stipend remain unknown.

On 6/13/1913 Theodore applied for residency in the Soldiers’ Home located in Orting Pierce County, WA. At that time he noted himself being a sailor.

Theodore Carson died 2/221915 in Bellingham Whatcom County, WA. At the time of his death he was on furlough from the Orting home.

THEODORE CARSON IS CALLED BY DEATH

Theodore “Cap” Carson, a veteran of the civil war, died at a local hospital yesterday after suffering for many months. (Chronic indigestion and gallstones). He was 70 years of age and had lived in the Puget Sound Country for about twenty-five years, coming here from Michigan. The remains will be shipped to the Old Soldiers’ Home at Orting for interment, Mr. Carson having lived at the home for about one year. He has no surviving relatives in the West.

At the time of his death Theodore’s assets were his clothing and $30 in cash. Burial was/is in the Orting Soldiers’ Home Cemetery.
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Posted: 4/22/2024
Updated: 

Buried at Washington Old Soldiers Home Cemetery Orting
Row: Section 4 Circle L
Site: 34