Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - James Bishop

2^nd MISSOURI VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 8 & 9/1861
Mustered In: Inf. Not Avail.
Mustered Out:  9/19/1865

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:

The 2^nd Missouri – a.k.a. Merrill’s Horse – was a three year cavalry regiment raised by Capt. /Col. Lewis Merrill. During the American Civil War (ACW) it was assigned to the western theater of operations.

Called to the field before it was completely organized and equipped, the 2^nd was in continuous service in Missouri until 9/1865. However, according to the American Civil War Database, lack of reports on the part of regimental officers makes it impossible to give a detailed account of the unit’s activities. 

On 1/8/1862, with the aid of a detachment of another Missouri militia unit, the 2^nd completely annihilated a gang of Rebel guerillas in what was to be known as the battle of Silver Creek. Later, on 3/6/1862, it defeated an enemy force at Kirksville, MO.

In 6/1865 the 2^nd was consolidated with the 10^th Missouri Cavalry. This organization was mustered out on 9/19/1865.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded:  3; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.:1   ; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 53; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 205. 

SOLDIER:
Residence: Inf. Not Avail.   Age: ca. 19 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 5/12/1863   Rank:  Pvt. or Cpl.
Mustered In: 5/12/1863 (est.)
Mustered Out: Inf. Not Avail.
Highest Rank: Cpl.
Rank At Discharge: Cpl.

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

James Leslie Bishop was born during the year 1844. The place of his birth was within the State of Missouri.

On 5/12/1863 James enlisted in the 2^nd Missouri Cavalry.  That same day he was ordered to active duty in Shelbyville, MO.

Without accessing James military service records, about all that can be said about his army tenure is that he rose in rank from a private soldier to that of corporal. Also, he survived the trials and tribulations of war and returned to civilian life.

According to one source, James married circa 1868. However, according to his own testimony, he wed on 5/31/1864 in Monroe County, MO.

The census of 1880 for Terre Haute Vigo County, IN listed James, wife Mary and daughter Olive (b. ca. 1865). Occupationally James worked in a rolling mill.

1900. At the dawn of the twentieth century the Bishops were residing in New Whatcom (Bellingham) Whatcom County, WA.

Mary died on 9/3/1903. She was/is buried in Bellingham’s Bayview Cemetery.

On 10/29/1917 James was admitted to the Washington Veteran’s Home in Retsil Kitsap County, WA.

In early December, 1919 James took a furlough from the Retsil home to visit his daughter in Bellingham.  He died there on 12/2/1919. Burial was/is in Bayview Cemetery with Mary.

Prominent G.A.R. Veteran Of City Called (in part):
James Leslie Bishop, civil war veteran and prominent Mason and an active member of J.B. Steadman Post No. 24 G.A.R., W.R.C. No 31, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Olive Tiley, 710 Garden Street at the age of 77 years. Mr. Bishop lived in the city twenty-four years and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He was past commander of the post and for ten years was its adjutant general. He was a great worker both in it and the Women’s Relief Corps. He had been a mason since 1871. Survivors are one daughter, Mrs. Tiley, with whom he has resided since the death of his wife, sixteen years ago; one grand-daughter, one brother and two sisters.

The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. At the chapel officers and members of the J.B. Steadman Post # 24 will conduct their ritualistic services and at the cemetery where burial will occur in the family plot. Masonic services will be held by Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 44.
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*The name of James L.  Bishop does not appear on the roster of any 2^nd Missouri Cavalry units listed in the American Civil War Research Database.
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NOTE:  The preceding courtesy the Whatcom County Genealogical Society. See our Links page for details on how to obtain the download – Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (with June 2014 updates) – from which much of the above information was obtained.

Posted: 2/15/2024
Updated: 

Buried at BayView Cemetery Whatcom Co.