Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - John Barber

70^th NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 6/1861 Camp Scott Staten Island, NY
Mustered In: 6/20/1861 Camp Scott Staten Island, NY and 10/8/1861 Washington, D.C.
Mustered Out:  7/7/1864 New York, NY

86^th NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: October / November, 1861 Elmira, NY
Mustered In: 11/20 – 23/1861 Elmira, NY
Mustered Out: 6/27/1865 Washington, D.C.

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:  (70^th)

The 70^th was a three year infantry regiment. During the American Civil War (ACW) it served in the eastern theater of operations with the Army Of The Potomac. Interestingly, it was composed of companies recruited in New York, NY, Port Jervis and Paw Paw, MI, Pittsburgh, PA, Boston, MA as well as Patterson and Newark, NJ.

As the first regiment in the Excelsior Brigade, the 70^th departed New York for Washington City on 7/23/1861. After being quartered in that city for a time, it was assigned to forts along the Maryland side of the Potomac River.

During the spring of 1862 the regiment moved to Virginia’s Peninsula. There, during the battle of Williamsburg (5/5/1862) the 70^th met with the heaviest losses sustained during its period of service. Of the seven hundred (700) men engaged, three hundred thirty (330) were listed as killed, wounded or missing. It also saw action at Fair Oaks (5/31 – 6/1/1862) and during the Seven Days battles (6/25 - 7/1/1862).

In August, the 70^th moved to Manassas/Bull Run, VA. (8/28 – 30/1862). There, it lost twenty three (23) men. At year’s end it was present during the battle of Fredricksburg. (12/11 – 15).

April/May of 1863 found the 70^th at Chancellorsville, VA (4/30 – 5/6). From there it moved to Gettysburg, PA where (7/1 – 3) it lost one hundred thirteen (113) killed or wounded and four (4) missing. ’63 concluded with the Mine Run, VA Campaign (11/27 – 12/2).

In 1864 the 70^th served under Union Gen. U.S. Grant until 71 when original enlistees were mustered out of the service. At that time re-enlisted veterans and new recruits were transferred to the 86^th NY
 

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 9; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 2   ; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded:  181*; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 62.

*The 70^th was one of a scant few Union units that lost more men in combat than to accidents and disease.


REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (86^th)

The 86^th was a three year infantry regiment. During the American Civil War (ACW) it primarily served and fought with the Army Of The Potomac in The War’s eastern theater. Known as the “Steuben Rangers,” the unit was primarily recruited in the New York Counties of Steuben, Chemung and Onondaga.

Leaving the state on11/23/1861 the 86^th travelled to Washington, D.C. It remained there on guard duty until 8/1862 when it moved into Virginia and clashed with the enemy during the battle of 2^nd Bull Run/Manassas.  There, (8/28 – 31) it lost one hundred eighteen (118) killed, wounded and missing. It concluded the year at Fredricksburg, VA (12/11 – 15).

Spring, 1863 found the 86^th at Chancellorsville, VA (4/30 – 5/6). Next came Gettysburg, PA (7/1 – 3). ’63 concluded in Virginia’s Mine Run Campaign (11/27 – 12/2).

In 4/1864 the 86^th again took to the field with Union Gen. U.S. Grant in his Overland Campaign. During these movements the unit suffered its worst casualties at the Po River (5/10). Losses there were ninety-six (96) killed, wounded or captured.

Arriving before Petersburg, VA the 86^th took part in most all the memorable conflicts of that siege. It was then present at Appomattox Court House when Confed. Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia. (4/9/1865). 

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 13; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 2; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded:  159*; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 129.

*The 86^th was one of a scant few Federal units that lost more men in combat than it did to disease and accidents.

SOLDIER: (70^th)
Residence: Paw Paw, MI   Age: 24 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 5/5/61 Tideout, PA   Rank:  Pvt.
Mustered In: 7/28/1861
Transferred Out: 6/22/1864
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Transfer: Pvt.

SOLDIER:  (86^th)
Residence:  Paw Paw, MI   Age: ca. 27 yrs.
Transferred In: 6/22/1864 Rank:  Pvt.
Mustered Out: 7/6/1865Highest Rank: Pvt.Rank At Discharge: Pvt.

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

According to a statement in an application dated 10/13/1904 filed with the Soldiers’ Home at Orting (Pierce County), WA John William Barber was born 5/18/1836.or ’37.  In one source his place of birth is noted as Chacayne (sic) County, NY. In another, it is within the State of Pennsylvania.

During the American Civil War Private Barber was reportedly captured by the enemy. He was then incarcerated for an undetermined period of time.

In the above noted application, John indicated he had two children, one born in 1864 and the other in 1868. Available documents do not name either of children or his wife.

John reportedly came to Washington, Territory (WT) in 1883.

In the 1900 census of Blaine, Whatcom County, WA John listed his occupation as “wood chopper.”  In 1908 he also indicated he was receiving a $15 per month U.S. Government pension stipend.

John W. Barber died 12/14/1909 at the Orting Soldiers’ Home located in Pierce County, WA. According to the American Civil Research Database his remains were interred in the Orting Soldiers’ Home Cemetery. However, the Whatcom Historical Society indicates his remains were transported to Blaine, WA for burial in the Blaine Cemetery.

Died at Soldiers’ Home
John Barber, well known here, died at the State Soldier’s home at Orting Tuesday night at 10 o’clock after a short illness. He was a veteran of the civil war and the funeral will be taken charge by the post here, of which he was a member.

The deceased was 75 years of age last may and was an uncle of M.M. and Miss Grace Barber of this city. The remains arrived here on the 5:21 train last night and the funeral will be held from Mrs. Barber’s this afternoon at one o’clock. The burial will be made in the Blaine cemetery.
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NOTE:  The preceding Courtesy of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. See our Links page for information obtaining the download – Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (including June 2014 update) from which much of the information was obtained. 

Posted: 12/14/2023
Updated: 

Buried at Blaine Cemetery
Row: Sec. 4 Block 9
Site: 15