Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Joseph Buchanan

17^th ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 5/1861 Peoria, IL
Mustered In: 5/26/1861 Peoria, IL
Mustered Out:  6/4/1864 Springfield, IL

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:

The 17^th was a three year infantry regiment. During the American Civil War (ACW) its period of service was within the western theater of operations.

In late 7/1861 the unit departed the state and moved into Missouri where it performed garrison duty at Birds’ Point. From there, it proceeded to Kentucky where it aided in the construction of Ft. Holt Following that, the regiment was sent in pursuit of Confed. forces under the command of Gen. Jeff Thompson. The Rebels were met and defeated at Fredericktown, MO (10/21/1861), but the clash cost the 17^th several killed and wounded. One day later, at Greenfield, AR, the regiment lost one (1) killed and several wounded. Early 1862 found the 17^th at forts Henry and Donelson in Tennessee. Again, several men were lost.

Next, on 4/6/1862 came the sanguinary battle of Pittsburg Landing/Shiloh, TN. Following a disastrous first day, on the second the Gray forces were driven from the field. The two days of fighting cost the 17^th some one hundred thirty (130) killed and wounded.

A period of provost (military police) duty at Bolivar, KY preceded a late, 1862 expedition to Luka. In December the unit marched to Memphis, TN.

The dawn of 1863 saw the 17^th join the forces of Union Gen. U.S. Grant as they moved upon Vicksburg, MS. After the investment (siege) and fall of that city (7/4/1863) the regiment remained there performing garrison duty and making incursions into enemy territory in both Mississippi and Louisiana. The unit then returned to Vicksburg for the winter.

In the spring of 1864 the 17^th returned to Springfield, IL for final muster and discharge. A sufficient number of men not having re-enlisted to maintain the 17^th as a veteran unit, those men not discharged and sent home were assimilated into the 8^th Illinois Infantry. That unit was mustered out and discharged during spring, 1866.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:

Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded:  3; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 1; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded:  71; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 71.*

*The 17^th is the only known regiment to have lost an equal number of enlisted men in combat and to accidents, disease, etc.

SOLDIER:
Residence: Lacon Marshall County, IL   Age: ca. 27 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled:  5/25/1861 Peoria, IL   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 5/25/1861
Discharged: 1/3/1862 Cape Girardeau, MO
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

Joseph F. Buchanan was born during 4/1834. No specific birth date is documented. The place of his birthing was Janesville, OH.

Father of Joseph was Fuller Buchanan. His mother was Mahala (nee Bowen) Buchanan.

Sometime during the year 1856 Joseph married. His bride was Sophia Jane (nee Truitt) Buchanan. Sophia had been born 10/12/1846 in Ohio.

During their years together Joseph and Sophia produced at least five children. They were May Buchanan, Henry Buchanan, Jeannie Buchanan, William Buchanan and John Buchanan.

By mid-1912 the Buchanans were residing in the Silver Beach area of Whatcom County, WA. It was there on 7/8/1912 that Sophia died.

MRS. S.J. BUCHANAN IS CALLED TO REST (in part):

Mrs. Sophia Jane Buchanan passed away at the family residence, corner Adams and Bennett streets yesterday morning after suffering for several months with rheumatism. She was 75 years old at the time of her death. She leaves a husband and three children to mourn her loss. (Burial was/is in the Buchanan Cemetery).

Joseph, too, died in Silver Beach. Burial was/is in the Buchanan Cemetery with Sophia. **

Newspaper Notice (In Part):

J.F. Buchanan, civil war veteran and resident of Whatcom County for the past thirty-two years, was found dead in his bedroom on Flynn Avenue of Silver Beach yesterday morning by a neighbor. Mr. Buchanan had not been feeling strong for some time, but on Saturday spent several hours digging potatoes, but whether his death was due to over exertion is not known. He was 85 years of age. He is survived by two daughters and one son.
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 ** Joseph’s remains may have been sent to Seattle King County, WA before being returned to Whatcom County for interment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________NOTE:  The preceding courtesy of Whatcom Genealogical Society. See our Links page for information on obtaining the down load Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (with June 2014 updates) from which the bulk of the above information was drawn.

Posted: 3/25/2024
Updated: 

Buried at Buchanan Cemetery AKA Woodlawn