Full Unit History
38th WISCONSIN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 3/1864 Camp Randall Madison, WI
Mustered In: 4/15/1864 Camp Randall Madison, WI
Mustered Out: 6/2/1865 Tenallytown, PA & 7/26/1865 Washington, D.C.
Regimental History
REGIMENTAL HISTORY:
The 38th was a three year infantry regiment. It served in the eastern theater of operations during the American Civil War (ACW).
Leaving the state on 5/3/1864 the 38th moved into northern Virginia. Once there, it was assigned to guard duties.
After being ordered to join the Union’s Army Of The Potomac, the 38th entered into the trenches of Cold Harbor, VA before marching further southward to Petersburg. On 6/16/1864 it charged the enemy’s outer line of entrenchments capturing them at bayonet point. That same evening it charged and captured a second line of Rebel works, but was thereafter forced to return to the trenches. On 7/30 it participated in the advance upon the enemy’s fortifications after the explosion of the Petersburg Mine.
Siege and picket duties occupied the 38th until 8/19/1864 when it aided in the capture of the Weldon Railroad. After that, in October, the regiment returned to Petersburg where it was under long-term fire at Hatcher’s Run. It then took a position opposite of “The Crater” where it remained until the spring of 1865.
The 38th led the right wing of the victorious assaulting column at Ft. Mahone (4/1/1865). Unit losses in the attack were over half that of the entire brigade. Petersburg was entered on 4/3.
Participation in the Washington City Grand Review (5/24) preceded final muster.
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:*
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 1; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 0; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 56; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 565.
*The 38th is the only known regiment to have lost an equal number of enlisted men to combat and to “other” causes.
Soldier History
SOLDIER:
Residence: Cadiz, WI Age: ca. 25.1 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 9/12/1864 Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 9/12/1864
Mustered Out: 6/2/1865
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
Martin Van Buren Austin was born 8/1839. His birthplace was within New York State.
Parents of Martin were Amos Austin and Maria (nee Martin) Austin. Amos’ occupation is not documented.
In addition to Martin, Amos and Maria produced at least four other children. One was a son they named Jacob. Another son was Willard Austin, while the third and fourth children were daughters identified only as A.L. Austin and Julia Austin.
Martin married ca. 1861. Available documentation notes his wife only as Mary W. No surname is given. Mary was born 10//1842 in Ohio.
The 1870 census of Richland Rice County, MN listed Martin with his wife, Mary, 27, plus son Arthur, 6, born in Minnesota. Martin’s occupation was: farmer.
1880. The census of Fergus Falls Otter Tail County, MN listed Martin, 39, with wife Mary, 37, and children Arthur, 16 and Minnie, 7. All were born in Minnesota. Martin’s occupation was categorized as “grocer.”
On 12/21/1899 Martin purchased land in Whatcom County, WA. The following year (1900) the census of New Whatcom (Bellingham) noted that Martin’s occupation as “shoe salesman.”
Mary W. Austin died 1/20/1902. She was/is buried in Bayview Cemetery located in Bellingham Whatcom County, WA.
By 1910 Martin had married for a second time. That year’s census for Bellingham Whatcom County, WA noted Martin at age 69 living with his (previously wed) second wife Malinda (Countryman) Austin, age 59.*
Martin Van Buren Austin died 2/25/1917. He was/is buried at Bayview in Bellingham beside his first wife.
Newspaper Notice
Martin V. Austin, aged 76 years, while on the way to the home of his daughter at 1616 Broadway, was overcome with a sinking spell. He was hurried into the home of a neighbor, 2317 Walnut Street, where he passed away in a few minutes on the evening of Sunday February 25.
Mr. Austin had been a resident of Bellingham for a number of years, being associated in business with his stepson, L.C. Countryman.
Mr. Austin was a member of the First Congregational church and is survived by Mrs. Austin, one son, A.W. Austin, Ada MN; one daughter, Mrs. W.J. Compton, of this city; one stepson, L.C. Countryman of this city; as well as two brothers and one sister. A.L. Austin, Long Beach CA; and Williard Austin, Salinas Kan., and Mrs. Julia McDermid, Spokane.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 27, at 1:45 o’clock p.m. from the funeral parlors of Undertaker Harry O. Bingham, 1319 Dock street, with Rev. W.F. Reager pastor of the First Christian church , officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot at Bay View cemetery. The funeral car will leave from the corner of Eldridge and Utter Street at 1:30 o’clock for the convenience of the relatives.
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* No documental information has been found pertaining to Malinda Austin’s passing or her final resting place.
NOTE: The preceding courtesy of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. See our Links page for information about obtaining the download Civil War Veterans of Whatcom County (with June 2014 update) from which much of the information above was obtained.
Posted: 1/15/2024
Updated:
Cemetery
Buried at BayView Cemetery Whatcom Co.