Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Silas Austin

146^th ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: Summer, 1864 Camp Butler Springfield, IL
Mustered In: 9/18/64 Camp Butler Springfield, IL
Mustered Out: 7/5 or 8/65 Camp Butler Springfield, IL

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:
 

NOTE: In early May, 1864 Union General U.S. Grant moved Federal forces southward into Virginia in what came to be called The Overland Campaign. A year later it would bring to an end to four bloody years of American civil war.
 

To place as many "seasoned" troops in the field as possible, existing garrison and rear echelon units were added to Grant's army. To replace those forces a number of short term, primarily non - combat regiments were created. The 146^th was one such unit.
 

The 146^th was a one year regiment. It was organized and placed into Federal service at Camp Butler located in Springfield, IL.
 

Cos. "C" and "B" were ordered to Brighton, IL, cos. "D" and "H" to Quincy and co. "F" to Jacksonville IL. Assigned duties included guarding drafted men and substitutes. The remaining companies were assigned to similar duties at Camp Butler.
 

The 146^th was mustered out on 7/5 or 8/65. It had never left the state of Illinois or fired a shot in anger. 

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:

 Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 0; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 1; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 0; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 37.

SOLDIER:
Residence: Lysander Winnebago Co., IL   Age: 19 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/30/64 Rockford, IL   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 8/30/64 Rockford, IL
Mustered Out: 7/8/65 Camp Butler, Springfield, IL
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Transfer: Pvt. 

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
 

Silas Franklin C. Austin was born in the state of Maine during the year 1844. Neither a birth month or specific birth date have been located in available documents.
 

Parents of Silas* were Moses (b. 1820 ME - d. unk.) and Joanna H. (nee Nichols b. 1820 ME - d. unk.) Austin. Moses was a carpenter by trade.
 

Moses and Joanna produced at least four children of which Silas was the third.  Older than he were William H. Austin (b. 1842 ME) and Alonzo B. Austin (b.1843 ME). Younger than Silas was Albert S. Austin (b. September, 1847 ME).
 

Beyond his birth, the first information we learn about Silas comes from 1864 when, as he approached his 20^th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the American Civil War. He was 5'8" tall, had light hair, a light complexion and hazel eyes. His occupation was "laborer."
 

Without having access to his military service records not much is known about Private Austin's term of enlistment. Likely, however, it was very benign.
 

Post War, Silas next turns up Juneau, WI. It was there on 4/28/76 he married to Mary Katherine Ruple. Mate, Matey/Matie or Mattie - as she was called at various times - was born in Wisconsin during April, 1863/'64.
 

Mary would bear nine children, only six of whom are identified. The Austin children were: Franklin "Frank" J. (b. 9/22/78 WI), Nettie A. (b. 1883 MO), Bertram R. (b. 2/22/84 or '85 WI), Willie (b. 8/87 MN), Maty (b. 11/16/88 WA Terr.) and Berdie "Birdie" (b. 10/16/92 OR). All six were alive in 1900.
 

As noted by the states in which the Austin children were born, Silas moved his family around a great number of times. . No consecutive two were born in the same state. Why was that? Did Silas's occupation necessitate moving a lot? All we really know about his occupation is that on 7/9/89 during a Seattle King County Washington territorial census he noted his occupation was "H. W." - whatever that denotes - and at the time of his death he was employed as a "ship carpenter."
 

Silas Franklin C. Austin died on 10/14/95 in Seattle King Co., WA. (At that time the family address was 97 Grant Street.)  He died of heart disease in the county hospital. Burial was/is in Seattle's Grand Army Of The Republic Cemetery located on the north end of Capitol Hill.
 

On 9/8/94 Silas had applied for and been granted a U.S. Government disability pension based on physical conditions or ailments which traced back to his days of Civil War soldiering. A monthly stipend was granted, but without access to his pension files is not known.
 

Upon Silas's death his widow petitioned to continue receiving at least a portion of the pension on a monthly basis. That request was allowed, but again, without access to pension records the amount of the stipend is not known. 

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* Moses Austin at age 41born 1820/ME mustered into 9^th ME Vol Inf. Co. K muster in 9/21/1861 muster out 9/27/1864 as QM Dept. in 1863. Moses was living in OSH in Togus, ME in 1873 from Rheumatism until 4/1883. There is no death information for him. 

Buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Seattle

Denise Ottoson
Seattle, WA