EATON, Edwin 1843-1900

EATON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/10/2010 at 12:13:48

Edwin Eaton, 1843-1900

EATON

Edwin Eaton was born at Mt. Sterling, Indiana, Nov. 18, 1843, and died December 12, 1900 in the hospital of the Iowa State Soldiers Home at Marshalltown of paralysis of the brain.

When six years old he moved with his parents to Birmingham, Ohio, moving again in 1855 to Fayette county, Iowa, where he received his education in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette.

Edwin Eaton enlisted in Co. F. 9th Iowa Infantry, February 29, 1864, going from Fayette, Iowa where he had been at School. It was while this Regiment was home on veteran furlough, its members having reinlisted for another three years or during the war." His regiment started at once for the South going by rail and steamboat to Nashville, Tennessee, which city it left March 27 and marched to the seat of war near Chattanooga.

Passing over the historic battle field of Chickamunga, May 1st, they soon came up to the line of Gen. Joe Johnston's Confederate army at Resaca, Georgia. Every mile of advance toward Atlanta was hotly contested, and when, on July 28, Sherman's army entered Atlanta, this Co. and Regiment had marched 600 miles, built 40 lines of breastworks, taken part in 10 battles Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Ezra church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Atlanta, and lots 14 killed, and 214 wounded.

October 10th the regiment started again on a 354 mile chase after Gen. Hood, who had been placed at the head of Johnston's army, to Rome, Georgia, and back to Atlanta. November 15th they started again for another 400 mile march to the sea, reaching Savannah, Georgia, December 20th, having marched in the 9 months of the year nearly 1400 miles, torn up many miles of railroad, often digging down the embankments and filling up the cuts. But the fatigue and excitement and exposure proved too much for this brave but frail boy, and he was often compelled to fall out by the roadside when the day's march and work was too long and hard.

Once also during the excessive heat of the summer, he was overcome by what finally proved to be a slight sun stroke, from which he never fully recovered though he kept with his company most of the time during the following winter's campaign of marching and fighting up through the Carolinas and Virginia, 900 miles more, taking part with his regiment in the battles of Columbia, S. C. and Bentonville, N. C. He was mustered out with his regiment July 25, 1865.

After his return from the service he remained some years on his father's farm and removed with the family to Denison in 1869. Being of an industrious temperament he worked as far as he was able for the next seven or eight years in a clothing store until his health compelled him to quit. For two or three years he resided in Kentucky with his mother who consulted for the cure of his disease, but to no purpose, the best medical skill possible.

After his mother's death he came to Osage in 1888 to reside with his sister, Mrs. A. Abernethy, who ministered to his needs with a sister's devotion and affection for more than ten years. About a year and a half ago it became evident that special hospital treatment was essential when he applied for admission to the Soldiers' Home, where he mingled with the veteran companions of the old guard until called upon to surrender by the All wise Commander of man's destiny.

Last spring he visited Osage, but was able to remain but a short time.

Besides his sister, Mrs. Abernethy, he has a brother living in Santa Monica, California, and a sister, Mrs. W. T. Howard at Omaha, Nebraska. One brother died some years ago, and one sister, Mrs. C. E. Miller, died at Ida Grove about eight weeks ago. Her death produced a marked effect upon her brother, Edwin. from which he never rallied.

He united with the Baptist church at Denison and later by letter with the same denomination in Osage.

On hearing of the serious illness of her brother, Mrs. Abernethy went to Marshalltown and returned with the body on Friday. The funeral service was held at the home of Col. Abernethy on Saturday, conducted by Pastor Coon of the Baptist church.

The deceased had many warm friends, not a few being drawn to him doubtless through his sympathy on account of misfortune, other because of patriotism for an old soldier, others again of an outcropping now and then of his youth -- of his real self before attacked by the fatal disease -- a genuine, genial, happy temperament.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Marilyn O'connor