James M. Taylor WICKHAM ²

  General Notes:

NAME: documents related to James Wickham have included many various middle initials and the only middle name that has been noted is "Taylor".

NOBLE CO, OH MARRIAGE LICENCE:
James T. Taylor Wickham made oath that he is over the age of 21 years, unmarried, and not nearer akin to Mary M. King than first cousins, and that said Mary M. King is over the age of eighteen years, unmarried, and resident of said County. James T. T. Wickham signed "X" his mark on Apr. 21, 1854.

NOBLE CO. OH MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Mr. James Taylor Wickham and Miss Mary M. King were married April 21,1854 by C. Matheny. Filed and recorded by Gilman Dudley, Probate Judge.

1860 OH CENSUS, Noble Co, Center Twp:
James "Wickhan", 28, farm laborer, $100 personal property, b. OH;
Mary, 29, domestic, b. OH.
Neither James nor Mary could read or write.
(Thomas King was listed next to them on census.)

HISTORY OF NOBLE CO, OH: James M. F. Wickham, age 30, private, enlisted in 20th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I, on Feb 25, 1862. He died Mar 29, 1862 at Evansville, Indiana.

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS: Name: James M. F. Wickham
Enlistment Date: February 5, 1862
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: Ohio
Unit Numbers: 1844 1844
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 05 February 1862 at the age of 30
Enlisted in Company I, 20th Infantry Regiment Ohio on February 5, 1862.
Died of disease Company I, 20th Infantry Regiment Ohio on March 29,1862 in Evansville, IN

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR REGIMENTS:
REGIMENT: 20th Infantry Regiment Ohio
Date of Organization: 1 Sep 1861
Muster Date: 15 Jul 1865
Regiment State: Ohio
Regiment Type: Infantry
Regiment Number: 20th
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 2
Officers Died of Disease or Accident: 4
Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded: 87
Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 267
Regimental Soldiers and History: List of Soldiers

Regimental History
OHIO TWENTIETH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Twentieth Infantry. - (Three Years' Service.) Cols., Charles Whittlesey, Manning F. Force; Lieut.-Cols., James N. McElroy, John G Fry, Harrison Wilson; Majs., Edward C. Downs, Francis M. Shaklee, Peter Weatherby. This regiment was organized at Columbus, from Aug. 19 to Sept. 21, 1861, to serve for three years. During the winter it was employed in guarding several batteries in the rear of Covington and Newport, Ky.

In Feb.,1862 it participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, Tenn., with no little credit to every man. It also participated in the battle of Shiloh, with considerable loss and it is fully entitled to a share in the glory of that victory. On Aug. 30, 1862, the Confederate Gen. Armstrong, with fifteen regiments marching to destroy railroad communications northward, was held in check the entire day at Bolivar, Tenn., by the 20th Ohio, a portion of the 78th Ohio, and two companies of the 2nd Ill. cavalry. The regiment assisted in driving Price from Iuka, and in the engagement between Hurlburt and Price at Big Hatchie river, it arrived on the field at 4 p. m., with a wagon train loaded with supplies, having marched 28 miles since 10 a. m.

The regiment moved south the following spring, and in the battle of Raymond, Miss., distinguished itself losing in the engagement 12 killed and 52 wounded. At Champion's hill, though the adjoining regiments on each flank were pushed back as the enemy moved up in mass, the 2Oth held its ground without wavering till its ammunition was exhausted, then fixed bayonets and prepared to maintain its position, but the 65th Ohio came to its assistance from the reserve and the enemy was driven back. Crossing the Big Black river, the regiment reached the rear of Vicksburg and acted as support to the assaulting party.

After the fall of Vicksburg it camped at Bovina Station, but was shortly ordered to join Sherman's army besieging Jackson. In Jan., 1864, two-thirds of the men present re-enlisted, and in February the regiment crossed the Big Black and joined the celebrated Meridian expedition.

After being furloughed home, the regiment joined Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign and was engaged in the assault upon Kennesaw mountain. It marched with its corps to the mouth of Nickajack creek and a few days later reached the Confederate works before Atlanta. In the engagement of July 22, the regiment lost 44 killed, 56 wounded and 54 missing, and instances of personal daring were numerous.

In the battle of Jonesboro the regiment was on the left of the 15th corps at a right-angle to the main line as "refused flank," and in this position was greatly annoyed by a heavy artillery fire. On Sept. 2 it took position on a hill near Lovejoy's Station, where it remained for several days, exposed to some annoyance from the enemy's sharpshooters, and finally settled down in camp on the East Point road near Atlanta.

It left Atlanta with Sherman's army; participated in the siege of Savannah; then up through the Carolinas until the surrender of Lee and Johnston put an end to its war career. Leaving Raleigh on May 1, the regiment marched via Richmond to Washington; thence was sent to Louisville, Ky., and then to Columbus, where it was mustered out on July 15, 1865.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

Shiloh after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Manning F. Force, Twentieth Ohio Infantry.

CAMP SHILOH, April 25, 1862.
CAPT.: The Twentieth Ohio, under my command (Col. Whittlesey commanding the brigade), arrived after dark from Adamsville at the camp of the Eighty-first Ohio, near Pittsburg Landing. It was posted for the night on the northern slope of a ravine, and there lay on their arms in line of battle till morning. My picket, in taking post, encountered a mounted picket of the enemy, who hastily withdrew.

Changing the position of the picket, at the beginning of dawn I went on the high land on the opposite side of the ravine with the lieutenant of the guard and there found one of the rebel pickets. Returning, the regiment took post as ordered by Col. Whittlesey; Company D, Capt. McElroy, was stationed in a log house outside of the extreme right and the other companies drawn in line in a slight hollow. The enemy promptly began fire with musketry and hollow shot, but soon ceased.

The brigade then marched across the ravine in line; the Twentieth, on the left and in the rear as a reserve, advanced across an open field and into the woods, keeping to the right of the Second Brigade and at the extreme right of our army. Company A, Capt. William Rogers, was sent in advance as skirmishers, and the brigade halted on the crest of a steep hill, where the enemy's guns, at 800 yards, opened an occasional fire upon us, but the men being kept lying down behind the crest, only one man (a private of Company K) was wounded.

Under an order from Col. Whittlesey bayonets were fixed and the regiment (with the Seventy-sixth) marched down the hill and along a valley filled with morass and almost impenetrable thicket toward the battery which had played upon us. This valley was evidently regarded as impracticable and as a sufficient defense. While in that position, however, some loud command drew attention and we were fired upon with spherical case shot. Only one (a private of company K) was wounded. The battery withdrew before we emerged upon high ground. Here we were halted near Gen. Sherman's camp, while one of his brigades (Col. Stuart's) filed by to take part in the very hot contest then raging in front. Company A, having taken two prisoners, here took its place in the battalion.

Word coming to the brigade for assistance, we were marched by the flank to the right and then forward toward the firing. Just then, sharp firing suddenly breaking out still farther to the right, we were again marched by the flank to the right. Here, the Seventy-sixth being ordered to take place temporarily in another brigade, the Twentieth continued alone. Approaching an open field and taking a prisoner, apparently stationed as a picket a section of brass field pieces stationed there opened upon us with round shot and canister. The regiment marching steadily on with fixed bayonets, the enemy, after two or three rounds, limbered up and galloped off as we reached the inclosure. Capt. William Rogers, of Company A, was struck in his shoulder and obliged to withdraw. No one else was struck.

We were then ordered into the field, in order to take upon the flank a column of the enemy which was expected to retreat in that direction. While the battalion was here lying on the ground sharpshooters kept up a fire upon the field officers. I sent a detachment of Company A, who killed 1, captured 1, and dispersed the rest, and reported that the gunshad withdrawn to a camp (camp of the Forty-sixth Ohio) and were then moving into a new position.

The battalion was withdrawn from the field and ordered to lie flat upon the ground behind a three-railed fence. A severe and exceedingly well-aimed fire was opened upon us by the guns now placed in the woods across the open field. Muskets and bayonets at all exposed were bent and snapped off; my sword was struck, but the men were so well sheltered that but 1 was killed and 10 were wounded.

The Twentieth forming the extreme right of the army and exposed to be flanked I changed front of the two right companies, making their right rest near a ravine at the rear and their left near the remainder of the battalion, and sent out a party of skirmishers and scouts, under command of First Lieut. Ayres, now commanding Company A. This party sent in as prisoners 3 officers and 15 men.

Three pieces of artillery brought up by Col. Whittlesey putting an end to all contest at this quarter, the Twentieth took its place in the division, which was then formed into one line of battle, and thus advanced into the country some distance beyond the outer line of the encampment.

Obtaining permission, I sent Company A, Lieut. Ayres commanding, a mile in advance, to pick up stragglers of the enemy. He came upon a hospital filled with wounded rebels, attended by five rebel surgeons: saw a detachment of cavalry burning a large subsistence train, and was just deploying into the woods when he was recalled, in consequence of the order for the division to fall back within the lines for the night.

One private slipped out of the ranks unobserved. With this exception every officer and man behaved admirably. Every order was executed as promptly and quietly as upon a parade ground. I can particularize only Maj. J. N. McElroy, for his valuable assistance in commanding the regiment, and First Lieut. L. N. Ayres, of Company A, for efficient service in handling skirmishers and scouts. A list of casualties and prisoners taken is appended.*

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. F . FORCE.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GEN.
Third Brigade, Third Division.
_________
* These lists show 1 man killed, 1 officer and 11 men wounded, and 1 man missing. Also 3 officers and 18 men captured from the enemy

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

Battles Fought by 20th OH Infantry:
Fought on 15 Feb 1862 at Fort Donelson, TN
Fought on 6 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN
Fought on 7 Apr 1862 at Shiloh, TN
Fought on 30 Aug 1862 at Middleburg, TN
Fought on 30 Aug 1862 at Bolivar, TN
Fought on 12 May 1863 at Raymond, MS
Fought on 16 May 1863 at Champion Hills, MS
Fought on 16 May 1863 at Champion Hills, MS
Fought on 23 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS
Fought on 24 May 1863 at Near Vicksburg, MS
Fought on 25 May 1863 at Vicksburg, MS
Fought on 27 May 1863 at Raymond, MS
Fought on 12 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS
Fought on 13 Jun 1863 at Vicksburg, MS
Fought on 24 Jun 1863
Fought on 26 Jun 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA
Fought on 1 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA
Fought on 22 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA
Fought on 10 Aug 1864 at Near Atlanta, GA
Fought on 2 Sep 1864 at Lovejoy Station, GA
Fought on 4 Sep 1864 at Lovejoy Station, GA
Fought on 13 Dec 1864 at Savannah, GA
Fought on 16 Jan 1865 at Pocotaligo, SC
Fought on 5 Mar 1865 at Rockingham, NC
Fought on 21 Mar 1865 at Goldsboro, NC
Fought on 10 Apr 1865 at Pine Level, NC

MILITARY RECORDS: James M. T. Wickham was born Monroe Co, OH, enlisted at Calais for 3 yrs, was 30 yrs. old, 5 ft. 10-1/2 in., light complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, farmer. On May 24, 1892 he was sent on a hospital boat at Pittsburgh Landing and died May 29, 1862 at Evansville, Ind.

MILITARY PROOF AS TO DEATH:
Adjutant General reports soldier died at Evansville, IN on May 29, 1862.
Surgeon General reports he died May 29, 1862 of debilitas, during the trip from Pittsburgh Landing to Cincinnati, Ohio on board the Steamer Lady Franklin. The Regimental Surgeon said "this man, with a great many others, died while away from his regiment and particulars cannot be furnished. Soldier was received for treatment for Asthma and Jaundice." (Another report by the Surgeon General reports he died May 27, 1862 on a trip from Pittsburg Landing to Cincinnati, OH.)

INDEX TO ROLL OF HONOR - CIVIL WAR: James W. T. Wickham, 20th OH, Comp. I, died 5-31-1862; buried Spring Grove Cemetery near Cincinnati, OH. Sec. A, grave # 273.

CIVIL WAR PENSION INDEX: GENERAL INDEX TO PENSION FILES, 1961-1934: James M. F. Wickham - widow: Mary Wickham - I 20 OH Inf.

CIVIL WAR PENSION INDEX: GENERAL INDEX TO PENSION FILES, 1961-1934: James M. F. Wickham -
minor: J. Bates - I 20 OH Inf. - filed 1866
(Note: J. Bates was the guardian of James' children)

PENSION INFORMATION BELOW WAS SUBMITTED BY BOB WICKAM, from research done by David Wells:

WIDOW'S PENSION CLAIM, filed 1863: Mary Wickham, widow of James M. S. Wickham, Priv., Comp. I, 20th OH Vols.
Residence: Noble Co, OH; P. O.: McCleary, Noble Co, OH; Attorney: W. H. Frazier, Caldwell, OH, not filed. $2 per month additional for each child, as follows: William Thomas, b. Mar 28, 1858, turns 16 Mar 27, 1874; Alexander, b. Oct. 25, 1860, turns 16, Oct. 24, 1876; Rejected Octob. 27, 1871; Examiner: W. B. Gove.

Dates Shown by Papers:
Enlistment, Feb 4, 1862
Muster into ran, Feb. 11, 1862
Discharge, not
Death, May 29, 1862
Invalid ap. filed, not
Invalid last paid to, not
Widow's app. filed, May 7, 1863
Claim completed, - - -
Marriage to soldier, Apr 21, 1854
Widow remarried, Octob 7, 1863
Place of death, Evansville or between said place and Pittsburg Landing.

WIDOW'S CLAIM FOR HALF-PAY PENSION: The state of Ohio, County of Noble. On the 1st day of May, 1863, personally appeared before (1) Probate Court, a Court of Record within and for said county, Mary Wickham, aged twenty eight years, a resident of Center Township, in the county of Noble, and State of Ohio, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress approved July 14, 1862: (2) That she is the widow of James M. L. Wickham, who was a Private in Company I, commanded by Captain F. M. Shaklee, in the 20th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Charles Whittlesy in the war of 1861. (3) That her said husband died on Steam Boat on his way from Pittsburgh Landing to Cincinnati, Ohio on the 10th day of June, 1862 (4) Disease (chronic diarrhea and lung fever as she is informed) contracted while in the line of duty in the service of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said James M. L. Wickham on the 21st day of April 1854 by Cyrus Matheny, a Minister of the Gospel; that her name before her said marriage was Mary King, and that ever since the death of her said husband, she has remained a widow. That during the existence of the aforesaid marriage there were born to her and her said husband the following-named children: William Thomas Wickham, born the 29th day of March, 1858, Alexander Wickham born on the 27th day of October, 1860, who are now living in Noble County, State of Ohio, are under the age of sixteen years. That her post office address is McCleary, Noble County, Ohio.
She also declares that she has in no manner been engaged in, or aided or abetted, the rebellion in the United States. Mary (her X mark) Wickham

PENSION CLAIM FILED BY JACOB BATES, March 10, 1866: Original Pension of Minor Children - William Thomas Wickham and Alexander Wickham, children of James M. S. Wickham, Private, Comp. I, 20th OH Vols. Guardian: Jacob Bates, 55 yrs old; Residence of guardian: Noble Co, OH; P.O.: Sarahsville, Noble Co, OH; Attorney: B. F. Spiggs, Sarahsville, OH; Fee $25; rate of pension: $8 per month, commencing May 30, 1862, the date of death of soldier, and $2 per month additional to each, as follows" William T., b. March 28, 1858, turns 16 on Mar 27, 1874, commencing July 25, 1866; Alexander, b. Oct 25, 1860, turns 16 on Oct 24, 1876, commencing July 25, 1866. Admitted Oct. 27, 1871 and approved Nov. 18, 1871.

Dates Shown by Papers:
Enlistment, February 5, 1862
Muster into rank, Feb. 11, 1862
Discharge, ----
Death, May 29, 1862
Invalid app. filed, ----
Widow's app. filed, May 7, 1863
Widow not paid
Minor's app. filed March 24, 1866
Guardian appointed March term, 1866
Claim completed, Septem 4, 1871
Former marriage, -----
Death of former wife, ----
Last marriage, April 21, 1854
Remarriage of widow, Octob 7, 1863
Cause of death, Debility
Place of death, on Steamer Mis. River

GUARDIAN PENSION CARD: lists soldiers name as James M. F. Wickham

WIDOW'S CLAIM FOR PENSION: State of Ohio, County of Noble: On this 23 day of April, 1906, personally appeared before me the undersigned authority Mary Clark, who being duly sworn, makes this declaration in order to obtain a Pension provided by the Act of Congress approved Mch 3, 01, was the widow of James M. F. Wickham, who was a member of Comp. I, on the 20 Regiment of Ohio Vols. in the War of 1862; that she was married to said Soldier on or about the 12 day of Mch 1854, She Further Declares that her said husband died on or about he 29 day of May, 1862, of disease contracted in the service.
She also declares that she has not in manner been engaged in or aided or abetted the Rebellion in the United States. The following are the names and dates of birth of all the children of her deceased husband who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death: Wm T. Wickham born Mch 29, 58, Alexander Wickham born Oct 25 - 60, who both drew pension until 16. That her second & last husband John Clark died Jany 7, 06, that she has not remarried & claims pension under act of Mch 3, 01 as amended. That she appoints P. J. Lockwood, of Washington, D. C., her attorneys to prosecute this claim. That her P. O. address is Sarahsville, County of Noble, State of Ohio. Mary (her X mark) Clark

CLAIMANT'S AFFIDAVIT, June 2, 1906: Mary Clark, aged 73 years, whose P. O. is Sarahsville, County of Noble, states of Ohio; "i have no stocks bonds or eney income of eney nature i haven't no income of eney kind real or personal only 2 beads chairs coblurt i am totally left with out support only mi owe labor No and banned(?) for mi support mi hasbant and mi self Neather was marriaged prier to air marrage i am left. With out eney help only charity of mi Nabors. Mary (her X mark) Clark
(transcribed as written)

AFFIDAVIT FROM JESSE R. YOUNGBLUE, SUPPORTING PENSION CLAIM: "States under oath that he was well acquainted with James M. F. Wickham who was a private in company I of the 20 O.V.I. and prior to the war the said Wickham married Mary King and there was born to this union two sons. That he Youngblue was a member of the said Co I 20 O.V.I. and in May 1862 there came an order to send the sick north to the hospital and that he being sick also among many others with the said Wickham were put on a boat at Pittsburgh Landing Tennessee and on the next day or day after the boat left the Landing he was on the bow of the boat there being several boxes containing dead men. He was looking at the names on the cards on the boxes and found the name of said Wickham of Co I 20 O.V.I. Said box was put off at Evansville, Ind." "After the death of said Wickham his widow married John Clark of McCleary O. I find in the obituary this John Clark died on the 7 day of Jan 1906. It also states that he married Mary Wickham, the wife and widow of James Wickham and now the widow of John Clark deceased and that she was a widow on the 12th day of Jan. 1906." Jesse R. Youngblue

BUREAU OF PENSIONS, Dec 3, 1906: Mary Clark, formerly widow of James M. F. Wickham who was Private Co I 20 Reg't Ohio Vol Infantry is entitled to a pension at the rate of $12 per month, to commence on the 1st day of May, 1906,

APPLICATION FO REIMBURSEMENT, Mar. 12, 1913: Henry Clark, 29, a resident of Sarahsville RFD#1, County of Noble, State of Ohio filed to obtain reimbursement form the accrued pension for expenses pain (or obligation incurred) by claimant for the last sickness and for the burial of Mary Clark. The pension was last paid to Dec. 4, 1912. Application states that Mary had no property, that Henry Clark was her son and that she died of apoplexy. Her sickness began on Feb 22, 1913 and since that time required the regular and daily assistance of regular person constantly until her death. During her last sickness, Mary lived at Sarahsville, Noble Co, OH RFD#1, died Mar 4, 1913 and was buried at East Union, OH. Henry Clark requested $10 for E. D. Kackley, MD and $30 for himself for nursing and care.

CEMETERY RECORDS: James M. T. Wickham was buried May 31, 1862 in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA Plot: Section 21, Lot A, Grave #273. Cemetery records indicate James died of a gun shot wound.

James married Mary M. KING on 21 Apr 1854 in Noble Co, OH.¹ (Mary M. KING was born on 29 Aug 1835 in East Union, Noble Co, OH,⁵ died on 4 Mar 1913 in Noble Co, OH ⁵ and was buried on 6 Mar 1913 in East Union Cem., Noble Co, OH ⁵.)