Albert Walter - Illinois and the Civil War

Albert Walter was born in Babcary, Somerset, England in 1840, the son of Walter and Ann Walter (see The Walter Family of Babcary, Somerset). Aged 11 Albert is listed in the 1851 census at Greenhill Farm, Babcary.

He emigrated to the USA, and in 1860 was living in Oneida, Ontario Township, Knox County, Illinois.

On 14th August 1862 he enlisted with Company H of the 93rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He died of disease at Memphis, Tennessee on 28th March 1863 and is buried there. The Illinois State database records him as single, born Somerset England, dark hair, light eyes and complexion, 5ft 7ins and occupation farmer. Two of his brothers also subsequently emigrated to the USA but it is not known whether they were aware of Albert's fate.

The 93rd Illinois Infantry August 1862-March 1863

Company H (Bureau County Tigers) was recruited at Neponset, Bureau County during the month of August 1862. On September 17th it travelled by rail to Camp Douglas in Chicago from where a total of ten companies were mustered on October 13th and left for Memphis, Tennessee. After a month in camp, the 93rd embarked on General Ulysses Grant's campaign into northern Mississippi on November 26th. Union forces surrendered at Holly Springs and the regiment returned to Memphis without seeing action. January and February 1863 were spent in camp. On March 2nd the regiment travelled by the steamer Henry Von Phul down the Mississippi to Grand Lake, Arkansas; two days later returning to a point opposite Yazoo Pass. On March 22nd they left by the steamer Jesse K. Bell to survey enemy fortifications at Greenwood, Mississippi.

Death in the Civil War

Disease was the biggest cause of death in the Civil War accounting for approximately 60 per cent of Federal and two-thirds of Confederate fatalities. One reason was recruitment of unsuitable men (under and over-age and pre-existing health problems) especially in the first year. About half these deaths resulted from intestinal diseases, mainly typhoid, diarrhoea and dysentery. The remainder died from pneumonia and tuberculosis. Further problems were caused by outbreaks of common infectious diseases such as measles, chicken pox, mumps and whooping cough. Camp conditions were appalling with filth and poor diet contributing to the ill-health of combatants.

 

Last updated December 2009.

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