Jesse Mason Co C, 26th OVI We are the direct descendants of Jesse Mason, field musician ( a drummer) , Co C of the 26th OVI. He enlisted at the age of 18 in June, 1861. He fought in the major battles of Western Virginia, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stones River, and Chickamauga, as well as the skirmishes at Lawrenceburg and McMinnville, TN. He was captured at the Battle of Chickamauga on either 9/19/1863 (most likely during the fierce engagement at the east Viniard Fields area ) or on 9/20/63 ( most likely after the rebel breakthrough at the Brotherton cabin). As part of his duties, he was also responsible for carrying wounded soldiers off the battle field to a field hospital. He was most likely captured performing this duty. According to Colonel Young's Official Report, Jesse Mason, himself, may also have been wounded at the time of his capture. ( Col Young writes that four musicians were wounded and captured on 9/19/63.) Mason spent the remainder of the war incarcerated in various rebel prisons including: Libby (Richmond), Pemberton (Richmond), Danville # 4 (Danville, Va), Camp Sumter (Andersonville, Ga), Charleston, SC, and finally, Florence, SC. His repeated transfer from prison to prison was part of the Confederates attempt to move large numbers of Union prisoners from areas of anticipated Union Army movements. The overriding concern for the Confederacy was if the Union army could free large amounts of Union prisoners, this would be more than the rebels could withstand at any location. He was imprisoned at Andersonville from around April 21, 1864 to September, 1864 during the time of the most crowded and deplorable conditions. (During August, 1864, there were over 33,000 prisoners in a prison area with livable space of only 26 acres, or 1,270 prisoners per acre.) He was there during the time of the Raiders' terrorizing the prisoners, the Raiders' trial and hanging, the flooding, and the lightning bolt that sprung Providence Spring. He was also there when over 100 prisoners were dying daily due to starvation, various diseases ( most commonly scurvy), the deplorable health conditions, the extreme weather conditions, and absence of any shelter from the weather. He was released from the Florence prison in December, 1864 as a part of the general release of 10,000 sick union prisoners. He was transported to Camp Parole, Md. He suffered from scurvy and dropsy. He was so emaciated he was unrecognizable by those who knew him well. But he survived the captivity and returned to Ohio and was honorably discharged in January, 1865, a full 8 months beyond his 3 year enlistment. (Source: National Archives) He returned to live in Morrow County Ohio. Following Mary Bennett, his first wife's death, he remarried to Ida Rhoton, and moved to Blackford County, Indiana, where he resided for a while. He tried to return to his pre-war avocation as a tanner, but the debilitating illnesses he acquired during captivity made gainful employment very difficult. He applied for the veterans pension authorized for Union veterans in 1870, and after several years of bureaucratic hassles, he finally was granted the maximum pension allowed, $16 per month. He died in 1916 from heart disease. He is buried in a family plot with his first wife, Mary Bennett, at the Ebenezer Cemetery, located on Rt 61 in Lincoln Twp, Morrow County, Ohio. Bob Hill, great grandson Jeff Hill, great, great grandson |
| Jesse Mason, Co C Field Musician ( Drummer) |
| Jesse Mason is in the center in the second row. Picture was likely taken in the 1890's. He is pictured with his 2nd wife and children: from left: Jesse Mason, Jr., Alena Mason Rhoton, Arna Rhoton, Jesse, Iverson Mason, Ida Mason ( his 2nd wife), and Dorsey Mason. |
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| Jesse Mason Part 2 |
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| Jesse Mason's Affadavit Page 3 |