Newspaper article “NAPOLEON” Napoleon, North Dakota Volume 39, Number 43, titled, VETERAN OF CIVIL WAR AND SIBLEY’S EXPEDITION VISITED HERE
Was also “Northern Guest” at Libby Prison along with Sixty-eight Comrades Captured by Rebs. Was at Battle of White Stone Near Merricourt in June 1863. Alexander Hall, a former resident of Wishek, accompanied by his son James and his son-in-law Wm. Bundrock passed through Napoleon a few days ago. Via auto from Brittin, S.D. on their way to Bismarck for a visit with Mr. Hall’s son Isham Hall, While on his way to his present home at Shepard P. O., twenty-eight miles northeast of Billings, Montana, where he is a neighbor of “Bob” McCalmont, a former Napaleon boy. Mr. Hall was a member of Co I 39 Ken. Vol. Cav. And served during the Civil war from 1861 to 1865 four years and a day. He had a very thrilling, sad and heroic experience as a soldier, but although he passed his eightieth birthday on Feb. 14, 1925 he says he has never “scraped acquaintance” with more than one doctor, and that was because of poisoning by fever ticks while at work in a South Dakota harvest field a few years ago. Mr. Hall, although a mere youngster at the outbreak of the Civil war, has a very vivid recollection of incidents then as well as subsequent. He says that although Virginia voted by 35,000 majority against secession, the majority were defrauded of their choice. That Kentucky, his native state, voted to remain neutral but that as soon as such result became known the southern sympathizers at once began killing the known northern sympathizers and that sixty-nine of his neighbors who voted “neutral” were killed. Mr. Hall’s father was a colonel in the U.S. army in the war with Mexico. Already in the Civil war he had three sons enlisted in the Union cause and himself started out to join Alexander at less than fifteen and his younger brother who was not yet thirteen years of age. Followed their father 200 miles to the recruiting station, arriving just behind him. Their father commanded the youngsters to return to their mother, but after what the boys had seen happen to their neighbor friends who were killed and their families chased out of the country, they refused to return home saying “We are big enough to carry guns and we are going to fight.” Mr. Hall’s mother died as the result of her exposure and hardship in fleeing 300 miles on foot to escape the rebel pillagers. At the battle of Chicamauga his father and three brothers were killed At Prestonburg Alexander was one of sixty-eight Union men taken prisoners and who were sent to Libby prison, where, after seven months and three days “starving to death by degrees.” Alexander was parolled ---exchanged along with others for southern prisoners held by the Union army. Being on parole Alexander was sent to join Col. Sibley on his expedition against the Indians and was at the battle of White Stone, which took place near Merricourt, N. D. in June 1863 Mr. Hall says this battle was between Col. Wilson with 700 men and about 7,000 Indians. Who had the soldiers surrounded and that at times during the day’s battle the Indians got within ten or fifteen feet of the soldiers barricaded behind the Big white rocks that gave the battle and field its name. But the Indians were finally driven off, suffering a loss of about 300 killed, and seven soldiers were also killed. The Indians took their dead along with them and buried them miles away westward from where the battle occurred. The soldiers were buried at the battlefield, which is now marked by a great monument dedicated a few years ago. At the time of the dedication ceremonies Mr. Hall was telegraphed an invitation to attend, but he was working in a harvest field and the telegram did not find him until the event was over, which he greatly regretted Mr. Hall is a very spirited man for his years and he says: “I never lost a meal in my life except in Libby.” He reports seeing occasionally our former Napoleon neighbor M. Savage at Billings, and that “Bob” McCalmont is at Shepard P. O. Mr. Hall and the late Robert A. McCalmont who was a pioneer settler of Logan County and who was the father of T. R. McCalmont of Glendale township, attended the G. A. R. reunion held at Gettysburg together and they were great friends.
Newspaper article EARLY SETTLER AND LAST SURVIVOR OF CIVIL WAR DIES ALEXANDER HALL ANSWERS “TAPS” FOR LAST TIME. FUNERAL TUESDAY.
Alexander Hall was born in McDowal county, West Virginia. February 14, 1844 and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Will Bundrock, northeast of Britton, on Friday December 16, 1927 aged 83 years, 10 months and two days. He was united in marriage to Eliza Ferrel at Holdings Ford Minn., on April 25th 1872 and to this union 11 children were born, six boys and five girls: Isham and James of Bismarck, N.D. Andrew of Britton; John and Hobart, of Billings, Mont: Earl, of Shepard, Mont; Mrs Marve Woodard of Forman, N.D.: Mrs Mary Eastburg, of Trail City, S.D.: Mrs. Will Bundrock, of Britton; Mrs George Holcomb, of Harding, Mont; Mrs Leamon Otis, Shepard, Mont all of whom survive him. He also leaves to mourn his loss 38 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one brother, who lives at Webb West Va. Mrs Hall passed away July 3, 1925. The family moved from Minnesota to what was then Day county, Dakota Territory, now Marshall county, South Dakota, in covered wagons, bringing all their belongings. They settled on a homestead four miles northeast of Britton on the land which is now the John Sherburn farm. The family lived there until a few years ago, when they moved to Wishek, N.D. where they resided a short time, or until the home was broken up by the death of Mrs. Hall. Mr Hall had a pleasant visit with his brother at Webb, West Va. Last winter, following which he returned to his farm at Shepard, Mont. Failing in health and wishing to spend his last days near his old home in Marshall county, he came, just two months ago to live with his daughter, Mrs. Will Bundrock, at which place he passed away. Mr. Hall died of cancer of the stomach and suffered with true fortitude and great patience. He had never been ill enough during his long life, required the services of a physician two years ago when he was poisoned by fever ticks while working in the harvest field. When his last illness came upon him he fully realized his condition and met the enemy as a true soldier should. He made all the plans for his funeral before his death which came as a grateful release from a long and active life. As far as we know Mr. Hall is the last survivor of the Civil war living in Marshall county. He was always an ardent member of the G.A. R. and never failed to be present at meeting of a patriotic nature
Source of information: Melissa O'Connell