Abner Austin

Abner Delos Austin was born on June 8, 1846. His parents, John and Anna Maria had moved to Michigan sometime prior to 1840. Some family members believe that the family was from New York. In any event, Abner's parents moved to Michigan shortly after his birth. Tragically, Abner and his older brother Charles were orphaned when both parents died in Detroit of cholera. Abner was only 4, his brother 6. As was common in those days, the orphans were separated and taken by different families. They both kept their surname, Austin - because neither was officially adopted. Abner was raised by a family named Milroy who had a farm on 5 Mile between Burt Road and Inkster Road in Redford. O.B. Curtis lists his pre-war occupation as laborer.

The photograph at right is believed to have been taken around 1894, when he was 48 years old.

Abner enlisted in company I on August 2, 1862 at Redford. He claimed on his enlistment forms to be 19 years old when, in reality, he was only 16. Both the regimental historian O.B. Curtis and his enlistment papers indicate that Abner was born in Canada, although the preponderance of evidence indicates that he had been born in Michigan. Private Abner Delos Austin was mustered into service on August 14, 1862 at Detroit, Michigan. He was paid one month's salary in advance; $13 plus a $4 premium.

Not very much is known about the early portion of Abner's military service. In February of 1863, Private Austin appears for roll call, but for reasons unknown, he forfeits five dollars of one month's pay "by sentence of Court Martial." Punishments of this magnitude were given for relatively minor infractions. Presumably he shared the same trials and tribulations as the rest of the Regiment. On July 1, 1863 the 24th Michigan was heavily engaged at Gettysburg. Abner Austin was one of over 300 casualties.

The mine ball entered somewhere between the fingers and the knuckles and split the hand in two and exited at the back of the wrist. Reputedly, surgeons at the field hospital were going to amputate the entire hand. Fortunately, before this occurred, Abner was evacuated to permanent facilities. The doctors at Satterlee General Hospital in Philadelphia were able to save the hand. Family history indicates that Abner never regained much use of the hand - just the thumb and all fingers togetheer like a claw.

In December 1863, Private Austin appears for roll at Satterlee USA General Hospital, Ward B, in Philadelphia (first having appeared in September 1863). He was given back pay for July and August 1863 by Major Richie, with back pay for May and June 1863 still owed to him. Abner Austin is described as showing "good" character in the hospital. Further, it is stated that: "This soldier was with his (unit) at the battles of Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862), Fitz Hugh Crossing (April 29, 1863) and Gettysburg (July 1, 1863). A brave and good soldier."

On February 19, 1864, Private Austin was listed as "Absent without leave" from Satterlee USA General Hospital, Ward B, in West Philadelphia. His description was sent to Invalid Corps Headquarters. On March 4, 1864, Army administrators in Detroit issued an Order to Report for Private Austin, claiming his absence from duty since January 25, 1864. He was ordered to report back to Satterlee USA General Hospital in West Philadelphia. Apparently there was a great deal of confusion and mis-communication surrounding Abner's absence.

On March 28, 1864, three days BEFORE appearing on Satterlee General Hospital's Descriptive List of Deserters, Private Austin is suddenly present on the Officers and Enlisted Roll of Culpepper, Virginia General Hospital. He is described suffering an 8 1/2 month disability due to a gunshot wound to the left hand: "Metacarpal bones of riddle-ring and little fingers have been fractured by said wound and are badly united. The hand is now nearly useless." He was reassigned to the Invalid Corps. in March, but Satterlee still had him listed as missing and considered a deserter.

Abner Austin was officially transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on May 1, 1864. Details of his service in the in Invalid Corps are scant. Like many soldiers transferred to the Invalid Corps, Abner was probably unfit strenuous military activity. Abner was discharged on June 26, 1865 from the Forty-eighth Company, Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps at Washington D. C.

When he returned to Michigan Abner married the girl (Mary Turner) who lived across the road from the Milroy farm and moved in with her family.   According to family history, Abner had a difficult life. He ever had much of his own but managed to raise two sons: Harry and Perry.

One interesting note is that apparently when applying for the Veterans Bounty (in 1867-8?) his name was listed in the post office on an eligibility list. This was a list of all veterans from Michigan who had served in the War. His name was listed just above that of his brother Charles, who was in Jackson. They had not seen nor heard of each other since being separated as children. Because of this list they were reunited although travel to visit was very difficult for both of them.

Abner's hand never did heal properly and the his family's belief is that the ensuing paralysis eventually consumed him.

Abner Delos Austin died in 1901. He was 55 years old.  He is buried in Clarenceville Cemetery on 8 Mile Road in Livonia. His grave is marked by a large dual headstone for he and his wife, Mary. Abner's son Harry, his wife and some children that died in infancy are buried nearby. Abner's other son, Perry and his wife are buried in Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville where they had lived on a farm at 7 Mile and Northville Road.

Descendant:

Edd Austin, bosswolf@bnnorth.net

Kristina K Austin, snowdog@flash.net

The Photographs and much of the information on this page are courtesy Erudite Publishing and of Edd Austin, and his daughter Kristina K. Austin.

Last Updated: 04/08/99
Webmaster: Rob Richardson
robr@advnet.net
All original material © Copyright Erudite Publishing May 25, 1998