Biography/History:

John Wesley was born in Halifax, Virginia, ca. 1833 to Paul Wesley (b. ca. 1795 - d. April 26, 1875) and Elizabeth Wesley (b. ca. 1810 - d. January 19, 1883). John was the fourth of Paul and Elizabeth's six children including: Eliza, Agnes, Clementine, Caroline, and Charles. John Wesley is probably the John R. Wesley who married Nancy Lowry (b. ca. 1840 - d. unknown) on December 1, 1859 in Halifax County, Virginia. According to the 1860 federal census, John Wesley worked as a laborer. On July 24, 1862, Wesley enlisted as a volunteer in Company A, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, United States Army, during the Civil War.

Company A, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was organized and the regiment was mustered into service at Kankakee, Illinois on August 22, 1862 by Colonel A.W. Mack. The Seventy-sixth arrived at Columbus, Kentucky on August 29, 1862, where it received arms and military training through October 4, 1862. From Columbus, the regiment was sent to Bolivar, Tennessee, where it remained until November 3, 1862. Accompanied by other troops, the Seventy-sixth was moved to La Grange, Tennessee, where it remained until joining General Ulysses S. Grant's campaign along the Mississippi Central Railroad on November 28, 1862.

The Seventy-sixth was also involved in: the Siege and Fall of Vicksburg (May - June 1863); General Sherman's campaign against Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863); Capture of Port Beauregard, Louisiana (September 4, 1863); General Sherman's Meridian campaign (February - March 1864); and General Steel's expedition from Pensacola, Florida (March - April 1865).

The Seventy-sixth was ordered to Galveston, Texas, where the regiment remained from June - July 1865. The Seventy-sixth was mustered out on July 22, 1865 in Texas and ordered to Chicago, Illinois, to receive pay and be disbanded.

After being honorably discharged at Galveston, Texas on July 22, 1865, Wesley moved to Brookhaven, Lawrence County, Mississippi. On December 7, 1865, Wesley married Lydia Ann Powell (b. December 24, 1844 - d. February 9, 1932). John and Lydia's children included: Wayne, George, Columbus, Mollie, and Becket. Moreover, the 1870 federal census records Wesley's occupation as a farmer and owning real estate valued at $50.00 in Lawrence County. Furthermore, records suggest that the Wesley family relocated to Livingston Parish, Louisiana. In the 1900 federal census, Lydia Wesley is recorded as a widow and farming as her occupation. By 1920, Lydia is identified in the census as being the owner and employer of a general farm at the age of 75.

John Wesley likely died in Livingston Parish, Louisiana in 1896.

Scope and Content:

This collection documents Wesley's enlistment and service in Company A, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, United States Army, from 1862-1865. This collection consists of John Wesley's Discharged Soldiers' Bounty and Application of Discharged Soldier for Arrears of Pay for his service during the Civil War. Of particular interest is the Application of Discharged Soldier for Arrears of Pay, an item that provides insight into an error made by the United States Army, in which Wesley did not receive pay at the same time as his regiment due to being improperly mustered into service. Wesley was formally mustered in at Memphis, Tennessee, but never received his $100.00 bounty. Ultimately, Wesley received his full bounty in September, 1866.

Series Identification:

1. Discharged Soldiers' Bounty and Application of Discharged Soldier for Arrears of Pay. 1866; 1 folder.