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John was born January 1835 in Illinois, and died April 03, 1906 in Montague County, Texas. During the Civil War, John was a Corporal in Company "C", 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry (along with his brother-in-law Fred Songer). He enlisted on August 9, 1862. The “Record and Pension Office, War Department, Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions” on August 31, 1864 rolls reported him as a prisoner of war. Prisoner of War records show him confined in the Andersonville Prison in Georgia from July 22, 1864 to September 20, 1864. He was sent to Atlanta, Georgia on September 17, 1864 and was paroled at Rough and Ready, Georgia September 18-22, 1864. He was mustered out of service on June 6, 1865 in Washington D.C. John was deemed disabled from injuries he suffered during the civil war and drew a pension of $24.00. The following six pictures were taken when Photographer AJ Riddle visited Andersonville in August 1864 and took the only known photographs of the prison during its operation. This was the same time frame that John was at Andersonville, The picture of the men in the trench was of the burial detail at the prison. 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment Active 18 September 1862, to 7 June 1865 Country United States Allegiance Union Branch Infantry Engagements Atlanta Campaign Battle of Resaca Battle of kennesaw Mountain Battle of Atlanta Battle of Ezra Church Battle of Jonesborough March to the Sea Carolinas Campaign Battle of Bentonville The Regimental History of the 111th gives the following account of what the regiment was doing starting on July 5th through July 22nd of 1864. This account gives the reader of what John was experiencing when he was captured.  Battle of Atlanta July 22, 1864 - Tuesday, July 5, broke camp at 6 o'clock, and marched four miles to the right; encamped in rear of the Seventeenth Corps. Wednesday, July 6, in camp in reserve. Thursday. July 7, in camp in reserve. Friday, July 8, ordered to be ready to march at 4 p.m. marched three miles to the left, and formed line in the woods, connecting on the left with the Twentieth Corps; threw out skirmishers. Saturday, July 9; remained in position. Sunday, July 10, pickets report enemy across the river; remained in camp all day. Monday, July 11, marched five miles to the right, and encamped on Sandtown road. Tuesday, July 12, remained in camp until noon, when I received orders to be ready to march in a quarter of an hour; broke camp, and marched ten miles in the direction of Marietta; bivouacked, with orders to be ready to march at 2 a. m. Wednesday, July 13, marched at 2 a. m.; passed through Marietta, Ga., took the Roswell road, and encamped within one mile of town. Thursday, July 14, remained in camp until 4 p. m ; broke camp, and crossed the Chattahoochee River, and encamped on the south side. Friday, July 15, remained in camp. Saturday, July 16, remained in camp; orders to be ready to march to-morrow morning at 6 o'clock. Sunday, July 17, broke camp at 6 o'clock, and marched seven miles on Decatur road; encamped for the night on creek. Monday July 18, broke camp at 6 o'clock, and marched on road in direction of Stone Mountain, supporting a cavalry force cutting railroad; cavalry succeeded without opposition; marched three miles to the right, and encamped for the night. Tuesday, July 19, broke camp at 5 o'clock, and marched on Decatur road; left main road and struck the railroad east of Atlanta; was formed in line along same; received orders to destroy same in my front, which was cheerfully performed; marched at 12 m. for Decatur, and encamped for the night. Wednesday, July 20, broke camp at 5 a.m. and marched for Atlanta, Second Brigade in advance; found the enemy in force two miles and a half east of the city; formed line and [built] intrenchments. Thursday, July 21, remained in position during the day. By order of Brig. Gen. M. L. Smith, I was placed in command of the brigade. Friday, July 22 [the day John was taken prisoner], enemy evacuated their works; we took possession of same; my regiment placed in position half a mile in front of main line, to support the picket-line; was attacked by the enemy in heavy force at 2 p. m., Maj. W. M. Mabry being in command; made a desperate stand, but was compelled by the numbers against them to fall back to main works. The enemy pushed on and took the main works, and the regiment, with the division, fell back to the second line of works. They, with the division, were rallied and retook the works. Loss, killed, 18; wounded, 40; missing, 85; Maj. Mabry slightly wounded in left arm. Too high praise cannot be bestowed on the regiment for this day's work. Seventy dead rebels were found in front of their position. Saturday, July 23, remained in position on the line. Sunday, July 24, same position. Monday, July 25, same position. Tuesday, July 26, in same position; received orders to be ready to move at 12 o'clock tonight. Wednesday, July 27, broke camp at 4 a.m. and marched to the right; encamped at 11 p. m. Thursday, July 28, broke camp at 6 o'clock; marched still to the right; gained position at 11 o'clock on ridge; heavy skirmishing in front; was attacked by the enemy in force; repulsed them with heavy loss; men and officers deserve credit for their coolness and bravery; loss, 10 wounded, 1 missing.  After the Civil War, John moved to Montague County, Texas, exact date unknown. Tax records show John owned 80 acres in Montague County, the legal description of the property was N1/2 of the NW ¼ of Section 56. After John’s death the land was given to his son William Anderson, and daughters Dovie Booth Hobbs, and Lily (Lillian) Booth Magee. Lily Booth Magee then purchased the interest of William Booth and Dovie Booth Hobbs for $30 each. When John and his second wife, Mary Ellen, filed for a pension, John wrote a letter stating that his mother, Margaret Holtsclaw Booth, had written him telling that his first wife, Julia and divorced him and taken their daughter Jennie Ann to Marion County, Illinois and remarried. John stated that he never saw either of them again. Sources:
National Park Service Historic Photos of Andersonville Prison URL: https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=A6A1C636-1DD8-B71C-07DB9DB39A2A1074 Source of Regimental History of 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry: ILLINOIS ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH INFANTRY (Three Years) URL: http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?RegimentHistory?287&U Civil War Talk - Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain URL: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/chickamauga-and-lookout-mountain.139684/ WikiVisually - 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment URL: https://wikivisually.com/wiki/111th_Illinois_Volunteer_Infantry_Regiment For more information on John William Booth and his family, see: John William Booth and Mary Ellen Medford Matthews
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AuthorMy name is Vicky, and after researching my family history since 1999, I have found amazing stories that need to be told. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! Archives
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