David Diloss Edmonds

David Diloss Edmonds

David Diloss Edmonds was born on May 2, 1829 in New York. At the age of 33, he enlisted and was mustered into federal service as a Private into Company A, McLaughlin's Independent Ohio Cavalry Battalion on November 4, 1861; a unit that was rather unusual during the Civil war in that it was specially raised to be a battalion, rather than a regiment. It first fought in Kentucky and Tennessee, where it took part in the Siege of Knoxville in the fall of 1863. It was then detailed to Major General William T. Sherman's Army of the Tennessee, where it fought in the 1864 Battles for Atlanta, Georgia and in the celebrated March to the Sea. After the Confederate surrender and the end of the war in 1865, the battalion was called upon to perform occupation duty, and in July 1865, the remnants of the unit were consolidated into the 5th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Promoted to Sergeant, David Edmonds was transferred to the 5th Ohio's Company C on July 28, 1865. There he served until he was honorably mustered out on October 30, 1865 at Charlotte, North Carolina, a veteran of almost four full years of field service for his county.

David Edmonds was the husband of Nancy Williamson. On August 12, 1875, he applied for a United States Army Pension, which was granted to him (Application #259054, Certificate #175395). He died on July 7, 1902 in Richland County, Ohio. After he had passed away, his wife, Nancy, applied for a United States Army Widow's Pension on August 27, 1902 (Application #769272, Certificate #542516). It also was granted and she collected the pension until she died.

From the Mansfield News Obituary, published July 17, 1902: "David Diloss Edmonds was born in New York May 2, 1825 and departed this life Jul 7, 1902 aged 77 years, 2 months and five days. He leaves a wife and five daughters to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father."

From the Mansfield News Obituary, published July 16, 1902: David Edmonds, a highly respected citizen and soldier of the civil war, departed this life July 7, aged 77 years. He was an honored citizen and through his death the church and community have lost a loyal Christian brother. During the last 10 years that he lived he had devoted his whole life to the church and prayer meeting and during his sickness and until God called him away he remained a true and loyal Christian. The funeral services were held Wednesday July 9, conducted by the Rev, Mr. Kelsor, pastor of the M.E. Church. The Rev Mr Cline of Shenandoah was also present and spoke in honor of the deceased. Twelve soldiers were present and six of whom were his comrades and acted as pall bearers. The Rev. Morris, a comrade spoke of his service in the army. His friends have the sincere sympathy of the community."

Information and photograph provided by David Diloss Edmonds‘ great greet granddaughter, Randi Bowles-Meentzen.

David Diloss Edmonds