George L Palmer

George Levi Palmer

George Levi Palmer enlisted at Carlinville, Macoupin, Illinois on July 19, 1861, joining Company K of the 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a Private. He was described as having brown eyes, brown hair, dark complexion, height 5 ft 10 in. On December 21, 1863, he was discharged to enlist in the same company as a Veteran Volunteer. In October 1862, George was captured at the battle of Corinth, Mississippi. He was mistakenly reported killed in action but was later paroled near Vicksburg. In October 1864, he was captured again at the battle of Allatoona Pass, Georgia, was kept as a prisoner at Andersonville, then escaped to rejoin his unit. He was mustered out on July 9, 1865. The 7th Illinois was unique in that the soldiers purchased and carried the Henry Repeating Rifle, a lever action 16 shooter. The following information is a quote from the adjutants report for the 7th Illinois: The 7th, armed with the Henry rifle, (or 16 shooter,) did gallant and fearful work - successfully repelling four separate charges made by the desperate and hungry enemy on the line occupied by them - its torn and bleeding ranks told at what a fearful cost. Its colors, under which fell many a gallant bearer that day, were never lowered. Colonel Rowett, who commanded the Seventh the last four hours of the battle of Allatoona, where Sherman had stored millions of rations, while according to all the highest meed of praise for gallant conduct and stubborn courage, insists that without the aid of the 16-shooters, French's 6,000 rebels would have overwhelmed the gallant 1,500 of The Pass. Photograph submitted by George Levi Palmer's great-great-grandson, Jack Cox of Overland Park, Johnson, Kansas.

Private George Levi Palmer in 1861