Sgt. David Edmonds: McLaughlin's 5th Ohio Cavalry

In October of 1861, a Cavalry Squadron was formed in Richland County, Ohio under the command of Captain William McLaughlin. My gggrandfather ,Sgt David Edmonds was a part of this squadron. Recently while researcing his military record, I was thrilled to find that Mr. Ralph Baughn, a collector of civil war medals, had in his possesion ,a medal of my gggrandfather. After correspponding, he graciously sent me photos of the medal. He said that it was one of his nicest medals and is in excellent condition.

David Diloss Edmonds born in NY in 1825, was the son of David Edmonds of Massachusets . He entered the 105th Union Infantry as a private and was promoted to Sgt. He then served in McLaughlin's Cavalry as Sgt . after Nov 1,1861., They left for Kentucky November 29, 1861. He fought in the Battle of Shiloh and at Lexington. He served with General Sherman. He was mustered out October 30, 1865 in Charlotte ,North Carolina.

Sgt David Edmonds left behind his wife Nancy nee Williamson, whom he had married in Hancock Ohio and 5 daughters , as he went to fight for the Union Army for the causes embraced by the North. He returned at end of war and spent his life in Richland County Ohio. The census of 1880 and 1900 lists him as "painter". His daughters were Margaret born in 1852, Elizabeth born 14 Oct 1854 who married Uriah Pierce Backenstoe, Lucy born about 1857, Jane born about 1858,Polly born Oct of 1857 who married David Ringler of Olivesburg Ohio. I have a Nora Edmonds born 4-18-1867 died 1959 who is buried with this family and I am uncertain of her place in the family. I think she would be too old to be his daughter however her last name is Edmonds and she was quite old when she passed still carrying the Edmonds surname . I would welcome information on her.

David Edmonds was a man of faith. An obituary in the local news had this to say:

Mansfield News/ Obit, 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 ciizen 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 freinds have the sincere sympathy of the community.

He filed for his Civil War Pension in 1875. His wife Nancy filed a claim after his death in 1902.

He is buried at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Weller Twp., Richland County Ohio next to his wife , as well as Nora Edmonds and his daughter Elizabeth Edmonds wife of Uriah Pierce Backenstoe and about 10 other Backenstoe relations.

The Following Battle records are excerpted From Munsells, Ancestry.com and other online databases with links included.

Grand Army of the West
Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, Commanding

Unit Participation by State
Battle of Bentonville, N.C.
March 19-21, 1865
CAVALRY:
4th Company (Right Wing Escort), 5th, 9th, 10th, McLaughlin's Squadron…
from http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/bentonvi/bentonvi.htm

The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, was the last full-scale action of the Civil War in which a Confederate army was able to mount a tactical offensive. This major battle, the largest ever fought in North Carolina, was the only significant attempt to defeat the large Union army of Gen. William T. Sherman during its march through the Carolinas in the spring of 1865.

McLaughlin's Independent Squadron Cavalry
Major William McLaughlin

Organized at Mansfield, Ohio, October and November, 1861. Left State for Kentucky November 29, 1861. Attached to 18th Brigade, Army Ohio, to March, 1862. District of Eastern Kentucky, Dept. Ohio, to July, 1862. 3rd Brigade, Kanawha Division, West Virginia, to November, 1862. District of Eastern Kentucky, Dept. Ohio, to June. 1863. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, Dept. Ohio, to September, 1863. Headquarters 23rd Army Corps, Dept. Ohio, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Kentucky, 5th Division, 23rd Army Corps, to June, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to August, 1864. Mounted Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to September, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, to October, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Kilpatrick's 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Garfield's Campaign in Eastern Kentucky against Humphrey Marshall December 23, 1861, to January 30, 1862. Garfield's Expedition to the Big Sandy September 23-30, 1861. Advance on Paintsville December 31, 1861, to January 8, 1862. Action at Jennies January 7, 1862. Occupation of Paintsville January 8. Abbott's Hill January 9. Middle Creek January 10. Prestonburg January 11. Expedition to the Little Sandy January 24-30. Expedition to Pound Gap, Cumberland Mountains, March 14-17. Action at Pound Gap March 16. Duty at Piketown until June. Moved to Prestonburg, thence to Louisa, Ky., July 15. Duty at Louisa until December. Operations in District of Eastern Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio, to August, 1863. Skirmishes near Louisa March 25-26, 1863. Expedition from Beaver Creek into Southwest Virginia July 3-11. Capture of Abingdon, Va., July 5. Action at Gladesville, Va., July 7. Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee August 16-October 17. Escort and picket duty at Knoxville until January 10, 1864. Near Loudoun November 14. Siege of Knoxville, Tenn., November 17-December 5. Moved to Nicholasville, Ky. Duty there and in Kentucky until June. Moved to Join Stoneman June 13-19. Join Sherman's Army near Big Shanty, Ga., June 26. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign June 26-September 8. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. On line of the Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Stoneman's Raid to Macon July 27-August 6. Macon and Clinton July 30. Hillsborough July 30-31. Sunshine Church August 3. Jug Tavern and Mulberry Creek August 3. Siege of Atlanta August 11-September 3. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Bear Creek Station November 16. Walnut Creek and East Macon November 20. Waynesboro November 27-28. Buckhead Creek, or Reynolds' Plantation, November 28. Rocky Creek Church December 2. Waynesboro December 4. Ebenezer Creek December 8. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Aiken and Blackville, S.C., February 11. North Edisto River February 12-13. Phillips Cross Roads, N. C., March 4. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro. March 16. Bentonville March 19-21. Raleigh April 12-13. Morrisville April 13. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Duty at Concord, N. C., until July. Moved to Raleigh and consolidated with 5th Ohio Cavalry July 28, 1865.

Squadron lost during service 1 Enlisted man killed and 49 Enlisted men by disease. Total 50.
http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unohcav.htm#mclaughlins

No. Soldier Name Side Function Regiment Name
1
Edmonds, David
Union
Infantry
105th Regiment, Ohio Infantry pvt.

2
Edmonds, David D.
Union
Cavalry
McLaughlin's Squadron, Ohio Cavalry pvt to sgt
David D. Edmonds (FirstLast) Regiment Name McLaughlin's Squadron Ohio Cav. Side Union Company A Soldier's RankIn Pvt
Soldier's Rank_Out Sgt
Alternate Name
Notes
Film Number M552 roll 30

3
Edmonds, David D.
Union
Cavalry
5th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry sgt

Sgt David Edmonds of McLaughlin's Cavalry