Did a little searching of records over at Ancestry.com, and I did find Hiram P. Deem shown as joining the 71st on August 18 1862, and dying on October 4th, 1862. But it said he died in Spencer, Indiana, which is where he lived. I don’t know what that means. Did he get injured, or captured, or maybe was he just so sick they sent him home to die? Either way, it shows he entered as a Corporal, and died a Corporal. And his widow later collected a pension.

James Deem was his cousin who also lived in Spenser, joined on the same day as Hiram, and is listed as dying at the Battle of Richmond. Now I’ve just got to figure out how Hiram ended up dying in October in Spencer. Of course, it could be that they meant he was FROM Spenser.

Interesting note: Hiram’s widow ended up marrying again -- to James brother, Lowery Deem.

If you find anything at all on Hiram, please let me know. Thanks. Patrick Deem