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Weird & possibly unrecorded death of LA soldier

OBITUARY A LOUISIANIAN WHO DIED A STRANGE DEATH AT SNYDER'S BLUFF WHILE ON THE WAY TO DEER CREEK

I am reporting this to the LA CW BB because I don't think (but can't be sure) that his death is even mentioned in his Compiled Service Record. Maybe this notice will help both his descendants and any researchers of the 28th LA Infantry. -- Jim Huffman, 43rd MS Inf.

from the Vicksburg Daily Whig, April 8, 1863:

Obituary. Died at Haynes' Bluff on the Yazoo River, March 28, 1863, of an accidental wound received there, Henry S. Whittemore, 1st Lieutenant of Co. I, 28th Louisiana Regiment, in the twenty-fifth year of his age...[Article lauds him as a wonderful man.]...This position he still held at the time of the unfortunate accident which led to his death. The regiment, which had received marching orders and had proceeded as far as Haynes' Bluff on its way to Deer Creek, when it was halted to await further orders. [sic] The halt being rather a long one, the men began to fear that night would overtake them before they got their fires lit, so they busied themselves collecting their wood. As usual, Henry went with them and was returning with what wood he had found when he stubbed his toe and fell upon the stump of a wild cane, which pierced his body. Every assistance was rendered him that could be had in that out of the way place, but it soon became apparent to all that he had but a few short hours to live. He lingered for nearly two days in great agony, then his spirit took flight and winged its way to another world....Just before breathing his last, Henry asked those that stood around him to pray for him. That God in His infinite mercy would have lent a willing ear to those humble petitions in his behalf and that He may have received him into His upper and better Kingdom, where trouble and pain and sorrow are unknown and where he shall dwell forever more in peace and happiness is the sincere prayer of his sorrowing friend. (signed ) M.

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THE DANGERS OF CAMP LIFE

from the Mobile Register and Advertiser, April 9, 1863:

Singular Cause of Death.--1st Lt. Whittimore [sic], 28th Louisiana Volunteers, met with a singular accident at Haynes' Bluff on the Yazoo River on the 29th ult. He was accidentally thrown backward on the sharp point of a freshly-cut cane, by which he was pierced through the body and lived but about thirty-six hours after the accident. [Mississippian]

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From Booth's "Records of Louisiana Confederate Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands," which does not contain mention of this brave Louisianian's death: "Whittemore, Henry S., 2nd Lt. 1st Lt. Cos. C and I, 28th (Thomas') La. Inf. En. New Orleans, La., April 20, 1862. Present or absent not stated on Rolls to Oct., 1862. Roll to Feb. 28, 1863, Present, promoted by election to 1st Lt., Oct. 4, 1862." Assigned to duty with said Co., Dec. 5, 1862, by order Gen. M. L. Smith."

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