I have often commented to others that there is a book and a movie in the life experiences of
some of
the men of the 69th. While their war service in the Union Army is of much interest to those who
study the details of the war proper, battles fought in, military tactics,losses, ground lost and won etc
this is fine but I personally
find the life story of each man to be more fascinating. This aspect I have concentrated on in this website in most cases.
Murdock Campbell was born in Co. Clare on the western seaboard of Ireland circa 1830. Co. Clare is a most beautiful
county. However
in the early/mid 19th century it was a place of great poverty. There was little employment and
probably Murdocks family lived
out an existence on a small holding of perhaps 5 or 10 acres at best. The nation to the west or as President J.F.Kennedy
referred to as "the next parish", America beckoned. As to when Murdock left for America we will never know. He may have
left with his family
or a group of friends. We know that his wife was also Irish so it is possible he may have left as a married man.
Like so many others he appeared to find employment in Philadelphia.
You may wonder about his name a most Scottish one. Murdock Campbell is certainly not an Irish one. True but if one
looks at the history of the west of Ireland and the Plantation of Ulster many settlers found their way to the
west of Ireland. Scots and English names are frequently found there. However it will be found that in most cases
their religion would as
now be Catholic even though their ancestors in the 16th and 17th centries would have been Protestant most likely
Presbyterian. Also through the centuries many regiments of the English army were garrisoned in the west of Ireland
and many soldiers stayed and married into
the local population. In parts of Connemara as now there are many descendants of Cromwells soldiers who had been garrisoned
in the west.
However as now the descendants will be Catholic and have a total Irish ethos but will have very English or Scots
surnames.
Many have endeavoured to make Irish names from the English or Scots ones not too different to the Anglification of
Irish names
in later years. I feel that is just likely Murdock was of this
stock. However we will never know for sure. Let us look at his life.
We know from the Civil War records that he was noted as being aged 28 in 1861 when he joined the 24th Reg for the 3 month
enlistment on the 3.5.1861 in Philadelphia. He is noted as living in Philadelphia.
The above church built in 1889 is built on the site of the old Santa Cruz mission church. The commerative granite arch which is seen in the front of the church was erected in 1891 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Misssion Santa Cruz. It is more likely that Murdock and his family attended the old Mission Santa Cruz though his children probably attended the above church. By 1890 both Murdock and his wife would have been near the end of their days. He was most certainly in poor health as he was recorded as dieing of bronchial problems.
From his service records it is seen Murdock first served in Co. B of the 24th Regt then enrolled in Co. B. 69th.Pa on 31.8.1861 again in Philadelphia. He mustered into the Regt. at Camp Observation Md.on 31.10.1861. He had quite an eventful war and a lot is recorded about his service in the war. He gained promotion at various times. Quickly promoted to Sergt. then Sergt.Major 5.11.1863. He fought at Gettysburg. Later promoted Lieut. However in action a Spotsylvania C.H. 12.5.1864 he was badly wounded. He was shot behind his right ear and jaw damaging both his skull and jaw causing lifelong deafness. He was also struck across his left face by a sabre between his lower left jaw and ear. Some few months later he was discharged by Surgeons Certificate on 27.10.1864. Murdock's war was over.
After leaving the army what happened to Murdock?. With most soldiers then as now it is very difficult to find out a lot after they cease military careers and move into civilian life. However we have some trace information on Murdock. It is found that he signed naturalisation papers in San Francisco on Sept 2nd 1867. It would be a fair assumption that he alone or perhaps as a married man left Philadelphia to "go West" not too long after the Civil War ended. Did he perhaps "go west" as a single man and meet his wife in California?. Why did he not stay in Philadelphia with his friends and family?. If one looks at the cause of death in 1890 he would be about 60 years of age. The better climate of California might have suited him better rather that the bitter cold and wet winters of Pennsylvania. It is noted that he was "registered" to vote on Sept 13th 1880 again in San Francisco though we know that by this stage he was living in Santa Cruz.
Murdock died 22.7. 1890. Hannah his wife had died a few months earlier on 28.3.1890. Murdock and Hannah lived at
Caledonia St. However in a business diary of Santa Cruz it states that Murdock ran a tailoring business at
Mission Street where the family lived and had their business. As to when Murdock got involved in tailoring no
information is on hand. Maybe he learned the trade in Ireland or
in Philadelphia. Because he received such rapid promotion in the 69th I feel that he was at enlistment a very capable
man with
a good education. He was never slow to pen his thoughts about the way the 69th was run!. Quick to pen his reactions
he made a written complaint to Col. O'Kane the Regt commander when another officer, McIlvain was promoted over him
stating that McIlvane had
gained votes in the Company due to them receiving extra issues of whiskey from McIlvain.
However O'Kane did reply saying that he Campbell would soon be promoted which he was!.
From the very limited information
on hand about him
and his family research shows that
he had applied for a disability pension (No.243017) and the examining surgeons certificate dated Santa Cruz March 31st
1878. It lists his various wounds and notes that his general state of health was poor. Along with this the examining
doctor
C.L.Anderson noted concern about him and noted that there was a large family to support.
Acknowledgements and thanks:
The 69th. Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was like the 69th New York Infantry one of the most Irish
regiments of the Civil War. It was formed up in Philadelphia from the various militia units in the city
many of
which had a very Irish ethos.There were numerous Irish born soldiers in the various companies of the
regiment. There would be many men from Co's. Derry and Tyrone. Its commander
was Colonel
Dennis O'Kane from near Claudy Co. Derry.
Thomas was a brother to the Robert above. Thomas was born May 29th. 1836 to Thomas
Stinson and Elizabeth McQuillan. He was baptised the same day.
His godparents were
James and Mary McQuillan. Like his brother he found himself in Philadelphia in
the early 1860's and
actively engaged in Democratic Party politics. He would join the 69th.
Penn Vol. Inf. the same day as his brother Robert. He joined the regiment at Brandy
Station Va.
He is noted in a signed statement as having received $300 bounty when he
joined.
Thomas fought at the battle of Gettysburg being at "the wall " on that
fateful day of 3rd. Aug. 1863.
Thomas was promoted to 1st. Sergt. July 15th 1864 . In Sept 1864 Thomas took ill
at Weldon R.R. Va.
and sent to hospital at City Point Va. On the 20th. Sept he was given a 30 day
furlough to go home for recouperation. On the expiration of this furlough he reported to the
medical officer in Philadelphia who then sent him to Albertstown hospital where he remained
until early Feb. 1865 when he went home without permission. He was arrested in Philadelphia
8th Feb. 1865
and taken to the Provost
Martial who sent him to Prince St. prison in Alexandria Va. All was not lost and Thomas got
back to the front and was promoted to 2nd. Lieut. June 16th 1865.
Not mustered. He had also fought at the battle of Fredericksburg where
he was wounded but survived.
Mustered out with Co. July 1st. 1865 at Balls Cross Roads Va.
On John we do not as now have a lot of information. He was born at Anahorish
Newbridge Co. Derry on 26.6.1836 to James Stinson and Alice McWilliams.
In the early 1860's he was in Philadelphia. He joined the 69th aged approx. 28.
He fought at Gettysburg.
James enlisted with a Thomas Stinson on March 4th 1864. He may well have been a relative
of Thomas. He would be captured at the battle of Reams Station and held prisoner
at Salisbury prison N.C. He was released Feb. 28th. 1865 at N.E. Ferry N. Carolina.
James was 43 years of age when he joined the 69th.
Thomas was born 17.7.1849 to John Stinson and Anne Lennox Anahorish Newbridge Co. Derry.
Little is known of Thomas except that he mustered out with Co. July 1st 1865.
Would appear to have joined at
a very young age the same day as James above.
One wonders if he was perhaps a son of James?. But we shall never know.
Note: The information on the Stinsons is as accurate as I can determine from
rosters of the soldiers and birth records of their parish. In many books there is confusion as
to which Stinson was which.
James was born in Derrygarve townland in Artrea parish Ballymaguigan area of Co.
Derry 26.6.1836. the son of John McPeake and Mary Grogan. He emigrated like so
many of his friends to Philadelphia and joined the Meagher Guards and attained the rank
of 2nd Lieut.
He later joined the 69th. Penn. Vol. Inf. Aug. 1861 aged 25. Troubled by poor health
he collapsed on June 15th 1863 and was sent to Camp Convelasant Va. to recover.
He was eventually
transferred to the reserve Sept.12th 1863. James survived the war, came home shortly
after the war
ended,
married and had a family.
He is buried in the family plot at St. Trea's church yard at Newbridge Co. Derry.
Sadly he is not named on
the family headstone.
Private Martin McPeak of Co. A. was probably a brother
to or cousin to the James above. Probably from a townland in the Ballymaguigan area of south
Co. Derry. He is noted as being 32 when he joined the Regiment in
1861 making him
born in 1832. Martin was wounded at the battle of Glendale in both arms. He was sent back
home to
Philadelphia to recuperate. He returned to the Regiment prior to the battle of Antietam but
deserted near Harpers Ferry Va. Was a labourer in Philadelphia before the war.
We do not know if he received a pension from his 1878 application but it is known he applied for a pension on
Sept 19th 1883 from Santa Cruz, perhaps for additional funding. On the application it states he was
53 years old about 5ft 5ins tall and about 140 Lbs weight (10 stone). It then lists his wounds. Again it is Dr.Anderson
who examined him.
When Hannah died in Santa Cruz 28.3.1890 her death notice appeared in the Santa Cruz Cronicle the next
day March 29th 1890.
CAMPBELL: in this city March 28th Mrs H beloved wife of M.Campbell mother of John M. and Alex Campbell, Mrs Kate Silva,
Mrs M Silva and
Mrs M.Wagner and sister of Mrs C.M. Bunting of Chamberlain Dakota, a native of Ireland aged about 60 years.The funeral
of the deceased
will take place from her residence Caledonia St. East Santa Cruz tomorrow Sunday at 2pm.
From the above it would appear that Murdock and Hanna had a family of two boys and three girls (at least). It is of
interest to note Hanna is said to be the sister to
Mrs C.M. Bunting in Chamberlain Dakota.This kind of suggests that Hannah and sister Mrs Bunting may well have been already in
California prior to arrival of Murdock. However we see her birth place
confirmed as Ireland.
Though there are no markers on the other Campbell grave beside Murdock and Hanna except a small rectangular slab
at the edge of the plot with
"Campbell" on it. It is very probable that their last
surviving son John alias Jerry who lived in Salinas and who died Nov 19th 1922 aged 48 is buried in the adjacent plot.
The
Sant Cruz Sentinentel
of Nov. 19th 1922 carried information on his death with some notes on his life and relatives.
For information extracted from Schellins Collection of
Historical Materials- Vol. 209 Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Public Library
Informtion extracted from old copies of The Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Information extracted from the book Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum- Combined Records Vol 1.
by the Santa Cruz county Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz Co.2004.
Information extracted from a book or roll call named as the Great Register of Santa Cruz Co.1882 by the
Santa Cruz Printing Co.
69th Pa.Vols. soldiers of the Creagh Ballymaguigan area Toomebridge Co. Derry.
Robert Stinson was born to Thomas Stinson and his wife Elizabeth McQuillan at Aughrim
townland
Artrea Parish close to Toomebridge Co. Derry Ireland on the 30th April 1840.
He was baptised on the same day.
His godparents were John McGrogan and Elizabeth O'Neill. He would be baptised
at St Trea's chaple.
By the time of the 1847 famine he would be 7 years of age. He would appear to have served
his apprenticeship
to the weaving trade. Emigration would be an option in those dreadful times
and by 1861 he would find himself
in Philadelphia along with his brother. One option for employment would be as a
soldier in the Union Army. The
local 69th. Penn would be the option and he enlisted on April 5th. 1861 for 3 years.
He would fight at Gettysburg
alongside his brother. He would survive as did his brother though seeing many of
his fellow Derry men die Colonel
O'Kane amongst them.
He would soon be promoted to Segt.
Robert Fought at Antietam where he would be wounded but survived. He was then captured
at Petersburg Va. June 22nd. 1864 and sent to the notorious Confederate prison at
Andersonsville Ga. then sent to Camp Lawton Millen Ga. 31st Oct.1864.
Robert was exchanged April 12th. 1865 Vicksburg Miss. after having survived
Andersonsville. Discharged by
Gen. Order. June 22nd 1865.
James signed a pension affidavit in 1894 saying that he had been at Gettysburg.
However we shall never
know if he was or not.
