History
Connection
A bigger and better project is now in the works. In September 2009 we took high resolution scans of 41 letters by John Yates. You can watch our project progress using the menus on this page. One we have compiled all the pages together we will begin to enhance the readability of the letters.
Our first enhancement will be in the form of cleaning up the images by editing means and using software available in Adobe Elements 7. Once we have the images as readable as possible we will create a transcribed copy of each letter for better content sharing. On the other hand, there is something magical about seeing the actual letter written in the handwriting of a man serving his country as best he could.
The last phase of the project will include updating the written and published web record of John Yates's Civil War service. His service is highly personal to his descendants but likely typical of many others, both Union and Confederate. He married his sweetheart in Crawford County, Indiana, produced seven children and we know that five will live into adulthood. He enlisted at age 38 serving alongside many friends and relatives. I have detailed John's service elsewhere but it is best described as "if it weren't for his bad luck; he may not have had any luck at all".
In September 2008 Ruth Bone sent an e-mail to James R. Yates, Sr. responding to a message board note of several years ago. That note was one of many made to various message boards to solicit information that others may have about John and Elizabeth Yates of Grantsburg, Indiana.
This simple note from Ruth closed a loop that an amateur genealogist only dreams about as it turns out that Cousin Ruth and her family line had lovingly preserved many letters circa 1861-1864 between John Yates and his wife Elizabeth Roberson Yates.
Ruth Bone's family line runs through Samantha Yates, the eldest daughter of John and Elizabeth Yates. This is just the exact scenario we dreamed about. Samantha likely plays a larger role than expected as Elizabeth appears not to be able to read or write based on her lack of signature by "making her X Mark" on official documents.
The letters date from 1861 through 1864. The last letter is from John's Brother-in-law George W. Riggle who is a private in Company K 38th Indiana Infantry Volunteers along with John Yates. As there is no official death notification system in place during the civil war, George is perhaps breaking the news to Elizabeth Roberson Yates that her husband John has died in Vinings, Georgia during the Atlanta Campaign. Send any comments to Ron Yates
Pvt. John Yates of Kilo Company, 38th Indiana Infantry Volunteers appears to be wearing what is called a 4-button sack coat, the typical navy blue jacket worn by enlisted men in the Union Army.
The framing of the picture, with all the extras, clearly indicates that this print was made as a memorial for the man shown on it. This approximate (5x7 +/-), was known as a "cabinet card". It was probably prepared by the photographer from a "carte de viste" 2x3 that John had taken of himself. With close inspection it does appear that this man has a spot on the skin of his forehead, although with all the other blemishes and stains on the print, it is hard to be definitive.
This photo was found by James R. Yates with other Yates family memorabilia, which just doubly reinforces our conclusion that this is indeed John Yates because of the inscription of his children's names on the back.
John Yates' official military papers describe him as "a private serving with Company K of the 38th Indiana Infantry Volunteers. His description shows him as "Age 36 Yrs., Height 6 feet 0 inches, Complexion Fair, Eyes Dark Blue, Hair Dark Brown.
Born Crawford Co., Indiana, Occupation Cooper (COOPER or CUPER - maker of barrels) & Merchant. (Another occupation Listed in other areas is Farmer). In the "special marks" section it is noted "dot in middle of forehead, extra nail in left big toe". He is buried in the Marietta Georgia National Cemetery. This is the exact location of his gravesite.
