Our American Family - Person Sheet
Our American Family - Person Sheet
NameMalinda Ann GARRETT 47
Birth Date12 Nov 1848
Birth PlaceMassa Countyc, Illinois
Death Date21 Sep 1922 Age: 73
Death PlaceWest Plains, Howell County, Missouri
Spouses
Birth Date23 Feb 1844
Birth PlaceLivingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
Death Date24 Apr 1928 Age: 84
Death PlaceWest Plains, Howell County, Missouri
OccupationCW Union Soldier, IL Co. A 48th Infantry, Involved In Numerous Battles, Shot In Face At Battle Of Shiloh,
FatherPeter BRAKEBILL (ca1822-1848)
Family ID6435
Marr Date4 Mar 1866
Marr PlaceGolconda, Pope County, Illinois
Notes for John Odom (Spouse 1)
On September 1, 1861, at New Liberty, Pope Co, IL, John Odom, was accepted for service in the Civil War and was assigned to Company A of the 48th Illinois Infantry, U.S. Army. The 48th Infantry was, first, sent to Camp Butler near Cairo, IL for training. Then, the 48th was assigned to General U.S. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee in Janurary 1862.

The 48th was involved in numerous battles and skirmishes during the war, including: Fort Henry, Fort Donnelson, Battle of Shiloh, Siege of Vicksburg, Big Black River, Jackson, MS, Missionary Ridge, Siege of Knoxville, Battle of Resaca, Dallas, GA, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Sandown, Decatur, Battle of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Sherman's "March to The Sea", Siege of Savannah, Fort McCallister, Luck Creek, South Edisto River, Columbia and Bentonville. The 48th also participated in the Grand Review for President Andrew Johnson in Washington, DC in May 1965.

John Odom was promoted to sergeant near the end of his enlistment for three years. He re-enlisted at Scottsboro, AL on January 19, 1864 as a veteran volunteer. On his re-enlistment record, it is recorded that he was twenty years old and was born in Livingston Co, KY. He reenlisted for three years of duty. His eyes were blue, his hair was light, his complexion was fair and he was five feet ten inches tall.

During his combat military career, John Odom was wounded three times. He was shot in the face at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862 and was treated at a military hospital in Indiana. After he was hit, he spit the "minnie ball” out and kept it in a small box for the remainder of his life. This wound left a heavy scar on his left cheek.

John Odom suffered from malaria during the Siege of Vicksburg and, according to official US Government records, he was transported by the "USA Hospital Steamer 'Charles McDougal' to the Gayso USA General Hospital in
Memphis, TN.”

He was wounded a second time in the left cheek at the Battle of Dallas, Georgia during Sherman's Atlanta campaign. He suffered his third wound in the Battle of Atlanta on August 11, 1864 when his left hip was injured. This last injury is documented by "Casualty Sheet" in his file.

S.F. Grimes of Ewing, Franklin County, IL, one of his company commanders, wrote in an undated General Affidavit regarding John 0. Brakebill as follows:

“I was in command of Company 'A, 48th Regiment, Illinois Infantry during the siege of Vicksburg, Miss. during the summer of 1863. Our Regiment being at that time attached to General W. S. Smith's Division. Hence, we were stationed on the right of the US Army at Hayne's Bluff until a few days before the fall of Vicksburg when we were moved to the left and rear to Oak Ridge, Miss. During our stay at Hayne's Bluff many of our men contracted diarrhea
and malarial or swamp fever.

“I remember John 0 Brakebill was too sick to march in line and as the ambulances were crowded, he was sent to Regimental Hospital where he remained until July 4th, '63. He rejoined his Company and Regiment and did his whole duty during the sanguinary battle at Jackson, Miss. After the battle, he was sent to Hospital at Vicksburg, MIss. thence to Memphis, Tenn. He rejoined the company and Regiment at Stevenson, Alabama in the fall of 1863, I think. But as I have no data except an old memorandum book (rusty and worn) I cannot give exact dates. Nevertheless, I give the facts as far as I can remember and nearly correct as possible.

"John 0 Brakebill was a brave, honorable and honest soldier; one who never shirked or played off but was ever ready for duty when called except when wounded and too sick to carry his gun.”

It its estimated the John Odom traveled several thousand miles on foot, by river boat and by rail trains. For a very young man just off the farm in Illinois and, who was not old enough to legally serve in the Civil War, it was a great and everlasting experience. He saw many famous people including General U.S. Grant, later President of the USA, General William Tecumseh Sherman, U.S. President Andrew Johnson and others.

He was mustered out of the US Army in 1865 and returned to his home in Pope County, IL, married and began life as a farmer.47
Last Modified 7 Dec 2017Created 10 Feb 2024 using Reunion on a Macintosh


Created 10 Feb 2024.
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