Ancestors of Gene Turner,

JOHN PINKERTON HARDIN, PVT
85th PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

BORN: March 16, 1841 at Bell Crossroads, Pennsylvania

DIED: March 17, 1915 at Cleo Springs, Oklahoma

ENLISTED: October 10, 1861 at Oakforest, Pennsylvania

MUSTERED OUT: November 22, 1864 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

John Hardin was the son of John E. Hardin and Sally Young, and grew up under their watchful eyes in Western Pennsylvania. They were both schoolteachers in the rural areas in the 1840s-1850s. In addition to their teaching jobs, their primary occupations were that of farming. Hardin of course listed this as his occupation when he enlisted.

John Hardin not only came from a teaching background, but had military heritage as well.
His uncle, J.J. Hardin, was a general of infantry during the Mexican War of 1846-1848. He served under General Zachary Taylor and was killed during the battle of Buena Vista, on February 22, 1847.
The 85th Pennsylvania was a participant in many engagements during the war, but the most publicized was the Battle of Seven Pines during the peninsula campaign under McClellan. It was at Casey’s Redoubt, on Saturday, May 31, 1862, that the 85th under the command of Colonel Joshua B. Howell, resisted the Confederate onslaught, and rout of combined Federal forces. For three hours, and as the Southern forces overran the earth works on the right of the redoubt, the 85th stood in line of battle.

Additional actions were at Kinston in North Carolina, Fort Wagner, South Carolina, the Bermuda Hundred, the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg, and the Battle of Deep Bottom on August l6, 1864.
As the war progressed and the number of engagements increased, it was truly amazing that he was not severely wounded or disabled. He was present at every company muster from his enlistment until his discharge.

Upon that discharge, he traveled to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and a year later on December 24, 1865, married his sweetheart Nancy Gump in Newton. Eventually, thirteen children would be credited to this union. It is not known when, but shortly thereafter, the Hardin family moved to Sylvia, Kansas, a haven for veterans searching for new opportunities. It was here in the midst of new friends that John Hardin joined the ranks of the G.A.R.

Then on September 16, 1893, the family was engaged in an exciting, and at that time, one of the foremost adventures of the century. On this date the Cherokee Outlet in Oklahoma Territory was opened by land run. Subsequently, the family settled in Cleo Springs, where Hardin remained active in the G.A.R until his death.

He, like his parents, became a teacher. However, in an interesting contrast, his additional occupation was that of saloon owner. Then in 1915, having led a full and exemplary life, he passed away quietly with the remaining members of his family by his side. He was buried, along with other family, in the Cleo Springs cemetery.
 
The proceedings of his funeral were prepared by the Sons of Union Veterans with Brother Jordan being chosen as the color bearer.

Luther Dickey lists Pvt John P. Hardin on the rolls of Company G, in the regimental history of the 85th Pennsylvania.

IN MEMORIAM

The bugle will disturb him never more; he has answered the last roll call, and we leave him to rest in peace, trusting he has joined those Heroes of whom it is said:

  “On Fame’s Eternal camping ground,
  Their Silent Tents are Spread,
  While Glory with a Solemn Sound,
  Keeps Bivouac o’er the Dead.
  Their Honor covers a Pilgrim Gray,
  To Deck the Turf that wraps their Clay,
  And Freedom shall awhile Repair,
  To Dwell a Weeping Hermit there.”

AARON PIERSON, PVT
44th INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

BORN: February 17, 1840 at Legonier, Noble Co., Indiana

DIED: March 30, 1904 at Gasperville, Jasper Co. , Indiana

ENLISTED: September 2, 1861 at Kendallville, Indiana

DISCHARGED: October 6, 1862 at Nashville, Tennessee

Aaron Pierson was the son of Thomas E. Pierson and Margaret Taylor, and grew up as a young man in Noble Country, Indiana. Both of his parents were schoolteachers in rural Indiana providing him with every educational opportunity. He listed his occupation as a farmer upon enlistment.

At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, both he and his father volunteered their services for the preservation of the Union. After joining the 44th Indiana Volunteers, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, they engaged inthe normal routine of infantry, that being drilling and more drilling.

He was present when on March 10, 1862, when the entire regiment disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Then on April 6, 1862, the regiment, commanded by Colonel Hugh B. Reed, was assigned toGeneral Lauman’Third Brigade; of General Hurlbut’s 4th Division.

The following is an inscription on the 44th Indiana’s monument at Shiloh: “ This regiment formed in this line Sunday, April 6, 1862, at 8:30 A.M. It repulsed several charges made by the enemy, including four terrific charges by right of Gibson’s Brigade, which, under orders of Gen. Bragg, was attempting to force this part of the line back. During these engagements the woods caught fire. At 2:30 P.M., The regiment fell back to a line with the lst Brigade, then to rear and left of the Bloody Pond, where it charged on the enemy’s infantry and artillery. Here seven flag-bearers were shot down. At 4:30 P.M. slowly fell back and supported siege guns. Monday, April 7th, regiment fought the enemy till 3 P.M. Number of men in action, 478. Casualties- Killed, l officer and 33 men; Wounded, 6 officers and 171 men; Missing, 1 man; Total 212.”

This regiment, which was in close support of General ‘s Prentiss and W. H. L. Wallace to the left of the “Hornet’s Nest”, would suffer the greatest Federal regimental losses at
Shiloh. Following the battle, a grueling and slow march to Corinth, Mississippi would result in even more causality due to hardship and disease.

Pierson was reportedly wounded and as his wounds did not heal evenly, he was discharged due disability a few months later. For his services, he applied for, and received a disability pension. Due to this disability, he was unable to perform in any normal capacity for period of five years. During that period he did regain some of his original physical and mental strength.
Upon his return home, Phoebe Sarah McColly purportedly nursed him back to health and on July 7, 1864, in Delaware County, Indiana, they were married. To this union was born one son. In time, Pierson became a successful businessman in Legonier. Eventually, his studies in faith led him to the ministry in the Church of Christ. This he continued until his effectiveness and health began to fail.
Aaron Pierson died in 1904 in Gasperville, Jasper County, Indiana.
 His regiment, the 44th Indiana Volunteer Infantry went on to take part in further engagements at Perryville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Stones River, Tennessee; Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Chickamauga and Chattanooga. The regiment was officially mustered out at Nashville, on Sepdstember 14, 1865.