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Short Biography of John Pinkerton Hardin
PVT85th 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.”
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