Full Unit History
85th INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: Summer, 1862 Terre Haute, IN
Mustered In: 9/2/1862 Terre Haute, IN
Mustered Out: 6/121865 Washington, D.C.
Regimental History
REGIMENTAL HISTORY:
The 85th Indiana was a three year infantry regiment. It served in the western theater of the American Civil War (ACW).
Organized and mustered into Federal service in Terre Haute, IN during the summer of 1862, the 85th first moved into Kentucky stopping at Covington, then Falmouth and, finally, Danville. It remained at the latter location until 2/1863 when it was ordered to Franklin, TN.
In 3/1863 while on a foraging expedition the unit had its first clash with the enemy at Thompson’s Station, TN. After a five (5) hour battle the 85th suffered severe losses, was completely surrounded by Rebels, and forced to surrender.
The men then suffered during a severe march to Richmond, VA. There, they were incarcerated until the end of March when they were exchanged. The 85th was then transferred back to Franklin, TN.
On 4/20/1864 the 85th ^ joined Union Gen. W.T. Sherman’s forces as they moved to capture Atlanta, GA. During this campaign the regiment was active at Resaca (5/13 - 15), Dallas (5/26 - 61), Kolb’s Farm (6/22) and Peachtree Creek (7/20). At the latter place it held its position during an enemy attack which resulted in Rebel dead and wounded piled in front of their defensive position.
After the capture of Atlanta (9/1/1864) the unit took part in the Savannah campaign. This involved both the siege and capture of that city.
In early 1865 the 85th trekked northward through the Carolinas. At Bentonville, NC the unit played a significant role in the fall of the city (3/19 - 21). From there it proceeded to Washington City via Richmond, VA. In D.C., most of the regiment was mustered out on 7/12.
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 2; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 3 ; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 40; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 190.
Soldier History
SOLDIER:
Residence: Asheboro Clay County, IN Age: ca. 30 yrs. (est.)
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/11/1862 Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 8/11/1862
Mustered Out: 6/12/1865 Washington, D.C.
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
No specific birth date information has been found pertaining to William Mathias Deeter. He was likely, however, born sometime during 1832. The place of his being born was somewhere in Ohio.
The identity of neither William’s father nor mother is known. The same holds true for possible siblings.
In 1862 William enlisted in the U.S. Army. His unit was the 85th Indiana Infantry. Without accessing his military service records all that can be said about his service tenure is that he survived the trials and tribulations of war and returned to civilian life and farming.
One of the first things William did after exiting the military was marry. The wedding took place on 9/20/1865 in Clay County, IN.
William’s bride was Catherine Newport. Catharine had been born ca. 1849 in Indiana.
During their years together William and Catherine produced ten (10) children. Nine (9) of those were reportedly living at the dawn of the twentieth (20th) century. The nine (9) identified children were: Elizabeth Deeter (b. ca. 1868 IN), Mathias Deeter (b. ca. 1870 IN), Henry Deeter (b. ca. 1872 IN), Clara Deeter (b. ca. 1873 IN), Laura Deeter (b. ca. 1875 IN), Isaac Deeter (b. 1/1878 IN), David Deeter (b. 9/1880 AR), George Deeter (b. 8/1886 AR) and Arthur Deeter (b. 9/1889 AR).
As noted by the birth states of the Deeter children, sometime between 1/1878 and 9/1880 the family removed from Indiana to Strawberry Lawrence County, AR. It can be surmised that the move was motivated by the availability of new farm land.
On 8/23/1887 while in Arkansas William applied for and was granted a U. S. Government disability pension based on his days of Civil War soldiering. As with the former soldier’s military experience, without accessing his pension files the details of his monthly stipend remain unknown.
By 1910 the Deeters were residing in Sumas Whatcom County, WA. What had drawn them to this far corner of the Pacific Northwest and exactly when they arrived here remain shrouded.
William Deeter died on 9/8/1912. He was/is buried in the Sumas Cemetery.
Following William’s passing Catherine petitioned the U.S. Government to continue receiving at least a portion of her late soldier-husband’s pension. Although it is not noted within available documents, likely the petition was granted. Again, however, without acquiring her widow’s pension files the size of her monthly allotment remains unknown.
When and where Catherine passed on are not known. Also not known is her final resting place.
Posted: 11/19/2024
Updated:
Cemetery
Buried at Sumas Cemetery