Representing: Union
2nd MOUNTED RIFLES MISSOURI STATE VOLUNTEER MILITIA
Organized: February, 1862 (est.)
Reorganized/Consolidated: April/May, 1862 (est.)
5th MISSOURI VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 3/1/62
Reorganized/Consolidated: 4/62 Rolla, MO (est.)
13th MISSOURI VOLUNTEER STATE MILITIA CAVALRY
Organized: May/June, 1862 (est.)
Reorganized/Consolidated: 2/63 (est.)
14th ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 1/7/63 Peoria, IL
Mustered Out: 7/1/65 Nashville, TN
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (2nd)
As a north/south border state Missouri was literally torn asunder by Union and Confederate factions throughout the American Civil War, during early months of the conflict prior to intervention by Federal forces, state units, Missouri State Militia (MSM) for the north and Missouri State Guard (MSG) for the south were rife within the state.
The 2nd, an MSM organization, was likely initially known as Tompkins Battalion Mounted Riflemen and may never have taken the field under that name or as the 2nd Mounted Rifles. Through continued consolidation and reorganization the 2nd was merged into the 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry and, ultimately, the 13th Regiment Missouri State Militia Cavalry.
While no official history exists for the 2nd, at times such early-war "home guard" units were ill-trained, un-uniformed groups that guarded local infrastructure such as bridges, etc., from attack or sabotage by similar groups with secessionist leanings. Finally some such units, whether allied with the north or the south, were little more than legitimized gangs of thugs who preyed upon citizens of both northern and southern sympathizers.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (5th)
As a stage in the organization of Federal state militia forces in Missouri, the 5th did enter combat. While no assignment history exists for the regiment, likely its service was solely within the state of Missouri.
Finally, although no official history exists for the regiment, available records indicate 19 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded during the 5th’s span of existence.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (13th)
The 13th MSM appears to have been the final unit designation for the organization that began as the 2nd Missouri and transitioned through the 5th. Again, while no official history exists for the regiment it likely served only within the Missouri state borders.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (14th)
Following Federal muster the 14th, a three-year western theatre regiment, was brigaded in Kentucky. It subsequently saw first action near Turkey Neck Bend then pursued Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan for 2,100 miles northward into Ohio. Six days after the battle of Buffington Island, the only Civil War battle fought in Ohio, Morgan himself was hunted down and captured.
Actions in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina followed. During the 1864 Atlanta, GA campaign the 14th was nearly annihilated during the disastrous Macon raid. Still, remnants of the regiment had the honor of entering the captured city with advance forces.
Additional duty in Tennessee, including the battle of Nashville and destruction of Confed. Gen. Hood's army preceded camp and guard duties leading up to final muster.
SOLDIER: (2nd)
Residence: Pesotum, IL Age: 23.5 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 2/18/62 (est. )Pesotum, IL Rank: 1st Lieut.
Consolidated/Transferred Out: April/May, 1862 (est.)
Highest Rank: 1st Lieut.
SOLDIER: (5th)
Residence: Pesotum, IL Age: 23.7 yrs. (est.)
Consolidation Transfer In: April, 1862 Rolla, MO (est.) Rank: 1st Lieut.
Consolidation Transfer Out: May/June, 1862 (est.)
Highest Rank: 1st Lieut.
SOLDIER: (13th)
Residence: Pesotum, IL Age: 23.6 yrs. (est.)
Consolidation Transfer In: May/June, 1862 Rank: 1st Lieut.
Resigned/Mustered Out: 8/1/62
Highest Rank: 1st Lieut.
SOLDIER: (14th)
Residence: Pesotum, IL Age: 24.6 yrs.
Commissioned: 2/6/63 Rank: Capt.
Mustered Out: 7/31/65 Pulaski, TN
Highest Rank: Capt.
PERSONAL HISTORY:
William Alexander Lord was born 8/31/38 in Rochester, NY to parents David E. (b. 1810 CT) and Harriet "Betsey" (nee Ely b. 1820 NY) Lord. No information is available pertaining to possible siblings and his childhood, formative or teenaged years. However, in 1860, when he was approximately 22 years of age, he was still residing with his parents who were then living in Illinois. While In 1862 when the 5' 10-1/4", blue-eyed, light-complexioned twenty-three-year-old entered the military he listed his occupation as "studying law” early military records noted him as being a “farmer.”
It appears Lieutenant Lord's initial unit assignment was with Captain Smith's company of Tompkins' Battalion, Mounted Rifles Missouri State Militia. If still residing in Illinois in 1861 perhaps he joined a Missouri unit because there, rather than in his home state, he could acquire an officer's commission.
As previously noted, likely Tompkins' unit became co."A", 2nd Mounted Rifles, MSM, an organization which subsequently transitioned into the 5th MSM Cavalry, and, finally, into co. "H" within the 13th MSM Cavalry. The fact that lieutenant Lord was not happy with the mergers is indicated by his referring to at least one as having been "forcibly" made. As such, his dissatisfaction with military affairs in Missouri may have been one factor in his resigning his lieutenancy to accept a captaincy in the 14th Illinois Cavalry. Although in later years Mr. Lord would claim he resigned his lieutenancy in February, 1863 when he accepted the Illinois captaincy, military documents indicate the lieutenancy was resigned on 8/16/62, but the captaincy was not accepted until 2/6/63.
While in the service of Illinois, William was on detached service in a variety of staff-level positions including commissary of muster (organizing new recruits) for General Stoneman and as aide-de-camp to both Brigadier General Julius White and Major General William Schofield. While on the latter's staff Captain Lord may have received the brevet rank of major. However, there is no documentation indicating the temporary/field designation was ever formalized.
Regardless of rank, with the War behind him William eschewed further military service to return to civilian life. Still, his wartime experience must have endeared to at least that part of southern climes he had visited because after leaving the army William chose to settle in Nashville, TN. He would remain there until 1868 when he moved northward to Washington, D.C. He lived there about one year, a period during which he married to Sarah Camp. The couple produced one child, William David Lord, who was born on 7/15/69. Sarah died on 7/28/69 from childbirth complications.
Approximately six months following Sarah's death William left Washington City for the Chicago area of Illinois. He would remain there until 1878, and during this period, on 8/11/71 he remarried to Nellie Jane Seger (b. 6/20/48 KY). Nellie bore him one child, Betsey J. (b. 7/15/72) who died on 3/17/74.
From Chicago William and Nellie removed to St. Joseph, MO where they lived from 1879 to 1894. In 1895 they moved again, this time to Minneapolis, MN. The couple remained there until 1901 when they headed westward to Everett, Snohomish County, Washington where they put down roots for eight or nine years. Everett City business records for this period point to the Lords operating a candy manufacturing company located at 2931 Colby Avenue from 1901 to 1905 and Nellie as proprietor of a restaurant known as the Oriental Tea Room located at 2712 Hoyt Avenue in Everett between 1906 and 1908.
Although William, through his pension file, indicated he and Nellie moved to Seattle on 3/30/12, U.S. Census data places the couple in Seattle as early as 1910 with William listed as an insurance agent. The Lords apparently remained there until sometime in early 1923 when, likely because of failing health, they moved southward to the home of William's son, William David, in the Lewis County community of Chehalis, WA. It was there on 10/2/23 at the age of 86.1 years, former Civil War soldier William A. Lord died. Cause of death was listed as pernicious Anemia or senility. Attesting the William and his wife's connection to the City of Everett, the Everett Herald ran an obituary on his passing and his body was returned to Everett for burial in that city's Evergreen Cemetery
In 1912 William had applied for a U.S. Government pension based on ailments/illnesses he traced back to his years of Civil War soldiering. Although the basis for the pension was not noted, the request was granted. At death William was receiving a princely stipend of $50 per month.
After his father's passing, William David Lord, Nellie's stepson, stepped in as a "friend" and petitioned the U.S. Government for her to continue to receive a portion of her late husband's pension. Although the petition was granted and Nellie was awarded $30 per month, she died on 5/17/24 before receiving her first payment. Nellie's remains were subsequently transported to Everett for burial beside those of William.
Buried at Evergreen Cemetery Everett
Row: 36
Site: 26
Cameron Lord
Shoreline, WA
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