2nd Lt. Caleb Shonk Ransom

Company I, 34th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Company G, 142nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry

My grandfather, Caleb Shonk Ransom, first served in Co. I, 34th Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Stone River in Tennessee, discharged and sent home with a broken leg. After his recovery, he re-enlisted as a 2nd Lt. in Co G, 142 Infantry and was discharged on December 15, 1864 receiving his discharge papers from the hands of General U. S. Grant. This document is signed by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, President Abraham Lincoln, and others. This document is very different from the ones shown elsewhere on this web site. His older brother, Charles Miner Ransom also served in the 14th and 15th Illinois Infantry (not sure which company he was assigned to). As a small child I can recall many stories told by my grandfather and his brother, especially the battle of Shiloh and the famous bloody pond.

Submitted by Hal C. Ransom

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