Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Contributed by Jaimee Hedlund

Almon Webster, his brother Edward Webster, and their brother in law William Lathrop, and their friend Erwin Rider

enlisted in the Civil War. (Left to right is Almon Webster, William Lathrop, and Erwin Rider). Edward going Company G, Calvary and William going in the 36th Infantry,Union, and the two friends, Almon and Erwin going in the 16th Regiment 6th Division Union, Wisconsin Infantry, Company E.

Almon Webster my 3 grt Grandfather married Rosella Ruth Lathrop Oct.7, 1859 in Adams. He was in the Civil War and died from his wounds April 26, 1862. Almon and Ruth lived in Richfield township, Adams County in 1850 and 1860.

His brother Edward was married to her sister Amy Lathrop.

Erwin married Susan Lathrop, and enlisted the same month of his marriage, married the 1st and enlisted on the 18th.

Erwin and Almon were mustered in Jan.31, 1862. Almon enlisted as a Corporal, Erwin a Pvt. Both men fought in the Battle of Shiloh in Tn. Erwin was killed April 6, 1862, the first day in. He is buried in Shiloh National Cemetery in a place of honor, in a semi circle with 5 other flag bearers. Almon was also injured the first day with a shoulder injury and sent to Keokuk Military Union Hospital in Iowa, and was given a promotion of Full Sergent. He died 20 days later on April 26, 1862. He was brought home to be buried in the White Cemetery near Coloma,Wisconsin.

Almon had two children Almon Jr. born 1860, who died 1863.

Daughter Katherine was born Nov. 20, 1861. She was his only living heir, and my grt grt Grandmother. She married Silas Johnston of Dunn Co. This is what was going on, on April 6th 1862.

On the morning of April 6th the Union camps thus were doubly unprepared for the Confederate attack. The effect of this surprise would have been even worse if rain hadn't delayed the Confederates arrival by one day, and if Johnston hadn't arranged his forces in a very clumsy formation in ROWS, rather then COLUMNS. As it was, the attack was devastating enough, costing the lives of about 1000 Union Troops on the first day. However the situation on the first day was stabilized for the Federals through the stubborn efforts of McClernand, and Sherman, but especially through the efforts of Prentiss, who for hours and against the repeated attacks by Bragg, they held the Salient at the HORNETS NEST.The next day, Buells army arrived bringing effective Union forces to about 40,000 to the Confederates 30,000.

When Buell arrived he witnessed an extraordinary scene of disorder and confusion due to thousand Union troops who had fled the battle, and congregated at the landing, hoping and trying to get to the other side of the river. By some coincidence, Grant was even there in person, along with his staff to greet Buell. How Nice. This was the second time that day Grant was absent from the battlefield. According to Piatt, Grant was getting ready to cross himself.

Buell said that the distant REAR of an army engaged in battle is not the best place from which to judge correctly what was going on in the front. To the end of his days, Grant never forgave Buell for his words.

Edward went on to live and had 8 children. Ruth re-married to Frank Foote, but didn't have anymore children. Susan re-married a injured soldier who came home-William Sleppy but died by 1870 from his wounds, so she was a widow twice by the young age of 24, and no children. She remained alone. William Lathrop, their brother survived to have 4 children, naming one Almon.

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