Ancestor John Huey Preferred on Winning Side

 

For a while, or at least until the novelty wears off, to give me something to talk about, bring up something of importance this date in history. If nothing else, it is a good brain workout.

Today, May, 16, 1863:

Battle of Champion's Hill, Mississippi - bloodiest action of Vicksburg Campaign.

My g-g-grandfather John T. Huey (1844-1938) fought in that Battle.

“On which side?” You might ask.

“Its according to what time of day?” I might answer.

You see, John T. Huey was a large landowner in Cherokee County, Georgia. Large landowners were exempted from serving in the military.

However! There was another rule that said a man that was drafted could, for an amount of money, pay someone to fight in his behalf.

So John T. Huey enlisted in the CSA as a substitute for John B. Tippens.

During the siege of Vicksburg here is John T. Huey’s time or duty roster report.:

12 June 1862 - Confederacy, Co., B., 43rd Regiment, Reg Vol., Infantry Army of Tn.

April 1863 - Court marshaled in Vicksburg, Ms.

Jul 1863 - Federal captured his unit, signed an Oath of Allegiance to U.S.A.

Oct 1863 – Vicksburg - Back with Confederacy.

10 Dec 1863 – 13 Jan 1864 – AWOL.

It appears that John T. Huey preferred the winning side, whenever possible.