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A Soldier in Company F, 125 Illinois Volunteer Infantry- Marshall Pugh By: Jamie 8-1 Fisher Jr./ Sr. High School The following topics are discussed in this report:
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General Information Marshall Pugh was born in Mahomet, Illinois August 8, 1837. His father was also Marshall Pugh and his mother was Dorothy Ann Wilson Pugh. He had one brother, Charley Pugh who was also born in Mahomet. Marshall married once to Dortha Pugh. This general information was all located at the Urbana Free Library.
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Company F, 125th Illinois Marshall Pugh volunteered his services during the war. He was placed in Company F, 125th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The colonels for this unit were: Oscar Harmon of Danville and James Langley of Champaign. Company F was formed in August 1862. Marshall Pugh enlisted September 9, 1862 and was placed at the rank of Private. He mustered out June 9, 1865 as a Corporal. Company F fought in many battles. Some of which were, Kennesaw Mountain, Bentonville, Louisville, and Chickamauga. Eighty-six men from Champaign County fought in Company F. Nine of which were killed or wounded in the line of duty. Marshall Pugh was promoted to Corporal so he must have shown leadership abilities, and was probably hard working, reliable and could get along with his fellow comrades. This information was found in the book Salt Fork to Chickamauga Champaign County Soldiers in the Civil War. By, Robert H. Behren, pp. 201-203.
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Before the War Before the Civil War, in central Illinois there were many farmers. I think Marshall Pugh was a farmer since he was born here and there is good farmland here. Since Marshall went off to the war I’m sure he had to have someone look over his land. Any social relationships he had would have to be carried on through letters and telegraphs. He would also have to leave his family, friends and home behind. Not knowing if he would ever be able to come home again or see any of his family or friends again. He left all this behind to fight for the Union in the war.
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Why He Fought As a citizen I think he felt it was his duty and obligation to fight. He lived in the North and probably disagrees with slavery so he felt it his duty to do everything in his power to try to stop slavery and the spread of slavery. He might have had a talent that he thought could be useful in the war. Such as he was an experienced and talented fighter or shooter. Lastly he could have decided to volunteer because he had never experienced a war and fighting before and he was curious to see what it would be like and how soldiers would live. |
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Infantry and Soldier Life Marshall Pugh was a member of the infantry. In the infantry it was their job to capture and kill the Confederates, by foot. The most commonly used weapon by the infantry was the Springfield Rifle Musket. The Union, but Confederates also found out about it and begun to use it produced the model of 1861. This rifle was durable and one of the most accurate for its time. Another rifle that Marshall Pugh may have used was the English Enfeild Rifle Musket. Both sides during the Civil War bought this musket. Marshall Pugh being on the Union forces wore a specific uniform. Union soldiers wore a blue wool button up coat. These coats had four buttons and a collar. They also wore trousers that were loose fitting. All this information was obtained from the website: http://ccsutlery.com/weapons.htm this was accessed on May 2, 2000. |
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I think our generation should appreciate all the men who fought, died and put their lives on the line for our country. They made this country a better place for all of us and we need to recognize this. When they went to fight in the war I don’t think they knew they would change our country forever. We owe our gratitude, praise, and freedom to them. Reference List http://ccsutlery.com/weapons.htm Urbana Free Library, Index cards Microsoft Encarta 96 Encyclopedia Behren, Robert. "From Salt Fork to Chickamauga, Champaign County Soldiers in the Civil War." The Urbana Free Library copyright 1988. Acknowledgements I would like to thank the following people for all their help and support.
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