Military Career
D531:397-224 @ KDLA
Richard Merida
Joined 9/2/1861 at Barbourville for 3 years as a Private
Mustered in 10/1/1861 at Camp DIck Robinson and he was 34 years old.
Sept 2 - Dec 31 1861
Probably present but not stated.
Jan - Jun 1862
Present
Apr 30 - Aug 31 1862
Absent, Sent to Murfreesboro sick on Aug 24.
Sept - Oct 1862
Present
Aug 31 - Dec 31 1862
Absent
Remarks: " Absent without leave. Left 11/5/1862"
Jan - Feb 1863
Absent
Remarks: " Deserted 11/5/1862. Has him reported Absent without Leave"
(on back)
"Richard Merida relieved from charge of desertion with loss of all pay and
allowances for two months, period of his unauthorized absence S.O. 30 HdQs Dept
of Ky. Mch. 30/65 Vide Kae=70=67"
Special Muster April 10, 1863
Remarks: "Deserted. His residence in Knox Co. Ky."
Descriptive list of Deserters
Jan 23, 1864
Deserted Nov 5, 1862 in Glasgow, KY
Remarks: In Rebel Army
Muster out Roll
4/29/1865
Remarks: Captured by the enemy 12/26/1862. Released at Florence SC 12/14/1864
Received 2 months pay($32) for months of Sept and Oct 1864. Do forfiet two
months pay and allowances for Desertion by Special Order 30 HdQrs Dept of Ky
march 30, 1865. Stop for transportation while on furlough #13.34. This Muster
out to date April 1st 1865.
Items from Record:
Details of Special Order 30:
" Headquarters Department of Kentucky
Louisville, Ky March 30th 1865
Special Orders
No 30
Private Richard Merida
Co A 8th Ky Inf Vols is relieved from the charge of desertion without trial,
but with loss of pay and allowances for two months, the period of his unauthorized
absence from his Camp any Private Merida will be released from confinement and will
report to Lt Col W.H. Sidell Chief Mustering and Disbursing Officer for muster out,
his term of service having expired.
By orderof Major General Palmer."
Memorandum for Prisoner of War Records
"Captured at Cumberland R. Ky Dec 26, 1862"
Note on 2nd page of POW Records
"Captured at Greenville Tenn March 20/1864. Confined at Richmond VA March 26/1864
and sent to Andersonville Ga May 31/64. Paroled at Charleston SC 12/16/64,
admitted to hospital div No 2 Annapolis Md 12/23/64. Furloughed Jan 10, 65
for 30 days to report at Camp Chase O. And is reported at Camp Chase 2/9/65.
Reported transfered to Louisville KY 5/27/65 on furlough from Camp Parole.
No Surgeons Certificate."
Proceedings of Court Martial fro Desertion not included here but on the microfilm.
Private Merida's affidavit is on the microfilm in total. What I provide here is
an abstract of sorts.
He fell sick in Nov 1862 and could not travel. When the regiment moved out,
he was left behind. He stayed in Glasgow for 2 months and when healthy, start
out to find his regiment. He knew they were in or around Nashville. Somewhere
above Nashville "in the river" he was captured by the 5th Tenn CSA. Taken to
Knoxville and placed in confinement and stayed there for 5 months. From there
to Lynchburg Va, from there to Richmond Va, and from there to Andersonville Ga.
From there to Florence SC and from there to Charleston SC where he was placed in a
boat to Annapolis Md on 12/16/1864. At Annapolis he went to cincinatti and from there
to lexington and from there to Louisville where he arrived on the 18th of February
and was given orders to report to Lt. Col. Slidell(Special Order 30)