The Georgia in the Civil War Message Board

Re: What happened to Henry S. Killgore?

Hello Rick, In my opinion we should not judge a soldiers decisions while in prison. He did what he thought he had to do and had his own reasons. With only a few days left before Appomattox he did enlist in Company G of the 5th United States Volunteer Infantry at Camp Douglas, Illinois.

Regardless of his reasons he was a galvanized Yankee and should be noted in that respect in my opinion. It does appear on the surface that he joined the United States military in order to desert and go home. If that was his reasoning he probably was disappointed in learning that Lee had surrendered and had he stayed in prison he would have been paroled in a few weeks. Now his former Confederates were going home and he was looking at a three year hitch in the United States Army.

The stories of the galvanized Yankees are a remarkable part of American history and each soldier seemed to have his own reasons for joining their former enemies. I believe there are some folks on this board who can order his Federal Compiled Military Service Records for you should you like to learn more about his brief service. Good Luck in learning of your ancestors past. Best Regards, Dennis

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What happened to Henry S. Killgore?
Re: What happened to Henry S. Killgore?
Re: What happened to Henry S. Killgore?
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Re: What happened to Henry S. Killgore?
Re: What happened to Henry S. Killgore?
Re: What happened to Henry S. Killgore?
Re: What happened to Henry S. Killgore?