All of my Dale ancestors fought in the Civil war, but only one of them stood out as the family hero ( so says old family letters and stories past down through the years). Joseph H. Dale fought in most of the famous old battles with the ANV. He enlisted as a private in Co. D (Catahoula Guerrillas) with the Louisiana 1st Special Batt. (Wheats) and played a big role in 1st Manassas. His Co. transfered as Co. B to the 7th La. Inf. Batt in May of 61, he was a Lt. by this time. Next the Catahouls Guerrillas transfered to the Reg. of La. Zouaves and Chasseurs as Co. H in late May of 62. He was wounded around Richmond at this period of time. In July of 62, Co. H became Co. I of the 15th La. Infantry. He was a 1st Lt. at 2nd Manassas where he was twice wounded during the "rock throwing" (unfinished railroad cut). He was with Starkes La. Brigade under Jacksons 1st Corp. The Catahoula Guerrillas (Co. I) stayed with the 15th La. Inf. until the end of the war. Joseph was a Captain and Commander of his Co. by the time they fought in the Battle of Cedar Creek, where he was once again wounded and captured. He was sent to Fort Delaware and served out the duration of the war (8 mos.) as a POW. He died in the Charity Hospital in New Orleans in Aug. of 1880.
His wifes pension application said he was buried in New Orleans and was to be exhumed in one year and re-interred in Virginia. My question is: where was he buried?? He was from La., so this had to be some combat in arms benevolent group. I have traveled to Va. twice over the years trying to find his final resting place,........all to no avail. Do any of you have any thoughts or information on this issue?? Thank you for taking the time to read this and thinking about it for a moment ...Michael Dale