Captain Kirkendall in the Civil War

Civil War Cavalry Captain - 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry

His four years of service clearly made a profound and permanent impression on James W. Kirkendall.  He suffered a disabling gunshot through his right hand at the Battle of Perryville, but he continued to serve until the war ended.  For the rest of his life, he was active in war memorials and commemorations in Ohio and elsewhere.  Family tradition says he was perhaps more generous in helping his old comrades in arms than was prudent for his own family.  After retiring from farming he took a position as Sergeant of Guards at the Ohio statehouse in Columbus.

Capt. James W. Kirkendall was very active in Civil War veterans memorials and commemorative activities. Among his mementos was this postcard commemorating the surrender of Vicksburg. Note that it was signed by W. L. Curry, compiler of the History of the First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (see title page below).

Tintype, apparently taken during his service. The stripes on the sleeves suggest that this was taken when he was a sergeant, before his 12 FEB 1863 commission to 2nd Lieutenant.

James W. Kirkendall, as he appeared in the old reunion photo from about 1890.

This book belonged to Capt. Kirkendall and came down through the family to my mother -- it has interesting details on Civil War operations involving the 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.

The front cover and publicaton page in the front of this little manual are unfortunately lost -- but later research reveals it is "Cavalry Tactics, or Regulations for THE INSTRUCTION, FORMATIONS, AND MOVEMENTS of THE CAVALRY of the ARMY AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE UNITED STATES", by Colonel Philip St. George Gooke, 2d U. S. Cavalry, VOL II., Washington, Government Printing Office, 1861.

How to skirmish ... in case you were wondering.

One can only wonder at the mind that came up with this ... there are many dozens of these maneuver diagrams in the back of the book.