It's Veteran's Day in the U.S.

 

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

As we near the America 250 and Colorado 150 celebrations, it seems fitting, on this Veteran's Day, 2025, to take a look back at one who served in the Civil War in this country. As Lonnie G. Bunch III, secretary, in his piece in the Smithsonian Magazine said in the November 2025 issue, "Service members' stories are quintessentially American, speaking to our resolve, resilience, and resourcefulness. I urge visitors who share my enthusiasm for Veterans Day to seek these stories out, even—and especially—in unexpected places."

This is a repost about a Civil War veteran buried in Evergreen or Fairview Cemetery in Colorado Springs. This post is about Henry C. Davis, who served with Company I, Pennsylvania 51st Infantry.

There are many Henry Davises in the records of this conflict. By starting with his short obituary in the paper, which stated he was 70 years old. From his death date of March 1914, his birth date is probably 1844.   

He is found in the rolls of the 51st. This is a list of some of the battles in which the 51st took part:

1862 - 2-6- Battle of Roanoke Island, 3-14- Battle of New Berne, 6-17 to 7-4-Siege of Vicksburg

1863 - 12-5 to 12-29- Pursuit of Longstreet

1864 -  Battles of the Wilderness 5-5 to 5-7, Spottsylvania 5-8 to 5-12, Ny River 5-9, Spottsylvania Court House 5-12 to 5-21, Assault on the Salient 5-12

1865 - Seige of Petersburg 6-16-1864 to 4-2-1865, Pursuit of Lee to Farmville

According to one source, the regiment lost 12 Officers and 165 Enlisted men killed/mortally wounded, and another 137 enlisted men to disease for a total of 314.

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Having joined as a private, probably in 1861 when the 51st began, by the time the regiment was dissolved in 1865, Henry left as a Corporal. Henry filed for his pension on January 25, 1893. N. Bickford is the attorney listed on the application. 

At the time of his death on March 28, 1914, he was living up the Ute Pass from Colorado Springs in the small town of Green Mountain Falls, where he owned the home he was living in. Census records show he was single while living in the Pikes Peak Region. 

Why would the Pikes Peak Region be a place he would move to and work as a laborer (street worker)? His death certificate indicates he died of chronic asthma. When you add that to the area where those with 'wasting' diseases would come to be cured, it would make sense that he would try this area. 

There were probably many stories he could have or did tell, but I've yet to find any of those. As I journey into the history of those who reside in the cemeteries, I will find more to add to a larger picture. 

For those who would like to read more about this regiment, here is a link to Google Books and the "History of the 51st Regiment of  P.V. and V.V". https://books.google.com/books?id=HZodAQAAMAAJ

As always:

Until Next Time, Stay Safe & Stay Well

Doris