Soldier:  First Sergeant George M Scott

Regiment:  96^th, OVI                  

Company:         Field Staff

Age:      41                    

Date Entering Service:  8/7/1862

Period of Service:  2 years 5 months

Remarks (When discharged, re-enlisted, wounded, captured, died of disease or killed):

“Enlisted as a Private in the 96th OVI Company C on 8/7/1862.  In May 1863 appointed Orderly or First Sergeant, in June 1863 was, by vote or the regiment, elected and by the Government commissioned Chaplain of the 96th OVI.”  Discharged due to illness on 12/15/1864

Battles in which he fought:

Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi                             12/28 to 29/1862

Battle of Arkansas Post, Arkansas                                                1/11/1863

Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi                                       5/18 to 7/4/1863

Battle of Jackson, Mississippi                                                      7/9 to 16/1863

Battle of Grand Coteau, Louisiana                                               11/3/1863

Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, Louisiana                           4/8/1864

Battle of Monetis Bluff, Louisiana                                                4/23/1864

Battle of Forts Gaines and Morgan, Alabama                               8/5 to 23/1864

Battle of Spanish Fort, Alabama                                      3/26 to 4/8/1865

Battle of Fort Blakely, Alabama                                       4/9/1865

Siege of Mobile, Alabama                                                           3/26 to 4/12/1865

Battle of Whistlers Station, Alabama                                            4/13/1865

Other interesting information discovered:

George McCulloch Scott was born in Guernsey County, Ohio on 8/22/1820.  In January 1844 be became licensed to preach and entered into the Muskingum Annual Conference Methodist Protestant Church.  He served the following circuits Columbia, Morganville, Belmont, Cambridge, Pisgah, McConnelsville, Cardington, Springfield and Delaware, Ohio.

On5/3/1847 he married Hadassah J Cotton in Marshville, Athens County, Ohio, seven children were born of this union.  George was described as an even-tempered, thoughtful and serious man. 

While stationed as pastor of the Methodist Protestant Church in Cardington he enlisted in the Civil War. At the Battle of Sabine Cross Roads on the Red River expedition he was made prisoner along with the hospital corps. He was confined at Mansfield, Louisiana for about three months. It has been written within the Ancestry files that he had a sad experience while confined.  Captain Samuel Coulter (of Marion, Ohio) of Company E had suffered a wound to the knee which required amputation of his leg.  There were problems after the surgery when an artery broke. George helped his comrade by placing his thumb of the artery.  He and Captain Coulter prayed and spoke of family until Captain Coulter died. George was paroled on 6/1/1864. George was discharged from service on 12/15/1864 due to illness and kept his promise to Captain Coulter by delivering his belongings to Captain Coulter’s widow. 

It was written that George recovered from his illness due to the nursing of his wife and skilled doctors and once again pursued his ministry. He enjoyed swimming, hunting and fishing with his children.  George and his family moved to Tipton, Iowa in 1865.

It was also written the when George was seven years old he helped his father feed and hide five fugitive slaves.  When they felt it was safe they started north from Cardington in the care of another conductor to the underground railway to Canada. George’s father, Charles Scott was a station agent for the underground railroad.

Date of Death:  7/25/1908                      Place of burial:  Ottawa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Iowa

Adopted By:                                                                              Researcher:  Velda L Montgomery