Bedford G. Hovious. Son of Stephen W. HOVIOUS and Betsy HAMILTON. Born in Monroe Co., Indiana, in Sep 1843. He enlisted for service in the Civil War on 7 Dec 1863 and stated that he was residing in the township of Hindostan, Monroe Co. According to his Volunteer Enlistment record, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall and had a dark complexion, black eyes and black hair. He was mustered into duty at Indianapolis on 23 Dec 1863.

    He reported for duty on 4 Mar 1864. He served in G Company, 31st Indiana Infantry Regiment, which was commanded by Capt. Silas Grimes. According to its unit history this unit saw battle at Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia on 11 May 1864; at Resaca, Georgia on 15 May; at Pine Mountain, Georgia on 14 June; at Kenesaw Mountain, 15 to 27 June; and at Marietta, on 4 July. Bedford Hovious received a flesh wound to his arm on 27 Jun 1864. He was sent to a field hospital in Nashville, TN where he remained for June and July, and then to another hospital in Louisville, KY, on 6 Aug 1864. He returned to duty on 15 Aug 1864, but was sent to hospital again on 24 Sep. He died of disease in a US Army field hospital near Atlanta on 26 October 1864. He is buried in Marietta Nat'l. Cemetery, GA, Section A, Grave 301 under the name of BEDFORD HAVIONS.


    Bedford Hovious' tombstone.A letter he sent home still exists, and reads:
    "Well father, a soldier sees a hard time, for I had to march one hundred and fifty miles and carry about thirty pounds on my back and that is hard on a boy, but I stand it first rate well. I am well satisfied. I think I will get to come home this fall, for I think the war will soon be over, for the South is about played out. I don't think that there will be many rebels agin fall for they are deserting as fast as they can, so I must bring my letter to a close by saying I remain your obedient son until death. This is from Bedford Hovious.




    Thanks to Betty Hovious Hollowell for contributing the photo and a copy of the letter. Additional details from Bedford's military records.

    0:15 23/09/01