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.
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