George Adam Fisher

THE YANKEE CONSCRIPT; OR EIGHTEEN MONTHS IN DIXIEby George Adams Fisher

Published in 1864

George Adams Fisher was the husband of Amanda Reid, the sister of Elizabeth Reid my great-grandmother. Elizabeth married Peter Bihl Luginbyhl on July 24, 1855 in DeKalb County, Missouri. Both of the girls was the daughter of William “Pony” Reid and Dorothy Dolly Donaldson. A few quotes from this book in reference to the Luginbyhl family follows.

In September we started for Wise county, Texas, with the intention of purchasing land, but abandoned our original intention and purchased in Denton county, on duck creek, the head waters of the Trinity. On the 5th of January, 1860, I was married to Miss Amanda Reed, daughter of Mr. William Reed. Mr. Reed was born in Maysville, Kentucky. From thence he emigrated to Andrew county, Missouri, where he remained some time, and then removed to Texas. A son-in-law of his “Peter Luginbyhl Texas in 1858.

His name was Peter Luginbyhl. He was a native of Winesburgh, Holmes county, Ohio, and some time previously had left home and settled in Nebraska. I mention his name in this place, because I shall have occasion to refer to him again in the sequel.

About four o’clock on Monday morning, March 10th, 1862, I lost my wife and infant child. The affliction was sudden and overwhelming. My wife was past speaking before I was aware of the sad truth that she must die. The physician thought there was no danger, until she told him she was dying. Her last words were, “Oh, doctor, do let me have a little rest, and I hope I shall be happy!”

Reader, have you ever lost a loving and beloved companion? If you have ever drunk of this bitter cup, you can form some idea of my feeling. How I suffered! How my very heart was wrung with grief as I stood by the bedside of my dying wife, and saw her eyes grow glassy and motionless as Death drew over them his filmy veil! Oh! In one sort hour to be stripped of all my joys–a stranger in a distant land, in a time of war and intense excitement, among strangers–nay, relentless enemies,–no friends near to drop a tear of sympathy except a few relative of my departed wife, called to mourn the second time within a little more than a year–for we had lost a child of the preceding year–this was trouble!

Note - George Adams Fisher was a Union men living in a Confederate state of Texas, with the desire to escape after his wife death to Missouri. Most of this book was about his desire to escape.

Peter and Christian Luginbyhl each procured miller’s certificates of exemption, according to the provisions of the conscript law then in force. Luginbyhl showed me his. That certificate afterwards saved my life, and was the means of my escape from Dixie.

It was this: to get Luginbyhl’s miller’s certificate of exemption into my possession, and then travel into the northern part of Arkansas as a miller on business. I went to the Luginbyhl’s, to endeavor by some maneuvering to get possession of his certificate of exemption.

In the evening of the day that I arrived at Luginbyhl’s, I intentionally got up an argument in regard to the miller’s certificate of exemption. I differed entirely with Luginbyhl, hoping by this means to get him to produce his, in order to convince me that I was wrong. I hoped in this way to find out were he kept it. I was successful; for, after contending with me for some time, and finding I was so positive, he said he would soon convince me that I was wrong. Going to the bookcase, he got a key and unlocked his truck, which was standing in a corner of the room, and took out three large day-books, and in on of them got his certificate, and, laughing, handed it to me, saying: “You will acknowledge the corn now, won’t you?” I took the certificate, read it, and acknowledged that I was wrong. He then took it and put in one the day-books, (which, I did not notice, and this want of attention caused me considerable trouble afterwards,) put them in his truck, locked it, and put the key in its place in the bookcase. My very success caused me uneasiness; for I was so overjoyed that I was afraid I would speak out and betray myself in my sleep.

Morning came. I spent the most of the day lying on the lounge watching for an opportunity to get the certificate into my possession. I ought to add here that the lost of the certificate would involve Luginbyhl in no trouble. So long as he remained in the employment of a miller, he was safe under the law then in force, and could easily get another certificate on application to the proper officer. My object in trying to get in without his knowledge, instead of asking for it, was to keep my intention of deserting concealed.

After dinner, while Mrs. Luginbyhl was washing the dishes, I told the little girl to go down to the mill again and get some corn, and I would teach her to play checkers. Away she went gleefully. Now was my chance. I knew the certificate must in the book which I had not had time to search in the morning. Opening the truck, I took the book, turned over a few leaves, and lo, the certificate! It was mine at last.

After some time, George Adams Fisher made is journey through Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. He carried the certificate in the lining of his boot-leg. He was arrested near Ozark, Missouri, and on the 2d of October after breakfast the guard escorted him to Ozark, Arkansas. The following event.

I was ordered to dismount, and was taken to the office of the Provost Marshal. It was in the upper story of the court-house. The chief of the guards then said: “Provost, I have brought you a prisoner whom we arrested yesterday evening. He has a certificate of exemption, and says he is going to Huntsville, Arkansas on business.

“Let me see your certificate sir,” said the Provost Marshal. I handed it to him, and he examined it. It may be interesting to the reader. It reads as follow:

CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION

Christian Luginbyhl, aged 29 years, of the county of Denton, State of Texas, having made oath that he is a miller, and is now actually engaged in keeping a public mill; and that on that account he is exempt from conscription by virtue of the Act of Congress, I, F. A. Leach, Enrolling Officer of Denton county, do hereby certify that the said Christian Luginbyhl will remain exempt from military duty as conscript during the period that he shall remain the employment of a miller.

F. A. Leach, Enrolling Officer

Sworn to and subscribed before me at Denton this 2d day of August 1862.

After reading this certificate, the provost marshal looked up and said: “Why, sir, this certificate only exempts you while you are in the employment of the mill. You are now away on business, and you are in the employment of the mill. You are now away on business, and you are, therefore, a fit subject for the army, and out of my jurisdiction. I will send you to head-quarter at Fort Smith, Arkansas, to the commander of the post, Major Pierce, and then you will be at his disposal.”

Not being altogether satisfied, he began to question me before the guards and a number of citizens. I had made up my mind when I was arrested, that I would exhibit no shrinking or fear, and would endeavor to answer all the questions promptly, knowing that this was the best way to escape suspicion.

I slipped into the underbrush, and was off on the double quick, Again I bade farewell to Dixie.

I too a northward course, and hurried onward as fast as the thick underbrush would allow. I was obliged to leave my horse.

The last chapter left me comfortably seated by the fireside of Mr. Hammon. Donversation naturally turned on the exciting topics of the times–particularly the state of things in south-western Missouri.

During my stay in Cassville, Missouri, the Provost Marshal repeatedly insisted on my going into Arkansas, as a recruiting officers, telling me that I was the right kind of man to go. I refused the offer, however, thinking I had already suffered enough at the hands of the rebels, without exposing myself to fresh dangers.

The Provost Marshal gave me a pass, directing at Springfield, Missouri, on the St. Louis. After a short delay, I reached Rolla, Missouri and my home in St. Louis the following day.

The End

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GEORGE ADAM FISHER

Birth: 1835

Death: Jan. 20, 1904

Cleveland

Cuyahoga County

Ohio, USA

George A. Fisher, the venerable father of Mrs. W. T. Norris, died yesterday morning (January 20, 1904) in a Cleveland hospital. The body will arrive here today at noon and will be taken to Long's Run church were funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Mr. Swan, of East End. Interment will be made in the cemetery adjacent to the church.

Mr. Fisher was 70 years of age and many years ago was a school teacher in St. Clair township. He attained high rank as a scholar and educator and before the war went to the South where he purchases a large tract of land. When the Rebellion broke out he refused to serve in the army because all his training and inclination was in sympathy with the North. His land was confiscated and he was compelled to take up arms in defense of the South. At the earliest possible moment he left the army and making his way North arrived at his old home. The privations he suffered in his brave attempt to regain his freedom made him very ill, and it was a long time before he recovered. His experiences are embodied in "The Yankee Conscript," which he wrote after his illness, and which was among the most widely read books of that time.

Five years ago Mr. Fisher was stricken with paralysis, and he never fully recovered his health. He resided at that time in Wellsville, and was later removed to the hospital in Cleveland, in the hope that he would recover.

Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Elizabeth Bough, and of this union there were four children: Mrs. M. A. Parkinson, Beaver Falls; Orion P. Fisher, Cleveland; Otis G. Fisher, Chicago; Mrs. W. T. Norris, this city.

Eight years ago Mr. Fisher was married to Mrs. Harriet Irvn, of Wellsville, who survives him. Mr. Fisher was strong in his convictions, and one whose work in life was well done. A wide circle of friends is left to mourn his death.

HLG

From Timothy Brookes:

The most well-known Columbiana County Confederate was a man from Calcutta named George A. Fisher. George was a son of Paul Fisher who had been brought to the Calcutta area by his father in 1810. George was born in 1835 and received a good education along with his siblings. George and a brother emigrated to Texas in the late 1850's and were engaged in raising stock. George married a girl who had come from Kentucky with her family and were prepared to settle in Texas for good. The outbreak of war and the secession of the Lone Star state created problems for the young Ohioan. Their first child died as an infant in early 1861. Further tragedy struck in March, 1862, when both his wife and second infant child died of disease. With no family obligations, Fisher was conscripted into the 18th Texas Cavalry, an honor that he neither sought nor intended to fulfill. After various adventures, Fisher deserted and travelled nearly 500 miles to Union lines in Missouri. Fisher would later remarry and have another family. Upon returning to Ohio, George was encouraged to write a book chronicling his adventures. The resulting book was entitled, "The Yankee Conscript or Eighteen Months in Dixie". The book was published in 1864 while the Civil War still raged and included illustrations of some of Fisher's narrow escapes. He died in 1904 and is buried in the Long's Run Church cemetery.

Family links:

Spouses:

Elizabeth Bough Fisher (1843 - 1899)*

Amanda Reid Fisher (1842 - 1862)*

Children:

Dorotha Inf Fisher (1860 - 1861)*

Ottis Fisher (1873 - 1947)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial:

Longs Run Cemetery

Calcutta

Columbiana County

Ohio, USA

Created by: HALL LOVING GENEALOGY

Record added: Nov 24, 2007

Find A Grave Memorial# 23078398

George Adams Fisher

Added by: Debra A. Felger

George Adams Fisher

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George Adams Fisher

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- HALL LOVING GENEALOGY

Added: May. 31, 2017