Brannon, Ansel Gadd

So we went from Pearl's mother Leola Mae Brannon and now to her parents: Ansel Gadd Brannon

Ansel Gadd Brannon was born August 22, 1843 in Monroe, Tennessee to Julian and Mary Elizabeth “Polly” (Gadd) Brannon. Did you catch his middle name is his mother's maiden name?

We see that in 1850 at the age of seven he lived in Monroe, Tennessee.

The 1860 Census they are still in Monroe. It shows Ansel is 16 and his father is a farmer.

Ansel married Mary Anna Henderson September 26, 1866 in Monroe, Tennessee. Ansel was 23 and Mary was 14. They were married 28 years before the death of Mary Anna in 1894. They had 11 children in 19 years.

Before they married Ansel was a private in the Civil war. I was able to collect a lot of information on it that I've attached.

The 1870 Census they are in Monroe. Ansel is 27 and Mary is 19. It notes their Real Estate value is $1200.00 and Personal Value $400.00.

The 1880 Census they are in Monroe, Tennessee. Ansel is 36 and Mary 27. It notes Ansel can read and write but Mary can't. Mary, Robert, Maggy, John, Luna, Peter, Vilana are all listed.

By the 1900 Census Ansel is a widow as Mary passed away in 1894 (Ansel was 51). He is a farmer and in Oklahoma now.

The last Census I found was 1910. Ancel is 67 and in Oklahoma, lives with his daughter Lunar and her family....John who is 38, Lunar Mae who is 36, FM is 15 and Roy is 5.

The next year in 1911 Ansel's daughter, Leola Mae, had her third child on October 21, 1911 and Leola passed away December 24, 1911. But right before she died Ansel passed away December 22, 1911. What a sad, sad Christmas that year!! Two deaths in December right before Christmas...and children without their mama. We know that Lunar, Leola's sister, where Ansel had been living took in her sister's baby to raise.

Ansel Gadis Brannon

U.S., American Civil War Regiments,1861-1866

Regiment: 37^th Infantry RegimentTennessee

Date of Organization: 1 Oct 1861

Muster Date: 9 April 1865

Regiment State: Tennessee

Regiment Type: Infantry

Regiment Number: 37^th

Battles: Fought on 8 Oct 1862 at Perryville, KY.

Fought on 20 Sep 1863 at Chickamauga, GA.

Fought on 30 Nov 1864 at Franklin, TN.

Fought on 16 Dec 1864 at Nashville, TN.

Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Col. R. C. Tyler, Fifteenth Tennessee Infantry, commanding Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry. HDQRS. 15TH AND 37TH REGTS. TENN. VOLS., BATE'S BRIGADE, Camp near Chattanooga, Tenn., October 1, 1863. SIR:I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken in the recent battle of Chickamauga, of the 18th, 19th, and 20th ultimo, by the Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers: On the evening of the 18th, were ordered into line of battle on left of brigade near [Alexander's] Bridge, on Chickamauga Creek, the enemy firing heavily at the time with artillery and small-arms, which continued for several minutes, when we removed to a position more advanced and maintained it through he night. Early on the morning of the 19th, we crossed to the west side of Chickamauga at [Thedford's] Ford, and immediately formed in line of battle in rear of Gen.'s Brown and Clayton, on left of brigade. Orders were at once given to advance. We were moving in line of battle by the flank and at a rest until nearly 1 p. m., when a direct advance upon the enemy was ordered by our division. Brown was soon engaged, Clayton followed, and soon after 1 o'clock our brigade was engaged with the enemy. The first fire delivered by my command on the enemy was within 300 or 400 yards of the road leading to Chattanooga, running parallel with our line of battle. The firing here was for a short time spirited and obstinate, until the enemy gave back from my immediate front and my command ceased their fire. At this point I lost some valuable men killed and wounded. On ceasing to fire I ordered my men to lie down. At this juncture, a detachment of the Fourth Alabama Infantry, having become lost from their command, joined me, forming on my left. They numbered about 40 or 50 men. While arranging them in line the brigade advanced without my knowledge, and from this time forward my command was isolated from the brigade to which we belonged. Immediately on learning that our brigade had moved (not knowing in what direction), I ordered an advance directly to the front. Having moved some 50 yards, a heavy volley of musketry was poured in upon us from a position occupied by the enemy on the Chattanooga road not more than 250 or 300 yards in my immediate front. I ordered three times three for Old Tennessee and a charge, both of which were responded to with alacrity. We charged them from the hill in utter confusion and fired several volleys upon them as they retired to a skirt of woods some 200 yards farther on and a little to my right. Artillery now opened upon us from the woods, and presuming my brigade was somewhere to the right and in the same woods, immediately formed and advanced in double-quick across the open space until we reached the woods and learned the exact position of the battery above mentioned. I immediately determined to capture or drive it from its position. Advancing in almost a run, and with the yells of demons, we soon captured four pieces of fine artillery, the horses all having been removed or killed. In their haste to leave the position one piece, being charged, was left trailed upon us and not fired. My loss in wounded in both charges was not more than 60 or 65 men, and 7 or 8 killed, among whom is numbered First Lieut. and Adjt. John B. Kent, who, with hat in hand, was among the foremost cheering on the men, and deeply do we mourn his loss. Ever faithful and efficient in the discharge of his every duty, he finally sealed his devotion to his country's cause with his blood, and long will he be remembered in the Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh by his companions in arms as a brave soldier and true patriot. We only advanced about 200 yards farther, when, not knowing where the brigade might be, and being in danger of a flank move from the enemy, we deemed it practicable to retrace our steps, which we did in good order, taking our captured pieces with us off the field. We rejoined the brigade some 300 yards east of the Chattanooga road, and remained in position at this point until the morning of Sunday, the 20th, when, by a flank movement, we were removed farther to the right, and brought into position on the brow of a hill confronting the enemy--I should judge 400 [yards] to his front and on a line parallel with him. At this point we hastily< constructed breastworks of such material as was at hand. We were not permitted to remain in this position long before the enemy opened upon us with shell, solid shot, and canister. We lay in this position behind our breastworks until -- o'clock, when an advance upon the enemy's works was ordered. Having approached to within 200 yards, the fire being so destructive, our ranks having become decimated and receiving no supports, were compelled to retire to our breastworks, where we remained until -- p. m. In this advance upon the enemy we lost valuable officers and men, among whom may be mentioned Capt. Jarnagin, of Company K. No braver, more intrepid, and daring man strode the field than he. We mourn his loss. It was the death he above all others would have died--with his face to the foe and battling for his country's liberties, leading on his gallant boys in the charge. At -- p. m., supports having arrived, the remnant of our little band by a flank move changed position to the left and front of the one previously occupied, and again advanced upon the enemy, who now gave way and fled in utter confusion and dismay. We slept that night within the enemy's stronghold which he had fought so stubbornly to maintain. This being the last position of the enemy on our part of the line, we rested on our arms at ease, after three days of fighting and marching, having lost in all, killed and wounded, 120 (a report of which has heretofore been reported to your headquarters) out of 202 taken into the action on the 19^th. Where all performed their parts so nobly and so well, it seems next to impossible to individualize; yet I cannot refrain from bringing to your favorable notice the conduct of Maj. J. M. Wall, Capt.'s Rice and Donaldson, of the Fifteenth; of Capt. Fry<br/>and Sergt. Maj. John M. Farris in the action of the 19th.All of which is respectfully submitted. R. C. TYLER, Col., Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Vols.Maj. GEORGE W. WINCHESTER, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.Report of Lieut. Col. R. Dudley Frayser, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry, commanding Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry. CAMP FIFTEENTH AND THIRTY-SEVENTH TENN. VOLS., October 19, 1863. SIR:I have the honor to make the following report of the part in which the Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers participated on the field of Chickamauga after the command of said regiments devolved upon me: About 1 o'clock on that day, Col. R. C. Tyler called to me to assume command of the regiments. I replied, "All right, sir," and soon afterward ordered Capt. R. M. Tankesley, Company D, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers, to act as major, Maj. Wall having gone to the rear the previous afternoon. The Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers at this time were on the left of the brigade, its left being some 400 yards or more from the main Chattanooga road. Immediately on my right, between my command and the Fifty-eighth Alabama, were in position two pieces of the Eufaula Light Artillery, I supposed. This battery did not fire a shot while here; was removed soon afterward to a more favorable position. In about fifteen minutes after I took command, the regiments still being shielded by rudely constructed breastworks of logs and bushes hastily thrown up, an order came to forward from the brigadier-general commanding. repeated the command, and my boys moved with alacrity over our works. Having gained some 60 or 70 yards, I ordered double-quick with the yell, which was obeyed to a man, the men almost assuming the run, still keeping an unbroken line. Firing from the enemy's sharpshooters and batteries was constant in our front, but more injury was inflicted upon us from the left flank, there seeming to be no support on the left of Bate's brigade. On emerging from the woods in an open, shrubby field we could see our stubborn foe defiantly resisting our march across this field. Grape, canister, and musket-shot here greatly decimated my command, but swerving not it bore steadily onward. Near the center of this field I was disabled and fell from a wound received just below the knee, which for many minutes paralyzed my left leg. I observed as I fell that both colors were steadily moving forward through this dreadful ordeal of shell, shot, and fire. I lay here many minutes entirely conscious, but unable to rise. Many of my companions lay wounded and dead around me. Upon seeing some of my command returning through this same field and reporting orders having been issued to fall back, I, with their assistance, reached the position the regiment formerly held before this murderous charge. On my way I was handed the colors of the Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers by Mullins, Company A, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers, the color-bearer, brave boy, having been shot dead. Lieut. A. O. Edwards, Company A, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers, followed after, bearing from the field the colors of the Fifteenth Tennessee Volunteers. After some little time I sent forward a party to bring or to assist in bringing the wounded from the field. I feared they would burn, as the grass and bushes were on fire. It was now near 4 o'clock. Feeling unable to hold command, and upon seeing Col. Tyler come up from the rear, I started to the hospital. Was soon met by a conveyance and transported thither. When I left Col. R. C. Tyler had taken command, as I supposed. In this short conflict death won from us many a true and brave soldier. Would a eulogy from me mark deeper their devotion to the cause than their death, I would cheerfully lend every humble effort I possess to sound their praise to the skies. I must confess no one fell on that field who more fully exemplified the intrepid, daring, brave soldier, noble companion, and true gentleman than Capt. C. G. Jarnagin, Company K, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers. In the same charge were wounded and have since died Lieut. J. C. Grayson, Company E, and Lieut. Acuff, Company K, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers. In this brace of lieutenants death claims a shining mark of valor and acknowledged merit. I could call your attention to many of my men, isolated cases, now surviving, who dared danger most and more ardently seemed to woo death, but where none flickered from the measure of their whole duty I desist, knowing that a thankful country will render bountiful homage to all. For efficiency, gallantry, and prompt obedience on the part of my officers engaged under my command I commend to your favor Lieut. W. H. Pipes, Fifteenth Tennessee Volunteers; Capt. R. M. Tankesley, Company D; Lieut. A. O. Edwards, Company A; and Sergt. Maj. J. M. Farris, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Volunteers. I am, respectfully, major, R. DUDLEY FRAYSER, Lieut. Col., Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Vols. Maj. GEORGE W. WINCHESTER, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen. ----------- Report of Capt. R. M. Tankesley, Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry, commanding Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry. CAMP FIFTEENTH AND THIRTY-SEVENTH TENN. VOLS., October 19, 1863. SIR:I have the honor to make this report of what part the Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee Regt.'s did while under my command on September 20. In the severe charge Lieut.-Col. Frayser was disabled somewhere in the field. The regiment was still advancing when I missed Col. Frayser. I took charge, and seeing the whole brigade fall back and no support on the left, I led the remnant of the regiment to our former position. Lieut.-Col. Frayser soon came up and retook command. Col. Tyler soon after came up and took command, he (Col. Tyler) having been disabled in the morning. Lieut.-Col. Frayser left when the command commenced to move by the left flank. The command then moved by the right flank and took a position in front of our breastworks of logs, &c. This was, I think, about 5.30 p. m. Col. Tyler and Lieut.-Col. Frayser had been urged to go to the rear, as they could do no good in their disabled condition. I was then again left in command. A charge was ordered, when my little remnant of valorous men bore forward; a sharp fire from our batteries was just ceasing; some few Minie balls greeted us. On reaching the enemy's works what was our delight to see the once defiant foe surrendering. It seemed between 200 and 300 prisoners. The brigade encamped that night on the battle-field to the right of the Chattanooga road. I was in command when Lieut.-Col. Frayser came up on the morning of September 21, and took command. Col. Tyler and Maj. Wall soon came up, and Col. Tyler took command of the regiment. All acted so nobly their part in every particular I refrain from distinguishing any one. I am, most respectfully, &c., R. M. TANKESLEY, Capt. Company D, 15th and 37th Tennessee Vols. Maj. GEORGE W. WINCHESTER, [Acting] Assistant Adjutant-Gen.----------- Source: Official Records PAGE 395-51 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]

Because of its strategic location, Tennessee became a central battleground when Union forces first penetrated state lines in 1862. The North and South faced off to take control of the state, or as President Lincoln called it, the “keystone of the Southern arch.” Together, they vied for control of Tennessee’s rich transportation resources: rails and river routes. Over the course of the American Civil War, it witnessed 2,900 battles and skirmishes. During the chaotic conflict, locals remained deeply divided. Tennessee was the last Southern state to secede on June 8, 1861, but many of its residents remained staunchly pro-Unionist. Although they did not form their own state like West Virginians, they publicly refused to support the Confederacy—some even joined the ranks of its military. Among them were 20,000 formerly enslaved African Americans. Among Tennessee’s soldiers, almost 5,000 gave their lives to the Civil War.

The vast majority of deaths during the American Civil War were not on the battlefield; they were caused by disease. In 1861 germ theory did not exist, the root of infection remained a mystery, and medical training was crude. Little advancements had been made in the field since the American Revolution; some physicians still championed medieval methods of bloodletting, purging, and blistering to rebalance the body’s humors. However, development in weaponry, namely faster, more accurate rifles and shells killed hundreds of thousands and left many more badly wounded. Thus the war forced doctors and nurses to rethink medical treatments, as tens of thousands of soldiers flooded the ill-equipped field hospitals. The sheer volume of injured men prompted rapid amputations. By 1865, a surgeon could remove a limb in six minutes flat. Anesthetics were common—chloroform and ether were given to patients, along with morphine for the pain. Ambulance service also was born during the Civil War. The fallen were gathered from the field, their wounds wrapped up, and they were shuttled to battle-side hospitals. But for many, these advancements in techniques and sanitation came too little too late—upwards of 500,000 Americans died from disease and infection before the war’s end.