Edwin Wendall or Edward Wendell - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Poor Edwin (Edward) Wendel (Wendall, Wendle, Wandall, Wendelle). So many spellings. He just didn't want to be found.

He was a member of the Bishop Post, G.A.R. and, according to his obituary, was born in New York and moved to Defiance about 1864.
But a view of all the possible censuses came up short.  
He never married, hence no wife to trace back. 

No trace of him on any military sites for the Civil War.  Yet, he appeared on the photo of the G.A.R. and his obituary noted the veterans attended his funeral.



Just as it might be time to give up the search, a grave registration appeared for Edward D. Wendell, born 1839, New York, and died March 16, 1909, in Defiance. His residence was on Perry Street.  He was buried in Riverside Cemetery on March 18 in Lot 17.  The registration revealed that he was in the Indiana Light Artillery and on his tombstone was "Wilder's Battery."  These clues led to his pension record and more information on his Army service.  Mr. Wendall was found!

Wilder's Battery was formed by Captain John Wilder in May 1862, as a light artillery unit.  The federal government rejected the unit at first, but eventually combined it with the 17th Indiana Infantry.  The people of Decatur, Indiana donated two wrought iron 6 inch guns to the battery.  The unit was reorganized several times, but always remained Wilder's Battery in honor of the original leader.  

In January, 1864, 103 of its soldiers reenlisted and went on furlough home.  Edward Wendall was recruited when the unit was home.  They left Indianapolis on March 18, 1864, to go to Tennessee.  They failed to receive their equipment in time to participate in the Atlanta campaign, so they were kept in Knoxville on reserve.  Wendall was mustered out in Indianapolis on July 19, 1865.

His obituary was found in the Defiance Democrat, March 19, 1909.  

  A tombstone from the federal government was placed at his grave site.

Riverside Cemetery

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)