Numbered and identified on the panoramic photo which is in the hands of Auglaize Village, the first soldiers researched were #10, David Phillips, and #36, Joseph Gardener.
#10
THIRD SERGEANT DAVID PHILLIPS
Very little could be found on Sgt. Phillips, although his residence was listed on military records as Defiance. He mustered into the company at age 27 and mustered out with the company. No vital records could be found for him in Defiance County. He may have joined the group from another county, yet he was a member of the Red Men Society in Defiance and
was well thought of there. His burial place is unknown.
"BRILLIANT RECEPTION
IN HONOR OF SERGEANT DAVID PHILLIPS OF CO. M
The Red Men and ladies of Pocahontas Council gave a grand reception Tuesday evening in honor of Sergeant David Phillips of Company M, who recently returned from Cuba.
He presented each of the ladies with a small sea shell with a gold ring attached and a bow of National colors.
To the men he gave each a sea bean and all the Cuban cigars they could smoke. These relics he brought from Cuba.
He also displayed all the photographs of different views in Cuba, which he had brought home with him.
The evening was spent in dancing, Prof. Gessner's orchestra furnishing the music. The ladies served a fine supper during the evening. It was a brilliant affair."
#36
JOSEPH GARDNER
Joseph was the youngest soldier to join the company at sixteen. He was the much loved only son of Mr.and Mrs. Gustave Gardner of Defiance. Sadly, he became ill during his deployment and was admitted to the company hospital at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Joseph was cared for by a very dedicated nurse there from the Sisters of Mercy. She attended him at his bedside throughout his illness and they became good friends.
It was reported in the Defiance Daily Crescent on November 4, 1898, that one day he (Joseph) "called her to him and said, 'Sister, if I die I will meet you above; I am prepared to die.' The sister, at that time in failing health, which he noticed and said to her, 'You are sicker than I am and had better leave me and care for yourself.' The sister refused to do so and soon followed over the river of death."
Joseph's obituary appeared in the Defiance Daily Crescent on October 31, 1898:
"ANOTHER BRAVE SOLDIER OF CO. M, SIXTH O.V.I
Answers to the Final Roll Call -
The Youngest Soldier in the Defiance Organization and the Only Child of a Bright and Happy Home Passes to His Reward.
Died for his flag.
Another member of Company M's gallant soldiers gives up his life for his country.
Joseph Gardner died this morning at 10 o'clock at Camp Poland, near Knoxville of hemorrhage of the bowels.
The death of Joseph Gardner is a very sad one.
He was a lad of but sixteen years when the war broke out and he willingly gave up the comforts of a good house, left kind and loving parents, that he might serve his flag and aid his country in the hour of need.
He entered the army as a private and without a murmur endured the hardships and privations of a soldier's life. When home a few weeks ago on a furlough, he never complained, but bravely bore his lot and when the time came for him to return to his company, he left cheerfully. He has been a good soldier, careful and attentive to the duties, and ever willing to aid wherever possible.
He was a great favorite with his comrades and was the youngest member of company M. By his death, a cheerful home is saddened, a gloom is cast over a large circle of friends and acquaintances and all the city sympathies with the bereft parents.
Joseph Gardner was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Gardner, of 716 Jackson Street. He was the pride and happiness of the home and was surrounded by all the comforts a boy could wish. When he enlisted, he had returned from college but a short time before, where he was fitting himself to enter the priesthood.
Yesterday a telegram was received here announcing the serious illness of young Gardner and last evening his mother hastened to be at his bedside,but will not arrive at Camp Poland until this afternoon about 4 o'clock. The remains will be sent home for burial."
On November 2, 1898, his remains arrived via the B & O Railroad. His body was met at the depot by the band, his comrades now home on furlough and citizens.
His funeral was held at St. John's Catholic church and he was interred in Riverside Cemetery. His pall bearers were members of Company M in charge of Lieutenant Lewis:
Corporal Root and Privates Clark, Schultz, Hawk, Mink and Wirock. The firing squad was Corporal Sapp and Privates Conway, Rowan, Sheets, Whitney, Williamson, Lee and Scott.
Privates Neaderhauser and Beardsley served as supernumeraries.
(Defiance Daily News, November 1, 1898, p 8)
Birth certificates and obituaries indicated that Gustav and Anna, Joseph's parents, were interred in Riverside, as well as Joseph, but no monuments were found for any of them. They were embalmed for burial, but either no monuments were placed because of cost, or they were destroyed or eroded.
It was the wish of Joseph that his parents host a party in their home for Company M. In September, 1899, his parents did just that, obeying their only son's wishes. A trio of Prof. J. F. Gessner, Frank Hemlein and Paul Heitzwebel provided music in the home decorated with flags, flowers and war items. Plenty of refreshments were served as the "boys" reminisced and told tales of their experiences.
At the end Mr. Wisda expressed to the parents their extreme sympathy at the loss of their "sunny-tempered,sympathetic boy" who was much loved by his comrades.
"Mrs. Gardner made brief reply and thanked the boys for their kindness and sympathy displayed during the sickness and death of her son and said as death had robbed her of her son, she had adopted the whole company as her sons."
(Defiance Democrat, Sept. 14, 1899, p. 4)
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