Union Troops in Patterson’s Creek Skirmish

A few days ago, I posted an accounting of all Confederate soldiers involved in the Patterson’s Creek / Kelley’s Island Skirmish. Having the names of all participants on the Confederate side only tells half the story, however, but I recently came across a contemporary newspaper article that sheds light on the Union troops involved.

The article, titled “Desperate Skirmish” in the Cumberland Civilian and Telegraph, July 4, 1861, contains the same exaggerations as the others, but it does list every member of the 11th Indiana scouting party who accompanied Cpl. David B. Hay that day. As of right now, I have no reason to doubt the list’s accuracy. The names were Elijah Baker, Ed. Burkit, J. Hollinback, J.R. Hollowell, Tim Grover, Thos. Brasher, G.W. Murbarger, Lewis Farley, Frank Harrison, Harry Dunlap, Ed. Thomas, and R.M. Dunlop.

Cross-referencing the list with the unit roster, we come up with the following names:

Cpl. David B. Hay	Company A
Pvt. Elijah H. Baker	Company A
Pvt. Edwin M. Byrkit	Company B
Pvt. John C. Hollenback	Company B
Pvt. James R. Hallowell	Company C
Pvt. Timothy C. Grover	Company C
Cpl. Thomas M. Brasher	Company D
Pvt. George W. Mudbarger	Company E
Lewis Farley?	Company F
Sgt. Frank Harrison	Company H
Pvt. Henry H. Dunlap	Company I
Pvt. Edward P. Thomas	Company K
Pvt. Robert M. Dunlap	Company K

The only person I couldn’t verify was “Lewis Farley” of Company F. He doesn’t appear on the unit roster (I also looked for alternative spellings). It could be that Farley was a scout or a local volunteer, or perhaps, didn’t want to see his real name in the newspapers.

Unfortunately, the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, Vol. IV isn’t detailed when it comes to wounded soldiers in 3-months regiments. A summary of the unit’s history in Vol. II states that Pvt. John C. Hollenback was killed and Cpl. David B. Hay and Pvt. Edward P. Thomas were wounded in the skirmish.

Was that really the extent of their casualties? The Confederates suffered 3 killed and 6 wounded, suggesting a much tougher fight. Perhaps now that we have a list of every Union soldier involved, we can get into the weeds and find out what really happened.