Barsantee, Clark, and Crump

[rch]

There appear to be only 9 enlisted men present at the LBH who had less than 6 months service, 3 in Company G and 6 in Company B.

Barsantee and Clark enlisted in Boston about a week apart in Mar 1876. Crump enlisted in St, Louis in Apr.

All three men deserted on 29 Mar 77.

A fourth recruit, present with B at the LBH, was W. H. Davenport, a former policeman who also enlisted in Boston in Mar. In Dec 1877, Davenport was discharged because of a disability and eventually returned to Brooklyn where he had been born.

The three deserters were never seen again.

Crump was a Blacksmith and as such probably had to march with his company. Did the other 2 future deserters feel compelled to go with him even if it meant marching off to battle.

Were the three deserters involved in some crime? Were they using the Army as a hideout? Did they finally get a chance to abscond with their loot on that March night? Was Davenport in pursuit? And did my fellow Brooklynite settle their hash and leave them floating down the Missouri?

I'd like to think that Davenport did, and that he got the swag as well.

rch

[tonyinspain]

Hi RCH
Barsantee, James Frank B Private Feb 10, 1853 Boston MA Sailor March 8, 1876 With pack train & hilltop fight - Died July 7, 1941 Boston MA
......................................................................................................................................................Clark, Frank B Private Nov 1854 Sheldon VT Teamster March 16, 1876
With pack train & hilltop fight - Date of Death Unknown
....................................................................................................................................................
Crump, John B Blacksmith 1853 Germany Blacksmith April 14, 1876
With pack train & hilltop fight - Date of Death Unknown
........................................................................................................
Davenport, William Henry B Private June 1849 Williamsburg NY Policeman March 15, 1876
With pack train & hilltop fight - Died March 30, 1934 Flushing NY
........................................................................................................

I would be interested in any other information about these four
hope this helps sounds a good intriguing story

[historynut1876]

RCH -

I'm in Brooklyn, too. Near Marine Park. You?

HN1876

[rch]

tonyinspain

Thanks for pointing out my error. I didn't pick up on Barsantee's place and date of death.

Of course what happened to Clark and Crump is still open. I wonder in Barsantee ever explained.

The coincidence of three men deserting on the same day would be interesting enough, Add to it that while recruits they marched with 7th, when so many others were left behind. It seems they must have been friends. Since Crump had to go as the company blacksmith, perhaps the other two volunteered to go along.

HN1876

I was born in Brooklyn. I have lived in Glendale most of my life. I'm on the other side of the ridge from Weir's and Martin's grave and Brooklyn.

rch

[tonyinspain]

HI rch,
I have found that Crump was captuered two weeks later 21 July 1876.
Im still looking so ill keep you posted on anything else i find.
Tony