Did Two Brothers Die with Elliott?

[custerfile]

John Myers and Carson Myers, both privates of Co. M, were both among those 7th Cavalry soldiers killed with Elliott's ad hoc detachment at the Washita.

I've read an account which identifies these men as brothers, but does anybody have confirmation on this? Enlistment information, and so forth?

[markland]

Wayne, I can check the regular Army enlistments for them next week, likely Wednesday night. Unfortunately, I have only gotten to the "D's" for the enlistments of 1866 so I don't currently have them.

Best of wishes,

Billy

[custerfile]

Thanks, Billy. 'Twould be a very poignant footnote to the Washita/Elliott story, if so....

Wayne

[markland]

Wayne, today I made the time when driving back from the KS State Historical Society in Topeka to take a detour and go up to Ft. Leavenworth to look at the regimental returns.

There are six MYERS listed from the creation of the 7th (based upon looking at the "Gains" section of the return) to the consolidated report of 1868.

Here they are (all surnames are MYERS):

Andrew, who joined co. "A" Jan. 22, 1867 from the Recruit Depot

Hamilton, who joined co. "E" Jan. 16, 1867 from the Recruit Depot.

Also;

John, who joined co. "D" Feb. 10, 1867...etc.
Albert, who joined co. "C" Sept. 30, 1867...etc.
Frank, company "[UNREADABLE], Sept. 1[8?], 1867.....etc.
Carsten D. J. [UNREADABLE] co. assgn....Sept. 1[8?], 1867
John, who joined co. "M" Nov. 10, 1868....etc.

The July, 1867 return shows Carsten being assigned to co. "M". So that is where Carsten and John got together. Still no closer on whether they were brothers but thought you would be interested.

I looked through the re-enlistments (under "Gains" on the regimental returns) and did not see "John" so I suspect that the co. "M" "John" and the 1867 "John" are two different people. I may be proven wrong when looking at the enlistment records.

Billy

[custerfile]

Thanks a lot, Billy. I'll have to see what records might exist on the individual soldiers, where they hailed from, etc.

[markland]

Of the Meyers killed at Washita, here is the data from the Register of the Regular Army Enlistments.

Meyers, John; enlisted Sept. 4, 1868 at St. Louis, MO. He gave his birthplace as Bedford, England, age as 27 and previous occupation as Soldier. He enlisted for a five year tour of duty. He had blue eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion. He stood 5' 7" He was killed Nov. 27, 1868 on the Washita river, Indian Territory by Indians while serving in Co. M, 7th Cav.

Meyers, Carsten D. ; enlisted July 29, 1867 in New York City, NY. He gave his birthplace as Charleston, South Carolina, age as 23 and previous occupation as a bartender. He had blue eyes, sandy hair and a fair complexion. He stood 5' 9". He was killed Nov. 27, 1868 on the Washita river, Indian Territory by Indians while serving with Co. M, 7th Cav.

Best of wishes,

Billy

[El Crab]

I'd guess they're not related. Then again, they both had blue eyes and in a stunning coincidence , they did die on the exact same day!

But all kidding aside, I'd say its much like E Company having about 27 Smiths at LBH. Common last name combined with coincidence of company makeup. Perhaps the officers liked having multiple soldiers with the same last name. Gave 'em options. Or perhaps it was just to avoid further confusion, instead of "Which Smith are you talking about, the one in A, the one in C, or the one in F? Or perhaps you meant Smith in K?"