Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Westport Camp # 64
Kansas City, Missouri
In the Ranks
Brian V. Smarker of Excelsior Springs, Missouri has other ancestors who fought for the Union during the Civil War. His ancestors include George G. Earley.
George G. Earley is my 4th great uncle (a collateral ancestor), since he is a younger brother to my 3rd great grandfather, John Earley. Lineage is Brian V. Smarker, Suzanne Gay Fisher, Ival Burton Fisher, Edward Earley Fisher, Martha Earley, then brother of John Earley.
Following is an excerpt from Jasper County, Iowa: Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange regarding George G. Earley.
"He was quick to respond to his country's call, the first call, in fact, for troops to put down the rebellion, and on April 19, 1861, before the echo of the guns that fired on Fort Sumter had hardly died away, he enlisted in Company I, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service on April 25th. After his three months' term of service had expired he enlisted for three years on June 21, 1861, in the same company and regiment, and he served with gallantry until June 21, 1864. He was in the battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia, under McClellan; he was also in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, under General Buell; he also took part in the great battle of Stone River, under General Rosecrans, and was taken prisoner there, January 1, 1863. He was in prison for about a month, and soon the entire regiment was taken on the General Streight raid at Rome, Georgia, and were sent to Libby Prison, and there they were later paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, except the officers, who were not paroled. They were then exchanged and returned to the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the non-commissioned officers commanded the company, Mr. Earley being in command of Company I, which position he held until discharged on June 21, 1864 the commissioned officers having been held as prisoners continuously. After the war he returned to Mt. Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio, and resumed work at his trade, which he followed until February 14, 1865, when Mr. Earley re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with his usual faithfulness until January 20, 1866. His regiment went as far south as Macon, Georgia, where he received a commission as second lieutenant, and. he was the first commissioned officer put in command at the Andersonville post, and he had the distinction of building the first fence around that place, having entire charge of the work there, performing his duties, as he had previously done at all times in a manner that elicited the praise of his superior officers. After his discharge on January 20, 1866, Mr. Earley returned again to Morrow County, Ohio...."
In summary:
George G. Earley
· Born 11 Oct 1841 in Franklin Co., NY
· Enlisted 19 Apr 1861 Co. I 3 OH Inf.
· Mustered 25 Apr 1861
· Re-enlisted 21 Jun 1861
· Discharged 21 Jun 1864
· POW 1 Jan 1863 at Battle of Stone River under Gen. Rosecrans - sent to Libby Prison - paroled
· Re-enlisted 14 Feb 1865 in Co. ? 187 OH Inf.
· Discharged 20 Jan 1866 as 2nd Lt. - First commissioned officer placed at Andersonville and built fence around it.
Pictures of George G. Earley and his headstone
