John N. Waite

 John came to America on ship from Liverpool England 01/1850 arriving in New York City. He moved to Mt. Vernon Illinois where his uncle Anthony Waite resided since 1843 after he came to America on 8/03/1840. The area of Mt. Vernon township they settled in was called Liberty ( area just south of present Mt. Vernon Airport). The Waites were very involved with the Methodist Church. John married Minerva (Katie) Johnson on 10-24-1851 and Anthony was married to her sister Mary Emily. The Johnson family were some of the first pioneers of Jefferson County an helped form  the Methodist church there. John was a farmer by trade an over the years had bought and several acres of farmland. He and Katie had nine children their first born was my grandfather James Hurbert . John joined the 44th Illinois vol. regiment on 9-01-1861 assigned to co. I and mustered in on 9-13-1861 in Chicago. He was sent to St. Louis to train , was sent to Jefferson City Mo. to protect the state capital. He was assigned to the Army of Southwest Missouri under Gen. Curtis, an fought at the battle of Pea Ridge Ark. After he was sent to  Miss. then assigned to the Army of Mississippi under Gen. Pope. He regiment was moved to Cinn. Ohio to protect ;then on to Louisviiie Ky. here the 44th was assign to the Army of Ohio under Gen. Bruell. On Oct.8,1862 they fought the battle of Perryville Ky. ( Sheridian's Division) . Moved to Nashville Tenn., command changed to Gen. Rosecrans with army name (Army of the Cumberland). Moved to Murphysboro Tenn. fought the battle of Stone River after that in June 1863 , something happen back home( possible death of a child or something on farm) but John left without leave. He returned to the army in July in southern Tenn. an was pardon by Gen. Sheridian , but docked two months pay and will not be allowed to furlough.  The army moved into Georgia fought at Chickamauga then retreated to Chattanooga, Tenn. were they were surrounded with no supplies . Then in Nov. their Division made a break thought on missionary ridge the 44th leading the way with Gen. Thomas in command of the Army of the Cumberland and Gen. Grant of Department of theWest. After this the 44th was sent to Knoxville Tenn. to help Gen. Burnside against Longstreet. Winter camp was set up in Gleveland , Tenn. with the 44th being furlough, but John was not he was assigned to the 73rd Illinois co. I. He was transfer back to the 44th in May 1884 with the start of the Atlanta campaign. Gen. Sherman was place in commend of the Dept. of the West Division Mississippi. At Resaca, Georgia on May 14, 1864 ,he was wounded in the right hand due to infection his right arm  was amputated on the18th in the field. June 23 he was furloughed, but returned to duty August 19 ,but not to the frontline. John was mustered out Sept.15,1884 ,term of duty expired. He returned to farming at liberty here on Oct. 5,1872 his first wife Katie ( my grandmother) passed away; they had 9 children together. James( my grandfather) first born passed away April 9,1896 leaving his children to name as heirs when John passes in Sept.26, 1900. John had remarried after Katie passed to Elizabeth Burg on July 17,1873 they had four sons together.