Moses F. Yoder

He was the son of Yost and Nancy (Hochstetler) and brother to Samuel S., Jocelyn Z. and Jacob (4/8/1844-5/22/1864). Jacob and Moses were in the Civil War. Jacob fell out of a boat and drown trying to help with wounded soldiers. Moses was wounded at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and died in hospital. Moses and Jacob were single. I don't know where Jacob is buried.

Yoder, Noah Webster....... 19 Sep 1861, enlisted Co. G 51 Regt. OVI; 3 Oct 1861, mustered in as 2nd Lt. at Canal Dover, Ohio; 9 Dec 1862, Battle of Dobson's Ferry, TN.; 31 Dec 1862, apt. 1st Lt. under Capt. James T Shanton, Battle of Stone's River, Murfreesboro, TN.; 2 Jan 1863, wounded in battle; 20 Jan 1863, commissioned 1st Lt.; 26 Jan 1863, left leg amputated; 15 Mar 1863, apt. RQM by Lt. Col. R. W. McClain; 31 Mar 1863, assigned Co. A, transferred; 30 Jul 1863, resigned; 1863 pensioned @ $15 per mo.; 11 Jun 1864, apt. 2nd Lt. 141 Co., 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps., Louisville, KY., surrendered pension; 3 Oct 1865, mustered out, Victoria TX.; 30 Jun 1866, honorable discharge; 22 Nov 1866, applied for Invalid Veteran Pension; 9 Mar 1877, DOD. At the Battle of Stone's River the Regiment was cut all to pieces. Noah was in command and refused to retreat, against orders. He was first hit in the chest, the ball fracturing the clavicle and coming out near the spine. His men tried to rescue him, but were shot down one after another until John Hall (just joined regt.) picked Noah up and set him against a stump with his face towards the rebels. While he was being carried a ball fractured his left leg below the knee. Soon the enemy charged past him and he was run over by a cannon. A rebel officer in the rear of the charge heard his groans and stopped to ask if he could do anything for him. Noah said, "Water," the rebel officer filled his canteen from a nearby river and gave it to him. Noah said, "God bless you," the rebel left. The rebels soon retreated back past Noah. He was left about midway between the two firing lines. There he lay for 9 terrible hours. He was hit a total of 8 times.

When Noah was recovered by his forces, he had lost so much blood that he was barely alive. Noah spent 5 months in the hospital and was near death many times. The Dr. tried to save his leg, but gangrene and erysipelas set in his wounds. The left leg was amputated and his left arm was ever after useless. His brother, Sam stayed by his side and his brother Moses was his nurse. The surgeons ordered alcoholic stimulants and large quantities of opium for the pain. The opium habit was abandoned by strong will and effort, but he used alcohol and stimulants the rest of his life as the stump never healed properly and he was forever in great pain.

After the war Noah practiced medicine at Shanesville, Ohio. One day Dr. Yoder started out to visit a patient accompanied by William H. Shie. In attempting to cross the bridge at Barr's Mill, where the road is very narrow and covered by water, the front wheel of the buggy went off the bridge throwing them into the creek. The current was strong and after a brief struggle Noah drowned. His companion got out of the water without much trouble.

As a footnote to Noah's story; His widow and 5 year old only son died from burns received on 31 Dec 1881. The Knights of Pythias had a New Year's Eve. party at Henry Goeller's Hall on the second floor. In a hall about 20X33 over 250 people were present. The floor collapsed in the middle throwing people, stove, tables and all down to the lower level into a space about 4 feet wide. Amazingly there were only 4 deaths.

Yoder, Moses F ( brother of Noah)....... served Co. G 51st OVI, appointed Corporal ; 20 Jun 1864 , wounded at Battle of Kenesaw Mountain; 2 Jul 1864, died in hospital ; buried, National Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN.

(Two other brothers served in the war. Yoder, Jacob..... served 1st Ohio Light Artillery, while on campaign up the Red River, LA., he fell from the boat while assisting wounded soldiers and was drowned, 22 May 1864 ......and Yoder, Samuel S...... served 2nd Lt., Co. K 178 OVI, and became a US Senator after the war.)

Submitted by.......Brendasueg (Brenda Moore Gaede) "Noah W. Yoder was my husband's great-great grandfather. The above information is very well documented. I hope you find his story of some interest......Sincerely, Brenda Moore Gaede"