Peter Wesley Booher, Sr.

Peter Booher was born in 1807 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, where he married Hannah Nancy Grubb. By the 1840's he and his wife had moved their growing family to Overton County, Tennessee. At the outbreak of the Civil War, the Booher family decided to go against the majority of that county in supporting the southern cause, and place their combined efforts in support of preserving the Union. On December 20, 1861, Peter, leaving a wife and youngest children behind, joined with his sons William and Abraham as the left Overton County to join the Union Army at Camp Boyle, KY. On January 4, 1862 the three were mustered-in as privates in the 3rd Regiment Kentucky Infantry for a three year enlistment. Two months later they found themselves fighting at the battle of Shiloh, TN March 29 thru April 7. Along with the regiment, they continued on to the siege of Corinth, MS April 19th – May 30th, and in pursuit to Booneville, MS May 30-June 6. All were involved in Buell's Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee from June to August. They marched to Nashville, TN., and Louisville, KY., in pursuit of Bragg, August 19-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-18. All fought at the Battle of Perryville October 8 and at Nelson's Cross Roads, KY., on October 18. They marched to Nashville, TN., October 18- November 7, and saw duty there until December 26. Peter was captured on December 6 and did not return back to his regiment until exchanged in a POW swap in January a month later. William and his younger brother Abraham continued on and were part of the advance on Murfreesboro December 26- 30 that fought a skirmish at Stewart's Creek December 29. They were part of the fiercest fighting during the Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862. It was at this battle during the fierce fighting around the area known as the "Round Forest" to the locals, and nicknamed "Hell's Half Acre" by the Rebels, where brothers William and Abraham fought alongside their regiment, and where Abraham Booher was killed. He is buried at the battlefield cemetery. The 3rd Kentucky was specifically identified for their sacrifice and courage during the battle. Peter returned to the regiment from a POW exchange on January 23rd, 1863. The 3rd Kentucky Infantry remained on duty at Murfreesboro until June of 1863 and participated in the Tullahoma Campaign Jun23- July 7. In September his reported duty is as a "hostler" for Col. Dunlap. Both he and his son were with the regiment at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19-20, the siege of Chattanooga September 24-October 26, the Ringgold Campaign, Orchard Knob, and Mission Ridge all in November. The regiment was heavily involved in the Atlanta Campaign from May to September 1864, participating in Added by: michael aldridge Added by: James Photos may be scaled. Click on image for full size.  Thank you, Great grandpa! - Jennie Jones Added: Jul. 11, 2013 Proud Soldier of the Union Army! - Ron Goode Added: Dec. 5, 2011 - family finder Added: Jun. 5, 2011   Advertisement http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9340345 Page 1 of 3 Peter Booher, Sr (1807 - 1888) - Find A Grave Memorial 8/13/15, 6:00 PM Advertisement the battles of Rocky Faced Ridge, Dalton, Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap, and the battle at Resaca on May 14-15, in which William was wounded and sent back to Fortress Rosecrans at Murfreesboro, TN to recover from his wounds. Peter moved with the regiment to Nashville, TN September 9-12; and on September 26 with William back in the regiment, the 3rd Kentucky Infantry transferred both Peter and his son to Co. A, 1st Kentucky Light Artillery by Special Order 249 of Major General Thomas for the remainder of their service. They saw duty at Elk River & Pulaski, TN during November and December and were discharged from the service on January 14, 1865 at Huntsville, Alabama. Their Regiment the 3rd Kentucky Infantry, had lost 6 Officers and 103 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded including Peter's son Abraham killed at the Battle of Stones River. Another 192 Enlisted men died of disease. The father, son, and the 3rd Regiment Kentucky Infantry, were involved in almost every major battle and campaign in the Western Theater during Civil War. Peter returned to farming in Overton County after the war. While away, he had lost his wife Nancy, mother to his nine children. He would marry again in 1869 to Miss Tennessee Garrett; they would have six children together. Peter may have falsely stated his age when he joined the service. His Official service record lists him as 45 years of age in 1864. From all indications he was a spry 54 years of age when he enlisted with his two sons in December 1861.