Warren Corbitt

Narrative:

     Warren Corbitt was born on 14 Oct 1841 in Cold Springs, Kentucky.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Campbell Co., Kentucky, enumerated 10 Aug 1850, in the household of John and Mary Dye and their four young children. His relationship with them is unknown, but his presence there suggests one or both of his parents had died.¹⁴
     Warren has not been found in the 1860 census, though it appears he was in Kentucky.

Joining the Confederate Military --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Warren enlisted as a private in Company I, 2nd Kentucky Cavalry 10 Sep 1862, at Lexington, Kentucky.¹⁵ The regiment, led by Gen. John Hunt Morgan, conducted a series of bold and sometimes reckless raids through Tennessee and Kentucky. It moved rapidly, cutting general supply lines, tearing up railroads and bridges, destroying large quantities of enemy supplies, and rounding up thousands of Federal prisoners. Its famous Ohio Raid of July 1863 was the longest Confederate cavalry raid of the war, covering more than 1,100 miles in about three and a half weeks. However, on this foray most of the men were surrounded and captured.¹⁶
     Warren was captured at Cheshire, Ohio, on 20 Jul 1863.¹⁷ He was taken to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, arriving there 22 Aug 1863.¹⁷ The camp became one of the largest Union prisoner of war camps, and was known for its harsh conditions, both because of the treatment of the prisoners and the winter weather. About 26,000 Confederate prisoners passed through the camp, with the population exeeding 6,000 at times. By all reports, the number of prisoner deaths was considerably larger than official number of 4,454.¹⁸

Joining the Union Army --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     In Feb 1865 Warren applied to take an oath allegiance to the Federal Government, stating he had been loyal but had enlisted through false representations.¹⁹ He enlisted 30 Mar 1865 in Company I, 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, as a private, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, for a term of three years. He may have been influenced by the fact that John T. Shanks, a former member of Gen. Morgan's cavalry, would lead the company. He was the only former Confederate soldier to become and officer in the U.S. Volunteers.^20,21 The U.S. Volunteers, sometimes know as the Galvanized Yankees, were formed with former Confederate soldiers recruited in Union prisoner of war camps. They were sent to the western frontier so they would not meet their former comrades in battle.²²
     In early Apr the 6th Regiment marched to Camp Fry, on the outskirts of Chicago for training. It then traveled by rail to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, arriving there 11 May 1865.²³ Warren was promoted to commissary sergeant for the regiment, effective 1 Jun 1865.²⁴ While his company and the others were sent off to protect telegraph and state lines, it appears Warren remained at regimental headquarters. It was moved to Denver on 14 Jun 1865.²⁵ The regimental headquarters was moved to Camp Douglas, Utah Territory, overlooking Salt Lake City, on 6 Nov 1865. It remained there until late spring, when it moved temporarily east to Fort Bridger.²⁶ The regimental staff then marched some 400 miles to Fort Sedgwick, Colorado Territory, its final location, arriving there 15 Jul 1866.²⁷ He was mustered out 10 Oct 1866, at Fort Kearny, Nebraska Territory.²⁸

Returning to Civilian Life --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     He was a farmer after the war.^29,30
     Warren married first Martha E. Christy, daughter of Churchill G. Christy and Maria Cobb, on 30 Jan 1868 in Decatur Co., Indiana, with Rev. L. D. Robinson officiating.^7,8
     Warren and Martha settled in Indiana after they married. They appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Jackson Twp., Jackson Co., Indiana, enumerated 18 Jul 1870, reporting no real or personal estate. Their daughter Nora was listed as living with them. They were apparently living near her brother Joshua and his wife, as they were listed as the preceding household.³
     Warren and Martha appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Jackson Twp., Jackson Co., Indiana, enumerated 10 Jun 1880, as were Rebecca Beeman, an 18-year-old domestic servant, and David Ross, a 15-year-old hired hand. Their children Nora, Bertha, Christy and Robert were listed as living with them. Her uncle, Elkanah Cobb, and his family were apparently living nearby, as they were listed as the next household.³¹
     His wife died on 5 Oct 1882.³²
     Warren moved to Ohio after his wife died, but just when is unknown.

A Second Marriage --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Warren married second Mary Catharine Niehaus, daughter of John F. Niehaus and Margaret L. Clayfort, on 29 Jun 1891 in Hamilton Co., Ohio, with Rev. Silvester Weeks, Methodist minister, offciating.^9,10,11
     Warren and Mary appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Delhi Twp., Hamilton Co., Ohio, enumerated 5 Jun 1900, reporting they owned their home, free of mortgage. His son Robert was listed as living with them.³³
     He was a sand dealer, selling molding sand, by 1900, continuing until his death.^34,35,36
     Warren and Mary appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Delhi, Hamilton Co., Ohio, on Shady Ave., enumerated 2 May 1910, reporting they owned their home, free of mortgage. His daughter Nora was listed as living with them.³⁷
     Warren left a will dated 28 Aug 1911 stating he was of Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio, in which he directed that all his debts and funeral expenses be paid from his estate. He gave all his real estate to his second wife for her lifetime, at her death to be divided equally between his children Nora, Bertha and Robert. All his personal property, including feed and stock, was to be sold, except household effects, tools, farm implements, and chickens, but including tools used in the sand business and all vehicles. After paying for "a suitable stone" for his grave and administration expenses, the proceeds of the sale, all his money, and bills receivable was to be shared by his wife and three children equally. The household goods and tools not sold were to go to his wife, as was the sand business. He appointed his wife executrix.³⁸
     Warren died on 1 Jun 1917 in 6468 Revere St, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio, at age 75.¹² He was buried on 4 Jun 1917 in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, Campbell Co., Kentucky.¹³
     His will was proved on 9 Jun 1917 in Cincinnati.³⁸