- James H. Dennison enrolled in Co A, 14th W.Va. Infantry, on Jul 28 1862 in West Union. He mustered in as a Private on Aug 23 1862 in Wheeling. His military file states that he died of typhoid fever in a hospital at New Creek on May 15 1863.
Actual cause and circumstances of James H. Dennison's death may have been quite different than reported, according to information in the 91-page file pertaining to his widow's pension application, summarized as follows:
Lt. E L Wade [Elijah Luark Wade (1836-1910)] testified 14 Aug 1866 that James Dennison complained of one of his knees hurting him on 15 Nov 1862. Wade took Dennison to the surgeon, but was told that nothing was wrong with him and ordered him back to duty. Dennison remained in pain all winter, sometimes able to perform his duties and other times confined to his tent. Wade took Dennison back to the surgeon on 1 May 1863 because he was complaining very much about the pain in his knee. He could only move about with the aid of a cane. Wade took him to the surgeon several times, but was always refused treatment on the grounds that there was nothing wrong with Dennison. Finally the surgeon threatened to report Wade for punishment if he brought Dennison back in for another examination. Dennsion was ordered back to duty. Wade did not make him report for duty, but took him back to his tent. Dennison died about 36 hours later. Wade says that Dennison did not die in the hospital as reported, but rather died in his tent.
|
1838 - 1863 (~ 25 years)
[1] 
