Civil War Veteran

Name Joseph Havens
Rank Private
Military Age 21
Service Entry Age 21
Muster In Age 21
Muster Out Age 24
Birth Date abt 1840
Birth Place Delaware Co, Ohio
Height 5' 4
Hair Red
Eyes Gray
Complexion Sandy
War Years 1861-1865
War Civil War
Company A
Unit 5th Illinois Cavalry
Period 3 Yrs
Service Entry Date 31 Aug 1861
Service Entry Place Prairie City, Illinois
Joined By Whom Cpt Pierson
Muster In Date 31 Aug 1861
Muster In Place Camp Butler, Illinois
Muster Out Date 30 Aug 1864
Remarks Term Expired
Residence Place Cumberland Co, Illinois
Marital Status Single
Occupation Farmer
Record Source Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls
***********************************************************************************
5th Illinois Cavalry Regiment

Cols., Hall Wilson, John McConnell; Lieut. -Cols., Benjamin L. Wiley, Thomas A. Apperson, Abel H. Seeley; Majs., Speed Butler, Thomas A. Apperson, Abel H. Seeley, James Farnan, Horace P. Mumford, George W. McConkey. This regiment was organized at Camp Butler in Nov., 1861, and mustered in for three years. On Feb. 20, 1862, it moved to Benton barracks, St. Louis, Mo., and on March 27, marched to Doniphan, arriving there on April 1, driving out the enemy, capturing his camp, killing 3 and taking 7 prisoners. In October a forage train was attacked by the enemy and 79 of the regiment were captured, after losing 1 killed and 6 wounded. In the spring of 1863 it entered the Vicksburg campaign and on June 3 made a reconnoissance to Mechanicsburg, drove the enemy 10 miles, skirmishing heavily. On the following day it formed a junction with two regiments of infantry and 8 pieces of artillery, attacked the enemy and defeated him, the regiment losing 1 killed and 7 wounded. In July it accompanied an expedition to Canton, Miss., arriving there after some fighting, and after destroying the public workshops, railroads, etc., returned to the main army at Jackson. On Aug. 21 it encountered and defeated Blythe's Confederate cavalry at Coldwater, the regiment losing 1 killed and 5 wounded. In October it took part in a cavalry charge at Brownsville, routing the Confederate Gen. Wirt Adams, and driving him from his position, the regiment losing 2 wounded and 1 prisoner. On Jan. 1, 1864, many in the regiment reenlisted as veterans, and in March were furloughed home, returning to the command on May 10. The remainder of the regiment's term of service was spent in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, engaged in scouting and guard duties. It was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., Oct. 27, 1865.

The regiment suffered 28 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died of their wounds and 5 officers and 414 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 447 fatalities