Many of us have heard old family stories that have been passed down through the years. They typically begin based upon facts but get altered a bit as they pass from person-to-person over long periods of time. This is true of my wife's great-great grandfather Azariah Cottman Pusey (1842-1924) and his service with in the Civil War. The family story was preserved in a taped interview from a son of Azariah, Gorman Pusey, in 1973 where he recounts that Azariah was inducted initially into the Union army but then deserted to rejoin his family. When the Confederate army came through they told him that he was now in the Confederate army and that if he deserted, they would shoot him. Azariah was surrounded by Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg, and as Gorman recounted when their rifles were trained on him, one officer said "Don't shoot the son of a bith", to which Gorman added "And that's how my papy came to have me". A further part of the story was that Azariah Pusey changed his first name to be less apparent should he be caught by the Union and charged with treason.
To make matters worse, this researcher had pegged Azariah as serving with the UNION ARMY since he was listed on the 1890 Veterans Census as serving with Company E, 1st Maryland Cavalry from Nov 1862 to Jan 1864. That record was supposed to have been to account for Union veterans only but, as I found later, some Confederate vets are listed there probably due to confusion of like-named units in the border states. The family story that no doubt got altered as it was handed down through more than 100 years but, it is based in fact, for the most part, Additionally, my initial error connecting him to the Union Army makes things confusing as to Azariah's service record so I am here to set the record straight.
From the actual records at the National Archives, we find that Azariah joined the CSA in Nov 1862 under the name Osiah/Usiah/Uzariah Pusey. The fact that he deserted from the Union Army cannot be confirmed in the records. My guess is that he was indeed drafted to serve in the Union but defected to the south before joining as many young men did in this area back then. Also, the story of him getting confronted by Union soldiers and let go is based in fact but not entirely correct as, his official records show he was taken as a POW near Winchester, VA on Jun 12 1863 and immediately exchanged two weeks later when he continued service with his CSA unit.
Also, the Gettysburg capture is family fiction as the 1st MD Cavalry saw no action at Gettysburg as they were confined to provost duty on the periphery the battle. Here is what historians say about the 1st MD Cavalry and Gettysburg: "Just short of Carlisle, Gilmor was directed to report to General Ewell somewhere south near a town called Gettysburg. Upon his arrival on the 1st, Gilmor was directed to provide support to Pogue's and Carter's batteries. Co. A., was placed on provost duty in the town, and saw no action. As the battle progressed the 1st Md. was used exclusively as couriers and to support artillery. They saw no mounted action, despite what some historians write about their taking part in the great cavalry battle east of Gettysburg on the third day."
All this stated, the story of Azariah Pusey is fascinating and I would have loved to sit down and have a beer with the gentleman and have him tell his story - below is as it exists in my genealogical files now based upon research with the National Archives. The reader and genealogy researcher is cautioned that family legend is just that until the facts can be shown in the primary source records. Also, it cautions that even the through research can throw us off if we do not dig deeply into the records (my error trusting the 1890 Veterans Census). Here is the more thorough research:
His Civil War service record is filed under "O.C. Pusey" at the National Archives but, in it, he is referred to variously as O.C., Oriah, Uriah, Uzariah, A.C. Pusey. His record states he signed up on Nov 29 1862 as a Private in Richmond, VA by Capt. R.B. Winder with Captain William I. Rasin's Company (known as Winder's Cavalry), Maryland Line, CSA. Winder's Cavalry became the 1st Maryland and Azariah was assigned to Company E therein.
Nov 29 1862 - mustered in at Richmond, VA as age 20 "for the War"
Feb 28 1863, his record states he was charged for "use and risk of a horse" $35.80 - this is when he was evidently issued a horse for his duties
Jun 12 1863, listed as captured by the 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps USA near Winchester, VA. His description is age 20, 5'-8" tall, fair complexion, dark eyes, dark hair from Somerset Co., MD and part of Co. E., 1st Maryland Rebel Volunteer Cavalry. He was arrested by Col Schell of the 87th PVI (PA volunteer infantry?)
Jun 12 1863, listed as a POW under Gen'l. Schenk on a roll taken at Winchester, VA, was on prisoner exchange and sent to Fortress Monroe, VA on Jun 26 1863 (POW for 2 weeks)
Jun 26 1863 roll, at Camp Lee, possessing a horse valued at $230
Jun 30 1863, listed on receipt roll for clothing
Jul/Aug 1863, listed as PRESENT, for risk and use of a horse, $24.00. He was "last paid" on Jun 30 1863 by Maj. Mason
Sep/Oct 1863, for risk and use of a horse, $24.00.
Nov/Dec 1863, listed as PRESENT, He was "last paid" on Oct 31 1863 by Capt. Dorsey
Apr 1 1864, listed as PRESENT, detailed as a teamster in the Regt., Last paid on Jan 1 1864 by Capt. Dorsey
Mar 30 1864, listed on receipt roll for clothing
Jul/Aug 1864, listed as PRESENT, detailed as a teamster, Last paid on Jan 1 1864 by Capt. Dorsey
Sep 30 1864, issued clothing
Nov/Dec 1864, listed as PRESENT, detailed as a teamster, Last paid on Mar 1 1864 by Capt. Dorsey
Apr 26 1865, listed as paroled part of Lee's Army when the Civil War ended
A fascinating story of a simple farmer during the trying times of the Civil War era.
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