John H. Fulton

According to the 1860 national census, Soldier John H. Fulton was 17 when he lived with his family of two sisters and a brother in Savannah, Georgia. He enlisted into the civil army just before war broke out. His siblings’ names were Caroline Kirk; age 30, James Kirk; age 22, and Adeline Fulton; age 19. Their 57 year old mother; Caroline, raised them all alone and owned both real estate and personal estate valuing more than $1,300 in total. Fulton was born around the year 1843 and attended school with his siblings until the age of 17.

At the tender age of 18 years old, Fulton was mustered into Virginia’s 6th Cavalry, company ‘E’ in September of 1861; where he began his service to our country of America. He was transferred from Savannah, Georgia to be mustered-in into the civil war. Once in Virginia, the soldier was present for roll in Richmond in Private J. F. Waring’s company October 16th, 1861. While contributing to society, Fulton agreed to bring his family horse along in the war. He was to be paid $24 every week for a month and 14 days. Unfortunately, there are not many records on this soldier that show the battles that he fought in.

In December of the same year, Fulton sadly became ill and was registered at the Front Royal General hospital in Danville, Virginia due to his sickness with typhoid fever that was contracted during the war. The typhoid fever, which is caused by varying bacteria, was the number two killer of soldiers during this time. Symptoms include high fever, intense headache, rash, and delirium, and is transmitted through lice. Records later show that in January of 1862, he was mustered-out of the army, most likely due to the sickness that he eventually passed away from.

Though his service to our country was cut short due to such tragedy, the young Fulton’s gratitude towards America and courage to commit to his army is commendable and will not be forgotten.

Works Cited:

National Census of 1860, Ancestry.com

Confederate Service record, 6th VA cavalry, Fold3.com