Saturday, April 28, 2007

The Hart Brothers of Ashe County

A while back, I wrote about the Robinett brothers of Alexander County (37th NCT), and the members of the Key family, two brothers and a cousin (18th NCT), all killed at the battle of Hanover Court House on May 27, 1862. I recently came across this tragedy in my current research.

On July 20, 1862, Riley, Joseph, and Andrew Hart enlisted in Company L, 58th North Carolina Troops. They were all from Ashe County. Riley G. Hart was born on November 13, 1831, and when he enlisted, he was the father of five children. Joseph Hart was next, born August 3, 1840 or 1842. Andrew Hart was the youngest, born March 4, 1843 or 1847. They were all the sons of John Hart and Nancy Floyd Hart.

Given the date that they enlisted, July 20, 1862, the Hart brothers were probably all conscripts. Almost all of Companies L and M of the 58th NCT were conscripts, which would explain their massive amounts of desertions. All were mustered in at the rank of private.

On May 26, 1863, all three brothers deserted from camp near Clinton, Tennessee. They headed northeast, but did not make it far before being "captured by the enemy" in Hawkins County. The brothers were sent to Lexington, Kentucky first, then transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio, where they arrived on June 29. From there, they were transferred to Fort Delaware, where they arrived on July 14, 1863.

Both Joseph and Riley died on August 26, 1863, while imprisoned at Fort Delaware. Riley died of "rubeola." Joseph’s cause of death was not reported. Andrew fared little better. He lived (just how much living you did while in a prison camp is debatable) until September 2, 1863, when he died of "typhoid fever." The brothers are buried in the Finn’s Point National Cemetery in Salem, New Jersey

9 comments:

  1. Just happened upon your article regarding the Hart Brothers of Ashe County. They also had another brother Stephen Hart and nephew Henderson Hart who were in the civil war. In addition they had four 1st cousins in the war. Two of these cousins were KIA. Two of them fought for the north (1 KIA). Also the Confederate Spy Nancy Hart was a 1st cousin.
    I am a direct descendent of their brother Stephen Hart.

    Enjoyed the article.
    Bill Miller
    bhcreek@gmail.com
    336-384-2225

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:01 PM

    Dear Mr. Hardy,
    This information is most invaluable - thank you so very much for sharing it. Like one of your other commentators, I am a direct descendant of Stephen Hart, an older brother who also served as a reservist (he was in his 40s). I knew the boys died at Fort Delaware but have been looking more details on their service and specific cause of death. I've been doing quite a bit of research on Ft. Delaware and this helps greatly.

    Best regards,
    Angie Lawson Blume
    angieblume@yahoo.com

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  3. Dear Mr. Hardy,
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story of these Hart brothers. Their sister Catherine "Katy" Hart is my direct line. I am looking forward to researching my Hart line this coming year.
    Bettina J.(HART)Allred
    bettinajallred@gmail.com
    Athens, GA

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:21 PM

    Hi,
    Riley is my Great Great Grandfather.
    David
    dmhchatt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Riley Hart is my Great Great grandfather too. His son Riley was my Great grandfather. I have visited Fort Delaware and the burial site on Pea Patch Island
    Edith
    Kentisland3@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:41 AM

      Riley Hart was my great grandfather too! Mary Cemantha Hart Dean was my grandma…..I live in SC my dad was Elmer L Dean Mary’s son!

      Delete
  6. I am a decendent of Washington Hart and Elizabeth Blevins(son Wilborne Blevins).

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am a decendent of Washington Hart and Elizabeth Blevins(son Wilborne Blevins).

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am the great granddaughter of Joseph Riley Hart who was the son of Riley Hart and Nancy Floyd. I had all the information except information on Henderson Hart and Nancy Hart as spy.
    Thanks
    Gerri Unitt gengerri@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete