Thursday, August 30, 2012

PVT Smith Bateman

PVT Smith Bateman was born in 1841 in Augusta County, Virginia the 7th of 8 children of Smith and Susan (Lohr) Bateman. His father was a farmer whose property near Staunton, Virginia was valued at $1488 in 1850 $3720 in 1860. 

Smith had enlisted in the 32nd Virginia Militia Regiment before March 1860 but he didn't enlist in H Company 5th Virginia Infantry until 10 Mar 1862. This was just prior to the first battle of Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862 and the beginning of BG Jackson's Valley Campaign. PVT Bateman fought in the battles of that campaign and was apparently noticed because he was promoted to CPL on 16 Jul 1862. He was with the unit in the 2nd battle of Manassas on 30 Aug 1862 in which he was one of the 14 men killed in action.

We believe that he was buried on the battlefield.

His 4 brothers also served during the war PVT William F Bateman was killed in action on 30 May 1864 at Bethesda Church in G Company 52nd Virginia Infantry commanded by brother CPT Elijah Bateman.  George W. and James P. Bateman  served as PVTs in E Company 1st Virginia Cavalry.

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