Major Jeremiah Davidson

Wounded Twice and a Prisoner
Narrow Escape #26
Ironton Register 12 May 1887

Submitted by: Shirley Reed

Major Jeremiah Davidson was badly wounded on the 24th of July, 1864, near Winchester, Va. The circumstances surrounding his misfortune were of a character that, notwithstanding his wounds, made his experience a very “narrow escape.” So the REGISTER tackled the Major for a rehearsal of the little affair, which was modestly and hesitatingly given.

The rebels had retreated down the valley, and the union forces had concentrated at Winchester to follow them up. But this “following them up” didn’t last very long, nor continue very far. Our advance had got no further than Kernstown when they found the rebels coming up in force and in a style that meant business.

Our troops retreated as the rebs steadily advanced, and it was during this retreat that Major Jeremiah Davidson met with his little accident, which we will tell substantially in his own words.

“Our regiment, the 2nd Va. Cavalry, was on the left of the pike and about a mile and a half from Winchester. My company at the head was moving in a column when Col. Powell ordered us to charge a battery that had taken a position on the other side of a field. In coming to the front, the Regiment galloped to my left, and we swept toward the battery.

Still, for some reason, the left kept going further to the left, and as I tried to keep with them, we got from the front of the battery and soon found ourselves charging infantry in the skirts of the woods. The country is rolling, with many little ups and downs, but on we went, and when we were within a hundred feet of the enemy’s line, their fire was pretty hot. Here it was that Capt. Barber, Ed. Thomas, Press Lunceford, and others were killed or mortally wounded.

“Here, too, was where I caught a ball. It struck my breastbone, went through, ranging to the side, and came out beneath the right shoulder. At the same time, my horse was shot and fell, and down I went with him. I immediately got on my feet again, for though I was bleeding freely from the mouth, I determined to try to escape.

But just as I stood up, a musket ball struck my left thigh, and down I went again, and then I thought I was done for—some of the rebs. I came to where I was, took a look, and went away. There was a log cabin about 50 feet distant, and I concluded to go to it.

“So I managed to get up and staggered toward it. When I got to the door, a couple of rebs. Soldiers helped me up the steps, and I lay down on the floor when I got in the room. Great gulps of blood came into my mouth, and I came near being choked to death—a reb. The surgeon came in, looked at my wounds, and went away without doing anything for me—some rebs. I took my boots, hat, haversack, and pocketbook, which contained about $60 in money. Some of them talked a little rough. I had $40 in my watch pocket that they didn’t happen to find.

“Well, I stayed there in that cabin for about two weeks. For the first eight days, I didn’t eat a bite. The old lady who lived there treated me well. I gave her twenty of the forty dollars and, with the other twenty, sent to Winchester for a doctor. He came, looked at me, said I was doing well enough, didn’t give me a thing, but got the $20 all the same.

“The reb. Army had passed on down the valley and into Maryland. I feared their return when they might take me in and off to the South. So an old colored man told me he would take me to where another fellow was hiding to keep from being drafted into the rebel army.

That was a mile or so distant in a heavy pine thicket. So I went there and spent ten days or so with that man. The old darkey brought me something to eat, and we slept under the blue canopy of heaven, but it was comfortable enough for it was mid-summer. It was rough on me, for I had no hat or shoes.

“Once when we thought the rebs. Might have passed on up the valley, we sallied forth to the pike but saw nothing to encourage us to relinquish our hiding place, so we returned. A day or so afterward, I decided to risk a trip to Winchester, about two miles distant. I could only limp slowly and tire quickly because of my wounded lung. I was bootless and hatless, and so presented a woe-begone appearance, and my appearance was by no means deceitful.

As I thus trudged along through the woods, not knowing whether I should meet friend or foe, I ran across some boys of my regiment who were out in a little ______. They were agreeably surprised, and I was correspondingly happy. They took me into Winchester, where I was amply provided for, and a leave of absence added to my joys.”

“Well, Major, I’m obliged to you for your interesting experience.”

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Major Jeremiah Davidson – obituary

Major Jere Davidson Died Shortly Before Noon Today

Semi-Weekly Register, Friday, August 16, 1918

            There passed from among us shortly before noon today one of Ironton’s oldest, most esteemed, and honorable residents, Major Jeremiah Davidson. He was 83 years of age and, while not ill from any specific cause, for some time past, had been enfeebled and debilitated by the ravages of age.

He was one of the oldest residents of Lawrence County, having been born in Burlington, Ohio, 93 years ago last January. Major Jeremiah Davidson was able to be up and about the streets on Tuesday of this week. Despite the heat and discomfort, he seemed to stand a walk of several blocks without undue discomfort or fatigue.

His condition, however, for the past several weeks has been such as to cause his immediate family deep concern. They realized that the end was rapidly approaching, and despite all, they could do to prevent it, the final summons came today at 10:30 at his home at the corner of Fourth and Washington street.

Major Davidson came from a family that has made history in Lawrence county and was a publicist, citizen, and soldier. No man has ever been given a fuller measure of esteem and respect than he, and certainly, no city resident is more entitled to the encomiums than he. He has lived all his life in Lawrence county, and since before the war, he has been an honored and respected resident of the city of Ironton.

He has held many places of public trust and, at various times, had engaged in the mercantile business in this city. He was united in marriage to Clara C. Crawford; two sons were born to them, Dr. Hugh C. Davidson and James Davidson. Another son, Edward A. Thomas, of Shreveport, La., also survives. All the boys have been notified by wire, and all will probably be here for the funeral, which will be held Saturday afternoon at the late home, with Rev. P. E. White of the First M. E. church in charge.

Major Davidson’s record is pre-eminently one of his heroic achievements. He was fearless and capable, and several promotions in rapid succession came as a reward for unexampled bravery and heroism.

Major Davidson was one of Ironton’s best-known and most beloved citizens. He was a lifetime resident of this community, and no man was ever held in higher esteem than he. We have known him since our earliest childhood and lost one of our best friends. He was out last Tuesday, primary day, and he walked to the voting precinct two blocks from his home.

He informed the election officials that he did not care to vote for but one person on the ticket, and he named the writer of this article as the man for whom he desired to vote. He returned to his home, and when we learned today that he had been called to his reward, we were grieved, though in a measure prepared to hear of it at any time.

            Major Jeremiah Davidson was a hero and veteran of the Civil War, and no braver or truer soldier has ever left Lawrence county for the battlefields. He was wounded several times during the war, but once a bullet passed completely through his body, he was left dead on the battlefield. He was later found and brought to his home in Ironton, where he was lovingly nursed back to health.

He won many promotions on the battlefield, each recognizing his valorous conduct under fire. Major Davidson was a staunch Republican in politics and, for many years, was actively interested in public affairs. He has held many public places of trust and, not so very long ago, served as postmaster of the city of Ironton. He had been a member of the City Council, the Board of Education, and Sinking Fund Trustees and was Commander of Dick Lambert Post G. A. R for many years.

            Major Jeremiah Davidson was a Masonic Fraternity member and one of the oldest Masons in the state. He was naturally a jovial, whole-hearted, agreeable gentleman and the very soul of honor. He was a splendid citizen, a loyal, faithful, and true husband and father, and this city and county are unanimous in paying him tribute.