The Importance of a System: Collecting and Collating

Let me give you an example of the importance of systematic collection and collation of your information.

I have a Defenders Certificate for Jeremiah D. Bulman of C Company 24th Wisconsin Infantry showing service in the Union Army from July 29 1863 until 4 August 1865. It is signed by Captain C. or G. Baumbaugh (spelling?) and Lieutenant W. Hurlong (spelling?). It will become clear a little later that it is likely that some clerk filled in and signed the forms.

I also have Certificate of Service to the State of Wisconsin dated 8 July 1901. It states that Jarimias Bullman was a Corporal in the 2nd Battery Light Artillery Volunteers. He enrolled on 16 September 1861 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a term of three years and was mustered into service on 1 October 1861 at Racine, Wisconsin. He was discharged 18 December 1861 at Racine, Wisconsin at the age of 26.

In the obituary for Jeremiah (Jere) D. Bulman, he is listed as serving in Company C, 24th Wisconsin.

OLD SOLDIER FOUND DEAD

Jere Bullman, Town of Washington 

Jere Bullman was found dead this morning at his home in the town of Washinton near Nine-Mile Creek. Dr. Bailey of Eau Claire was called to ascertain the cause of death and found the cause heart failure and that death occurred about 4 o'clock this morning.

Mr. Bulman [sic] was about 67 years old. He was a veteran of Company C, 24th Wisconsin. 

He leaves a widow and several sons and daughters.
 

In the American Civil War Soldiers database, a Jarimia Bullman is listed under the same dates as having Distinguished Service and that he was promoted to Full Corporal. He was living in Washington Township and has surviving relatives that fit our family.

The Civil War Service Records list a Jerry Bullman, Company C, 24 Wisconsin Infantry, Private on enlistment and discharge in the Union Army. There is a note: Bollman Jerry. This note is important. 

In the Wisconsin Census for 1890 under Wisconsin Veterans Schedule, the database lists a Jerrymiah D. Bolman of Eau Claire County, Enumeration District 139 Washington Township. There is also a listing for Jerry Bolman in the same County, ED and Township. Both are on page 2.

When you actually locate and sight the actual Schedule on page 2 of SD 5, ED 139, you find that a Bolman Jerrymiah D. and Bolman Jerry are listed for the correct units and dates as the certificates having the same house and family number. This is the same person according to the records who is listed under the Altoona Post-Office Address. Under disabilities incurred, "Lungs" is noted for both entries.

So, why did change units? He may have fallen ill in the Wisconsin winter. He is listed in the Second Battery, Light Artillery muster sheet (where he is listed as Bullman, Jarimia) as having been Discharged.

In the Wisconsin Volunteers (War of the Rebellion 1861-1865) which was compiled under the direction of the Adjutants General during the years 1895-1999 and published by the State of Wisconsin in 1914, Bulman, Jerry D. is listed as a Private in Company C of 24th Wisconsin. A Bulman, Henry, (likely brother) is listed as a Corporal in Company A of 28th Infantry. Bulman, Nathaniel, (another brother) is listed as Private in Company A 28th Wisconsin. Their cousins (likely) are listed as Bulman, Erwin C., a Private in Company C of the 38th Infantry and Bulman, Grisel, a Private in Company G 36th Infantry. (Pages 129-130)

In the Company A roster for the Twenty-Eighth Regiment Infantry, on page 367*, are listed Bulman, Henry, Pewaukee, Aug. 11, '62, Corp.; M.O. (mustered out of the regiment) Aug. 23, '65. There is also Bulman, Nathaniel, New Berlin, Aug. 11, '62, Last reported. sick in Wisconsin, Dec. 20, '62. (I have to find my notice in the files about his being listed in State documents as a potential deserter after the war).

On page 262*, for the Roster of Company C of 24th Wisconsin, we have Captain (later major) Carl Von Baumbach and Captain Charles Hartung (2nd Lieutenant). Bullman, Jerry, New Berlin, Aug. 4, '62, Absent sick at M.O. of Regt. 

(*Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Volume II. Compiled by the Authority of the Legislature, Under the Direction of Jeremiah M. Rusk, Governor, and Chandler P. Chapman, Adjutant General, Madison, Wisconsin, 1886).

The vast majority of the men on the roster listed Milwaukee as their residence. Of the seven officers, only one, Hartung (Two Rivers) did not list his residence as Milwaukee. In fact, the 24th was known as the Milwaukee or German regiment. How did Jerry get in this regiment from New Berlin and why did his brothers join the 28th which seems to be mustered from around Brookfield, Waukesha, etc.?

I am still looking. But, I should mention a brief synopsis of the 24th can be found in Chapter 32 of the Military History of Wisconsin (pages 720-733).