Five sons of Solomon Leach served in the Civil War: Philetus, Francisco, Enard, Sylvester, and Edgar. All lived through the battle to return to their families and take up their lives again, but with physical disabilities that in some cases rendered them unable to lead normal lives. Sylvester Leach applied for a pension based on his bouts of “pleurisy” and “rheumatism” that weakened him to the point he wasn’t always able to work. Enard Leach reported having a horse roll on him during the battle of 2nd Bull Run, and was left with back and leg problems described as “lameness.” Philetus, Edgar and Francisco Leach also applied for “Invalid Pensions.” A list of their service units and pension application dates follows:
Philetus E. Leach served as a Private in the 2nd Regiment, Company A, Iowa Cavalry. He applied for an Invalid Pension on September25, 1885; died February 21, 1915 at Forest City, Missouri.
SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image/2089197 accessed 2/1/2008). Entry for Philetus E. Leach, application# 550-487, widow Louisa Leach, application# 1042.754 dated March 4, 1915 and minor Louisa L. Wall, application# 1079.262 dated 12/1/1916.
Francisco Leach served first in Company F, 5th Infantry Regiment, Ohio, and later in Company B, 6th U.S. Cavalry. His Invalid Pension application is dated May 25, 1885. He died September 18, 1893.
SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image/5962647 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Francisco Leach, application#540.698, minor Hiram J. Russell (Gdn) application# 592.553 dated March 17, 1894.
Enard Leach served in Company I, 6th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry and applied for an Invalid Pension on September 5, 1882. Enard died February 20, 1920 at Clio, Michigan.
SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image 6022249 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Enard Leach, application# 459.053, widow application# 1153626 dated March 4, 1920.
Sylvester Leach was a Private in Company D of the 23rd Ohio Infantry. His Invalid Pension application is dated May 27, 1889; he died May 25, 1928 in Millington, Michigan.
SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image 5836493 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Sylvester Leach, application# 706759.
Edgar Fenton Leach served in Company D, 23rd Regiment, Ohio Infantry. Invalid Pension Application was filed June 23, 1880 and he died May 25, 1922 at Forest City, Missouri.
SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index: Images. (Footnote.com. http://www.footnote.com/image 5836487 accessed 2/1/2008) Entry for Edgar Leach, appleaction# 399.382, widow application# 1192.148 dated 7/27/1922.
These records show only the barest of minimum about the lives of these five men… but there’s more, and I’ll start adding it in the next few days.
Sue Edminster
