Morris Yeoman
by Matt Hodge
Morris Yeoman was born in 1838. It should be
noted that there were several different spellings of the name Yeoman found
Youman, Youmans, Yeomans, and Yoaman. These records are compiled
with searches being used for all of these spellings. He came to Otterbein
College and was supposed to graduate in 1859 but never did due to the fact
that he joined the United States Military. He joined the Civil War
through the 95th Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Camp Chase. He later
transferred to the United States Colored Troops in Natchez Mississippi
and became the Lieutenant Colonel of the 70th Regiment [Yeoman was a white
officer]. His last known address was at 1242 Neil Avenue in Columbus
Ohio. There is no record of his death in Ohio; it is believed that
he lived after the war because in the Official Roster of the Soldiers book
it lists all wartime deaths and he was not mentioned.
Before the war began Yeoman was promoted to Captain
in 1861 so from the outset he was a captain in the 95th O.V.I. Company
F. On January 15th 1863 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of his
infantry. This infantry unit was organized on August 19th 1862 at
Camp Chase Ohio and served for three years. They later joined the
16th Infantry in 1864 and fought with them the rest of the war. They
were discharged on August 19th 1865. The losses for this unit included
fifty-nine in battle, and two hundred seventeen by disease.
Bibliography
The Civil War Archive. http://www.civilwararchive/unreghst/uncolinf3.htm#70
McPherson,James A. A Negro's Civil War. New York: Pantheon Books, 1965.
McPherson, James A. Marching Toward Freedom The Negro in the
Civil War 1861-1865. New York: Alfred A.
Knopf,1967.
Otterbein College Archive Room Folder 3, Westerville, Ohio.
Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of
the Rebellion. Vol.7. Ohio Valley Press, 1888.