Died on this Date: EDWARD A. KING was born in Cambridge, New York on April 3, 1814. He was married to Sarah McNaughton, who died in Dayton on November 17, 1866. In 1853, Edward was appointed postmaster of Dayton, a position he held for eight years. When Texas struggled against Mexico and won her independence, Capt. King was among those who aided in that struggle. Mr. King volunteered for service in the Mexican War and participated in General Scott’s campaign leading up to the capturing of the city of Mexico. He held the rank of captain of the Fifteenth United States Infantry. The year the Civil War broke out, his company which was part of the formed 15th Regiment, left for battle and the town’s people turned out in record breaking numbers for the large celebration send off. This would be the fatal farewell for two of Daytons most prominent citizens: Hiram Strong (died 1863) and Edward A. King, both losing their lives in the Battle of Chickamauga. Captain King entered the war as he approached 50 years of age, a time most men would be seeking a comfortable retirement. For his first assignment, he reported to Governor Denison and was placed in charge of Camp Denison. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Nineteenth United States Infantry. He was ordered to Indianapolis to organize his regiment, in the summer of 1862, when Kirby Smith invaded Kentucky. Lt. Col. King temporarily took command of the Sixty Eighth Indiana Regiment to resist the enemy, and the regiment was one of those captured at the Battle of Mumfordville, when the Union Troops were defending the garrison at that place. King had saved the regimental flag by wrapping it around his body and carrying it until he was exchanged. Lt. Col. King returned to the field of battle where he was in command of the Second Brigrade. He participated in the hard fighting on September 19, 1863. On the afternoon of the 20th, he was killed by a Confederate sharp-shooter during a lull in the fight. His body was carried off the field on a caisson and buried at Rossville, being the only body taken off the field. The national government has erected a handsome shell monument on the spot where he was killed. This creates some wonder about where Lt. Col. King is truly buried. The cemetery records show him listed at Woodland. Edward A. King passed away September 20, 1863 and is located in Sec 68 Lot 177.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 13:40:55 +0000
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