Wood - Ritts History

David Chesteen Wood

David Chesteen Wood was born between Aug 3 and Sept 10, 1819 [based on the enumeration dates for the 1850 and 1860 Federal Census of Wyoming, Iowa County, WI] near Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky to Ezekiel and Anny (Walker) Wood. David’s middle name (Chesteen) is rather unusual and I have not been able to determine where that name comes from. Often someone is named for a close relative or friend, but I cannot find anyone with the name of Chesteen in Ezekiel’s family or someone close to Ezekiel’s family.

Sometime between 1820 and 1828 David, with the rest of Ezekiel’s family, moved to Fayette County, Illinois near Vandalia [source: Fayette Facts]. David was enumerated as part of Ezekiel’s family in the 1820 census for Christian County, KY; the 1830 census for Fayette County, IL; the 1840 census for Fayette County, IL. Sometime around 1845 David moved to Wyoming, Iowa County, Wisconsin [soure: Granderson’s land purchase] and was part of Granderson’s family in the 1850 census which listed his age as 31. Then in the 1855 Wisconsin State Census, David is listed as living alone next door to his brother, Samuel Francis. In the 1860 Wyoming, Iowa County, WI census, David is living in the same house working as a farmer, aged 40. David had purchased 40 acres from the federal government on June 1, 1858.

Land purchase June 1, 1858

As the Civil War broke out David decided to join the 12th Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers at the age of 42 (the Muster-In document states his age as 43). This was very unusual since the average age of Civil War soldiers was 26. David enlisted on Sept 18, 1861 in Dodgeville, WI for a three year assignment, and was mustered in on Oct 18, 1861 in Madison, WI as a Corporal assigned to Company C, 12th Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry.

David Chesteen Wood Civil War Portrait

D C Wood's Enlistment Record

David was recorded in each of the Company Muster Rolls (Feb 28, 1862; March/April, 1862; May/June, 1862; July/Aug, 1862; Sept/Oct, 1862; Nov/Dec, 1862; Jan/Feb, 1863; April 11, 1863; March/April, 1863; May/June, 1863). The July/Aug, 1863 Company Muster Roll states that David “died in regimental hospital at Vicksburg 5 July 1863”. He died the day after Vicksburg surrendered on July 4, 1863.

Final Muster Role for Company C, 12th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry

The Casualty Sheet which is part of David’s Compiled Service Record at the National Archives in Washington DC, incorrectly states he died at Gettysburg, PA. This Casualty Sheet is a summary of the information listed in the Register of Deceased Soldiers, Vol 3, 1863.

Casualty Sheet for D C Wood

The Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers states that David died of disease [source: on-line]. This unfortunately was very common as more soldiers died of disease than in battle. The 12th Regiment lost 3 Officers and 93 Enlisted men (killed and mortally wounded) as well as 3 Officers and 224 Enlisted men by disease (total 323). [source NPS on-line]

David is buried in the Vicksburg National Cemetery, Vicksburg, Mississippi in Section G, #5252.

Vicksburg, Mississippi National Cemetery Map


David Chesteen Wood's Gravestone

For a comprehensive listing of the 12th Regiment’s Civil War activities and engagements click here (under construction).

More to come!