By: Mark Holtsberry
Paulding County has buried within its boarders seven veterans who fought in the Mexican War, but Richard Truitt only fought in The Mexican War, he enlisted twice to serve in The Civil War.
Richard C. Truitt, was born July 25, 1820, in Preble County. Raised on a farm, by parents that raised him to always give your best. In 1847, at the age of 27, he traveled to Newport, Kentucky to enlist as a private to serve in Company B. 1st United States Infantry. On April 9, 1847, the Company left Kentucky and headed to Mexico.
Richard came home to return to farming. While working the ground trying to make a living, he was also making shoes. When the winds of war began to blow again, Richard dropped the plow reins and his cobbler hammer, and went to Eaton, Ohio to enlist. He enlisted with Company C. 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private on April 17, 1861 and served three months. This Company was stationed at Camp Jackson, Columbus, Ohio. It was determined by The War Department, Washington D.C., that this war was not going to last more than three months. With that in mind, Richard and his Company, was mustered out of service, August 18, 1861 at Columbus, Ohio.
Probably bored, not wanting to sit by and watch, Richard took off for Lima, Ohio to re-enlist in the Army. August 20, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company E. 81st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was five foot eight inches tall, dark complexion, gray eyes, dark hair. He served in battles such as Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta and Sherman’s March to the Sea. Richard served over two and a half years and was mustered out of service, May 29, 1865, at Washington D.C.
Returning home to Preble County, Ohio, Richard met a girl named Alwilda Clear of Preble County, Ohio. She was born October 6, 1845, born in Indiana, the daughter of David and Amy (Jones) Clear.
By 1870, Richard and Alwilda were living in Latty Township, along with their two children. Richard was a shoe maker and a farm laborer. Interesting land claim, Homesteads to Settlers on Public Domain Act of May 20, 1862, made land available to Civil War Veterans. Richard was given eighty acres in Chillicothe, Ohio. A signed land transfer by President Grant, February 15, 1876 made this all possible. Not sure what happened to the ground, did Richard sell? By 1880, Richard and Alwilda and six children were living in Blue Creek Township, where Richard was working as a farm hand.
By 1890, Richard and Alwilda were living in Washington Township. With this union, they had eleven children, six of whom will live until adulthood. By 1900, Richard and Alwilda were still living in Washington Township, with the youngest child, Richard, still at home. At 79, Richard was still engaged in farming.
Richard passed away, October 17, 1906, and was buried in Middle Creek Cemetery, Grover Hill, Ohio. His wife, Alwilda, passed away December 16, 1937 and she was buried beside her two war Veteran.
Until Next Time!
