Ephraim C. Hemp (1840-1864) 110 OVI, Company H from a CDV in the posession of M1 Karen Montgomery

Empraim C. Hemp, the father of Mary Ellen Hemp, was born in 1840, and was probably killed on May 5, 1864, at the Battle of the Wilderness. Ephraim married Catharine Morrison on October 16, 1862. Catharine was born on August 12, 1842 (view marriage record), and died on February 2, 1944. Ephraim was the son of John Hemp (1816-1891) and Elizabeth Brunner (1817-1890) .

Ephraim C. Hemp (photo on right), his bother Wesley Hemp, and Adam Horine (a brother of George Tobias Horine) all fought in the Civil War for the 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company H. Wesley and Adam Horine returned from the war and lived long and prosperous lives...but, Ephraim was reported missing and presumed killed in the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. He was never heard from again.

From December 1862 through January 1863, he is listed as being "Absent, sick in hospital at Cumberland, Maryland". He was captured on June 15, 1863 at the Second Battle of Winchester. He was confined at Richmond, Virginia on June 23, 1863 (probably at Libby Prison). He was paroled on July 23, 1863 at City Point, Virginia. He returned to his regiment on October 5, 1863.

In December, 1863, he was, "Absent on furlough from fifteen days from December, 17, 1863". It is presumed that Ephraim spent some precious time with his wife, Catharine Morrison, and his only child, Mary Ellen Hemp, who would have been nine months old at the time of this furlough.

In the May-June 1864 Company Muster Roll, Ephraim Hemp is listed as, "Missing in action May 5 1864". In each successive Muster Roll until the end of the war, he is listed as "missing in action since 5/64", or as "Prisoner of War since 5/64". In the final Muster-out Roll, dated June 25, 1865, he is listed as, "Missing in Action at Wilderness, Va., May 5, '64 Supposed to have been killed".

One can only imagine the feelings that Catharine Hemp must have had in June of 1866, when she was asked to fill out the following form for the Department of the Interior:

Sir: You are respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the date and cause of death of Ephraim Hemp, who was a Private in Co. H, 110 Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, who is reported to have died at Battle of Wilderness VA on the 6th day of May, 1864, of wounds. Please attach this Circular to you report, and return the same to this office. No. 126.838 Respectfully, Yc., Joseph H. Barrett Surgeon Gen'l. U. S. A.

In the Battle of the Wilderness, thousands of its casualties were never identified. They were buried a year later in common graves at the National Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This was probably the fate of Ephraim Hemp, although it will never be proven.

Catharine was awarded a pension of $8.00 a month, commencing October 22, 1866. She remarried Alfred Howell on October 21, 1866. Alfred was born in 1818, and died on March 18, 1896. Catharine did not remarry after Alfred's death. She reapplied for a Restoration of Pension after Alfred died, and was awarded $20 per month, commencing September 8, 1916.

Catharine Morrison (see photo on left taken on her 98th birthday), or click here (98 kb file) to read a newspaper account of the birththday party, lived a very long life. She died at the age of 101 on February 7, 1944, and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Piqua, Ohio.

COVINGTON, Feb. 8 - This community's oldest resident, Mrs. Catherine Howell, 101, who died Monday morning at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Leathea Weaver of 212 E. Walnut st., will be buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery Thursday following funeral services at 2 p. m. at the Routzahn funeral home here.

One of nine children, Mrs. Howell was a daughter of Darke county pioneers who came here from Maryland by covered wagon.

Mrs. Howell was married to Ephraim Hemp a Darke co. farmer, who, shortly after marriage, entered the Civil War and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, A daughter Ella, was born after Mr. Hemp's enlistment with the Union forces and he never lived to see the child. Later she met and married Alfred Howell, who brought her to Miami co. to live on a farm between Covington and Piqua. Upon the death of Mr. Howell, 1? years ago, she took up residence with her daughter, Mrs. Weaver with whom she lived ever since-12 years in Dayton and the remaining years in Covington. Another daughter, Mrs. Fred Cordes resides on R. R. 2 Bradford. She has several grandchildren and ?? great-grandchildren.

Missing He comes not; we have watched the green leaves springing Upon the maple-trees, beneath whose shade, Glad as the blue-bird in its branches singing, Our soldier brother in his childhood played. He comes not yet; though, while those boughs were leafless, Peace o'er our bleeding land her mantle flung; And now November tours the crimson banner, October on the maple-trees had hung. He comes not, yet we seem about to meet him, If we but hear the murmur of the breeze, And, oh! how many times we've sprung to greet him; When leaves have rustled on the maple-trees. He comes not; how 'twould ease this ceaseless aching If he but slept with kindred 'neath the hill; They rest in peace, but our sad hearts are breaking Because of him--for he is missing still. E. B. Peterson's Magazine, 1866.