THURSTON, Irvin Harris

  General Notes:

Studied medicine in Delaware, Ohio; attended a six months' course of lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio in 1852-54; spent a year in travel in different states, practicing some in operative surgery and looking for a place to locate. In the fall of 1855 settled in Salem, Iowa. In the spring of 1857 he moved to Garden City, took a claim and worked it and practiced his profession until the Civil War broke out (Thurston Genealogy, p461) Irvin saw 3 years service with the 8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War as a surgeon.

Regimental History MINNESOTA EIGHTH INFANTRY (Three Years):

Eighth Infantry.--Col., Minor T. Thomas; Lieut.-Col., Henry C. Rogers; Majs., George A. Camp, Edwin A. Folsom. This regiment was organized in the summer and fall of 1862 and was mustered in by companies. It was sent to the vicinity of the Indian raids, with headquarters at Fort Ripley. Co. A was sent to Anoka and Princeton and E to Monticello, both being on duty at the Chippewa agency in December. Headquarters were established at St. Cloud in the spring of 1863, but a small garrison was left at Fort Ripley, under Lieut.-Col. Rogers and Co. F was detached to Princeton and Sunrise, the remainder of the regiment moving to the Sioux frontier. Co. A was stationed at Kingston and Manannah, E at Paynesville, B at Sauk Center, D at Pomme de Terre, K at Alexandria, C, G and H at Fort Abercrombie under Maj. Camp, and they were detailed in small squads for patrolling the frontier. They were in many slight skirmishes with the Indians, losing a number of men at Pomme de Terre, Kandiyohi Lake, Paynesville and other points. As mounted infantry the regiment joined Sully's expedition against the Sioux in May, 1864, the several companies coming together at Paynesville for the first time. The Indians had been driven west of the Missouri the previous summer and the expedition started June 5, joined Gen. Sully's command about July 1, crossed the river July 9, was in the battle of Killdeer mountain, where the Indians were defeated and driven into the mountains. Cos. E, F, H and I followed them through the ravines and drove them from the hills. They then returned to the supply train on Heart river and moved at once on the Bad Lands, which were reached Aug. 5. On the 8th they were attacked just at the edge of the plain by 5,000 Indians, who were driven for 12 miles, with a loss in killed and wounded of nearly 1,000, the troops losing about 100, only 9 of whom were killed. This battle was called "Waps-Chon-choka" by the Indians. The troops reached the Yellowstone on the 12th and Fort Union on the 18th, turned towards home in September, when 20 men from each company were detailed to go to the relief of Capt. Fisk, who with a party of emigrants, was surrounded by Indians. This was accomplished quickly, the regiment reached Fort Snelling Oct. 15, and left the state Oct. 26 for Murfreesboro, Tenn., where it was joined by those who had been left in Dakota. It assisted in driving the enemy away from the blockhouse at Overall's creek, and in a reconnaissance a few days later was given the front, its reputation as an "Indian" regiment having preceded it. It Participated in the charge on the Wilkinson pike that routed the enemy, but lost 90 in killed and wounded in 30 minutes. It was ordered to Columbia and assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 23d corps, and followed Hood to the Tennessee river. It was then ordered to North Carolina and reached New Berne early in March, 1865. It participated in the battle of Kinston, where Bragg's force was repeatedly repulsed, occupied Goldsboro, March 22, joining Sherman's forces at that point. It then did provost guard duty at Raleigh until May 12, when it moved to Charlotte, from which point it was ordered home and was mustered out July 11, 1865.

Battles Fought

Fought on 02 May 1863 at Pomme De Terre, MN.
Fought on 11 June 1863.
Fought on 11 September 1863 at Meeker County, MN.
Fought on 02 September 1864.
Fought on 20 September 1864.
Fought on 03 December 1864 at Nashville, TN.
Fought on 07 December 1864 at Cedars, TN.
Fought on 07 December 1864 at Murfreesboro, TN.
Fought on 07 December 1864 at Wilkinson's Pike.
Fought on 07 December 1864 at Wilkinson's Pike, TN.

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  Noted events in his life were:

• He appeared on the census in 1850 in Berlin Township, Delaware Co., OH. ⁴

• He appeared on the Federal census in 1860 in South Bend Township, Blue Earth Co., MN.

• He appeared on the Federal census in 1880 in Rapidan, Blue Earth Co., MN.

• He was employed. Doctor

• Military: Civil War, 1862-1865. Major Irvin H. Thurston, Surgeon 8th Minn. Vol. Inf., Co F. Enlisted Sept 11th, 1862, discharged July 11, 1865., p461
Enlisted as a Assistant Surgeon on 12 September 1862 at the age of 34
Commission in Company S, 8th Infantry Regiment Minnesota on 12 September 1862
Promoted to Full Surgeon on 14 June 1865
Mustered out on 11 July 1865 in Fort Snelling, MN

Irvin married Fredonia CASE on 11 Feb 1849. (Fredonia CASE was born in Liberty Township, Delaware Co., Ohio and died in Nov 1851.)

Irvin next married Lydia Ellen DUNHAM, daughter of John Ellison DUNHAM and Vashti WILLITS, on 15 Feb 1856 in Salem, Henry Co., Iowa.¹ (Lydia Ellen DUNHAM was born on 15 Feb 1836 in Wayne County, IN,² died on 19 Jul 1869 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., MN and was buried in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., MN.)

Irvin next married Mary Francis GERRY, daughter of Edison GERRY and Sarah, in 1870. (Mary Francis GERRY was born on 13 Oct 1845 in White Plains, NY ⁵ and died about 25 Apr 1940 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., MN.)