SUBMITTED BY: Cynthia “C. C.” Howell Winslow
John Wesley Houck [Note: His obituary states his name as “John William Houck.”] was the son of Jacob Houck and Temperance “Tempy” Greer Tatum. He was my great-great-uncle.
Born in 1845, he enlisted in the Confederate Army at age 17 on March 27, 1862 in Ashe County, North Carolina and served in Company A, 26th North Carolina Infantry. He was present until wounded in the leg at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1863.
Houck returned to duty prior to January 1, 1864 and was present until taken prisoner at Petersburg, Virginia on April 2, 1865. [Note: His obituary states he was taken prisoner on March 1, 1865.] After being captured at Petersburg, Houck was sent to Point Lookout, Maryland, where he was held prisoner until June 13, 1865 when he was released on oath and returned home to “regain the lost fortunes caused by a cruel and sinful war.” He had fought in the Seven Days’ Battles near Richmond, the Battle of the Wilderness, and the Battle of Gettysburg.
(Mack O. Gentry, Cousin of John Wesley Houck, and Gary McMillan contributed C.S.A. and biographical information. Obituary origination unknown–the clipping was in the papers of my late father, Edward Leon Howell, who–along with his other deceased family members–also is buried at Zion.)
Compiled military record:
John Wesley Houck
Residence Ashe County NC; 17 years old.
Enlisted on 3/27/1862 at Ashe County, NC as a Private.
On 3/27/1862 he mustered into “A” Co. NC 26th Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as:
* Wounded 7/3/1863 Gettysburg, PA (Leg wound)
* Returned 12/31/1863 (place not stated) (Estimated day)
* POW 4/2/1865 Petersburg, VA
* Confined 4/4/1865 Point Lookout, MD (Estimated day)
* Oath of Allegiance 6/13/1865 Point Lookout, MD
* Released 6/13/1865 Point Lookout, MD