Phendlon B. Homan

In 1860 he was a 39 year old farmer near Hastings in Barry County, MI. He enlisted at Hastings on 6 August 1861 and mustered as a Musician in Company I, Seventh Michigan Infantry on 22 August.

He was wounded in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862. Lieutenant Hodgman of his Company later wrote:

... in the battle of Antietam I had my hands full in getting a couple of soldiers who had heretofore managed to keep out of danger under fire. By close watching & sundry threats I got them to face the music. One of them lost his life, the other [Homan] was shot through the thigh. This last I suspected at the time had swallowed some tobacco and commenced vomiting when within a few rods of the line where so many of us were to fall.

I did not - under the circumstances feel any compunctions of conscience but placed my sword against him and pushed him along. Had it not been for me one would probably have saved his life and the other preserved his leg unhurt - However my conscience does not accuse me of murder.

He was discharged at Baltimore on 10 April 1863.

He enlisted again in Hastings, on 23 September 1863, as a Wagoner in Company C, 11th Michigan Cavalry. He transferred to Company M of the 8th Michigan Cavalry on 20 July 1865 and mustered out on 22 September 1865 at Nashville, TN.

His service basics from the State of Michigan.1 His wound at Antietam and the quote above from a November 1862 letter home by Lieutenant Samuel C Hodgman. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He married Sarah Ann Cook (1819-1899) and they had 2 children born 1847 and 1851.

12/09/1821 in NY

03/29/1875; Polk County, IA; burial in Edgewood Cemetery, Edgewood, IA