John S. Dea

Only son of Spanish-born father Antonio and Irish mother Anastasia, he was a 20 year old clerk in New Orleans when he enlisted on 23 June 1861 at Camp Moore, LA, and he mustered as 2nd Sergeant of Company B - the Bienville Rifles - 8th Louisiana Infantry. He was promoted to regimental Quartermaster Sergeant in April 1862 and was elected 2nd Lieutenant of Company B on 26 July.

He was wounded in action on 17 September 1862 at Sharpsburg.

He was promoted to First Lieutenant by December 1862 and was captured at Fredericksburg, VA on 4 May 1863, but was back with his company by August. He was appointed acting Adjutant on 7 November. He was wounded again, at Spotsylvania Court House, VA on 12 May 1864 and returned to duty in September. He was killed in battle at Hatcher's Run, VA on 6 February 1865.

His service from his Compiled Service Records,1 online from fold3. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1850. His picture from a photograph taken in Winchester, VA on 15 December 1862, sold by Cowan's Auctions in October 2014. See also an excellent full length portrait of him in Sergeant's stripes, kindly sent by Greyson Beardsley.

09/11/1840; New Orleans, LA

02/06/1865; Hatcher's Run, VA; burial in Burgess' Mill, VA