finding service record information

[j_secr...@yahoo.com]

My name is James Secrest, and I have been looking for records pertaining to  the service record of my Great, Great, Great, Grandfather Charles Isom Secrest(1843 or 1846 to 1919).  The story in my family goes that he falsified records to indicate he was old enough to serve and enlisted in the Ohio Calvary (regiment unknown). There also was a story about a scar on his left hand that a Confederate soldier apparently gave him as a result of a bayonet wound.  I also found records indicating his widow tried to collect on any benefits he would have received (I'm assuming a pension), but without any written proof and only the sworn statements of close friends she was unable to do so.  I've also found "proof" he was an Army scout after the Civil War making as many as five trips to California escorting (understand my details are sketchy on this at best) Shawnee Indians to a reservation the destination of these trips could also have been Oklahoma. There exists proof that he also rode as a deputy to Judge Isaac Parker ('The Hangin' Judge") for some time after his scouting days. It has been said that his intimate knowledge of this area(the Oklahoma Territory) and his Army training could have led him to this sort of work.  We now come to the reason why I have become an amateur genealogist. Understand that until about a month ago I had no interest in this field whatsoever, however I recently sustained a terrible work related injury (a long fall that resulted in a back injury and a snapped pelvis bone) and this resulted in some obviously related "down time".  This in an around about way led to a conversation about my Grandfather and my realization of the fact that I knew almost nothing about my family tree. Since then I have been obsessed. I've found out much but I have more questions than answers. My afore mentioned relative now rests eternal in Arkansas he has a civilian marker but no proper military marker in recognition of his service, and being a veteran myself this is not acceptable.  I realize this will not be an easy undertaking and am no stranger to hard work.  Further, I am skeptical at best about finding records at this point that Charles Secrest' widow could not produce at about the start of the "Great Depression" when the value of a little money could not be overstated.  With the skill set of a novice I find myself overmatched and adrift in a sea of draft forms and old census records.  Is there any hope? No details are to small or insignificant. Any information would be greatly appreciated.                                             God bless and have a fine "Navy Day"

[SteveW]

A cursory, a very cursory look at the Ohio Roster finds three finds
John L. Secrist (born c.1841), Joseph H. Secrist (born c.1820), and
Richard E. Secrist (born c.1842). The spelling is different and there
is no James listed. The listing is found in the 4th OVC, I Company.
You probably need to send away for his records or do an on-line
search. S. Ward.

[SteveW]

Your'e welcome!!!

On Jun 22, 9:04 pm, j_secrest...@yahoo.com wrote: