Peter S. Traphagan – Private, United States Army

Report of Col. Edward Prince, Seventh Illinois Cavalry.

LA GRANGE, TENN., March 12, 1863.

SIR: I report that, in pursuance of orders of the brigade commander commanding, I moved, in command of this regiment, the first day advance of the brigade, starting from La Grange, Tenn., at 9.30 a. m., March 8, 1863. The rest of the time the regiment marched in rear of the Sixth Regt. Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and consequently participated but little in the gallant engagement with the enemy. By order of the colonel commanding the brigade, Company H, of this regiment, destroyed the camp and garrison equipage of Col. Richardson, First Regt. Tennessee Guerrillas, consisting, in part, of fifty tents, ammunition, quartermaster’s and commissary stores, and the entire regimental property at the camp near Covington, Tenn. On approaching Somerville, I sent forward Company A, of this regiment, to make a feint, and, meeting with a squad of rebel cavalry, they captured 1 in a charge upon the town. In leaving the camp of Richardson, near Covington, Maj. Nelson, commanding the First Battalion, this regiment, detached a squad of men for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of a report that a Federal horse and saddle was some 2 miles from camp. They proceeded, and, 8 in number, encountered 26 of the rebels, under the command of Capt. Cushman, who had cut them off entirely from the main body. The gallant little squad charged the rebels, severely wounded the captain in the arm, killed 1 lieutenant ([Thos. J.] Ray), and captured and brought off a prisoner. I desire to mention the names of the party for their gallant conduct, as follows: Sergt. Charles C. Hays, Corpl. David B. Spencer, Privates [Peter S.] Traphagen, [Joseph D.] Brown, Neff, [Edward W.] Tift, [William P.] handily, and [William] Potter, all of Company K, this regiment.

Following the Civil War, Private Traphagan resided in Georgetown, District of Columbia, and worked as a carpenter.  he died on 20 July 1884 in Washington, D.C. and was buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.

TRAPHAGAN, PETER S

• PVT 7TH ILL INF
• DATE OF DEATH: 07/20/1884
• BURIED AT: SECTION 13  SITE 13624
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard