McCraken Family Honor Roll of Civil War Veterans

Gabriel Moots undoubtedly had one of the most intersting lives of the sixteen Civil War soldies in the family. He was born in or near Strasboug, France in 1824 or 1825. His parents were George and Catherine Muntz woh came to Daviess County, Indiana about 1830 whth their three children. The father died in the spring of 1831 leaving a sidow, two sons and a daughter. The family name was changed torm Muntz to Moots in 1842 when Gabriel's brother Anthony became naturalized.

Gabriel Moots was one of thirteen Daviess County men who served in the Mexican War. He enlisted on 15 June 1846 at New Albany, Indiana, and was dischared 23 June 1847 at New Orleans, having served on year. He applied in October 1847 for "land due him for service in the war with Mexico" and was granted 160 acres of land in February 1848.

On 29 November 1849 Gabriel Moots married Sarah Ann Peachee. It is not known what happened to Sarah Ann, but it is known that no children from that marriage were alive in 1867 if there ever were any.

Gabriel Moots joined a company of Daviess County men who went to California during the gold rush. They left 22 March 1852 driving ox teams. At St. Joseph, Missouri, they joined a large wagon train for the trip across the plains following the Oregon Trail and then the California Trail.

By January 1855 Gabriel Moots had returned to Daviess County. He was married to Rachail A. McCracken on 4 January 1855 by Hamilton Robb, a Minister of the Gospel. Gabriel and Rachael had three daughters before Gabriel went away to war.

At the age of 39 Gabriel Moots and his brother Anthony enlisted in Company "I" 65th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers on 1 August 1863 to serve three years. They were mustered in 7 September 1863 at Knoxville, Tennessee, joining the unit in the field. The 65th was a mounted unit at the time.

Dr. John S. Scudder of Daviess County was the surgeon for the 65th Regiment. The following are excerpts of letters Dr. Scudder wrote to his wife:

"Henderson Station: 4 miles east of Greenville, Tenn. 1 November 1863...Regiment suffers terrrible hardship - only 380 men fit for duty out of more than 800...living part of time on one-fourth rations" "Tazewell, Tenn: 10 December 1863...four killed and twenty-three wounded in battle with rebels...rebs suffered heavy losses and after two attacks were driven back." "Tazewell, Tennessee: 16 December 1863...The other day a little scrape occurred about eight miles from here in the mountains. Our train which had justa arrived with the clothing for the brigade was unloaded and on its way back to this place with twenty-six men as teamsters and guards and while they were at breakfast, a rebel lieutenant with five men dashed upon them and demaded a surrender which they acceded to under threats taht if one of them moved they would shoot him. They set fire to the wagons ordering the men into line and kept them standing until the wagons were consumed when they bid our men good day and deliberately rode off leaving our ment to go their own road

John Phillip Coup was born 25 May 1844 in Dviess County, Indiana. His parents were John Coup and Nancy McCracken. At the age of 18 he elisted to serve three years in Company "G" 80th Indaian Volunteer Infantry. He signed up on 11 August 1862 at Vicennes and reported for duty on the 3rd of September at Princeton, Indiana. He was mustered in at Indianapolis on September 8th where the 80th became part of the Army of the Ohio. The next day the new unit left the state for Covington,Kentucky and by October 1st they were in pursuit of the Confederate Army in Kentucky. Just on month after being mustered in, the 80th fought its first battle at Perryville, Kentucky, 8 October 1862. It is not surprising that the young untrained John P. Coup lost his knapsack, haversack and canteen during the battle.

John P. Coup became ill soon after his first battle and spent several months recovering from pneumonia in an army hospital in Danville, Kentucky. By April of 1863 John was promoted to Corporal. He served whth the 80th until 22 June 1865 when he was mustered out at Salisbury, North Carolina at the end of the war. During its term of sevice, the 8th Indiana Infantry had 325 men killed or wounded and two taken prisoner. It traveled 7,245 miles: of which 1,050 was by water, 2,445 by railroad, and 3,750 on foot.

Jacob J. Cosby was born 28 August 1841 in Daviess County, Indiana. His parents were Overton Cosby and Louisa McCracken

On 8 August 1863 Jacob was enrolled as a private in Company "K" 117th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers at the age of 21. His enlistement was for six months. The 117th was stationed in eastern Tennessee where, in a fight at Bean's Station, Jacob Cosby's hearing was damaged while his unit was supporting a battery unit. During January and February of 1864, while near Tazewell and Maynardsville, Tennessee, the 117th was cut off from all supplies the greater part of the time, including seventeen days at one time. The men had only parched corn to eat during this time. Jacob became ill with chronic diarrhea as a result of eating parched corn, exposure and hardships incidental to a soldier's life. He was treated by a regimental surgeon.

In Petersburg, Pike County, Indians, on 7 November 1871 Jacob Cosby and Laura E. Wilson were married. They had one daughter in their 55 years of marriage. Jacob died in Evansville 10 July 1927 at the age of 85.

"The Evasville Journal" Monday, July 11, 1927

"Funeral services or Jacob J. Cosby, 86, Civil War veteran, who died at the home, 1691 South Second Street, at 9:30 o'clock Sunday morning, will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery. He is survived by his widow, and one daughter, Mrs. Cora A. McCool, of this city."