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James Laughlin Orr was born 31 October 1838 in Evansville, Indiana.
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james luaghlin orr
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he was commisioned a lieutenant of the 42nd indiana regiment on september 7 1861
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on 7 September 1861. He was commissioned a captain on 2 July 1863.
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by 1864 he was a captain in quarter master service
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november 1864 through march 1865 the army marched across Georgia, up through South Carolina and across North Carolina.
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This day about 11 o'clock the last train north on the Georgia R. R. left for Chattanooga and R. R. connection with U. S. was thus severed. The telegraph operator took out his instruments & left early in the a.m. At 12 Gen. Sherman arrived -- hitched on his pocket instrument & probably that may be the last link binding us to the north. We are now adrift for a great raid.
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The Division moved at 6 a.m. across the Etowah River and began the work of destroying the railroad. About 7 miles was assigned as our task. ties torn up, placed in piles with the rails on them and fired. Iron twisted and bent. On this Sabbath day forty five miles of railroad from Cartersville to Atlanta was entirely destroyed. Bridge over Chattahoochie burned. Camped at Acworth. Cartersville, Cassvill acworth burned all buildings valued to the enemy.
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Division moved at 6 a.m. to march as far as possible, expect to camp at Chattahoochie River. I left it at big shanty and pushed forward to Atlanta. Glad to get back to my own ranch absent 42 days.
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Troops came in about 2 p.m. Loaded on train this morning. Many buildings had been already destroyed. Today the work of destruction recommenced and all the business part of the city burned. R.R. depot completely demolished. To bring it down a ram was extemporized by fitting a bar of railroad iron to a frame and thus knocking out corner and lower portion of the building until the whole came down with a crash. F
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ordered to move at 11 a.m delayed by trains marched at 12:30 Through Decatur to a dark camp. Marched 10 miles.
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Marched at 7 a.m. Through Lithonia to Conyers Station on line of Augusta R.R. Our troops destroyed 3 miles of the road. Camped at Conyers. Marched 20 miles.
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Marched at 6 a.m. At Covington went again to work on the railroad. Destroyed 4 miles. Other troops also at it. Crossed Yellow River and camped on one of its tributaries. Marched 15 miles.
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Marched at 6 a.m. then Camped at 4 p.m. at Eatonton Factory on Little River. Factory burned. Ran the mill all night. Got 120 bush. meal. Rain. Marched 15 miles in advance.
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Marched at 6 a.m. down west bank of Little River on Milledgeville Road.Trains delayed and troops make the march with difficulty. Marched 12 miles in advance.Issued 3 days coffee, sugar and salt. Men are foraging for potatoes, chickens, hogs, etc. and having abundance of every thing.
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Rebel gunboat threw 3 or 4 shells from the Savannah River to the road on which our trains were moving, by way of defiance and steamed down the river. No opposition on hand. Shower last night.
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Train ordered to King's Bridge for supplies. Started at 5 a.m. and parked at the bridge 9 o'clock. Nothing arrived yet. Two boats came bringing mail and Gen.Scarecely water enough in Ogeechee for the boats. They will have to be lightened.
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On 12 July 1865 he was commissioned a major by brevet for efficient and meritorious service in the U.S. Army.
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married kate howes an evansville girl living in memphis they married on october 31 1865.
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kate howes died of "consumption" at the untimely age of 47 on 13 September 1887, leaving her husband and their three children who were then still in their teens.
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james luaghlin orr works a succesful job in evansville until he retires in 1913
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james luaghlin orr dies febuary 4 1919 at the age of 80.
