Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Gabriel Moots
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
Contributed by Mrs. Jeanne Everett, McCracken Family Historian