LEATH-Azariah T. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Azariah T. LEATH, farmer, Attica, was born at Independence, Warren county, Indiana, April 28, 1838. His parents, Silas J. and Mary Ann (BARBRY) LEATH, came from Virginia in an early day and settled at Independence. At the age of six he lost his father by death, and a year later his mother died. Himself, two brothers and two sisters, thus orphaned, became scattered, and were reared by different people. For eleven years this subject lived with John EMMONS. He was enrolled July 1, 1861, in Co. D, 20th reg. Ind. Vols. He witnessed the destruction of the Cumberland and Congress by the Merrimac, and the next day the engagement between this iron-clad and the Monitor. He participated in the movement of the troops on shore when the Congress was sunk – two companies of the 20th, including his own, were detailed to go down to the beach and drive off the rebels who had boarded her. He saw one of the enemy killed on her deck. The 20th Ind. regiment went into the service numbering 1,046 men, and arrived at Hatteras, North Carolina, September 25, 1861; on the 4th of October the rebels attacked the command, which made the memorable retreat southward the whole length of Hatteras Island; November 11 it arrived at Fortress Monroe, and, remaining there till February 25, 1862, was transferred to Newport News, and lay there then the Merrimac made her descent on the Union fleet. On the 10th of May the regiment left Newport News and arrived at Norfolk next day. On the 7th of June it moved again, and joined the Army of the Potomac in front of Richmond. It took an active part in the movements on the Chickahominy, and was detailed as rear guard on the retreat to Harrison’s Landing. Following is a list of most of the battles and skirmishes of this regiment: seven days before Richmond; skirmish in front of Richmond, June 19, 1862; severe skirmish while acting as rear guard of the army, 23; battle of the Orchards, 25; battle of Glendale, 30; battle of Malvern Hill, July 1; battle of Bull Run, August 29; battle of Chantilly, September 2; skirmish of Waterloo, November 7; battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 14, 15;; battle of the Cedars, May 2, 1863; battle of Chancellorsville, 3, 4, 5; battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2, 3; severe picket skirmish, Gettysburg, 4; battle of Wapping Heights, 22; suppressing July riots in New York city; battle of Kelly’s Ford, November 7; battle of Orange Grove, 27; battle of Mine Run, 29; battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 6, 1864; battle of Spottsylvania, 8 – 12; Cold Harbor, June 1. Mr. LEATH was wounded in the left arm at this last place, on the 30th of May, two days before the regular engagement. He was a sergeant in his company, and had charge of a detail of men building breastworks at the time of the casualty. He was absent in hospital in Washington and New York till November, when he rejoined his command before Petersburg, and shared in the subsequent operations of the army until the collapse of the rebellion. He “veteraned” February 21, 1864; and was mustered out of the service at Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 12, 1865. He was married December 31, 1867, to Miss Amelia P. PEARSON, daughter of Enoch PEARSON. Her father removed from Ohio and settled on the Big Raccoon, in Parke county, in 1824. In 1826 he came to Fountain county and made a home in Van Buren township. In 1837 he removed to Logan township, where his widow now lives. Mr. LEATH owns eighty acres of land, valued at $5,000. He is a republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.

File Created: 2007-Mar-17