Union Veteran Francis Perry Cave   FRANCIS PERRY CAVE Private Company G, 66th Ohio Infantry Francis Perry Cave was born 24 February 1836, possibly in Champaign County, Ohio, a son of Paschal Wellington and Elizabeth Offenbacker Cave. Sometime after 1834, the family moved to Champaign County, Ohio. The stay there was brief, but while there, two sons were born, Francis and his brother Washington John Irvan Cave (ca.1837-38). By 1840, the family had returned to Page County. While the family was listed with all members in the 1850 census, neither Francis nor Washington were listed with the family or in Page County at all in 1860. After the opening of the Civil War, the members of the Paschal Cave family appeared to remain distant from the activities of the war. Of Paschal’s son-in-laws, William N. Gray (who married Isabella M. Cave) enlisted (possibly conscripted) in Co. A, 33rd Virginia Infantry in April 1862 and by May had deserted. He had formerly been a member of Co. M, 97th Virginia Militia. Thomas Moses Southard (Narcissa Ellen Cave’s husband) had also been a member of Co. M, 97th Virginia Militia, but had been AWOL for a good part of the term of service. A carpenter by occupation, it appears he was able to avoid conscription until 1864 when he was made a part of the 8th Battalion Virginia Reserves, which was used only in a very limited capacity. Though not married until 1863, Emanuel Gray (Mary E. Valine Cave’s husband) did not serve during the war. Though age eligible for the Confederate draft, he was a millwright, which exempted him from the service. With no other daughters married off and all but two of his sons being of age to serve, the story about Francis begins to unfold. Though it is unclear exactly how it came about, if he had been residing in Ohio at the outbreak of the war or not, Francis Perry Cave did not enlist in Co. G, 66th Ohio Infantry until 11 August 1862. After the date of Cave’s enlistment, the 66th Ohio, having been decimated at the battles of Port Republic and Cedar Mountain, did not participate in the Second Battle of Manassas/Bull Run, but did take part in the Battle of Sharpsburg/Antietam. It also helped to repel the attack of Gen. J. E. B. Stuart upon Dumfries, Va., where after a short and determined fight the enemy was driven off. In the battle of Chancellorsville the regiment held a position on the right of the plank road and in front of Gen. Hooker's headquarters, where the repeated attacks made upon the whole corps were repelled with coolness and courage. At Gettysburg it held a position near the right of the line. The regiment then being transferred to the Army of the Cumberland in the vicinity of Chattanooga, it participated in the battle of Ringgold, Ga., carrying the crest of the mountain and holding it against the forces on the summit. It reenlisted in Dec., 1863, and after a month of joys and pleasures, a day of leave-taking and tears, it was again on the road to the field. At Resaca it was kept well to the front, but was fortunate in having no losses beyond a few wounded. At Kennesaw Mountain it acted its part and also in the important battle of Peachtree Creek. After the capture of Atlanta it served with Sherman, taking part in the march to the sea and participated in both the battles of Lancaster C.H., S.C. on 17 February 1865 and at Goldsboro, N.C. on 6 April 1865. The 66th Ohio was mustered out July 13, 1865. It is interesting to note that Francis’ brother, Washington, was enlisted into Co. H, 33rd Virginia Infantry on 4 February 1863. However, he was discharged only three weeks later because of an Act of the Confederate Congress which exempted shoemakers. Several veterans of Co. H in years after the war commented that after being discharged, he “went to the Yankees,” quite possibly back to Ohio until the close of the war. Had Washington remained in the service of the 33rd, he would have faced his brother in the 66th Ohio at Gettysburg on Culp’s Hill in July 1863. Regretfully, there is no indication that Francis P. Cave filed for a veterans pension. After the war, Francis returned to Page County and, on 16 October 1869 married Edna Rilla Weakley, daughter of James W. Weakley and Artimissa Hurt; the couple had eight children. Francis Perry Cave died on 4 November 1921 in Page County, where he was buried. Return to the Page County Union Soldiers Page SUVCW Camp #1881 Copyright © 2006-2008.