Albert Blood is not a blood relative to me. (no pun intended) But I feel an affinity for this man and the life he led that surpasses kinship. Technically, Albert Blood was the husband of my great-grandaunt, Sarah Jane Wilbanks, the twin sister of Lousia Jane Wilbanks Crooks, my great-grandmother. Albert was born in Boone County, Illinois in 1837, the son of Abel R. Blood and Lara Lucas who had married at Shelby County Indiana in 1828.

When the Civil War approached, Boone County organized a regiment of volunteers. On November 4th, 1862, Albert marched off with friends and neighbors who made up the 95th Infantry Regiment. This regiment was to travel 9,960 miles, participate in numerous battles and lose 289 of its men in battle and to disease, friends and neighbors. Albert was wounded at the battle of Vicksburg and suffered the same diseases that plagued so many young men of that war.

In an application for his Civil War pension Albert states that after being discharged on August 17, 1865, he first returned to his home at Boone County Illinois. He later moved to Charles City, Iowa, then came to Lawrence County, Missouri where he remained. It is unclear how long he remained in Iowa or the date he arrived at Lawrence County. Albert and Sarah married at Mount Vernon, February 6, 1876. An Abel R Blood is listed on the 1870 Federal Census, St.Charles County, Iowa.

My father's family adored Albert. He must have served as a surrogate grandfather to my father and his sisters and brothers as their grandfathers both died young. They always referred by his full name, Albert Blood, never as uncle and never as just Albert. They delighted in telling about the antics of Albert Blood. I wish I could remember those stories.

I suspect he would have had alot of fun with a fact that has recently surfaced. One of the members of the 95th Illinois Infantry Regiment was a female. Jennie Hodgers posed as Albert Cashier and fought with distinction. Was Jennie a friend and neighbor?

Albert admired fast horses. He owned a horse named Ruben. Ruben's tail was kept braided and he pulled a fancy buggy. Albert could not stand having another buggy ahead of him. He would say, "pass 'em Ruben, pass 'em".

A story was told about Albert being away from home for some time, long enough to make it necessary for him to write a letter to Sarah, his wife of several years. The letter began: "Dear Madam".

It is not known exactly when Albert came to Lawrence County or the reason he moved there. He may have known his future brother in law, Henry Crooks who served in the Illinois 32nd Infantry Regiment. They had much in common, both being the same age, both born in Illinois, both avid horsemen and both veterans of the Civil war. They married twin sisters and lived on adjoining farms. Albert and Henry made numerous affidavits in conjunction with applying for their Civil War Pension. Until Henry's death, 1891, they made the trip together and vouched for one another in the presence of the government agent.

Albert and Sarah resided in Lawrence County for over four decades. They had no children and they did nothing remarkable. You will not find their names in a History Book. But it has been over 70 years since their death and they are as much a part of my families' days of yore as anyone in our direct line.

Albert gave his rifle, a flintlock Springfield, to my father and demonstrated the art of loading and firing from various battle positions. He explained how his squad of 16 men, in groups of four, alternated loading, tamping, knelling and firing. I am presently the caretaker of the rifle.

Albert died in 1916. He and Sarah are buried in the Cemetery at Pierce City. A large impressive tombstone marks their grave. Engraved at the bottom of the stone are the words:

"Gone But Not Forgotten"