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Enlisted at Madison, on Nov. 24, 1862. as Private, for 3 years Mustered in Nov. 28, 1862 at Madison Discharged September 2, 1865 Height  5' 10" Complexion  dark Hairs dark Eyes  blue  Born Belgium, 1839 Parents  see Minnesota settlements Married   Death   Children   Occupation  farmer

Biography (by Len Knotts) :

Residence: Marytown. Calumet County-(note from Len Knotts : I can't find a St. Marytown but did find a Marystown which is now about 5 miles from Calumet Co. in Fond Du Lac Co. I suspect that "Calumet Co." is really Calumet township, Fond du Lac Co.)

Recruit was in the following engagements.  (hand written, poor copy-hard to read)
Fort  Bisland April 12 & 13 1863.
Siege of  Port Hudson-  May 27, 1863.
Clinton - June 8, 1863.

Taken prisoner Jan. 8, 1864 near Comite River. Was a prisoner nine months.
 
Family history says that he was wounded but it's not in his war record. He claimed he received a bayonette wound in the right thigh & was treated while a prisoner of war.

Deserted Sept. 2, 1865 at San Antonio Texas. It would seem that Peter was on sick leave on Sept 2, 1865, when he was reported as deserting.

 In one of the letters written in 1878, his father says : "Peter is still in Texas & has 3 children". Peter died in Feburary, 1881, in Linden, Cass County, Texas at the age of 42.

The following document was sent to his widow, who was attempting to draw a pension, from War Department :

Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, August 25, 1885  (Seal affixed)

Respectfully returned to the Commision of Pensions.

Peter Rahier, a Private of Company D, 4th Regiment Wis. Volunteers, was enrolled on the 24 day of Nov. 1862 at Milwakee Wis. For 3 years and is reported On roll for Mar. & April 63 (on which his name first appears) Present, so reported. Sick in hospital Baton Rouge July & August 63. Present so reported to Dec. 31/63.  Jan & Feb. 64 absent, captured by the enemy Jan. 11/64. Company was in action near Baton Rouge Louisiana on that date as so reported to April 30/65. May & June 65 present. July & Aug. absent sick at San Antonio Texas Sept & Oct. 65. Deserted Sept 2/65. Muster Out roll of Company dated May 28/66 reports him same. THE CHARGE OF DESERTION AGAINST THIS MAN IS REMOVED & he is discharged to date 2/65, to complete his military record, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 5/84. Discharge Certificate furnished by the A.G.O. August 19/85.

Thanks :
to Len Knotts for providing  the photograph and biography of this soldier

Sources :
J. H. Mertens : "The Second Battle"
Len Knotts web site : http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/n/o/Leonard-O-Knotts/index.html