Tabernacle Historical Society

Preserving, protecting, promoting and publishing our local histories

Ira Crain

UNIT: Company F, 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry

HOMETOWN: Shamong / Indian Mills

BORN/DIED: 1835–1898

RANK: Private

GRAVE LOCATION: Old Tabernacle Cemetery, Row 57 Lot 3

Approximate Grave Location:

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Old Tabernacle Cemetery, Row 57 Lot 3
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Hear My Story

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Read My Story

I am Private Ira Crain. I was born in 1835 and died 1898 in Indian Mills, N. J. Before I enrolled in the Union Army, I was a farmer and lived in Shamong with my wife Jerusha and 2 children, Hester and Charles Lewis. I was mustered in as a private in Company F of the 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on September 27, 1863.

The 23rd New Jersey Infantry Regiment served a nine-month enlistment in the Union Army. The recruits came from various towns within Burlington County, New Jersey, My regiment trained at Camp Cadwalader in Beverly, before being sent out to join the Army of the Potomac.

The 23rd Infantry’s first commander, Colonel John Cox, resigned to prevent a court martial for drunkenness. The new commander Colonel Henry Ryerson reviewed our regiment and called us a bunch of “Yahoos” because of our unmilitary behavior and irreverence. To this day the 23rd is proudly known as the New Jersey 23rd Infantry Regiment Yahoos.

I served through the December 1862 Fredericksburg Campaign, and the May 1863 Chancellorsville Campaign, and was honorably mustered out on June 27, 1863.

By 1880 I was living in Shamong with my wife and we then had 6 children. I died in 1898; My death was sudden; I died from the effects of la grippe. My family held the funeral at home. After my death my wife Jerusha filed for the Widow’s pension.

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Ira Crain (Old Tabernacle Cemetery Row 57 Lot 3)

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(Ira Crain Pension Document)

Timeline

  • 1835: Born.

  • Before enlistment: Farmed in Shamong and lived with his wife Jerusha and their children.

  • December 1862: The booklet reports service in the Fredericksburg Campaign.

  • May 1863: The booklet reports service in the Chancellorsville Campaign.

  • June 27, 1863: Honorably mustered out, according to the booklet.

  • Enlistment date unresolved: The booklet gives September 27, 1863, which falls after its stated service and discharge dates.

  • 1880: Lived in Shamong with Jerusha and six children.

  • 1898: Died in Indian Mills of la grippe; Jerusha subsequently filed for a widow’s pension.