A Soldier's Story: Private John Winston Leftridge

 

Private John Winston Leftridge was born in Bedford County, Virginia, on October 18, 1837. His early life is somewhat of a mystery, and it is suspected he may have been born enslaved to the Leftwich family and escaped to Ironton, Ohio, in his late teens or early twenties.  

In response to the US Civil War, Private John Winson Leftridge enlisted in the US Army in 1862 and was assigned to Company F of the 100th Regiment, US Colored Infantry.   He and his unit were responsible for guarding rail lines throughout the northern Tennesee and Kentucky frontier and fought in the battle of Nashville. Private Leftridge left the US Army in December 1865.

Private John W. Leftridge returned to Ironton, Ohio, working as a laborer until 1902, when the after-effects of the war debilitated him enough to seek treatment in 1902 from the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. He returned to Virginia following his discharge from the care facility in 1903.

He died on August 20, 1918, and rests in the Old Lick Cemetery in Roanoke, Virginia.

*Read about the history of the Old Lick Cemetery here*

Everyday Patriot Military Biographies 

are written by a.d. elliott - Take the Back Roads #TaketheBackRoads 

www.takethebackroads.com

Photography Gallery: shop.takethebackroads.com