Otterbein Civil War Soldiers Biography

       James Addison Curry was born in July of 1842 in New California, Ohio, located in southeast Union County.  He spent much of his short life as many young men of the time would have, caring for the family farm.  He also devoted much of his time to his studies as a student of the Select School.  After graduating from the Select School he planned to attend Otterbein University.  However, when war broke out in April of 1861, Addison hurriedly volunteered for service in the Union Army, along with about 26 other classmates.  He mustered in with the 86^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry for six month’s service on June 26th 1863.  The 86^th OVI devoted much of its efforts to securing the Ohio River region from Confederate troops, in particular Morgan’s Raiders.  Addison spent the summer of 1863 trekking through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in pursuit of Morgan’s Raiders.  The regiment was involved in several small skirmishes throughout the summer and early fall.  However, disease, not Confederate troops would prove to be the 86^th OVI’s greatest enemy.  The regiment would eventually lose 37 men to illness.  Tragically, 21 year old Addison was one of the first to succumb, dying on October 2, 1863.  He was buried at Crab Orchard, Kentucky.  Addison Curry’s story is one of thousands that will never be heard by most.  He was not involved in any large battles mentioned in most textbooks such as Gettysburg, Antietam or Sherman’s March to the Sea.  However, the war hit home just as hard.  He became one of nearly 3,000 enlisted men from Union County to die in the War. 

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