Houghton, James G

James G Houghton

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company K, 21st Wisconsin Infantry

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

February 11, 1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

James G Houghton lived in Waupaca, Wisconsin. He enlisted on August 9, 1862 as a Private into Company K of the 21st Wisconsin Infantry. The 21st Wisconsin Infantry was organized in Camp Bragg in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and mustered in on September 5, 1862. They traveled through Kentucky, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee throughout its full service.

Private Houghton's first taste of battle was at Perryville, Kentucky on October 8, 1862. He then proceeded to the battle of Stones River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on December 31, 1862. Private Houghton survived the battle only to fall ill due to Typhoid Fever. Typhoid Fever was usually contracted due to ingesting contaminated water or poor sanitation of soldier's environments. It was one of the most deadly diseases for a soldier to contract.

For Private Houghton, this was the case. He died on February 11th, 1863 in a regimental hospital in Murfreesboro, TN due to Typhoid Fever.

James G Houghton is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot O-6006.