Naylor, John Benjamin

John Naylor's Bible

NPS Photo/STRI Museum Collection

Quick Facts

Significance:

3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Place of Birth:

York County, Pennsylvania

Date of Birth:

June 3rd, 1838

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

December 31st, 1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

John Benjamin Naylor was born June 3, 1838, in York County, Pennsylvania. On June 20, 1861, at the age of 23, he enlisted in the 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private. Information about him can also be found under the last name, “Nailer.”

The 3rd Ohio started their service in West Virginia before joining the Union Army of the Ohio, where they saw action at the Battle of Perryville. After Perryville, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee where the army was reorganized under General Rosecrans as the Army of the Cumberland.

On December 31, 1862, the 3rd Ohio Infantry fought next to General Sheridan beating back the attacks of nine Confederate regiments. This critical moment during the Battle of Stones River provided time for the Union Army to reorganize their front lines along the Nashville Pike and Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. It is likely that during this struggle Private Naylor lost his life.

Our records indicate that Pvt Naylor is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery in an unknown grave. However, he also has a headstone in Lisburn, Pennsylvania at his family’s cemetery.

The featured photo is a bible that belonged to Private Naylor. The bible is part of the museum collection at Stones River National Battlefield. 

Tags: stones river national battlefield, stones river national cemetery, american civil war, stones river museum collection