Dennis Bush
Veteran Dennis Bush served in the 32nd United States Colored Troops with Company D. He was born around 1839 in Harford, Maryland.1 There is no current information describing his life before 1860 or records stating the names of his parents. According to his 1860 and 1870 United States Federal Census, he was a coachman either working for or living with George W. Hilton, a liveryman.2 George W. Hilton was a white liveryman who lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.3 He resided on his farm for sixteen years and had a son and three daughters.4 There is no other information stating whether George and Dennis really lived with each other. On February 23, 1864, Dennis enlisted into the 32nd Regiment of the U.S. Colored Infantry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.5 He was about 34 years old, five-foot, four-inches, and served for three years.6 On about April 23, 1864, he deserted from Camp William Penn. However, he eventually returned and served without trial to May 28, 1864.7 During the battle of Deveaux's Neck, South Carolina, he was wounded in the middle of his left hand.8 He was first treated at Beaufort, South Carolina, and then was hospitalized at DeCamp U.S. Hospital, New York City (located to the right).9 In the "U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Dennis Bush", on September 19, 1865, his surgeon discharged him from service with a certificate of disability.10
He married Henrietta, also known as "Harriet", around 1862, and they conceived the following three children: Mollie (1863); Nannie (1866); and George Dennis (11/11/69).11 There are currently no census records or death records for Mollie or Nannie Bush, but there are for George Dennis. According to a "1900 United States Federal Census Record for Dennis Bush" on Ancestry.com, George was 31 years old and was living in Reading Ward 7, Church Street, Pennsylvania.12 He was working as a laborer and was married to 28-year-old Bessie L Bush. He could also read, write, and speak English.13 George Dennis, the son of Dennis Bush and Henrietta Bush, passed away on October 14, 1949, in Reading, Berks County, PA.14 He was approximately 79 years old and is buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, Berks County.15 Dennis Bush passed away on November 5, 1875 in Carlisle, PA; he was about 35 years old. Dennis is buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Carlisle, PA and his headstone was provided by "D.W. Whitney".16 His registration record in the Report for Veterans' Registration Record states he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and had a "low white flat" headstone.17 His wife, Henrietta Bush, passed away at her grandaughter's home (112 Schuylkill Avenue; Ward 6), on January 19, 1919.18 Henrietta came to Franklin County twenty-six years ago and was a member of the Methodist church and denomination.19 Henrietta was the last member of her family line.20 She is buried in the Carlisle Cemetery in Carlisle, Pennyslvania.21
1. U.S. Find A Grave Index for Dennis Bush, 2012.
2. 1870 United States Federal Census for Dennis Bush, 301B.
3. "Death Doings", The Sentinel, 1.
4. "Death Doings", The Sentinel, 1.
5. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 2007.
6. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 2007.
7. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 2007.
8. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 2007.
9. "General Administration Building", n.d.'
10. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 2007.
11. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Dennis Bush, 2012.
12. 1900 United States Federal Census for Dennis Bush, 3.
13. 1900 United States Federal Census for Dennis Bush, 3.
14. U.S. Find A Grave Index for George Dennis for Dennis Bush, 2012.
15. U.S. Find A Grave Index for George Dennis, 2012.
16. Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 2007.
17. Bush, 29.
18. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967 for Henrietta Bush, 2014.
19. "Obituary", Reading Times, 8.
20. "Obituary", Reading Times, 8.
21. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967 for Henrietta Bush, 2014.
Bibliography:
Bush, R. Report for Veterans' Registration Record. Cumberland County Historical Society: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1934.
"Death Doings." The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania). Carlisle, (1891): 1. Retrieved from newspapers.com/image/343862095.
1870 United States Census Census for Dennis Bush. Ancestry.com. Ancestry: USA, 2009. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/7163/4278552_00607.
Eschenmann and Barner. Cumberland County 1872 Warrantee Maps (Carlisle, West Ward). Library of Congress: Ancestor Tracks, 1872.
"General Administration Building, DeCamp General Hospital, David's Island, New York Harbor [Online Photoprint]". NIH: Maryland, n.d. https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101395574-img.
Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1904 for Dennis Bush. Ancestry.com. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2007. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1195/MIUSA1879_113694-00606.
1900 United States Census Census for Dennis Bush. Ancestry.com. Pg. 3. NARA: Washington.
"Obituary". Reading Times. Carlisle, (1918): 8. Retrieved from newspapers.com/image/45354453/
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967 for Henrietta Bush. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission: USA, 2014. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/5164/41381_2421401574_0595-03422.
U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 for Dennis Bush. Ancestry.com. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2007. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1107/miusa1861,_100006-01256.
U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 for Dennis Bush. Number: 15; Series Number: T288. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2016.
U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Dennis E. Bush. Ancestry.com. Find A Grave:USA, 2012. findagrave.com/memorial/130192932.
U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for George Dennis Bush. Ancestry.com. Find A Grave; USA, 2012. findagrave.com/memorial/143567708.