John Allen Elmore

Born: 3 Jul 1833 in White County (Now Putnam County), Tennessee

Died: 18 Apr 1915 in Baxter, Putnam County, Tennessee

No Photo Available

SERVICE CLAIMED

Company C, 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry, USA

15 Nov 1862-20 Dec 1862

INVALID PENSION DENIED: NO MILITARY RECORD OF SERVICE

John was the son of George Washington Elmore, Sr and Sarah "Sallie" Bussell.  He married Elizabeth Caroline Richardson daughter of Barnett Richardson Jr and Madison Riddy.  They had two children, one in 1857 and one in 1859.

It is difficult to determine the truth of John's service, if any, during the Civil War.  John applied for an invalid pension on 27 Jan 1893.  He alledged service as outlined above.  He claimed pension for throat and lung problems caused by his tent blowing away one night and having to survive in the rain, sleet, and wind.  He claims that after his discharge he lived as a "refugee" in Bristol Station, Warren County, Kentucky for the years of 1863-1867.  After which, he returned to Tennessee.  The government's reply was to reject the pension application on the grounds that they could find no record of John ever being in the Army.  The normal process would be to produce affidavits from individuals attesting to his service.  John, for whatever reason, did not produce any evidence.

The oral tradition says that John joined the Union Army but soon deserted.  This is not likely because there would have been records of that service and desertion.  The oral tradition continues that after his desertion he hid out in a "hole" or cave on Mine Lick Creek avoiding service for either side.  There is reportedly a sink hole or cave that was called the "John Hole" by the old timers.

In blending these two reports together, I am of the opinion that John never joined either side.  That he hid in the John Hole at least part time and perhaps spent some time in Kentucky as well.