Isaac Underwood (101st USCT)

Isaac Underwood (Lewis) was born around 1799 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He worked as a farmer, although it is unclear if he was free or enslaved. He enlisted in the Union army on April 12, 1864, in Nashville, Tennessee, for a period of three years. He mustered in as a private in Company B of the 101st USCT Infantry Regiment on June 20 and served on detached duty as a teamster for contraband collected around camp. The army discharged him for disability on June 18, 1865, in Clarksville, Tennessee, and he died of smallpox at the general hospital in Nashville on Novemer 25, 1865.

Underwood was married at the time of his death, although the name of his wife remains unknown. His son, Edward Underwood, attempted to file a minor pension in 1888 for his father’s service. An auditor at the War Department recommended that Edward receive some compensation as Isaac’s son, but the pension agency ultimately declined his application. They cited inconsistencies in his application, observing that Edward had gotten his father's name and regiment wrong. Edward eventually refiled his claim with the correct information. Because Isaac had died after his discharge, however, the pension agency ruled that Edward did not qualify for a pension. 

2235
DATABASE CONTENT
Name:Underwood, Isaac
Alternative names:
  • Lewis, Isaac (alternative name)
Roles:
  • Soldier
Gender:M
Race:Black
Regiment/Ship:
RegimentCompany
101st Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored TroopsB
Branch of service:Army
Enlistment/Muster:
TypeDatePlaceAccepted/RejectedAgeStatusReason
Enlistment1864-04-12Nashville, TNaccepted65Unknown
Muster In1864-06-20Nashville, TN
Muster Out1865-06-18Clarksville, TNDischarged for Disability
Residence at enlistment:
Rank In:Private
Rank Out:Private
Highest rank achieved:Private
Pensions:
Person 1Person 2NumberRelation Type
Underwood, Isaacnoneapplication-invalid
Underwood, IsaacUnderwood, Edward385014application-minor
Underwood, Isaacnoneapplication-parent
Underwood, Isaacnoneapplication-widow
Birth date:1799
Birth date certainty:About
Birth place:Albemarle County, VA
Death date:1865-11-25
Death place:General Hospital Nashville, TN
Causes of death:disease: small pox
Occupations:Farmer
Relationships:
Person 1Relation TypePerson 2
Underwood, Isaacparent ofUnderwood, Edward
SOURCES

Compiled Service Records for Isaac Underwood, RG94, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Washington, D.C.; Pension Records for Isaac Underwood, RG15, NARA, Washington, D.C.