128th Illinois Infantry

Arch (b. 1836, d. 1915) enlisted with his brothers Thomas Merrit Odum (b. 1843, d. 1920) and Wiley Malachi Odum (b. 1832, d. 1864) after a rally and speech by John A. Logan. After the 128th was disbanded, Arch, Thomas, and Wiley were transferred to the consolidated 9th Infantry. While mounting up for a patrol near Athens, Alabama, Arch's mule bolted. His foot was stuck in the stirrup, and he was dragged at breakneck speed through scrub, brush and small timber. While recovering from his injuries, Arch was put on duty in the kitchens. While taking food out to the pickets, Arch and the pickets were captured by the Confederates and sent to Andersonville Prison. Captured on the same day, but in a different skirmish, was his brother Wiley, who was also sent to Andersonville. Arch survived, but was a skeleton, his gums blackened, and his legs covered with scars from scurvy. Wiley died of starvation and scurvy in only seven months. Arch was married three times and had 5 sons (one of whom he named after his brother Wiley), and 3 daughters. He survived all three wives. He was a farmer.

Thomas Merritt Odum (b. 1843, d. 1920) enlisted with his brothers Wiley Malachi (b. 1832, d. 1864) and Archibald (b. 1836, d. 1915) after a rally and speech by John A. Logan. After the 128th was disbanded, Wiley, Thomas and Arch were transferred to the consolidated 9th Infantry. Wiley and Arch were captured by the Confederates on the same day, but at different times, and both were sent to Andersonville Prison. Wiley died of scurvy and starvation, but Arch survived with life-long health problems. Thomas served in the 9th until he was mustered out at the end of the war in 1865. Thomas was a farmer. He married twice and had 7 daughters and 3 sons.

Wiley (b. 1832, d. 1864) enlisted with his brothers Thomas Merrit Odom (b. 1843, d. 1920) and Archibald (b. 1836, d. 1915) after a rally and speech by John A. Logan. After the 128th was disbanded, Wiley, Thomas and Arch were transferred to the consolidated 9th Infantry. While bringing food to the pickets, Arch was captured by the Confederates near Athens, Alabama, and Wiley was captured the same day in a different skirmish. Wiley died in Andersonville of scurvy and starvation in only 6 months. Arch survived, but with life-long health issues. Wiley was a farmer and left behind a wife, two daughters and a son.

Joshua Pemberton was a Captain in the 128th Illinois Infantry. Adjutant General's Report ORDER FROM WAR DEPARTMENT ========================== CAIRO, ILL. APRIL 1, 1863 SPECIAL ORDER, The One Hundred and Twenty- eighth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers having in its short period of service of less than five months, been reduced from the aggregate of eight hundred and sixty to one hundred and sixty-one-principally by desertions- and there having been an utter want of discipline in it, the following officers are hereby discharged from the sevice of the United States, to take effect the 4th inst, via; Colonel Robert M. Hundley, Lieutenant Colonel James D. Pulley, First Lieutenant George W. Akin, R. Q. M., Chaplain Archibald T. Benton. Captains William J. Moyers, William G. Durham, Jefferson S. Allen, John Brown, Joel H. Swindell, Robert M. Allen, William Huffstutler, Aaron A. Bell, William A. Fry, Joshua Pemberton. Joshua Pemberton was born 1809 in Wilson County, Tennessee. He married 1st Harriet Cason and had a son James Franklin Pemberton b: 1832 in Wilson County, TN. He married 2nd Millie Dudley and had 12 children with Millie. They migrated to Hamilton County, IL in the 1850's. Two of their son's also served in the Civil War. They were Samuel H. Pemberton and Woodson A. Pemberton. Joshua, Millie, Samuel H. and Woodson S. Pemberton are all buried at Liberty Cemetery in Thompsonville, IL.