John Wesley Wright (March 22, 1839 - March 13, 1930) served as a private in Company B, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.
Personal life[]
John Wright was born March 22, 1839 in Yancey County, North Carolina to Aaron and Mary Polly (Briggs) Wright. He married Mary "Polly" Hopson (1848-1943) with whom he had at least one child.
Civil War service[]
Wright enlisted as a private in Company B on September 22, 1863 in Carter County, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in October 28, 1863 at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. He was promoted to corporal on April 23, 1864 and later reduced to the ranks.
He is described as 26 years old, 5' 8 3/4" tall, florid complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and by occupation a farmer.
Wright is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service until August 20, 1864 when he was left sick at Knoxville. Wright returned to the regiment and later deserted "with horse and all his equipage" at or near Bean Station, Tennessee on October 8, 1864. He returned to the regiment on June 29, 1865 and was confined at Sweetwater, Tennessee. Wright was court-martialed, found guilty, reduced to the ranks, and sentenced to loss of all pay and all allowances (including his bounty) plus hard labor for twelve months on "public works". He was released from confinement on September 14, 1865.[1]
The charge of absence without leave was removed by act of Congress on April 10, 1869.
Wright mustered out with regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville but not furnished with a discharge due to his sentence of desertion. He had last been paid to January 30, 1864 and owed $46.80 to the government for clothing.
Post-war life[]
Wright moved to Carter County in 1866. He applied for an invalid's pension on April 20, 1886. According to his obituary he served as a justice of the peace in his home district for 18 years and was a member of Roan Mountain F. & A. M.[2]
He died March 13, 1930 in Carter County and is buried at Wright Cemetery in Roan Mountain, Tennessee. His wife applied for a widow's pension on March 31, 1930.