Peter Lafayette Honeycutt (May 28, 1840 - November 21, 1932) served as a private in Company B, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.
Personal life[]
Peter Honeycutt was born May 28, 1840 in Yancey County, North Carolina to Ezekiel and Mary Elmira (Bailey) Honeycutt.[1] He first married Clarissa McCourry (1840-1883); they had no children. He married second, Susannah "Ann" Tipton (1859-1927) with whom he had nine children.[2]
Civil War service[]
Honeycutt first enlisted as a private in Company G, 58th North Carolina Infantry on July 11, 1862 in Burnsville, North Carolina. From July 11, 1862 to February 28, 1863, he is listed as absent without leave. Records from the 58th North Carolina Infantry indicate that he deserted September 8, 1863 at Ooltewah Station, Tennessee, but was not dropped from the rolls because he was expected to return.
Changing his loyalties, Honeycutt enlisted as a private in Company M, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry on September 23, 1863 in Carter County, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in May 16, 1864 at Gallatin, Tennessee. He was transferred to Company B on June 1, 1864 by order of Colonel Miller.
He is described as 23 years old, 5' 10" tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by occupation a farmer.
Honeycutt is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service until May 20, 1865 when he is reported as deserting at Knoxville.[3] A record from the U.S. War Department Adjutant General's Office dated November 17, 1885 states: "The charges of absence without leave on June 1, 1865, and of desertion on May 20, July 10 & July 3, 1865 against this man are removed and he is discharged to date May 20, 1865, under the provisions of the act of Congress, approved July 5, 1884." The record of Honeycutt's dishonorable discharge was cancelled.
When the regiment mustered out on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville it was noted that he had last been paid to August 31, 1864, owed $103.78 to the government for clothing, and had received a bounty of $25.
Post-war life[]
Honeycutt applied for an invalid's pension on December 30, 1879.
He died November 21, 1932 in Erwin, Tennessee and is buried at McInturff Church Cemetery in Unicoi County, Tennessee.
Notes[]
- ↑ Honeycutt used Lafayette as his given name during the war and at other times in his life he used the name Peter Lafayette Honeycutt. "P. L. Honeycutt" is what appears on his headstone.
- ↑ 1900 U.S. Census, Fifth Civil District, Unicoi County, Tennessee.
- ↑ This notation of deserting is on his muster out record.