Juanita's Family Photo Tour
Juanita's Story
"My father fought in the Civil War," Those hearing me make this simple statement of fact almost always try to correct what they believe must be my mistake. "Your grandfather or great-grandfather, you mean," they say.
No. My father, Hugh Tudor, a proud Welshman whose parents emigrated to America from the Machynlleth area in the middle of the 19th century fought for the Union side in the American Civil War - and I have a tintype of him in uniform and his wartime diaries to prove it. Hugh Tudor fought in the American Civil War from February 26,1864 until he was discharged on August 3, 1865. You see, my father was 78 years old when I was born.
His story was recently featured in the BBC documentary, 'Star Spangled Dragon'. His father, David Tudor was born in 1815 and his mother, Mary Owens Tudor, was born in 1824. They were married on May 9, 1842 at Talywern Chapel, Penegoes near Machynlleth in the county of Montgomery. Mary's father is listed as John Owens of Syberwyn farm and David's as Hugh Tudor of Graiglan Ddu
The young couple soon emigrated to the United States and after staying with relatives in Cincinnati, Ohio, settled in Louisa County, Iowa on 200 acres of land in Long Creek, Columbus City Township. Soon the area had a large Welsh population.
Hugh Tudor, my father, was born in Louisa County, Iowa on September 23, 1847. In February 1864, although he was only 16 years old, he enlisted in the United States Army. The minimum age for enlistment was 18, but because he would not tell a lie, he wrote the number 18 on a piece of paper and put it in his shoe. Therefore, when he was asked if he was "over 18" he could tell the truth! He was assigned to Company F, 25th Regiment of the Iowa Infantry and never rose above the rank of private.
His wartime diaries give a day by day account of his military travels from Iowa through Missouri, Kentucky, to Tennessee and on to Chattanooga. He was in the same vicinity as General Sherman but was on sick call and did not join the "March to the Sea". On March 23, 1865, he writes that his regiment was reviewed that day by General Sherman. A check of General Sherman's personal letters to his wife and son on the same date also tells of reviewing the troops the same day.
When the war was over in April 1865, Hugh was in Washington, DC and marched with the Army of the Potomac in the Grand Review in front of dignitaries at the U.S. Capitol on May 24. It makes me proud to know that my father was there and left a record of his military life.
Because he was a farm boy, Hugh's diary entries concentrated on the weather, crops and the lay of the land. At best, my father probably had an 8th grade education but his mother and father could read and write English. Hugh recorded from whom he received mail and to whom he wrote.
In March 1864 he wrote to Rev. David Knowles, his hometown Welsh minister, and noted that it was "the first Welsh letter I wrote in my life". He also made money by writing letters for other soldiers. He also did washing for other soldiers, and kept track of how many "drawers and shirts" he washed and how much he was paid. One entry was marked "killed" - I guess he didn't get paid for that job!
He also told how much he paid for special foods such as "ginger bread, 10, candy, 5 and can of peaches,10". At times the soldiers were forced to forage food - no doubt from the cellars and gardens of southern farms.
He suffered bouts of dysentery, had measles along the way, but was never wounded. He enjoyed sending small gifts and receiving them from his younger sisters. His father often sent paper and stamps. He used that paper and stamps to write to someone special back home, Elizabeth Watkins.
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Written by Juanita Tudor Lowrey
Juanita Tudor Lowrey was born and brought up in the USA but her family are originally from Darowen near Machynlleth in Powys. Her father fought in the American Civil War 1864-1865 and she still has his wartime diaries. 
