Enos enlisted in the Union Army
August 8, 1862 and
was sent to Davenport, Iowa.

Enos Erastus Barton was killed
at Milikens Bend, Louisiana
during the Civil War. Story written
by Permilia states Milikens Bend, Tennessee;
however Military records indicate Milikens
Bend, Louisiana.

Burial Unknown.

This was Written By Enos Barton's Mother Permilia H Haskins
Barton

"Mother Barton was sick abed. Neighbors all knew if was partly because of grieving over her boy, Enos who had died of the "Bloody Flux" at Milikens Bend, Louisana. It was no comfort to her to have another son, Ben also in General Grant's Army. It had been hard on Ben to see fellow soldiers to build a coffin of undressed lumber for his brother. Dysentery had also struck Ben, he was to weak to help with the coffin. He lay critically ill at the crude hospital quarters. Somehow he reasoned that if he could just get home to Iowa, to Parkers Grove, he'd get well. With resolve but without permission, he crawled on hands and knee's to the tent of General U.S. Grant. The General wasn't there. Whatta you want? a rough voice asked. "I want to see General Grant". Well the General doesn't want to see you. "How did you come here? Now git away, ya dog". A dirty boot kicked Ben. But Ben Barton didn't give up. He stayed around, waiting for General Grant to return. At last the General came. In Desheveled uniform, with cigar ashes clinging to his beard, yet he was impressive enough to a soldier on his knee's. Ben was talking to the man later, the hero of Vicksburg and President of the Union. The General was kind, understanding. Yes he could arrange for a medical discharge...No, Ben replied that a furlough would be enough. Then after he got well he could come back to the army. So it was arranged for two men going north by train on special duty to accompany poor Ben Barton and care for him. Lying on the train, not far from death, Ben had his eyes shut, his two escorts, thinking that him asleep, discussed his case. Ben overheard what they said. "This poor critter won't last the train ride", one remarked. "Why don't we chuc him off the train, and not have to bother with him?" His two escorts were ploting Ben Barton's death. They were going to throw him off the train and leave him to die. But the train stopped at a town and the conspiriters got off to buy some food. It was Ben's chance. Ill has he was, he slipped off the railroad to Shellsburg, then he got there by stagecoach and walking. When the exhausted, emanciated man in blue Army Uniform got off the coach at Shellsburg, nobody recongnized him. He was so weak from illness he plumped down on the ground and propped his back against a store front. Anybody here in town from Parker's Grove?, he inquired. Yes, there were. Well tell them I want to see them. A curious group of men sauntered up. One of them was his father the elder Enos Barton. As he approaced they told him, "Say this fellow claims he's Ben, your boy. Enos Barton stared. That ghost of a man? His cheeks were so hollow, his teeth could be seen and counted. Looking closer, Enos declared, "No, thats not Ben"! But when they got the soldier up and helped him walk there was somthing familiar in the way he took a step. Enos Barton gaspped, "That's Ben" How were they to break the news to Mrs. Barton, she was sick in bed grieving for the soldier son who was dead. They decided to send young Alonzo ahead and tell her they heard from Ben. But the boy told her to much. Where is he?", she demanded. "Oh he's a-commin up the road right now". With a whoop she jumped out of bed and ran out the door. What a sight. Mother was with bedclothes trailing as she ran. And what a sight to see Ben. She soon got to feeling better. Ben recuperated, too. He was glad to be home at Parker's Grove."