Andrew Gosnell was my Great, Great Grandfather. He was the third child of John and Mary (Leek) Gosnell. John and Mary were the parents of 12 children. Andrew was born in Vigo County Indiana on September 15, 1835. He married Rebecca Eleanor Reese in late 1857. Together they farmed a plot of land in Sugar Creek Township in Vigo County.

Andrew, feeling the patriotic need to serve his country in the Civil War decided to join the U. S. Army. To do so he would have to leave his wife, two children and home. The oldest child, Charles Jehu, was a little over 2 ½ years old and the youngest, Rebecca Jane, was not quite 6 months old at the time he enlisted. He signed up with Company K of the 31st Indiana Volunteers on the 5th of September 1861 in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was officially mustered in as a Private by Captain Charles M. Smith on the 20th of September for a term of 3 years. At the time he joined the regiment he was 26 years of age. The Military Records show him to have Blue Eyes with Light Hair and a Sandy Complexion. Andrew's height was 5 foot, 8 inches.

The 31st Indiana Volunteers was organized in Terre Haute under the leadership of Colonel, Charles Cruft and Lieutenant Colonel, John Osborn. After the 31st was mustered in, the regiment then traveled to Kentucky, to a camp at Calhoun.

Andrew had two younger brothers, James and Alfred who volunteered for service in the Civil War. Both of them died during the war, most likely from disease.

Andrew was slightly wounded in the right hand at the battle of Shiloh at Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. The Battle of Shiloh (Church) took place on April 6th and 7th, 1862. On April 6th the 31st Indiana held off several confederate advances. The fighting became so heavy in the area in their front, that it became known as the "Hornet's Nest", so named by the Confederates. General Grant was known to have said that in this area one could walk across the field on the dead confederate bodies and never touch the ground. The 31st Indiana was also involved in the heavy fighting on April 7th. After that battle Andrew was reported as being ill for a time during the month of May.

On July 20, 1862, Andrew was promoted to Corporal.

During the Battle of Stones River the 31st was part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 21st Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. On December 31, 1862, the 31st Indiana was in the front line of battle and was engaged with the enemy. The 31st held off 2 charges and became very low on ammunition until they were shortly relieved by the 1st Kentucky. The 1st Kentucky fought and then fell back due to heavy fire. The 31st went back to the front and held back a 3rd charge. The ground in front of the 31st was so strewn with confederate bodies that it was called the "Mississippi half acre". The brigades to the left and right began falling back exposing the flanks of the 31st Indiana to enemy fire. They also received some fire from their rear. This caused the need for the line to fall back. An order was given to fall back but the troops on the right, not hearing the command, continued to fight until they were over run. Andrew was part of that group and at that point was captured. He was taken to Richmond, Virginia and confined in Libby prison for only 5 days and was soon exchanged, returning to his regiment eventually in June, 1863.

Andrew was not shown to be absent from the regiment after that, except by Military Orders. He did suffer from rheumatism occasionally. During engagements at Chattanooga, Tennessee in the fall of 1863, an enemy artillery shell exploded nearby Andrew, knocking him to the ground. The only physical damage was a permanent hearing loss. This event was documented by two fellow members of Co. K.

Andrew completed his term of 3 years and was mustered out September 15, 1864. After returning home he again tried to make a living by farming. After the War, he and Rebecca had 5 more children, the youngest being my Great Grandmother. Her name was Bertha Ann. Andrew's health became poor and in his later years he worked in a butcher shop in Mackville (Now, West Terre Haute). He applied for a pension and eventually received it. He passed away on November 20, 1896.