Springfield-Greene
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JAMES P. YOUNGBLOOD. It is at all times very interesting to compile and preserve the experiences of the old soldiers who went out to fight the country's battles during the slave-holders' rebellion fifty years ago. These gallant old fellows are fast passing away and we should get all their experiences first hand before it is too late, for it is not only interesting but important that we preserve these personal experiences, for, after all, those are the events that make history. What would history be worth were it not for the vivid actions of the individuals? That is all there is to the splendid histories of ancient and modern times. The story as told by one who has passed through the bloody experiences of a half century ago of several years of stubborn struggle and was in numerous engagements, marches and campaigns, and perhaps prisons and hospitals, is far more interesting than if narrated long hence by some writer who may distort events out of their true historic significance. One of the veterans of that great conflict whose military career would, if set forth in detail, make a fair sized volume of interesting narrative is James P. Youngblood, for many years a farmer in the western part of Greene county, who is now living in retirement in Springfield.
Mr. Youngblood was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, August 30, 1844. He is a son of Theodrick B. and Sarah (Hutchinson) Youngblood, the father a native of Alabama and the mother of Tennessee, and they were married in Mississippi. They subsequently moved to northwestern Arkansas, and were living near Carrollton when the Civil war broke out, and there the father of our subject raised a company of one hundred and twenty men. The company met on Long creek on the morning of July. 14, 1862, and organized electing Theodrick B. Youngblood captain. They camped the first night on White river. Some of the members of the company had killed a deer which they dressed and ate. Some of the Union people living there reported them to the federal authorities as a gang of rebels, and the following day they started to Galena, Missouri, and while crossing a hill near that place they observed a woman mount a horse and hasten away for the purpose of again notifying the Federals, but a girl who lived in the neighborhood, being friendly to the company, went to the Federals, telling them that the visitors were Unionists instead of secessionists; however, the Federals came upon the company, which had stacked arms and the leader of the Federals addressed the company, commending it for the bravery it had shown. The purpose of the organization was to become a company of the First Arkansas Volunteer Union Cavalry, which it was understood was organizing, and the company desired to enlist in the same under Col. Harrison. The company was accepted, Mr. Youngblood continuing captain. During the latter part of the war the company was detailed to hold Bentonville, Arkansas, properly guarding mail carriers. The subject of this sketch was sent there with a lieutenant to receive the Confederates who desired to surrender and remained there two weeks, when the lieutenant received orders to report to Colonel Harrison at Fayetteville, and Mr. Youngblood was left in charge at Bentonville, by which town many of the secessionists came on their way back home and about one hundred surrendered to him, giving up their arms and taking their parole papers. Our subject was seventeen years old when he enlisted in Company K, First Arkansas Union Cavalry, enlisting in Springfield, Missouri, in July, 1862, under his father and served three years and thirty-five days. He took part in a number of engagements, including that of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. For some time he was stationed in the old Cassville court house in Barry county, Missouri, and while there port holes were cut through the building through which they could fire at the rebels when they attacked the place. He was mustered out and honorably discharged at Fayetteville, August 25, 1865.
James P. Youngblood is one of eight children, namely: William, the eldest; Margaret is deceased; James P., of this sketch; Mrs. Susan Ragsdale, next in order; Charles M., who lives in Springfield; John A., who was formerly county surveyor of Greene county and now resident of Springfield; Theodrick B., who was named after his father; and Jeremiah M., the youngest.
James P. Youngblood grew to manhood on the home farm in Arkansas, and he received his education in the subscription schools, which he attended three months each year for a few years, and remained with his parents until he joined the army. Some time after the war he came to Greene county, Missouri, and purchased a farm between Brookline and Republic, where he resided twenty-four years, carrying on general farming and stock raising in a very gratifying manner and ranking among the leading tillers of the soil in that locality. Selling his farm, he moved to Springfield and engaged in the grocery business on the boulevard for eighteen years, selling out and retiring from active life in 1908. His home is on Prospect avenue where he now lives surrounded by all the comforts of life.
Mr. Youngblood was married in Berryville, Arkansas, November 27, 1866, to Paulina A. Bayless, a daughter of John and Lurainey (Jones) Bayless, of DeKalb county, Alabama, where Mrs. Youngblood lived with her parents until, she was eleven years old, when the family removed to Carroll county, Arkansas. She received her early education in the public schools of Berryville, Arkansas. She was one of eleven children, all now deceased but herself and two brothers, John Bayless and George M. Bayless, both living on a farm near Cassville, Missouri.
To Mr. and Mrs. Youngblood nine children have been born, namely: William Sheridan, who lives in Springfield; Hugh Grant is deceased; John B. lives in Golden, Colorado, Jehu R. lives in Springfield; George B. is living with his parents; James Paul makes his home at San Antonio, Texas , the three youngest children died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. Youngblood is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to Solomon Lodge No. 271 of Masons at Springfield; also is a member of Capt. John Matthews Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Springfield, Missouri. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church, in which he is a deacon.
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