Lafayette Foster of Adams County Ohio, was one of "Adams County's Firstborn" to serve in the American Civil War. Foster helped recruit an infantry company at West Union, Ohio, for three years service. Governor William Dennison designated the company he joined as Company D, 24th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Although only 26 years of age, Foster was rewarded with a commission as a second lieutenant on 3 June 1861 at New Camp Jackson, more familiarly known as Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.

Foster was a competent officer during the Western Virginia Campaign and was promoted to First Lieutenant. He transferred to Company B, 24th Ohio Infantry Regiment, on 23 July 1861. With the promotion of Shelton Sturges to major, Foster found himself in command of Company B from 14 October 1861 until 1 January 1862.

A leader who led from the front rank, Foster received severe gunshot wounds to his left arm and left thigh during the 24th Ohio's counter-attack at the Battle at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, 7 April 1862.

The regiment's surgeon furloughed Lieutenant Foster on 14 April 1862 so that he could recover from his wounds at his home in Adams County, Ohio. Unfortunately, he never recovered from his injuries. Although Foster offered to resign on 2 June 1862, for medical reasons Major General Don Carlos Buell refused the resignation, instead replying with a citation for honorable discharge. Buell's letter dated Foster's honorable discharge on 3 June 1862.

Following his war service, Lafayette Foster moved across the Ohio River. He lost contact with the surviving members of the 24th Ohio Infantry Regiment. His injuries continued to bother him, so he filed for a war veteran's pension in late 1879 from his residence at Covington, Kentucky.

Lafayette Foster died 5 December 1892 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is interred at the I.O.O.F. Cemtery, Manchester, Adams County, Ohio. His widow, Margaret, received a pension following his death.

Sources:

24th O.V.I. Pension Index.
Ohio Adjutant General's Roster of Ohio Troops.
Whitelaw Reid, "Ohio in the War."
Evans and Stivers, "History of Adams County, Ohio."

Additional biographical information provided by
William E. Kirk, great-grandson of John Henry Kirk
Email: w.kirk@worldnet.att.net.

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