The passion
which Byron Joslin possessed for military service was part of his family's legacy. His
great-grandfather, Benjamin Joslin, was a corporal in the Revolutionary War. He grew up
with his parents, Robinson and Susan, at the family's colonial home on North Miami Avenue.
As a young man, Byron Joslin joined a juvenile military company, and later became a member
of the national guard. He was a member of the first public school class assembled in
Sidney. In his later years, Joslin remembered that first class, saying the teacher "whipped
as well as taught."
The call for volunteers in 1861 swept most
young from their hometowns or farms many hundreds of miles away. William Jasper joined
company K of the famed 4th Alabama Volunteer Infantry. The 4th Alabama secured its place
in history when its men met Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain's 20th Maine on the slopes of
Little Roundtop on the second day of the battle of Gettysburg. Under the command of Col.
L. H. Scruggs, the 4th Alabama, along with several Confederate regiments, was ordered to
take Little Roundtop. Private Franks of the 4th yelled "Come on, boys, come on!
The 5th Texas will get there before the 4th!" The boys of the 4th Alabama never
made it. In one of the most important moments in Civil War history, the 20th Maine held,
and the Rebels retreated. Private Franks was killed in the battle.
William told Alberta about his service, especially his exploits with the Rebels at the
battle of Petersburg. For his service there he earned two medals. Jasper also told her of
the tough times, sleeping in the mud, and foraging for potatoes to stay alive.
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