Thomas W. Hollingsworth is the only person from Henderson County who was killed in action during the wars.
He was born Jan. 31, 1883, in Henderson County, the son of Thomas C. Hollingsworth and Nancy Gallimore Hollingsworth.
He served with the 47th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, Co. L, during the Philippine-American War. He turned 16 in 1899 and 17 in 1899. He was in the Philippine Islands by 1900.
The 47th Infantry fought insurgents on the Luzon group of islands.
In 1900, fighting in the Philippines had shifted from conventional warfare to guerrilla warfare. During the first four months of the guerrilla war, the Americans had nearly 500 casualties.
In November 1900, his unit was fighting insurgents near Mount Bulusan in the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol Region.
Hollingsworth was killed in action Nov. 11, 1900, in Bulusan, Philippine Islands.
From Elihu Root collection of United States documents relating to the Philippine Islands, Volume 15. By Elihu Root, United States:
“Hollingsworth, Thomas W., Pvt., Co. L, 47th Infantry, U.S.V., Killed”
“About this time the enemy fired a solid volley from their trenches with not less than 30 rifles, mostly Mausers, mortally wounding Private Thomas W. Hollingsworth.”
From the United States, Adjutant-General’s Office: Correspondence relating to the war with Spain and conditions growing out of the same, including the insurrection in the Philippine Islands and the China Relief Expedition, between the Adjutant-General of the army and military commanders in the United States, Cuba, Porto Rico, China, and the Philippines
“Manila. (Received November 24, 1900 — 1.41 j). m.) Adjutant-General-, Washington:
Killed — November 11, Bulusan, Panay, L, Forty-seventh Infantry, Thomas W.
Hollingsworth;”
There is also a Pension Application by his mother, Nancy E. Hollingsworth, stating that he served in 47th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, Co. L.
His grave site is at Mud Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Flat Rock. The headstone notes his military service with the 47th Infantry, Army private, killed in action, Bulusan, Philippine Islands.
Prioleau O. Gilreath died during fighting in the Philippine Islands, but not from a weapon. He drowned while his unit was crossing a swollen river in the jungle.
He was born about 1878 in Henderson County, the son of Manson H. Gilreath and Emily Sarah Cagle Gilreath.
He served with the 1st U.S. Infantry in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and participated in the Battle of El Caney.
In 1900, his regiment was preparing for shipment to China to participate in the Boxer Rebellion. Instead, the regiment was detoured to the Philippine Islands.
The regiment fought on Samar Island in the guerrilla war from 1900 to 1902 against rebels in dense jungle fights.
Gilreath drowned on Samar Island when the raft in which he was riding overturned during a river crossing. From military reports, it appears that the river was swollen from recent floods.
Military records: “Oct. 30, 1901, near Bobon, Philippines, in crossing on raft, during the Philippine Insurrection.”
Another military report: “On October 30, while crossing Dodol River, Samar, on raft. Lieutenant Crawford, First Infantry, and six men. Sergeant Albert Baier, Privates Frank H. Fitzgerald, Frederick W. Schander, P. O. Gilreath, Kersey Dowie, Guy Mcßeth, all of Company I, First Infantry, were drowned. All bodies recovered and buried in Dodoi.” – Northern Samar
Recent searches have produced no present-day geographic location for Dodoi in Northern Samar or a Dodol River. The actual burial site today for the graves of these soldiers is not known.
Wiley Zebulon V. Cox died in the Philippine Islands of malaria while serving with the 9th Infantry Regiment.
He was born about 1879 in Henderson County, the son of Benjamin P. Cox and Dicey M. Cox (maiden name not proven, possibly Maxwell). He lived near Edneyville and Fruitland.
Cox served first with the 1st N.C. Volunteer Infantry, Co. H, during the Spanish-American War. He enlisted in May 1898 and was discharged July 31, 1898.
He enlisted in the 9th Infantry Regiment in November 1899. At the time of his enlistment this unit was in China. The regiment had fought the Chinese during the Boxer Rebellion to protect Americans and American interests in China.
Based on unit histories, it appears that Cox was first in Peking, China. The 9th Infantry remained on guard at the entrance of Peking until withdrawing in mid-1901 and returning to the Philippines.
The regiment arrived in Manila in June 1901 and was assigned to Samar, to quell a rebellion on the island.
He died May 1, 1902, of malaria in the hospital at Manila.
His grave site is at San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio.
John Barnett Roper died most likely of typhoid fever in Raleigh while serving with the 2nd N.C. Volunteer Infantry, Co. H.
He was born May 17, 1880, the son of Clarence Roper and Fannie Barnett Roper.
He served with the 2nd N.C. Volunteer Infantry, Co. H. He was living in Hendersonville at the time of his enlistment.
He enlisted and mustered into service May 24, 1898. He died July 10, 1898, at Raleigh.
His grave site is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville with military marker.
Robert L Ruth died while serving with the 2nd N.C. Volunteer Infantry, Co. H, on St. Simon’s Island, Ga.
He was born Aug. 10, 1876, in Henderson County, the son of Braxton Robert Ruth and Mary D. “Polly” Israel Ruth. He grew up in Mills River.
He enlisted and mustered into service May 25, 1898.
He died Aug. 8, 1898, at St. Simon’s Island, Glynn County, Ga. The cause of death was not found. His grave site could not be located.