Chapter 10 Yarns, Traditions, and Facts

 

The lives of the Bandy family described in the earlier chapters and their relatives with other names are not that different from their contemporaries, but far different than our own.

 

According to family tradition, Bandy ancestors moved from France to England to escape religious persecution.  As noted below, however, there is little evidence to support the theory.

 

One story suggests that the Bandy name refers to the stripe on military uniforms.  According to the tradition, the original Bandys either made these stripes or were soldiers who wore them.  None of this tradition has much evidence to support it.

 

Nevertheless, the fate of many Bandy has been to serve in the military and to die from their wounds.  The family history is one of frontiers, covered wagons, and farms.  It is a story of war, Rough Riders, and U boats. It is of silver mines, Jayhawkers, and bushwhackers, and it is a story of moonshining, bootlegging, pensions, Olympians, and presidential inaugurations.  Some individuals with the name pre-date the American Revolution by 100 years.  Relatives fought on both sides of the Civil War and possibly the American Revolution. 

 

Today, in the United States, there are small towns named Bandy in Lowndes County, Georgia, Pulaski County, Kentucky, Catawba County, North Carolina, and Tazewell County, Virginia. Also, there is a creek in Oklahoma, and there are streets in Roanoke, Virginia and Carroll County, Arkansas.  

 

Although the origin of the name is unknown, one known effort to trace it back to its earliest origins is by Derek Bandy of London, England. Information from his effort is summarized below:

 

A Bandy is mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1086) for Buckinghamshire.  The Doomsday Book is the name given to the census conducted William the Conqueror after his successful invasion of England. One other early reference is to Thomas Bandy as the Vicar of Mathon in the county of Worcestershire from 1373 to 1378.

 

The modern Bandy family appears to have its origin on the borders of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, around Milton Keynes in 1550. Derek Bandy indicates that he is descended from Edward and Rebeccah Bandy who were married in 1711 apparently in a small village northeast of Buckinghamshire.  Edward and Rebeccah had six children including Sarah, George, John, Thomas, William, and Elizabeth.  There is no evidence that this group is related to Americans with the same name. 

 

A variation of the history of the family name is found in the Newberry Library in Chicago which cites “The Battle Abey Roll with some account of Norman Lineage, and the Duchess of Cleveland, 1899.”  John Murray, Alberemarle Street, London apparently wrote the report which states:

 

Bandy (Baudyn) would appear to be a duplicate of Baudion or Bawdewyn.  It probably stands for Bondy, from a place so named near St. Denis, Isle De France.  Ralph de Bondi occurs in Palgraves Rotuli Curia Repes of 1199.  Robert de Bundy founded Bradley Priory: Leceistershire in the time of King John.  There was a family of Bendys in Staffordshire, that bore argent two bats Azure which charged with three martelets. That apparently is a description of the family crest. Schutt-End says Erdeswick, is an old house, formerly of Bendys.  William Bandy of King’s Swinford, was Clerk of the Peace for the County and died in 1684.  William Bondi of Bedfordshire and Thomas Bundi of Shropshire occur in the Rotuli Hundredorum, about 1272.  Richard Bundy in 1313, appears in Palgraves Parliamentary Writs as manucopter of John Pistor, Burgess returned for Guilford.  The arms of Bondy; or a bend, and on the sinister side two bandlets Vert, are preserved by Roboson.

 

These sources make no mention of Bandys fleeing France because of religious persecution.  As noted in Chapter 1, the Banning family has in its history references to religious persecution and moving from the Netherlands to England and on to America.  It is possible that the confused history of the name relates to the blending of two sources. 

 

It seems likely that the name has multiple origins. That is not everyone named Bandy can trace the name back to a single early ancestor. For example, the 1850 U.S. Census lists 18 foreign born individuals named Bandy including 6 from England, 2 from Austria, 8 from Switzerland, and 2 from Ireland (see Chapter 12). This suggests that individuals from different locals in Europe were known as Bandys.

 

Some alternative origins reported in Derek Bandy’s Website include:

 

·                     An English origin derived from the name Bond which means a peasant farmer or husbandman. That name may have a Germanic origin meaning relating to being  “banded” or “bound” together by loyalty or possibly in  “bounded” servitude.

 

·                     The Scandinavian name  “Bonde” simply means farmer.  The name Bonde can be found as far back as the 13^th century in Norway. Derek Bandy suggests that the name came to England during the Scandinavian invasions. Constable Bondi, who possibly was related to the Norman Invaders and/or Danes, played an important social and political role in 1086 England. A Scandinavian variation of the name includes”buandie” which refers to peasant land holder with voting rights.  Still today, the greatest concentration of Bandys in England can be found in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire Counties, north of London, which were controlled by Danes following the Scandinavian invasions in the ninth and tenth centuries.

 

·                     French variations include “bande” which alternatively refers to a clothier, a soldier, and a flag carrier. The name Bande is first documented in France during the 12^th century being derived from the Fankish word “binda” meaning a band or strip of cloth. This suggests that early bearer of the name were in the trade of making or selling strips of cloth.  The French word  “bande” also refers to a band, troop, or company of soldiers. Membership in military units was noted by the wearing of colored strips (or bands) of cloth. Troops wearing the same colored stripes were said to be “banded” together. Still today, the stripes on the pants of Army uniforms are called “bands.”  The earliest French record of the name was Gilbert Bandy, date not stated, Count of Naleche, a member of the 23^rd Dragoon Regiment. In addition, the name refers to one who carries a flag. The colors in military flags matched the uniform stripes. Again, the stripes banded troops together.

 

·                     The name Banning is said to be derived from the Dutch name Van Dyke which in some cases became Bandyke. As noted in Chapter 1, some early American Bannings were sometimes referred to by the name Bandy. If some American Bandys are descended from the Bannings then their name likely originated as Van Dyke.

 

Taken together, these facts suggest that the name Bandy may have multiple origins, and that not all individuals with the name can trace it back to the same origin.

 

Richard’s Roots in England

 

As noted, family tradition says that Richard Bandy (71, 14-1) (July 8, 1722 - July 21, 1795) came to the colonies from Liverpool, England.  Efforts to place Richard or other Bandys in Liverpool in the early 1700's have been unsuccessful. Certainly, if  Richard came to the colonies from England, Liverpool or elsewhere, he was not the first Bandy to arrive here (see  Chapter 1 for a discussion of Elizabeth, Matthew, and other), nor is he the ancestor of all Bandys in the United States today.  Family tradition does not explain Avy (75, 14-38) or others discussed  in Chapter 2 nor the North Carolina Bandys discussed in Chapter 3 (for example, Robert, James, and John).  Alternative theories are presented here and there throughout the book.

 

Although the likelihood of the following individuals being direct ancestors of a given American named Bandy is  remote, the following summary drawn from Bandy Gallimaufry is included as it is bears some similarities with family tradition. It is possible that there are Americans named Bandy who are descended from some individuals listed below even if the individual relationships are incorrect.

 

Edmundi Bandy (1500's - ? ) and wife, name unknown had two or three children including Johanes, (August 24, 1600 -  1603) a second Johannes (Joannis) (January 21 1603 - ? ) and Joanna Bandy (June 7, 1607 - ? ).  This information is from Great Horwood Church, Buckinham, England.  Joanna married Joseph Roe in Dunstable, Bedford, England. 

 

Johannes married Agnes Chebnall on October 6, 1636, and  had nine children, possibly three before their marriage and six after.  The children include Joannes, Edwardus, Margareta, Richardus, Roduilphis, Agnes, Joanna, Aliciae, and Robertus all born between 1632 and 1650 in Buckingham, England.

 

Robertus had nine children with three wives.  He married Sar Blocke on September 23, 1669 and they had John, Thomas, and Robert recorded in Wooton church in Bedford, England.  He married  second wife Ellen (Ellenor, Elen) in 1675 and they had Mary, Willi, Garrard, and John recorded in Saint Giles Church, Cripplegate, London, England. He married his third wife Mary and they had Mary and Richard recorded in Wooton Church Bedford. It is possible that the Robertus who married Ellen is a different person, than the Robertus who married Sar and Mary.

 

Richard Bandy  (July 3, 1687 - ? ) married  Ann Major on September 29, 1715 and they had son Richard, who possibly could be the Richard who came to Virginia. The father married Susanna Tucker on September 3, 1724. This Richard is, of course not from Liverpool.  Further, is wife is not named Jane, and she does not seem to be from Ireland. 

 

Richard’s Imprisonment

 

As noted in Chapter 2, family tradition says that  Richard Bandy (71, 14-1)(July 8, 1722 - July 21, 1795) came from Liverpool, England and settled in Cumberland County, Virginia reportedly around 1748.

 

A Richard (perhaps the oldest) was imprisoned for treason in 1780 in Virginia, but was pardoned.  It is not clear that he was ever tried.  He, and several others, were imprisoned for taking an oath of allegiance to the King.  Apparently, Richard and the others renounced their oath and were released.  The pardon noted that there were no charges of "any overt act criminal by law".[1]    

 

Eleanor’s Imprisonment

 

Perhaps the most unusual early story involving a person named Bandy is that of the conviction and sentencing of Eleanor Bandy.  Eleanor Bandy lived with Margaret Ruffel in Baltimore, Maryland around 1800.  The two women were described as living in squalor and frequently drinking and fighting. One night they were both drunk and started to fight.  Both were injured with Eleanor showing more bruises than Margaret, but Margaret died after two days.  Eleanor was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life at labor.[2] There is no other known records of an Eleanor Bandy living in the United States during that time period, and no other known references to any Bandys living in Maryland during that time period.  It is possible that the individual in the account is the Eleanor Banning who is discussed in Chapter 1.  As was noted in that chapter, Bannings were often referred to by the name Bandy.

 

Avy’s Story

 

In 1755, Avy Bandy (75, 14-38) is listed in the Cumberland County, Virginia church records as the perhaps deceased parent of Thomas (75, 15-74) (1740's-?) and George (192, 16-373) (1750-1822) who apparently were orphaned minors being bound out as apprentices. The first name of the individual is not clearly legible, and may be something other than Avy.  Nevertheless, references here to the name are as Avy.   Avy could be the brother or sister-in-law of Richard, above.  One possibility is that Avy was the widow of Solomon, the twin or Richard of family tradition (See Chapter 2).  Another possibility is that Avy is related to the Eastern Shore or the Talbot County, Maryland group (See Chapter 1).  Avy's son George married Christina Slinkard (192, 16-374) (1750-1830) in 1775, and they moved to Burke County and Lincoln County (now Catawba County), North Carolina around 1786. What happened to Thomas is unknown.  The writer has considered several theories including the possibility that Avy’s Thomas is the Thomas who settled Tazewell County, Virginia.  As for now, Thomas’ fate remains a mystery.  Nevertheless, because Tazewell County records indicate that the original settler was a Thomas, this book lists Avy’s son as the original Thomas of Tazewell County.

 

Bandys in the Revolution

 

Records suggest that as many as nine Bandys were in the American Revolution.  The number is uncertain as there are several references to John Bandys serving in the war, but it is unclear whether they are the same or different individuals.  Also, it is unclear whether one individual actually was named Bandy. These individuals include:

 

·                     Thomas Bandy (110, 15-1) (1748-1835) of Virginia enlisted as a private in 1781 and was in the Battle of Guilford Court House and the siege of Yorktown.[3] 

 

·                     In 1782, John Bandy (perhaps 191, 16-371) (1752 -1818) was listed in Capt. Neeley's Company in Virginia.[4]

 

·                     Private John Bandy died of wounds in 1778 in Col. Price’s 2^nd Maryland Regiment.[5]  According to information provided by Judith Evans Keeler, a John Bandy, perhaps this John, died in the Revolution in Pennsylvania.  Judith cites Loloma D. Hawkins, daughter of Dewey Bandy as the source of this information. The Maryland Militia could, of course, have been in Pennsylvania at the time of John’s death. 

 

·                     Either the same or a different John Bandy served in the Maryland Militia (8th Regiment).[6]

 

·                     Further the  John Bandy (148, 15-262) ( ? - 1820) who moved to Georgia qualified to draw in the land lottery suggesting he too was a Revolutionary War veteran.[7]

 

·                     A Solomon Bandy (perhaps 71, 15-160) (1748 - ? ) was listed in the Revolutionary Army in Warren County, North Carolina.[8]

 

·                     Private Simon Bandy served in the Company of Capt. Arthur Council at Cross Creek, North Carolina.  No other record of Simon has been found.  Possibly, Simon and Solomon are the same person.[9] A Simeon Bundy was the first settler on Gap Creek in what is now Washington County, Tennessee, but was at the time part of North Carolina.[10]  Simon Bundy is listed as settling there around 1782 on 50 acres near a sink hole.

 

·                     Richard Bandy (156, 16-1) (1750 - November 1815) registered for recruitment in Capt. Pawling's Co., 15th District, Botentourt County, Virginia.[11]

 

·                     Lewis Bandy (136, 15-166) (ca. 1750-after 1727) drew a rRvolutionary War soldier's land grant in Georgia.[12]

 

The Great Wagon Road and the Wilderness Trail

 

The presence of Bandys in Accomack County, Virginia and nearby Talbot County, Maryland for over 130 years suggests that they could be ancestors of  later generations. The locations where later Bandys are found suggest that they left the Accomack and Talbot County area heading westward and southward.  Two routes may have been followed. 

 

Richard and Avy  are found in Cumberland County, Virginia in the 1750's consistent with a directly westward movement.  Such a trek would have been across the Chesapeake and up the James River.  In the early 1600's, Jamestown settlers followed this route.  These earliest English settlers included John Smith who married Pocahontas.

 

Alternatively, early Bandys could have picked up the "Great Philadelphia Wagon Road" in Maryland northwest of Talbot County and followed the road southwestward.  After leaving Philadelphia, the road crossed Maryland into Virginia.  The Great Wagon Road followed an old Indian trail called the "Great Warriors' Path".  Historian Carl Bridenbaugh wrote, "southbound traffic along the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road was numbered in tens of  thousands;  it was the most heavily traveled road in all America and must have had more vehicles jolting along its rough and tortuous way than all other main roads put together."[13]  The Great Wagon Road was the key path to the development of inland America.  Only an overgrown trail in the 1720's, the Great Wagon Road developed into a major road in the following decades.  Each county maintained its segment paying farmers to haul in gravel after they harvested their crops in the fall.  Enterprising pioneers operated ferries crossing major rivers charging travelers for passage.  Where there were no ferries, travelers forded streams and rivers often having to wait days for the swollen waters to subside.  Over time, inns were build providing travelers with a place to eat and sleep.  The inns were spaced about a day's travel apart.[14]

 

Upon reaching Big Lick, now called Roanoke, the wagon road split with the westward route known as the "Wilderness Road" and the southward route still referred to as the "Great Wagon Road".   Richard (71, 14-1) apparently moved from Cumberland County, Virginia to the Big Lick area. Many later Bandys are found along the Great Wagon Road's way.   Although, it is not clear that Bandys used the Great Wagon Road to get to the Big Lick area, it is very likely many used the road to move westward and southward from there.

 

The westward route passed through Tazewell County, Virginia and split again with one route passing through Cumberland Gap into Kentucky, and the other leading on to Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee.  Cumberland Gap is the famed as the route explored by Daniel Boone.  According to Tazewell County history, Thomas Bandy made his way there.  As noted, the town Bandy bears the  name. 

 

Wagoners sang endlessly as they covered the miles.  One song contained the words:

 

Tazewell County and Tazewell Town,

Lord have mercy and do look down.

Poor and rocky and hilly, too,

Lord have mercy, what will these poor people do.[15]

 

Thomas' descendants live in Bandy, Virginia today.  A town of 200 people, over 50 are named  Bandy.  Bandy's Trading Post is owned by the family.  In this writer's 1995 visit, Marvin Bandy said, "Most folks here made their living by mining coal, cutting timber, and moonshining, but not as much anymore."  This friendly group says they are all related in more than one way, and confess to having made a little moonshine.  Marvin's sister has a family Bible that shows recent generations.

Still others almost surely made their way farther along the Wilderness Trail through Cumberland Gap to Kentucky.  In 1794, Wiltshire Bandy served as a private in Price's Battalion, Kentucky Mounted Volunteers,[16]  and Wittshin Bandy was listed in the 1795 Kentucky census as living in Fayette County.[17]  This is assumed to  be 1815 Richard's son Wilcher (298, 17-3) (1772 - January 1851). Also, listed in that census living in Fayette County was a John.[18]  The last letter in his last name was unclear, and his identity is uncertain. 

 

Tax records from 1800 list Thomas Bandy as living in Green County and Joseph in Jessamine County.[19] Thomas is assumed to be the son of Thomas and the grandson of 1795 Richard.  Joseph could be 1815 Richard's son Joseph (Wilson) (perhaps 166, 16-166)(1776 -after November 1857) or possibly a previously unidentified individual.

 

Reuben Bunday is listed in Kentucky in 1799 and he is listed there again as Reuben Bundy in 1801 along with James Bundy.[20]  James could possibly be either 1815 Richards’ son Jameson (409, 17-628) (September 16, 1788 - January 16, 1873) or Thomas’ son James (159, 16-6) (December 27, 1786 - ? ).  Perhaps Reuben (199, 16-387) (December 1, 1785 - January 20, 1861) is George's son.  Previous information indicated, however, that they left Virginia at a later date.  This suggests that they went to Kentucky earlier than previously believed. Perhaps they returned to Virginia. Reuben Bundy is listed in Pulaski County, Kentucky in 1810 along with George (p. 125).  Reuben and George are both listed as between the ages of 26 and 44 suggesting that George  is Reuben's brother rather than his father.  A Reuben, in fact, is listed in the 1810 Virginia  census.  If it is the same Reuben, he is listed twice. In 1820, a George Bundy is listed in Cumberland County (p. 150). This George is listed as being over age 44. George and Reuben Bandy are both listed in Breckenridge County.   The Cumberland County George could be 1795 Richard's son and the father of George and Reuben.

 

Hugh Bandy is listed in the Green County, Kentucky census for 1810 (p. 253).  Hugh is listed as being age 45 or older with a wife the in the same age bracket.  They have four sons and three daughters living with them.  It is now assumed that this is a reference to Elisa (Elihu) Bandy (son of Thomas and grandson of Richard who) who is known to have lived there.

 

And others probably followed the Wilderness Trail into Tennessee.   The earliest known listing of a Bandy in Tennessee is William Bandy, identity unknown, who is twice listed in County Court Minutes in 1793 and once listed in the Registers Book in 1800.[21]  Thomas (son of 1795 Richard) and four of  his sons (Cara, Thomas, Jameson, and Horatio) along with five of  1815  Richard's sons (Joseph, Perrin, Richard, Solomon, and Jameson) also made their way to Tennessee.  All are listed there in the Census of 1820 for Sumner, Wilson, and Smith Counties. An unidentified David is also listed living in Sumner County in 1820.  This David is listed as being over 45. David last name listed as Bundy married Frances Martin on November 22, 1822 in Sumner County, Tennessee.[22]   Perhaps the same David signed a petition, dated December 9, 1797, to build a road from Fincastle, Botetourt, County, Viriginia to Sweet Springs, Virginia.[23]   In 1836, David sold 40 acres of land in Wilson County, Tennessee identified has part of the land on which he formerly lived.[24]   David last name listed as Bundy purchased land from the heirs of Henry Bandy, deceased in 1837.[25]  His having twice lived in the same area as Richard’s relatives would strongly suggest that he is related to that family.

 

And still other Bandys seemed to take the Great Wagon Road south into North Carolina, South Carolina, and possibly Georgia. Avy's son George made his way to what is now Catawba County, North Carolina.   The Wagon Road followed the west side of the Catawba River south past Charlotte, North Carolina to Chester, South Carolina and on to Augusta, Georgia.   Bandy Township, Bandys High School, and Bandy Crossroads,  all in Catawba County, are named after this group.

 

Civil War Participation

 

It is unclear how many individuals named Bandy participated in the Civil War, but it was in the dozens.  One listing contains 102 references to Bandys serving as Confederate soldiers. [26]  Available sources contain 70 references to Union soldiers.  For Tennessee alone, there are 24 references to Bandys serving in Confederate units and 13 in Union.[27]  One reason establishing the number is difficult is because it is unclear whether multiple references to a specific name are, in fact,  multiple references  to the same individual or, alternatively, are references to different individuals with the same name. For example, in Tennessee, there are references to a Pvt. John Bandy in four different Confederate units and three different Union units. How many different individuals there were is unknown.

 

Union Soldiers named Bandy listed in The Roster of Union Soilders 1861-1865, Tennesseans in The Civil War, Minnesotans in the Civil War and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, Captain David L. Payne Camp, Sons of Union Veterans Project, and Illinois’ Internet site include:

 

Arkansas

George W. 11^th Inf. Co. B

 

Colored Infantry and Calvary

Charles Bandy 49^th Regiment from Louisiana and Mississippi. 

John Bandy 99^th Regiment from Florida.

John Bandy (also known as John Body) 64^th Regiment from Louisiana and Mississippi.

John H. 60^th Regiment from Iowa and Helena, Arkansas.

Sam Bandy 122^nd Regiment from Kentucky, Virginia, and Texas.

George Bandy Company D. 9^th Calvary . 

 

Illinois

Anderson 14^th Inf. Co. E. Con.

Andrew J. 12^th Cav Co. E

Daniel F.  115 Inf Co F

Doctor W.  12^th Inf. Co C

George W. 128^th  Inf Co. D; 12^th Cal. Co. E; 128^th  Inf Co. K; 37^th Co. K

Henry  91^st Inf. Co. H

James L. 91^st Inf. Co. G.

Jonathan 115^th Inf. Co. F

Newman C. 28^th Inf. Con. Co. C; 91^st  Inf. Co. H

Samuel 12^th Inf. Co. C; 37 Inf. Co. K

Samuel C. 11^th Cav.

Samuel J. 71^st Inf. Co. A

William H. 47^th Inf. Co. C

William M. 37th Inf. HQ; 37 Inf. Co. K

 

Indiana

David 25^th Inf. Co. D

John SS 8^th Ind. Co. Cpl.; 135^th Inf. Co. I; 180^th Inf. Co E

Lafayette 18^th Inf. Co. I

Thomas C. SS 8^th Ind. Co.

William 27^th Inf. Co. F

 

Kentucky

Bishop L. 9^th Inf. Co. I

John T. 9^th Inf. Co. I

Joseph 9^th Inf. Co. A

Joseph W. 9^th Inf. Co. C

Yancey 9^th Inf. Co. K

 

Minnesota[28]

Charles J Reg. Co. I

John C. I. Reg. Co. K

Miron 2^nd Reg. Co. A

T.B. Mankato Co. of Vols. Capt. William Bierbauers Co.

William B. (D.) 4^th Reg. Co. C

 

Missouri

George W. 11th Inf. Co. B

Paschoe Harrison County, Home Guard Nevill’s Co. B. Sgt.

 

New York

Edmund 169^th Inf. Co. F

Frederick 169^th Inf. Co. F

 

Ohio

David 25th Inf. Co. D

John SS 8^th Ind. Co. Cpl.; 135^th Inf. Co. I; 180^th Inf. Co. I

Lafayette 18^th Inf. Co. I

Thomas C. SS 8^th Ind. Co.

William 27^th Inf. Co. F

 

Pennsylvania

Nicholas 123^rd Inf. Co. D .

George 10^th Inf. Co. I (3 mo.’61) Music

 

Vermont

George 4^th Inf., Co. H.

 

Tennessee

Ansel  3^rd Cav, H Co. Pvt. and Cpl.;  7^th Inf. Pvt.

Bishop L. 1^st Mtd. Inf., Co E, Pvt.

Daniel 4^th Cav., Co. L, Pvt.

David 8^th Inf., Co. H, Pvt.; 11^th Cav., Co. C, Cpl.

James P. 4^th Inf., Co. B, Pvt.

John 6^th Mtd Inf. Co. B, Cpl.; 7^th Inf., Co. B, Pvt.; 7^th Inf, Co. H, Pvt.

Lewis R. 1^st Mtd. Inf. Co. E, Cpl.

Wesley L. 1^st Mtd. Inf., Co. E., Pvt.; 8^th Mtd. Inf., Co. D., 2^nd Lt.

 

Confederate Soldiers named Bandy listed in The Roster of Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865 include:

 

Alabama

J. A.  Gid. Nelson Lt. Arty,  

James T. 5^th Inf. New Co. K, Co. D;   6^th Inf. Co. M

N.L. 14^th Inf. Co. H

William C.  37^th Inf. Co. I

W. L. Gid Nelson Lt. Arty.

 

Arkansas

A. L.  Inf. Kuykendall’s Co.

Al. L.  Cav. Davies’ Bn. Co. E

Avers L.  25^th Inf. Co. D, Sgt.

F. A.   5^th Inf. Co. D

George 15^th (N. W.) Inf.

G. W. 15^th(N. W.) Inf. Co. I

J. E.  38^th Inf. Co. A

J. G. 8^th Inf. New Co. C

R. A. 38^th Inf. Co. D

Robert A. 1^st (Dobbin’s) Cav. Rutherford’s Co.

R.S. 1^st Vol. Co. F;    38^th Inf. Co. D Sgt.

Thomas  Cav. Carleton’s Regt. Co. A

William A. 1^st (Colquitt’s) Inf. Co. E

 

Georgia

Allen  7^th Cav. Co. H;  Harwick Mtd. Rifles Co. B;    25^th Inf. Co. D

George 60^th Inf. Co. D Sgt.

Henry  Hvy. Arty. 22^nd Bn. Co. D

Henry J. Cav. 2^nd Bn. Co. F

Joseph  Lt. Arty. Daniell’s Btty.

Samuel W.  25^th Inf. Co. D Cpl.

W. J.  1^st Mil. Co. A, 1^st Lt.

 

Mississippi

John W.  21^st Inf. Co. I

W. L. 20^th Inf. Co. E

 

Missouri

George 12^th Cav. Co. A .

G. W. 1^st Inf. Co. H and F;    1^st & 4^th Cons. Inf. Co. F

James M. 11^th Inf. Co. A

William C. 1^st Inf. Co. H

W. J. 11^th Inf. Co. A

W. T. 12^th Cav. Co. A, Sgt.

 

North Carolina

H. L.  18^th Inf. Co. A

Jacob W.  46^th  Inf. Co. K

James M.  8^th Bn. Jr. Res. Co. B, Jr. 2^nd Lt.

J. M. 3^rd Jr. Res. Co. E Lt.

William A. 17^th Inf. (1^st Org.) Co. H

 

Tennessee

A.  4^th (Murray’s) Cav. Co. G;     Inf.. 22^nd  Bn. Co. G.

Ansel  Inf. 22^nd Bn. Co. D.

E. A.  18^th Inf. Co. K,     45^th  Inf. Co. E

G. C.   6^th Inf. Co. G Sgt. 

G. W.  1^st Hvy. Arty.1^st Co. C, 2^nd Inf. Co. A

H. 52^nd Inf. Co. E., Sgt.

Howard[29] 51^st (Cons.) Inf. Co. K

James P. 19^th Inf. Co. D

J. G. 4^th Cav.

J. H. 21st (Wilson’s) Cav. Co. K;     51^st (Cons.) Inf. Co. K Orderly Sgt.

J. J.   38^th Inf. 2^nd Co. H

John 4^th (Murray’s) Cav. Co. G;   Lt. Arty. Kain’s Co.;  22^nd Inf.  Co. G;   25^th Inf. Co. A

Johnathan 18^th Inf. Co. K,  Sgt.

Levi  25^th Inf. Co. A

Thomas E.  Inf. 1^st Bn. (Colm’s) Co. B, D, Sgt.

T. J.  43^rd Inf. Co. H, Cpl.

William P. 18^th Inf. Co. K, Capt.

 

Texas

C. L.  21^st Inf. Co. D;     Inf. Griffin’s Bn. Co. E.

James   Cav. Ragsdale’s Bn. Co. D Sgt.

James L. 10^th Field Btty.

John  Cav. Ragsdale’s Bn. Co. D

Pinkney L. 18^th Inf. Co. F Cpl.

Richard T. 37^th Cav. Co. C

R. T. 18^th Cav. Co. I

 

Virginia

Armistead  Inf. 23^rd Bn. Co. C;    157^th Mil. Co. A

Calvin J.  Cav. 39^th Bn. Co. C

George  36^th Inf. Co. A;   157^th Mil. Co. B

George B.  28^th Inf. Co. D

George D. 58^th Inf. Co. B

George W.  8^th Cav. Co. H

Guy H. Cav. Ferguson’s Bn. Spurlock’s Co. Cpl.;   45^th Inf. Co. A

James  Cav. 34^th Bn. Co. B Cpl.;   29^th Inf. Co. H. Sgt.

James M.  36^th Inf. 2^nd Co. B

John  Cav. 34^th Bn. Co. E

John O. 157^th Mil. Co. B

J. W.  157^th Mil. Co. B

Richard H. 36^th Inf. 2^nd Co. B

R. M. 21^st Cav. 2^nd Co. E

Samuel L.  58^th Inf. Co. B

Stephen P.  28^th Inf. Co. D

Thomas   21^st Cav. 2^nd Co. C;    Cav. 34^th Bn. Co. C E Sgt.;   29^th Inf. Co. H

Thomas L.  Lt. Arty, Griffin’s Co.;    9^th Inf. 1^st Co. A

Thomas N.  36^th Inf. 2^nd Co. B

Thomas R.  8^th Cav. Co. H

William  Cav. 34^th Bn. Co. C E, Cpl.

 

The above listings are incomplete. Soldiers from some states such as Iowa are not included as no published lists are known.   Several states bitterly divided with many individuals serving with Union forces and many others serving with Confederate forces. In some cases such as Kentucky lists for only one side are available. Obviously, many lists are incomplete.

 

The Civil War did  literally divide Bandy families with brother fighting against brother.  Lewis Riley Bandy (330, 17-458) (August 10, 1797 - ? ) and Martha "Patty" Short Bandy (330, 17-484) (November 23, 1802 - ? ) of Tennessee had 9 sons in the war, 7 fought for the North and 2 for the South.  Two sons, Yancy Doctor Bandy (797, 18-636) ( May 6, 1842 - March 29, 1863) and perhaps Wesley L. Bandy (795, 18-633) (March 7, 1838 - ? ), died in the war. 

 

Apparently one individual named Bandy served in both the Union and Confederate Armies.  Ansel Bandy who likely is Ancel Bandy  (1051, 18-1223) (September 23, 1838 - October 1, 1906) son of William and Dicy served in Tennessee units for both sides. It is possible, however, that the references are for two different individuals.

 

George (William) Bandy ( 355, 17-522) (1779 - 1874) and Martha (Patsy) Gibbs Bandy (355, 17-534) ( ? 1838) of North Carolina lost 3 sons in the war.  Robert Bradford Bandy (861, 18-748) (February 15, 1836 - December 23, 1863) died of "congestive fever" rather than in combat.

 

George M. Bandy[30] (355, 18-733) (1834 - May 10, 1864) fought at Frederiksburg, survived Chancellorsville, but was killed at Spotsylvania. He enlisted as a private in Company D 60^th Regiment, Georgia Infantry and rose to fourth sergeant.  He wrote his sister Elizabeth Bandy Strain and her husband, William about the battle at Fredericksburg. He reported:

 

I feel proud that I am alive and come through safe.  But I don’t see how I escaped through such a place. . .  We were in line of battle 7 days . . .  We made a desperate charge on the enemy and taken the heights back again.  We charged over the hills and plains.  The fight was maneuvered right well by the enemy in the outset as they made the attack and crossed the river at two points . . . We made them glad to get back over the river, but they never got back with near as many as they went with. . . . The yankees made the poorest stand in this fight that I ever have saw them.  We took many prisoners. . . . I suppose in all that has been taken out here would amount to some 15 to 20 thousand.  I have never saw yankees skedadle so in all my life.  When they hear the rebels come charging and hollowing they can’t stand. . .

 

We was exposed to the yankees artillery one night.  Beats all I have been in since the war.  They threw grapeshot and canister and shells among us.  I don’t think their batteries was three hundred yards from us.  But it was so dark we had no chance to charge it, so we just laid as flat to the ground as ever you saw a flying squirrel lay to a tree here. There were several men’s heads torn off, but next morning the yankees and battery was all gone. . .

 

We lost a good many good officers in this fight, among them, we regret to say, was our great leader, General Jackson, was wounded and since has died.

 

Frederick (355, 18-755) (1836 - ? ), George’s brother, died at Corinth, Mississippi.  George and Frederick both left twin sisters. 

 

Private Samuel W. Bandy (assumed to be the son of Samuel (282, 16-637)(1790 - ? ) and Mary Sterling Bandy (282, 16-638)) died while in service to the Bryan Guard of Chatham County, Georgia on July 16, 1862.[31] 

 

George Amos Bandy (399, 18-1677) (1840 - ? ) of Virginia (son of Cornelius Bandy (399, 17-610) (February 7, 1816 - April 17, 1888) and Sarah Barton Bandy (399, 17-611)(1823 - ? ) was also killed.

 

John and Levi Bandy, brothers and sons of Greenbury and Sarah Nelson Bandy both died of illness in Camp Myers in Overton County, Tennessee.  They were both Privates in the 25^th Tennessee Confederate Infantry, Company A.  John died within a month of Levi.

 

  Jamison Alexander Bandy (995, 18-1062) (1825 - October 1863), of Missouri son of William   (499, 17-819) ((1800 - September 15, 1853)  and Mary ( 499, 17-909) (1807 - ? ) Bandy, died fighting for the Union in the Civil War. He was in the 55^th Regiment of the Missouri Militia. Other Union deaths include Private Yancy D. Bandy (797,18636) (May 6, 1842 - March 28, 1863) who served in Company C, 9th Infantry and was buried in Cave Hill National Cemetery in Kentucky. Private Henry Bandy (411, 17-632) (1835 - 1864) died serving in the 91^st Illinois Infantry, Company H on May 31, 1864, and was buried in Texas, but his grave has been moved. For more information regarding Henry see below. Private E. Bandy died on February 8, 1864 serving in the 169^th New York Infantry, Company E. Perhaps he is the Edward Bandy, age 30, listed in the 1860 New York census as having been born in England.  Private C. Bandy died serving in 17^th Maine Infantry Company G. Private George Bandy died on October 10, 1866. He served in the 9^th U. S. Colored Calvary, Company D and was buried in Chalmette, Louisiana.[32]

 

Henry Bandy  (411, 17-632) (1835 - 1864) served in the 91^st Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and he died on either May 31 or June 3, 1864 of dysentery in the General Hospital, Fort Brown, Texas.  He was buried at Fort Brown.[33]   The following account summarizes the activity of the 91^st Infantry from its formation to the end of the war.[34]

 

The 91^st  Illinois Infantry Volunteers were organized at Camp Butler, Illinois in August 1862 by Colonel Henry M. Day. They left Camp Butler on October 1 and arrived at Shepherdsville, Kentucky on October 7. From October 8 to December 27 the Regiment scouted through Kentucky and guarded the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.

 

On the morning of December 27, Rebel General John Morgan appeared in force at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where the 91^st  was positioned. The day before, three companies that had been detached to guard the railroad elsewhere had surrender.   Each commander demanded surrender by the other. Morgan's batteries opened the battle.  The 91^st used old altered flintlock muskets, an inferior gun. They exhausted their  ammunition  and surrendered after losing seven men during the battle. Several more were wounded and some died of their wounds. The Rebel losses in killed and wounded exceeded 200.

 

On  December 28,  the Regiment scattered and headed for Louisville, Kentucky. There, all the well men took the O. & M. Railroad for St. Louis, Missouri. Only seven men reached St. Louis and reported at Benton Barracks.  The remainder, including most of the officers, abandoned the train at points along the line in Illinois and made their way home.

 

On February 28, 1863, about two-thirds of the Regiment answered roll call at Benton Barracks, Missouri and mustered for six months pay. A few never reported back and stand branded as deserters.

 

On June 5,  the Regiment was  newly armed and equipped for the fray.  On July 8,  the Regiment was paid four months pay and marched aboard the steamboat Nebraska. In company with the 29^th  Illinois, they proceeded down the Mississippi, arriving at Vicksburg, Mississippi on  July 15.  They were assigned to a position formerly occupied by Grant's right wing.  During the siege of Vicksburg, the Regiment lost heavily from poisoned water . 

 

They left Vicksburg on July 24 and arrived at Port Hudson on July 25.  On August 13, the Regiment was ordered to New Orleans. The Regiment remained at New Orleans until September 5,  when the Second Division, 13th Army Corps, (which included the 91^st  Illinois), took steamers up the river and landed at Morganzia Bend on September 6. 

 

On the morning of the September 7, the 91^st  Illinois, 94 ^th Illinois, 20 ^th Wisconsin, and a battalion of the 2 ^nd Illinois Cavalry, with two 12-pound cannons, started west for the Atchafalaya River. About sundown the Brigade fought the enemy. The enemy held their ground, and the Union Brigade fell back six miles. 

 

On September 8, they again advanced, driving the enemy across the river, with but little loss. A number of the enemy were killed and about 200 were taken prisoners. They were kindly cared for by the 2 ^nd Illinois Cavalry into whose custody they were given.

 

On September 9, the 91^st Illinois fell back to the Mississippi River.  On September 10 they took possession of Morganzia, where they remained until October 10. Again they started for New Orleans arriving there on the October 11 where they were armed with Enfield rifles and  assigned to the First Brigade, 2 ^nd Division, 13^th Army Corps, General Vandever commanding.

 

On  October 23,  the  Regiment started for Texas, via the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. They arrived at Point Isabell, Texas, on November 3.

 

On November 6, they started for Brownsville, Texas, skirmishing all the way with the enemy,  and they landed at Fort Brown, Brownsville, Texas, on November 9. They went into winter quarters where they remained until December 31 when the Regiment made its famous raid on Salt Lake, 90 miles out in the enemies country, capturing a lake of salt two miles square, a few hundred horses, mules and cattle. They were promptly confiscated for the good of the command except for the lake which they left behind for the use of future generations.  

 

On January 9,1864, the 91^st Illinois arrived safely back on the Rio Grande after a march of over 260 miles, without the loss of a man.

 

On  May 31, 1864, Henry T. Bandy died of dysentery and was buried at Fort Brown.

 

The Regiment remained there doing frontier duty until July 26, when it left Brownsville.  On July 30,  they arrived at Brazos de Santiago, Texas. They were left to do duty as a garrison of the place until September 11 when the Regiment had quite a fight with the rebels near Bagdad, on the north side of Rio Grande River. It was said at the time a squadron of French troops forded the Rio Grande to help the rebels, but all to no use, for they were driven back. Rebel losses included 20 killed and left on the field. Union loss, two wounded. 

 

On December 24, they broke camp and took a steamer for New  Orleans. They were quartered in the "Alabama Press" and did provost duty. 

 

On February 21, 1865, the Regiment was given transportation on board the "Katie Dale". They landed at Mobile Point, Alabama where they remained until the advance on Mobile.

 

On March 17, the 91^st  Illinois in the advance, marched through swamps, building corduroy and wading creeks and swimming rivers.  On March 27 they met the enemy in force. The 1^st  and 3^re  Divisions, 13^th Army Corps, the 91^st  Illinois in the advance in double column at half distance, moved out to the attack on  the double-quick, the enemy retreating within its strongholds Spanish Fort and Blakely, the keys to Mobile. Here the enemy was at home. The battle opened and after a siege of 14 days, Spanish Fort surrendered on April 9 at one o clock A. M. At 8 o'clock the Brigade moved 10 miles around to and in the rear of Blakely and arrived just in time for its capture on the 9th at sundown. Throughout this siege the 91^st  took a very active part, and the fall of these strongholds resulted in the surrender of Mobile by the Mayor on April 12. General Hardee, in command of the rear guard of the enemy's forces, lingered behind attempting to get away with the stores. The 91^st took the railroad north, and when near Whistler, on Eight Mile Creek, they came upon the rear guard.  Companies H, C, B, F, D and A, of the 91^st  were deployed as skirmishers under command of Captain Joseph A. Wells and Captain A. S. Stover, who put the enemy to rout after a running fight of three miles. This was the last fight east of the Mississippi.

 

The 91^st  proceeded on its march after the enemy until it reached the Tombigbee River near Nanahubba Bluffs, where it went into quarters and began building Fort Granger until May 9 when received the news of the surrender of Dick Taylor. They broke camp and went aboard of the rebel steam and gunboats as they then were moved at the bank under the guns of Fort Granger, and down the river for Mobile, where they  remained until July 12, when the Regiment was mustered out. On the same day they started for home. They arrived on July 22 and  received final pay and discharge on  July 28. The Regiment disbanded and as citizens once more betook themselves for home, there to be received by those they left behind.

 

In the manuscript archives at the Historical Library in Springfield, Illinois is a file of letters that Henry  wrote to his wife, father,  and various relatives. The library bought them from a broker and paid over four figures for the collection.  Also in the collection is a letter written to Mary after Henry’s death by Nathaniel McMahan. One touching paragraph says, "You wished me to let you know when he died and whether he was willing to die or not. Henry died on the morning of the third of June about sunrise. Mary, I can't tell how he felt as to death. I don't think he was aware that he was so near death. . . .You wanted to know whether he got the children's pictures or not. He got them and was very proud of  them he could hardly bear to have them laid out of sight. He wanted to look at them all the time and we buried them with him. We laid the pictures on his chest. I don't know whether that would have been your notion or not Mary, but it was mine."

 

Nathaniel who wrote the above letter was an ex-brother-in-law to Mary. He also served in the 91^st  infantry. He had been married to Mary’s sister Sarah Wells.

 

When she married, Susan Foster’s (413, 18-862) ( May 19, 1820 - December 2, 1906) father offered  husband Hugh Bandy (413, 17-637) (August 10, 1818 - February 14, 1872) nine slaves as wedding gifts. Hugh declined the gift because he opposed slavery. Two of their sons, James Madison (1022, 18-1151) (June 5, 1842 - 1864) and Jackson (413, 18-1153) (1845 - ? ), were killed in the Civil War fighting for the South. After Jackson was wounded, his mother, Susan Foster Bandy, tried to bring home the 15 year old solider, dressed as a girl, but he tragically died of gangrene during the journey.  James died when he "was shot and killed by `bushwhackers' as he made his way home on furlough". Hugh and Susan had a granddaughter named America Bandy.

 

Hugh, himself, was killed after the war by Jayhawkers who thought he had secret silver mine.  Hugh had been buying land in the area.   The land, which became known as Bandy’s Bend, is where Hugh and other Bandys are buried in a small cemetery on a gently sloping hill beside the White River.  Bandy’s Bend was peninsula of some 360 acres formed by a bend in the White River. Silver Mountain, precipitous and rugged, rises above Bandy’s Bend from the opposite bank of the river.  Hugh also owned the mountain.  In 1872, Jayhawkers came to Bandy’s Bend.  Hugh hid, but the Jayhawkers burned his home and his smokehouse and threatened to hang his sons, William and Tipton, if they did not tell where their father was.  By one account, Hugh arrived while the sons were being threatened, and was shot after he refused to provide information on the mine.

 

It is assumed that he had no knowledge of the mine, and no one has ever found it. Hugh may have accumulated his wealth working in the caves of Silver Mountain, but by a means other than mining. Hugh was subpoenaed to appear before Honorable Henry C. Caldwell, Judge of the District Court of the United States of America for the Western District of Arkansas.  Subpoenas were dated April 25, 1867, April 26, 1867, and September 13, 1867 (when two separate subpoenas were issued). He was indicted on May 13, 1867. The documents indicate the Marshall was “hereby commanded as you have often before been that you take Hugh Bandy if he shall be found in your District and safely keep, so that you may have his body before the District Court of the United States of America, for the Western District of Arkansas to be held at Van Buren in the said District, before the judge of the said Court, on the second Monday of November next, to answer to a Bill of Indictment preferred against him for carrying on the occupation of Distiller without a license.”

 

On May 13, 1867, L.C. White, U. S. Marshall wrote, “I certify that the within named Hugh Bandy is not within my borders having gone into the state of Missouri.” On November 13, 1867, he wrote, “In obedience to the within writ to me delivered I took into my custody the within named Hugh Bandy on the 7th day of Nov. 1867 in Madison Co. in the Western Dist. of Arkansas and have him now before the Untied States Court for the Western Dist. of Ark. this 13^th day of Nov. 1867.”  Holiday Island is now in Carroll County, but at that time was part of Madison County. On the document is written, “near mouth of Leatherwood on White River.”  That is, perhaps, an indication of where Hugh was arrested. The Grand Jury indictment stated that Hugh, “did exercise, and carry on the business of distilling and manufacturing spirituous liquors for sale without first taking out a license as required by law contrary to the form of the statutes in such cases make and provided and against the peace and dignity of the United States of America.”  Also written on the document are the words “Not Guilty.”  Although not entirely clear, the words could mean that there was a trial, and that Hugh was found not guilty. On the other hand the notation might simply mean that Hugh pleaded not guilty to the charges.  The notation is followed by a second only partially legible notation in a different handwriting that states, “ . . . will admit to bail in the sum of $500.”  Possibly, the two together mean that he agreed to an arrangement where he would pay $500 and not contest the charges.  No other subsequent entries are in the record.[35]

 

Susan, Hugh’s widow, continued to live at Bandy’s Bend after Hugh’s murder, but moved with her daughter to Missouri around 1880. Son-in-law Hugo Jefferson Burnett assumed management of the property. He borrowed to purchase additional land and lost most of the property during the depression. In 1972 Thelma Estella Ferguson Burnett sold Silver Mountain to “outsiders”. Bandy’s Bend became an island in 1958 when Table Rock Dam raised the level of the White River covering one-third of Bandy’s Bend.  Bandy’s Bend, now a is vacation resort called Holiday Island, has three streets that still bear the family name.

 

World Wars I and II and Viet Nam

 

Wayne Lynn Bandy MUS 2C USN, assigned to the USS Arizona died during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. His name is found on the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

 

There is no known complete list of Americans killed in either World War. There is, however, a list of British and Australian deaths.  The Debt of Honour Register, as reported by Derek Bandy, contains the following names:

 

The Great War (World War I)

A. Bandy, Lance Corporal, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 18^th Bn., died on Friday, August 23, 1918.

 

Albert Edward Bandy, Lance Corporal, Bedfordshire Regiment, 2^nd Bn., died on Wednesday, March 1915, at the age of 18. He was the son of Albert Edward and Lizzie Maria Bandy of Cold Harbour, Harpenden, Herts.

 

A. E. Bandy, Private, Lancashire Fusilers, 10^th Bn., died on Saturday, May 12, 1917.

 

George Bandy, Private, York and Lancaster Regiment 1^st Bn., died on Friday, April 23, 1915.

 

Herbert George Bandy, Private, Northamptonshire Regiment, 6^th Bn., died on Saturday, February 17, 1917.

J. Bandy, Private, The King’s Liverpool Regiment, 1^st Bn., died on Friday, June 23, 1916, at the age of  19. He was the son of William Henry and Eleanor Jane Bandy of Atherton, Lancaster.

 

J. D. Bandy, Pioneer, Royal Engineers 134^th Army Troops Coy., died on Thursday, August 3, 1916, at the age of 34.  He was the son of Mrs. R. Bandy.

 

Joseph Sidney Bandy, Private, East Surrey Regiment died on Thursday August 22, 1918, at the age of  19.  He was the son of Joseph and Jane Bandy of Ilford, Essex.

 

Joseph Thomas Bandy, Company Sargent Major, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, 10^th Bn.,  died on September 18, 1916, at the age of 34. He was the son of Mrs. Bandy of Buckingham.

 

W. E. Bandy, Private, Essex Regiment 9^th Bn., died on Monday, October 8, 1917.

 

William George Bandy, Private, Norfolk Regiment 7^th Bn., died on Monday, April 30, 1917.

 

World War II

 

Albert George Bandy, Private, Northamptonshire Regiment, 1^st Bn., died on Wednesday, June 14, 1944, at the age of 24.

 

Frederick Alexander Bandy, Flight Sergeant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Air Bomber, 75 Sqdn., died on Sunday May 30, 1943.

 

Frederick Percy Bandy, Lance Corporal, Highland Light Infantry, City of Glasqow Regiment, 2^nd Bn. Died on Tuesday, February 20, 1945, at the age of 21.

 

John Percy William Bandy, Sergeant, Royal Australian Air Force died on May 7, 1942, at the age of 23.  He was the son of John and Hannah Beatrice Bandy, and the husband of Joyce Irene Bandy of St. Kilda, Victoria.

 

Vietnam War

 

Four American soldiers named Bandy were killed in Vietnam.  All died in 1968. Curtis Elbert Bandy (April 4, 1946 - May 6, 1968) SP4/Army of Denver, Colorado died of multiple fragmented wounds in Thua Thien.  He had been in the Army for less than a year. He was married. Larry Gene Bandy (March 29, 1947 - August 1, 1968) SGT/Army of Kincaid, Illinois was killed by small arms fire in Thua Then.  He had been in the Army for one year. He was single. Michael J. Bandy (April 9, 1947 - March 26, 1968) SGT/Army of Bridge, Louisiana died of multiple fragmented wounds in Binh Duong. He had been in the Army for less than a year. He was married. Raymond Douglas Bandy (October 18, 1932 - December 14, 1968) SSG/Army of Bandy, Virginia died from an explosive device in Dinh Dinh. He was married, and he had been in the Army for 16 years.

 

Stories of the Old West

 

Stories of the Old West are always popular.  The story of Hugh Bandy told above is one. Here are three more.

 

Sheriff Bandy, a Hanging

 

In the pall of gloom, on a cold and rainy winter day in 1896, Thomas F. Covington was hung in Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina for the murder of James Brown, the proprietor of  a Cotton Mill.  Sheriff Theodore Lafayette Bandy (1629, 19-1309) (July 9, 1853 - November 28, 1924) read the death warrant to the prisoner who walked, the rope already about his neck, from the jail to the gallows.  Covington paused to tell other prisoner goodby, and he shook hands with each one, admonishing each to repent of wicked ways and meet him in heaven.  At the gallows, Sheriff Bandy straightened the rope, and Covington whispered to him make “sure work of it.”  Sheriff Bandy put a cap over his Covington’s face, shook hands with him, climbed down to the ground, and pulled the trigger of the release. [At least so says the newspaper account.  A photograph that supposedly depicts the hanging seems to show Sheriff Bandy cutting the rope with a hatchet while standing on the gallows.]  Covington fell about five feet, and doctors pronounced him dead in six minutes. 

 

“Thee” Bandy, as he was known to family and friends, was the son of William M. (355, 18-747) (March 15, 1824 - November 8, 1897) and Louisa Emaline Huitt (860, 18-998) (January 15, 1832 - January 17, 1865) Bandy (see Chapter 3). In 1924, while driving home from Statesville, Thee was struck by a train and killed instantly.  His funeral was attended by 2,000 persons.[36]

 

Doc Bandy and the Fatal Pistol Whipping 

 

It was New Year’s Eve in 1885 in Blair in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory.  There was crowd at Andrew Jackson Moore’s store having a jubilee. They were all drinking.  Willis Banks was quarreling with the proprietor Jackson Moore.

 

Mark Bowars said, “If there is any of you want to fight, you can fight me.  I am the best damned man on the ground and could whip the crowd.”  He commenced drawing his pistol when William Clark came up, grabbed Bowars, and took away his pistol. Bowars told Clark to give up his pistol, and Clark told him to stand back.

 

Clark said, “I am not going to hurt anyone if you will keep off of me.” Clark backed away 10 or 15 paces, but Bowars kept advancing. Moore caught Bowars by the shoulder, told him to stop, and led him around to the front door of the store. Bowars said that he wanted Moore’s Winchester.  Moore told him he had loaned it out.  Bowars went back and looked to see if it was there. They then went out front of the store. Samuel Fortner grabbed Clark, and Jackson Moore took  Bowars’ pistol away from him.

 

Bowars went up to Doc Bandy, grabbed Bandy’s pistol, and struck at Bandy with his fist.  Bandy caught the lick. Bowars run his face up into Bandy’s, and called him a liar. Bowars spit in his face. Bandy said, “Did you call me a liar.”

Bowars said, “Yes, I did.”  Bandy jerked the pistol away from Bowers, and said he didn’t allow any damned man to take his pistol. Bowars then struck at Bandy. Bandy struck Bowars with the pistol knocking him to the ground.  Bowars raised up, and Bandy struck him two or three more times.

 

 

Bowars fell again and was helped to his feet. He was led back into Moore’s store where he was seated next to the stove. Later, he was taken to a boarding house where he was put to bed.  The next morning a doctor was called, but Bowars died before the doctor arrived.

 

Later that morning, Doc Bandy told Samuel Fortner that Bowars was dead, and asked if he had any money.  Fortner said he had none to spare.  Bandy said he might pull out that day and that he might not.

 

Both William Clark and Doc Bandy were charged with murder, and a writ of arrest was issued for both men (See above). Clark was arrested, but Bandy was not seen again. Clark was tried for assault with intent to kill. The verdict read, “We the jury find the defendant not guilty as charged in the within indictment.” From the testimony presented in the case (and summarized above) it is not clear why Clark was charged. Perhaps the testimony was not as expected. Perhaps it was because prosecutors believed that Bandy and Clark conspired to disarm and then kill Bowars, or perhaps it was simply because William Clark could be found and Doc Bandy couldn’t. 

 

The identity of Doc Bandy (who is referred to as Doc, Dock, and Doctor) is not otherwise known.  Several Bandy households lived in the Indian Territory at the time as well as in Texas and surrounding states. None are known to have lived in or near Blair.[37]

 

The Shootout at Bandy’s Saloon

 

Shootout at Bandy’s Saloon” is another story that begins in the Indian Territory, but this one makes it way to the Supreme Court in Washington and back to the Court of Appeals in New Orleans. The known outcome suggests that innocent individuals can receive justice. 

 

John Stevenson shot and killed Joe Gaines, an acting Deputy Marshal, on August 22, 1893 in Bandy’s Saloon, in the town of Paul’s Valley, in Pickens County, in the Chickasaw Nation, in the Indian Territory.  Stevenson was tried in the Eastern District of Texas, convicted, and sentenced to be hanged.  The case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which overturned the conviction.  Stevenson was convicted a second time and the conviction was again overturned, this time by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.  It is not known what eventually happened as no record of the retrial has not be found.  Perhaps there was none. 

 

Here is the story.  B.D. Davidson, a lawyer and a commissioner of the United States for one of the territorial courts, bound over a George Mitchell. Mitchell asked John Stevenson to help him post bail.  Commissioner Davidson told Stevenson that he had not offered enough property, and that he would have to post his farm too if he wanted Mitchell to be granted bail.  Stevenson was angered.  After supper and about 9 o’clock Stevenson returned and commenced cursing. According to Davidson, Stevenson accused Davidson of “everything he could put his tongue to.”  Stevenson left, still curing, and went south. As he went away, he could be heard cursing and swearing. 

 

The “victim” Joe Gaines, appeared and asked what all “this racket or fuss was about.”  Davidson told him, and Gaines said, “I will go and arrest him and stop him.”  Gaines said he “would arrest him and hold him until morning.”  Gaines  talked with Stevenson, but did not arrest him.    A witness testified that Stevenson when confronted by Gaines, and while holding a knife said, “Don’t draw that pistol, if you do I will cut you.”   Stevenson turned loose of Gaines.  When he did, Stevenson drew on Gaines and ordered him to drop his knife.  The witness said, “John, for God’s sake throw your knife down or he will kill you.  Stevenson dropped his knife . . .” 

 

Gaines took him away, but some ten or fifteen minutes, later Stevenson and his wife were seen walking down the street.  Stevenson asked a passerby for his gun.  When refused, Stevenson said, “I will go home and get my Winchester and come back, and I will make the son of a bitch hide out.”

 

Later that evening, Stevenson was in Bandy’s Saloon with his gun.  He invited everyone to come up and drink.  Gaines, according to one witness, “approached the cider joint [Bandy’s Saloon]. He was coming very rapidly.  As he ran up to the light he had his six shooter in both hands in shooting position.  He ran right up to the door without saying a word, pushed the six shooter in, and fired. He fired instantly.  He did not halt a moment.  He did not say a word.”  The ball from Gaines’ pistol imbedded in the counter, missing Stevenson five or six inches.  Stevenson fired, killing Gaines.  Apparently, Stevenson’s shot hit Gaines in the arm.  The shot passed through Gaines’ arm, struck him in the chest, and killed him. Witnesses in Bandy’s Saloon testified that Stevenson fired only one shoot. 

 

Davidson testified that before the shooting, he had been at a hotel with Gaines, and that they had heard shots before Gaines left for Bandy’s Saloon.  Davidson testified that after hearing the shots, Gaines walked over to a sewing machine where he picked up his pistol.  Gaines said that he would go and “get him and fasten him, and keep him in charge and not release him any more.”  

 

The obvious question was whether Gaines had the right to fire upon Stevenson and whether Stevenson had the right to shoot Gaines in self-defense. The judge in the original trial, had denied Stevenson the right to enter evidence regarding the above account because he judged it to be irrelevant. Neither would he allow Stevenson to present a case of second degree murder.  The Supreme Court disagreed and overturned the verdict.[38]   In the retrial, the judge denied Stevenson the right to plead self-defense, and that conviction too was overturned.[39]  The court wondered why Gaines had not collected a sufficient posse, and made the arrest by an immediate show of overwhelming force.  As noted, the eventual outcome of any retrial is unknown. Apparently the owner of the Saloon was one of the witnesses who testified in favor of Stevenson.  Bandy’s identity is unknown.  It is known that a Frazier Howard Bandy was born in Paul’s Valley in 1891.  It is somewhat likely that Frazier’s father was the proprietor of Bandy’s Saloon.

 

An Eccentric

 

Richard Edgar Bandy (2648, 20-1708) (October 12, 1896 - 1977) left home very young and hoboed around America until he landed in California and worked in the oil fields.[40]   He invested in oil fields and land and then the stock market.  He was a member of two stock exchanges.  He was a very frugal man, choosing to live in a dirt floor, one car garage while renting out his house.  He bought his clothing at Goodwill.  He had a small appliance repair shop behind the garage.  He became a millionaire.  At age 62, he married Mary Jo,  last name unknown, and they lived in a very small one bedroom apartment in a high rise hotel in Long Beach, California.  When he died, he willed his estate to a church school in Long Beach.  Jo was independently wealthy.[41]

 

A Few More Moonshiners and Bootleggersc l2 "A Few More Moonshiners and Bootleggers

 

The above story of Hugh Bandy and his alleged “carrying on the occupation of distiller without a license” is just one of several accounts of Bandys making moonshine and selling bootleg liquor. 

In this writer's 1995 visit to Bandy, Virginia, Marvin Bandy said, "Most folks here made their living by mining coal, cutting timber, and moonshining, but not as much anymore."  This friendly group says they are all related in more than one way, and confess to having made a little moonshine.  

 

O.E. Bandy (possibly Otis Earle Bandy (2627, 21-1548) (October 13, 1905 - October 1963)), but the date of birth and date of the crime seem inconsistent) was convicted of carrying intoxicating liquor into the state of Oklahoma from Texas.  His conviction was upheld in 1917.  He transported liquor from Denison, Texas to Madill, Oklahoma.[42]

 

In 1930, George Bandy (2452, 20-1138) (1879 - December 6, 1946) of Wilbur, Washington was arrested for selling moonshine whiskey from a backroom in his drugstore.  His supposedly 18 year old daughter, Elizabeth (3380, 21-1253) (July 16, 1910 - January 12, 1969) was working at a roll top desk by the soda fountain in the drugstore.  When she saw men restraining her father, she picked up a revolver that was lying in one of the drawers of the desk, and hastily went to his aid. An arresting officer later testified that she said, “If you arrest my daddy, I’ll kill you.”  Another witness, however, stated that she said, “Don’t you touch my daddy.”  She was convicted of knowingly resisting an officer in the performance of his duty.  The conviction was appealed.  The Supreme Court of Washington overturned the conviction for knowingly interfering with officers performing their duties as the evidence did not clearly show she was aware that they were federal officers.[43]

 

In 1935, Jasper Bandy (1820, 20-2304) (March 13, 1898 - December 1982) was convicted of having an unregistered still and failing to pay the tax on distilled spirits in the Middle District of Tennessee.  He unsuccessfully appealed the conviction the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.[44]

 

In 1947, T. R. Bandy, a practicing attorney in Kingsport, Tennessee, and a county judge in Sullivan County, Tennessee appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court to recovery a five-passenger coupe Buick that had been seized on July 31, 1945 while being driven by Burton B. Laughters through Botetourt County, Virginia with seventeen cases of  bottled whisky that had been purchased in Washington, D.C.  T. R. claimed to have a valid lien against the automobile.  The court related a conservation in which T.R. said, “He [Laughters] will have to go over some of them [Virginia roads]; that is his living, he has to make it, he can’t stop like that; he will have to dodge Botetourt County.” Concluding that T.R. knew how the automobile was used, the court refused to recognize his lien against the automobile.[45]

 

Allen Bandy’s story of Bandy, North Carolina notes that Bandys made corn whiskey legally for the government. The taxes, however, were higher than the price of moonshine whiskey.  The tax was over a dollar a gallon, while “blockade’ whiskey sold for less than a dollar per gallon. So, no doubt from time to time, some whiskey was sold while the revenuer’s back was turned.

 

The Infamous

 

In addition to moonshiners and bootleggers, the Bandy family has had its share of murders, tax evaders, and other assorted felons.  They too are part of the family history.  Some early encounters with the law are noted above (see the discussion of Elinor and Richard). Mary Bandy, identity otherwise unknown, was a felon transported to Virginia to serve seven years.  The order was dated April 22, 1774.[46]  Here are some other of the most notorious as found in the actual reported cases.

 

 

Henderson Bandy was convicted of first degree murder in Franklin County, Ohio.  He appealed the conviction to Supreme Court of Ohio, and the conviction was upheld in 1921.    Although the opinion of the Ohio Supreme Court does not spell out the details of the case, the murder took place during a robbery.   Henderson offered no defense other than claiming the murder was committed by the occupants of a car.[47]

 

In 1956, Roger S. Bandy pleaded guilty to charges of filing false claims for income tax refunds in California.   In 1959, he was convicted in North Dakota for filing six false claims for income tax refunds and sentenced to five years imprisonment and five years probation.  In 1961, he received eleven five-year sentences from the U.S. District Court for Idaho for similar charges. 

 

In December 1961, he made application to the Supreme Court for release on his personal recognizance, and was released from custody by Justice William O. Douglas.  After he was released, Roger fled in violation of his parole.  Roger’s petitions for a Supreme Court review of his conviction was denied in March 1962. William O. Douglas dissented.  Roger could not be located again until December 1965 when he was arrested in New York.  The District Court of North Dakota described the release as, “one of the classic examples of misplaced confidence in the annals of American Jurisprudence . . . Bandy was, by order of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, admitted to bail on his own recognizance. . . .”  He was transferred to Leavenworth Penitentiary in January 1966 and began to serve his sentence. 

 

Roger appealed his conviction an unknown number of times in various Circuits and to the Supreme Court. There literally were dozens of appeals.[48]  One frustrated judge noted, “I do not propose that this Court . . .be further harassed by utterly useless correspondence with a convicted felon with respect to [these] matters . . .”  Another noted, “It is manifest that the questions on which the decision of this court depends are so unsubstantial as not to need further argument.”

 

On August 19, 1974, 17 year old Freddy L. Bandy entered Stoney’s Bar in Philadelphia with two others and, at knife point, forced the bartender to remove money from the cash register.  Freddy then stabbed the bartender in the stomach.  After being stabbed, the bartender grabbed a rifle which he kept behind the bar and shot Freddy in the back.  Both men collapsed behind the bar.  The bartender died eleven days later from the stab wound.  His co-conspirators, ages 13 and 14, testified that Freddy said, “I should stick this bar up.” Freddy was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to serve 10 to 20 years. Freddy’s appeal was unsuccessful.[49]  He was paroled, and on August 20, 1985 he was arrested by Philadelphia Police and charged with stabbing Debra Allison and attempting to steal her money.  He was convicted of assault and returned to prison for that crime and parole violation.  He unsuccessfully appealed the conviction.[50]

 

In 1978, Charles Bandy, while in prison on another conviction, killed fellow inmate David Cunningham.  Charles knocked David Cunningham down to the floor, and while Cunningham was unconscious, Charles used the bunks on either side of the cell for support, and jumped up and down repeatedly on Cunningham’s head and face.  Cunningham died on the floor of his cell.[51]

 

Jordan J. Bandy was convicted of molesting a child in Mississippi in 1986.  As he had been previously convicted in Iowa and Texas of similar offenses, Jordan was sentenced to life in prison.[52]

 

The Famous

 

Unlike the above accounts, most individuals with the name have lived positive, productive lives.  Here are just a few accounts.

 

Henry Bandy, a descendent of John Bandy (identity otherwise unknown), lived up in Bandy Hollow near a village named Petroleum in Allen County, Kentucky.  Henry came from Tennessee to Kentucky.  He was a blacksmith and a good fiddler and played on the WSM radio station.  Henry Ford, the car man, paid Henry to go play just for him in Detroit one time. The Bandys up in Bandy Hollow were loners.  They farmed by day and made whiskey and babies at night.[53]

 

Marion Francis “Moe” Bandy (2826, 20-2170), son of Marion Francis Bandy, Sr. (1907, 19-2089)  and Janell Bandy (1907, 19-2090) probably is the best known person named Bandy.  His country music led him to Nashville and Branson.  Moe was raised in San Antonio, Texas. Moe was a working cowboy on a Texas ranch, and a competition bull rider and bareback bronc rider for several years before opting for the music business.  Moe’s brother, Mike, was a PRCA National finalist seven times in the bull riding event.

 

Sisters Betty (2621, 21-1543) and Jane Bandy( 2621, 21-1544)[54] were beauty contest winners.  Betty was in several movies, and she was killed in an airplane crash.

 

On Christmas Eve in 1902, Carroll George Bandy (2019, 19-2447) (June 8, 1881 - June 5, 1978) from Kentucky[55] married  Jessie Bliar (2019, 19-2446)(July 22, 1882 - April 1980), who was from Iowa, in Siebert, Colorado.   Carroll was a Rock Island Railroad fireman, and then an oil field worker.  They had three daughters Helen,  Beulah, and a daughter who died young, and a son John Michael Hughes Bandy.  Carroll and Jessie lived to celebrate their 75^th  wedding anniversary.[56]

 

The mineral Bandyite is named after Mark Chance Bandy (1071, 19-1769)[57]   Mark was a geologist whose collection is in the Smithsonian Institute.

 

The W. T. Bandy Center for [Charles] Baudelaire Studies  located at Vanderbilt University is named after Dr. William Thomas Bandy, Jr. (2495, 20-1231) (May 11, 1903 - July 6, 1989).[58]

 

Stacy Leigh Bandy was a member of the U. S. Olympics Gymnastics Team in 1984 and 1988.  She also participated in a variety of  international and national competitions including the Goodwill games and the World Championships.  

 

Way Bandy, who was one of the fashion world’s best known and highest-paid makeup artists and a best-selling authors, died of AIDS at the age of 45. His death was reported in an August 15, 1986 New York Times obituary which is summarized here. Way arrived in New York in 1966 and became a makeup instructor and skin care specialist, and in 1969 became the salon director of the makeup department at Charles of the Ritz.  He left in 1971 to become a freelance makeup artist and consultant to cosmetics manufacturers. He  made up some of the world’s most celebrated women including Elizabeth Taylor, Raquel Welch, Catherine Deneuve, Lauren Hutton, Farrah Fawcett, Barbara Streisand, Gloria Vanderbilt, Lee Radziwill, Cher, Sigourney Weaver, Nancy Reagan, and Cheryl Teigs.  Elizabeth Taylor once told the Wall Street Journal that Mr. Bandy was “like an artist using a palette.”  Photographer Francesco Scavullo said, “Way was not only one of the greatest makeup artists or our time, but also one of the most beautiful men in mind and spirit.”  He was a bachelor and asked that survivors not be identified.  In a court case, he is referred to as Way Bandy, also known as Ronald D. Wright.  It is not clear which is his family name.  The suit was between him and Sara Bandy, also known as Sara Wright.[59]  

 

Perhaps the most famous fictional character named Bandy is Bartholomew Bandy, the Canadian First World War air ace. The humorous fictional character was the subject of writer Donald Jack’s eight volumes (to date) of  “Bandy Papers” which have sold over a million copies.

 

Roger Bandy is the name the title character in an Australian children’s book that is now out of print. Although I have not seen the book, I understand that Roger Bandy was a puppy.

 

And a Few Famous But Distant Relatives

 

Estes Kefauver, Adlai Stevenson’s 1956 Democratic vice-presidential running mate, is descended from Elizabeth Bandy (306, 17-8) (1780 - ? ) who married Daniel James. Elizabeth is the daughter of Richard (156, 16-1) (1750 - November 1815) and granddaughter of Richard (71, 14-1) (July 8, 1722 - July 21, 1795). Elizabeth and Daniel’s daughter Sarah Jane (August 6, 1802 - ? ) married Jacob Kefauver March 10, 1796 of Maryland, and they had eight children.

 

George Marion Bandy (794, 18-632) (November 7, 1835 - March 31, 1915) married Lucinda Spires Walton (794, 18-1065) (May 2, 1837 - November 13, 1915).  She was the sister of Sam Walton’s  (Wal-Mart’s founder) grandfather.

 

Actor George Clooney and singer Rosemary Clooney are related to Ansel L. Bandy (1051, 18-1223) and  Mary Ann Burgess (1051, 18-1231). Ansel  is the son of William Bandy (539, 17-931) and Dicie Green Bandy (539, 17-932) and perhaps the grandson of  David and Mourning Bandy. Ansel and Mary’s daughter Dicy Florence Bandy (1790, 19-1732) married James Jack “Major” Edwards, and they had a son Ansel Lee Roy Edwards. Their daughter Dica Mae Edwards married a Warren, and they had a daughter Nina Bruce Warren.  She married Nick Clooney, Rosemary’s brother.