John Molett

Alabama Cavalry Company F | home Muster roll Contact Susette Cook

*John Dreisch Molett enlisted 6 December 1861 into Capt. Murphy's Company Alabama Mounted Volunteers at the age of 17 years old. He was enlisted by Capt. Murphy for 12 months. Apparently he was in Mobile when he joined the Company. Samuel John tell this story:

"Messrs, Thomas Norris, Charles Hill and myself(Samuel Will John) went to Cahaba on the day named, and there met Messrs. William H. Ulmer, John D. Molette and many others who had been in Capt. Horton's company; and just before dark, the "Curry Dragoons", under command of 2nd Lieut. William B. Cathey, rode in , and in a few moments, were all aboard a steamboat, bound for Mobile.

Lieut. Cathey told us he had no authority to enlist any more men, but he was satisfied we would be accepted if we came to Mobile promptly, clothed and mounted.

Messrs. Norris, Hill and myself returned to Selma that night; made our arrangements; took the steamboat, "St. Charles", the next day, and went to Mobile; and the morning after, we reported to Capt. Samuel Jennings Murphy, in Command of the "Curry Dragoons". Where we were quartered in the Hitchcock Compress and the Independent Compress; the men in one press, and the horses in the other." quote from Samuel Will John

The horse he took to war was valued at $225 and his equipment at $20.

He was listed on the company muster roll 18 Nov to 31 Dec 1861. He as noted as being sick in his quarters at the time of the roll.

John and his horse did not serve for long. He was wounded in the battle of Manassas and on the 1st of January 1862 he as discharged.

Here is the letter for his discharge.

Army of confederate States

Certificate of disability for Discharge

John D. Molette of Capt Samuel Jennings Murphy's company of Alabama

Mounted Volunteers of the Confederate State Army

was enlisted by Capt Saml Jennings Murphy at the city of Mobile on the

sixth day of December to serve 12 months. He was born in

Dallas County in the State of Alabama is seventeen years of age , five feet

height dark complexion , dark eyes, dark hair & by occupation when enlisted a

student. The said soldier

has been --- for duty since enlistment caused from a wound

received at the battle of Manassas on the twenty first day of July last. not

mustering officer at the time of mustering into service.

I certify that I have carefully examined the said John D. Molette

of Capt Samuel Jennings Murphys company and find him incapable of

performing the duties

of a soldier because of Inguinal Hernia which renders him unfit for service

from pain 7 inconvenicionce in riding or walking

or performing any of the duties of a soldier besides there is continual danger

of strangulation. From the history of the case

as stated by the patient & from the nature of the disease ('wound' crossed out)"

I state as my opinion

that the ('wound' crossed out) injury 5

received upon the battlefield of Mannassas.

John was only 5 feet and 5 inches tall. Amazingly I am also 5 feet and 5 inches tall! John had a dark complexion and dark eyes and dark hair.

In some records he was listed by the name John D. Molette.

He was born 24 July 1844 in Dallas county, Alabama and died in Serbin, Texas.

Virgina Molett Hamlett, great grand neice to John, told me "after the war John got an M D from Tulane Med School. He married Harriet Byrd (an Indian school teacher) in 1870. John was a doctor in Texas.

John's grandfather was William P. Molett who owned 300 slaves in 1850. His wife was Margaret A. Ulmer and they lived and raised their family in Dallas county.

This is a little picture showing the where William Molett settled in Dallas county.

John's father was John Ulmer Molett ( son of William). John was a planter also in Dallas County. In 1850 he owned 27 slaves.

John married Virginia Susan Caldwell. Virginia was born in 1823 in Virginia. Here are paintings of John Ulmer Molett and his wife Virginia Susan Caldwell. Digital images from Sandra Mann Oakley.

They had the following children:

F i. Margaret A. Molett was born in 1841 in Dallas county, Alabama.

M ii. *William Page Molett was born in 1843. He died on 4 Feb 1924.

M iii. *John D. Molett was born in 1845 in Dallas county, Alabama.

M iv. *Charles C. Molett was born in 1846 in Dallas county, Alabama. He died on 27 Jan 1864.

F v. Eliza S. Molett was born in 1848 in Dallas county, Alabama.

F vi. Virginia Molett was born in 1849 in Dallas county, Alabama.

M vii. Edward Molett was born in 1850.

F viii. Mary C Molett was born in 1853 in Dallas county, Alabama.

1. United States. Record and Pension Office., Compiled Service records of Confederate soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Alabama., Washington C. C. : The National Archives, 1961-1962.Third Alabama Cavalry L-Q 1861-1865 FHL#08803340.

2. 1850 Federal census, Alabama, Dallas County, Boug Chitto, page 85,86.

3. 1860 Federal Census, Alabama, Dallas, Orrville Beat page 931.

4. Virginia Molett Hamlett great grand daughter of William Page Molett.

5. There were a few corrections made to the above transcription thanks to Ben Franklin who emailed me, Susette Cook.

If you are a descendant or have stories or memorabilia about this unit contact Susette Cook. susette_cook@hotmail.com susette_cook@hotmail.com