After the outbreak of the Civil War, John Ginter, in October 1861, enlisted in Co. G., 5th Kansas Cavalry. He had to conduct this movement with great secrecy on account of Rebels being all around him.
The recruiting officer sought him in the wheat field where he was at work, and they agreed to meet at the farmer’s house on a certain night. The lieutenant, however, was obliged to leave before the night appointed for the meeting.
Mr. Ginter’s partner swam the Platte River, then got a skiff and by the aid of this, they reached the Missouri River, crossing to Leavenworth, where they joined their regiment. Mr. Ginter was mustered in by Gen. Jim Lane and served three years and two months. He fought at the Battles of Dry Weed, Morriston, Helena, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and other engagements.
John Ginter was my great-grandfather.
Theresa Stingerie Bainbridge
LaSalle, Colorado
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then CAPPER’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from CAPPER’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.