(a) (b) John Zimmerman(1827-1909) with brothers, Berkley F. Dillon(1901-1966) and Leland S. Dillon(1903-1960). John Zimmerman, of the 5thWV Volunteers, during the Civil War, had an exciting experience at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, the morning of October 19, 1964,when his unit was ambushed by a Rebel unit commanded by Jubal Early. Sgt. Zimmerman was wounded in the right leg, just above the ankleand nearly captured.(The story of this near capture and rescue by members of his unit are on the Lawrence Co. website page as well as JohnZimmerman's family page at THE DILLON FAMILY GENEALOGY website, Rootsweb's WorldConnect website.) The night following theCedar Creek skirmish, John Zimmerman was operated on, the doctor removing a 'minnie ball' which John kept for years. Years later, afteryears of pain and suffering, a Proctorivllle doctor, Dr. Reynolds, operated again on the leg and removed a second 'minnie ball' from the samelocation in his right leg. John, from that point, wondered whether two "Rebs" had shot him or one "Reb" with two 'minnie balls. Berkley F.Dillon remarked years later that he always remembered 'Grandpa Zimmerman' walking with a limp. Berkley and Leland were the sons ofVincent F. and Nettie A. Dillon, also on this site. |