Christian Van Eschaute
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Christian VAN ESCHAUTE

Biography

Missouri

5th Missouri Infantry Volunteers

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St. Elizabeths Hospital (SEH) in Washington, D.C., originally was known as the Government Hospital for the Insane (GHI). It was established in 1852, and admitted its first patients in 1855. During the Civil War, the wounded soldiers were reluctant to write home that they were being treated at the "Government Hospital for the Insane." They began referring to the asylum as the St. Elizabeths Hospital after the colonial name of the tract of land where the hospital was located.
Following the Civil War, the hospital gradually received veterans from all parts of the United States. Many of these former soldiers were chronically ill and required custodial care. To relieve congestion and overcrowding, the hospital continued to construct new buildings till 188’s. 
 St. Elizabeths Hospital has two cemeteries where soldiers from the Civil War are interred. The Civil War cemetery on the west campus has approximately 300 graves. White and African American soldiers from the Union army and soldiers of the Confederacy are interspersed throughout the cemetery. Many of the stone markers are worn, cracked or broken. Some have been destroyed. The cemetery is in a poor condition. On the east side of the hospital grounds is another cemetery that includes Civil War veterans as well as veterans from World Wars I and II and the Spanish American War.

Enlisted

enlisted August 15, 1862, St Louis Mo

Discharged

discharged Febr. 26, 1863, Paducah Ky

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Biography :

Christian Van Eschaute “Sapper Miner Pioneers” (Missouri) enlisted as “Ghislain François Van Eschaute” in Captain Voerster’s Independent Company of sappers, miners and pontoneers. That company, raised principally in Central Missouri was consolidated with the 5th Missouri Volunteer Infantry as Company I on March 18, 1862.  At that time, Ghislain François Van Eschaute, was already discharged of duty by reason of disability, having varicose veins in right leg. At enlistment he stated being 35 years old, born in Diynze (Deinze), Belgium and a starch manufacturer by trade. 

Although he stated being a resident of St Louis, Mo, a broom maker at the date of his entry in the Home on August 28, 1895, I found nothing concerning his life after the war. More chance with the relative he mentioned: Justin Van Eschaute, Morrilton, Arkansas. Justin was a brother to Ghislain, being born September 8, 1825 at Deinze, Belgium.  

They emigrated around 1852 to New Brunswick, Canada taking 49 days to cross on Nerio with 72 other passengers. Then Justin (alone?) crossed to Boston by boat. The brothers settled at Mangen, Ste Genevieve Co., Missouri. Ghislain (Gislijn) was also born in Deinze on October 27, 1826. Their family name was spelled Van Eechaute.  

Ghislain Van Eechaute was transferred to the “Government Hospital for the Insane” in Washington where his death occurred on January 24, 1903.  He is buried in the Hospital cemetery.

Sources :
Western Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Leavenworth, Kansas