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Ratliff Boone VanBibber, served in the 143rd. Regiment of Indiana Volunteers in the Civil War as follows;

Volunteer Enlistment, Feb. 1, 1865, at Evansville, Vanderburgh Co. Indiana, for a period of 3 years, (muster records list 1 year enlistment), as a Private; Ratliff B. VanBibber, born Vanderburgh Co. Indiana, 18 years old, farmer. (He was actually 16)

He was listed on Company muster rolls as present in CO. 1, 143rd Regiment, Indiana Infantry from that date until he was listed as having deserted from Fort Donaldson on 9-13-1865, along with a US. Springfield rifle and accoutrements valued at, $23. 32.

He was in the Evansville arear after the War and lived there until his death Jan. 3, 1900. He was quite well known around town as a character. He wore buckskins in the late 1800's which was not common apparel.

It was said that Ratliff was a man of personal courage. His last job was carrying large sacks of potatoes over his shoulder from the fields around Evansville. From this, he contracted cancer in his arm. As the cancer progressed, they performed several amputations, starting with his hand. When they amputated it, it was clenched and they buried it. Later he complained of pain in his hand and insisted that they dig it up and open the clenched fist, they did, and the pain stopped.

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