John C Backas joined the 4th Illinois Cavalry in Oy, Illinois on October 24 1861 as a private, also enlisted with company "D" of that same day. Frank received a disability discharge from the Regiment and his Company "D" on October 29 1862

Here are the battle John was engaged in while in service:

Battles Fought

Fought at Vicksburg, Mississippi

Fought on 27 October 1861 at Kankakee, Illinois

Fought on 06 February 1862 at Fort Henry, Tennessee

Fought on 15 February 1862 at Fort Donelson, Tennessee

Fought on 01 July 1862 at Holly Springs, Mississippi

Fought on 13 July 1862 at Moscow, Tennessee

From the pension file below it looks like John and his wife filed in Illinois as invalid on Feb 11 1891, his wife filing as a widow on May 20, or 23, 1893, May you rest in peace