John Shannon

He was 16 years old when he came to America from Scotland in 1853 and was a 23 year old mariner in Plymouth, MA when he enlisted there on 18 May 1861. He mustered in as a Private in what became Company E, 29th Massachusetts Infantry on 22 May.

He was wounded by a gunshot to his left side and chest in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862.

He was admitted to a US Army hospital in Frederick, MD on 22 September and sent on to Washington, DC on 25 September. He was promoted to Corporal on 9 December 1862 and to Sergeant on 2 October 1863. He reenlisted on 1 January 1864 and was appointed First Sergeant of his company shortly afterward. He was captured at Petersburg, VA on 30 July 1864 and was a prisoner in Danville and Richmond, VA until paroled on 22 February 1865 at James River, VA. He was at Camp Parole, Annapolis, MD on 24 February, on furlough to 1 April, then back with his regiment. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 24 July, but did not muster at that rank, and he mustered out as First Sergeant on 29 July 1865.

In 1870 he worked in a cordage plant in Plymouth but by 1880 he worked in a tack factory there.

His service from Soldiers, Sailors and Marines 1 and his Compiled Service Records,2 online from fold3. Wound and hospital details from Nelson3 and the Patient List,4 as Shennon. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1870-1880. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He became an American Citizen in 1866 and in September of that year married the widow Eliza A. Briggs Ellis (1845-1932). They had 2 children.

03/29/1837; Glasgow, SCOTLAND

12/31/1899; Brookline, MA; burial in Vine Hills Cemetery, Plymouth, MA