Preston Warren

A 38 year old carpenter in Fitchburg, MA, he enlisted in Worcester as a Private in Company D, 21st Massachusetts Infantry on 19 July 1861. He was detailed as a carpenter to the Craven Street Hospital in New Bern, NC in March 1862 and returned to his regiment on 20 June.

He was slightly wounded in the head in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862.

He was admitted to the Carver General Hospital in Washington, DC on 23 September, sent to the Patterson Park Hospital in Baltimore, MD on 4 November, and on to the Race Street Hospital in Philadelphia, PA on 23 November - diagnosed with "insanity." He was thought returned to duty on 13 January 1863, but was listed by his regiment as a deserter and "supposed to be in Fitchburg, Mass." He was listed later as sick and supposed to be in a hospital in Boston. He was discharged for disability on 13 May 1863 in Boston. He was found to be suffering from "paroxysmal mania and mental imbecility." A local doctor said Preston "was insane before his enlistment, insanity being hereditary in his family."

In 8 June 1863 he was arrested and imprisoned at Fort Independence in Boston by the Provost Marshal as a deserter. They said they found no sign of the insanity, but finally released him based on his previous discharge documents.

He enlisted again and was enrolled in Company K, 10th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps on 11 August 1864 and was discharged on 10 August 1865.

He was admitted as a boarder at the Poor Farm in Rutland, MA in December 1903, then age 80.

His service from Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines1, his Compiled Service Records,2 via fold3, and Walcott.3

c. 1823; Winchendon, MA