Peter S. Blanchard

A 24 year old laborer, he enlisted at Fort Leavenworth, KS on 18 April 1860, in Battery I, First United States Artillery. He was promoted to Sergeant by September 1862 and had broken his left leg just above the ankle, date not known.

Of Antietam on 17 September 1862 Captain Woodruff later wrote:

The conduct of the enlisted men, both those belonging to the company and those temporarily attached, was all that could have been wished. To mention an individual is almost an injustice to the rest, but I will name Sergt. Peter Blanchard, who, though too lame to ride his horse, rode on his caisson, and commanded his piece during the whole fight in the most creditable manner.

He was discharged for disability on 11 December 1862 in camp at Falmouth, VA.

He was an oil promoter and businessman in Pittsburg, PA. He was a widower and gave his profession as stone mason formerly of Clarion, PA when he was admitted to the US Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, OH in October 1908. He was discharged in March 1915 and died at home in 1919 at age 91.

His service from the Registers.1 The quote above of Captain Woodruff's Report of 21 September 1862. His gravesite is on Findagrave. Thanks to descendant Karen Rackliffe for the poke to look into Sergeant Blanchard and for sharing a copy of his obituary, the log of the Soldier's Home, pension records, and other personal details.

He had a daughter, who survived him.

His brothers Daniel W. (98th NY Infantry) and John B. Blanchard (95th NY Infantry) also served in the war.

Their father Elihu (b. 1805) enlisted in 1863 as a Private in the 12th New York Cavalry at about age 58, giving his age as 38, was captured at Plymouth, NC in April 1864, and died while a prisoner at Andersonville, GA on 19 August 1864.

c. 1835; Franklin County, NY

07/19/1919; Bath, NY; burial in Nondaga Cemetery, Bath, NY