Roger M. Ford

In 1850 he was a 15 year old farm boy living with his parents and 5 siblings in New Haven, CT. He moved to Meriden, CT in 1859 and worked in silver and was a police officer there. He enlisted on 18 April 1861 and mustered in as a Private in Infantry Company F, First Connecticut Infantry on 22 April. He mustered out at the end of their 3 months service on 31 July. He enrolled again, on 18 September, and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Company K, 8th Connecticut Infantry on 23 September 1861. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 18 March 1862.

He was with his Company in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862, and described their encounter with McIntosh's Battery near the Harpers Ferry Road that afternoon:

There was a battery of 3 guns on the hill abandoned. my comp was then detached to take the battery. we started with a cheer we got within 6 or 7 rods of the battery when we saw the Rebs were lying down behind their guns. we opened on them before they had time to open on us. that was all that cared the Regt they were closed en masse & then was into line when they would have opened on them with grape. we played on them untill we heard a yelling on our left & there came up a Rebel Brigade. we then commenced on them. we were firing brisk when we heard them shout. we were surrounded on three sides. still the men fought bravely. the Captain finally ordered us back ...

He was appointed Captain of Company G on 7 February 1863 and was wounded at Petersburg, VA on 25 June 1864. He was discharged on 2 September 1864, but re-mustered, as a Private, on 3 January 1865. He was appointed First Sergeant of Company E on 6 February, and re-commissioned Captain of Company G on 1 March 1865. He mustered out with them on 12 December 1865.

By 1870 and to at least 1880 he was again a policeman in Meriden, CT. He was Chief of Police there in the 1890s. By 1900 he had retired from the force and was a watchman.

His service from the Record.1 The Antietam quote is from his diary, now in the Antietam Battlefield Library; thanks to Colonel J.P. Rogers for the transcription. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1850, and 1870-1900. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He married Phebe A Mason (1837-) in November 1857 and they had a son and at least 3 daughters.

12/1834; Berkshire County, MA

03/25/1902; Meriden, CT; burial in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden, CT