(c. 1839 - 1862)
Home State: Pennsylvania
Branch of Service: Infantry
Before Antietam
He was a 22 year old teacher from Indiana County when he mustered as a Private in Company B, 11th Pennsylvania Reserves on 10 June 1861.
On the Campaign
He was mortally wounded in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862:
His wound was a gunshot wound passing through his right lung and out at the right side below. When he fell I brought him back of the line and took off his cartridge box and belt. He was bleeding most profusely. I called for James Trimble and Henry Prothro to carry him away. They came to him but just then he appeared to be dying. We laid him on his back and went back to the line. I had not been back long before I heard Tom calling me. I went back to him. He was sitting up and seemed revived. He said if he was not carried away he would bleed to death. I determined to have him off the field at all hazards ...
In a short time our brigade was relieved. I was not able to find your son until in the afternoon, when I found him in the care of John F. McClain, who was ministering to his every want. I spoke to the Doctor concerning him. He had dressed his wounds, but expressed no hope for his recovery. He promised me to do everything in his power. I asked it as a special favor. He was then perfectly sensible and complained of pain in his shoulder. I went over to the hospital in the morning [of 18 September]. When I first looked at him I thought he was asleep, but alas! It was the long sleep of death ...
I had him taken in an ambulance to Keedysville. Seven of us went with his body to town. Humphrey, Morton and myself returned to the regiment, whilst Henderson, McClain, Deblin and Howath remained and had him interred in a coffin, suitably marking his grave, so that should you desire to lift it, it can easily be found.
References & notes
More on the Web
Birth
c. 1839
Death
09/18/1862; Sharpsburg, MD; burial in Antietam National Cemetery, Sharpsburg, MD
1 Antietam National Cemetery, Board of Trustees, History of Antietam National Cemetery, Baltimore: John W. Woods, Steam Printer, 1869 [AotW citation 3949]
2 Bates, Samuel Penniman, History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65, Harrisburg: State of Pennsylvania, 1868-1871 [AotW citation 22830]