Thomas Blake

Originally from Highgate, VT, he had run a plaster and flaxseed mill at Oak Hill, VT and worked in Boscawen, NH. He was probably visiting a relative (William Blake) in Arcadia, WI when he enlisted in Company H, 6th Wisconsin Infantry on 10 May 1861.

He was wounded in action on South Mountain on 14 September 1862.

He was mortally wounded in action at Laurel Hill, VA (probably on 8 May 1864), and died of wounds on 13 May at the 4th Division, Fifth Army Corps hospital. His widow and daughter received a letter from Philadelphia dated 16 June 1864:

Mrs. C. & Miss C. Blake.
You have doubtless long before this heard that your father was no longer among the living.  On the 12th or 10th of May as I was passing through the 4th Division of 5th Corps Hospital a man hailed me & said a badly wounded man wanted to see a Chaplain.  I went to him & entered into conversation & felt more than usual interest in him because my wife’s maiden name was Blake from New Jersey originally from the East.  Fearing he would die, he gave me all his money $250 and told me how he wished it disposed of.  He told me to give it all to his Chaplain if I could find him.  I found the Chaplain of the 7th Wis. whom I learned acted as chaplain for your Fathers Reg. 6th Wis.  I took him to your Father & he said he was the man.  Then and there I handed all the money with the will to Chaplain Eaton 7th Wis. Vol. 4th Div;, 5th Army Corps.  

I write not so much to inform of these particulars, for another should have done it ere this; but to ask you whether you got the money all right.   I knew your father's wish concerning it which if I remember right, was chiefly all to be given to you both.  I think it was on the l3th May when I went back and learned that Mr. Blake was dead and buried.  I hope God may give you grace to sustain you in this affliction.  Be resigned to the rule of an all-wise Parent who is too wise to err.  So good to be writing (?).  Address me at Lewisburg Union County Pennsylvania.

Yours Very truly
A. Judson Furman
Chaplain 7th Reg. Pa. Reserve.

Basic information from State of Wisconsin1 with further details - and the text of the letter quoted above - from Great Grandson Dave Lambert. Thomas Blake married Caroline Sewall (b. 1832) in 1850 and they had two children - Charles Chandler and Christiana. Chaplain Furman mustered out with his Regiment at the end of their term of service in Philadelphia on 16 June 1864.

05/13/1864; Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA; burial in Fredericksburg National Cemetery, Fredericksburg, VA