Marcus M. Haskell

An unmarried 19 year old pressman in Chelsea, he enlisted on 7 August 1862 and mustered as Private, Company C, 35th Massachusetts Infantry on 18 August.

He was wounded in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862 and was later awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing a wounded man while under fire, in spite of his own wound.

He was wounded again in 5 later actions during the war: at Fredericksburg (Dec 1862), on the North Anna River, VA (May 1864), along the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, VA (August), at Poplar Springs Church, VA (September), and finally at Petersburg on 2 April 1865. He had been left behind in Covington, KY, sick, from August - October 1863. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 May 1864 and Sergeant on 1 December. He mustered out of service near Alexandria, VA on 9 June 1865.

He was originally recommended for a Medal of Honor on 21 February 1865 for his total war service. It was next considered in 1887, but was not actually awarded - for his bravery at Antietam - until 18 November 1896, 34 years after the battle.

By 1870 he was back in Chelsea, living next door to his parents, and working as a laborer. In 1880, though, he was farming in Elliotsville, ME. In 1900 and to at least 1920 he was in Centerville on Cape Cod and employed as a steam engineer.

His service from Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines 1 and his Compiled Service Records (CSR), online from fold3. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860-1920. His gravesite is on Findagrave. His picture from a cased photograph hosted by Historical Auctions in company with a rifle of his sold in December 2020.

He married Rosetta Jane Small (1846-1923) in October 1865 and they had 3 sons; two died before age 6.

He was one of two soldiers of the 35th Massachusetts awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism at Antietam. The other was Corporal Frank Whitman of Company G.

2/12/1843; Chelsea, MA

10/29/1925; Centerville, MA; burial in Beechwood Cemetery, Centerville, MA