The Wounded at Antietam: Battery B 4th U. S. Artillery Part 3

Private Harvey Harvison Childs, the fourth of six children of Elijah and Sabrina (Atwood) Childs, was born August 16, 1840 in New York.  In 1840 the family lived in Massena, Saint Lawrence County, New York where Elijah was a farmer.  Harvey was living in Lindina, Juneau County, Wisconsin with his parents and 14 year old brother Selden in 1860.  He enlisted in Company A, 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry on May 15, 1861.  He was detached to serve with Battery B, where his younger brother Henry L. Childs also served, on June 7, 1862.  Private Childs received a gunshot wound to the right shoulder  at the Battle of Antietam and was discharged for disability on February 27, 1863.

On May 4, 1864 Harvey enlisted in Company E, 41st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry which was organized at Milwaukee on June 8, 1864.  He was promoted to Captain June, 9, 1864.  The regiment  left Wisconsin for Memphis, Tennessee on June 15 where they were engaged in garrison duty, as railroad guards and on pickets duty.  The 41st Wisconsin was garrisoning Memphis with other federal troops on August 21, 1864 when Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his cavalry raided the town. The 41st Wisconsin, including Captain Childs,was mustered out at Camp Washburn when they disbanded the 100 day regiment on September 23, 1864.

On February 9, 1865 Harvey Childs was mustered into Company E, 49th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, a one year regiment.  On February 16 he was appointed Captain.  The regiment was sent to Missouri where Company E was employed as guards at Benton Barracks near St. Louis.  Captain Childs was mustered out of the 49th February 9, 1866 ending his military career.

By 1870 Harvey Childs and his wife Luthera (Atwood) Childs were living in Spring Creek, Johnson County, Nebraska where Harvey was a farmer.   They continued to live in Spring Creek through 1880 with their 9 year old son Frank.  By 1900 the Harvey's were living in McWilliams, Otoe County, Nebraska where Harvey was a coal and lumber merchant.  Harvey died December 21, 1905 and is buried in Grant Evergreen Cemetery, Nemaha County, Nebraska.

                             Find A Grave Photo by Roger Newby

Private Amos G. Burdick, a son of John and Catherine (Clarke) Burdick, was born October 30, 1839 in Darien, Genesee County, New York.  In 1850 Amos lived in Bennington, Wyoming County, New York with his parents and seven siblings.  In 1860 Amos was living in Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin where he was apprenticing as a wagon maker under Nathan Burdick.  On April 24, 1861 Amos enlisted in Company H, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.  He was detached to serve with Battery B in May 1862.  He was wounded during the Battle of Antietam.  He was on detached service with Battery B until April 1863.  Amos died of disease at Milton, Wisconsin, in either March or April 1864.  He is buried in the Milton Cemetery, Rock County, Wisconsin.  Amos's older brother Albert served with the 22nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry from August 1862 until June 1865.

Private William Dickerson was born November 8, 1837 in Boone County, Indiana to parents Samuel and Elizabeth (Barnett) Dickerson.The 1850 Census found the family living in Washington, Brown County, Indiana.  At that time Samuel and Elizabeth had 5 sons.  William was the second youngest. In 1860 William and his older brother Samuel Franklin were farm laborers in Johnson County, Indiana.  William Dickerson mustered into Company H, 19th Indiana July 29, 1861.  He was detached to Battery B in March 1862.  Private Dickerson received a gunshot wound to the right thigh on September 17, 1862 at Antietam which made him unfit for service.  He was mustered out in March 1863.  On February 24, 1864 William married Nancy Ellen Paul.

In 1870 William was living in Taylor, Sullivan County, Missouri with his wife Nancy, daughter Laura and son William F. Dickerson.  In 1880 William was farming near Liberty Missouri.  He was still living in Missouri farming in 1900 but by 1906 he was homesteading near Liberal, Kansas.  William Dickerson died March 10, 1922.  He is buried in the Liberal Cemetery, Seward County, Kansas.  William Dickerson's brother Samuel Franklin served with Company H, 19th Indiana from July 29, 1861 until July 28, 1864.

  
                                Find A Grave Photo by Ronaca

Information in this post is obtained mostly from U. S. Census records, Regimental Rosters, Pension Indexes, Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, U. S. National Home for Disabled Volunteers records, Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, New York, Town Clerks Register of Men Who Served in the Civi War. Giants in Their Tall Black Hats,  and other Civil war related Records on Ancestry.com and Fold3.com.

The Wounded at Antietam: Battery B 4th U. S. Artillery Part 2

When Battery B 4th U. S. Artillery arrived in Washington D. C., in mid October 1861 their ranks were seriously depleted.  Men were not enlisting in the regular army as they preferred to enlist in volunteer regiments raised in their own state.  Captain John Gibbon therefore resorted to filling the ranks of the battery with volunteer soldiers he selected from the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and the 23rd and 35th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiments.  Some of these men would be wounded in action alongside the regulars in the battery on September 17, 1862.  Here are some of their stories.

Addison Evans was born at Wirt, New York February 13, 1837.  He was the son of farmer Pliny Evans and Polly Gilbert.  On May 1, 1861 Evans enlisted at Cuba, New York in Company B, 23rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, one of a number of 2 tear regiments being raised in New York.  He was detached to serve with Battery B in November 1861.  Private Evans received a severe flesh wound while serving with the battery at the Battle of Antietam.  He was in the hospital when the 23rd New York mustered out May 22, 1863.  On October 27, 1863 Addison married Eloisa H. Root in Washington D.C.  In 1870 Addison and Eloisa were living in Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri.  By 1880 Addison, Eloisa and their four children were living in  Quncy, Adams County, Illinois.  By 1888 the Evans family was living in Chicago where Addison was a merchant in a stockyard.  He died March 3, 1893, age 58, and is buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar, Allegany County New York.

                     
                            Find A Grave Photo AlleCattPaws

Farmer Charles Hathaway, who was born about 1840, enlisted as a private in Company G, 23rd New York Volunteer Infantry at Hornellsville, Steuben County, New York on May 9 1861. He served on detached service with Battery B at Antietam.  Charles was wounded during the battle and died of his wounds at the Smoketown Hospital north of Sharpsburg, Maryland on October 24, 1862.   Private Hathaway is buried at Antietam National Cemetery in grave #506 in the New York section.  

                           
                 Charles Hathaway Grave, Antietam National Cemetery

Private James C Clark, who was born about 1842 in Pennsylvania.  In 1860 he was living in Urbana, Steuben County, New York and was apprenticing as a blacksmith.  He enlisted in Company C, 35th New York Volunteer Infantry on May 15, 1861 at Watertown, New York.  He served on detached service with Battery B and was wounded at Antietam.  Clark was discharged for disability March, 11, 1863 at a convalescent camp.  On August 13, 1863 James enlisted in Company H, 18th New York cavalry.  On October 16, 1863 he was appointed sergeant.  Sergeant Clark mustered out with the company at Victoria, Texas May 31, 1866.  The 1880 Census shows James Clark living in Bath, Steuben County, New York.  Clarks pension files indicate he died on September 2, 1916 at Bath.

Private Robert McAlona, who was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, was a 20 years old resident of Redwood, Jefferson County, New York when he enlisted in Company I, 35th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment for 2 years on May 25, 1861. He stood 5' 10" tall and had grey eyes, dark hair and a dark complexion. He mustered in with the regiment on June 11, 1861.  Private McAlona was detached to serve with Battery B and was wounded at Antietam.  He was absent in the hospital when the 35th mustered out on June 5, 1863.  On October 10, 1863 McAlona enlisted in Company F, 20th New York Cavalry.  He was promoted to Corporal on November 10, 1863 and mustered out with the regiment July 31, 1865.

Private William I. Moore, the son of John H. and Elizabeth Moore was born about 1841 in New York. Both the 1850 and 1860 Census show him living in Elmira.  He enlisted and mustered in Company C, 35 th New York Volunteer Infantry on July 8, 1861.  He served with Battery B at Antietam and was wounded.  He deserted from the hospital January 25, 1863 but returned to duty March 20, 1863 and mustered out with the regiment June 5, 1863 at Elmira.  Moore died September 25, 1892 in Saginaw, Michigan.  He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

                               Find A Grave Photo S. Schmidt

Private Joseph E. Morgan was born in 1839 on Prince Edward Island.  He was the son of Philip R. and Mary (James) Morgan.  In 1855 the family was living in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts.  By 1860 Joseph was a harness maker in Junius, Seneca County, New York.  He enlisted in in Company I 35th New York Volunteer Infantry on May 20, 1861 at Watertown, New York.  On June 11, 1861 Joseph was mustered in as a sergeant in Company I.  Private Morgan received a gunshot wounded to the instep on September 17, 1862 while on detached service with Battery B.   On October 2, 1862 he was admitted to General Hospital A in Frederick, Maryland where he died on October 8, 1862.  His family took his remains home and buried him in the Cherry Hill Cemetery, in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

                       Find A Grave Photo John McNally

Private John G. Hodgedon was a resident of Merrimac, Sauk County, Wisconsin when he enlisted as a private in Company A, 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 10, 1861.  He was detached to serve with Battery B on December 2, 1861.  He was wounded at Antietam and died of disease in a field hospital on December 2, 1862.  If he is buried at Antietam National Cemetery he is one of the unknowns.



Information in this post is obtained mostly from U. S. Census records, Regimental Rosters, Pension Indexes, Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, U. S. National Home for Disabled Volunteers records, Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, New York, Town Clerks Register of Men Who Served in the Civi War and other Civil war related Records on Ancestry.com and Fold3.com.

The Wounded at Antietam: Battery B 4th U. S. Artillery

There were 31 reported wounded in the ranks of Battery B 4th U. S. Artillery in the September 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam including one captain, 2 sergeants, 3 corporals and 25 privates.  Several of the wounded would die not long after the battle but many would continue serving with the battery until discharged and after the war live, long productive lives.  This is their story.

Joseph Boyd Campbell commanded Battery B 4th U. S. Artillery at Antietam as Captain and Aide-de-Camp.  He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania November 26, 1836, the son of Henry Roe and Sidney Boyd Campbell.  His youth was spent in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire where his father was employed in civil engineering.  Campbell attended high school in Chelsea, Massachusetts until entering West Point in 1857 from which he graduated 22 of 34 in June 1861.  Upon graduation Campbell was assigned to Battery D, 2nd U. S. Artillery.  He was transferred to Battery B 4th U. S. in May 1862 when John Gibbon was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers.

                                       Joseph Boyd Campbell

Joseph Campbell was wounded at Antietam not long after bringing 4 guns of the battery to a position 2nd Lt. James Stewart already occupied with two guns just west of D. R. Millers's cornfield and a little south of Miller's barn and straw stacks.  Campbell's wounds, including one in the shoulder, were so severe that he would not hold field command in the civil war again.  After the  war Campbell continued to serve in the army, reaching the rank of Major before his untimely death from apoplexy on August 28, 1891.  He is buried at the West Point Cemetery. 

Two of Battery B's sergeants were wounded at Antietam, Robert Moore and William West. Sergeant Robert Moore was born in Tyrone, Ireland about 1829. The 26 year old was employed as a shoemaker in New York when he enlisted as a private in Battery B on June 7, 1855.  Moore stood 5' 10 1/2" tall.  He had grey eyes, sandy colored hair and a fair complexion.  Robert re-enlisted for a second 5 year term on May 11, 1860 while in Utah.  Sergeant Moore left the army on May 11, 1865 when his term of service expired.

Sergeant William West was born about 1825 in Bladen County, North Carolina. He was 5' 6 1/2" tall with blue eyes, sandy colored hair and a sandy colored complexion in 1846 when he enlisted in the army as a private on August 12, 1846 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  West was an artificer with Battery A & D 4th U. S. Artillery until his discharge August 12, 1851 at Fort Mifflin. He reenlisted November 18, 1851 when he was 26 serving with both Battery D and B, 4th U. S. Artillery at different times.  He reenlisted in Battery B a third time on September 15, 1856 at First Brown, Texas and a fourth time July 1, 1861 at Fort Crittenden, Utah Territory.  West was wounded n the thigh on September 17, 1862 at the Battle of Antietam and was discharged for disability October 31, 1862 at Washington D. C.  In 1869 at the age of 39 West reenlisted in the army for another 5 years.  He was discharged March 30, 1874. Wet's death date is unknown however he is buried in Lawndale Union Cemetery, Logan County Illinois.

                Photo Jeanne Irene Bailey Schaub, Find A Grave

According to 2nd Lieutenant James Stewart, who commanded Battery B at the close of hostilities on September 17, 1862 three corporals serving with the battery were wounded at Antietam.  On page 42 of The Cannoneer Augustus Buell lists the wounded Corporals as _____ Willsey (Willse), _____ Benjamin,  and_____ Conners. The only one of the 3 that can be positively identified as being engaged at Antietam and wounded there is Corporal John Willse.  John C. Conners could be the Conners referred to by Buell however he appears to have been discharged July 3, 1862 at Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Corporal John M. Benjamin who had enlisted in Battery B June 3, 1857 also departed at the expiration of his service at Haymarket Station, Virginia June 3, 1862 so it is unlikely he would have been at Antietam either.

John Willse was born in New York City, New York about 1836 or 1837. John was a laborer when he enlisted as a private in Battery B, 4th U. S. Artillery in New York on June 2, 1855 when he was 18 years old.  Willse had brown hair, brown eyes, a dark complexion and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.   He reenlisted April 7, 1860 while at Camp Floyd, Utah Territory for a 2nd 5 year term.  Willse reenlisted for 3 years on July 15, 1864 while at Petersburg, Virginia.  He reenlisted a 4th time  for three years while at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  He was discharged from Battery B December 1, 1870 at Fort Riley, Kansas.   On  February 28, 1876 John enlisted as a private in Company A, 2nd U. S. Artillery at Fort McHenry, Maryland.  He was discharged at the expiration of his service February 22, 1881.  John Willse died December 21, 1899 and is buried in the United States Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington D.C. 

                               Photo GulfportBob Find A Grave

                                               

There were 25 privates who were wounded while serving with Battery B at Antietam.  Some of these soldiers served with the battery in the regular army others were on detached service from volunteer infantry regiments.  There story will follow in a subsequent post.