Saturday, March 16, 2013

Men Of The Fourteenth Connecticut Infantry.

This is not just another death list.  It's a list to help you understand how and why you ancestor  died.   From this information you may learn something about your anestor you never kenw.

The names and the events where taken from the Fourteenth Regimental History.

Robert Hubbard, Private, Co. B.,  Residence Middletown, Mustered in August 6, 1862.  Killed September 17, 1862, at Sharpsburg Maryland.
Killed by the careless handling of a rifle by a member of his own company.

Thaddeus W. Lewis, Private, Co. A., Residence Bridgeport Mustered in JUune 19, 1862. Killed September 17, 1862, at Sharpsburg Maryland.
Killed by the careless handling of a rifle by a member of his own company.

Captain Jarvis E. Blinn. of Company F. the first officer to head the list of those who were killed in the service of the Fourteenth Regiment, was born at Rocky Hill, Conn.. July 28th, 1836. He resided there until 1853, when he removed to New Britain.  August 8th. 1862, he enlisted in the company then organizing in new Britain for the Fourteenth Regiment. He was unanimously chosen captain and commissioned as such August 15th;  left the state at the head of his company August 25th ; and was constanly at his post until the 17th of September, when, early in the day, just as his company was ordered to fall back from their somewhat advanced position on the battlefield, a bullet struck him, passing through the heart. He made the single exclamation "T am a dead man!" and died instantly. A friend says of him: I know of no important incident in his life. I onlv know that he was faithful and true in all the relations of life, winning his way by his own merit to the affection and confidence of all who knew him. With an earnest devotion to his country, he gave himself 'wilHng to die if need be, for the good cause. His remains were taken to New Britain for interment.

First Lieutenant Henry W. Wadhams was one of three brothers who enlisted from Litchfield, Conn., all of whom were killed in the struggle for the nation's life. All these brothers were killed in battle. Sergeant Edward Wadhams of the Eighth Connecticut was killed in the assault on Fort Darling, Captain Luman Wadhams of the Second Connecticut  Artillery was mortally wounded at Cold Harbor and First Lieutenant Henry W. Wadhams on the south side of North Ann River. The subject of this sketch was born August 14th., 183 1. He was a machinist at Waterbury, where he enlisted July 4, 1862, in Company C. He was buried near North Anna River.  His whole military career was Marked by loyal devotion to duty and his desire to faithfully serve his country.

First Lieutenant Theodore A. Stanley was a native of New Britain, being born July 22, 1833. He went to New York to learn the mercantile business, remaining until he was 23, when he returned home to take charge of an important manufacttirmg business. He sacrificed all business interests and devoted his energy to the organization of Company B. He was chosen second lieutenant. Stanley distinguished himself at Antietam by his coolness in the discharge of his duties. Captain Blinn of that company being killed in the engagement.

First Lieutenant Moore was chosen captain and Stanley was chosen first lieutenant. Captain Goddard says: "At the battle of Fredericksburg, he was in conmiand of his company (the captain being on detached service at the time ) , and led his men in that grand charge on the rebel batteries on Marye's Heights, when the storm of shot and shell, grape and canister, blackened the air for hours.

In this charge Lieutenant Stanley fell mortally wounded by a musket ball through the lungs. While being carried back to the city, in expectation of immediate death, he told his comrades to leave him on the field and take care of themselves. But he survived to be removed across the river, and afterward to Armory Square Hospital, at Washington, where, after eighteen days of suffering, much of which was intense, yet which could not shake his faith in the Savior in whom he believed, his life ebbed out with the dying year, on the 31st of December, 1862. His body was removed to New Britain and buried with military honors." Lieutenant Stanley was very quiet and reticent with strangers, and was not well known to many in the regiment, but his colonel truly said : "He was always found to the front, and the officers and men of his own company testify to his imiform  regard for their comfort and welfare."

Captain Elijah W. Gibbons of Company B was so seriously wounded at Fredericksburg as to make his recovery hopeless with the best hospital treatment, he survived in great suffering until December 19th. Captain Gibbons was buried on a pleasant hillside looking toward the rising sun, just beyond the outskirts of the camp. Over this hill he had marched to battle, leadmg his command, six days before. It was a sad and impressive occasion to the regiment as well as to the members of his own company by whom he was dearly loved as a soldier and a man. The vaen moving slowly with reversed arms behind the coftin, the weird and mournful dirge from the band and the volley of musketry over the grave all were different from the ceremonies the men were familiar with at home and yet seemed not inappropriate.

United States color-bearer. Corporal Henrv K. Lyon of Company G., was mortally wounded and as he fell handed the colors to Colonel Aloort', remarking that he had done his best. Lvon was taken prisoner and died in the hands of his enemy, from his wounds.

First Lieutenant Frederick E. Shalk was another serious loss to the regiment during this series of battles under consideration. He was a German by birth, moving to this country quite early in life. He enlisted from Norwich. Prior to that he had resided in Uncasville. It will be remembered that we have alluded to him previously as falling from the train while making a short stop at Easton, Pa., on the route of the regiment from New York to the front. He was a faithful soldier and a trusty officer. Of vigorous and energetic constitution, but cheerful disposition, he was equally ready for duty or danger, for fun or frolic. This disposition made him a great favorite with the men of the regiment. He was wounded at Spottsylvania and died May 21st., 1864. He was taken to Lebanon for burial.

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