Perry Lesure 78th., Illinois Infantry.

Perry Lesure.

Birth: 1838, Unadilla, Otsego County, New York.
Death Sept. 1, 1864.

Residence LIBERTY, ADAMS CO, IL. Residence LIBERTY, ADAMS CO, IL Age 24 Height 5'10 Hair BLACK Eyes BLACK Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER Nativity UNADILLA, OTSEGO CO, NY.

Perry Lesure, Private, 78th., Illinois Infantry Co. K.

Service Record. Joined JUL 29, 1862 LIBERTY, IL, Joined By CPT VERNON Period 3 YRS, Muster In SEP 1, 1862 QUINCY, IL KILLED IN BATTLE SEP 1, 1864 AT JONESBORO GA.

Burial: Marietta National Cemetery, Marietta Cobb County, Georgia.

The following was taken from the 78th., Regimental History.

Among the killed was a young man who belonged to Co. K, Perry Lashore, ( Lesure ). His death was a willing and willful sacrifice for his country. He was visiting friends in Quincy when he enlisted and he being the only son of aged parents, they at once set about to get him discharged. He enlisted in June, 1862, and the battle of Jonesboro was fought the first of September, 1864. His discharge came in the morning and was handed to him by his captain, and he said, "Captain, what would you do if you were in my place, go into this fight or not?" The captains' reply was, "You don't have to go, you have always been a good soldier, and we all know the circumstances under which your discharge was obtained, and it is "for your father's and mother's sake. This will undoubtedly be a hard battle, and were I in your place I would turn in my musket and take no chances." The members of his company by this time had gathered around him and all urged him not to take the chance. But his answer was, "I have been lucky for two years, never had a wound, and I believe I will be now, and I am going with you." Which he did, but never reached the enemy's works.