John E. Wardlow

Lieutenant John E. Wardlow.

John E. Wardlow, son of James and Eliza ( Cooke ) Wardlow, was born in Pawtucketm Mass. ( territory which is now in Rhode Island ), October 16, 1840.  He attended the public schools of his native place of his youth.  At the breaking out of the Rebellion he manifested a strong desire to serve his country in her hour of peril, Enlisting as a Private in Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, August 13, 1861.  That he was an excellent soldier is shown by the fact that he was successively promoted to Corporal, Sergeant and First Sergeant in his battery, and afterwards was detached as acting Sergeant-Major of Artillery Brigade of the Second Army Corps of the army of the Potomac.

He subsequently received a commission as Second Lieutenant inthe Fourteenth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery October 16, 1863, and afterwards on appearing before the Examining Boardat Washington D. C., received a commission as First Lieutenant in the same regiment, December 3, 1863, and was assigned to Company E. He was acting battalion Quartermaster of his battalion from January 21, 1864-March 1864.  He was also borne on detached service as Post Quartermaster ans Commissary From March 27, 1864, until November 6, 1864.  Also served as Post Commissary at Donaldsonville La., from June 28, 1864 to August 29, 1865.

He was discharged from service in consequence of impaired health August 29, 1865.  After returning to the North he went to an infirmary in New York for his health, but not receiving any lasting benefit returned to Providence, Rhode Island.  Soon afterwards, while visiting relatives in New York City, he was taken suddenly ill of heart disease and died there March 10, 1876.

Side note.  Enrolled and mustered as a Private, Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, August 13, 1861, Promoted to Corporal October 1, 1861, Sergeant December 15, 1861, First Lieutenant May 12, 1862.