Sunday, April 21, 2013

Alexander H. Greenlaw or Greenlough, 40th., N. Y. infantry.

GREENLAW, ALEXANDER H.—Age, 23 years. Enlisted at Yonkers, to serve three years, and mustered in as private, Co-.H, June 27, 1861; killed in action, May 5, 1862, at Williamsburg, Va.

In the Regimental History his name was spelled Greenlough which was in error.

When we were within a mile or two of the battle ground,we were ordered to halt. Our knapsacks, and everything but our rifles, equipments and canteens were left behind,and two men from each company were detailed to guard them. We knew then that we had got to go into the fight. When the detail was made to stay with the equipments, Alexander Greenlough, one of our company, said he had been trying all day to discharge his rifle, but could not, since it had got wet. He asked to be one of the detail to stay with the equipments. The others of his acquaintance made fun of him, and said he was afraid to go into the fight. He said he did not care to stay behind, and would not, if he could help it, since they thought he was a coward, though he said he would be of no use in a battle with a rifle he could not use. He went into the fight, and was the first man in the company to be killed.

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