Reuben E. Wilson was a resident of Mansfield on September 7, 1861 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. B of the 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was discharged for disability June 8, 1862. 

The descriptive muster roll of the 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 19.  No occupation is recorded.  He is described as 5’ 9” tall with a fair complexion and blue eyes and light hair. 

He was born about 1841 in Mansfield to Thomas and Maria (Hilliard) Wilson. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is an 18 year old farm laborer in the household of Thomas Wilson. His brother, Lucius D. Wilson is also living in this household; he enlisted in Co. B in August of 1861.

Reuben E. Wilson died of consumption on August 18, 1862 in Mansfield, two months after he was discharged from the army; he is buried at the Gurley Cemetery in Mansfield.