21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry – Mansfield Historical Society

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21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry

21st Regiment

Posted on December 13, 2022December 13, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Of the one-hundred and forty-eight citizens of Mansfield who served during the Civil War, forty-one of them saw action with the 21^st. The 21^st volunteer infantry was commissioned on September 5^th, 1862 with a complement of 965 recruits, a number that would later swell to 1,023. After brief and uneventful tours with the 9^th Corps, and the 7^th Corps, the 21^st regiment first saw significant action with the 18^th Corps.

On May 16^th, 1864 the 21^st Regiment occupied the right side of the Union line during the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff. Several hours of hard fighting ensued when Confederate forces attacked under the cover of heavy fog in an effort to capture a railroad line linking Richmond and Petersburg. Unable to hold against the Confederate advance, the 21^st Regiment and other elements of the 1^st Division were forced to retreat and relinquish the railroad to the Confederate forces. The 21^st regiment sustained its heaviest losses of the war during this battle with 79 wounded, 23 captured, and 16 killed including one Mansfield citizen.

Following the retreat from Drewry’s Bluff, the 21^st traveled to White House Landing where it would support the Army of the Potomac in several engagements near Cold Harbor beginning on May 29^th and running through June 9^th. After the evacuation of Cold Harbor, a large Union force including the 21^st regiment advanced on Petersburg. After supporting an initial charge against the Confederate lines on June 17^th, the 21^st regiment was relegated to a reserve role, and performed picket and skirmish duties for the next 3 weeks. During this time a total of 49 casualties were incurred.

The battle at Petersburg proved to be the final major engagement for the 21^st Infantry Regiment during the war. After Petersburg, the regiment participated in a raid on Fredricksburg on March 4^th 1865 intended to curb the trade of tobacco for supplies by the Confederate Army. The 21^st was among the first infantry troops to enter Richmond on April 3, 1865.
The service of the 21^st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in the Union Army was officially ended on June 16^th 1865. A week later the regiment arrived home in New Haven before later attending a celebration at the State House in Hartford. All members of the 21^st regiment were finally discharged and the regiment formally was disbanded on July 6^th 1865.

Siege of Petersburg

Posted on December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Grant continued to move south and Lee reinforced Richmond with much of his army to block him once more but Grant’s objective was Petersburg which was then defended by less than three thousand troops. On June 12, 1864, the Army of the Potomac began to cross a 2,100 foot long pontoon bridge over the James River. General W.F. “Baldy” Smith commanded the 16,000 troops that were the first Union troops to arrive outside Petersburg on June 15^th but he did not launch an assault despite the urging of General Winfield Scott Hancock. This delay allowed Confederate reinforcements to man the Petersburg defenses and prolonged the Civil War until April 1865.

Petersburg became a siege and the concept of trench warfare was born. The Union army lived in a network of trenches, suffering from the harsh elements, open to artillery bombardment and small arms fire. Union soldiers that were Pennsylvania coal miners dug a tunnel under a fort in the middle of the Confederate line and four tons of gunpowder were placed under the fort. In the early morning of July 30, 1864, the explosion was the signal for Union forces to attack through the resulting breach in the Confederate lines. The assault was initially successful, but many Union troops were trapped in the 170 foot deep crater without ladders to climb out and the Confederate defenders quickly regrouped and poured small arms and artillery fire into the crater. The resulting slaughter caused almost 4,000 Union casualties. Many black regiments were engaged in the attack through the crater, including the 31^st United States Colored Troops containing some Mansfield soldiers. The 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry were ordered to commence firing on the enemy from their trenches on the Petersburg when the mine exploded.

After this unsuccessful assault, Grant continued to expand his lines, leaving the undermanned Confederates to thinly cover their defenses in response. The outer defenses of Petersburg were not taken until April 2, 1865. Lee was then forced to order the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond.

Battle of Cold Harbor

Posted on December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia once more reached the field of battle first and dug in at Cold Harbor before Ulysses S. Grant’s Union forces arrived in force on June 1^st. There were scattered assaults and skirmishing on June 1^st and 2^nd with significant Federal losses but the Confederate line remained unbroken.

Grant had ordered two thirds of General Butler’s Army of the James (including the 21^st Regiment C. V. Infantry) to join his forces and they were present for the all out assault on the Confederate line on June 3^rd. This frontal attack on heavily fortified breastworks through swamps and thickets was doomed to fail. At 4:30 AM, 60,000 Union troops attacked the Confederate position and suffered 7,000 casualties in less than one hour, most within the first eight minutes. No further assaults were made and Grant often said later in life that one of his regrets was ordering the June 3^rd assault at Cold Harbor.

Battle of Drewry’s Bluff

Posted on December 1, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Fort Darling, Drewry’s Bluff, James River, Va. *Library of Congress*

Drewry’s Bluff is 90 feet above a bend in the James River, and Fort Darling was constructed there in 1862 as the key defense point for water access to Richmond. The Confederate Capitol was just seven miles north of the fort.

The Union Army of the James commanded by Benjamin Butler landed at the Bermuda Hundred on May 5, 1864 and advanced to Drewry’s Bluff on the 9^th and captured the outer defenses of Fort Darling. Failure to follow up on the initial success due to delays of Union Generals resulted in the initiative being lost. General Beauregard commanded the Confederate forces that launched a counterattack at 4:30 A. M. on May 16, 1864 under the cover of thick fog.

The surprise attack on Heckman’s brigade overwhelmed them, quickly resulting in the capture of the General and over a thousand of his men. Another column assaulted an artillery battery of twenty pound parrot guns. In an effort to blunt the attack, Union reserve regiments entered the battle. The Confederates sent in their reserves and slowly folded back the Union right. The 21^st Connecticut was the last regiment on the right, and they were flanked by the enemy in one of their charges. In response, they realigned the regiment in the shape of an “L”, fighting the enemy both in front and on the flank at close quarters. There was nothing before them or on the right except for the attacking rebels. They could see no one on their left in the smoke and fog and Colonel Burpee received no orders from Union Headquarters. The Colonel remained calm as he walked through the regimental ranks and his orders resulted in repeated charges of the enemy being turned back. After more than three hours of heavy fighting, the men had fired more than a hundred rounds and some of the muskets were fouled. Colonel Burpee ordered the regiment to fall back to the Petersburg Road as he believed that the enemy would flank his line and they could not hold it after the casualties that they had taken. In the battle, the 21^st Connecticut had 14 men killed, 69 wounded and 21 missing.

Drewry’s Bluff References

LETTER FROM AN OFFICER OF HIGH RANK

IN ANOTHER STATE
When I have seen the gallant Twenty-first in battle, I have as an American felt proud of them … Never shall I forget their splendid behavior on that terrible 16^th of May, when the field of Drewry’s Bluff was covered with from 8,000 to 10,000 dead and wounded of both armies, and the Twenty-first stood firm and fearless amid the terrible shock of that fearful charge and repulsed it on their front. Many times, in the heat of that conflict, I looked towards the Twenty-first, fearful that I should see them overwhelmed. They did their noble State immortal honor that day, as they have done in every battle in which they have been engaged.

Jerome B. Baldwin

Posted on November 4, 2022December 18, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Jerome B. Baldwin was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Corporal in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded June 15, 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia, promoted to Sergeant on November 26, 1864 and mustered out on June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 18 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’8” tall with a fair complexion and brown hair and grey eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born September 14, 1843 in Mansfield to Raymond and Amanda (Lull) Baldwin. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 16 year old farmer in a household headed by Raymond Baldwin. Jerome moved to Willimantic by 1870 and married Ella Adams between 1870 and 1880. He was an insurance agent.

On December 28, 1871, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 171,232 that was granted under certificate No. 118,013. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, he was receiving $4 per month for a wounded left eye. Jerome Baldwin was listed as a member of the Francis S. Long Post, No. 30 G.A.R (Grand Army of the Republic) in Willimantic in June 1889. His widow applied for a pension on April 18, 1918.

Jerome B. Baldwin died in Willimantic on January 19, 1918 and is buried at the Old Cemetery in Willimantic, Connecticut.

The Baldwin Letters

MHS is in possession of numerous letters from the collection of Baldwin. The compilation of letters, written to Baldwin instead of being from Baldwin, allows for an inside look into the day-to-day life of a soldier rather than battlefield correspondences. These letters detail numerous topics including disease in the camp, life back home, and military placements.

One letter, seen below, from Samuel L. Morey, also speaks of the death of fellow soldier John A. Parker.

“I hope we shall live to meet again up in old Mansfield.”
Samuel L. Morey to Jerome Baldwin. December 24th, 1864

Samuel L Morey to Jerome Baldwin Transcript 12/24/1864 Download

George D. Bennett

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

George D. Bennett was a resident of Mansfield on August 19, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged June 8, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 34 and his occupation as peddler. His is described as 5’10” tall with a light complexion and light hair and blue eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born about 1828 and in the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 32 year old peddler and living in the household of his brother, Theodore Bennett. Theodore also enlisted in Co. D; both are sons of William and Harriet (Dunham) Bennett. A third brother, Seth D. Bennett served in Co. B of the 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. George married Mary E. Hall between 1860 and 1865. Children include William A. Bennett, born about 1866.

On February 29, 1872, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 172,961 that was granted under certificate No. 239,261. His widow applied for a pension on May 13, 1891.

George D. Bennett died on January 23, 1891 in Willimantic, Connecticut and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.

Theodore F. Bennett

Posted on November 4, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Theodore F. Bennett was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was killed in action June 3, 1864 in Cold Harbor, Virginia.

The following account of his death is from the 1864 diary of Alfred P. Hanks, a fellow soldier of Co. D:

“While lying down in the line looking towards the enemy, T. F. Bennett, who lay side of his brother was hit by a Ball… He made no move only to straighten his body & was dead, without uttering a sound.“
The Diary of Alfred Hanks, June 3, 1864

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 33 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’9” tall with a fair complexion and red hair and dark eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born on December 25, 1829 in Mansfield. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 31 year old farmer and the head of household. His wife, Lucina, 24 and brother, George D. Bennett, 32 are also living in the household. George also enlisted in Co. D; both are sons of William and Harriet (Dunham) Bennett. A third brother, Seth D. Bennett served in Co. B of the 7^th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Theodore married Lucina Dunham on March 20, 1854 in Mansfield. They had no children.

His young widow, Lucina, filed for a widow’s pension on September 19, 1864, No. 35,552 that was granted under certificate No. 45,117. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, she was receiving a widow’s pension of $8 per month that commenced in April, 1865.

Theodore F. Bennett is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.

Thomas Broadhurst

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Thomas Broadhurst was a resident of Mansfield on August 7, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 42 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as having a fair complexion with light hair and grey eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born about 1820 in England to Thomas Broadhurst and Jane Booth. After emigrating from England, Thomas first worked for the Cheney Brothers in South Manchester and was working in Mansfield Hollow when the Civil War started. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 40 year old silk dyer and the head of household. Thomas was married to Anna/Hannah _____ and had five children in his household.

After the Civil War ended, he moved to Springfield and established the dye house business, T. Broadhurst and Sons. He was a member of G.A.R (Grand Army of the Republic) E. K. Wilcox Post 16.

On February 21, 1887, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 598,811 that was granted under certificate No. 768,723. His widow applied for a pension in 1894. Thomas Broadhurst died in Springfield, Massachusetts on January 23, 1894 and is buried at the Springfield Cemetery in Springfield, Massachusetts, Section: Bliss Avenue, Grave No. 1757.

John A. Brown

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

John A. Brown was a resident of Ashford on August 8, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was discharged June 24, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 33 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’8” tall with a light complexion and blue eyes and brown hair. His marital status is married.

He was born July 13, 1830 in Ashford, Connecticut probably to Eliphalet and Ermina (Preston) Brown. In the 1860 U.S. census in Ashford, he is a 30 year old farmer and head of household. John Brown married Sarah B. Simmons about 1856. Children include: Frederick E. Brown, born about 1857; Anna P. Brown, born about 1859 and Herbert L. Brown, born about 1861. After the Civil War, he returned to farming in Ashford.

On July 3, 1891, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 1,035,671 that was granted under certificate No. 817,017. His widow applied for a pension on April 30, 1908.

John A. Brown died on April 9, 1908 and is buried at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Mansfield.

William F. Chaffee

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

William F. Chaffee was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged for disability February 2, 1863.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 41 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’8” tall with a fair complexion and light hair and blue eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born May 17, 1822 in Ashford to Frederick and Catherine Spring (Knowlton) Chaffee, Jr. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 38 year old farmer in the household of Frederick Chaffee. William married Soviah P. Simonds on August 31, 1862 in Mansfield, just a couple weeks after he enlisted in the army. There are no known children. After his Civil War service, he returned to Mansfield and resumed farming.

On December 20, 1869, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 151,388 that was granted under certificate No. 112,448. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, he was receiving $8 per month for a wound to his abdomen.

William F. Chaffee died on March 21, 1888 and is buried at the Gurleyville Cemetery in Mansfield.

David A. Conant

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

David Alexander Conant was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Sergeant in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant December 12, 1864 and mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 25 and his occupation as joiner. He is described as 5’11” tall with a fair complexion and dark hair and grey eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born about 1837 in Mansfield to John W. and Julia (Hanks) Conant. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 33 year old farmer in the household of Julia Conant. David A. Conant married Mary Ellen Phillips on December 12, 1866 in Northbridge, Massachusetts. Their children include Lucius P. Conant, born about 1868 in Massachusetts. David Conant was a carpenter living in Needham, Massachusetts by 1870.

David A. Conant died on April 16, 1900 in Needham, Massachusetts and is buried at the Newton Cemetery in Newton, Massachusetts.

Edward P. Conant

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Edward P. Conant was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Corporal in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 23 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’8” tall with a fair complexion and auburn hair and blue eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born November 3, 1839 in Mansfield to Nelson and Sarah (Barrows) Conant. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 20 year old farmer in the household of Nelson Conant. Edward P. Conant married Abby C. Smith between 1860 and 1870. He was an overseer at a silk mill in Mansfield.

His widow applied for a pension on May 5, 1908, No. 894,760 that was granted under certificate No. 663,982.

Edward P. Conant died on December 1, 1886 in Mansfield and is buried at the New Storrs Cemetery in Mansfield.

Alvin M. Crane

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Alvin Millen Crane/Crain was a resident of Mansfield on August 7, 1862 when he enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant July 31, 1863 and to Captain, October 12, 1864. Alvin Crane was wounded May 16, 1864 at Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia and was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 23 and his occupation as student. He is described as 5’ 9” tall with a fair complexion and dark hair and eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born August 3, 1839 in Mansfield to Millen and Sally (Bennett) Crain/Crane. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 20 year old farmer in the household of Millen Crane. After the Civil War, he attended Brown University, graduating in 1869 and then he went to Newton Theological Seminary in Newton, Massachusetts, graduating in 1872. He became a Baptist minister and served in the following Massachusetts towns: Medfield, West Boylston, Shelburne Falls, Millbury, Groton and Everett. Alvin Crane married Sarah G. Adams on July 13, 1869 in Mansfield. They had one child, Judson Adams Crane, born May 7, 1884 in Shelburne, Massachusetts; Sarah G. (Adams) Crane died four days later, on May 11, 1884. Alvin married, second, Sarah Jane Wilson on October 20, 1885 in Boston, Massachusetts; they had no children.

Alvin Crane was the historian of the 21^st Regimental Association and one of the three captains on the executive committee that worked on the writing and publication of the regimental history.

On May 11, 1904, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 1,315,556 that was granted under certificate No. 1,085,219.

Alvin M. Crane died on April 22, 1922 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania according to pension records; his burial place is not known.

George H. Crosby

Posted on November 4, 2022November 9, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

George Herbert Crosby was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He died January 3, 1863 at the U.S. General Hospital in Washington, D.C.

“George Crosby, a member of Co. D, 21st Connecticut Regiment from Mansfield, died of fever in the hospital at Washington, recently.”
The Willimantic Journal, Friday, Jan 9, 1863

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 18 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 7” tall with a fair complexion and brown hair and brown eyes.

He was born about August, 1845 in Pomfret, Connecticut to Josiah M. and Mary A. ______ Crosby. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 14 year old in the household of Sarah C. Crosby.

George H. Crosby is buried in the New Storrs Cemetery in Mansfield; the inscription states that he was 17 years and 4 months old.

Madison L. Cross

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Madison Lucius Cross was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Corporal in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to Sergeant November 19, 1863 and mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 19 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 7” tall with a dark complexion with black hair and black eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born July 8, 1843 to Lucius W. and Harriet (Swift) Cross. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 17 year old farmer in the household of Lucius W. Cross. He married Lucy A. Fitch on November 25, 1867 in Mansfield and they moved to Willimantic where he was a farmer. Children include: Alice M. Cross, born about 1871; L. Howard Cross, born about 1875 and Edwin F. Cross, born about 1879.

Madison L. Cross died on May 15, 1898 in Middletown and is buried at the New Mansfield Center Cemetery in Mansfield.

George W. Dunham

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

George Washington Dunham was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 33 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as being 5’ 9” tall with a fair complexion and black hair and dark eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born January 18, 1829 in Mansfield to Ebenezer and Orilla (Hanks) Dunham. His brother, Norman Dunham, also served in the 22nd Regiment. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 30 year old farmer and head of household. George Dunham married Mary Ann Sweet on May 25, 1853 in Mansfield. Children include: Julia B. Dunham, born about 1854 and Ada Dunham, born about 1867. In the 1870 U.S. census, he was a wagon maker in Hartford and by the 1880 U.S. census he had moved to Coventry where he was a carriage maker.

On December 23, 1891, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 1,083,014 that was granted under certificate No. 827,175.

George W. Dunham died on November 24, 1906 in Coventry and is buried at the Nathan Hale Cemetery in Coventry, Connecticut.

John P. Farrell

Posted on November 4, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

John Patrick Farrell was a resident of Mansfield on August 12, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded July 1, 1864 in Petersburg, Virginia and discharged for disability February 9, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 29 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as being 5’ 9” tall with a light complexion and light hair and blue eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born about 1834 in Currick on Suir, Waterford County, Ireland to Patrick and Elizabeth ( _____). Farrell. The family immigrated to the United States when he was a small boy and first settled in Hartford, Connecticut. He moved to Mansfield as an adult and in the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 20 year old farmer in the household of Millen Crane. John worked for Olin S. Chaffee and Bridget “Delia” Kennedy worked as a personal maid to Mrs. Chaffee; John and Bridget were married on November 11, 1866. Between 1867 and 1888 they had fifteen children, including two sets of twins. Children: William Olin Farrell, born July 28, 1867; Anne Agnes and May Jane Farrell, born January 16, 1870; Margaret Matilda Florence Farrell, born November 3, 1871; Bridget Delia Farrell, born April 23, 1873; Martha Jane Farrell, born August 28, 1876; Katherine Farrell, born December 19, 1878; John Henry and Peter Matthew Farrell, born May 21, 1881; Ellen Francis Farrell; born June 15, 1882; Elizabeth Farrell, born July 21, 1883; John Joseph Farrell, born September 2, 1884; Annie Farrell born June 27, 1886 and Paul Raymond Farrell born February 27, 1888.

John Farrell purchased 54 acres of land from Alvin Bosworth in the North Society of Mansfield on February 3, 1869 and started his own farm. The house and surrounding property was on the corner of Hanks Hill and Farrell Roads. He added to the property over the years until it became a sizable farm that included five barns; the original house and one barn are still standing. Farrell Road is named after John Patrick Farrell and three of his great-great grandchildren still live on land that was part of the farm.

On January 3, 1866, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 99,164 that was granted under certificate No. 61,944. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, he was receiving $6 per month for a wounded head and injured left knee. His widow applied for a pension after his death. John Farrell died on August 3, 1902 in Mansfield and is buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Windham, Connecticut.

Charles Fenton

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Charles Fenton was a resident of Mansfield on August 7, 1862 when he enlisted as a 1st Sergeant in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant July 31, 1863, 1st Lieutenant in Co. C, November 16, 1864 and to Captain in Co. F, January 11, 1865. He was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 21 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as being 6’ tall with a light complexion and brown hair and dark eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born August 27, 1840 in Crown Point, New York to Horace and Mary (Huestis) Fenton. His father was born in Mansfield and returned there after the death of his wife. Charles Fenton began working in the Mansfield Hollow Silk Mills in 1852 when he was only 12 years old. He gained an extensive knowledge of silk spinning and weaving techniques.

After he returned from the Civil War, he was appointed manager of the O. S. Chaffee silk mill. After working as a traveling salesman for Nonotuck Silk Company of Haydenville, Massachusetts in 1870, he moved to Maine where he was superintendent of the Haskell silk mills in Westbrook, Maine from 1874 through 1887. In 1887, he became superintendent of the Natchaug Silk Company on North Street in Willimantic, Connecticut. The Natchaug Silk Company was taken over by the L.D. Brown Silk Company in Middletown in 1895 and he moved there.

Charles Fenton formed the Windham Silk Company in Willimantic and moved back there in 1901. This company employed between 150 and 200 workers and was known for high quality silk cloths. He retired from the business in 1913. He married Cornelia J. Hall on February 12, 1867; she died in 1887. His second wife was Sarah A. Hall, a cousin of his first wife. In 1890, he married Sarah Davis Weeks of Gilford, New Hampshire and she survived him. Charles Fenton’s children with Cornelia include Mary C. Fenton (May 10, 1869 – February 1, 1907) and Robert Fenton, (born about 1872).

On April 16, 1904, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 1,0312,374 that was granted under certificate No. 1,086,591. His widow, Sarah applied for a pension in August 1921.
Charles Fenton was a founding member of the Francis S. Long Post, No. 30 G.A.R (Grand Army of the Republic) in Willimantic. He was treasurer of the 21^st Connecticut Regimental Association. He died on August 7, 1921 and is buried in the New Mansfield Center Cemetery in Mansfield.

Dennis Flaherty

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Dennis Flaherty was a resident of Mansfield on August 15, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was injured June 3, 1865 in Richmond, Virginia and was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 25 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 9” tall with a fair complexion and red hair and grey eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born about November, 1832 to John and _____ Flaherty in Ireland and emigrated about 1848. In the 1870 U.S. census in Mansfield, he was a 37 year old farmer. Dennis Flaherty married Mary ______ about 1860 and they had eight children including: Mary Flaherty, born about 1860; Dennis Flaherty, born about 1863; Daniel Flaherty, born about 1866; Margaret Flaherty, born about 1868 and Annie Flaherty, born about 1873. After the Civil War, he returned to Mansfield and was a farmer there until after the 1900 U.S. census. He moved to Willimantic between 1900 and 1910.

On April 26, 1879, he applied for an invalid pension, No.358,594 that was granted under certificate No. 271,197.

Dennis Flaherty died on January 1, 1917 in Willimantic and is buried at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in Willimantic, Connecticut.

James Flaherty

Posted on November 4, 2022November 15, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

James Flaherty was a resident of Mansfield on August 18, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He deserted on March 18, 1863.

Accordingly to letters sent by fellow soldier George H. Harris to Mrs. Harris, he was granted a furlough but did not return when the time had expired.

“He has not got back yet nor [do] we not here from him wheather he is sick or skedaddled.”
The Harris Letters, March 28, 1863

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 25 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 8” tall with a light complexion and dark hair and blue eyes. His marital status is married.

The only James Flaherty living in Mansfield in the 1860 U.S. census was 9 years old which would make him no older than 11 or 12 years old in 1862 if it was the same individual.

No further information is known.

Disclaimer: Transcripts reflect what was written, including any spelling or grammar mistakes.

Peter Flaherty

Posted on November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Peter Flaherty was a resident of Mansfield on August 15, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 35 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 9” tall with a dark complexion and dark hair and blue eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born about June, 1828 in Ireland and emigrated about 1849. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he was a 30 year old farm laborer. Peter Flaherty married Celia ______ about 1850 and their children include: James Flaherty, born about 1851; John Flaherty, born about 1857; Patrick Flaherty, born about 1859; and Thomas Flaherty, born about 1854. After the Civil War, he returned to Mansfield and was a farmer there until after 1870; he moved to Coventry by the 1880 U.S. census. He resided in Coventry until after the 1900 U.S. census. In the 1910 U.S. census, he is an inmate at the Fitch’s Home for Soldiers in Darien, Connecticut.

On April 5, 1882, he applied for an invalid pension, No.445,124 that was granted under certificate No. 292,539.

Peter Flaherty died on March 20, 1915 at Fitch’s Home for Soldiers in Darien, Connecticut and is buried at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Coventry, Connecticut.

George W. French

Posted on November 4, 2022December 13, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

George W. French was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Corporal in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was promoted August 31, 1863 to Sergeant.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 22 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’7” tall with a light complexion and light hair and blue eyes. His marital status is married.

On November 27, 1864, he was transferred by promotion to Co. H of the 8th Regiment United States Colored Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant by Major General Benjamin Butler. He was promoted again to 1^st Lieutenant on March 5, 1865 by Major General Ord. He was mustered out at Brownsville, Texas on November 10, 1865.

On December 9, 1865, he appeared before an alderman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and testified that he had never received any pay or traveling expenses for his service in the 8th Regiment United States Colored Infantry.

George W. French was born August 4, 1840 in Mansfield to James H. and Mary (Lamphear) French. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 19 year old farm laborer in the household of Nathan F. Palmer. George W. French married Harriet M. Dunham on August 6, 1862 in Mansfield, five days before he enlisted in the army. They had one daughter, Annie L. French, born about 1869. After the Civil War, he returned to Mansfield where he was a farmer and a butcher.

On August 11, 1882, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 458,205 that was granted under certificate No. 522,804.

George W. French died on January 17, 1918 in Mansfield Center and is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.

French Letter

“I have a great deal to do here but like first rate so far. The 8^th is well drilled & are good soldiers, have done good fighting & I have no doubt can do it again. The prejudice against colored troops is dying out pretty fast.”
Letter, George W. French to Ellery, February 16, 1865. George W. French Letters, 1862-1865, Ms 98132, Connecticut Historical Society

The Connecticut Historical Society has in its archives a collection of eleven letters written by George W. French to his friend Ellery Pike, another soldier from Mansfield. In his letter to him dated February 16, 1865, he writes about the 8th regiment US Colored Infantry. A scan of the full letter is attached, courtesy of the Connecticut Historical Society.

George French 2-16-`865 Download

To see transcription:

Alfred P. Hanks

Posted on November 1, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Alfred P. Hanks was a resident of Mansfield on August 13, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was severely wounded in the side, June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia.

Following his wounding at Cold Harbor, Alfred Hanks was hospitalized until July 12^th when he was granted a furlough. After a grueling journey home, he arrived in Mansfield on the 18^th. He recuperated there until he was called back to service on August 13^th. Reluctantly, he returned to his regiment, but he was still weak and needed more time to recuperate from his wound. Rather than returning to the line, he was assigned to assist Julian Parker, the Hospital Steward (also from Mansfield). He was discharged for disability May 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 18 and his occupation as clerk. He is described as 5’ 5” tall with a fair complexion and black hair and dark eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born April 14, 1844 in Mansfield to Frederick F. and Abigail (Page) Hanks. In the 1860 U.S. census in Marlborough, he is a 16 year old clerk in the household of Edwin P. Hanks. He was a clerk in a hotel in East Lyme in 1870 and living in his mother’s household in Marlborough by the 1880 U.S. census. Alfred Hanks was living in Fitch’s Home for Soldiers by 1900, he was a clerk in 1900 and listed as an inmate in 1910 who was Sergeant Major in the institution office; he never married. The Mansfield Historical Society has his diary for 1864 which contains information regarding the regiment’s activities and many stories of his fellow soldiers.

On March 5, 1866, he applied for an invalid pension, No.1041,078 that was granted under certificate No. 183,264. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, he was receiving a monthly pension amount unstated for a gunshot wound in the right side.

Alfred P. Hanks died on December 8, 1916 at the Fitch Soldiers Home in Darien and is buried in Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Hebron, Connecticut.

The Diary of Alfred P. Hank

The following excerpts are from an 1864 diary written by Alfred P. Hanks while he was in service in the Union Army. He re-copied the original diary and enhanced the entries in 1909, while he was residing in the Soldiers’ Home in Noroton Heights, Connecticut. Although this diary covers the year 1864 only, he was in service from August 1862 to May 1865, a period of 2 years, 9 months and 3 days. His diaries for the other years were stolen.

Alfred P. Hanks wrote the following on the first page of this copy of his 1864 diary:

“While looking over the diary pretending to record the events of 1864 while in the army I find that as little time was spent in keeping it as possible. That many events are not given so that anyone else now reading it, would have little or no idea of what it recalls to me as clearly as though but yesterday. So [as I] am doing nothing this winter thought I would rewrite it and record some of the events that may be of interest to others and that are now clear to my mind as then. A diary of the other years while in the army was stolen from a trunk while left in care of a family in 1883.

Soldiers house. Noroton Height, Conn. Feby 3, 1909”

Some Relevant Diary Excerpts

Hanks’ Account of The Battle of Cold Harbor, VA:

“Humphrey of our Co. was hit in the knee and later the leg was amputated and [he] died I think. While lying down in line looking towards the enemy, T.F. Bennett who lay by side of his brother was hit by a ball… This was our first day in the Battle of Cold Harbor Va.”
Hank Diary

Diary Transcript, 6-3-1864 Download

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Hanks’ account of being wounded at Cold Harbor, VA:

“Within half a minute a Musket Ball struck me in the right side & went though my body”
Hank Diary

Diary Transcript, 6-5-1864 Download

–

Hanks’ account of being transported to a hospital in Washington, D.C.:

“Recall how near like heaven it seemed to get there”
Hank Diary

Diary Transcripts, 6-6 to 6-7-1864 Download

Eber Harris

Posted on November 1, 2022November 1, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Eber Harris was a resident of Windham on August 27, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was discharged from the U.S. General Hospital, Fort Monroe, Virginia on July 21, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 29 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 7” tall with a fair complexion and dark hair and dark eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born about November 1833 in Mansfield. In the 1860 U.S. census in Windham, he is a 26 year old ostler [stableman/groom] and head of household. Eber Harris married Sarah J. ______ about 1855. Children include: Eugene D. Harris, born about 1856 and Ada M. Harris, born about 1857. After the Civil War, he moved to Columbia, where he was working in a cotton mill by the time of the 1870 U.S. census. Later he moved back to Windham where he worked as a farmer.

Eber Harris died on February 7, 1916 and is buried in the North Windham Cemetery in Windham, Connecticut.

George H. Harris

Posted on November 1, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

George H. Harris was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was mustered out June 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 34 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 6” tall with a fair complexion and brown hair and hazel eyes.

He was born about 1827 in Mansfield to Daniel Parker and Anna (Bettis) Harris. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 33 year old head of household who is both a farmer and an overseer of the poor. There are 18 individuals listed as paupers living in his household. George Harris married Eunice M. Reynolds between 1850 and 1855. Children include: Marianna F. Harris, born about 1855 and John C. F. Harris, born about 1857. George Harris married second, Lydia E. (_____) Bentley on July 10, 1887 in Mansfield.

Following the war, George Harris returned to Mansfield and resumed farming. In 1876, he purchased an old gristmill located near the Gurley Cemetery in Mansfield. He repurposed it as a bone mill for manufacturing fertilizer. Bone Mill Road owes its name to this enterprise.

*Photograph of the house of George H. Harris and family. Still standing, it is located at 852 Stafford Road (Route 32) in Mansfield.*

On March 15, 1882, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 442,881 that was granted under certificate No. 587,621. His widow applied for a pension.

George H. Harris died on November 16, 1897 in Mansfield and is buried at the Gurley Cemetery in Mansfield.

The Letters of George Harris

Bruce John owns over thirty letters written by his great-great-grandfather George H. Harris to his family in Eagleville. He graciously allowed the Mansfield Historical Society to transcribe them. These letters are of special interest for they not only recount the soldier’s experiences but also reveal much about life at home. His letters are filled with concerns for his family’s well being and his yearning to be home with them. A selection of the transcribed letters are presented here.

When George Harris left for war in September of 1862, he left behind his wife Eunice and two young children, Mary Anna and Johney. His brother William helped maintain the farm in his absence while his sister Amy helped Eunice with the housework and caring for the children. Everyone pitched in to do the chores.

“I suppose that you and Amy and the chrildren will git so used to work out of dowars [doors] that when I come home that I shant have to hire aney help for one of you can do the house work and the other go in to the field with me.”
George to his wife

The government was erratic in paying its soldiers so the Harris family struggled to pay its taxes and mortgage, coming close to losing the family farm. In one letter, George complained that he had not been paid for five months. Eunice wished that the Eagleville mill would reopen so that she could earn some money working there. The family finally resorted to selling livestock and farm equipment in an attempt to make ends meet. When the cotton mill finally reopened in January 1864, Eunice found a new source of income in boarding mill workers.

The last of the surviving letters was written in March 1864, but we can assume that the family was successful in its efforts to keep the farm. The house, located at 852 Stafford Road, still remains in the family. Happily, George Harris survived the war and returned to his loved ones in June of 1865.

Click here to see a selection of the letter transcriptions: Harris Letters