Frank E. Stoughton
Frank E. Stoughton was a resident of Vernon on July 15, 1862 when he enlisted as a 1st Sergeant in Co. D of the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. On June 3, 1863 he was transferred to Co. H and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was transferred to Co. G on June 10, 1864 and promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Then, on July 3, 1863, he was wounded at Gettysburg, PA and afterwards was promoted to Captain on July 29, 1864. He was discharged for disability on January 1, 1865.
Frank E. Stoughton was born in East Windsor on January 10, 1834 to Edgar Stoughton and Sally Foster Stoughton. He was the oldest of seven children. His younger brother, Erwin (1865-1863) also enlisted in Co. D of the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He died of disease while in service on August 6, 1863.
On April 21, 1859, Frank E. Stoughton married Sarah L. Clark (1833-1921) of Mansfield. In the 1860 U.S. census, Frank Stoughton, age 29, is working as a carder in Vernon. Both he and his wife are residing in mill housing along with other mill workers. They had no children. During Frank’s military service, Sarah stayed with her parents in Mansfield.
Following his discharge, Frank Stoughton applied for a disability pension, but it was not granted until May 7, 1866, five months after he had died. His widow also applied for and was granted a widows pension. She resided in Mansfield for the rest of her life and worked as a dressmaker. Sometime after 1899, she married George P. Hanks. Both are buried in the Gurleyville Cemetery in Mansfield.
Frank Stoughton died at his parent’s home in South Windsor on January 1, 1866. He died of disease contracted while in service. He is buried in the New Wapping Cemetery in South Windsor, CT. He is also one of eight local soldiers memorialized on the Civil War monument in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Talcottville, CT. The monument was dedicated in 1869 and restored in 2008.
Stoughton Letter
In a letter written to her on August 29, 1864, Frank Stoughton vividly describes the second battle at Reams Station, VA during the Petersburg/Richmond campaign.
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