16th Maine Inf. Co A
My 2 times great-grandfather James Parsons 16th Maine Inf. Co.A was in the Reg. from 1862 to 1864, he died at Salisbury NC Prison Camp. Buried most likey in one of the unmarked trenches. No photos of James survive, is it possible there is one taken of his regiment or Company somewhere? I have been to Gettysburg and stood where the 16th Maine held back the Rebel Army until they could no longer do so, it was a very emotional experience for me. I've read a letter written by him and owned by a distant relative of mine, he did not seem to be much different than our soldiers of today, he wanted everyone to know he was fine but worried about his wife and children and wanted them to made as comfortable as possible. Thanks for any help, Eileen Gloria aepell@metrocast.net
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Permalink Reply by James Allen Blanche Sr. on -
Photos from that era are hard to come by. My Great Grandfather was in the Civil War, and he like most soldiers of that day ( and your Grandfather ) and today's soldiers thought about,and I'm sure worried about home, not themselves. That letter that you speak of is priceless. Thanks for sharing. I did look around some and on the Maine State Archives website is a picture of Field Staff and Line Officers. This is where I found it. Good luck and happy hunting.
http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/SixteenthMaine.html
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Permalink Reply by Eileen Gloria "Campbell" Pelleti on -
Thanks for the Photo, very interesting even though James Parsons had died by this time. Paper work said he died of diarrhea but the family was told he staved to death. When he wrote this letter he was at Fort Tillinghurst August 25 1862. While writing, orders came that the 16th was to guard chain bridge. His hand writing and wording were of perfection, he must have been fairly well educated in that day and age. A distant relative owns that letter now, I do not know if I have the right to copy it. The person who sent me the copy originally has died and I do not know where his kin lives and have never met them. I was never told to give or not give it to others. He made Sgt. at Gettysburg, was taken prisoner and released and again prisoner at Welden RR Va. in Aug. 18/19 of 1864. Died in hospital Dec. 1864. His widow received $8.00 a month as long as she lived, and children $2.00 a month until 16 years of age. The children when adults seem to make good lives for themselves, 3 daughters stayed unmarried, one died in her teens, one was a school teacher, the other a forewoman in a shirt factory. The son (Idecend from) was a machinest, the other 2 daughters married and moved west coming back to Maine when widowed. Thanks again...
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Permalink Reply by John Wesley Gordon on -
http://www.interment.net/data/us/nc/rowan/salisnat/index.htm
A little bit about Salisbury National Cemetery.
http://www.salisburync.gov/prison/1.html
And a link to a good deal of info about the prison.
It's interesting he died less than a month after the attempted mass prison break - I wonder if he was one on those wounded by cannon fire?
That moment, when the 16th decided to tear their flag to pieces... unimaginable.
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Permalink Reply by Eileen Gloria "Campbell" Pelleti on
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Are you related to the Gordon's of Fayette Me.? My great-grandmother married Eugene S Gordon 1849-1930. 2nd. marriage for both, no ch: from this marriage. The Gordons are buried in the Fayette Corner Cem. on Baldwin Hill Rd. Fayette Me. A brother Lewis Gordon died at his father's home in 1865, he had been in the Army, his tomb stone tells of all the battles he was in. I believe a brother Calvin was in the war too.
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