Middleboro Civil War Casualties: Part Three

REMEMBER THE FALLEN

....................... MIDDLEBORO’S CIVIL WAR CASUALTIES
........................By Bob Lessard
........................Historian Post 64 American Legion

........Readers are informed that possibly more than 55 Middleboro residents lost their lives during the Civil War. Many of our soldiers perished due to sickness and disease or due to harshness as prisoners of war. Below is the third installment listing those men lost due to that war. For reference, the Gazettes of May 4, and July 20, 2017 contain sketches of other Civil War casualties. This article was published in the Gazette on September 21, 2017.

........JOHN L. COBB: He is listed as having been born in Abington on October 6, 1845 to Nelson and Susan A. Cobb. He was single and resided in Middleboro when he enlisted for three years on December 22, 1863. After being mustered on February 20, 1864, he served with the 58th Regiment/ Company C as a Private. He was taken prisoner and died in Emery Square Hospital in Washington on August 12, 1864.

........RICHARD COX: A resident of Middleboro, he was mustered on February 8, 1864 for three years with the 58th Regiment/Company B. His record shows he was born in New York as the son of William and Charity Cox. His occupation is listed as a bootmaker. He was single and served as a Private. He was Killed In Action on June 3, 1864 in the battle of “Sharty Grove” in Church, VA.

.......GEORGE CUMMINGS: Born on June 25, 1829. He was the son of George and Lucy Cummings. A resident of Middleboro, he served with the 3rd Calvary/ Company B as a Private following muster on February 27, 1864. He was married and was employed as a “trader.” He died in a hospital in New Orleans on July 23, 1864.

.......FRANCIS B. CUSHMAN: His parents were Bartlett and Sarah Cushman. He was born on June 17, 1826. He was married and worked as a carpenter in Middleboro. He enlisted for three years on December 12, 1861 and was mustered on October 16, 1861 with the 18th Regiment/Company C as a Private. He died on May 13, 1862 of typhoid fever at “Beirus Island, NC.

.......ISAAC HARLOW: Born in Carver on May 13, 1842, the son of of Benjamin and Lydia Harlow. He was a resident farmer of Middleboro when he enlisted on September 17, 1861 for three years. On November 2, 1861 he entered the service as a Private with the 18th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry in Company C. He died on March 1, 1862 at Camp Hall’s Hill, VA of typhoid fever.

.......ELDRIDGE ATWOOD MAXIM: The son of Henry F. and “Belhiah” Maxim, he was born in Middleboro on September 26, 1842. A shoemaker by trade, he was mustered on September 21, 1861 for a three year enlistment. Previously, he had served for three months with the 3rd Regiment in 1861. He attained the rank of Corporal during his service. He died on July 15, 1864 at “New Bourne,” New Jersey of disease contracted while in the service.

.......MORRELL PERKINS: A Middleboro resident, he was born here on January 26, 1839 to John C and Cynthia Perkins. He enlisted on May 7, 1861. He signed up for three years and was assigned to the 18th Regiment/Company D holding the rank of Private. He was wounded at the Battel of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862. He died of his wound on December 20, 1862.

.......ELLINGTON WRIGHT: There is no birth record with his file. His father was Charles Wright. A resident of Middleboro, he joined for three years and entered the service on August 8, 1862. He was assigned to the 40th Regiment/Company E as a Private. He died at Folly Island, SC., on October 23, 1863 of typhoid fever.

.......PRESTON SOULE: Born in Middleboro on May 11, 1834 to Ebem T. and Clerissa R. Soule. Preston enlisted for three years on April 19, 1861. After muster on July 31, 1861, he was placed with the 18th Regiment/Company G, where he gained the rank of Sergeant. He died of typhoid fever on May 1862. His remains were brought to Middleboro and buried in the family plot on Burying Hill.

.......Author’s Note: Middleboro’s Civil War veterans are remembered by the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Town Hall lawn. It was dedicated on May 30, 1896. This memorial was raised in honor of the 462 men who enlisted from Middleboro in defense of the Union.

.......Gazette readers are reminded that bricks are still available for placement in the Middleboro Veterans Memorial Park. They are a nice tribute to remember our veterans. Brick applications are available by calling Paul Kreitzberg at 508-965-9549. Also, application forms are located in the park at the brick locator box; in the lobby of the Town Hall bank building; the Oak Point pool room and at the office of Middleboro’s Veterans Service Officer Jason Cox.