Tuesday, June 1, 2021 – HE ENLISTED TO FIGHT THE CIVIL WAR IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, NY

By admin

TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021

The

378th Edition

From  the Archives

Pvt. HORACE WOOD


CIVIL WAR SOLDIER

Today, Memorial Day I received an interesting series of e-mails:

I am looking for information on the Smallpox Hospital, and the possibility of graves around that ruin. 

My 3rd Great Grandfather died in the Smallpox Hospital in 1864, and reportedly was also buried there. 

Thanks in advance for any help you can give. 

Richard Robbins

I responded that I knew of no burials on Blackwell’s Island/

This was the response I received:

I do have a record of where he was buried, states
Blackwell Island as his burial spot. 
At the time that this happened, 1864, I would imagine that the disposal method was a mass grave. 
I would pick the Four Freedoms park as an option for burial, but I don’t think bodies would be removed to the usual spot on Hart Island at that time. 

Richard Robbins sent me to the link for:
“DEATHS OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN which have occurred while in the military or naval service of the United States or from wounds  or disease acquired in said service since April 1, 1861, reported by the families to which the deceased belonged when at home”

The Place of Death is listed as Blackwell’s Island and the Place of Burial is also listed as Blackwell’s Island

14th Regiment Artillery Heavy, New York Volunteers 1863 1865

WHO WAS HORACE WOOD?

The information derived from this document and from Robbins was that
Horace Wood was born about 1821 in Antwerp, Jefferson County , New York.
His muster date was December 21, 1863
His rank was Private
His regiment was the 14th Heavy Artillery
He died of Typhoid at the Smallpox Hospital, Blackwell’s Island on March 20, 1864.
Wood was housed at Park Barracks in NY proper before being sick. He AND his son both tried to join, son was too young, being 16. They were drawn in by the large bounties offered for volunteers. After he died, the farm was paid for, undoubtedly by the bounty. His widow remarried a few years later.

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes two camp colors attributed to the 14th Regiment Artillery. The wool camp colors are printed in the US national pattern (34 stars in 7-7-6-7-7 pattern) as prescribed in General Order No. 4, Headquarters of the U.S. Army, dated 18 January 1862.

We do not know of any burials on Blackwell’s Island and that there was limited space for any interments. We note that the information provided on the DEATHS OF OFFICER AND ENLISTED MEN was provided by the families.  Many errors could have occurred and further research would have to take place to find if another burial site is available.

We honor Pvt. Horace Wood and state that the Smallpox Hospital is a Memorial to him.

TUESDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY

SEND YOUR SUBMISSION TO:
ROOSEVELTISLANDHISTORY@GMAIL.COM
 

MONDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY

NEW ELEVATORS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT
MANHATTAN TRAM STATION
THOM HEYER, ALEXIS VILLFANE, NINA LUBLIN 
GOT A LIFT FROM THE SITE THAT WE WILL “SOON” HAVE BETTER RIDES TO THE TRAM.

Text by Judith Berdy
Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac and the RIHS
Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website
Edited by Melanie Colter  and Deborah Dorff

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated

Sources

RICHARD ROBBINS

NYS LINK TO ANCESTRY.COM

FUNDING PROVIDED BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE GRANTS CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BEN KALLOS DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THRU DYCD

Copyright © 2021 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com