99th New York Infantry

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William Ward joined the 99th NY in 1861 leaving a one year old son behind. On January 31, 1864 he was part of a small patrol that was landed in Smithfield, Va along the James River to check on the actions of a Confederate artillery piece which had been firing on Union ships in the river. His patrol was to be picked up at the next high tide but the pick up ship ran aground and was disabled by Confederate artillery. A small battle occurred in the streets of Smithfield and after a short fight with a few casualties the patrol surrendered. Private Ward and the others were taken to Richmond and then to Andersonville. William died in April 1864 at Andersonville.

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide about my relative. Trent

Born in Ireland about 1837 and emigrated to Boston about 1848. A carpenter who lived with and supported his mother, Bridget Blackwell, especially after the death of his father, until his enlistment in the New York Volunteers, Company K, 99th Regiment, Union Army. Enlisted in Boston on February 13, 1862. Died from ''over exposure after standing guard duty,'' also described as ''congestive chills,'' on October 12, 1862, at Camp Greble (near Norfolk), Virginia. See Mother''s Pension Application, No. 101589, National Archives, Washington, DC. His name is among 64 names engraved on the first memorial in the entire country erected to the memory of ''that brave and fallen few'' who lost their lives in the Civil War. This monument stands in the Somerville Avenue Cemetery, Somerville, MA and was erected in the summer of 1863 by the Somerville Light Infantry. He is buried the Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia (located 2 3/4 miles from Ft. Monroe), Row 22, Section B, Grave 30.