USA > Maine > Oxford County > Sumner > Centennial history of the town of Sumner, Me. 1798-1898 > Part 7
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Various societies have sprung up in town and Hourished more or less at different periods of the town's history, but the only societies that have erected church edifices are the Congregational, Bap- tist and Universalist, of which to-day the Congrega- tional has two, the Baptist two, and Universalist one, making five church buildings kept in good repair and regular Sabbath services held in four of them, and occasional services in the other. This in a rural town of about 900 inhabitants may show that the town is not lacking in love and respect for moral and religious observances. There are at present three Y. P. S. C. E. societies in town that meet weekly. The first Sabbath school was organized in town in or about the year 1832, by the Rev. Asa Bullard of Boston. Each of the five churches main-
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tain schools, besides additional ones in the summer season.
Originally, the pews in the Baptist church faced the high gallery, and the pulpit back joined the gal- lery front so that the minister could not see the sing- ers unless he faced about, and only those occupying the front seat in the gallery could see the pulpit.
At the time the church was erected it was con- sidered a fine arrangement, as the occupants of the pews could face the minister, the choir, and see all the late comers and strangers.
The choir in those days was large and frequently . filled four long, unpainted wooden benches. Several of the grandchildren of those old singers are now serving in a smaller choir near the minister's right. The old "Carmina Sacra," by Lowell Mason, was the tune book.
The first choir that we can remember was com- posed of about a dozen persons, none of them young. and was led by Col. James Hersey. After the min- ister had finished reading one of Watts' hymns, the colonel would announce Barby, Marlow or Rock- ingham as the case demanded. Then after a trem- ulous far-sol-la, all hands would sing usually four to. six verses at a rather slow feed, and usually end half a note, or more, below the key note. No anthems, or set pieces ever greeted our ears then. The sa- cred music then was of a doleful slow cast and not calculated to awaken much enthusiasm. Things went on in this way until one winter a Mr. Bonney
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taught a singing school, after which a new choir was organized with John Conant as leader. Then came quite a change. New singing books were introduced and the music was of a more lively order. About this time instrumental music by way of fiddles and bass viol came into use here. Greenleaf Conant and Stephen Heald, who had sustained the alto part in singing, were taken out and learned to manipulate the fiddle and bass viol. Bradford Bisbee. also assist- ed. It seemed to our boyish mind that the music had reached the climax of perfection. Mr. Conant, the chorester, was of a quick and impulsive nature, and there was some jingle in the selections. How we used to stand at a safe and respectful distance and gaze with open mouth and dilated eyes to the music and wonder if we should ever get there. The singing book was the Old Psaltery, and many of the closing pieces are still fresh in mind. How I de- lighted to tell about our singing. Why, I honestly thought it could not be excelled by anybody.
Singing was becoming an important factor in church services. Mr. Conant led the choir for sev- eral years, and after his removal Milton Hersey led the singing for a while, and as he was our first Sab- bath school teacher, we thought he was hard to beat. After Mr. Hersey came our well known and efficient chorester, Stephen C. Heald, who commenced in that capacity while but a youth of twenty-one and served many years,
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The first established mail route through Sumner started from Buckfield, came up past Capt. Bisbee's over Sumner Hill to Esq. Barrett's, then back by East Sumner, and through Hartford to Canton. One trip a week was made, and this mail was usually carried on horseback. The driver blew a trumpet before passing houses, as some of the settlers used to pay him a trifle to deliver their mail, and carry letters to the office for them.
Simeon Barrett, esq., was the first postmaster. Later on, as the town became thicker settled, an- other office was established at the east part of the town, then known as "Sumner Corner," where Dr. Bethuel Cary was postmaster for many years. After the Buckfield Branch railroad was extended to East Sumner, the office was removed to the Flat near the mills, where it is now kept.
But years before this latter event took place an office was established at Abel Fletcher's and one at West Sumner, in place of the one at Esq. Barrett's. The mail route then started from Paris Hill, came through Sumner over the hills to East Sumner, through Hartford, Canton to Canton Point, the ter- minus. One trip per week only. Yet the entire week's mail for all the section traversed was not nearly as heavy as one of the two daily mails that now arrive at East Sumner. Probably the number of Lewiston Weekly Journals that arrive every Thursday P. M. at East Sumner exceeds all the weekly newspapers then delivered over the entire .
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route for the week. A few copies of the "Christian Mirror," "Portland Advertiser," "Eastern Argus," and "Oxford Democrat," were taken by the "wealthy" families, and that was about all. Postage rates on letters coming from Massachusetts were eighteen and three-fourths cents, requiring an old nine pence and "four-pence-happeny" to make the change. Not many years ago subscribers to weekly newspapers had to pay twenty cents annually for postage. "Uncle Sam" will now carry nine letters- to California or Oregon as cheap as he used to carry one to Boston.
In a recent interview with Sumner's oldest citizen, "Uncle Abe" Fletcher, we inquired as to the first militia company in town. He thinks the first com- pany was organized by Joshua Carpenter, but is unable to give the date. Two annual "trainings," as they were called, were required, one in May and the other before the annual "field muster." These mus- ters were held in East Hebron and Paris, and were the leading events of the year. Each soldier must appear with an equipment consisting of two spare Hints, powder horn, bullets, primer, etc.
After the great temperance movement in the "thirties," an independent company called the Sum- ner and Hartford Rifle Company was formed, made up mainly of young men and total abstinence men. This was a uniformed company and such a uniform now would make a good target for the foe. They evidently believed in supporting the colors as the gandy outfit consisted of bright red pants, light
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green coats with two rows of bright brass buttons on the waist several inches apart, with bright yellow braid across from one button to the other. And the head gear would have made a Comanche Indian turn green with envy. A tall straight stove-pipe hat without rim except in front, surmounted by a tall - fountain feather plume of white feathers tipped with red, and then the victim was ready for-gore.
The annual trainings were usually held at "Sum- ner Flat," the only piece of smooth land big enough to turn a company on with safety. The writer has, since those gala days, wept bitter tears of sorrow and anguish while pulling barn grass and pig weed upon the same soil where this gaily bedecked mil- itary company performed their evolutions.
Perhaps it was the patriotic spirit engendered by this gay dashing company that caused in after years nearly one hundred men to don the uniform of blue and go from the town to battle for the national col- ors of red, white and blue. The band of music con- sisted of a snare drum, bass drum and fife. In our remembrance of those bright letter days "Uncle Bill" Rice pounded the big drum, Ephraim Gammon, late of Mechanic Falls, rattled the small drum and squealed the fife.
"To be a Roman in those days, was better than to be a King."
After the formation of uniformed light infantry companies, the old militia-men were called "string bean" companies. It was said that, at the first train-
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ings of the old militia, it was customary to make a large X on the cowhide worn on the left foot, hence the order when about to march-"Chalk foot for- ward-march."
In the early times each town was obliged to keep on deposit in some safe place a quantity of powder and shot ready for an emergency .. Sumner's pow- der house stood on the common near the old Con- gregational church.
The list of Sumner's soldiers* is compiled from the adjutant general's report and other available sources. Of course such a list, prepared 33 years after the close of the war, and made up in part from the memory of some of our aged citizens, may not be absolutely correct, but we think the list is very nearly if not quite complete. Old Sumner has a noble record for loyalty and patriotism, and many of her sons laid down their lives for a noble and vic- torious cause. It requires annually about 100 flags to mark the last resting places of her honored dead, including the Revolutionary and 1812 heroes.
In the early days of the first settlers, New Eng- land rum was considered indispensable at weddings, funerals, marriages and births, also at sheep wash- ings and shearings. People then did not have to visit Maine lakes and brooks in fly time in order to "take a smile." It was used freely and no attempt at dis- guise.
* See Appendix (),
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It was kept at grocery stores and in nearly all famlies and with such frequent use the quality must have been much better than the present vile, forty- /rod, crazy compounds. Occasionally an old or mid- dle aged man would be seen coming from the gro- cery with a little too much New England in one jug to balance the molasses in the other and it was a trifle difficult to balance the gait. Quite different from the present time, it was a rare sight to see a young man "plumb full" and boisterous. Even the minister was expected to take a "smile" when he went to comfort the afflicted or kiss the bride. When the first "old Orthodox" minister, Parson Sewall, was installed, stands were erected where gingerbread and new rum were dispensed with a gospel flavoring and relish. Sumner was not unlike other towns in this regard, but for the past half cen- tury few towns in the State have been so free from the blighting curse of intemperance as old Sumner.
In a recent interview with Capt. Bisbee, whose statements are always taken without salt, he re- marked the freedom of the town from a bad use of alcoholic stimulants.
Refering to the great Washingtonian movement in 1841 the Captain said that "Old Father Hayes" delivered the first temperance lecture at Buckfield on Nov. 6, 1841, and "I signed the pledge and have kept it ever since," a statement which no one will doubt. That movement picked up and saved many old pioneers of that time and the signers of the pledge generally kept the pledge.
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Let us here state an incident that shows the power and efficacy of a Christian mother's example. Many years ago at Sumner Corner, which was then the "Hub" of a large territory, "Uncle Nat Briggs" kept a small grocery, and of course, the chief neces- sary of life was New England rum, which was then hauled by horse power from Portland. It was dis- pensed freely to all that had the usual "three cents, and those who lacked the necessary fund, did chores. handled potash ashes and did sundry jobs to procure the "nipper." . Within a stone's throw of this grog- shop lived "Uncle Asa" Robinson, son of Dea. In- crease Robinson. Asa and "Aunt Margaret" reared a family of nineteen children and many of the boys were brought up right under the shadow of the re- tailer's shop, and strange to state, not one of them ever became addicted to the use of liquors. Every one of them grew up a staunch, total abstinence man, and all but two have passed away and all kept the faith. Adoniram Judson and Lucius still live and are inveterate haters of rum and tobacco. Their mother early taught them to touch not the accursed thing.
After the Washingtonian movement came the Temperance Watchmen Club, which flourished in its day and had a good support.
In 1869, March 3d. Dr. William Lapham of Au- gusta instituted Invincible Lodge of Good Temp lars, which has had phenomenal success. Its roll of members shows nearly five hundred names, which is
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more than one-half of the present population of the town. It still lives, owns a good hall and has a li- brary of over 3,000 volumes.
To-day, an intoxicated resident of the town would be a rare sight. If such sickening sights are ever seen, it is usually a young man who drives through the place and carries the "critter" with him. Drunk- en brawls and street riots are comparatively unknown, and still they occur in smaller towns than this. The general sentiment of the town is for law and order, and loyalty to the government.
The only instance of anything like a mob or riot occured more than half a century ago. A certain man of doubtful repute was generally supposed to be living an intimate and dissolute life with his sis- ters, and the people becoming disgusted with the affair decided to rid the town of his presence. As gentle hints did not avail they decided to procure an "all rail" line for him with a complimentary ticket for him to Buckfield. As this occured before the days of the steel rail, no other method seemed to be available but a wood fence rail. They went by night, and kindly made up the train at his door and invited the victim to a free ride, giving him the pre- ference of the center seat on the carriage. They assisted their honored guest to the best seat, and the train started and did not stop at way stations until the conductor whispered "Buckfield." As this was the terminus of the line the train stopped, the victim dismounted and the train men after taking-
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water(?) started home. The company only made one trip, as it proved effectual. Some of the lead- ing citizens helped make up the party, and for neat- ness and dispatch it eclipsed the old F. O. J. Smith line and made better time.
When Tabitha Bisbee, sister of Capt. Bisbee's father, was married to William Brown, Parson Scott came up from New Gloucester to perform the nup- tials and received for his fee one bushel of rye, which " he carried home with him on his back. Capt. Bisbee also states that his grandfather brought salt upon his back from New Gloucester to salt down two moose. During the first winter in town the family subsisted largely on moose, bear, deer, ducks and partridge.
Sumner has made a home for a score or more of ministers, but a lawyer has never tried to starve in town.
Several physicians have at various times lived and practiced in town. Dr. Micah Allen was the first, then followed Drs. Conant, Adams, Cary, Comstock, Faunce, Wight, Bisbee, Andrews, and Robinson.
Early in the history of the town the citizens show- ed their desire for more liberal education of their children than they had enjoyed. In the same sea- son when the town was incorporated when the list. of voters numbered less than thirty, the town voted Stoo for schools, making a per capita tax of over $3
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_each, a much larger sum for each than the amount now raised by vote of the town for each inhabitant to bear.
For years, and until the district system was abol- ished, the town maintained 17 districts with 16 schools. The town ha's sent many pupils to Hebron Academy, several to Edward Little Institute, Au- burn, and quite a number to the Normal School at Farmington. Four pupils from the town graduated last season from the latter school.
Several pupils from the town graduated at Colby and Bowdoin, and others are still pursuing their college course, or fitting for future entry.
While the town cannot boast any fine school buildings as larger and wealthier towns can show, yet the desire and importance of good school facili- ties is felt. Improvements are continually going on in methods of instruction, and the town ranks well with rural country towns.
In brief, the early settlers evidently believed in the importance and necessity, for their future wel- fare, of churches and schools.
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BENJAMIN HEALD and DESCENDANTS. --
A history of the Healds, as connected with the early settlement of Sumner, began in the person of Benjamin Heald, who came from Carlisle, Mass., about the year 1784, then a young man about twenty years of age.
Possibly a year or two after Benjamin Heald took up his residence in what is now the town of Sumner, he married Rebekah Spaulding. They began their life together on Sumner Hill, near to where the present Heald farm buildings now stand.
Benjamin Heald' was born June 25, 1764, and died Oct. 12, 1841. His wife, Rebekah, was born Nov. 10, 1766, and died June 10, 1858.
The following are names of children born to them while living in Sumner:
Benjamin, Jr., born Sept. 13, 1786; Susannah, born Jan. 29, 1788; Israel, born Jan. 22, 1793; Charlotte, born Mar. 10, 1795, and died May 8. 1801; Hiram, born July 19, 1797; Harriet, born Jan. 14, 1800; Washington, born July 23, 1802; Joseph W., born Sept. 28, 1804; Jefferson, born Nov. 16, 1805; Charlotte, born Feb. 23, ISO8; Columbus, born July 21, ISIO.
We shall now give a brief sketch of the descend- ants of the members of this family in the order of their birth.
*[NOTE: The Personal sketches that follow were received 100 late to be inserted consecutively with the others .- PUB. ]
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Benjamin, Jr.2 married Achsah Hall. Children: Hannah B., born Feb. 18, 1813; Andrew J., born May 6, 1815; Timothy, born April IS. 1817; Elias, born Feb. 14, 1819; George W., born Sept. 20, 1820; Christopher C., born Dec. 11, 1822; Lydia B., born Jan. 30, 1825. married D. H. Bisbee; Abner O., born May 27. 1827; Amasa R., born Jan. 14, 1829; Benjamin F., born July 1I, 1831; John, born Oct. 6. 1835; Charles B., born Oct. 14, 1837. Hannah B.3 married Solomon Bisbee. Children:
Timothy H., Mariah, George G., Lewis H. Andrew J.,3 married Sarah Austin. Children: Sarah, Adah, Jenny, Laura, Angie, Mary. Herbert, Clinton, and two others who died young.
Timothy3 married Adeline E. Huntress. Children:
Gemma L., born Dec. 11, 1870; Benjamin H., born Feb. 9, 1874; Clara Gertrude. born Jan. 23, 1880.
George W.,3 married Matilda Williams.
Emigrated to Wisconsin in the early fifties. Five children were born to them. Names have not been furnished.
Christopher C.,3 born Dec. 11, 1822, died Dec. 9, 1846.
Capt. Abner Otis3 married Sarah Martin.
Enlisted in the Ist Wisconsin Infantry.
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- Sept., 1861, and was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863.
Amasa R.,3 born in Sumner, June 14, 1829, married Julia Prentiss Howe of Paris, July 18, 1861. Children:
Alice, born Mar. 28, 1863; Lucinda B., born Nov. 25, 1864; Henry H., born Oct. 6,1866; Mary C., born May 24, 1868; Charles, born Apr. 6, 1870; Ernest, born Jan. 18, 1872; Benjamin H., born Nov. 26, 1873; George M., born Oct. 17, 1875; Herbert born Oct. 22, 1877; Walter, born Feb. 22, 1881; Arthur, born Mar. 13, 1883; Edward B., born July 26, 1887.
Alice,+ married Wilmot H. Wheeler, Aug. 11, 1891. Child:
Julia B., born Sept. 14, 1892.
Benjamin F.,3 born July 11, 1831, married Mary E. James, born June 26, 1844.
Children: $ Abner O., born Apr. 16, 1866; Mary A .. born Oct. 4, 1872; Charles B., born Apr. 21. 1875.
Abner O.+ married Helen Bryant, Sept. 1, 1894.
Charles B.+ married Sarah Van Ouwerkerk. Jan. 27, 1897. Child:
Benj? F., 2nd, born Aug. 9, 1898. .
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Johns born Oct. 6, 1835, married Margaret P. Jordan, June 12, 1876. Children:
Mary A., born Feb. 5, 1877; Ethel L., born Dec. 23, 1878.
Charles B.,3 born Oct. 14, 1837, married Lydia J. Richardson, Nov. 17, 1872. Children: Jennie Morrsll, born Jan. 21, 1874; Elbert Abner, born Dec. 3, 1875; Charles Arthur. born Mar. 16, 1878.
Susanah? married Joshua Carpenter. Children: Gaines, Decatur, Rebecca, Franklir, Jefferson, Harriet and Elvira.
Israel2 married Jane Standish. Children:
. Jane L., born Aug. 28, 1816; Israel, Jr., born July 19, 1818; Mary G., born Dec. 8, 1820; Nancy, born July 8,- 1822; Eunice, born Oct. 18, 1826; Benjamin, Helen, Augusta, Harriet. and John, who was a member of Ist Maint Cavalry, and died in the service.
Hiram? married Sophronia . Hersey. Children: Marcella, b. Apr. 4, 1825; Lysander, b. Dec. 20, 1826; Hiram H., b. Nov. 12, 1828; Albert H., b. Dec. 9, 1830; Abel S., b. Feb. 13, 1833: Stephen C., b. June 12, 1835; Emogene S., b. Apr. 18, 1837; James H., b. Apr. 30, 1839: Althea P., b. Oct. 2, 1841; Benj. F., b. June 23, 1843; Oscar F., b. Oct. 12, 1846. Lysander3 married Margaret A. Vining. Children:
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REBEKAH (SPAULDING) HEALD.
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Arthur C., b. Apr. 7, 1861; Eva, b. May 31, 1869; Marion V., b. Jan. 29, 1874.
Arthur C.,+ married Charlotte Bates Tower, Dec. 31, 1883. Children:
Charles T., b. May 18, 1888; Stanley, b. June 8, 1891; Margaret, b. Sept. 13, 1892; Darthea, b. Feb. 10, 1898. .
Hiram H.3 married Francis Borne, Nov. 1.4. 1852. Children; .
William H., b. Mar. 19, 1857; Ida, b. Nov. 28, 1861.
William H.+ married Annie H. Bangs, Sept. 15, 1881. Child: Trevor, b. July 1, 1886.
Albert H.3 married Lottie Cook, who died Feb. 13, 1860. Second wife, Sarah Hough- ton. Child: Hiram. Third wife, Priscilla Thomas.
Abel S.3 married Mary C. Anderson. Children: J. Franklin, b. May, 1864; Jennie M., b. Sept. 14, 1870.
Stephen C.3 married Abbie A. Rowe, Sept. 12, 1858, who died May 16, 1873. Children: Samuel S., b. Aug. 12, 1865; James H., b. Feb. 28, 1871, married Tinnie Keen, Mar 22, 1895; Ernest R., b. May 12, 1873. He married for second wife, Ella S. Robinson, Mar. 10, 1875, and had one child, Amy E., b. Mar. 12, 1879, who married Ernest J .. Russell, Mar. 12, 1899
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Emogene S.3 married Jacob M. Willey, Sept. 12, 1858. Child: Joseph Ten Brock, b. Dec. 1859.
James H.3 enlisted in 1861, in the 29th Mass. Regiment, and died at Annapolis, Md., Oct. 10, 1862.
Althea P.3 married Allen Weatherhead.
Benjamin F.3 enlisted in the 20th Maine Regiment in 1862, was wounded at the Battle of Spottsylvania, and died May 17. 1 864.
Oscar F.3 married Almatia Richardson, Dec. 23, 1868. Children:
Isaac Burton, b. May 6, 1871; Oscar Leslie, b. Feb. 15, 1879. -
Harriet3 married Reuben Carpenter. Children : Nancy, Thomas B., Arabella, and Josephine. Washington2 married Eliza A. Allen. Children: Betsey W., b. Aug. 28, 1825; Rebecca S., h. July 23, 1827; George W., b. Nov. 18, 1828: Joshua C., b. Mar. 24, 1830; Caroline D)., b. May 18, 1834; Eliza J., b. Nov. 13, 1837; Wm. A., b. Jan. 31, 1841; Benjamin F., b. Sept. 13. 1843; Enos D., b. July 7, 1845-
Joshua C.3 married Olynthia Swallow. Children: Fred E., Clinton S., Anna R., Preston ( .. Harry M., and I. Maud.
William A3 married Elva Swett.
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Benjamin F.3 married Rosilla Monk. Children: 1
Washington, Adalaide B., Elva I:, and Margaret P.
Enos D.3 married Ella A. Mitchell. Child:
Carl M. Second wife, Jane C. Swallow, Fred E., married Florence A. Monk.
Child: Helen .M.
Jefferson2 married Jane Hersey. Children: Olive F., b. May 17, 1832; Eliza A., b. May 12, 1834; Cyrus B., b. Mar. 24, 1838; Mary A., b. July 20, 1840; Llewellyn B., b. Oct. 25, 1842; Emma M. J., b. Mar. 23, 1851.
Cyrus B.3 married Elvira H. Briggs, Nov. 10, 1861. Children:
Llewellyn B., 2nd, b. Sept. 1, 1862; Hattie L., b. Sept. 19, 1864, married George W. Hammon, Nov. 27, 1889; Alice W., b. June 17, 1868, married Frank W. Snell, Dec, 22, 1890; Benjamin, b. May 5, 1873; Jefferson, b. May 5, 1873; Agnes M., b. Jan. 21. 1876; Winslow J., b. Jan. 22, 1878.
Mary A .- married Albian W. Robinson.
I.lewellyn B. married Fannie B. Robinson. Dec. 17, 1867, who died May 22, 1869. Oct. : 15, 1871, he married second wife, Ada F. .Bonney. Children:
Annie H., b. Jan. 29, 1873; Sabra R., b. July 5, 1876; Estelle J., b. Apr. 10, 1878; Emma A., b. Mar. 19, 1880. The following is a Statement of Llewellyn B. Heald's military history:
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CAPT.E. S. FARNSWORTH & HEADQUARTERS, 20th MAINE A. A. A. Gen. 3d Brigade. S VOLS., January 28, 1865.
- Captain : I have the honor to submit the following as a true Statement of Sargent LLEWELLYN B. HEALD'S military history : He was private in Co. C, August 29, 1862, at which time the regiment was organized; was in the Battle of An- tietam, Sept. 17, 1862, Blackburn's Ford, Sept. 20, 1862. Chancellorsville, May 2nd and 3d, 1863, Aldie and Middle- burg, June 21, 1863. Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, where he re- ceived a wound in the thigh; was subsequently promoted to Corporal for gallantry in action ; was at the Battle of Mine Run, Nov., 1863, and has been in every battle this Corps has been in since May 1, 1864; was promoted to Sargent, July I. 1864, for gallant and meritorious service. He is a good, and true Soldier, in Battle or in Camp.
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