William P. Western

William P. Western, Company D, 106th N.Y. Infantry
* Frederick Western (brother)
According to his CMSR, William enlisted July 29, 1862, at DeKalb, New York. He was a 26-year-old farmer born in Stockholm, New York, and was 5 feet 8 inches tall and had gray eyes and brown hair. His company mustered in August 27, 1862, at Ogdensburg, New York. Although William was listed as "present" on company muster rolls from his enrollment through June 1864, he was taken prisoner and paroled at Fairmont, Virginia, April 29, 1863. He went from there to Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland, and did not return to regular duty until October 31, 1863. He became sick from "chronic diarrhoea" and "remittant fever," and on July 3, 1864, he was sent to the U.S. Army Hospital, 6th Army Corps, at City Point, Virginia. Subsequently, he was sent to Finley General Hospital, Washington, D.C. William's CMSR indicates some confusion as to whether he deserted while on furlough from the hospital, or whether he died at Richville, New York, November 23, 1864, or at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1864. During his military service, he received $95 in clothing, $27 in advanced bounty, and all his pay through August 31, 1864. He was to have been charged $1.27 for a "painted blanket" and $23.96 for transportation.
 
The pension application submitted by William's widow eliminates the confusion about his death. According to affidavits, Finley General Hospital gave William a furlough on September 14, 1864, permitting him to return to St. Lawrence County, New York, for 1 month. On his way home, William visited Dr. Carroll C. Bates at Potsdam, New York. Dr. Bates visited William at his father's house on September 29 and on October 3 and 5. The doctor planned to visit William again on October 7, but did not because William had died. Albert Dewey and Joseph N. Griswold laid out William's remains for burial. The pension file also includes the dates of William's marriage to Ulisa Daniels, her subsequent marriage to Patrick Curn, and the birth of William's daughter, Rosena.
 
The "record of events" cards in M594, roll 130, provide additional detail about William's service. Company D's movements from enlistment to April 27, 1863, were identical to those for Company G, except that they were reported to have had a skirmish with the enemy at Philippi on April 26. They returned to Grafton on April 27. On April 28, Companies D and F were ordered to march to Fairmont, Virginia, to guard a railroad bridge over the Monongahela River. The next day they were attacked by Confederates whom they fought from 1:30 a.m. until noon, when "very suddenly the command was surrendered and immediately paroled." Their casualties were one killed and one wounded.
The men who were captured were "out of action" for 6 months until they were formally exchanged; the remainder of the company continued fighting the war. Eventually, William and the other men returned to duty:
The balance of this company consisting of Capt. Alvah W. Briggs, Lieut. Gilbert, W. Hathaway & 54 enlisted men were taken prisoner in an engagement at Fairmont, Va., April 29, 1863 and are now [May through October 1863] in Parole Camp at Annapolis, Md. ... having been duly exchanged returned to duty Oct. 31, 1863. Rejoined the Regt near Warrenton Junction, Va., on the 6th of Nov. 1863, moved with the Regt to Kellys Ford, crossed the Rappahannock same day. 3d Corps captured 400 prisoners. On the 7th Nov. drove the enemy beyond Brandy Station where we went into Camp. On the 26th Nov. 1863, left Camp and with the Army of the Potomac moved toward the Rapidan which was crossed at Jacobs Ford same day. On the 27th 3rd Corps attacked the enemy near Locust Grove. Battle lasted until night. On the 28th moved forward toward Mine Run where the enemy was found in force. On the 31st commenced to fall back toward the Rapidan which was recrossed at Culpeper Ford Dec. 2d 1863. Returned to the Old Camp [Dec. 3] since which time have built winter quarters.
Company D saw little activity during its winter quarters at Brandy Station, Virginia. On February 6, 1864, it received orders to reconnaissance to the Rapidan River, but then returned to camp the next day and did "nothing but heavy picket duty since." On March 28, 1864, the Regiment was transferred from the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Army Corps to the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 6th Army Corps. Company D remained in Camp near Brandy Station until May 4, 1864, "and have since participated in all the movements and Battles of said Division and Corps." The company and the regiment "participated in the engagements on the left of Petersburg" and on July 6 left for Maryland and took part in the engagement at Monocacy, July 9, 1864. By then, of course, William had already been sent to the hospital on July 3, never to return to duty again.
* https://www.archives.gov/research/military/civil-war/resources