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Note: Description, according to Inventory of Effects by the Army: 5'6" Light Complexion, Blue Eyes, Brown Hair. Description by Mary Wadsworth in Declaration for Widows Benefits: 5'11" Dark Eyes, Fair Complexion, Brown Hair Enlisted, Dec. 13, 1861, 13th N.Y. Infantry. Sgt., Co. H, 21st N.Y. Cavalry, enrolled September 9, 1863, and mustered in as a "veteran" on October 16, 1863 at Troy, N.Y. for three years. Promoted to Full Sergt on 31 October 1863 Served New York Enlisted H Co. 21st Cav Reg. NY Killed at Snicker's Gap, VA on 17 July 1864 Source: New York: Report of the Adjutant-General Abbreviation: NYRoster Published by on 1894-1906 ---------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, July 17-Monday, July 18, 1864 Cool Spring, Island Ford, Parkers Ford Virginia July 17-18, 1864 A Union column, consisting of the VI Corps and elements of the XIX Corps under Maj. Gen. Horatio Wright, pursued Early's army as it withdrew from the environs of Washington, D.C. Wright's force was joined by elements of Crook's command, which had accompanied Hunter during his retreat through West Virginia. On July 17, the Union cavalry passed through Snickers Gap and attempted to force passage of the Shenandoah River at Snickers Ford (Castleman's Ferry). On the morning of July 18, the vanguard of the Union infantry moved through Snickers Gap. Col. Joseph Thoburn (of Crook's command) led his division downstream to cross the river at Judge Richard Parker's Ford. Early's three nearby infantry divisions moved to defend the fords. In the afternoon, Rodes's division attacked and shattered Thoburn's right flank on the Cool Spring plantation. Thoburn made a stand behind a stone wall at the river's edge and beat off three attacks until darkness enabled him to withdraw. Union pursuit of Early was delayed several days. ----------------------------------------------------------- "Sabres In The Shenandoah" Page 114 The 21st New York Suffered several casualties in the fighting at Castleman's Ferry: seven killed, and two captured. First Sergeant Benjamin Downing, Company A; First Sergeant Stephen Osborn, Company H; Sergeant James Wadsworth, Company H; Corporal Samuel D. Wood, Company H; and Privates Syrenus Force, Alexander Moore, and Emanuel Snearly, of Company H, were killed. Privates James Carroll, Company H, and Nirom Sherman, Company M, were captured. Sherman returned to his company on 12 February 1865. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other members of the 21st, killed in the same battle, included First Sgt. Benjamin Downing, of Company "A." Downing is shown as follows: Downing, B G, d. 02/06/1864, 1SGT A 21 NY CAV, Orig Bur Buttes Farm, Va, Plot: 1224, *
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