Born in Huddersfield, England; he emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1856. Fiercely devoted to the Union, he ran away from home at the outbreak of the American Civil War to join the 7th Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry in July of 1861 at the age of 16. His father applied to the Secretary of War for his return and he was discharged on September 10th because of his minor status. On December 11th, he signed up again for a three year stint in the 112th Pennsylvania Regiment claiming in official documents that he was 21 years of age. In reality, he was just over 17. He became a musician in the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery and served in the defenses of Washington, and the Battles of the Wilderness,Cold Harbor,Petersburg, Chaffin's Farm and Fort Harrison. On January 11, 1865, he was promoted from buglar of company F to Chief Buglar of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. He was mustered out of service at City Point, Virginia with his regiment on January 29, 1866 at the age of 21 1/2. Returning to Philadelphia, he became a streets inspector and continued his trade as a stone mason. He carved his own tombstone and memorialized the fact that he served in the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery of the 18th Corps under General Benjamin F. Butler during part of the Petersburg campaign.
Born in Huddersfield, England; he emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1856. Fiercely devoted to the Union, he ran away from home at the outbreak of the American Civil War to join the 7th Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry in July of 1861 at the age of 16. His father applied to the Secretary of War for his return and he was discharged on September 10th because of his minor status. On December 11th, he signed up again for a three year stint in the 112th Pennsylvania Regiment claiming in official documents that he was 21 years of age. In reality, he was just over 17. He became a musician in the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery and served in the defenses of Washington, and the Battles of the Wilderness,Cold Harbor,Petersburg, Chaffin's Farm and Fort Harrison. On January 11, 1865, he was promoted from buglar of company F to Chief Buglar of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. He was mustered out of service at City Point, Virginia with his regiment on January 29, 1866 at the age of 21 1/2. Returning to Philadelphia, he became a streets inspector and continued his trade as a stone mason. He carved his own tombstone and memorialized the fact that he served in the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery of the 18th Corps under General Benjamin F. Butler during part of the Petersburg campaign.
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