Roster Page - 159

William Tyler Griswold

William T. Griswold

• Father: William W. Griswold b. Feb 1813, d. 27 Aug 1863
• Mother: Sarah T. Tyler b. 1812

• Company: B

• William Tyler Griswold was born on 1 Apr 1836 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of William W. Griswold and Sarah T. Tyler.
• William Tyler Griswold was enumerated in the household of William W. Griswold and Sarah T. Tyler in the 1850 US Federal Census on 6 Aug 1850 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  William W. Griswold, 37, m, watchmaker, $500, b. NH
  Sarah F., 38, b. VT
  William F., 14, m, (attended school in the year)
  **Charles E., 12, m (attended school in the year)
  Augustus, 11, m (attended school in the year)
  Thomas, 8, m (attended school in the year)
  Albert, 6, m
  Rebecca S., 2, f
  Jeremiah, " W(?), 67, m, watchmaker $500, b. NH.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, William gave his occupation as hat finisher.
• In 1861 William was living at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• William Tyler Griswold and Charles Edwin Griswold, brothers, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in Company B.
• 
  On 12 Jul 1861 William mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 25 years, 3 months and 11 days old.
• On 27 Aug 1863 his father, William W. Griswold, died at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 50.
• On 15 Jan 1864 William ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts having fulfilled his term of service.
  
  
• On 15 Sep 1869 William Tyler Griswold, 33, married Mary Isabel Byram, 22, at Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine.
• William Tyler Griswold and Mary Isabel Byram were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 10 Jun 1880 at Palmer, Hampden County, Massachusetts, with a 10-month old, Leon S. GRISWOLD.
• On 23 Apr 1885 his brother, Charles Edwin Griswold, died at Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of Chronic Rheumatism at age 47.
• In Jun 1886 William was living at Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
• On 9 Jun 1887 at "The Fitchburg Sentinel", Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William was mentioned as follows: "William T. Griswold, oldest brother of Thomas E. Griswold and a veteran of Co. B, of the old 15th regiment, is preparing to make his honme at Los Angeles, Cal. His family have spent the winter at San Francisco."
• On 11 May 1898 at "The Fitchburg Sentinel", Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William Tyler Griswold was mentioned in an article as an original member of the Fitchburg Fusiliers. (click icon to read article).
• In Jun 1900 William was living at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
• He and Mary Isabel Byram were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 9 Jun 1900 at Precinct 25, Ward 3, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, showing that his father was born in New Hampshire and his mother in Vermont.
• On 28 Jun 1900 at Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, William Tyler Griswold wrote a letter which was read at a reunion of Company B of the 15th Massachusetts. Click icon to read the report in the Fitchburg Sentenel.
• He made application at California for a veteran's pension in Mar 1901, and received certificate number 1042761.
• He died on 29 Apr 1901 at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. He was 65 years and 28 days old.
• In May 1901 Mary Isabel Byram received a pension to surviving family member in California based on William's service; received certificate number 533479.
• On 29 Jun 1901 William Tyler Griswold was noted as deceased at the 40th reunion of Company B.
• On 21 Feb 1906 the Fitchburg Sentinel ran a short piece about a sled enjoyed by three future members of the 15th Massachusetts -- George T. Daniels and the Griswold brothers, Edwin and William -- when they were boys. (click icon to read).

• Last Edited: 10 Nov 2010

John Grob

• Company: E

• John Grob was also known as John Gross (possible variation based on confusion of "B" and the German sharp-S -- ß).
• He was born between 1824 - 1825 at Switzerland.
• John Grob married Catherine [--?--].
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, John gave his occupation as clerk.
• 
  On 1 Aug 1863 John mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
• On 12 May 1864 John Grob was wounded at Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia.
• He was declared missing in action on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia.
• On 25 May 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, John Grob was mentioned among the casualties.
• On 27 Jul 1864 John ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by transfer to the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
  
  
• He died on 9 Sep 1864 at Andersonville, Macon County, Georgia, of scorbutus as a prisoner of war.
• He was buried after Sep 1864 at Andersonville National Cemetery, Andersonville, Macon County, Georgia, in grave # 8277.
• On 3 Sep 1867 Catherine [--?--] received a pension to surviving family member based on John's service; his wife, received certificate 108060.

• Last Edited: 1 May 2010

Augustus Grobitz

• Company: K

• Augustus Grobitz was born in 1822 at Gera, Fürstentum Reuss Juengerer Linie, Thuringia, Germany.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Augustus gave his occupation as weaver.
• In 1861 Augustus was living at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 1 Jul 1861 Augustus mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 39 years old.
• He was declared missing in action on 21 Oct 1861 at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Augustus Grobitz was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• He died on 14 Jun 1862 at New York City, New York, of disease. He was 40 years old.
• An obituary for Augustus Grobitz was published on 23 Jun 1862 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as follows: Obituary -
  Among the wounded soldiers in the battle of Ball's Bluff, whose names deserve honorable mention, was Mr. August Groebitz, a native of Gera, Germany. He had lived in this country about seven years. He enlisted in the cause of freedom, in Co. K, 15th Massachusetts regiment, and was severely wounded in the leg, in the memorable contest of Oct. 21, 1861. He was carried a prisoner, first to Richmond, Va., and afterwards to Salisbury, N. C; and , released recently, was sent to new York, where he died in one of the hospitals, of lung fever. He had no relatives in this country. His age was 40 years, and he was unmarried.

• Last Edited: 18 Jan 2011

Henry Groh

Gravemarker of Henry Groh

• Father: John Groh
• Mother: Maria [--?--]

• Company: I

• Henry Groh was born in Oct 1839 at Hamburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, son of John Groh and Maria [--?--].
• On 29 Jul 1857 Henry Groh was included on a passenger list of the "Indiana", arriving New York City Harbor, New York, alone with other steerage passengers, age 17, farmer, from Hanover via Bremen, with destination Massachusetts.
• He emigrated in 1857 from Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, according to the 1900 census.
• In 1861 Henry was living at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Henry gave his occupation as shoemaker.
  
• 
  On 20 May 1861 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 21 years and 7 months old.
• He was declared missing in action on 21 Oct 1861 at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia.
• John Maley wrote a letter to The Webster Times, listing his fellow prisoners, on 27 Oct 1861 from Richmond, Virginia,, mentioning Henry Groh, as follows.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Groh was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• On 2 Nov 1861 at "The Webster Weekley Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Groh was listed as a Company I casualty of Ball's Bluff.
• On 9 Nov 1861 Henry Groh was mentioned in a report to the Webster Times, by F. Q. Robinson, concerning the aftermath of Ball's Bluff and reporting his status.
• On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Groh was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
• On 4 Feb 1863 Henry ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
  
  
• On 3 Apr 1866 Henry Groh, 26, married Adolphine C. Andre, 20, daughter of John Andre and Willimena Mox, at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
• Henry Groh and Adolphine C. Andre were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 17 Jun 1880 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Groh, Henry, 40, shoemaker, b. Prussia
  ---, Adelphia, 34, wife, b. Hanover
  ---, Catherine, 12, daur, b. MA
  ---, Mary, 9, daur, b. MA.
• Henry Groh was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company I.
• On 15 Jun 1891 Henry's daughter, Catherine W. Groh married John Munch at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• Henry Groh made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension in Jul 1892, and received certificate number 854421.
• On 13 Sep 1899 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Groh was mentioned as one of the surviving members of the old Slater Guard in Webster and Dudley.
• He and Adolphine C. Andre were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 9 Jun 1900 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• In 1904 at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Groh attended a reunion of G. A. R. Post 57. Click HERE to see the photo.
• On 5 Jul 1906 Henry Groh attended the 39th annual reunion of the association of companies E and I.
• On 31 Jan 1907 Adolphine C. Andre, his wife, died at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 60.
• On 4 Jul 1907 Henry Groh was included on the Civil War memorial at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, according to an article in the Webster Times. See the "Documents" section at the main website for an account of the festivities of dedication. (Click icon to view original listing of names on the monument.).
• Henry Groh was millhand, at the time of his death.
• He died on 28 Feb 1910 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of Chronic Nephritis. (click icon to read his obituary). He was 70 years and 4 months old.
• He was buried on 2 Mar 1910 at Mount Zion Cemetery (East Village), Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 27 Oct 1910 Henry Groh was reported as deceased at the 44th regimental reunion.

• Last Edited: 17 Oct 2011

John William "Willie" Grout

Willie Grout

• Father: Jonathan Grout b. 24 Sep 1815, d. 4 Apr 1882
• Mother: Mary J. Smith

• Company: D

• John W. Grout was born on 25 Jul 1843 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Jonathan Grout and Mary J. Smith.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, John gave his occupation as student.
  
• 
  On 1 Aug 1861 John mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 18 years and 7 days old.
• On 14 Aug 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, John William "Willie" Grout was mentioned in an article about the departure of the Fifteenth Massachusetts from Worcester.
• He died on 21 Oct 1861 at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, shot in the back of the head during the retreat according to a letter from Henry C. Ward on 10 November. He was 18 years, 2 months and 26 days old.
• He was buried in Oct 1861 at Rural Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where his parents later joined him.
• Charles Martin Hersey wrote a letter to Martin Hersey, his father, in Oct 1861, mentioning John William "Willie" Grout, as follows: and it was published in the Southbridge Journal, mentioning others in the regiment.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, John William "Willie" Grout was mentioned in dispatches or (not necessarily correctly) among the casualties of Ball's Bluff.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, John William "Willie" Grout was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• On 3 Nov 1861 his body was recovered from the river at Long Bridge, above Washington.
• An obituary for John William "Willie" Grout was published on 6 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as follows: (click icon to read).
• On 10 Nov 1861 a letter from Henry Clay Ward at Poolesville, Maryland, mentions John William "Willie" Grout as follows: included courtesey of Jamie Poe.
• On 13 Nov 1861 was mentioned in the Worcester Spy (Volume 90 # 45) as follows:

  The Late Lieut. Grout ---The remains of the late Lieut Grout arrived in this city Sunday morning by the boat train from New York. The body was taken from the Potomac on Tuesday last, at Long Bridge, in connection with five other bodies which had floated down to that point, and all of them were immediately buried. On Thursday they were disintered, and the body of Lieut. Grout idntified by the name upon a portion of the clothing. The body was immediately enclosed in a metalic coffin, and forwarded by express.

• John William "Willie" Grout was included on the Civil War memorial at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• Jonathan Grout, his father., survived John and died on 4 Apr 1882 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 66.
• From Ford's history of the 15th --

  The extreme youth, the engaging personality, the freehanded generosity, the thorough knowledge of military tactics, the earnestness of purpose and the intense patriotism of Second-Lieutenant John William Grout, made him one of the best known, best loved and most highly respected officers of the regiment. His loss therefore was felt with especial keenness by all the members of the Fifteenth and a halo of romance has gathered around his story. When, in later years, a camp of the Sons of Veterans was organized in Worcester, it was fittingly called the "Willie Grout Camp," as no nobler personification could be found than he, of the ideas which this order represents. At the battle of Ball’s Bluff he exhibited great coolness and bravery. It was not until November 5, that his body was discovered, and then it was sent to his family in Worcester and laid to rest November 12 with the most impressive ceremonies. The well-known song entitled, "The Vacant Chair," was written in his memory....."

• Click icon to read about him from Crane's history of Worcester County -.
• A photograph or image of John William "Willie" Grout is located at The American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts, according to their website.
• An article about "The Vacant Chair: The Hero and the Author of the Song," appeared in the New England Magazine, April, 1897, Vol. XVI, No. 2, by Herbert L. Jillson.
  Click HERE to read it online at "Making of America" at Cornell University. (Close window to return here.).
• Click HERE to LISTEN the music and read the lyrics.
• On 25 Nov 1892 John White Kimball gave his eye-witness account of the Battle of Ball's Bluff to the Boston Journal, and it was reprinted in the Fitchburg Sentinel.
• Credits: Primary photo from USMHI, Carlisle, PA.

• Last Edited: 5 Dec 2010