Roster Page - 177

Asher J. Eliott

• Company: I

• Asher J. Eliott was born about in 1834 at Vermont.
• 
  In Jan 1862 Asher mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Private. He was 28 years old.
• In 1864 Asher ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts.
  
  
• He was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company I. However, I cannot identify this man in any known roster. The handwriting is smeared, and the company could be different. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.

• Last Edited: 25 May 2010

George Lemoine

• Company: I_??

• George Lemoine was buried at Zion Cemetery (East Village) Worcester Rd., Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

• Last Edited: 25 Sep 2006

Mike Rating

• Company: K

• Mike Rating was born between 1837 - 1838.
• 
  On 1 Jul 1861 Mike mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• In Sep 1862 Mike ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
  
  
• This man does not appear in Ford's history or the MASSCW, only in the 1870 roster. Needs clarification. Aug 2003 Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.

• Last Edited: 14 Jan 2007

Moses W. Gatchell

• Father: John Gifford Gatchell b. between 1812 - 1813, d. 15 Oct 1897
• Mother: Mary Warrall b. between 1810 - 1811

• Company: K

• Moses W. Gatchell was born on 18 Feb 1837 at Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island, son of John Gifford Gatchell and Mary Warrall.
• Moses W. Gatchell was enumerated in the household of John Gifford Gatchell and Mary Warrall in the 1850 US Federal Census in 1850 at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where his father is a wheelwright, as is brother Jeremiah; both the boys born in RI.
• In 1861 Moses was living at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Moses gave his occupation as mechanic.
• 
  On 1 Aug 1861 Moses mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Captain, being credited to the quota of Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 24 years, 5 months and 14 days old.
• On 14 Aug 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Moses W. Gatchell 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 while swimming the river. He was 24 years, 8 months and 3 days old.
• John Maley wrote a letter to The Webster Times, listing his fellow prisoners, on 27 Oct 1861 from Richmond, Virginia,, mentioning Moses W. Gatchell, as follows.
• On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Moses W. Gatchell 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, Moses W. Gatchell was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
• He was buried at Blackstone Cemetery, Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 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.

• Last Edited: 14 Nov 2007

Edwin Burnham Staples

Edwin B. Staples

• Father: Artemis Staples b. 26 Jun 1814
• Mother: Esther L. Burnham b. 24 Jul 1819

• Company: K

• Edwin Burnham Staples was born on 21 Nov 1842 at Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, son of Artemis Staples and Esther L. Burnham.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Edwin gave his occupation as bookkeeper.
• In 1861 Edwin was living at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 1 Aug 1861 Edwin mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a 1st Lieutenant, being credited to the quota of Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 18 years, 8 months and 11 days old.
• On 14 Aug 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Edwin Burnham Staples was mentioned in an article about the departure of the Fifteenth Massachusetts from Worcester.
• On 18 Jul 1862 Edwin ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by resignation.
  
  
• He was a pall bearer at the burial of Hans Peter Jorgensen on 23 Jul 1863 at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 19 Dec 1863 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Edwin was mentioned: (Volume 18 # 289, City and County) "Blackstone…….Capt. D. W. Kimball of the 51^st, and Lieut. E. B. Staples of the 15^th Masschusetts regiment, have unitedly opened a recruiting office in Blackstone for the 4^th Massachusetts cavalry. Fourteen men in the town have been enlisted."
• Starting 6 Jan 1864, Edwin also served in the Co. C 4th Massachusetts Cavalry as 1st Lieutenant.
• On 21 Apr 1864 Edwin was promoted to Captain.
• On 24 Oct 1864 Edwin Burnham Staples was wounded at Big Gum Creek, Baker County, Florida.
• On 8 Jul 1865 Edwin was promoted to Major.
• On 19 Jul 1865 Edwin Burnham Staples, 22, married Susan Adeline Cobb, 23, daughter of Otis Thompson Cobb and Maria Cady.
• Edwin Burnham Staples ended his service with the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry by mustering out on 14 Nov 1865 at Richmond, Virginia.
• He was enumerated in the household of Artemis Staples and Esther L. Burnham in the 1870 US Federal Census on 27 Jun 1870 at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Staples, Artemas, 55, meat market, $2000 real estate, $500 personal estate, b. MA
  ---, Esther L., 51, b. CT
  **---, Edwin, 29, clerk in custom house, $200 real estate, $300 personal estate, b. RI
  ---, Susan, 27, b. CT
  ---, Hellen I., 3, b. CT
  ---, Joseph C., 10/12, b. CT, July
  Ballou, Charles C., 18, works in meat market, b. MA.
• Edwin Burnham Staples died on 20 Oct 1879. He was 36 years, 10 months and 29 days old.
• On 3 Dec 1881 Susan Adeline Cobb received a pension to surviving family member based on Edwin's service; his wife, received certificate number 200513.
• Susan, his wife, outlived Edwin and died on 9 Jun 1920 at age 78.

• Last Edited: 7 Jun 2009

Caleb H. Arnold

• Father: Welcome Arnold b. 1801
• Mother: Rebecca Eldridge b. 1801, d. 1893

• Company: K

• Caleb H. Arnold was born on 19 Aug 1840 at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Welcome Arnold and Rebecca Eldridge.
• On 29 Feb 1860 Caleb H. Arnold, 19, married Lucy Ann Greenman, 17, daughter of Austin Greenman and Abigail Freeman, at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
• On 13 Apr 1860 Lucy Ann Greenman, his wife, died at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of "pthisis pulmonalis" at age 17.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Caleb gave his occupation as painter.
• In 1861 Caleb was living at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 1 Jul 1861 Caleb mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Sergeant, being credited to the quota of Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 20 years, 10 months and 12 days old.
• On 3 Jan 1863 Caleb was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
• On 1 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Caleb H. Arnold was mentioned in an article about promotions.
• He died on 16 Jul 1863 at Huntington, Adams County, Pennsylvania, of wounds from the Battle of Gettysburg, in the house of Francis C. Gardner. He was 22 years, 10 months and 27 days old.
• He was buried at Blackstone Cemetery, Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 22 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Caleb H. Arnold was reported as wounded at Gettysburg.
• In 1865, Caleb H. Arnold, his nephew, son of his elder brother, Welcome Arnold,, was named for Caleb H. Arnold.

• Last Edited: 28 Jul 2010

George W. Bolster

• Father: Washington Bolster b. 26 Sep 1806, d. 9 Sep 1893
• Mother: Phebe Ann Sage b. about 1813, d. 1884

• Company: K

• George W. Bolster was born on 20 Apr 1832 at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Washington Bolster and Phebe Ann Sage.
• On 3 Oct 1850 George W. Bolster, 18, married Mary L. Winslow, daughter of Simeon Aldrich Winslow and Mary Shepherd Slade, at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
• George W. Bolster and Mary L. Winslow were divorced before 1858 apparently.
• On 7 Oct 1858 George's former wife, Mary L. Winslow remarried James Hopkins at Northbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a second marriage for both.
• George W. Bolster was enumerated in the household of Washington Bolster and Phebe Ann Sage in the 1860 US Federal Census on 22 Jun 1860 at Sutton P. O., Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Washington Bolster, 52, farmer, b. MA
  P. Ann, 41, b. CT
  **Geo. W., 27, farmer, , b. MA
  Jerome B., 25, common school teacher, b. MA
  Ellen, 14 (sic), b. MA
  Andrew, 23, farmer, b. MA.
• In 1861 George was living at Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, George gave his occupation as bootmaker.
• 
  On 1 Jul 1861 George mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Private, being credited to the quota of Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 29 years, 2 months and 11 days old.
• On 3 Aug 1861 George was promoted to to 1st Sergeant.
• On 9 Jun 1862 George was promoted to as a 2nd Lieutenant.
• On 7 Nov 1862 George was promoted to as a 1st Lieutenant, and assigned to Co. C.
• On 9 Feb 1863 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, George W. Bolster was mentioned in an article about promotions.
• On 18 Mar 1863 George ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to resignation.
  
  
• On 26 May 1863 George W. Bolster, 31, married Anne Estella Gaskill, 20, daughter of Asa B. Gaskill and Melissa Mowrey, at Douglas, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the second marriage for him and the first for her.
• On 1 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, George W. Bolster was mentioned in an article about promotions.
• On 21 Oct 1864 at The Bay State House, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, George W. Bolster attended the First Annual Reunion of the Fifteenth Regiment Association.
• He and Anne Estella Gaskill were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census in 1870 at Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa, as:
  Bolster, Geo. W., 35, horse farmer, b. MA (as were all in the family)
  ---, Estella, 25
  ---, Cora, 6.

• After some years spent in the Mississippi Valley, Mr. Bolster has returned to his native town, and now lives upon the old homestead, where the Mowrys have resided for a full century. (from the Mowry Genealogy ca. 1878).

• George W. Bolster and Anne Estella Gaskill were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census in Jun 1880 at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he is a farmer.
• About in 1887 George's daughter, Cora Melissa Bolster married Lester Eugene Inman.
• George W. Bolster was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in 1890 at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as having served as a Captain in Co. K of the 15th Massachusetts.
• He made application at Massachusetts for a veteran's pension on 31 May 1890, and received certificate 842510.
• He died on 7 Feb 1892 at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 59 years, 9 months and 18 days old.
• An obituary for George W. Bolster was published on 10 Feb 1892 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as follows: "Uxbridge - Capt. George Bolster, an old and esteemed resident residing in the Ironstone district, died Sunday. Deceased was a veteran of the late war, having been captain in Co. K, 15th regiment Massachusetts volunters. Mr. Bolster was highly respected by all who knew him. His funeral will take place from his residence Friday at 11 o'clock, and will be in charge of H. H. Legge Post, No. 25, G. A. R."
• On 18 Nov 1892 Anne Estella Gaskill received a pension to surviving family member in Rhode Island based on George's service; his wife, receiving certificate number 360915.

• Last Edited: 9 Jul 2009

Thomas Furnald

Thomas Furnald

• Father: Edmond Furnald b. 20 Feb 1787, d. 19 Jun 1855
• Mother: Betsey Wing b. between 1797 - 1798

• Company: K

• Thomas Furnald was born between 1837 - 1838 at Dixfield, Oxford County, Maine, son of Edmond Furnald and Betsey Wing.
• Thomas Furnald was enumerated in the household of Edmond Furnald and Betsey Wing in the 1850 US Federal Census on 1 Jul 1850 at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Edmond Furnalld (sic), 58, laborer, b. NH
  Betsey, 52, b. ME
  Electa, 16, b. ME
  **Thomas, 13, b. ME
  Stephen, 11, b. ME
  William H., 6, b. ME
  Charles Wight, 23, bootmaker, b. MA.
• On 19 Jun 1855 his father, Edmond Furnald, died at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of consumption at age 68.
• On 27 May 1860 his sister, Electa Furnald, died at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 26.
• Thomas Furnald was enumerated in the household of Betsey Furnald in the 1860 US Federal Census on 21 Jul 1860 at Milford P. O., Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
  Betsey Fernald, 60, b. ME
  **Thomas, 24, boot bottomer, b. ME
  Stephen, 22, b. ME
  William H., 16, b. ME
  Daphna Smith, 28, b. ME
  Gilbert, 9, b. MA
  Louisa, 6, b. RI
  Lonzo, 5, b. MA.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Thomas gave his occupation as bootmaker.
• In 1861 Thomas was living at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 1 Jul 1861 Thomas mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Corporal., being credited to the quota of Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• On 17 Mar 1862 Thomas was promoted to 1st Sergeant.
• He died on 17 Sep 1862 at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland, killed in action.
• On 17 Sep 1900 1st Sergt. Thomas Fernald was included on the Civil War memorial at Antietam Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the 35th anniversary of the battle. (Articles from the Fitchburg Sentinel about the planning for the memorial.).

• Last Edited: 28 Jan 2010

Melvin Howland

• Father: William H. Howland b. 5 Mar 1805, d. 18 Aug 1889
• Mother: Minerva Luce b. 11 Dec 1807, d. 21 Dec 1899

• Company: K

• Melvin Howland was born on 9 Feb 1838 at Patousic Mills, Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, son of William H. Howland and Minerva Luce.
• Melvin Howland was enumerated in the household of William H. Howland and Minerva Luce in the 1860 US Federal Census on 28 Jul 1860 at Milford P. O., Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as follows:
  William Howland, 55, carder, b. NY
  Minerva, 52, b. NY
  **Melvin, 22, school teacher, b. MA
  Jenny, 18, weaver, b. MA.
• In 1861 Melvin was living at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Melvin gave his occupation as teacher.
• 
  On 1 Jul 1861 Melvin mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a 1st Sergeant, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 23 years, 4 months and 22 days old.
• On 14 Aug 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Melvin Howland was mentioned in an article about the departure of the Fifteenth Massachusetts from Worcester.
• He died on 28 Aug 1861 of disease. This was the first death in the regiment. He was 23 years, 6 months and 19 days old.
• Thomas Blasland wrote a letter on 29 Aug 1861, mentioning Melvin Howland, as follows: for publication in the Webster Times.
• He was buried on 29 Aug 1861 at Poolesville Cemetery, Poolesville, Montgomery County, Maryland, The following appeared in the Worcester Spy on 5 September:

  It becomes my sorrowful duty to record the first saddening event since our departure from home, and that is the death of one orderly sergeant, Mr. Melvin Howland of company K of Blackstone, a fine fellow of marked abilities, and much beloved. He died from congestion of the lungs some five hours after our arrival. His friends are residing in Millville. He was unmarried, but leaves a father mother, sisters and a brother, to mourn his departure from the ties to earth. He was buried on Wednesday, at four o'clock P. M. Services were held at the camp, and he was buried under the honors of war. His company followed as mourners, most of the company officers attending, accompanied by the field and staff officers of the regiment. He was buried in the Methodist burying ground at this place, and the men and officers will soon place a fitting stone in due position to mark his final resting place.

• On 16 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Melvin Howland was mentioned as follows (Volume 91 # 41):
  Poolesville, Oct. 8, 1861.
  Corporal Hildreth, of the Fitchburg company, died last evening. he was a young man about nineteen years old, must esteemed in his company. his death was occasioned by what the doctors call “calcareous deterioration of the liver.” He had for some time been troubled by a bad cough resulting from the disease, but have been confined to the hospital only a few days. his father and mother reside in Oakham. this is the third death that has occurred in the regiment since it left Worcester. The others were Melvin Howland, orderly sergeant of the Blackstone company, and Edward F. Ware of the Brookfield company. their graves are pleasantly marked in a cemetery of the village, and the grave stones, arbor vitae, and rose bushes, show how affectionately they are remembered by their comrades of the regiment. Dr. Bates being sick, a great deal of the work falls to Dr. Haven, the assistant surgeon, who gives it through attention.
• On 15 Jan 1880 Minerva Howland received a pension to surviving family member based on Melvin's service; his mother, received certificate number 203462.
• William, his father, outlived Melvin and died on 18 Aug 1889 at Knoxville, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, at age 84.
• Minerva, his mother, outlived Melvin and died on 21 Dec 1899 at Knoxville, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, at age 92.

• Last Edited: 25 May 2010

Samuel J. Simmons

• Father: William A. Simmons
• Mother: Sarah A. [--?--]

• Company: K

• Samuel J. Simmons was born between 1841 - 1842 at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, son of William A. Simmons and Sarah A. [--?--].
• NOTE: the wife an family attributed to this man is very tentative. Especially the burial reported in Springfield appears very odd. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.
• At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Samuel gave his occupation as machinist.
• In 1861 Samuel was living at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
• 
  On 1 Jul 1861 Samuel mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a Corporal, being credited to the quota of Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
• On 2 Jul 1863 Samuel J. Simmons was wounded at The Battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
• On 22 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Samuel J. Simmons was reported as wounded at Gettysburg.
• In Mar 1864 Samuel J. Simmons was court martialed at HQ 2nd Div., 2nd AC, as documented in case number NN-1420 (National Archives, Record Group 153).
• On 25 May 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Samuel J. Simmons was mentioned among the casualties.
• On 28 Jul 1864 Samuel ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to expiration of term of service.
  
  
• He made application for a veteran's pension on 1 Sep 1864, but no further information is known. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.
• On 11 Oct 1865 Samuel J. Simmons married Mary A. Whiting, 21, daughter of Moody Whiting and Aurelia G. Jenkins, at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
• Samuel J. Simmons and Mary A. Whiting were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 9 Jun 1880 at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, as:
  Simmons, Saml J., 38, U.US Storekeeper, b. MA (as were all)
  ---, Mary A., 36, wife
  ---, Florence, 13, daur
  ---, Wm. O., 11, son
  ---, Mary B., 8, daur
  ---, Sarah H., 6, daur
  ---, Oscar H., 3, son
  Flynn, Hannah, 18, servant, b. England.
• Samuel J. Simmons was enumerated in the 1890 US Federal census, Veteran's Schedule in Jun 1890 at 36 Clinton Place, New York City, New York, New York, as having served in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company K as a 1st Sergeant, where he lost part of his left hand.
• On 29 Oct 1894 his daughter, Sarah Simmons, died at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, at age 21.
• On 9 Oct 1899 his son, Oscar H. Simmons, died at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, unmarried, of pneumonia at age 22.
• On 27 Oct 1910 at The State Mutual Building, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Samuel J. Simmons attended the 44th reunion of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
• On 28 Dec 1910 Mary A. Whiting, his wife, died at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, of pneumonia at age 66.
• Samuel J. Simmons died in Jan 1914.

• Last Edited: 15 Oct 2008