Roster and Genealogies of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Henry C. Ball

b. 6 December 1832, d. 3 July 1863

Henry C. Ball
March 5th 1862

Father: John Dickson Ball b. 16 Nov 1810, d. 17 Oct 1882
Mother: Jerusha Ingram Hills b. 1813, d. 1891

Company: F

Henry C. Ball was born on 6 Dec 1832 at Sunderland, Franklin County, Massachusetts, son of John Dickson Ball and Jerusha Ingram Hills.
On 10 Jun 1853 Henry C. Ball, 20, married Harriet E. Ferguson, 19, daughter of James Ferguson and Hadassah Gaylord, at South Hadley, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Henry C. Ball and Harriet E. Ferguson were enumerated in the 1860 US Federal census in Jul 1860 at Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, as:
Henry C. Ball, 28, palmleaf worker, b. MA
Harriet E., 27, b. MA
Emma J., 4, b. CT
Minnie H., 1, b. MA.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Henry gave his occupation as broom maker.
In 1861 Henry was living at Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
On 21 Jun 1861 John Dickson Ball his father, age 42, enlisted in the 10th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, Co E, serving also in the 37th and 20th Massachusetts Infantry, and mustering out 16 July 1865 in Washington, D. C.
On 12 Jul 1861 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was 28 years, 7 months and 6 days old.
Photo of Henry C. Ball's ID Tags, contributed by Mike Preziotti of www.mikescivilwar.com.
On 5 Mar 1862 Henry had his photo taken, as shown above. Written on the back in old ink "To Mother how do you like my new Stripes...Love Henry."
On 17 Sep 1862 Henry C. Ball was wounded at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland.
He died on 3 Jul 1863 at The Battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He was 30 years, 6 months and 27 days old.
On 22 Jul 1863 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry C. Ball was listed as a casualty of Gettysburg.
In A Vast Sea of Misery:A History and Guide to the Union and Confederate Field Hospitals at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863-November 20, 1863, by Gregory A. Coco, 1988, Thomas Publications, the following is found:
First Sgt. Henry C. Ball, Company F, shot in the left chest, killed July 2, buried near the Second Corps aid station in the Peter Frey Farm field, age 28.
He was buried about 1863 at Soldiers National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, Sec. D Grave # 1.
On 15 Oct 1863 Harriet E. Ferguson received a pension to surviving family member based on Henry's service; his wife, received certificate number 10464.
He's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Harriet E. Ball in the 1870 US Federal Census on 7 Jul 1870 at Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, along with her two daughters.
On 13 Apr 1871 Henry's widow, Harriet E. Ferguson remarried to Daniel E. Heath at Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in a second marriage for both.
On 31 Jul 1871 Harriet E. Heath, Henry's his remarried widow, made application for a pension as guardian to Henry's surviving dependants.
On 28 Apr 1875 Henry's daughter, Emma J. Ball married Edward J. White at Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
Henry C. Ball's surviving family was enumerated in the household of Harriet E. Ferguson and Daniel E. Heath in the 1880 US Federal Census on 17 Jun 1880 at Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, as:
Heath, Daniel E., 47, works on farm, b. MA
---, Harriet E., 46, wife, b. CT
---, Sarah ??, 12, daur, b. MA
---, Susan G., 8, daur
---, Arthur M., 6, son
---, Harry E., 4, son
Ball, Minnie H., 21, daur, teaching school, b. MA.
In 1896, Henry was included in the History of Amherst, Massachusetts, which gives same general information as the MASSCW, adding only that he died while "gallantly leading his men."
On 31 Oct 1906 Henry's daughter, Hattie Minnie Ball married Arthur D. Lovell at Sunderland, Franklin County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for both.
On 30 Oct 1912 at Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Harriet E. Ferguson, his rewidowed wife, requested reinstatement of her pension, and was granted $12 per month.
Harriet, his wife, outlived Henry and died on 23 Jun 1919 at age 85.
Credits: Primary portrait photo kindly provided by Herbert Rickards at FindaGrave.com.

Last Edited: 1 May 2011

Family: Harriet E. Ferguson b. 10 Aug 1833, d. 23 Jun 1919

Emma J. Ball b. 8 Dec 1855
Hattie Minnie Ball b. 17 Dec 1858

Henry Jewett Ball

b. 21 November 1840, d. 25 June 1928

Henry J. Ball

Father: Henry Hartwell Ball
Mother: Azubah Jewett

Company: E

Henry Jewett Ball was born on 21 Nov 1840 at Dudley, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Henry Hartwell Ball and Azubah Jewett.
Henry's father, worked at Stevens Linen Works in Charlton and served 9 months with the 51st Massachusetts, from Sept 1862 to June 1863.
Henry had a brother Eugene and a sister Agnes, both younger than Henry.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Henry gave his occupation as shoemaker.
In 1861 Henry was living at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 12 Jul 1861 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Camp Worcester, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 20 years, 7 months and 21 days old.
Henry Jewett Ball and Herbert Newton Fuller, relations (Herbert was the cousin of Susan GALE, Henry's future wife), served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in Co. E.
On 21 Oct 1861, at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, Henry was with the regiment, and swam across the Potomac to escape. After the battle he wrote his sister as follows:
"When I learned to swim I never thought I should save my liberty, perhaps my life by swimming the Potomac with the rifle bullets going "zip" "zip" all around me," and further "I have found out just what I wanted to that is that I can stand fire without flinching or getting confused. The worst time was when we had to stand and take it without returning it. When we were at work I cared nothing at all for the bullets."
On 1 Mar 1862 Henry was promoted to Corporal.
On 31 May 1862, at The Battle of Fair Oaks, Henrico County, Virginia, Henry was wounded in the back by a carelessly fired shot from the 72nd Pennsylvania who were in the rear of the 15th. He was evacuated from the Peninsula and sent to a hospital in Philadelphia at the corner of Fifth and Buttonwood. His wound was described to his family in a letter sent by a friend who visited him in the hospital as follows:
"He said he was wounded satterday afternoon while surporting A battery of which he was in the rear and had no chance to fire on the enemy and was ordered to ly down and while down he was struck in the back below the sholder the ball come out Above the hip making two wounds and A swolen ridg from one to the other which was very sore for some days was Obliged to breath very short on Account of the paine."
In early July, he was granted a furlough and returned home to Charlton. After his return to the hospital in Philadelphia, he was transferred to the newly opened Cuyler Hospital in Germantown, a fairly wealthy section of Philadelphia north of downtown. When his wound had healed enough for him to do some light duty he acted as guard at the hospital and as a courier transferring orders and messages between Cuyler Hospital and the medical department headquarters in the city.
Henry remained at the Cuyler Hospital until the city of Philadelphia began to panic because of General Lee’s movement into Pennsylvania in late June of 1863. Henry, with a number of other convalescents, was sent to Fort Mifflin, a stone and earth fort at the mouth of the Schuykill River where it enters the Delaware River in Philadelphia. The fort was being used to house Confederate prisoners. Henry was only there a week or two before he became sick with a fever and returned to the hospital in Germantown. This isn’t too surprising as all I have read about Fort Mifflin describe it as "an unhealthy place". It was actually on an island (Mud Island!) in the Delaware and was a soggy place with poor water and many insects. Henry recovered in a short time and resumed his earlier duties at the hospital. (Historical Note: Fort Mifflin was the site of a battle in 1777 during the Revolutionary War and still exists today as a National Historic Fortification.).
In Sep 1863 at Culpepper, Virginia, returned to the 15th.
On 12 May 1864, at Assault on the Salient, Spotsylvania, Virginia, Henry was he was wounded again, more seriously this time. He was evacuated to Fredricksburg where a nurse at the hospital wrote to Henry’s family for him and described his wound as follows:
It was on the twelfth, the ball entering his right arm, the upper part of it passing through his body the lower part of the right lung and out on his back. He started for here on the afternoon of the 13th and reached here the afternoon of the 14th being all night on the road, which was exceedingly tiresome.
On 25 May 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Jewett Ball was mentioned among the casualties.
After a stay at the hospital in Fredricksburg, he was evacuated to Washington, then to Philadelphia, and finally arrived back at the Cuyler Hospital in Germantown on May 31st.
This wound ended Henry’s military career, as his term of service was ended in July. He wrote his family that he intended to return home for the mustering out ceremony. -- from Phil Richardson.
On 1 Jun 1864 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Jewett Ball was mentioned in Volume 93 # 22, Worcester Spy, June 1, 1864
We found men who were suffering terrible pain, and the boats were so crowded it was almost suffocating. Many have been neglected, as was readily seen by a glance at their wounds, and numbers tell woeful stories regarding the treatment received. Some had to be moved beds and all, as it was dangerous to transfer them to stretchers. We made it our particular aim to attend personally to the movement of some, and much to their gratification.
The color bearer of the 15th Sergt. Lafayette Warden, Sergt Henry J. Ball, and private Henry R. Dawson of Co. D, 15th, all badly wounded, were attended by us. sergt. Henry Houghton of Co. D, from Worcester, was badly wounded in three places---right thigh broken, and had to be handled very carefully. We learn from the latter that Lieut. Hastings and 1st Sergt Barnard, were all right at last accounts, and spoken of in the highest terms. Sergt McFarland of Co. I was unhurt and called a perfect salamander against bullets.
On 28 Jul 1864 Henry ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to expiration of service term.
He made application for a veteran's pension on 26 Aug 1864, and received certificate number 33824.
On 20 Feb 1865 his cousin of his wife to be, Herbert Newton Fuller, died at Andersonville Prison, Andersonville, Macon County, Georgia, of rheumatism at age 23.
On 1 Jan 1868 Henry Jewett Ball, 27, married Susan E. Gale, 23, daughter of William Gale and Emeline Dodge, at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at her parents' house.
Henry Jewett Ball and Susan E. Gale were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census in 1870 at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Henry Jewett Ball emigrated in 1871 from Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, to Webster, Massachusetts.
On 6 Jul 1872 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Jewett Ball was mentioned as having attended the fifth reunion of company E. (click icon to read).
On 27 Jun 1873 at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Jewett Ball attended a meeting of the Co. E association. (click icon to read).
In 1879 Henry and Susan E. Gale were living at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 5 Jul 1879 at "The Webster Times", Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Jewett Ball was mentioned in the report on the 12th annual reunion of Company E, 15th Massachusetts Infantry. (Click icon to read the report.).
He and Susan E. Gale were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census in 1880 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he Works In a Shoe Factory.
Henry J. Ball 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 E, noting that he was wounded in the arm.
On 28 Jun 1890 at Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Jewett Ball attended the 23rd annual reunion of Company E, 15th Massachusetts Infantry.
In 1890 Henry Jewett Ball moved from Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, to Marlboro, Massachusetts.
He and Susan E. Gale were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 7 Jun 1900 at Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where he works in a shoe factory. They rent a home, and their granddaughter, Bessie, is living with them. Their only child, George, is still living.
On 4 Jul 1912 at Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Jewett Ball attended the 45^th annual reunion of the Companies E and I Association of the 15^th Regiment.
He emigrated about 1921 from Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, to Washington, DC, to live with son George, due to Henry’s failing health.
He died on 25 Jun 1928 at Washington, DC. He was 87 years, 7 months and 4 days old.
He was buried in Jun 1928 at Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, DC, where his wife would later join him.
On 1 Oct 1928 Susan E. Gale received a pension to surviving family member in Washington, DC, based on Henry's service; his wife, received certificate number A-1-2-29.
Susan E. Gale survived Henry and died on 29 Jun 1931 at Washington, DC, at age 86.
Descendant(s): Phil Richardson, who researched and wrote this biography and contributed the photo above.

Last Edited: 10 Jan 2011

Family: Susan E. Gale b. 6 Oct 1844, d. 29 Jun 1931

George Ball b. 16 Sep 1871

Henry S. Ball

b. 23 March 1837, d. 9 December 1862

Father: Dexter D. Ball b. 25 Nov 1806, d. 11 Jun 1875
Mother: Sarah A. Jenkins b. 26 Jan 1813, d. 24 Mar 1883

Company: G

Henry S. Ball was born on 23 Mar 1837 at Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Dexter D. Ball and Sarah A. Jenkins.
Henry S. Ball was enumerated in the household of Dexter D. Ball and Sarah A. Jenkins in the 1860 US Federal Census in Jul 1860 at Millbury P. O., Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Dexter D. Ball, 53, b. MA
Sarah A., 47, b. NY
**Henry S., 23, b. MA
Sarah C., 20
Mary N., 19
Francese D., 16 (m.).
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, Henry gave his occupation as shoemaker.
Henry S. Ball and Webster Daniel Plimpton, future brothers-in-law, served together in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
On 12 Jul 1861 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 24 years, 3 months and 19 days old.
He died on 9 Dec 1862 at Washington, DC, of disease. He was 25 years, 8 months and 16 days old.
He was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Millbury St., Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 7 Dec 1865 Henry's sister, Mary N. Ball, married Webster Daniel Plimpton at Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 3 Oct 1879 Sarah A. Jenkins received a pension to surviving family member based on Henry's service; his mother, receiving certificate number 198799.
Sarah, his mother, outlived Henry and died on 24 Mar 1883 at Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 70.

Last Edited: 28 Jul 2010

Leander Loring Ball

b. 23 October 1812, d. 29 December 1871

Father: Jonah Ball b. 13 May 1791, d. 1864
Mother: Polly Caldwell d. before 1828

Company: C

Leander Loring Ball was born on 23 Oct 1812 at Boylston, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Jonah Ball and Polly Caldwell.
Before 1828 his mother, Polly Caldwell, died apparently.
On 10 Aug 1828 Leander's widowed father, Jonah Ball, remarried to Mary Spalding, 37, at Boylston, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 8 Apr 1835 his name was legally changed to Leander Loring.
On 17 Oct 1837 Leander Loring Ball, 24, married Susan A. B. Reed, 30, daughter of Nathan Reed and Hannah Brooks, at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 5 Mar 1846 his infant son, Leander Jerome Loring, died at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Leander Loring Ball and Susan A. B. Reed were enumerated in the 1850 US Federal census on 3 Aug 1850 at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Leander Loring, 37, shoemaker, b. MA (as were all)
Susan A. B., 44
Joseph R., 11
Charles E., 9
Mary S. E. H., 7
Mary A., 2
Wilks Davis, 23, shoemaker
(Note: the three elder children here may be foster children. Please contact the Webmaster if you have further information.).
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Leander gave his occupation as brick-maker.
In 1862 Leander was living at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
On 6 Jan 1862 Leander mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 49 years, 2 months and 14 days old.
On 9 Dec 1862 Leander ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts due to disability.
He made application for a veteran's pension in Jul 1863.
He and Susan A. B. Reed were enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census on 13 Jun 1870 at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Loring, Leander, 57, works on farm, b. MA
---, Susan A. B., 63, b. MA
---, Mary A., 22, b. MA.
Leander Loring Ball died on 29 Dec 1871 at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of disease of the heart. He was 59 years, 2 months and 6 days old.
He was buried in 1871 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
In 1872 at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, there was an administration of his estate.
In Mar 1872 Susan A. B. Reed received a pension to surviving family member based on Leander's service; his wife, received certificate number 161546.
Susan, his wife, outlived Leander and died on 30 Sep 1872 at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 65.
On 14 Dec 1882 Leander's daughter, Mary Alecia Loring married Andrew T. Manley at Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, in a first marriage for her and the second for him.

Last Edited: 8 Oct 2010

Family: Susan A. B. Reed b. 26 Oct 1806, d. 30 Sep 1872

Leander Jerome Loring b. 10 Feb 1846, d. 5 Mar 1846
Mary Alecia Loring b. 6 Apr 1848

Leroy D. Ball

b. between 1842 and 1843

Father: Warren Ball b. 22 Aug 1816, d. 5 Jan 1853
Mother: Catherine A. King b. between 1818 - 1819, d. 1892

Company: G

Leroy D. Ball was born between 1842 - 1843 at Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Warren Ball and Catherine A. King.
Leroy D. Ball was enumerated in the household of Warren Ball and Catherine A. King in the 1850 US Federal Census on 23 Aug 1850 at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as:
Warren Ball, 34, machinist, b. MA
Catherine A., 31, b. MA
Edward W., 9, b. MA
**Leroy D., 7, b. MA.
On 5 Jan 1853 his father, Warren Ball, died at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 36.
There is a guardianship record in the probate index concerning Leroy D. and Edward W. Ball that probably pertains to this man and his brother.
On 20 Apr 1858 Leroy's widowed mother, Catherine A. King, remarried to John M. Poor at Winchendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in a third marriage for him and the second for her.
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Leroy gave his occupation as machinist.
In 1861 Leroy was living at Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, according to Ford's history.
On 12 Jul 1861 Leroy mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being credited to the quota of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
He was declared missing in action on 21 Oct 1861 at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, having been taken prisoner.
On 30 Oct 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Leroy D. Ball was included among "The Killed Wounded and Missing of the Fifteenth Regiment," after Ball's Bluff.
On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Daily Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Leroy D. Ball was listed among the prisoners taken at Ball's Bluff.
On 20 Nov 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Leroy D. Ball was listed as a prisoner at Richmond.
On 11 Aug 1864 Leroy ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by mustering out, to become a comissioned officer for the U. S. Colored Troops, according to the 1870 roster. However, there is no mention of this in the MASSCW or in Ford's history.
Leroy also served in the 82 U. S. Colored Infantry as 2nd Lieutenant.
Between 1874 - 1875 Leroy D. Ball married Ellen J. Lane.
Leroy D. Ball and Ellen J. Lane were enumerated in the 1880 US Federal census on 6 Jun 1880 at Precinct 12, Leon County, Florida, as:
Leroy D. Ball, 38, Govt. Office, b. MA.
---, Ella, Wife, 25, b. NJ, Occ: Keeps House
---, Mary, Dau, 6,b. FL, Occ: At Home
---, Leroy D., Son, 4, b. FL, Occ: At Home
Moses Locket, B, 45, GA, Occ: Gardener
Alice Jones, B, 30, FL, Occ: Cook.
Leroy D. Ball and Ellen J. Lane were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census on 8 Jun 1900 at 84th Street, Manhattan, New York County, New York, as:
Ball, Leroy, head, Dec 1845, married 25 years, b. MA, hotel manager
---, Ella F., wife, Dec 1855, 2 of her 3 children are still living, b. NJ
---, Mary,dau, Oct 1874, b. NJ
---, Leroy D. R., son, Dec 1876, b. FL, lawyer.
Researcher: David G. Ball, family researcher.

Last Edited: 13 May 2011

Family: Ellen J. Lane b. Dec 1855

Mary Ball b. Oct 1874
Leroy D. Ball b. 17 Dec 1875, d. 18 Dec 1926