James William Alford (1843 - 1864)

Born 13 Jul 1843 in Centerville, Mooers Forks, Clinton, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 24 Nov 1864 at age 21 in Point of Rocks, Frederick, Maryland, USA

Biography

Pvt James Alford served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Nov 16, 1861
Mustered out: Nov 24, 1864
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Company I 1st NY Engineers

James William Alford was born in 1843 to Ransom C Alford and Mary Fisher.

The following story comes from the Clinton County, NY, Civil War Record 1861-1865 Facebook Page:

LOST HIS SON WHILE IN THE SAME COMPANY - In November 1861, James, the eldest son and second child of Ransom Alford and Mary Fisher, enlisted in the 1st Engineers. He was mustered into Company I which was made up of men from New York City, Newburgh, Schuyler Falls, Mooers Forks, Goshen, Saranac, Piermorat, Plattsburgh, and Ellenburg.

The regiment left New York City where they left the state in various detachments. Company I left for the Department of the South in mid-December 1861 and the Lower Seaboard Theater in Georgia and South Carolina. One of their major achievements was the building of gun emplacements around Fort Pulaski which was captured in 1862. James was appointed artificer in September 1863 and was given a team of his own men.

In January 1864, James’ father, Ransom, enlisted in the same regiment. By March 1864, James had re-enlisted and both men were assigned to the same company - Company L. From May 1864, Companies B, D, E, F, H, K, L and M were with the Army of the James building trenches, roads and gun emplacements in the Richmond/Petersburg area. Sometime during the summer, James became ill, and he was sent to the hospital at Point of Rocks, VA, on the Appomattox River. He died there on November 24, 1864, was buried in the hospital cemetery, and then buried in City Point National Cemetery where at least a dozen men who enlisted in Clinton County are buried.

Ransom continued with the regiment and mustered out with the regiment on June 30, 1865, at Richmond, VA. He returned to his family with the $300 town bounty and the $200 county bounty he received for enlisting. His wife died soon after his return, and from then on, he spent time in Illinois with his son David and in Mooers Forks. He was buried in the Mooers Forks Union Cemetery with his wife after his death in Illinois in 1893.

Sources

• Find A Grave: Memorial #123927451
• Rosters Of The New York Engineers And Sharpshooter Batallions During The Civil War—1st NY Engineers