James Duffy (abt. 1836 - 1863)

Born about 1836 in Vermont, United States

Died 6 Apr 1863 at about age 27 in Field hospital near Washington, D.C.

Biography

James Duffy served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Aug 12, 1862
Mustered out: April 6, 1863
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Company I, 118th New York Infantry

James was born about 1836. He passed away in 1863. ^[1]

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

DIED BEFORE GOING TO THE FIELD - In 1860, James Duffy was living with his brother, Francis, his Irish-born wife, Elizabeth, and their baby in Champlain. Their father, Thomas, who was born in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, was also living with them. Before Thomas left Ireland, he had been a stable boy for the Bishop of Meath. Thomas first settled in Burlington, VT, but moved to Champlain so that Francis could take up his job as a machinist.

In 1862, James decided to enlist in the 118th Infantry in Champlain. By the end of August, he had been mustered into Company I in Plattsburgh. Sept. 1, 1862. The regiment made their way to New York City by train and by the 4th of September had reached Baltimore. They stayed in the area for a couple of months guarding the infrastructure of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

By February 1863, the 118th was encamped at Camp Adirondack near Findley Hospital, about a mile north of the Capitol in Washington. It was in a pretty wooded area with a stream running through it and it had previously been used by General Sprague’s Rhode Island troops. While they were still in camp, James became ill with typhoid fever and was taken to the Regimental Hospital. He died there on April 6, 1863, at twenty-six years old.

His wife, Margaret O'Neil, and his family brought James’ body back to Champlain where he was buried in the St. Mary’s Cemetery on Prospect Hill. She was buried near him in 1888.

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #96630447

• "United States Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC74-2QW :Fri., Mar 08 11:21:13 UTC 2024), Entry for Francis Duffy and Elisabeth Duffy, 1860.

• Rosters Of The New York Infantry Regiments During The Civil War—118th New York Infantry

• Prospect Hill Roman Catholic Cemetery, Champlain, Clinton County, New York