John Day, seems like a dead end....

Here is puzzler for you genealogy mavens out there:

I can't find any record of military service for John Day, or any record at all of his whereabouts 1861-1865.

He would have been eligible for military service, including conscription.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/...fn=John+&GSiman=1&GScid=65281&GRid=167505480&

Day's parents were buried in Danbury, Conn., but that's the only clue I have.

Here's his family in Danbury Borough, Fairfield, Connecticut in 1860 :

William Day M 42 England
Harriet Day F 42 England
Edward Day M 21 England
Sarah E Day F 19 England
John Day M 16 England
James Day M 14 England
Mary Day F 11 England
Jesse W Day M 9 Conn
Emma J Day F 4 Conn
 
Here is puzzler for you genealogy mavens out there:

I can't find any record of military service for John Day, or any record at all of his whereabouts 1861-1865.

He would have been eligible for military service, including conscription.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/...fn=John+&GSiman=1&GScid=65281&GRid=167505480&

Day's parents were buried in Danbury, Conn., but that's the only clue I have.

Just a shot in the dark :

John H. Day : Residence West Hartford CT; Enlisted on 5/22/1861 as a Private. On 5/22/1861 he mustered into "A" Co. CT 1st Heavy Artillery. He Re-enlisted on 11/16/1863. Promoted to Corporal 9/16/1864. He was Mustered Out on 9/25/1865 at Washington, DC.


James S. Day : Enlisted on 12/7/1863 as a Private. On 12/7/1863 he mustered into "L" Co. CT 1st Heavy Artillery. He was Mustered Out on 9/25/1865 at Washington, DC.

Source---
- Connecticut: Record of Service of Men during War of Rebellion
 
Here's his family in Danbury Borough, Fairfield, Connecticut in 1860 :

William Day M 42 England
Harriet Day F 42 England
Edward Day M 21 England
Sarah E Day F 19 England
John Day M 16 England
James Day M 14 England
Mary Day F 11 England
Jesse W Day M 9 Conn
Emma J Day F 4 Conn

hmmm...seems like Edward Day would be the more likely candidate for the Army.

John Day, by the way, is one of my great great grandfathers. His occupation was noted as "harness maker" in a later census report.
 
Here's his family in Danbury Borough, Fairfield, Connecticut in 1860 :

William Day M 42 England
Harriet Day F 42 England
Edward Day M 21 England
Sarah E Day F 19 England
John Day M 16 England
James Day M 14 England
Mary Day F 11 England
Jesse W Day M 9 Conn
Emma J Day F 4 Conn

Well, this is a big help because it answers a pretty big question I had: When did he immigrate?

Since John's 11-year-old sister Mary was born in England and his 9-year-old brother Jesse was born in Connecticut, it's a pretty good guess the family immigrated in 1850.
 
Well, East, you are pretty much a genius! Look what I found at Find-a-Grave

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/...GSst=8&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=32158219&df=all&

That's Edward Day, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

He is John Day's older brother.

Edward Hx Day: Residence Danbury CT; 25 years old. Enlisted on 4/19/1861 as a Private. On 4/22/1861 he mustered into "Inf E" Co. CT 1st Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at New Haven, CT. On 9/17/1863 he mustered into "K" Co. NY 20th Cavalry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1865 at Manchester, VA.

John Day
: Residence New Haven CT; Enlisted on 4/19/1861 as a Private. On 4/23/1861 he mustered into "Inf B" Co. CT 1st Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at New Haven, CT.
 
Well, East, you are pretty much a genius! Look what I found at Find-a-Grave

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/...GSst=8&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=32158219&df=all&

That's Edward Day, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

He is John Day's older brother.

CONNECTICUT
FIRST CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS.
(Three Months.)
WRITTEN BY COL. GEORGE S. BURNHAM.

THE First Regiment of the three months' men was recruited
under the proclamation of President Lincoln, issued Monday,
April 15, 1861, and the call of Governor Buckingham issued the
day following.

Anticipating the call of the Governor, recruiting had
begun so promptly that by the 16th many companies were ready to
report with more than the minimum required, and Rifle Company A
of Hartford, with George S. Burnham, Captain, Joseph R. Hawley,
1st Lieutenant, Albert W. Drake, 2d Lieutenant, had completed
its organization with full ranks. This company and Rifle
Company A, Captain John C. Comstock, left Hartford for the
rendezvous at New Haven, April 20th. The regiment was at once
organized with Dan. Tyler of Norwich, as Colonel, George S.
Burnham, Lieut.-Colonel, and John L. Chatfield, Major.

The regiment was at first quartered in the buildings of
Yale College and wherever shelter could be found, but soon went
into camp in a vacant lot in the western part of the town,
where the different companies where mustered into United States
service, and immediately began work in earnest at company and
regimental drill. On May 10th the regiment embarked for
Washington on the steamer "Bienville," and on the same day
Colonel Tyler, who was a West Point graduate and had seen
regular army service, was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers;
Lieut.-Colonel Burnham being promoted to the full Colonelcy of
the regiment.

The First arrived at Washington via Chesapeake Bay and the
Potomac May 13th and proceeded at once to camp at "Glenwood,"
about two miles north of the Capitol.

May 31st Lieut.-Colonel Chatfield was promoted to the
Colonelcy of the Third Regiment, vice Arnold resigned.

Major Spiedel was made Lieut.-Colonel and Captain Theodore
Byxbee of Meriden, was made Major.

These were days of intense excitement in Washington, and
false alarms were frequent, but cool heads were in control of
the Connecticut Brigade.

On the day of Colonel Ellsworth's funeral, all Washington
was subjected to a false alarm, the long roll was sounded, and
the First was hastily ordered out and marched to Long Bridge,
when the alarm having subsided it was ordered back to camp.

At midnight, June 1st, the regiment broke camp at Glenwood
and crossing Long Bridge, marched to Roach's Mills on the
Alexandria & Leesburg railroad, where it established camp,
relieving the 12th New York.

About June 16th a detachment of the First, under Colonel
Burnham, was ordered up the railroad as escort to General Tyler
in a reconnoisance. The train was made up of miserable rolling
stock, and the couplings parted so frequently that the
detachment was compelled to return after passing a short
distance beyond Vienna. As the train was passing Vienna on its
return, it was fired into from an ambuscade, and George H.
Bugbee, of Infantry Company A, was severely wounded. If we
except Major Theodore Winthrop, who fell at Big Bethel seven
days earlier, this was the first blood of a Connecticut soldier
in the Civil war.

The next day the First was ordered on the same duty, but
was relieved by the 1st and 2d Ohio regiments, the 1st
Connecticut going to the grounds in the vicinity of Long
Bridge, where with a large number of other regiments it was
reviewed by the Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War.

As the review closed the First was ordered hurriedly to
the relief of the Ohio regiments which had been fired into at
Vienna. On the next day the First went into camp at Falls
Church, then considerably in advance of the main lines--a
position peculiarly exposed to attack, as the rebels could
easily reach its rear by way of either Balls' or Bailey's Cross
Roads.

The First Regiment was joined by the Second on the next
day, and soon after by the Third Connecticut and the Second
Maine regiments, all of which were organized as a brigade,
under command of Colonel Erasmus D. Keyes.

On July 16th the entire army under immediate command of
General McDowell began its advance toward Manassas, and Keyes
Brigade, designated the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, had the
advance--the First Regiment covering the left of the head of
column as skirmishers and the Second covering the right. They
bivouacked the first night at Vienna, and the second at
Germantown, arriving at Centerville on the 18th.

At midnight of Saturday, July 20th, the brigade was
advanced via Warrentown road toward Bull Run, and was detached
to guard the Warrentown road during the detour of the flanking
column via Sudley Ford. It remained in this position until
about 10 A. M., when it was advanced across Bull Run and formed
line of battle beyond Youngs Branch, farther west.

Colonel Keyes in his official report said:

"The order to advance was given at about ten o'clock A.
M., and from that hour to four P. M. my brigade was in constant
activity on the field of battle. The First Regiment
Connecticut Volunteers was met by a body of cavalry and
infantry, which it repelled, and at several other encounters at
different parts of the line the enemy constantly retired before
us.

"Before recrossing Bull Run, and until my brigade mingled
with the retreating mass, it maintained perfect freedom from
panic, and at the moment I received the order for retreat, and
for some time afterward, it was in as good order as in the
morning on the road. Half an hour earlier I supposed the
victory to be ours."

Before night-fall the entire brigade reached its former
campground at Centerville in good order, and under orders,
bivouacked as was supposed for the night; the men suffering
much from fatigue, at once going to sleep on their arms.

About 10 o'clock P. M. peremptory orders came to continue
the retreat to Falls Church. The road was now comparatively
clear, as the disorganized part of the army was already far
advanced on its way to Washington. About 9 A. M. the next day
the regiment arrived at Falls Church, and, in a drenching rain,
struck its tents and despatched its entire camp and garrison
equipage, together with that of the Second Maine, which had
left the brigade, to Alexandria. The three Connecticut
regiments marched that night to the camp of the First and
Second Ohio regiments, which they found deserted. Occupying
this standing camp during the night, it spent all day Tuesday,
July 23d, in packing and sending to Alexandria the camp and
garrison equipage of the First and Second Ohio and the Second
New York regiments, leaving not a vestige of anything useful to
fall into the hands of the enemy.

General Tyler in his report says:

"At seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, I saw the three
Connecticut regiments, with two thousand bayonets, march under
the guns of Fort Corcoran in good order, after having saved us
not only a large amount of public property, but the
mortification of seeing our standing camps fall into the hands
of the enemy."

The First remained in Washington until July 27th, when
(their term of service having expired on the 22d) it started
for New Haven, where, after tedious delays, it arrived and was
mustered out on July 31st. The regiment was splendidly armed
and equipped; eight companies with Springfield rifled muskets,
and the two flank companies with Sharps rifles. The clothing
was much of it very inferior, though all possible effort was
made to remedy the defect.

A few of the companies were old militia organizations
which preferred to retain their old regimental letters, thereby
occasioning some confusion, but the exigencies of that short
term of service did not warrant dallying with trifles.

Too much credit can never be accorded the members of the
three months' regiments, who from pure patriotism, without
promise or hope of bounty or reward, eagerly enlisted to repel
the enemies of their country; and who with still greater
alacrity would have enlisted for the war had the call of
President Lincoln permitted it.

This early service was an excellent school for the citizen
soldiers of the State, and by far the larger part of those who
participated were soon again in the service for three years or
the war, fully one hundred and eighty from the 1st Regiment
holding commissions.

Connecticut can always look back with pride on her three
months' volunteers of 1861.
 
NEW YORK
TWENTIETH CAVALRY
(Three Years)
Twentieth Cavalry.-Cols., Newton B. Lord, David M. Evans; Lieut.-
Cols., David M. Evans, Jacob S. Gates; Majs., Charles F. Smith,
John G. Cudworth, John Bower Preston, Hiram H. Carpenter, Jacob
S. Gates, John O'Hara, Patrick Fitzpatrick.

The 20th, called the McClellan cavalry, was organized in the
summer of 1863 at Sacket's Harbor, and was there mustered into
the U. S. service during the month of September for three years.
The companies of which it was composed were recruited in the
counties of Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Onondaga and
Albany.

Col. Lord, who had been authorized on June 19, 1863, by Gov.
Seymour to recruit this regiment, had previously commanded the
35th infantry throughout the bloody series of battles of 1862,
and many of his men reenlisted in the 20th cavalry. The regiment
left the state on Sept. 30, about 1,200 strong, and was stationed
at Portsmouth, Va., as part of the 22nd corps until Jan., 1864,
when it was assigned to Heckman's division, 18th corps, remaining
at Portsmouth until April, when it was transferred to the
District of East Virginia, Department of Virginia and North
Carolina.

In Dec., 1864, it joined the 1st brigade, Gen. Kautz's cavalry
division, Army of the James, with which it remained until the
close of the war. Part of this time, Co. D was on detached
service at Fort Pocahontas; Co. F at Fort Powhatan; Co. G in the
1st brigade, Mackenzie's division; and Co. I with the provisional
and 10th corps.

The heaviest casualties sustained by the 20th were at Smithfield,
Va., in Feb., 1864, when it lost 21 men captured. It was active
at Suffolk, Currituck, Chuckatuck, Wood's mills, South Quay,
Winton, N. C., Guiam's ford, N. C., Jamestown island, Murfree's
depot, siege of Petersburg, Darbytown road, campaign of the
Carolinas, and in the Appomattox campaign.

Its losses were not heavy, owing to the fact that it was largely
employed in garrison duty and siege operations. It was mustered
out on July 31, 1865, Cos. E and H at Fortress Monroe, and the
other companies at Manchester, Va. The regiment lost while in
service 7 enlisted men killed and died of wounds; 2 officers and
121 men died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc., a total of
130.

Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 196


New York
TWENTIETH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
McClellan Cavalry


June 19, 1863, Col. Newton B. Lord received authority to
recruit this regiment, which received its numerical designation
October 8, 1863, and was organized at Sackett's Harbor, where
its companies were mustered in the service of the United States
for three years: A to G September 3, H September 4, I and K
September 17, and L and M September 22 and 23, 1863,
respectively.

The companies were recruited principally: A at Sackett's
Harbor, Champion, Denmark, Pinckney and Wilna; B at Sackett's
Harbor, Brownville, Clayton, Dexter, Lyme, Philadelphia, Orwell
and Watertown; C at Antwerp, Alexandria, LeRay, Theresa and
Watertown; D at Cape Vincent, Clayton, Ellisburg, Mannsville,
LaFargeville, Sackett's Harbor and Watertown; E at Champion,
Diana, Croghan and Wilna; F at Copenhagen, Redwood and
Syracuse; G at Albany, Cape Vincent, Evan's Mills, Rome,
Syracuse and Watertown; H at Antwerp, DeKalb, Edwards, Fowler
and Gouverneur; I at Cape Vincent, Oswego, Rome, Sackett's
Harbor, Syracuse and in St. Lawrence county; K at Albany, Sandy
Creek, Sackett's Harbor, Wilna and Watertown; L at Norwich,
Oswego, Penn Yan, Sackett's Harbor and Syracuse; and M at
Sackett's Harbor, Albany, Herkimer, Norwich, Mannsville,
Oswego, Rome, Theresa and Watertown.

The regiment left the State September 30, 1863, and served
in the 22d Corps from October, 1863, Company F at Portsmouth,
Va., from October, 1863; all at Portsmouth, Va., in the
Department of Virginia from November, 1863; in Heckman's
Division, 18th Corps, from January, 1864; in the defenses of
Portsmouth, Va., in the district of East Virginia, Department
of Virginia and North Carolina, from April, 1864; in 1st
Brigade, Kautz's Division, Cavalry, Army of the James, from
December 3, 1864; Company D at Fort Pocahontas, Va., in
Separate Brigade, defenses of Bermuda, from January, 1865;
Company F at Fort Powhattan, Va., and Company G in 1st Brigade,
Mackenzie's Division of Cavalry from March, 1865; Company I
with the Provisional and 10th Corps in March, 1865.

The regiment was honorably discharged and mustered out
under the command of Col. David M. Evans July 31, 1865,
Companies E and H at Fort Monroe, the other companies at
Manchester, Va.


Source: Phisterer, p. 1,010
 
Edward Hx Day: Residence Danbury CT; 25 years old. Enlisted on 4/19/1861 as a Private. On 4/22/1861 he mustered into "Inf E" Co. CT 1st Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at New Haven, CT. On 9/17/1863 he mustered into "K" Co. NY 20th Cavalry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1865 at Manchester, VA.

John Day
: Residence New Haven CT; Enlisted on 4/19/1861 as a Private. On 4/23/1861 he mustered into "Inf B" Co. CT 1st Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at New Haven, CT.

That must be the two brothers enlisting together at the same time, no?
Edward Hx Day: Residence Danbury CT; 25 years old. Enlisted on 4/19/1861 as a Private. On 4/22/1861 he mustered into "Inf E" Co. CT 1st Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at New Haven, CT. On 9/17/1863 he mustered into "K" Co. NY 20th Cavalry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1865 at Manchester, VA.

John Day
: Residence New Haven CT; Enlisted on 4/19/1861 as a Private. On 4/23/1861 he mustered into "Inf B" Co. CT 1st Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/31/1861 at New Haven, CT.

Headstone for John Day and his wife Sarah Hubbard Day:

167505480_1469720012.jpg


Note the US flag. Other photos from Find-A-Grave at the same cemetery show Memorial Day flags being displayed. That's an indicator that John Day is recognized as a veteran, no?

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=521&GScid=65281&GRid=167505480&
 
That must be the two brothers enlisting together at the same time, no?


Headstone for John Day and his wife Sarah Hubbard Day:

View attachment 154248

Note the US flag. Other photos from Find-A-Grave at the same cemetery show Memorial Day flags being displayed. That's an indicator that John Day is recognized as a veteran, no?

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=521&GScid=65281&GRid=167505480&

That would be my first thought, "two brothers enlisting together". This was a 90-day regiment, we know Edward re-enlisted in the 20th NY Cavalry. I'd guess John also re-up'd in another unit. There's another project
 
Here's his family in Danbury Borough, Fairfield, Connecticut in 1860 :

William Day M 42 England
Harriet Day F 42 England
Edward Day M 21 England
Sarah E Day F 19 England
John Day M 16 England
James Day M 14 England
Mary Day F 11 England
Jesse W Day M 9 Conn
Emma J Day F 4 Conn

Get a load of this:

pens-jpg.154265.jpg



I need to get the documentation from the pension office but this looks like my great great grandfather John Day.

So this card shows that John Day claimed enlistment in the 1st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry (a 90-day unit raised in early 1861) and (later) the 7th Connecticut Infantry.
 

Here is a symbol of the strange and blood-soaked struggle of American history:

My great great grandfather John Day fought the battle of Fort Fisher as a member of the 7th Connecticut.

My wife's great great grandfather Jacob Wells Taylor fought the battle of Fort Fisher as a member of 1st North Carolina Heavy Artillery.

Our son, Nicholas Taylor Vail, is a history student now engaged in a rhetorical incarnation of Fisher -- the modern Battle of Charlottesville.
 
Here is a symbol of the strange and blood-soaked struggle of American history:

My great great grandfather John Day fought the battle of Fort Fisher as a member of the 7th Connecticut.

My wife's great great grandfather Jacob Wells Taylor fought the battle of Fort Fisher as a member of 1st North Carolina Heavy Artillery.

Our son, Nicholas Taylor Vail, is a history student now engaged in a rhetorical incarnation of Fisher -- the modern Battle of Charlottesville.
As they say, it's a small world!
 
Here is a symbol of the strange and blood-soaked struggle of American history:

My great great grandfather John Day fought the battle of Fort Fisher as a member of the 7th Connecticut.

My wife's great great grandfather Jacob Wells Taylor fought the battle of Fort Fisher as a member of 1st North Carolina Heavy Artillery.

Our son, Nicholas Taylor Vail, is a history student now engaged in a rhetorical incarnation of Fisher -- the modern Battle of Charlottesville.



Report of Capt. John Thompson, Seventh Connecticut
Infantry, of operations January 15.

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VOLS.,
Near Fort Fisher, N. C., January 17, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to make the following report of the part
taken by my command in the attack on Fort Fisher on the night of the
15th instant:

In pursuance of orders received from Col. J. C. Abbott,
commanding brigade, the regiment moved from its present position at
4.30 p.m., and, marching toward Fort Fisher, reached the outer line of
works at about 5.30 p.m. From this point we advanced under a light
fire of artillery and infantry, reaching the fort with a loss of but one
man, severely wounded. At this point I received a wound in the left
foot, which incapacitated me for further duty, and I transferred the
command of the regiment to Capt. William S. Marble.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN THOMPSON,
Capt., Cmdg., Seventh Regt. Connecticut Volunteers.

Capt. E. LEWIS MOORE,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.

-----------



Report of Capt. William S. Marble, Seventh
Connecticut Infantry, of operations January 15.

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,
Near Fort Fisher, N. C., January 17, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the part
taken by this regiment after I assumed command, which I did
immediately upon Capt. Thompson being wounded:

Reporting to Col. Abbott, I received orders to march the regiment
into a covered way, leading from near the sally-port toward the center
of the fort. Here we were supplied with shovels, and ordered to move
forward thirty paces and deploy in a line extending from the eighth
traverse to the river, and nearly at right angles with the line of
traverses. We were deployed in groups of three, with orders to dig pits
for our protection from the fire of the enemy, which at this time was
quite annoying. Owing to a lack of shovels many of the men were
obliged to lie for some time without cover, and before the work was
completed we had suffered a loss of one killed and four wounded from
the fire of the fleet, which dropped many shells among us. In
consequence of a rise of ground in front of the right wing they were
unable to fire, but the left wing engaged the enemy vigorously, driving
them from two traverses, which advantage we were unable to follow up,
as an advance would have necessitated an extension of our line. From
this time we continued our fire, under cover of which an advance was
made by other portions of the brigade, who drove the enemy into their
bombaproofs, when, seeing the last traverse cleared, we ceased firing.
In accordance with instructions received from Capt. Caryl, inspector-general
of the brigade, we remained in this position until 2 a.m.,
when we wee ordered to bring up the rear of a column of prisoners.
Upon arriving near the headquarters of the brevet major-general
commanding, we were dismissed by the brigade commander and
marched to the position occupied by the regiment on the previous day.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. S. MARBLE,
Capt., Seventh Regimen Connecticut Volunteers.

Capt. E. LEWIS MOORE,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.


Source: Official Records
CHAP. LVIII.] CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER, N. C. PAGE 412-95
[Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]

****************************************************************************************


Report of Capt. John Thompson, Seventh Connecticut Infantry.

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,
Near Fort Fisher, N. C., January 20, 1865.
GEN.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken
by my command in a reconnaissance made on the 19th of January, 1865:

In obedience to orders received from Brevet Brig.-Gen. Abbott
commanding the brigade, at 11 o'clock a detachment of the regiment
(numbering four commissioned officers and thirty-seven enlisted men)
moved from its position to the head of Myrtle Sound. From there the
regiment advanced as skirmishers to the rear of the Half-Moon Battery,
and were fired upon by a party of the enemy, numbering about
seventy-five men, strongly entrenched. Here the command was obliged
to halt, owing to the severity of the fire from the rebels, until another
portion of the brigade was sent in upon the right flank of the work.
Seeing it surrounded the command charged upon the enemy, capturing
2 officers and 54 men. After halting here for some time I sent forward,
by Gen. Abbott's direction, First Lieut. Willard Austin and
twelve men, with orders to draw the fire of the enemy, who were posted
behind a strong line of works about one-quarter of a mile in our
immediate front. Lieut. Austin advanced his skirmishers to the edge
of a swamp, and within about 100 yards of the rebel works, but
although he ascertained their position he was unable to fully develop
their fire. While on the skirmish line Lieut. Austin was slightly
wounded in the right shoulder by a shell from one of our gun-boats.
Remaining in this position until dark we received orders from Gen. Abbott
to withdraw our skirmishers and return to camp, which we reached at 7 p.m.

I take pleasure in commending to your favorable notice Adjt. Albert M.
Holden, who performed his duties on this trying occasion with marked
ability and courage. Adjutant Holden is a young officer of much
promise, and deserves honorable mention for gallant and meritorious
conduct in this as well as previous engagements.

Justice to the deserving leads me to also commend the action of First
Lieut. Willard Austin, of my command, who performed, with
greatest acceptance, a most difficult and dangerous duty, being
instructed by Gen. Abbott to advance with a detachment of men
considerably beyond our main line, in order to draw the enemy's fire.

I inclose a list of casualties with this report.*

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN THOMPSON,
Capt., Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, Cmdg. Regt.

Brig. Gen. H. J. MORSE, Adjutant-Gen. State of Connecticut.


Source: Official Records
PAGE 454-95 N. AND SE. VA., N. C., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. LVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]
 
Report of Capt. John Thompson, Seventh Connecticut
Infantry, of operations January 15.

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VOLS.,
Near Fort Fisher, N. C., January 17, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to make the following report of the part
taken by my command in the attack on Fort Fisher on the night of the
15th instant:

In pursuance of orders received from Col. J. C. Abbott,
commanding brigade, the regiment moved from its present position at
4.30 p.m., and, marching toward Fort Fisher, reached the outer line of
works at about 5.30 p.m. From this point we advanced under a light
fire of artillery and infantry, reaching the fort with a loss of but one
man, severely wounded. At this point I received a wound in the left
foot, which incapacitated me for further duty, and I transferred the
command of the regiment to Capt. William S. Marble.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN THOMPSON,
Capt., Cmdg., Seventh Regt. Connecticut Volunteers.

Capt. E. LEWIS MOORE,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.

-----------



Report of Capt. William S. Marble, Seventh
Connecticut Infantry, of operations January 15.

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,
Near Fort Fisher, N. C., January 17, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the part
taken by this regiment after I assumed command, which I did
immediately upon Capt. Thompson being wounded:

Reporting to Col. Abbott, I received orders to march the regiment
into a covered way, leading from near the sally-port toward the center
of the fort. Here we were supplied with shovels, and ordered to move
forward thirty paces and deploy in a line extending from the eighth
traverse to the river, and nearly at right angles with the line of
traverses. We were deployed in groups of three, with orders to dig pits
for our protection from the fire of the enemy, which at this time was
quite annoying. Owing to a lack of shovels many of the men were
obliged to lie for some time without cover, and before the work was
completed we had suffered a loss of one killed and four wounded from
the fire of the fleet, which dropped many shells among us. In
consequence of a rise of ground in front of the right wing they were
unable to fire, but the left wing engaged the enemy vigorously, driving
them from two traverses, which advantage we were unable to follow up,
as an advance would have necessitated an extension of our line. From
this time we continued our fire, under cover of which an advance was
made by other portions of the brigade, who drove the enemy into their
bombaproofs, when, seeing the last traverse cleared, we ceased firing.
In accordance with instructions received from Capt. Caryl, inspector-general
of the brigade, we remained in this position until 2 a.m.,
when we wee ordered to bring up the rear of a column of prisoners.
Upon arriving near the headquarters of the brevet major-general
commanding, we were dismissed by the brigade commander and
marched to the position occupied by the regiment on the previous day.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. S. MARBLE,
Capt., Seventh Regimen Connecticut Volunteers.

Capt. E. LEWIS MOORE,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.


Source: Official Records
CHAP. LVIII.] CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER, N. C. PAGE 412-95
[Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]

****************************************************************************************


Report of Capt. John Thompson, Seventh Connecticut Infantry.

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,
Near Fort Fisher, N. C., January 20, 1865.
GEN.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken
by my command in a reconnaissance made on the 19th of January, 1865:

In obedience to orders received from Brevet Brig.-Gen. Abbott
commanding the brigade, at 11 o'clock a detachment of the regiment
(numbering four commissioned officers and thirty-seven enlisted men)
moved from its position to the head of Myrtle Sound. From there the
regiment advanced as skirmishers to the rear of the Half-Moon Battery,
and were fired upon by a party of the enemy, numbering about
seventy-five men, strongly entrenched. Here the command was obliged
to halt, owing to the severity of the fire from the rebels, until another
portion of the brigade was sent in upon the right flank of the work.
Seeing it surrounded the command charged upon the enemy, capturing
2 officers and 54 men. After halting here for some time I sent forward,
by Gen. Abbott's direction, First Lieut. Willard Austin and
twelve men, with orders to draw the fire of the enemy, who were posted
behind a strong line of works about one-quarter of a mile in our
immediate front. Lieut. Austin advanced his skirmishers to the edge
of a swamp, and within about 100 yards of the rebel works, but
although he ascertained their position he was unable to fully develop
their fire. While on the skirmish line Lieut. Austin was slightly
wounded in the right shoulder by a shell from one of our gun-boats.
Remaining in this position until dark we received orders from Gen. Abbott
to withdraw our skirmishers and return to camp, which we reached at 7 p.m.

I take pleasure in commending to your favorable notice Adjt. Albert M.
Holden, who performed his duties on this trying occasion with marked
ability and courage. Adjutant Holden is a young officer of much
promise, and deserves honorable mention for gallant and meritorious
conduct in this as well as previous engagements.

Justice to the deserving leads me to also commend the action of First
Lieut. Willard Austin, of my command, who performed, with
greatest acceptance, a most difficult and dangerous duty, being
instructed by Gen. Abbott to advance with a detachment of men
considerably beyond our main line, in order to draw the enemy's fire.

I inclose a list of casualties with this report.*

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN THOMPSON,
Capt., Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, Cmdg. Regt.

Brig. Gen. H. J. MORSE, Adjutant-Gen. State of Connecticut.


Source: Official Records
PAGE 454-95 N. AND SE. VA., N. C., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. LVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]

FYI - I am very uncertain at this point that my John Day was serving in the 7th Connecticut at Fort Fisher. One of the old books shows an enlisted man John Day who died in the field in 1863. That's obviously not the same guy as my guy.
 
FYI - I am very uncertain at this point that my John Day was serving in the 7th Connecticut at Fort Fisher. One of the old books shows an enlisted man John Day who died in the field in 1863. That's obviously not the same guy as my guy.

That would be a John W Day in Company C. There was also a John Day in Company B that mustered out at Goldsboro, NC. 7/20/1865.
 

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