Bruce Vail
Captain
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2015
Hello all,
I'm seeking additional info about William J. Vail. (Below is what I have been able to find on the net.) Any ideas?
Regards,
Bruce
William Joseph Vail was born October 30, 1835 in Brewster, Putnam County New York, and died February 12, 1878 in Ridgefield, Fairfield County Connecticut.
He married Henrietta Adaline Howe October 30, 1865 in Newaygo Township, Newaygo County Michigan, daughter of James Howe and Henrietta Hunt. She was born August 13, 1836 in North Salem, New York, and died January 28, 1882 in Ridgefield, Fairfield County Connecticut.
Notes for William Joseph Vail:
William J Vail was serving the balance of his Civil War career in the Army of Occupation, (MedicalCorp), in New Orleans, Louisiana. They, (William and Henrietta A. Howe), were determined to marry before his last year of post war service was completed. William came up the Mississippi River on a river boat and Hannah came west across New York state to Michigan. They met in Newaygo and proceeded to marry. They both went back down the river to New Orleans. Henrietta lived in a boarding house in Baton Rouge Louisiana, while William completed his duties in New Orleans. It is said that Henrietta stayed in Baton Rouge because of the prevalance of disease in New Orleans after the war. William and Henrietta's first son, Henri J. Vail was born in Baton Rouge Louisiana.William was stationed in New Orleans during the battle of Port Hudson. No record of active military service has been found. It is believed that he may have been working as a US Government civilian.
"Dear Sister,
I hope that these letters of mine, so many of them, won't trouble you too much. Somebody says that I must write to my sister often say once a week. She says it show her that I remember her kindly if nothing more, so you see that I obey. I am greatly indebted to you and James, for the kindness you have shown me and hope that I may be able in some way to show to you that I have not forgotten it, if I can ever repay you. My health is very good, never was better, I weigh about 170 lbs good solid flesh, have three very good messmates, and we live very nice. You would have laughed if you had seen the dishes I had when I left the ship. One tin plate, a two quart tin basin, a knife & fork & an iron spoon and tin cup, comprised my tableware. I will tell you what I have now, _____ stone china plates cups & saucers, in fact a full set all through, goblets, napkins Silver teapot and most everything nice. There is but one thing here that is cheap and that is mackeral.We can buy five for a dime. They are small but very good & fresh. This is the most pleasant part of the year in this place, I think. The leaves are all out on the trees, the different kinds of roses, the Jessamine and orange blossoms with numerous little violets other small flowers all seem to welcome the return of Spring. Last night after shutting the office, Mr. Norbrooke ? and myself went to take a ride on horseback, (by the way we are each of us furnished with a horse to ride to our work and back),and we had a splendid ride.I assure you. Perhaps if the weather is good, and I don't have to stay in the office, we will go out to Lake Ponchartrain on Sunday. I have never been out of the city yet so I think I will see a little of the country. There has been a hard battle fought at Port Hudson and a part of the fleet has ____ the fort. The Mississippi was sunk, she was aground under the excessive guns and couldn't be moved, and the Captain ordered her to be set on fire. We shall hear some very heavy fighting at Port Hudson or Vicksburg before long I think.Give my regards to all who ask about Bill. I am going to send a paper to James by this mail. Give him my kindest regards and not forget to receive for yourself much gratitude from your brother.
W. J. Vail, New Orleans"
From the February 20, 1878 Ridgefield Press:
DIED
In Ridgefield, Feb. 12, William J. Vail, aged 42 years, 3 months, 20 days.
William J. Vail's death certificate is on file in the Ridgefield Hall, therefore, his death did occur in Ridgefield CT, not North Salem NY.
I'm seeking additional info about William J. Vail. (Below is what I have been able to find on the net.) Any ideas?
Regards,
Bruce
William Joseph Vail was born October 30, 1835 in Brewster, Putnam County New York, and died February 12, 1878 in Ridgefield, Fairfield County Connecticut.
He married Henrietta Adaline Howe October 30, 1865 in Newaygo Township, Newaygo County Michigan, daughter of James Howe and Henrietta Hunt. She was born August 13, 1836 in North Salem, New York, and died January 28, 1882 in Ridgefield, Fairfield County Connecticut.
Notes for William Joseph Vail:
William J Vail was serving the balance of his Civil War career in the Army of Occupation, (MedicalCorp), in New Orleans, Louisiana. They, (William and Henrietta A. Howe), were determined to marry before his last year of post war service was completed. William came up the Mississippi River on a river boat and Hannah came west across New York state to Michigan. They met in Newaygo and proceeded to marry. They both went back down the river to New Orleans. Henrietta lived in a boarding house in Baton Rouge Louisiana, while William completed his duties in New Orleans. It is said that Henrietta stayed in Baton Rouge because of the prevalance of disease in New Orleans after the war. William and Henrietta's first son, Henri J. Vail was born in Baton Rouge Louisiana.William was stationed in New Orleans during the battle of Port Hudson. No record of active military service has been found. It is believed that he may have been working as a US Government civilian.
"Dear Sister,
I hope that these letters of mine, so many of them, won't trouble you too much. Somebody says that I must write to my sister often say once a week. She says it show her that I remember her kindly if nothing more, so you see that I obey. I am greatly indebted to you and James, for the kindness you have shown me and hope that I may be able in some way to show to you that I have not forgotten it, if I can ever repay you. My health is very good, never was better, I weigh about 170 lbs good solid flesh, have three very good messmates, and we live very nice. You would have laughed if you had seen the dishes I had when I left the ship. One tin plate, a two quart tin basin, a knife & fork & an iron spoon and tin cup, comprised my tableware. I will tell you what I have now, _____ stone china plates cups & saucers, in fact a full set all through, goblets, napkins Silver teapot and most everything nice. There is but one thing here that is cheap and that is mackeral.We can buy five for a dime. They are small but very good & fresh. This is the most pleasant part of the year in this place, I think. The leaves are all out on the trees, the different kinds of roses, the Jessamine and orange blossoms with numerous little violets other small flowers all seem to welcome the return of Spring. Last night after shutting the office, Mr. Norbrooke ? and myself went to take a ride on horseback, (by the way we are each of us furnished with a horse to ride to our work and back),and we had a splendid ride.I assure you. Perhaps if the weather is good, and I don't have to stay in the office, we will go out to Lake Ponchartrain on Sunday. I have never been out of the city yet so I think I will see a little of the country. There has been a hard battle fought at Port Hudson and a part of the fleet has ____ the fort. The Mississippi was sunk, she was aground under the excessive guns and couldn't be moved, and the Captain ordered her to be set on fire. We shall hear some very heavy fighting at Port Hudson or Vicksburg before long I think.Give my regards to all who ask about Bill. I am going to send a paper to James by this mail. Give him my kindest regards and not forget to receive for yourself much gratitude from your brother.
W. J. Vail, New Orleans"
From the February 20, 1878 Ridgefield Press:
DIED
In Ridgefield, Feb. 12, William J. Vail, aged 42 years, 3 months, 20 days.
William J. Vail's death certificate is on file in the Ridgefield Hall, therefore, his death did occur in Ridgefield CT, not North Salem NY.
Bringing the