Senior Soldiers

[Fairfield]

There has been much said about the extreme youth of many of the soldiers--but perhaps we oughtn't forget that there were individuals who were considerably older than most. My Maine town sent off several sets of fathers-and-sons; some of the fathers fibbed about their age.

Today, October 2nd is the anniversary of the death of Neal (or Neil) Dow of Portland Maine. When he enlisted in 1861, he was 57 years old (according to his obituary, "when he enlisted he was old enough to be the father of nearly every distinguished commander on the Union side"). During the course of the war he was wounded twice and was imprisoned at Libby for 9 months. His health was finally undermined by that prison time and he resigned in 1864.

A strong advocate of temperance (he was founder of the Maine Temperance Union), he continued to be energetic and forceful after 1865. In 1880 he was the presidential candidate for the Prohibition Party (he was unsuccessful).

 

[Bruce Vail]

Neal Dow is a very interesting figure in Civil War history and in Maine political history.

Eric Wittenberg had this great little article on Dow's involvement in a most unusual prisoner exchange with the son of Robert E. Lee.

Lives on the Line

High-stakes gamesmanship put Confederate and Union POWs on notice for execution following the Battle of Brandy Station. CAPTAIN HENRY W. Sawyer spurred

www.historynet.com

 

[Bruce Vail]

Gen. Edwin "Bull" Sumner (1797-1863) died during the Civil War. He died of old age.

 

[Fairfield]

Gen. Edwin "Bull" Sumner (1797-1863) died during the Civil War. He died of old age.

I'll bet that put some of those youngsters to shame!

The oldest from my town ("Uncle Sam" Emery) was born in 1796 (he claimed to have been only 44 when he enlisted). He and the next oldest (Jesse Burns) both enlisted in the 19th Maine. I guess that if a person reached a hearty age, he could just keep going!

 

[poorjack]

I'll venture to make this assertion based on mortality rates then v now and with the added factor of technology. IF you made it to that age in those days, you would have survived through high (by our standards) infant mortality, survived diseases we don't see today, and lived despite your diet. In short, only the strong survive and the weaker get weeded out early. Now let's add in the factor of technology, you walked everywhere. Most tasks were accomplished through direct labor so they got serious amounts of exercise. Ever wonder why all the clothes that survive are for "skinny" folks? The modern 250lb diabetic in an air conditioned office cube would be worm fodder in short order back then. So it doesn't surprise me that there would have been some "experienced" citizens enlisting back then.

 

[Cavalier]

Always had a soft spot in my heart for Sumner. He seems like a soldiers soldier to me.

John

 

[Fairfield]

I'll venture to make this assertion based on mortality rates then v now and with the added factor of technology. IF you made it to that age in those days, you would have survived through high (by our standards) infant mortality, survived diseases we don't see today, and lived despite your diet. In short, only the strong survive and the weaker get weeded out early. Now let's add in the factor of technology, you walked everywhere. Most tasks were accomplished through direct labor so they got serious amounts of exercise. Ever wonder why all the clothes that survive are for "skinny" folks? The modern 250lb diabetic in an air conditioned office cube would be worm fodder in short order back then. So it doesn't surprise me that there would have been some "experienced" citizens enlisting back then.

I suspect that you're right. As a generalization, historically some people lived as long as we do--sometimes longer. I think that if a person could survive all those serious childhood illnesses, s/he was pretty strong!

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

Somewhat common knowledge, but I believe Curtis King was 80 and served in the 37th Iowa Infantry.

That regiment was specifically formed with older gentlemen.

Respectfully,
Kyle Kalasnik

 

[frontrank2]

How about an entire regiment of old timers. Ever hear about the 37th Iowa Volunteers? Virtually every man was over 45. A musician who was 80. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-37th-iowa-infantry-aka-the-greybeards.104051/#post-949586

 

[Rothermel]

Union Army had active duty soldiers in their 80's.
I know of one or two on active duty at 86.

 

[Bruce Vail]

Always had a soft spot in my heart for Sumner. He seems like a soldiers soldier to me.

John

I was surprosed that the Wiki bio on Sumner was so harsh.