Henry H. Cragin

Very little is known of Henry. He was born December 24, 1840 in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. US Federal Census for 1850 and 1860 shows he resided with his family in Jaffrey. The 1860 census lists him as a farm laborer along with brothers John and Robert Clark.

It is author's belief that some time between June 26, 1860 (when the US Federal Census was taken) and the time he entered into volunteer service, that he and his brother, John Christie, traveled to Ohio, perhaps to work in the slaughter houses in Cleveland.

On May 18, 1861 Henry appeared on the Muster-in Roll, enlisted as a private in the 23rd Regiment of the Ohio Infantry, Company A, in Cleveland, Ohio.

He was described as 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall with a dark complexion. He had black hair and blue eyes. At the time of his enlistement, his occupation was butcher.

Muster rolls from June 11, 1861-December 31, 1861 showed nothing unusual.

Muster roll for January & February 1862 noted, " There is to be stopped three ($3.00) dollars for transportation from Wheeling to Gallepolio February 24, 1862 by order of General Rosecrans."

Muster rolls for March, 1862-August 1862 showed nothing unusual.

Muster rolls for September -December 1862 and January & February 1863 stated, "Taken prisoner at the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862".

The next muster roll began April 10, 1863 and continued without incident through October 1863.

He mustered out of the service November 29, 1863 with a clothing account of $62.07 and $100.00 due.

He then mustered back in as a Veteran Volunteer on November 30, 1863 from Charlestown, West Virginia.

November and December, 1863 muster roll stated,"Died of disease December 24, 1863, Wheeling, West Virginia.

On July 26, 1865, on the muster-out roll, a bounty of $ 60.00 was paid with $340.00 due

On June 21, 1880, Henry's father, Orlando applied for a Declaration for an Original Pension of a Father or Mother . Here Orlando claimed that,"While in the line of his duty on board of a steamer on the Ohio River, he (Henry) was taken sick with Diptheria of which he died." Family lore states that Henry was on furlough, making his way home to Jaffrey, when he became ill and died.

Although he did not live to serve his re-enlistment term, Henry was issued a medal from the state of Ohio for his volunteer services. Whether a family member received his medal is not known, but it came to the author's attention that such a medal existed. This author then acquired the medal from a Civil War Medal enthusiast, Ralph Baughn, who had a posting at the Ohio Veteran Volunteer Medal site.

 

 

Henry was buried at the Conant Cemetery, Jaffrey, New Hampshire.

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