My great-great grandfather, Henry Fludder b 22 June 1812 in Mitcham,
Surrey, England, was in Company G, 129th Infantry from 7 Mar 1864 - 23
Jan 1865. He died 22 Jan 1865 of Erysipelas at Jefferson Barracks
Hospital and is buried in New Albany National Cemetery, IN. Henry lied
about his age when he enlisted - for a long time I was looking for him
with a birth date of about 1820! I suppose they wouldn't have taken him
if they knew he was 52 and not 44. Poor Henry didn't see much time in
actual combat it appears because the records I have keep showing him in
hospitals!
His son, John Ross Fludder, b 28 Nov 1845 in Kosciusko county, enlisted
with him and was discharged 29 Aug 1865 with chronic illnesses from his
time in the war. Reading the 100+ pages of his pension records was
fascinating with annual physical exams and following his movements
around the country after the war. He died at the age of 81 of heart
problems on 15 Oct 1927 at (what was then) the Soldier's Home in Los
Angeles CA (now VA Hospital) He's buried there at the VA cemetery.
Considering his health, he lived a long life!
Henry enlisted after his wife died, leaving at least three of his four
other children in the care of others. It surprised me that a basically
aging widower with children ages 5 to 16 would go off to fight! What a
commitment to his adopted country!
Sherry