ALBERT SUPERNAW -- 96th INFANTRYMOVED TO KANSAS - Isiah Supernaw, a blacksmith, and Calista Robert, whowere born in Quebec, settled in the western part of the Town of Mooers.Albert Gilbert was the third of their nine children, and he enlisted inthe 96th Infantry on November 1, 1861, in Sciota. They listed him asAlbert Supernan when he was mustered into Company A two weeks later.Albert was in the second wave of recruitment for the 96th and when hegot to Washington, he found himself assigned to a company mainly filledwith men who had enlisted in Chateaugay. The regiment stayed in thecapital for the first few months then were assigned to the PeninsulaCampaign under General McClellan and the Army of the Potomac in theearly spring of 1862.Opposing McClellan was General Johnston with the Army of NorthernVirginia -- about 100,000 men on each side. The Campaign left over20.000 casualties on each side in the 5 months they were in the field.The 96th's bloodiest battle was at Fair Oaks at the end of May wherethey sustained 58 casualties including 7 killed in action, 4 mortallywounded, 27 who were wounded and 20 who went missing or were captured.Shortly afterthis battle, and before their second engagement at Fair Oaks on June24th, Albert was discharged for disability. He may not have even leftWashington with his regiment, because he was discharged there on June15, 1862, and he went home.Isiah decided to take his family West and, by 1866, the whole family,except the two eldest daughters, were settled in Kansas. They finallysettled in Ottawa, KS, and Albert married and supported his family andblacksmithing.He died on March 27, 1894, and was buried in the Pleasant View Cemeteryin Agricola, KS, after receiving his Invalid's Pension for less than 5years. His widow, Charlotte Rose Myers, who was born in Ohio, got herWidows Pension until she died in 1928.The Ottawa Daily Republic of April 2, 1894, published his obituary --"At his home at Agricola, Tuesday, March 27, 1894, A. G. Supernaw, atthe age of 40 years and 4 months. Mr. Supernaw was well and favorablyknown to all the people of this community. Honest, kind, affectionateand true. No man ever went to his door starving, nor asked a favor thatwas not generously bestowed. H was an affectionate husband and anindulgent father. He was for a number of years a consistent member ofthe M. E. Church and an enthusiastic Free Mason. It was his request tobe buried with Masonic honors, but the lodge at Ottawa, of which he wasa member, did not receive notice in time to be present. Other members ofthe fraternity though, took charge of the remains and laid them to restwith tender hearts and fraternal hands. Funeral services were held atAgricola Church Wednesday at 3 o'clock pm, the pastor of theWilliamsburg charge officiating. A widow and six children are left tomourn his loss. The have the sincerest sympathy of the entirecommunity."
