ALEXANDER TURNBULL -- 96th INFANTRYRECORD OF DESERTION REMOVED IN 1917 - Robert Turnbull and Sylvia Walker,who lived in Hemmingford, Quebec, had a son who enlisted in the 96thInfantry in October 1861 in Mooers. Alexander was mustered into CaptainJames Nichols' Company C in mid-November. They left the North Country inMarch 1862, and, a month later, were on the battlefield at Yorktown, VA.Like several of the new regiments from New York, they fought on theVirginia Peninsula in 1862, suffering major casualties at First FairOaks before moving on to North Carolina for the next year. While inNorth Carolina, he was promoted to corporal and given a \$200 bountyfrom the Town for re-enlisting.In 1864, the regiment was on the battlefield between Richmond andPetersburg and has over 300 casualties. Alexander was wounded in actionon June 3, 1864, at Cold Harbor and sent to hospital which is reflectedon his Muster Roll Abstract. However, it also says he deserted.In 1879, Alexander started receiving an Invalid's Pension.In 1917, a letter from the Adjutant General's Office in Washingtonexpunged the desertion charge from his record.The Plattsburgh Daily Republican of April 17, 1935, carried his deathnotice in the Altona section -- "Mr. Alexander Turnbull, an old andhighly respected citizen and a soldier in the Civil War, age 97, passedaway at the home of his niece, Mrs. George Walker, Sunday at 10am.Funeral serviced will be held Wednesday afternoon, April 17th, andburial will be at Covey Hill, PQ."
