ALEXIS TENDER -- 96th INFANTRYVETERAN OF TWO WARS - In late February 1862, Elexis Tender (AlexisLeTendre), who was born in Newfoundland, enlisted in the 96th Infantryin its first round of recruiting. In 1840, he was naturalized in Jay,NY, as a pensioner of the War of 1812. Alexis traveled from Essex Countyto Peru to enlist at the unbelievable age of 67 years old! When he wasmustered into Company C, he gave his age as 44.With his regiment, Alexis went straight to Fortress Monroe by boat andstarted northward on the Virginia Peninsula fighting under GeneralMcClellan. He was discharged on September 24, 1862, and came home to hisfarm, his wife Vermont-born Annis Ford and nine children.Alexis lived only three more years after he came home. In 1903, a womannamed Sarah Jones claimed a pension based on his service in the 96thInfantry and "The Old War", but it wasn't granted.Alexis' youngest son, Wallace, was wounded during his 3-years' servicewith the 118th Infantry and died in 1911 of a combination of heart andkidney disease. In a strange coincidence, it was Francois D'Avignon, thesurgeon of the 96th Infantry, his father's old regiment, whopronounced him dead. In his old age, Wallace had taken to wearing hisold blue army coat around Au Sable Forks and Jay and was a familiarfigure when he was out walking.
