DANIEL O'CONNOR -- 118th INFANTRYPROMOTED FROM PRIVATE TO 2nd LIEUTENANT - When Daniel A. O'Connor(O'Conner), who was born in Canada, enlisted in the 118th Infantry inAugust 1862, he gave his occupation as student. He was 5'9" tall, hadblue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion. The Town of Champlain gavehim \$10 to help with expenses.He was mustered in as a private at the end of the month to fight forthree years in Captain Henry Ransom's Company I. Martin Van BurenStetson, who recruited him, was the 2nd lieutenant of the company. Theregiment traveled to Washington over a period of two months and spentthe winter in Camp Ethan Allen, then Camp Adirondack. In April 1863,they were ordered to the Siege of Suffolk and, after two moreengagements, spent the rest of the year in the port towns near the mouthof the James River patrolling and performing garrison duties.Starting in May 1864, the regiment became part of the Operations BeforePetersburg. For six months they saw hard fighting in battles such asDrewry's Bluff, which resulted in 55 deaths, Cold Harbor and Chaffin'sFarm on October 1st, which Daniel missed because he was in hospital atFortress Monroe. When he returned to the regiment, he was promoted fromprivate to 2nd lieutenant of October 24th. Three days later, he wascaptured in action at 2nd Fair Oaks with 88 other men from the118th. Most were taken to Libby Prison or Belle Isle in Richmond, butsome were taken further south.Daniel was paroled in February 1865. Before he was mustered out on June13, 1865, at Richmond, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant on May11th.
