DAVID LAREAU – 2(nd) VETRAN CAVALRYLOST AT SEA - For a bounty of $350, David Lareau, an 18-year-old born inSt. Jean, Quebec, enlisted in the 2nd Veteran Cavalry in Northumberland,NY, near Saratoga. He travelled there to enlist even though he wasliving in Dannemora at the time, and his enlistment was credited to thattown. He enlisted on November 18, 1863, and 10 days later, he wasmustered into Captain Andrew M. Franklin’s Company L as David Laraw. Twoother men from the Dannemora/Saranac area also were in Company L.David’s Muster Roll Abstract said he was 5’ 3” tall with black eyes,brown hair and a dark complexion.The 2nd Veteran Cavalry was also known as the Harris Light Cavalry andwas formed in the fall of 1863 and left the state in detachments to jointhe Red River Campaign in Louisiana. While he was in Louisiana, we don’tknow how many of the regiment’s 40+ battles he was in, because he becamesick like so many other soldiers, and was sent to hospital. Seriouslyill soldiers were sent by steamer around the coast of Florida tohospitals on the east coast.However, the steamer he was on foundered off the coast and sank. David’sbody was lost at sea with 7 other men who enlisted in Clinton County.The report of the sinking off the coast of Florida was published in theNew York Times of December 30, 1864. Sadly, David is enumerated asDaniel Larowe, Co. L, 2nd NY Cavalry. You can read the article at:http://www.nytimes.com/1864/12/30/news/appalling-disaster-us-transport-north-america-foundered-sea-one-hundred-ninety.html?pagewanted=all
