DEWEY WELLS -- 69th INFANTRYACTIVE SERVICE OF LESS THAN 2 MONTHS - The 69th Infantry remained withthe Army of the Potomac throughout the war. When it was first formed, itwas made up of men from New York City, many of whom were Irishimmigrants and thus earned their nickname -- the Irish Brigade. Towardthe end of the war, men from many other ethnicities were enlisted in theregiment.Dewey Wells, the son of David Wells and Lydia Viele, from Warren County,enlisted on August 25, 1864. He gave his age as 17 but was really a yearyounger. On his Muster Roll Abstract, it says that he was the substitutefor James P. Freligh of Queensbury.Dewey went missing in action in his first engagement in the BristoeCampaign with Meade against Lee. His Muster Roll Abstract says he hadbeen missing since October 30th, then it was amended to show he hadbeen sick at the time. He ended up in hospital in Washington about 50miles east of Bristoe Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad andwas mustered out there per a telegram from the Adjutant General's Officeon May 30, 1865.Dewey married and supported his family by being a carpenter. In 1885, hestarted receiving his Invalids Pension of \$12 a month. About 8 yearslater, he checked himself into the veterans hospitals in Hampton, VA,and Dayton, OH, and stayed hospitalized for four years. He was releasedby his own request in 1897. On the hospital documents, it says he was awidower and his contact was his daughter Bessie Wells in Glens Falls.Dewey married again and was divorced in 1900. He worked in various jobsand lived in boarding houses and, in 1911, he was living in the WarrenCounty Alms House.The Glens Falls Times carried his death notice and funeralarrangements - Dewey Wells, 80, died on May 23, 1928, at Batavia nearBuffalo, NY. He was survived by three nieces and four nephews. Funeralservices were conducted from Wilmarth's Funeral Chapel in Glens Falls.He was a Civil War Veteran, so Post Commander John Moriarty of the EdgarM. Wing Post No. 147 of the G. A. R. conducted the ritual service. Hispall bearers were all members of the Sons of Union Veterans. Burial wasin the Wells lot in the Glens Falls Cemetery.
