EDMUND and WILLIAM STANTON -- 9thCAVALRYUNHAPPY IRISHMEN - Edmund Stanton was born in Ireland in 1840. OnOctober 21, 1862, he enlisted and was mustered into Company M of the9th Cavalry.in Champlain and promised to serve for three years or forthe duration of the war. When he enlisted, his Muster Roll abstract saidhe was 5' 9" tall and had black eyes, black hair and a dark complexionand that his occupation was that of a cotton spinner. His brotherWilliam enlisted in Rouses point about two weeks later.They joined the regiment in the late fall while it was part of thecavalry of the Army of the Potomac for the remainder of the year. Theregiment had been frequently in action, losing 26 at Thoroughfare Gap inOctober before Edmund got there at Aldie, VA, in November. They servedthrough the Chancellorsville Campaign in April and May 1863 in the 1stBrigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, and through theGettysburg Campaign in September and the subsequent campaigns inVirginia, in the 2nd Brigade, same division.Edmund was repeatedly in action in 1863, and the regiment sustained itsheaviest losses at Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, and the operations inthe vicinity of Culpeper, which gained them a well-earned reputation forgallantry and efficiency. Despite the regiment's stellar reputation,Edmund was reported to be a deserter at Alexandria, VA, on October 19,1863. William was not with his brother when he deserted. On April 7,1862, he was mustered out by reason of disaffection in Washington --both the Army and William decided that his service was not for them.Both men disappeared to posterity -- maybe they went back to Canada.
