HENRY K. BOYNTON -- 153rd INFANTRYPATROLLED BOTH SIDES OF THE POTOMAC - When he was 34 years old, Henry K.Boynton enlisted in the 153rd Infantry. He left his wife, CordeliaSmith, at home on the farm with his five children and went off toWashington to serve for three years.They left for Washington on October 18, 1862, from Fonda, NY, two monthsafter Henry enlisted and went straight to camp in Alexandria, VA. Theyserved as provost guard, and during most of the year 1863 with theMilitary District of Washington and did garrison and guard duty aboutthe capital with the Department of Washington, DC.John performed his duties well in Captain Fred Chitty's Company K, untilhe fell in because of the unsanitary conditions in camp. He was taken tohospital in the capital and died of cholera morbus on September 12,1863, a little over a year from when he was enlisted.His body was taken to a cemetery near the historic Rock Creek Cemeteryin the Petworth district of Washington. Eventually a soldiers' home wasbuilt there and now the cemetery is known as the United StatesSoldiers\' and Airmen\'s Home National Cemetery. It is one of only twonational cemeteries administered by the Department of the Army, theother being Arlington National Cemetery.So far, we have found seven soldiers who enlisted in Clinton County whoare buried in that cemetery.Cordelia started receiving her Widows Pension in August 1864, and, in1868, she applied for a pension for their children. After 1868, sheremoved to South Dakota with her children and died there in 1913. Someof her children settled in Washington State.
