JOSEPH, MICHAEL, WILLIAM RODDEN -- 16th and 96th INFANTRYTHREE BROTHERS IN WAR -- ONE CAME HOME -The Rodden family, who had emigrated from Londonderry in NorthernIreland in the late 1840s, was living in Ellenburg. Their son, JosephBond Rodden was living with them when he enlisted in the 16th Infantryin May 1861. His brother, William, had enlisted in the 16th in April,but was destined to die on September 16, 1862, two days after the Battleof Crampton's Gap. Another brother, Michael enlisted in October and diedon June 17, 1862 after receiving wounds at the Battle of Fair Oaks whilefighting with the 96th Infantry.Joseph was mustered into Company K for his 2-year adventure and saw hisfirst major action at Bull Run on July 17th about 3 weeks afterarriving in the Washington area. After Bull Run, they had a couple ofsmall engagements then spent the winter on the south shore of thePotomac near the capital.The 16th fought from May to December in 1862 and were in such battlesas West Point, Gaines' Mill (their bloodiest fight), Malvern Hill,Crampton's Gap, Antietam and Fredericksburg.At the beginning of May of 1863, Joseph was wounded and captured at theBattle of Salem Church. He was paroled shortly thereafter and musteredout in Albany on May 23rd.He re-enlisted in December 1863 for a town bounty of \$200. The 153rdInfantry went straight to Louisiana for the Red River Campaign and spentthree months there before returning east to the Shenandoah Valley. Theirlast battle was at Cedar Creek where they had 81 casualties. Theregiment stayed in Washington for a few months then went to Savannah toperform garrison and guard duties. Joseph mustered out there andreturned to Ellenburg.By 1871, he was married to Melinda Linton, who was born in Quebec toEnglish immigrant parents, and had their first child, Cora. The couplefarmed for the rest of their lives in the Mooers area. Melinda died in1894 and was buried in the Mooers Cemetery with her parents-in-law, HughRodden and Mary Jane Abrams.On May 12, 1909, the St. Lawrence Republican and Ogdensburg WeeklyJournal picked up the story and reported -- "Joseph Rodden, aged 70years old, an old resident of Mooers Junction, died about 9 o'clock lastnight. He was an old war veteran of the 153rd Regiment. He had beensick for the past six months. He leaves two sons and two daughters." Onthe same day in the news from Mooers Forks in the Plattsburgh DailyPress, it said that a number of old soldiers attended the funeral oftheir late comrade in Mooers on Sunday, May 9th.
