RANSOM and HARVEY ALFORD1st ENGINEERS -- 16th CAVALRY -- 81st INFANTRYUNCLE AND NEPHEW IN THE ARMY OF THE JAMES - Two Alford men enlisted inClinton County and both were related to Vermonters Ashley Owen Alfordborn in 1770, and Elizabeth Baker born in 1783. Ransom ConstantineAlford, born in 1819 in Ferrisburg, VT, before the family came toClinton County, was Ashley's son. In 1864, he enlisted in the 1stEngineers at 43 years of age and was quickly promoted to artificer withhis own squad of men. For his enlistment he was given two bounties -\$300 from his town and \$200 from the county. His time with theregiment was spent with the Army of the James in the operations beforePetersburg and Richmond, and he was mustered out with his company onJune 30, 1865, at Richmond, VA.When he died, in 1893, his nephew, Stephen P. Alford, his brotherReuel's son, wrote the obituary notice -- "Ransom C. Alford was born inClinton County, NY, on July 8, 1818. There he grew up to manhood andmarried Miss Mary Fisher and sons and daughters were born to them. Whenthe war broke out and President Lincoln called for volunteers, heenlisted and served his country in putting down the rebellion andreceived an honorable discharge. Returning home, he found his wife infailing health. She lingered for a few years and died. Since her death,he has spent part of his time in Illinois, He had been back at his homein Mooers, NY, for some months but last November he returned to FordCounty, IL, making his home with his son, David. He has been in failinghealth for some months, lost the use of his right arm and right handentirely; then he was taken with lung disease, and lived only oneweek..." He was buried in the Cropsey Cemetery in Cropsey, IL.Reuel had a son, Harvey Charles Alford, whowas drafted at 34 years of age. Through a clerical mix-up, he was firstassigned to Company B of the 16th Cavalry when he was enlisted onMarch 15, 1865. However, the 16th had been mustered out and the 3-yearmen had assigned to the 121st Infantry. Finally, he met up with the81st Infantry, the regiment to which he should have been assigned.From June 24th to August 19th -- 1 month and 26 days - he was withthis regiment and died on August 19th at the hospital in Newport News,VA, the record says, "of camp distemper" -- another name for dysentery.His Muster Roll Abstract says he was buried there, but no record of hisgrave site can be found.We wonder if Ransom and Harvey ever met up with each other while theywere in the field with the Army of the James in the Petersburg/Richmondarea.
