RICHARD C. DANFORTH -- 96th INFANTRYDIED ON A HOSPITAL SHIP OFF FORTRESS MONROE - When he was 18 years old,Richard C. Danforth, the son of Barnabus and Jane Danforth, wasrecruited by 2nd lieut Henry J. Pierce of the 96th Infantry. Heenlisted at Clintonville on January 10, 1862. About a week later, he wasin mustered into Company C in Plattsburgh, 19 miles from his home,promising to serve for 3 years. Three other men from the Clintonvillearea enlisted in the 96th that winter -- 2 of the 4 never returned.By April 17, 1862, the regiment was at the Siege of Yorktown and itwasn't until the end of May that first blood was spilled at the Battleof Seven Pines on May 29th, where 2 were killed and 3 were injured.Two days later, at the first Battle of Fair Oaks, they had 11 killed, 27injured and 20 who were captured or went missing -- all of this within 3months of leaving Plattsburgh.In the Seven Days' Battles in late June and July they had 2 killed and80 captured in action and were not in battle again until the end ofOctober. From then, until the end of winter quarters in 1864, theregiment was on the coast of North Carolina. While at Coinjock, NC, here-enlisted on January 21, 1864.When the roads were dry, the 96th was engaged again and found themselvesin the Operations before Richmond and Petersburg starting in May 1864.Between May and October, the 96th had over 200 casualties in additionto other men who became disabled or who were sick. Sometime during thatperiod, Richard became incapacitated either by injury or illness and wastaken to Fortress Monroe near Hampton on the southern coast of Virginia.While on a hospital boat near the fort, getting ready to be taken backto New York, Richard died and was buried in the newly built HamptonCemetery in Hampton, VA, surrounding the fort.The cemetery was built for the burial of Union soldiers who died at thehospital at Fortress Monroe and was named a national cemetery in 1866.There are also 272 Confederate soldiers buried there.
