SANFORD WALLACE -- 142nd INFANTRYFOUGHT IN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA - The 142nd Infantry spent ayear in North Carolina before being ordered to the Seat of War inVirginia around Petersburg and Richmond in May 1864. By the time16-year-old Sanford Wallace enlisted in September of that year theregiment had had over 200 casualties and needed an infusion of new men.Sanford joined his regiment from the Recruitment Depot on October 14thand went into his first battle on the 27th of the month at DarbytownRoad which became known as the Battle of Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road orthe Second Battle of Fair Oaks. During this engagement near Richmond,more than 80 men who enlisted with Sanford took part -- resulting inseven of the new men receiving gunshot wounds and two being killed. Inall there were 103 casualties from the 142nd with 21 dying as aresult.Fortunately, Sanford survived his first battle, and in November, sailedwith General Butler on the first expedition against Fort Fisher, NC.They landed there and encamped in the rear of the fort on the secured aposition near to and in rear of the fort cutting the Confederates offfrom the mainland. The two attacks at For Fisher were their last beforejoining the Campaign of the Carolinas culminating in the surrender ofGeneral Joseph Johnston on April 29, 1865. He was mustered out on June7, 1865, at Raleigh, NC.
