WILLIAM H. SPRAGUE -- 2nd CAVALRYIN OVER 160 ENGAGEMENTS - William H. Sprague enlisted in the 2ndCavalry on November 1, 1861 in Plattsburgh. He was mustered into CompanyM as a private with other men from Plattsburgh as well as others fromNewburgh, Port Henry and New York City. While he was with the regiment,he was in 3 companies, A, L and M.He re-enlisted on December 29, 1863, and was mustered out as a sergeanton June 23, 1865. Between March 1862 and April 1865, he was in over 160engagements in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. You can see a listof them at:https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/cavalry/2ndCav/2ndCavTable.htmWilliam returned home to his parents, Renodyne Sprague and Mary Swinyer,and later married Charlotte Ames from Duane. The couple had 5 children-- Cora, Dora, Lora, Fred and Frank. They survived by farming andWilliam's seasonal jobs as an Adirondack guide.Malone Farmer of June 27, 1917, carried his obituary -- With the GrandArmy of Immortals -- The world lost one of the most honest, sincere,frank, loyal and sympathetic, yet sturdy souls, Thursday evening whenWilliam H. Sprague, of Malone, for many years a leading citizen ofDuane, passed out of life. "Bill" Sprague was a man of the Lincoln type,strong and rugged as an oak, with a heart that was never tempted todissemble and was a s simple and tender as a child's. For years hefollowed the life of a small farmer and Adirondack guide in Duane andhis tall, muscular, willowy form was as much a part of the Meacham Lakecountry as the tall pines about the hotel, which have braved the stormsthat swept the lake for more than two centuries, or De Bar Mountainitself which stands sentinel over its waters......he was a fit colleague for the influential men, seeking rest fortired nerves and the delights and quiet of woodland scenes and sports,whom he so often rowed or paddled through the best fishing places oraccompanied on the hunt......he was one of the finest types of the Adirondack guide of 30 or 40years ago to be found anywhere......Mr. Sprague was born in Peru, Clinton County, nearly 75 years ago,and had been a resident of Duane since his 17th year until coming toMalone to reside about 3 years ago. He was a member of a large familywhich settled in Duane in its pioneer days...After the breaking out ofthe Civil War, he enlisted in the cavalry and earned the honor of beinga brave and patriotic solder -- patriotism and love of county burnedbrightly within him to the day of his death. His love of his G. A. R.comrades and loyalty to them was proverbial and no man in theorganization was held in deeper affection by his associates....Mr. Sprague married Charlotte Ames of Duane and leaves threedaughters and one son to cherish his memory..."Read the full text of his obituary at:William is buried in the Hoose Cemetery in Duane, NY. His wife wasburied with him 2 years later.
