WILLIAM RUFUS APPS – 16th and 64th INFANTRYENGLISHMAN IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR - William Rufus Apps, son of George and Charlotte Apps, was born in England on May 4, 1826. By the time he enlisted for the first time, in the 16th Infantry, he had a wife, Mary Anne Collison, who had followed him to the United States, and 3 children at home.William enlisted as soon as the 16th Infantry was formed in Plattsburgh. He mustered in as a musician on May 15, 1861. Later he was returned to ranks and remained with the regiment until May 22, 1863, when he was mustered out.The next year, William enlisted again on August 11, 1864, in the 64th Infantry. He promised to serve for 3 years or until the end of hostilities. In July 1865, he mustered out at Washington, DC.When he came home, William worked as a machinist at Judge Everest’s woolen mill in Schuyler Falls, then the Taylor woolen mill in Morrisonville, before he moved to a farm in Harkness. In March 1882, he started receiving his Invalid’s Pension.The Plattsburgh Sentinel of June 27, 1916, carried his obituary – The death of William R. Apps occurred in the National Soldiers’ Home, Togas, ME, Sunday morning, June 18th. He was a native of England and was 94 years of age. He had been in this country since he was a young man.He enlisted in Co. E of the 16th NY Infantry at Plattsburgh, NY, on May 15, 1861, and was discharged at Albany on May 22, 1863. He enlisted again in Company H of the 64th NY Infantry at Plattsburgh on August 11, 1864, as a substitute. On July 14, 1865, he was discharged at Washington, DC. Later in life, after he was unable to look after himself, he was admitted to the National Soldiers’ Home at Togus, ME, on December 29, 1900.The funeral was held from the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. M. Sutherland of Morrisonville, NY, on Thursday, June 22, at 2pm, the Rev. N. C. Wolcott officiating. Grand Army services were observed at the grave. The interment was at the Union Cemetery in Morrisonville.He leaves to mourn his loss one son, John Apps of Morrisonville, and two daughters, Mrs. M. M. Sutherland of Morrisonville and Mrs. Lottie White of Fitchburg, MA.”
