Blencowe John Richmond 1842 – Blencowe Families One Name Study

John Richmond Blencowe

1842-1863

Father Nm: Robert Blencowe 1808–1853 Note: The first known Blencowe emigrant in the 19th C.
Birth 25 November 1808, Banbury, Oxfordshire
Death 5 December 1853, Randolph, Norfolk County, Massachusetts

Mother Nm: Mehitabel Stiles 1814–1905
Birth 3 March 1814, Stratford, Coos County, New Hampshire.
Death 10 January 1905, Randolph, Norfolk County, Massachusetts

Marriage Dt:

K comments: Brother William Wilson served alongside Richmond with the 4th Mass Volunteers Infantry and was captured. At the same time, Richmond was wounded, hospitalised by the enemy and died in captivity, Brashear City, Louisiana, in 1863.
Spouse comments:

Children.

Born 1842

Randolph, Norfolk County, Massachusetts

1850 CENSUS

Randolph Mass.
Robert Blencoe 42 Shoe Maker
Mehitable Blencoe 37
William W Blencoe 12
John R Blencoe 8

1860 CENSUS

Randolph Mass.
Mehitable Blencoe 46, Widow
William W Blencoe 21
John R Blencoe 18

Civil War

J Richmond Blencoe Capt. Aldens Company, Coy. D. 4th Massachuesetts Volunteers infantry
The brothers both joined the 4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, sometimes known as the 4th Massachusetts Infantry, which was a peacetime regiment of infantry that was activated for federal service in the Union Army for two separate tours during the American Civil War. Most of the companies were from Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The regiment had its headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts.

It was in the second period of activation that John Richmond served; the regiment was again activated in September 1862 for a term of nine months. The 4th Massachusetts served in Louisiana during the Siege of Port Hudson.

1862

17 September, John enlists at Randolph, a boot cutter by trade

23 September. The two brothers, mustered into the Regiment at Joe Hookers training camp

Camp Joe Hooker source https://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20150626/NEWS/150629748

Note: The regiment was again activated for federal service following Lincoln’s call in August 1862 for 300,000 troops to serve for nine months. The 4th Massachusetts reported to Camp Joe Hooker in Lakeville, Massachusetts, and was mustered in on September 23, 1862.[8] The regiment at this time was composed of newly recruited companies and was virtually a different regiment, in terms of its roster, than the original 90-day incarnation. During this term, the regiment was commanded by Col. Henry Walker. The unit did not leave Camp Hooker until December 27, when it headed for New York en route to Louisiana

On June 30, 1863, the unit continued to report unanimously on duty despite the term of enlistment expiring. By July 9 they had entered Port Hudson, Louisiana, at its surrender. On August 4, 1863, the unit embarked on a return to Massachusetts. They were mustered out on at Camp Joe Hooker August 28, 1863, by Lieutenant Daniel Madden

1863

13 February.The 4th Mass. Volunteers arrived at Carrollton, Louisiana.

11-13 April. 4th Mass. Volunteers engaged in the attack on Fort Bisland and joined in the pursuit of the Confederates as far as Franklin.

From the last of April until the 30th of May.4th Mass.Volunteers were in or near Brashear City.

Lithograph of a ferry boat; Brashear City, present-day Morgan City, which is located along the lower Atchafalaya River. Famous American lithographer A. R. Waud sketched this image of Brashear City ca. 1866.

The summer of 1863 brought a devastating climax. While the main body of the 4th Massachusetts pressed the siege lines at Port Hudson, William and Richmond found themselves caught in a violent Confederate assault on the Union supply base at Brashear City on June 23, 1863. In the chaotic struggle, Richmond was mortally wounded, dying in a Rebel field hospital. On that very same day, William was taken Prisoner of War.

A typical Field Hospital where wounded were subject to a high degree of a risk of infection . In this case this is a field hospital at Gettysburg. (Credit: National Park Service)

22 or 25 June. John Richmond Blencowe died at the Confederate Military Hospital at Brashear (reports vary as to the exact date).

Medals

This medal was likely awarded well after the war.

Sources

1. Ancestry and BFA database
2. Acton Memorial Library
  Civil War Archives
3. Blencowe, Richmond (21)

Death 1863

22 or 25 June. Died as a POW at a Confederate Regimental Hospital, Brashear City, with no indication as to wounded or sick. Note in 1874, the Auditor-General enquires as to the cause of death, and the answer is that no reason was recorded. In this case, he was then credited with war-wounded status and a pension paid to his Mother? It seems to have adjusted to reflect that.
Burial
Central Cemetery
Randolph, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.