This Memorial Day I remember David W. Blackson, my 2nd great-grand uncle, who served during the Civil War, fighting to preserve the Union. The son of Joseph and Mary Weaver Blackson, David was born about 1840 in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, PA, where he grew up. In the 1850 census, David was 10 years old, residing with his parents, and his siblings Louisa, Mary, Isaac, Jacob, Catherine and Permelia. In 1860, David was listed as 18, and was now the oldest child in the household with five younger siblings.
Two months after the Civil War began, David enlisted. Only a few records can be found online for David and his service in the war. Between ancestry.com’s resource titled U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, and the US, Pennsylvania Veterans Card Files located on Fold3.com, some information about the tenure of his service can be gleaned. David enlisted June 21, 1861 in Pittsburgh at the age of 19, making his birth year about 1841. He was sent to Washington D.C. where he was mustered into service 8 days later. He served in Company H, the 11th Regiment, 40th Infantry. He served for 18 months and was officially mustered out of service on December 26, 1862.
In attempting to learn about campaigns in which David might have engaged, it seems his time in the army was spent mainly in Virginia. At first, he might have been stationed in Washington D.C. or its vicinity. David likely was involved in the foraging of supplies at Dranesville VA about 20 miles from D.C., which occurred in December 1861. In 1862 his regiment fought several known battles at Gaines Mill (June), Bull Run (August), and Antietam (September) before the battle at Fredericksburg (December).
In November of 1862, General Burnside had led the Union Army through Virginia with plans to take Richmond while Lee’s army was away from the city. Pontoon bridges were needed for the Union army to cross the Rappahannock River but were delayed and did not arrive for several weeks. During this time Lee moved his army to Fredericksburg to intercept the Union Army.
When Burnside began crossing the river on December 11, he came under Confederate fire. His troops managed to quell the shots and cross the river. On the morning of December 13, Burnside mounted attacks against the enemy, but the day long confrontations resulted in heavy casualties for the Union Army. My great uncle David Blackson was wounded during this battle. David was captured by the Confederate army, and as his service record mentions “he died while a prisoner of war at Richmond of wounds received at Fredericksburg 12/13/1862.”
David wasn’t the only member of his family to serve in the Union Army. Searching the U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865 for the 21st congressional district of Pennsylvania, all three of the Blackson brothers who were of age were listed in the registrations for Derry Township. His younger brother Jacob, age 20 had served in Company C, 11th Regiment and was discharged due to a disability. Isaac, 25, had served in Company K, 53rd Regiment for 17 months at the beginning of the war; Isaac re-enlisted in 1864 and served until July 1865. Robert, 34, was either drafted or volunteered as he was mustered into service in 1864. David of course was not in this record, as this was after his death.
David was unmarried and his mother had died two months before him, leaving no one to claim his pension after his death. This is one reason the records of his service are sparse. Findagrave.com suggests he was buried in Richmond National Cemetery, however, it might be that his name is listed as a soldier that died at Fredericksburg. As we commemorate Memorial Day, the day to honor our fallen soldiers, it is fitting to recognize David W. Blackson, who, as Lincoln said, “gave the last full measure of devotion.”
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