According
to Union Army records, there were over 1000 soldiers with the
surname Townsend in the army during the American Civil War.
Of
these 1000, 118 died. They were felled by bullet, disease and
accidental death. They fought in famous battles such as Antietam,
Gettysburg and Cold Harbor and in lesser-known actions. Some died
before they left their home states; some were buried in National
Cemeteries; some were laid to rest in unknown locations.
Some Townsends were officers but by far they were enlisted men.
A few served in the "United States Colored Troops",
as the army was segregated by race at that time. Many served with
distinction; some deserted and others were held as prisoners of
war.
This
web page seeks to list as many of the Townsend veterans of the
Civil War as can be found. It is not yet and probably can never
be complete. Confederate Townsends are more elusive. Recordkeeping
was difficult among the military organizations of the Confederacy
during and especially after the war. Visitors to this page are
encouraged to send email with information regarding Townsend veterans
of the American Civil War, southern or otherwise.
Recent
additions:
8 November 2002: added 562 Confederate Townsend soldiers
15
November: added 175 mostly US Regulars and Colored Troops
