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PVT Ansel Benson Ward

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PVT Ansel Benson Ward

Birth	:	25 Aug 1843 Carver, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA
Death	:	4 Nov 1878 Carver, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA
Burial	:	Central Cemetery, Carver, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.8866670, -70.7675000
Plot	:	Section B Lots 2 & 3
Inscription	:	CAPT. ANSEL B. WARD Born Aug. 25, 1843, Died Nov. 4, 1878. Was Capt. in 3rd Mass. Infantry and a private in the 4th Calvary. Confined in Libby Prison in 1865.
Description	:	Civil War veteran Private, Co. B, 3rd MA Infantry (Sep 1862 to Jun 1863) Private, Co. M, 4th MA Cavalry (Mar 1864 to Jun 1865) The following information was researched and added by Find a Grave member Sandra Lennox: Son of Stillman Ward and Mary A. Bent. [The] grouping [appearing in the picture] consists of articles belonging to Ansel Ward, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry and 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. Ansel Benson Ward of Carver Mass enlisted at 19 years of age into Company B of the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry in September of 1862 for a nine-month tour. He was... Read More	Civil War veteran Private, Co. B, 3rd MA Infantry (Sep 1862 to Jun 1863) Private, Co. M, 4th MA Cavalry (Mar 1864 to Jun 1865) The following information was researched and added by Find a Grave member Sandra Lennox: Son of Stillman Ward and Mary A. Bent. [The] grouping [appearing in the picture] consists of articles belonging to Ansel Ward, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry and 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. Ansel Benson Ward of Carver Mass enlisted at 19 years of age into Company B of the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry in September of 1862 for a nine-month tour. He was mustered out in June of 1863 at Camp Hooker, Lakeville, Mass. after having seen duty primarily in North Carolina with little action. In March of 1864 he would muster into Company M of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, the "1st Battalion" of the Mass 4th. Company M of the 4th Mass Cavalry was detached on outpost duty at Harrison's Landing Virginia starting in August of 1864 with action there on October 13. Ansel B. Ward was listed as a prisoner of war November 4, 1864 at Harrison's Landing Virginia and was sent to Libby prison. He would be exchanged in February of 1865 just in time for the Appomattox campaign which took place March 28th of 1865. On April 6, 1865 Companies I, L and M of the 4th Mass Cavalry were nearly annihilated in an effort to hold "high bridge" over the Appomattox. This late battle of the Civil War was extremely important but resulted in nearly every man in companies I, L and M being killed, wounded or captured by Confederate forces. Commanding officer Col. Washburn and the men of the 4th, scarcely some 80 men, were ordered by Brig. Gen. Theodore Read to make a mounted charge at Confederate lines, unaware they were facing two divisions of cavalry. Col. Washburn broke through the lines of Confederate Gen. Thomas Munford and the ensuing fight behind their lines quickly dissolved into hand-to-hand combat. A report sent April 24 by Major HB Scott to then Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts mentions that captured rebels called it "… the most gallant fight of the war. The numerous saber wounds given and the great mortality among the officers is good evidence of this, and the fact that Col. Washburn, with less than 70 men, almost held his own against three brigades of cavalry with the infantry of Lee's army supporting them needs no comment.". Included in the grouping is a woven cavalry hat cord with two copper-colored bouillon acorns with knot. A third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia kepi from Bent & Bush of Boston. The 1858 pattern militia kepi retains good shape with the blue wool exterior showing very little mothing and a light rub mark from the braided bouillon chains. The front features a very nice "Mass Vol Militia" hat badge with a large "3" at its center. The leather crown rates very good to excellent with only some very light flaking. The tarred chinstrap is still mostly supple and shows only some very light flaking, the leather band and visor are in a similar states of condition. The interior leather comfort band rates very good plus to excellent as does the sky-blue woven cloth interior, the makers label showing some light foxing, it is size-marked 6 1/8. Also included is a U.S. model 1832 regulation pattern officers saber belt with hangers and buckle. The belt is very dry and shows minor and moderate flaking with the two suspension hangers detached. The buckle and keeper are a very deeply tarnished ocher patina and are unmarked, the silver plating having worn from the high edges of the laurel leaves on the front of the buckle. The belt seam stitching is intact and the springs on the saber clips seem to function well. Also included with the lot is "The Courtland Saunders Tract for Soldiers" published in 1863. It is "Selections from the Bible Made in the Camp of the First Corn Exchange Regiment of Philadelphia (the 118th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers)". The book rates very good to excellent with gilt page edges and embossed purple covers with the title in gilt. A purple officers sword sash is included, it is unmarked and has faded to a near copper-tone from the years. The tassels and their acorns are still tight but show wear to their high edges revealing the woven cord beneath. Ansel Ward's discharge certificate from the 4th Regiment Mass Cavalry is included, it shows him as a private. It would seem post-war that Ansel Ward remained active in the Massachusetts State Militia, 3rd Infantry. The Public Documents of Massachusetts Volume 2 list Ward as a Second Lieut. in August of 1870 and the Annual Report of the Massachusetts Adjutant Gen.'s Office of 1872 also lists him as a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Mass Regiment. The History of Carver Mass lists him as captain in Company L of that same Regiment. Overall a very nice grouping of items belonging to a cavalryman who was not only in one of the South's most infamous prisons but also took place in one of the most ill-fated cavalry charges of the war, during the last important battle of the war. Consigned directly by the great grand nephew of Ansel B. Ward (brother of Stillman Ward listed previously). (35562-2) (700/900) SOLD FOR $1265.00 Deaths Registered in the Town of Carver November 4, 1878 Ansel B. Ward Male - Single 35 years, 2 months, 10 days Residence & place of death: Carver Names & birthplace of parents: Stillman Ward, born Carver Mary A. Ward, born Carver Volume 302 - Page 269 familysearch film #960215

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is PVT Ansel Benson Ward's memorial?
PVT Ansel Benson Ward's memorial is located at: Central Cemetery, Carver, Plymouth County, USA.
When did PVT Ansel Benson Ward death?
PVT Ansel Benson Ward death on 4 Nov 1878 in Carver, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA
Where are the coordinates of the PVT Ansel Benson Ward's memorial?
Latitude: 41.8866670
Longitude: -70.7675000

Family Members:

Parent

Stillman Ward

(1813 - 1890)

Mary A Bent Ward

(unknow - 1898)

Siblings

Mary Elisabeth Ward

(1841 - 1843)

Sarah E Ward

(1851 - 1852)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Central Cemetery
Carver, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8866670, -70.7675000

2. Union Cemetery
Carver, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8575390, -70.7591830

3. Plymouth County Cemetery
Plymouth, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9113890, -70.7350000

4. Lakenham Cemetery
Carver, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9105988, -70.8013992

5. Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery
Carver, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9206060, -70.7874810

6. Wenham Cemetery
Carver, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9225000, -70.7541670

7. Thomastown Cemetery
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8836100, -70.8197200

8. Lucas Cemetery
Plymouth, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9276350, -70.7474790

9. Deborah Cushing Gravesite
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8771980, -70.8343720

10. Benson Burial Ground
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8245100, -70.7686900

11. Parting Ways Cemetery
Plymouth, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9458008, -70.7332993

12. Soule Street Smallpox Cemetery
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9319440, -70.8363890

13. Our Lady of Divine Providence Cemetery
Kingston, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9509780, -70.7352920

14. Angel View Pet Cemetery
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8400700, -70.8441800

15. South Middleboro Cemetery
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8242780, -70.8263890

16. Congregational Church Cemetery
Plympton, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9553413, -70.8164139

17. Fall Brook Cemetery
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8674180, -70.8687260

18. Ripley Smallpox Cemetery
Plympton, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9492450, -70.8321830

19. Hillcrest Cemetery
Plympton, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9573822, -70.8149719

20. Gammons Cemetery
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8800280, -70.8788700

21. Smallpox Cemetery
Plympton, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9644520, -70.8137730

22. Rock Cemetery
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8354170, -70.8600080

23. Cemetery at The Green
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9094440, -70.8830560

24. Ephraim Cobb Gravesite
Middleborough, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9250380, -70.8788330