The 1860 census lists David Abbott as a 22 year old student, perhaps at Hamline in Red Wing. He was the son of J. W. & Mary Abbott, a farming family from Lexington in Le Sueur County. The next year, at the age of 23, David volunteered and was mustered into service at Ft Snelling on May 18th. His cousin, Marion Abbott, also volunteered. They both served together in Company F. David was present for all the battles up to the battle of Antietam in September of 1862. David kept a diary. The following is an account, just as he wrote it, about the battle of Bull Run: July 21st. "Marched from camp at two this morning at Centerville halted till daylight. At Bulls Run (eight miles from camp) we halted and ate a few crackers, from there went on the double quick time to the battle field. Were brought in line in front of the enemies entrenchments. They showed the stars and stripes. We supposed they were friends and held our fire, then they lowered their rifles and fired on us. We fell to the ground and returned the fire, fired a second time, was ordered to retreat but Co.'s A and F did not hear it, so stood their ground till forced back. The Reg. rallied again to the charge but was repulsed in great disorder by an overwhelming force. I again went up with the Zouves was advancing in the woods with a Cap. and privet, saw three secess, lying down the yon shot an,[These 3 words do not make sense] the Cap. said the others were dead, but as we advanced one shot at the Zouves, then rose to run when a charge from my gun stopped him. Finding things again to hot we fell back. Then I saw that the day was lost, and our troops was slowly leaving the field. I went to the place where we had left out haversacks. There I learned that our Reg. had left nearly an hour before. I followed after, overtook them at Centerville at eight o'clock, rested till ten at night and again started forward. In the night sprained my knee slightly, and soon got behind the Reg., but came on with some of the boys to camp at Alexandria." July 22nd "Felt pretty well used up after yesterdays march, fight and last nights retreat. The Reg had gone strate to Washington and orders for us to follow. I felt to tired for this, so got into a wagon sent for the sick, was taken to Alexandria." July 23d "Was in the Hospital at Alexandria. Wrote to Lizzie but was not allowed to send it." July 24th "Walked to Washington. Ate supper at Jonathon Dillons on Maryland Avenue 509." July 25th "Wrote to Lizzie. Went into camp on Capital Hill. Rec. a letter from Jos. one from Bur. Answered Joes." These excerpts show an interesting lack of military discipline that was common in the army early in the war. These men were recruits from many walks of life and though they had just been through a battle, they still walked about as independent beings doing whatever they felt like doing rather that what their officers ordered or allowed them to do. About the battle of Antietam in the fall of 1862, James Wright reported, "I will not try to tell in detail what happened after we reached the fence and the firing began. I am confident that the right of the regiment, at least, was thrown out into the field, and that Company F was on the plowed ground when David Abbott was shot. I am sure we were out in the open when the move was made to flank us on the right." During the battle he was near Daniel Bond and Bond reported that a cannonball took off Abbott's leg when they were near a stone fence. The wound was severe and David died soon thereafter. Ed Needham or James Wright reported that David's father came to the battlefield to search for his son's body. Today he lies buried at the Antietam National Cemetery (Section 5, Lot A, Grave 4). Sources: 1860 Federal Census, Derryman Township (Lexington), Le Sueur County, MN, p9. No More Gallant a Deed, James Wright, 2001, Minn Hist Soc, p 200. The History of Company F, James Wright, unpublished manuscript, p 358. David Abbott's Journal. Family Tree Maker, CD351, Roll of Honor:Civil War Union Soldiers, Volume XV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
