W. B. HAMLIN SR. Residence

Mr. Hamlin was born at Pottsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York, March 22, 1841. He enlisted at Bellville, in Jefferson County, New York, as a private, April 7, 1861, in Captain Jack Barney's Co. K 24th New York Volunteer Infantry for the period of two years. The regiment was organized in Elmira, New York, and left there for Washington July 1st, 1861, and reached their destination in time to spend the 4th in the capital city. They went into camp on the 17th near Georgetown, and recieved their first arms, the Harper's Ferry musket, old flint locks made over into cap locks. They were then drilled continually in the manuel of arms and target practice until Sunday, the 21st day of July, when they were marched to the arsenal where the old guns were turned in and in their place they recieved the Enfield rifle. The regiment then marched across the long bridge into Virginia and advanced about ten miles to Baily's cross roads where they met McDowell's retreating army which had been defeated and demoralized at Bull Run. They remained in that vicinity as a part of McCellan's grand army until the spring of 1862 when they advanced on Manassas, capturing the line of fortifications which the "Johnnies" had occupied during the winter of 1861-2. In the spring of 1862, when McClellan embarked his army for the James, they were left with McDowell's army which advanced to the Rappahannock River and captured the city of Fredericksburg. Their first great battle was the second Bull Run under Gen. John Pope. Here Mr. Hamlin was wounded and was taken prisoner; was paroled on the field and sent through the lines under a flag of truce to Alexandria where he remained until he was exchanged. He then rejoined the army under Burnside, engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville under Gen. Hooker and was mustered out of sevice May 29th, 1863, which was the expiration of his enlistment. He then re-enlisted as sergeant in Company F 1st New York Veteran Cavalry on first of Sept., 1863, for three years or during the war, He joined the army of the Shenandoah at Harper's Ferry, took part in the campaigns under Siegel, Hunter, Crook and Sheridan, and after the valley campaign ended in the fall of 1864, was sent to the Kanawah Valley where theuy were engaged in scouting and bushwhacking until the close of the war. He was mustered out of sevice July 20th, 1865, after having serviced a little more than four years.

Mr. Hamlin came to Hyde County in the spring of 1883 from Chicago, Ill., and settled on a government homestead. We asked him what he had to say for himself since his arrival here and replying said he had no great success but had always managed to pay his debts and keep the wolf from the door, but the writer will add to this that Mr. Hamlin and his family, after residing on the farm several years, moved to Highmore, bought a very fine residence property and are taking life easy. He has been police justice several years and is now chief of police in Highmore. His oldest son, Norman, is a prosperous farmer near Souix Falls, SD; his son Will, is a highly respected citizen of Hyde Countuy living on his farm near Holabird. James and Mary are both at home in Highmore while Grace is married to Fred Corwin and they reside at Puyallup, Washington.