Apparently 150 years ago this month the body of a soldier arrived home before word of his death.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in December 1864:
DEATH OF A SOLDIER. – The remains of Corporal Samuel Oliver of Canoga arrived her on Thursday morning. He was among the last recruits from this County, and belonged to the 15th. N.Y.V. Engineers. We understand his family knew nothing of his sickness or death until the arrival of his remains for interment. He leaves a wife and one child to mourn his sudden death.
three months a soldier
“City Point, Virginia. General Hospital” September 1864 (Library of Congress)
According to the New York State Military Museum 124 memebers of the 15th New York Engineer Regiment died due to disease during its four year service; five members died as a direct result of battle.
Officers of 15th New York Engineers, sometime during the war
