Andrew J. Wildes

Name: Andrew J. Wildes Company: G Discharged for disability (from 5th Minnesota)
Birth Date: July 20 or 23, 1840 Place: Bath, Maine	Mustered In Date: January 5, 1862 Rank: Private Age: 21 Residence prior to military service: Maine; Greenfield, Wabasha County, Minnesota
Death Date: June 10, 1905 Place: Wabasha County, Minnesota	Mustered Out Date: September 2, 1862 Rank: Private Age: about 21 Residence following military service: Greenfield, Wabasha County, Minnesota Vocation following military service: Carpenter and Laborer NOTE: Re-enlisted in First Minnesota Battery

Andrew J. Wildes Biography and Civil War Narrative

Andrew J. Wildes was born July 23, 1840, in Bath, Maine. He was the tenth child (of 11) born to Ephraim and Judith (Blaisdell) Wildes. He received most of his education in Greenfield, Wabasha County, Minnesota.

When Andrew was 21--on January 5, 1862--he enlisted as a Private in Company G of the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. According to the 5th Minnesota roster in Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, volume I [MCIW], Private Wildes was discharged for disability on September 2, 1862. He would have had the opportunity to participate in the Siege of Corinth (May 26-30). According to History of Wabasha County [HWC] compiled by Dr. L. H. Bunnell, however, Andrew J. Wildes "was a participator in the battles at second Corinth [October 3-4, 1862] and Iuka [September 19, 1862]." It further states that Wildes "was discharged on account of illness in September, 1863, and returned home." HWC continues that "Having recovered his health in the northern climate, he re-enlisted in December of the latter year as a recruit in the 1st Minn. Regt., and served in garrison duty on the Potomac till the close of the war." Again MCIW disagrees; it lists Andrew in Company C of the 1st Minnesota Battalion from March 1, 1865 until July 14, 1865, with Wildes being mustered out as a Corporal.

Following his return to Greenfield, Wabasha County, Minnesota, Wildes worked as a farmer, carpenter and laborer. In 1870, the U.S. Census shows 29-year-old Andrew farming and living in the same household as Hattie Swift (house-keeper and farmer), and Andrew's sister, 31-year-old Merinda (Miranda?) Wildes, who "Assists at home."

On August 22, 1872, in Read's Landing, Wabasha County, Minnesota, Andrew married Hattie Swift. Hattie was born Hattie Brooks on October 22, 1840, in Burrville, Jefferson County, New York, and had previously been married to Truman Swift. Andrew and Hattie had three children: a daughter Katie May (born July 21, 1874), and two sons, Charles Francis (born April 22, 1877), and William Henry (born December 23, 1878).

Hattie Wildes died January 15, 1904, in Wabasha County. Andrew died the following year on June 10, 1905, also in Wabasha County.

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This page is maintained by Tim Bode (timbode@juno.com ). Created on 9/7/08. Last modified on 4/19/09.