Find A Grave Memorial# 80504096
Death record states he was on home furlough when he died so may not have been a deserter.
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Was a 25 year old when he enlisted on 15 August 1862 into the 121st New York Volunteer Infantry at Unadilla, New York for a term of three years. Mustered into Capt. Nelson O. Wendell's Co. F on 23 August at Camp Schuyler near Herkimer, New York.
Saw initial action in the Antietam campaign and was at the battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. Went into camp with the 121st across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg in Stafford County, at White Oak Church. According to military records he deserted from here on 22 February 1863 at expiration of furlough. He had been serving as a hospital steward. He may have returned to the regiment, which would account for the reason that he died on 15 May 1863. The battle of Salem Church was fought on 3 May, 1863 and he may have been wounded, removed to a hospital. It appears that he either died there or made it back to Unadilla prior to passing away.[Info from Contributor #47003358]
Taken from, A Surgeon's Civil War: The Letters and Diary of Daniel M. Holt, M.D., By Daniel M. Holt,pp 30, 32; he claims that Oscar died while home on leave, May 15,1863. (Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of NY for the Year 1903,p 33). This book also refers to Oscar as a Druggist (Hosptial Steward) and that he is able to get whiskey and liquor.
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USA Census, 1850
Name Oscar Chatfield
Event Place Barker, Broome, New York
Gender Male
Age 14
Race White
Birth Year (Estimated) 1836
Birthplace Connecticut
House Number 80
Woodruff Barnes M 69 Connecticut (Farmer)
Sarah Barnes F 56 Connecticut
Oscar Chatfield M 14 Connecticut
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United States Census, 1860
Name O F Chatfield
Event Place Unadilla, Otsego, New York
Gender Male
Age 23
Race White
Birth Year (Estimated) 1837
Birthplace Connecticut
Page 55
John Amesden M 26 New York
Julia Amesden F 22 New York
O F Chatfield M 23 Connecticut
Cyrus H Chatfield F 17 New York
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