Stratford’s Veteran Veteran
By David Wright
Town Historian
In this month of November when we commemorate our Veteran heroes, we thought it would be appropriate to remember some of Stratford’s veterans from times past.
Truman Parsons was born in East Hampton, Connecticut in 1843. He enlisted in the Union Army in June 1861. He was enlisted in the first three year regiment from Connecticut and returned home, three years later. Mr. Parsons was the last surviving veteran of the Civil War living in Stratford until his passing in 1942 at the age of 99.
Mr. Parsons worked until he was 85 years old when he retired from Clark’s Buick Sales and Service in Bridgeport. He moved to Stratford from Bridgeport approximately 1921. His second wife, Mrs. Henrietta Clark of Boston, moved with him to Stratford. The couple was married for 24 years at the time of his passing.
He was the father of two sons and four daughters. Mr. Parsons was grandfather to 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was a past Commander of the Bridgeport Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, an honorary member of the Sons of Union Veterans, and numerous other patriotic organizations throughout Connecticut.
Mr. Parsons participated in every Stratford Memorial Day Parade following his relocating to Stratford. He resided at 3720 Main Street. His home was built in 1810.
Mr. Parsons recounted his military service to The Stratford News in 1936.
The Stratford News
May 29, 1936.
DO YOU KNOW THEM?
A Weekly Sketch of Stratford Folk
…(His story began) with the battle of Yorktown and ended when he was dismissed from service at Petersburg, after his time had expired. He participated in every battle but one during the war.
After the battle of Yorktown, they landed in Chambersburg, Virginia, and after a few days camp went on to Hagerstown, thence to Williamsport and on to Port Peters in West Virginia. At Johnstown, following a three week stay at Frederick City, a new Colonel was put into command, Robert O’Tyler, a regular of the army, who immediately ordered a change of uniforms from the confusing old grays to light blue trousers with stripes and dark blue coats.
At Allentown Heights the company stopped and built forts, and on January 2nd, ’62, were changed from infantry to heavy artillery when 12 companies were recruited with 160 men in each company.
In the spring of the year they left for Yorktown where they planted artillery and were ordered to retire early as a midnight attack would be made on the town. It wasn’t until early the next morning that they were awakened and found that the town had been vacated.
From there the regiment travelled to Gainsville and later engaged in battle at Seven Pines, near Richmond. Following this came a seven day retreat, during which short brushes were encountered. On July 4th, they pitched camps at Harrison’s Landing where they were given a “day off” to celebrate Grant’s taking of Pittsburgh.
They then returned to Allentown where they camped for the winter, starting out again in the spring. They came in on the end of the Merrimac and Monitor sea battle and then moved on to Petersburg, where Mr. Parsons left the company.
