From the Warwick (RI) Beacon "Civil War stories as we celebrate Memorial Day" by Russell J. Moore.
William Blade, Jr. served in the Korean War, but he well remembers his grandfather, James Blade, who served in the Civil War. His grandfather died in 1938 at age 96 when William was just nine years old.
But, he remembers his grandfather as one tough old son of a gun, but who was very close-mouthed about the Civil War.
James Blade was born in England in 1842, and came to he United States in 1852. He enlisted in a Rhode Island infantry regiment for money at age 19 in place of a man who had been drafted. He was sent to guard Washington, DC. The regiment returned three months later without having fought in a battle.
Later, in 1962, he joined the Navy and served on the USS Yankee which mostly delivered supplies, evacuated troops, did reconnaissance and captured blockade-runners. In 1864, he got an honorable discharge and enlisted in the Rhode Island artillery and participated in 19 battles.
There are no medical records to substantiate it, but James claimed he was wounded twice: once by a bayonet and once by a saber.
His future wife,Catherine Whelan had brothers who died fighting for the Confederacy.
So, this man served in the infantry, navy and artillery.
Quite a Career. --B-R'er
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