More On Oliver Dart Jr.-- Part 2: A Short, But Intense Military Career

Sometime between 1858 and 1859, he married  the 18/18 year-old Emily Goodrich.  The two settled on a small farm near the Dart family homestead.  Their marriage, however, only lasted until 1860 when Emily died.

He remarried shortly afterwards to Maria Symonds, whose brother John served with Oliver in the 14th Connecticut, whose eyes were temporarily blinded by the same piece of shell that hit Oliver in the face at the Battle of Fredericksburg.

MILITARY SERVICE

At age 23, Oliver Dart enlisted on August 1, 1862, in Company D of the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.  Also in Company D were his cousin Charles E. Dart (Color Sergeant) and his brother-in-law John Symonds (Corporal).

Oliver Dart's military service was relatively short, however, but he did participate in the bloodiest day of the war, at the Battle of Antietam.  Then, it was duty at Harper's Ferry, Reconnaissance at Charlestown, Advance up Loudon Valley,  movement to Falmouth and then the Battle of Fredericksburg.

On December 13, 1862, the 14th Connecticut crossed over the river on a pontoon bridge and began marching through the town.  This is where they came under a tremendous fire from Confederate artillery which led to the mangling of Oliver's face.

--Old Secesh