Hugh Gleason

Born: Ireland, 1837

Allegiance: Union

Highest Rank: Private

Units: Company A, 140th New York Volunteer Infantry; 5th New York Veteran Infantry

Occupation: Farmer

Buried: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Lockport, New York

Hugh Gleason was born in Ireland during 1837. His family immigrated to East Wilson, New York the same year. In October of 1858, Hugh married Mary Ann Condon of Lockport New York, with whom he was to have two children.

Hugh Gleason was drafted for service and on July 19th, 1863 he mustered into Company A of the 140th New York Volunteer Infantry. His muster sheet describes him as being five foot eight inches tall, with blue eyes, dark hair and complexion. Hugh was a 26 year old farmer and had one daughter.

Hugh Gleason faithfully served with the 140th New York at the battles of Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, the blood baths of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House, the North Anna, Totopotomoy, Bethesda Church, White Oak Swamp, Petersburg and the Weldon Railroad.

By the summer of 1864, the Civil War had bogged down in the trenches surrounding Petersburg, Virginia. Grant realized that to break the stalemate he had to sever the flow of Confederate supplies traveling on the Weldon Railroad, south of Petersburg. To this end, on August 18th, 1864 the Union Fifth Corps., under Warren, moved south with orders to capture and destroy the railroad. The weather was oppressive being hot and rainy which caused the roads to be sticky with mud. The country is described as being overgrown with oak and pine, broken by small farms. By ten a.m. the Union forces had captured the railroad and were digging in, preparing for the inevitable Confederate counterattack. Companies from the 140th NY and 12th U.S. Regulars took up skirmish positions in advance of the main Union lines. Heavy skirmishing near the Davis farm required the deployment of the balance of the regiment. During the night, the defensive positions were improved for the expected Confederate return. At 4:30 p.m. on the 19th they did. Two divisions of A.P. Hill's Third Corps. slammed into the waiting soldiers of the Union Fifth Corps. The Union right gave way and a number of the 140th were taken prisoner. The fighting swirled back and forth with both sides mounting counterattacks. However, by this time the fighting was over for Hugh Gleason. He was one of 51 members of the 140th marched to the rear by their Confederate captors.

Hugh Gleason does not appear to have been wounded in the fighting; but, he suffered greatly during his imprisonment. In September, he was sent to Belle Island, for treatment of lumbago. On October 9th, 1864, Hugh Gleason was transferred to the prison camp at Salisbury, North Carolina. He may have been fortunate in that it is believed that his poor health kept him from being transferred to Andersonville with other members of the 140th taken at the same time. The following February, again due to his declining health, Hugh Gleason was exchanged. In March of 1865, he was paroled and furloughed home to recover. Gleason was reported to be suffering from starvation, scurvy and exposure during his confinement. Unfortunately, while he was home, gangrene forced the amputation of first his right and later his left leg.

Gleason never fully recovered from his injuries. The stumps were continuously sore and inflamed. His legs continued to deteriorate causing additional amputations further and further up his legs. During May of 1866, his first wife reportedly worn out by the strain of caring for her husband passed away. He married Mary Cartwright four years later. She was to bare him an additional five children.

During the fall of 1887, Gleason aggravated his injuries while hauling wood to his home. He lingered for a week under excruciating pain that could only be relieved by opiates, passing away December 2, 1887 at age 49.