John Bulkley Whitehead
John Bulkley Whitehead was born in New Milford, CT in 1824 to Mr. John Bulkley, Sr., a mason, and his wife Emeline
West.
A carpenter by trade he came to Washington, settled as a farmer and married Mary E. Frost in 1848.
He enlisted on September 8, 1862, in Company D, 28th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers for 9 months of service. He was 38 years old, which was older than the average man serving. During his time in the Union Army, he experienced a religious conversion, having been affected by his brutal experience during the war. His regiment was sent to Pensacola for duty, ordered to Brashear City, LA where he participated in its capture, also in the siege and surrender of Port Hudson, LA.
He was discharged on August 28, 1863 and died as a civilian in 1898.
"Mary, I feel that God is to be praised for preserving our lives through this voyage when he alone could save us. I think you would shudder could you realize how near we came to being lost at sea. He shall have the affection of my heart while I live, and Mary, I feel that you have almost been persuaded to be a Christian, that I have kept you back, but I will do it no longer; then it will make but little difference whether we meet in this world again if we can meet in heaven…"
Aboard the Che Kiang, December 11, 1862 John Bulkley Whitehead
West.
A carpenter by trade he came to Washington, settled as a farmer and married Mary E. Frost in 1848.
He enlisted on September 8, 1862, in Company D, 28th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers for 9 months of service. He was 38 years old, which was older than the average man serving. During his time in the Union Army, he experienced a religious conversion, having been affected by his brutal experience during the war. His regiment was sent to Pensacola for duty, ordered to Brashear City, LA where he participated in its capture, also in the siege and surrender of Port Hudson, LA.
He was discharged on August 28, 1863 and died as a civilian in 1898.
"Mary, I feel that God is to be praised for preserving our lives through this voyage when he alone could save us. I think you would shudder could you realize how near we came to being lost at sea. He shall have the affection of my heart while I live, and Mary, I feel that you have almost been persuaded to be a Christian, that I have kept you back, but I will do it no longer; then it will make but little difference whether we meet in this world again if we can meet in heaven…"
Aboard the Che Kiang, December 11, 1862 John Bulkley Whitehead