Alfred Bolden
Alfred Bolden was a soldier in the 43rd United States Colored Troops with Company C. He was born around 1828 in Maryland and worked as a laborer before he enlisted.1 At age 33, he enlisted in the 43rd U.S. Colored Troops in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a private.2 During his military service he wounded himself. His Certificate of Furlough in his "U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records", it states that Surgeon Thomas Bowen, F. Stoddard, and William A. Hatt claimed Bolden suffered a gunshot wound to his left forearm.3 He was hospitalized in Virginia until November 17, 1864, but then went to L'Ouverture U.S. Hospital, Virginia.4 The gunshot incident occured at SouthSide Rail Road on October 24th, 1864.5 According to his memorial page, he accidentally shot himself during battle.6 He recovered from the wound, but his surgeons emphasized he be discharged on disability.7 As of yet, he has no physical description and no image online or in archives.
Alfred married Maryland native, Louisa Bolden, and they fathered the following three children: Harriet (b. 1862); Franklin (b. 1866); and Jane (b. 1870).8 All children were born in Pennsylvania. Daughter, Harriet, and son, Franklin, stayed at home; the 1880 census for Alfred stated that his daughter Jane attended school.9 It was not stated whether Alfred Bolden could read or write; as of that year, his wife could not read or write, and his daughter Harriet could not write.10 In a U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 document on Ancestry.com, Alfred and his wife were living on "h 78 E Mulberry Avenue"; the image on the right shows a current image of the location now.11 In the year 1880, Alfred (about 52 years old) was living in Carlisle with his family.12 His records do not state the date when he died, but he may have passed away in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His burial record in the Report for Veterans' Registration Record states he was buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Section A-1, Grave 13.13 It stated that he also served as a private for 1 year, 4 months, and 11 days; he had a marble headstone.14 His wife died on October 15, 1915 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania from mitral stenosis; her death certificate states that she was about 67 years old.15 She is buried in the Union Cemetery in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.16
1. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Alfred Bolden, 2012.
2. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Alfred Bolden, 2012.
3. Bolden, Alfred - Age 33, Year: 1864 - 43rd US Colored Infantry [Textual Records]; Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served With the United States Colored Troops: Infantry Organizations, 41st Through 46th, 956-1281.
4. Bolden, Alfred - Age 33, Year: 1864 - 43rd US Colored Infantry [Textual Records]; Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served With the United States Colored Troops: Infantry Organizations, 41st Through 46th, 956-1281.
5. Bolden, Alfred - Age 33, Year: 1864 - 43rd US Colored Infantry [Textual Records]; Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served With the United States Colored Troops: Infantry Organizations, 41st Through 46th, 956-1281.
6. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Alfred Bolden, 2012.
7. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Alfred Bolden, 2012.
8. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Alfred Bolden, 2012.
9. 1880 United States Federal Census for Alfred Bolden, 202B.
10. 1880 United States Federal Census for Alfred Bolden, 202B.
11. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 for Alfred Bolden. Ancestry.com. 138-139.
12. 1880 United States Federal Census for Alfred Bolden, 202B.
13. Wilson, 1934.
14. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967, for Louisa Bolden, 2014.
15. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967, for Louisa Bolden, 2014.
16. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967, for Louisa Bolden, 2014.
Bibliography:
Bolden, Alfred - Age 33, Year: 1864 - 43rd US Colored Infantry [Textual Records]; Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served With the United States Colored Troops: Infantry Organizations, 41st Through 46th, Record Group 94; National Archives at Washington, D.C. (ARC identifier 53612650) at www.archives.gov; May 26, 2019. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1107/31039_174864-00996.
1880 United States Federal Census for Alfred Bolden. Ancestry.com. Group 29, Page 202B. USA: Ancestry.com, 2010. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/6742/4244330-00208
"Google Maps." 78 E Mulberry Avenue. Online image, n.d. google.com/maps
Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012 for Alfred Bolden. Ancestry.com. Series 1. USA: Ancestry.com, 2010. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1967/31501_B18102-00656.
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967, for Louisa Bolden. Ancestry.com. USA: Ancestry.com, 2014. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/5164/41381_647350_0194-01391.
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 for Alfred Bolden. Ancestry.com. 138-139. NARA: Washington, 2011. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/2469/2531974.
U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for Alfred Bolden. Ancestry.com. NARA: Washington, 2012. findagrave.com/memorial/130192903.
Wilson, S. Report for Veterans' Registration Record. Cumberland County Historical Society: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1934.