Robert Green
Sgt. Robert Green was a prominent community member in Shippensburg, PA. He resided in Shippensburg his entire life. He was unable to read or write, making him a laborer until he joined the Union.[1] Green enlisted in Carlisle, PA on August 29, 1864. He was mustered into Company E of the 127th Regiment U.S.C.T. Green was promoted from Private to Sergeant on September 14, 1864. A year later, on September 11, 1865, Green was reported absent due to an illness in New Orleans.[2] According to Green’s pension records, his thigh was fractured from a fall during service.[3] As of September 30, 1865, Green received care at the DeCamp General Hospital in David’s Island, NY. He lived in pavilion no. 11 until he was mustered out on Nov. 4, 1865. Green’s military file claims his mustered-out date was Aug. 29, 1865, most likely due to his extensive injuries. However, he was officially discharged from the hospital on November 4, 1865, leaving the hospital on November 8th. The discharge came through a telegraph from the War Department.[4] Green returned to Shippensburg after his hospital stay.
Back in Shippensburg, Green became the Treasurer of the newly reformed Odd Fellows.[5] He then became Secretary in December 1893.[6] Green married Catherine Cainer June 10,1858, before the war; however, there was no mention of children.[7] Due to his injury in the service, Green suffered from rheumatism throughout his life.[8] In the last few months of his life, the Shippensburg News cited Green as a “religious enthusiast.”[9] His zealous mission to gather sinners sent him to the local almshouse. By March, Green’s brother, Samel, sent him to the State Lunatic Asylum in Harrisburg.[10] In about a month, Green died at the asylum on April 25, 1894.[11]
[1] “1860 U.S. Census, population schedules for Robert Green.” AncestryLibrary.com
[2] “Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers for Robert Green.” Fold3.com
[3] “Physician’s Affidavit for Green, Robert.” National Records Administration and Archives.
[4] “Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers for Robert Green.” Fold3.com
[5] The Shippensburg Chronicle, “Colored Odd Fellows Re-Organize,” Newspapers.com, Mar. 8, 1888, www.newspapers.com/image/88299743.
[6]The Shippensburg News, “Officers Installed,” Newspapers.com, Dec. 22, 1893, www.newspapers.com/image/88823718.
[7] “Declaration for Widow’s Pension for Green, Catharine.” National Records Administration and Archives.
[8] “Physician’s Affidavit for Green, Robert.” National Records Administration and Archives.
[9] The Shippensburg News, “Become a Religious Enthusiast,” Newspapers.com, Feb. 23, 1894, www.newspapers.com/image/310306593.
[10] The Shippensburg News, “Social and Personal Gossip,” Newspapers.com, Mar. 9, 1894, www.newpspaers.com/image/310307226.
[11] The Shippensburg Chronicle, “Social Note,” Newspapers.com, Apr. 23, 1894, www.newspapers.com/88275307.
Bibliography
“1860 U.S. Census, population schedules for Robert Green.” AncestryLibrary.com. National Archives and Records Administration.
“Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who served in the United States Colored Troops: 56th-138th USCT Infantry, 1864-1912 for Robert Green.” Fold3.com. National Archives and Records Administration.
“Declaration for Widow’s Pension for Green, Catharine.” Records of Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Records Administration and Archives, Washington, D.C.
“Physician’s Affidavit for Green, Robert.” Records of Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Records Administration and Archives, Washington, D.C.
The Shippensburg Chronicle. “Colored Odd Fellows Re-Organize.” Newspapers.com. Mar. 8, 1888. www.newspapers.com/image/88299743.
The Shippensburg News. “Become a Religious Enthusiast.” Newspapers.com. Feb. 23, 1894. www.newspapers.com/image/310306593.
The Shippensburg News. “ Officers Installed.” Newspapers.com. Dec. 22, 1893. www.newspapers.com/image/88823718.
The Shippensburg Chronicle. “Social Note.” Newspapers.com. Apr. 23, 1894. www.newspapers.com/88275307.
The Shippensburg News. “Social and Personal Gossip.” Newspapers.com. Mar. 9, 1894. www.newspapers.com/image/310307226.