Havens, William

Birth

William Havens, the son of William Havens (B. abt 1799, D. after 1850) and his wife Margaret, was born in Berne, December 30, 1835. He was the middle child of five.

Marriage & Children

In 1854 he married Welthy Ann Steiner, who was born in 1835 to Cornelius Steiner and Maria E. Wilday.

They had the following children:

• Mary Evelyn Havens (B. abt 1856, D. unk)
• Estella Havens (B. abt 1859, D. unk)
• Wilhelmina Havens (B. Dec 1, 1864, D. Sept 30, 1937)

Occupation

Before he served in the Civil War, William worked as a carpenter.

Military Service

Residence:	Knox
Place of Birth:	Berne, NY
Names of Parents:	William (Havens) and mother deceased
Marital Status:	Married
Occupation:	Carpenter
Term of Service:	3 years
Bounty Received:	$100.00
Enlistment Date:	5 Aug 1862
Enlistment Place:	Knox, New York
Enlistment Rank:	Private
State Served	New York
Regiment:	7th Regiment NY Heavy Artillery
Company:	Company K
Wounded at:	Near Petersburg, VA or Weldon Railroad
Wounded on:	25 Jun 1864 or 24 June 1864
Death Date:	20 Jul 1864 or 21 July 1864
Death Place:	Harewood Hospital in Washington, DC
Place of Burial:	Petersburg, VA or Knox Reformed Cemetery

Additional Remarks: He enlisted at age 26. He was promoted to Full Artificer (Date unknown). He participated in the battles of Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Tolopotomy Creek, Cold Harbor and the initial charge at Petersburg. "Died from wounds. Remains buried at Petersburg, Va." It's not likely that he would have been taken from DC back to Petersburg for burial.

Sources Used: Heroes of Albany; Ancestry.com, American Civil War Soldiers; Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York for the year 1898; Keating, Robert, Carnival of Blood: The Civil War Ordeal of the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, Published by Butternut and Blue, Baltimore, Md 1998; Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

Military Experience

The Battle of Weldon Railroad was a three day fight which ended June 24, 1864. This was the day that William Havens was shot in the right foot. The 7th HA Regiment was exposed and two fellow soldiers had to carry him to the rear. In severe pain, part of William's foot was removed by doctors. Still in severe pain with the wound failing to heal his leg was amputated on July 19, 1864 at Harewood Hospital in Washington DC. He died two days later.

Death

William Havens died on July 20, 1864. as a result of a wound to his right foot at Petersurg on June 24, 1864. He was buried at the Knox Reformed Cemetery.

Additional Research Notes

Heroes of Albany County

WILLIAM HAVENS OF BERN

William Havens, the son of William and Margaret Havens was born in Bern, December 30, 1835. He was an affectionate son, kind brother, and a youth of excellent habits. During a religious interest in the Reformed Dutch Church, in 1861, he was hopefully converted and joined the Methodist Church. He was a consistent and active Christian.

Although Mr. Havens was very reluctant to leave his wife and three little children, yet he felt it to be his duty to go forth and fight for his country. Accordingly he enlisted as a private in Company K., Seventh New York Regiment. For twenty months he performed guard duty at Washington. During this time he was in poor health, and was offered his discharge, but he declined it, as he was determined to see the war through.

His regiment was ordered to the front, and he participated in seven battles, in all of which he manifested the utmost fortitude and bravery. He fought at Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Tolopotomy Creek, Cold Harbor, and in the charge before Petersburg. On the 24th of June, 1864, he was on picket duty within a mile and a half of Petersburg. The woods were discovered to be on fire, and he and his companions threw themselves upon the ground, thinking that the enemy would not see them. But he was shot at, and wounded in the foot. Two of his comrades carried him to the rear, and a portion of his foot was taken off. But the wound did not heal, and his sufferings were very intense. On the 19th of July his leg was amputated, at the Harewood hospital in Washington. The following day he died from the effects of the operation.

He leaves a wife and three little children, in a destitute condition, to mourn the death of a kind husband and affectionate father. After he was wounded he wrote twice to his family, commending them to the care of their Heavenly Father.

Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

Died from wounds. Remains buried at Petersburg, Va..

Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York for the Year 1897

HAVENS , WILLIAM — Age , 26 years. Enlisted, August 5, 1862, at. Knox; mustered in as private, Co. K (originally One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry), August 18, 1862, to serve three years; promoted artificer, date not stated; wounded, June 25, 1864, near Petersburg, Va.; died of wounds, July 21, 1864, at Harewood Hospital, D. C.

Additional Media

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