Family Papers refering to Ludwig Wolfsen
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(These papers are in the possession of Franklin G. Wolfsen, 108 Exeter
Road, North Hampton. NH. They were copied and sent to me for review.)
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Paper 1)
Grandfather Ludwig Wolfsen
Born in October 1840 in Lardeland, Schleswig-Holstein (then part
of Denmark).
From the Malden (MASS.) Evening News, January 19, 1898.
"Ludwig Wolfsen died January 18, at the Malden Hospital as a result of
wounds reveived in the Civil War.
Dr. Wolfsen came to this country from Schleswig in 1861 and
enlisted on May 28, 1861 in the 40th New York Regiment M.C. Infantry and
for the next two years was in the fiercest battles of the Civil War. In
May 1863 he was wounded in the hip in the midnight raid at
Changellorsville and was taken prisoner. For fourteen days he lay
without medical care until the exchange of wounded prisoners was
effected. The hip wound crippled him for life and he always limped.
At the close of the war he settled in Maine and married Lois
Brown by whom he had a son, Herbert. On the death of his first wife he
married Clara Small of Searsport, Maine in 1866. They had two children,
Edith Lorraine (Mrs. Joseph E. Anderson) born 1868 and Ludwig Franklin
born in 1875. Following this marriage the family moved to Andover,
Mass. where the children were born.
Later Dr. Wolfsen moved his family to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where
he was a missionary minister (Methodist-?). He returned to Malden in
1884 where he became a dentist and also in the real estate business.
Later his infermity, due to his wounds obliged him to give up. He was a
member of the Hiram G. Berry Post 40 G. A. R. He was Past Commander and
later Surgeon of the Post and prominent in military circles. Dr.
Wolfsen was very civic minded and gave many public lectures.
Funeral services at his late residence, 135 Linden Ave., under
the charge of Post 40 G. A. R."
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[The bottomn of this letter has the following in the hand writing of Dr.
Wolfsen with his signature at the end].
"Severly wounded, left on the field, taken prisoner, crippled for life,
in the mid-night charge at Chancellorsville, V.A. May 2nd 1863
Ludwig Wolfsen"
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Paper 2)
A copy from the Memorial Record of Major Hiram G. Berry, past No. 40
Department of Massachusetts, Grand Army of the Republic - of Malden,
Massachusetts.
Comrad LUDWIG WOLFSEN was born October 8, 1840 in Lardeland, Schleswig,
Denmark. He enlisted as Private in Co C, 87th New York Volunteers, for
three (3) years on the 28th day of Octiber 1861 at Williamsburg, N. Y.
(which regiment was later consolidated with the 40th N. Y. Vols.)
He was honorably discharged from the 40th N. Y. Vols, at New
York City, on the 27th day of October, 1864. at the expiration of his
term of service.
He joined this Post No. 40-G.A.R. on June 28, 1883, when 42
yrs.of age, and held the office of Chaplain of the Post during 1884,
1885, 1886, 1887, 1888 and 1889; land office of Commander of the Post in
1895.
He died at Malden, Mass., January 18, 1898 at the age of 57
yrs., 3 mos and 10 days leaving a widow, Clara M. (Small) and three
children; Herbert C. - Edith Loraine, and Ludwig Jr. He was accorded
full military honors by his Comrades of this post No. 40; and lies
interred at Forest Dale Cemetary, Malden, Mass.
Military Record was recorded by the post Historian (Jacob S. Howe) on
page 17. Post 40 - Memorial Record Book.
I was engaged in 14 battles; Yorktown; Williamsburg; Fair Oakes;
Front of Richmond; Seven Pines; Malvern Hill; Mannassas; Antietam;
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; was wounded May 2, 1863 at
Chancellorsville by gunshot in lfet-thigh near hip joint; was confined
in Hospital "Stanton" (?), Washington from late June 1863 until spring
of 1864 and in Saterlee Hospital, Philadelphia until discharge. Was
taken prinsoner at Chancellorsville after I was wounded and lay helpless
on the field; and so remained until we were exchanged; was kept in the
field hospital until the Army moved up to Gettysburg.
My intimate comrades were; J. Wm. Gildersleeve, William Morse,
J. Sproats and G. E. Harringron of E. Boston.
Events most vivid in my memory; the terrible gun fire at Fair Oakes and
the fearful loss by the Regiment; the severe wound I reveived at
Chancellorsville, and the subsequent suffering form exposure and want of
care while so long a prisoner (44 days) on the field of battle.
"I certify upon honor that the foregoing record of my Military service
is correct, and I request as a last military honor a Grand Army funeral
and Memorial service at my burial"
(signed) LUDWIG WOLFSEN
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the above paper was dated on our family records
October 11, 1941.
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paper (3)
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This paper in the hand of and signed by Ludwig Wolfsen
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I bought this Book in the city of Hamberg in July 1861. It was in my coat
pocket when I was wounded, in the midnight charge at Chancellorsville
May 2nd 1863. Though a prisoner on the battle field, nothing was taken
from me but, after exchanged, our own men robbed me of money and all I
had except this book. It is all I brought out of the war with me. I
want Ludwig Franklin to keep this as a family relic, by request of his
father Ludwig Wolfsen Malden january 19, 1894.
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paper (4)
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Official Discharge Paper on US Gov. form (part not legible)
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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN (Eagle and Stars emblem)
Know Ye, that Ludwig Wolfsen a private of Captain Burrs' Company (C,) 40
Regiment of New York City VOLUNTEERS who was enrolled on the 28th day of
Oct one thousand eight hundred and 61 to serve 3 years of during the
war, is hereby DISCHARGED from the service of the United States, this 27
day of October, 1864, at N Y City (not legible) by reason of Expiration
of term of Service (No objection to his being re=enlisted is known to
exist.)
Said Ludwig Wolfsen was born in Schleswig in the State of
Denmark on (not legible) 5 feet 11 inches high, dark complexion, lyme
eyes, light hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a farmer Given at
NY City this 29 day of October 1864
Two not legible signatures as
commanding the Reg't NY City.
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(paper 5)
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Undated Newspaper article
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SOLDIER LIFE.
Corporal Tanner Delights a Large Audience at the Opera House
Last evening the G. A. R. Lyceum course opened with a
lecture by the famour Corporal Tanner, whose subject was
"Soldier life, grave and gay." There was a good audience, but
so well known and excellent a speaker should have drawn a
crowded house. Corporal tanner was introduced by Dr. Wolfsen,
who alluded in an extremely happy manner to their association in
the war time. and the long seperation in after years.
The lecture was indeed worthy of the highest praise, and
the applause was frequent and loud. Corporal Tanner ably
sustained his reputation as a wonderful speaker. At one moment
his pathetic tones almost drew the tears from the eyes of his
hearers, while at the next every face was bright with merriment
as the lecturer changed shilfully from "grave to gay." It was
an excellent lecture with which to open a course which promises
to be very successful, as indeed a series of such admirable
entertainment ought to prove.
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Reception of Corporal Tanner
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Newspaper article hand dated May 27th, 1887
Corporal Tanner a well known veteran of the civil war of
the 88th New York Regimant held a reception at Col. Barker's
residence on Chestnut Street last evening and a large number of
the members of Post 40 were present. One of the pleasantest
incidents of the vening was the meeting of Corporal Tanner and
Dr. Ludwig Wolfsen who had both served in the same company but
who had net seen each other for twenty-four years. Many
interesting remiscences (sic) were recalled and the reception
was a very pleasant affair.
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Dr. Ludwig Wolfsen of Malden
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Undated Newspaper Article
Dr. Ludwig Wolfsen died at the Malden Hsopital yesterday
afternoon. Deceased was born in Schleswig, Denmark, 58 years
ago, and was one of the most prominent Grand Army men in
Massachusetts. He came to the United States in 1861 and two
years later enlisted in the Fortienth New York Regiment. He
went to the front and was wounded in the left thigh in the
midnight charge of Changellorsville. There he was taken
prisoner and was held 14 days without any treatment. He was in
the same company with Corporal Tanner, and met him for the first
time since the waas a year ago at the funeral of Col. William
Barker. Dr. Wolfsen has been a member of Post 40, G. A. R.,
ever since he came to Malden and has held every office in the
post. At the time of his death he was Surgeon.
When the war came to a close the doctor went to Searport, Me.
where he lived for some time. and there he married Miss Lois
Brown, who ided some thirty years ago.
Twenty-nine years ago, he married Miss Clara Small, who still
survives him. Dr. Wolfsen has been a continual sufferer since
the was, and last Friday underwent an operation, and he did not
recover from the effects of it. He leaves a widow, one son and
one daughter, Mrs. Clara S. Wolfsen, Ludwig Wolfsen, Jr., and
Mrs. J. E. Anderson, all of Malden. He was a member of Post 40,
G. A. R., Middlesex Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Royal Arcanum and A.
O. U. W. Dr. Wolfsen was a writer and has an number of his
works on the war. He was well known as a speaker and has
addressed many Grand Army posts in the New England States.
The funeral will take place at his late residence, Linden
Avenue, Firday afternoon at 3:45.
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