Like his brother Everard,
Ferdinand E. Welton was born in Connecticut, and was employed
as an express Clerk in Detroit during the summer of 1862. He enlisted
in same company as Everard, Company H, on August 18, 1862. Thus,
he was one of the very last of the "originals" to join
the Regiment. Ferdinand and Welton were mustered into service
on August 19, 1862. Ferdinand was the younger; he was 18.
The war-time photograph at left has been tentatively identified as Ferdinand E. Welton. For more information see "Mystery Photographs" in the Special Topics section.
Ferdinand must have been a fine soldier. Although he enlisted as a private, promotion quickly followed. He would eventually reach the rank of 1st Lieutenant. His rise through the ranks began when he was promoted to 3rd Corporal on February 16, 1863.
Ferdinand was wounded at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. The wound was apparently not serious; he quickly returned to duty with the Regiment. In the aftermath of Gettysburg, there were many open NCO positions, and Ferdinand Welton was promoted to 5th Sergeant on August 1, 1863.
In early 1864, he was on detached service in Grand Rapids and Jackson, presumably on recruiting duty. Shortly before Grant's overland campaign, Ferdinand was appointed 1st Sergeant of company H. Ferdinand was wounded for the second time during the abortive assault on the confederate works at Petersburg on June 18, 1864. This wound was apparently more sever and Ferdinand did not imeediately return to duty.
Ferdinand was promoted to First Lieutenant to fill a vacancy in Company G on January 21, 1865. He was mustered at that rank on March 22, 1865. Ferdinand was in command of Company H from April 5, 1865 to May 18, 1865. Thus, he would have been in command during Lincoln's Funeral. Ferdinand mustered out with the Regiment at Detroit on June 30, 1865.
Not much is known about his post-war activities. He died in
Tarrytown, New York sometime between 1890 and 1905.
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