William Francis BARTLETT

                   SOURCES:  
    1. This Family Group sheet was compiled by Marion Grace Jewell Nicholls, of Gilbert, AZ.
    2. FHL Book 921.73/B2842  - Memoirs of William Francis Bartlett - By Francis Winthrop Palfrey -published 1878 (pages 1-3, 50-51, 90-91, 148-149, 196-197, 212-213, 224-225, 232-235, 248-249. 292-295) ( this book is also on microfilm #962624)

NOTES:
    1. William Francis Bartlett was a tall straight slender man with a certain air of reserve and dignity of carriage he had excellent health in his younger years.
    2. In 1861 - in Junior Class at Harvard College.  Fond of Billiards, suppers college clubs, the society of young ladies, skating, boating, novels, and theatre.  Political sympathies learned to Southern side.  On 17 April 1861 he did join the army to fight the South, was sent to Boston Harbor - returned 25 May 1861.  He wrote that he learned a lot in one month.  The martial fever already siezing him.  Later joined again 6th of September 1862 - sent to Camp Briggs - Pittsfield, Ma.  He met the lady he would marry at the end of the Civil War. He made his home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts - "and there that he made his home for most of the years of peace which he lived to see." "He looks a soldier - even on crutches, and our sympathy for him in his great loss, have made him at once a universal favorite." he had a severe injury to his leg and finally lost it leaving only a stump, he also had a box-sling on a wounded arm also, he would laught and compare his injuries to others serving in the army " (Tell him we tie on the number of wounds)
    3. He was a Colonel at age 23. He was mustered out for awhile to regain his health and heal his wounds. - however, they told him to plan on coming back and promised he would become a Brigadier - General.  His journal contains "Not a word of exultation, only these simple words: `This was very gratifying, of course, I hope he will keep his promise.'  For the rest of the year 1863 and until middle of April 1864 - Colonel Bartlett remained in Massachusetts  - his health was improving, his work was light . about this time he became engaged to be married.  On 7th January 1864 - a fresh misfortune befall him , his leg got worse - for the rest of this year little noteworthy information about his life.  He made several excursions to Boston, met his financie and spent much time with her. He passed his time reading and letter writing , his health improved, but slowly. "On the 12th November he wrote"I am very much encouraged by my condition and the last few days, very little pain and no diarrhoea."  The condition of his stump also improved . . . he was able to wear his old wooden leg, and also a new one, which he procured at this time, with more comfort than before."  
    16 January 1865 - his engagement to Miss Mary Agnes Pomeroy, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts  - formally announced at a great festival at `The Homestead, the residence of her father, Mr. Robert Pomeroy - upon the occasion of his silver wedding. He passed the winter and spring of 1865 at his home.  He was much out of health, suffering constantly from his Prison dysentary and from weakness.  However - he kept applying for militaty duty again.
   9 June 1865 - he received his orders from the War Department - he eventually ended up in Europe - Napoleon was about to stop the war - but he didn't think he would do it. -
   June 1866 - At age 26 General Bartlett returned with his wife to America - from that time for more that a year he made his home at Pittsfield in The Homestead.  He was mustered out of Military service of the U.S. in July. On the 16 September 1866 - his first child - a daughter was born.
His Uncle Edwin was very close to him and tried to get his attention to Business preperably manufactures, then his Uncle Edwin died after a short illness - everyone had thought he would get well - Uncle Edwin was married, but childless, so he left money to his wife  and the residue to General Bartlett. However, he refused it fearing the Aunt would not have adequate. The propertyhe was to receive was valued ata $250.000, But he was young and hopeful and the country was prosperous, or seemed so - everything looked bright.
1871 - He contended with increasing ill health - He was frequently asked to speak at town functions - even ride at the head of a Military Celebration on a horse in full uniform.  During this year he began to take an interest in the church and became Senior Warden of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield.
1872 - Accepted a position upon personal staff of Gov. of Massachusetts with rank of Colonel - His health was "so-so" which really meant poor.
Richmond, Virginia  - visited frequently and proposed to make his home there - he was to be treasurer and manager of Powhatan Iron Company. Monument to Soldiers was erected in Pittsfield - He was chairman of the Committee to get it. He wrote the dedicatory inscription for it - He also gave the formal speech at it's dedocatopm.
He moved to Richmond with his wife and children  health improved a little.  Instead of hating Northerns - the people were extremely friendly and helpful.
1874 - Still made home in richmond - He caught a cold - ended in cough which never lift him.  However memorial Hall at Harvard College Cambridge, Massachusetts was built as a honor to those sons of Harvard who served in the Civil War - General Bartlett was the chief Marshal of the day - although quite ill.
By September 1876 - Most of his time in bed and very ill - His daughter Edith born - his suffering were great. He talked and planned with his wife - what she should do when he died - He wanted to be buried in uniform of Major General (His). He wanted his three sons to have the real stqars on it - had fake ones put on it for burial. His wife and his mother stayed beside him cheerfullness - died of consumption.