Last updated: November 19, 2021
Person
Dwight L. Pond
Jeff Barnes
Quick Facts
Place of Birth:
Jewett, New York
Date of Birth:
March 17, 1839
Place of Death:
Deming, New Mexico
Date of Death:
1913
Unit: 90th New York Infantry
Rank: Private
Enlisted: October 28, 1861
Muster Out: March 18, 1865
Photo Credit/Donated by: Mr. Jeff Barnes
Description:
Dwight L. Pond was from Jewett, New York, born on March 17, 1839. Dwight was twenty-two years old when he enlisted in a three year term with the “McClellan Rifles” in New York City on October 28, 1861. A month later, on November 20, this regiment was consolidated into the 90th New York Volunteers. Dwight would join Company A.
In January 1862 he and his regiment were sent to Key West, Florida where he spent some time in the hospital recovering from jaundice. Later that year he and his regiment traveled to Hilton Head South Carolina where he was assigned to carpenter duty on the barracks.
In the summer of 1863 Dwight was part of the siege of Port Hudson from June 3 until July 9. He was engaged at Cox’s Plantation, Donaldsonville, Bayou La Fourche on July 11-12. He would spend the rest of the year into April of 1864 in the defense of New Orleans. In the spring of 1864 the 90th New York were a part of the Red River Campaign. By August the regiment would join Sheridan in his Army of the Shenandoah.
Dwight was at all the major battles of the campaign and was shot in the foot during the Battle of Cedar Creek. He spent the winter in the General Hospital in Philadelphia before being discharged on March 18, 1865.
After the war, Dwight moved to Nebraska and started a family farm near Inman. He established the town’s newspaper, sold hay and cattle, and built the town’s Presbyterian church. Dwight would move his family to New Mexico Territory where he died in Deming, New Mexico in 1913.
Sources:
· Barnes, Jeff. Letter to the author, "Dwight L. Pond," n.d.
· National Park Service. "Dwight L. Pond." Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database. http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldier_id=fbecc6c3-dc7a-df11-bf36b8ac6f5d926a.