Bio: Justus C. Drake : Pittsfield, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

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Submitted by: Rick Giirtman rickman@worldpath.net
Date: March 12, 2001
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From the Book
'History of Pittsfield, N. H. in the Rebellion'
by H. L. Robinson, published 1893


JUSTUS C. DRAKE
was a son of James S. Drake, who was a grandson of Major James Drake, one of
the first settlers of Pittsfield. Major Drake held the office of surveyor
under King George II, a very important office in those days. It was a
similar position that George Washington held in Virginia at about the same
time. Major Drake made a survey of this and some of the neighboring towns,
and all deeds of land in town are based upon his survey. Justus C. Drake was
possessed of that genial disposition for which the Drake family are noted.
He enlisted in Troop B, First New Hampshire cavalry, commanded by Otis C.
Wyatt, and was mustered into service March 29, 1864. He was captured by the
rebels June 29, 1864, and was taken to Andersonville, Ga., where he died of
starvation, August 14, 1864. His grave is No. 5,577.

Coin me a word, for the English language contains no terms in which to speak
of the heroic conduct of the men who had rather suffer death by starvation
than betray the confidence which their country had reposed in them, by
enlisting in the ranks of the enemy. We sing the praises of the commanding
officer who from a safe distance directs the men who win the victories.
Cannot we say something of the rank and file who met death by starvation in
order to make these victories possible? I confess that my spirit bows in
humble adoration to their memory.