Bio: Henry A. L. French :Pittsfield, Merrimack Co, New Hampshire

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Submitted by: Rick Giirtman  rickman@worldpath.net
Date: March 16, 2001
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From the Book
'History of Pittsfield, N. H. in the Rebellion'
by H. L. Robinson, published 1893


HENRY A. L. FRENCH

was a native of Loudon, son of Hiram and Lydia (Batchelder) French. He was
educated at Gilmanton and Pittsfield academies, and then went west and
remained a few years. About 1860 he returned, and entered the employment of
his uncle, Hon. R. L. French of Pittsficld, as a clerk. He married Miss
Sarah G. Clough, of Canterbury, and lived on Lyford hill.

In the summer of 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Twelfth regiment New
Hampshire volunteers, and was mustered as second lieutenant September 8,
1862, and as first lieutenant of Company C, April 22, 1863. While he was in
the service a child was born. He succeeded in getting a short furlough, came
home, saw his wife and child, and returned to the service. His wife soon
after died ; this made him very despondent; while on the march to Gettysburg
he told Captain Johnston he hoped to be killed in the next fight. During the
severe battle that followed, an order came to " Change front to the rear," a
very hard thing to do while under fire, without the men breaking ranks.
While executing this order the lines wavered ; Lieutenant French waved his
sword, and shouted, "Steady men, steady there!" Just then a ball struck him
in the head and passed through, killing him instantly. This was July 2,
1863.

He was a good citizen and brave officer, but he sleeps in an unknown grave,
buried by the enemy.