Rufus Davis Hastings was the youngest son of Asa and Anna
(Goddard) Hastings. He enlisted in the 93rd Regiment U S Infantry on
August 30, 1861. Rufus was a big man
standing 6 feet 3 inches compared to the average Union soldier who was five feet
seven inches. He served in Company A,
with his brother Artemus, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. The 93rd
Regiment was a well drilled and trained regiment. When General McClellen ordered the Union
troops to withdraw from the peninsular campaign the 93rd was
assigned to organize the withdrawal of troops and supplies from White House
Landing. They performed this duty so
well that they were thereafter assigned to Provost Marshall Duty with every
Union commanding General until the spring of 1864 when they were placed in
active duty.
Rufus was discharged from the 93rd regiment on
October 21, 1862. On the same day he
enlisted in the 4th U S Cavalry.
As a member of Company A he served escort duty for General Ambrose
Burnside. Escort duty was the equivalent
of body guards. Rufus would have been
serving in this capacity during the battle of Fredericksburg. In December of 1862 Rufus was thrown from his
horse suffering back injuries.
He was discharged from the 4th U S Cavalry due to
his injuries. He then enlisted in
Company D, 14th Veteran Reserve Corp. Rufus was promoted to the rank
of Sergeant in this Corp. He served in
and around Washington DC, reenlisting on one occasion until his discharge
October 10, 1865.
The following diary entry was found from the hospital where
he received treatment for his injuries.
"Rufus Hastings -
4th Regt. U.S. Cavalry - Home - Horicon, Warren Co, N.Y. - Entered Turner's
Lane 2nd March. A very large man. good
natured & kind. The first to whom I
spoke with reference to Bible Class. A
regular and interested member. Once a
soldier of the Cross, but thought he was going backwards. Tried to persuade him to try again. Departed from Turner's Lane without leave
July/63, to return to Regt. Took my
address before leaving."
Entered Turner's Lane
Hospital, Philadelpia, PA 2 March 1863.
From Susan Trautwine
McManus Notes on Soldiers, 1863 - 1865.
(hyyp://www.hsp.org/default.aspx?id=1175)
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