James Henry Gooding
James Henry Gooding (1837 - July 19, 1864) was a Corporal in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an American Civil War Union regiment, and a war correspondent to the New Bedford, MA Mercury newspaper.
[edit] Biography[1]
Apparently born in Troy, NY in 1837, Gooding traveled to New Bedford, Massachusetts, to go to sea as a cook or steward on a four year Pacific whaling voyage, returning in 1860. He then signed on for a shorter Atlantic voyage which returned in 1861, followed by a merchant voyage to Montevideo.
On February 10, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry recruiting office in New Bedford opened, and on February 14, Gooding enlisted as a member of Company C. His letters to the New Bedford Mercury began shortly thereafter, on a regular bi-weekly and often weekly basis. He was well regarded, and promoted to corporal in December, 1863. He fought steadfastly with the regiment, in the midst of the assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor on July 18, 1863, and in the battle of Oustlee, Florida, on February 20, 1864. In the latter battle, he was wounded and captured. He died in the Confederate prison camp at Andersonville, GA.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Virginia M. Adams, editor, On the Altar of Freedom: A Black Soldier’s Civil War Letters from the Front. Warner Books, New York, 1992; paperback, 139 pages. ISBN 0446394149. ISBN 978-0446394147.
