Nelson Male

Nelson Male served in Company E of the 17th West Virignia Infantry from February 22, 1865 until the regiment was mustered out of service at the end of the war on June 30, 1865.

Partly because the regiment was formed toward the end of the war, it did not see any major combat. It was placed on railroad and garrison duty near Clarksburg, WV. Even in relatively peaceful settings, the regiment lost one man to death in action and 24 to death by disease.

In the Spring of 1865, Nelson was suffering from acute diahrea. In fact, his suffering was so severe that at the time of his discharge from the Army he was unable to leave his room in the hospital without assistance. Nevertheless, he was placed on a rail car to be sent home. On July 11, 1865, at some unknown point in the journey between Wheeling and Grafton, he passed away from this illness. His wife, Nancy, received a widow's pension for his service and death.