In Honor of those who fought
Edward U. Proutyb. 1830, d. 15 July 1863
Edward U. Prouty was born in 1830 at Leverett, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. He was the son of Isaac Prouty and Elizabeth Hagar. Isaac was born c. 1779 and Elizabeth was born March 20, 1797. She died January 20, 1875.
On August 2, 1852, Edward Prouty married Elizabeth Pierce daughter of Franklin Pierce and Asenath Sanderson at Shutesbury, Franklin Co., Massachusetts
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Edward Prouty and family were enumerated in the 1860 US Federal Census on July 27,1860 at West Brookfield, Massachusetts: Edward, 29, shoemaker; Elizabeth, 22; Edward, Jr., 4; Emma, 2; and Maryetta, 6 months. All were born in Massachusetts.
The family lived on Ragged Hill Road.
As with most families at this time life changed. On February 7, 1862, Edward enlisted with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company F as a Private. At the time of his enlistment, he was a shoemaker and his residence was listed as Brookfield. On February 10, 1862, he mustered into the 15th Massachusetts and was credited to the quota of West Brookfield. He was 32 years old.
The 15th regiment saw action in nearly all the major battles that took place in the Eastern Theater of the war, and was among the 6 regiments in the Union army that sustained the heaviest losses throughout the entire struggle.
On July 2, 1863, Edward was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. He died on July 15, 1863 (hip wound) at Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pennsylvania . He was 33 years old.
On November 25, 1863, Elizabeth Pierce/Peirce received a pension to surviving family member based on Edwards service. Certificate #17307.
Edward U. Prouty is listed on the Town of West Brookfield’s Civil War Monument on the Common.
15th Massachusetts at Gettysburg
