Christian Arnold

Christian Arnold : Company G, 64^th Regiment, NY State Volunteers. Age 23 years. Enlisted September 14, 1861 at Wellsville to serve 3 years. Mustered in as Private, Co. G, October 5, 1861; wounded in action on September 17, 1862 at Antietam, MD; promoted to Corporal on October 1, 1862; Sergeant on July 30, 1863; 1st Sergeant on April 23, 1864; wounded in action on May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania, VA; discharged October 6, 1864 near Petersburg, VA.

Christian was born Jan. 1, 1838 in Germany, emigrated to the US in 1852 at age 14 with his older brother John who was 20 years old, and became a naturalized US citizen on July 5, 1859. His parents (Jacob Arnold, Sr. and Adeline Eagler) emigrated about one year later. Christian lived in the Wellsville area (town now called Scio), Allegany Co., NY

He was married to Bridget Magner. Their children were:
David Frances (born 1865)
John J. (born 1869)
Edward D. (born 1870
Margaret (born 1873)
All children survived into adulthood.

Christian lived to be just about 38 years old. The "ball" to the chest that he received during the Civil War could not be removed as it was too close to his heart. He was a farmer after the Civil War and as he was chasing a run-away horse on his farm, he died from the "ball" moving during the exertion. The horse had bolted while hitched to a buggy with his children in it. The gunshot was originally to the right shoulder, through his neck and into his left shoulder and chest where it lodged in lung tissue near his heart. He died in Andover, NY on Nov. 12, 1875 and is buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville, NY.

References: "Adjutant General's Report, 1901" and g-g-granddaughter Karen Hague Buchinger

Photo and additional information submitted by Karen Hague Buchinger

For further information, additions or corrections, send e-mail to:
bvanvlack@hotmail.com

BV²