Henry G. Van Vlack

Henry G. Van Vlack: Henry, at age 24, enlisted at Versailles to serve 3 years. He was mustered in as a corporal, 64th Reg. Co. A, NY Vol. Inf. He was killed in action on September 17, 1862 at the Battle of Antietam - age 25 years.

Antietam was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. After the battle, brother George went looking for Henry among the survivors and then on the battlefield, found his brother dead in the sunken road. George buried his brother under a tree nearby, and carved Henry's name and hometown on a top from a wooden ammunition box for a grave marker.

Front of "headboard" carved by George W. Van Vlack

Back of "headboard" showing that the box was an ammunition box - Watertown Arsenal, Dec. 1861

Henry was born Sept 2, 1837 in Cattaraugus Co., NY, son of Daniel A. and Jane (Wiley) Van Vlack. Prior to the Civil War, he was a teacher and an accomplished musician. Henry was reburied in Versailles Cemetery, Versailles, Cattaraugus County, NY on Oct. 7, 1862

References: "Adjutant General's Report, 1901", letters home during the War from George and brother Henry, personal photos and research.

Additional information and photo of Henry submitted by Barbara van Vlack or see: Van Vlack and Van Vleck Genealogy

Photo of gravestone courtesy of Gowanda Area Historical Society
P.O. Box 372
Gowanda, NY 14070

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

BV²