F
rederick A. Rich (1843-1926) worked as a shoemaker in Wallingford, Connecticut when the war began. He enlisted as a Corporal in Company H of the 21st Connecticut Infantry in August, 1862 and was soon promoted to 1st Sergeant. He was wounded during the terrible Battle of Drewry’s Bluff where the regiment sustained more casualties than at any other time during the war. He reached the rank of 1st Lieutenant in February, 1865 and mustered out with the regiment in June of that year.
Rich married Catherine P. Markham after leaving the military and the couple had three children. He worked in a variety of jobs in the postwar years, including in a coffin repair shop and as an insurance agent. The family moved to Westfield, Massachusetts around 1905. Rich died in Westfield in 1926 and was buried at Pine Hill Cemetery.
