Description

Albert Henry WoolsonFebruary 11 1850 August 2 1956 was thelast known survivingmember of theUnion Armywho served in theAmerican Civil War he was also the last surviving Civil War veteran on either side whose status is undisputedWoolson was born inAntwerpNew York in Jefferson County His father Willard Woolson who enlisted in theUnion Army was wounded at theBattle of Shilohand later transported to an Army hospital inWindomMinnesota where he would die of his wounds Albert and his mother moved to Windom to accompany his father Soon after Albert enlisted as adrummer boyin Company C1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regimenton October 10 1864 However the company never saw action and Albert Woolson was discharged on September 7 1865Woolson returned to Minnesota where he lived the rest of his life as acarpenterand later as a member of theGrand Army of the RepublicGAR a powerful political organization made up of Civil War veterans where he became Senior Vice CommanderinChief in 1953 The following interview was recorded in 1954