148th fought with Stedman’s Brigade
If I’m reading this right, a soldier mortally wounded at Cold Harbor had his remains back home and buried a week later. It probably helped that his brother could identify him and take charge of his embalmed body.
From the Seneca County Courier June 16, 1864:
The remains of THEODORE F. VAN RENSSELAER, who fell in battle on the 3d inst., were received here on Friday last, and after the observance of funeral ceremonies were on that day consigned to their final resting place in Restvale Cemetery. By the following it will be seen that his brother William was with him when he breathed his last, and that the body was embalmed:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT 50th N.Y. ENG.
Hospital Dep’t, June 5th, 1864.
To the Adjutant 148th N.Y.V.
SIR: – I have to inform you that private Theodore F. Van Rensselaer, of Company A, of your Regiment, died in the Hospital of this command on the fourth (4th) of June, 1864, from the effect of gunshot wound in the chest and abdomen received on the third (3d) inst. – Lieut. Wm. van Rensselaer of this Regiment, his brother, was with him till his death and took charge of his effects. I embalmed his body and his brother takes it to White House to-day,
Very respectfully, your ob’t ser’vt
CHAS. N. HEWITT,
Surgeon 50th N.Y. Engineers
Theodore F. Van Rennsselaer
“Petersburg, Virginia. Surg. Charles N. Hewitt, 50th New York Engineers” (November 1864)
The map of June 1st at Cold Harbor is licensed by Creative Commons: Attribution: Map by Hal Jespersen, www.posix.com/CW
