Dudley in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Dudley, MA Civil War POW Memorial
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024
1. Dudley, MA Civil War POW Memorial Marker
imprisoned at the notorious
camp at Andersonville, Ga. 1864-1865
Francis Curtis John Davis Hezekiah Dorous James Nedson John Dixon Bernard McGovern
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 42° 2.752′ N, 71° 55.8′ W. Memorial is in Dudley, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is at the intersection of Center Road and Tanyard Road, on the left when traveling north on Center Road. Memorial is in the town common. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 135 Center Rd, Dudley MA 01571, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the Quiet Corner and in Greater Worcester. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dudley Town Common / Center Road (here, next to this marker); The Black Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Dudley Soldiers War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Dudley Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dudley, MA World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Eben S. Stevens (approx. 1.8 miles away in Connecticut); St. Stephens Church 9/11 Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away in Connecticut); Quinebaug Honor Roll (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dudley.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. History of the Andersonville Prison. Camp Sumter, commonly known as Andersonville, was only in operation for fourteen months; however, during that time 45,000 Union soldiers were imprisoned there, and nearly 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure. (National Park Service) (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Report of the Commission on Andersonville monument. Francis Curtis, one of the six POWs, was on the state commission that erected a memorial in 1901 to Massachusetts soldiers who died at Andersonville. The commission's final report includes Curtis' prepared remarks at the monument's dedication, in which he recalled witnessing "horrors beyond description, which no pen or tongue can tell or imagination comprehend." (Massachusetts Commission on Andersonville Monument, via National Archives) (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Additional commentary.
1. More about the POWs
Below is additional information about the six prisoners of war:
Francis Chester Curtis (1836-1905): A private in Company E, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery,
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024
2. Dudley, MA Civil War POW Memorial
John Eaton Davis (1836-1906): Also a private in the same company as Curtis, he too was taken prisoner at Petersburg, Va. on June 22, 1864. However, he spent only a few months in Andersonville before he was sent to another POW camp in Millen, Georgia. He was released from captivity in a May, 1865 prisoner exchange.
John C. Dixon (1833-1904): Serving in Co. G, 15th Massachusetts Infantry, he also was taken prisoner at Petersburg, Va. on June 22, 1864. He survived his captivity at Andersonville and was released in an April 1865 prisoner exchange.
Hezekiah W. Dorous (1843-1864): A member of the Nipmuck Indian tribe, he was a private in Co. G, 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery when he was taken prisoner in Plymouth, N.C. on April 20, 1864. He reportedly died of disease at Andersonville on Nov. 1 of that year.
Bernard McGovern (1822-1864): A private in Co. D, 34th Massachusetts Infantry, he was sent to Andersonville after being wounded and captured at New Market, Va. on May 15, 1864. He died at the prison on Aug. 21, 1864, with the cause listed as "diarrhea". He is buried in Andersonville National Cemetery.
James Nedson: Also a Nipmuck Indian, he served in Co. A, 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Although he survived his imprisonment, the privations he endured at Andersonville led to his immediate death upon returning home.
— Submitted November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
