DAVIS, ALBERT

ALBERT DAVIS

133rd New York Volunteers

Company A

Private

Yaphank

Albert Davis

133rd New York Volunteers

Private

Yaphank

Albert Davis was born in Middle Island in 1841. He was the son of Joseph and Eliza Davis.

Davis listed his occupation as carpenter. He married his wife Elizabeth on October 23, 1862 at the Yaphank Presbyterian Church.

Davis was drafted into the Union army and was mustered in at Jamaica, Long Island on September 23, 1864. Recruitment numbers were falling and so it became necessary to institute a draft. Returning war veterans and battlefield photographs began to erase the illusion of a romantic war.

The draft for Brookhaven Town took place on May 11, 1863 and 201 men were taken from the town. Davis was 23 years old, had gray eyes and brown hair, and stood 5'-8" tall.

A man could avoid the draft, if he could provide a substitute to take his place. Middle Island resident, George Ritch, paid $300 for a substitute and was able to avoid the draft.

He was sent to Harts Island on October 4, 1864 where he was assigned to Company A, of the 133rd New York Volunteers. After a short training period, he was sent to join the Regiment, which was stationed at Cedar Creek, Virginia.

The war was to only last another seven months, and the regiment did not participate in any large action, just in a number of small skirmishes with the enemy. The 133rd was stationed at Camp Russell in November 1864, and then moved to Camp Sheridan in December. In early January the regiment was moved to Winchester Virginia where they stayed until March.

In April the regiment was assigned to the defenses at Washington, where it remained until Davis and the regiment was mustered out on June 6, 1865 at Washington.

At the conclusion of the war Davis returned to Yaphank where he continued his carpentry trade. He and his wife Elizabeth had three children, Ada, born in 1882, Perry born in 1884 and Edna born in 1886.

Davis had many physical problems, which he attributed to his Civil war duty. He applied for a government pension seeking a disability in which he claimed.

" I contracted acute Nephritis or disease of the kidneys at Washington D.C. in June 1865 from exposure, but did not have any treatment until I got home the latter part of the month. After my discharge I was treated by Dr. A.O. Van Horn, my family physician who has treated me ever since."

Albert Davis died on May 20th 1895 at age 54, the causes of death was listed as pneumonia and kidney disease.