Thurston, Anson Grandcelo

ANSON GRANDCELO THURSTON. Private 6th Mass. Vols. (Infantry), August 31, 1862; died at Franklin, Va., May 17, 1863, of wounds received at Carrsville, May 15. ANSON GRANDCELO THURSTON was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, August 5, 1841. He was the son of Joel Miller Thurston and of Sophia, daughter of Mr. Richard Bean, of Brentwood, New Hampshire. After the birth of this son the family removed from Lowell to Belfast, Maine, the father's birthplace, then to Pelham, New Hampshire, and finally returned to Lowell. At the High School in that city Anson was fitted for college, sustaining in that school an excellent reputation. He entered Harvard College as a Freshman in 1860. On joining the Class he was a stranger to almost all his associates, but soon became a great favorite with all. He was soon recognized as one of the wits of the Class, and as such was deputed to act as chairman of the committee on "mock parts." His personal appearance was nevertheless quiet, sober, and striking; and one would hardly have imagined at first sight what a genial spirit lay hid within. He remained in College until the end of his Sophomore year, when he enlisted (August 31, 1862) as a private in the Sixth Massachusetts, Colonel Follansbee, the first nine months' regiment. He shared the fortunes of this organization until his death. In a letter received from him dated March 21, 1863, in which he spoke of certain rumors which were then prevalent, that his regiment would soon move forward, he said, "I know it will be bloody work," but continued by expressing his earnest conviction that he should come off unharmed. In the battle of Carrsville, near Hebron Church, Virginia, on the afternoon of the 15th of May, 1863, he was wounded in the hip and thigh. He was then on the skirmish line, and remained on the field until nine, P. M., - nearly six hours. He was then taken to a deserted house in Franklin, at that time in possession of the Rebels. His father, who had fought in the same regiment, remained with him on the field, and fell into the hands of the Rebels at the same time. Anson lived till seven o'clock, P. M., on the i7th of the month, having no medical attendance till the last few hours. He retained his senses to the end, saying to his father, but a little before his death, "Father, I am going." Immediately upon the son's death, the father was hurried away to Richmond, and was granted no. consolation save the promise that his son's body should receive becoming burial in a graveyard which was just in sight of the house in which he died.