Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Joseph Cassin

Joseph Cassin

Representing: Union


G.A.R Post

  • John Buford Post #89 Everett, Snohomish Co. WA

Unit History

  • 9th New York Cavalry M

See full unit history

Joseph Cassin
Full Unit History

9th NEW YORK VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 11/23/61 Albany, NY
Mustered In: 9/9-12//13/61
Mustered Out: 7/17/65 Cloud’s Mill, VA

Regimental History

REGEMENTAL HISTORY:

  Recruited from a number of New York counties, this 3 year eastern theater regiment was mustered in by companies over a period of months.  It closed out the year serving in the capacity of an infantry unit around Washington D.C.  This role continued until mid ’62 when the regiment was mounted.

  1863 found the 9th involved in the Chancellorsville, VA and Gettysburg, PA campaigns.  It was repeatedly in action throughout  the year losing heavily at Bevery Ford, Brandy Station and in the vicinity of Culpepper.  During his period it gained a well-earned reputation for gallantry and efficiency.

  The opening of Union Gen. U.S. Grant’s 1864 campaign against Petersburg, VA found the 9th heavily engaged at The Wilderness and Spottsylvania.  Totopotomy and Cold Harbor followed. As part of Union Gen. Sheridan’s Trevlion Station raid the unit lost 50 killed, wounded and missing.

  That fall the regiment moved northeastward into Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley where it fought at Opeguan, Fisher’s Hill, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Middletown, and other engagements that swept the enemy from the valley.  In early 1865 the 9th was active in the Appomattox campaign.

  Regimental loses from all causes:  13 officers and 210 enlisted men.  Two privates, Jeremiah Park and George Reynolds were awarded the Medal of Honor. 

Soldier History

SOLDIER:
Residence: Inf. Not Available Age: 24 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 9/27/61 Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 10/2/61
Mustered Out: 7/17/65 Cloud’s Mill, VA
Highest Rank: Pvt.

Family History

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

  According to the 1870 census Joseph Cassin was born in Canada in 1840.  This however, does not match with database information which indicated he was aged 24 when he joined the U.S. Cavalry.  That would make his year of birth 1837.

  Beyond his Irish-born mother being named Catherine, nothing is known about his birth family, childhood or teenaged years.

  However, Edward Cassin who also joined the 9th’s Co. “M” in Oct. ’61 may have been a brother or cousin. When the 5’9”, light complexioned, gray eyed Cassin entered the U.S. Army he listed his occupation as Blacksmith.  He put this skill to use in the cavalry as, although records are somewhat unclear on this matter, he was promoted to the position/rank of blacksmith.

  For a time in the fall of ’63 he served as blacksmith at regimental headquarters.  By the end of the year, however, when he reenlisted as a veteran volunteer, it was noted he had been reduced to ranks and was again a private.

  Although never wounded, in later years when applying for U.S. Government pension based on his Civil War soldiering Cassin claimed that on 3/12/63 while on duty in VA, his horse threw him against his saddle thereby injuring the passage from his bladder and causing kidney disease.  For this he was reportedly treated in the hospital at Aquia Creek, VA for 6 weeks and a regimental surgeon for another year.  The pension was granted.  At the death the former Civil War trooper was receiving a $6 per month stipend.

  Even less is known about Mr. Cassin’s post war years then those prior to the war.  Apparently he returned to New York State.  By the late 1800’s he was residing in Clinton County and employed as a blacksmith.  It appears he never, married.  Although the reasons are unknown, by late 1894 Joseph had migrated westward to Seattle, WA where a coat containing his pension certificate was stolen while he was staying in a “lodging house on the corner of Washington and Railroad St.”

  By the following year he had moved to Everett.  At some point thereafter he became a resident (The Everett Daily Herald referred to him as an “inmate.”) of the Washington Soldiers’ home located in the Pierce County community of Orting.

  On 4/16/02 while traveling up Puget Sound from Orting to Everett on the steam ship City of Everett, the 65 year old Cassin fell unconscious.  He died the following day (4/17) in the Everett hospital.  Cause of death was noted as apoplexy (stroke). 

Cemetery

Buried at Evergreen Cemetery Everett
Row: 5
Site: 4

Adopt-a-Vet Sponsor

Jeff Garnes
Woodinville, WA


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