Edward L. Oilman, the only son of Charles E. Oilman, late city clerk, was in Company G, First Massachusetts Infantry, and discharged for disability. He returned home, and died, after a long illness. Those who contracted disease and wounds in the service, and were discharged therefor, and never regained health, but soon passed away, should be added to the appalling list of our sacrifices for the Union.
William D. Smith, who lived in the ‘Hawkins Block’ on Bow street, and attended the Prospect Hill school for many years, was noted for his ready wit and genial qualities. He enlisted in the Chelsea company of the First Massachusetts Volunteers, and was killed in a gallant assault upon the enemy at Yorktown April 26, 1862.
George W. West, long a resident of Somerville, and a lieutenant of the Somerville Light Infantry, soon after its organization, became colonel of the Seventeenth Maine during the war, serving with great distinction. He died last year at Athol, Mass.
William W. Wardell, of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in that regiment, and died from wounds May 28, 1864. He was a very fine officer.
Charles D. Elliot, appointed civil engineer in the Army November 23, 1862, and assigned to the Department of the Gulf, was on duty on staffs of Generals Franklin, Ashboth, and Grover, and under fire in the battle of Bisland, siege of Port Hudson, and expedition to Sabine Pass. He retired from the army on account of malarial sickness, and was especially commended in letters from General Grover and Major D. C. Houston, chief engineer Department of the Gulf. The Engineer Corps of the regular army was a privileged class, influential enough to prevent those of equal ability from civil life, whose aid was indispensable, from being commissioned; but these assistants were not exempt from peril for that reason, but did their full share of hazardous
