The Watertown Reformer of Thursday June 23, 1864 published a letter written by P. O. Cook, chaplain of the 94th regiment to Jason M. Fairbanks. The letter was written from the headquarters of the regiment in the field, and was dated June 14. It related the death of Mr. Fairbanks' son, James, who was wounded. The letter follows:
"In our advance upon Richmond the army, or at least that portion of which the 94th is connected crossed the Chickahominy river a few miles below Bottom's Bridge early yesterday morning, and immediately advanced up the river as far as White Oak creek, along the swamp of the same name. On arriving at this point the 94th were required to advance into a swamp and man a fort commanding their position, and within distance of the rebel sharpshooters. While in this position and deployed as skirmishers, your son was hit by a piece of shell and wounded in his left breast about 10 a.m. He was immediately carried on a stretcher by his companions to a place in the rear, where myself and others had prepared temporary resting places for the wounded. His wound was prepared, examined and dressed by Assistant Surgeon Dr. Derby. It soon became necessary to transfer wounded a little further to the rear. Here James remained until dark, when he was placed in the ambulance and taken along with the troops who moved down the river again toward Charles City Court House during the night reaching this place for halting about 3 a.m. His cousin, George, was with him from the time he was brought to the rear until he breathed his last - doing, as did others, all that was possible in the circumstances, for his comfort. During a portion of the afternoon his mind was at times wandering but the most part he was rational. His wound was, of course, painful, and at his request, opiates were administered to quiet him. I saw him very early this morning, but found him too far gone to know me.
We arrived at this point, which is near the Charles City Court House about 9 a.m. On visiting James I found him breathing his last under the tender care of his weeping and afflicted cousin, George Fairbanks. As it was then supposed that we should move again before noon, it was deemed expedient to make arrangements for the interring of his body. These were made under the superintendence of his former commander, Lieut. Fish, and Alex Hay. The grave was dug under a tree nearby--a very pleasant spot--and at about half past eleven, in the presence of his company and many others. I conducted religious services at the grave. Lieut. Hulbert, formerly a member of the company, inscribed the following epitaph upon the headboard of the grave:
Co. A. 94th N. Y.
Wounded June 13, and died June 14,
1864
His cousin George Fairbanks was killed in battle in April 1865 at Five Forks, Va.
Sources
Newspaper -The Watertown Reformer of Thursday June 23, 1864
Jefferson County Gen Web, US Civil War Service Records, "Electronic," for James E. Fairbanks
Jefferson County Gen Web, "Deceased Veterans of Jefferson County NY State Census 1865" extracted by Sheila Hoffman
Jefferson County Gen Web, US Civil War Service Records, "Electronic," for George L. Fairbanks
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