All records indicate that his name is Nahum, not Nathan - tombstone in error.
Obit has him being born in Woonsocket. However other records indicate he was born in Born in Charlton, MA
Civil War Duty
Residence Woonsocket RI;
Enlisted on 6/6/1861 as a Private.
On 6/6/1861 he mustered into "I" Co. RI 2nd Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 6/17/1864
Source - Register of Rhode Island Volunteers 1861-1865
DEATH
Another veteran of the 2nd Rhode Island Vols. Nahum Ball of Blackstone has gone over to the majority. He dies of heart disease while only 47 years old. His faithful service to his country until the end of the war did not predispose to old age.
Woonsocket Patriot and New England News
Friday April 13, 1885
Blackstone
On Friday afternoon, Nov 6, died Nahum Ball one of our best known citizens, familiarly and kindly known by young and old alike. In his little shoe shop at the Canal St. bridge he has been constantly at work for some eight years past, save the time he was incapacitated by sickness, and he had won the esteem of the community by his excellent workmanship, unassuming ways and honest common sense judgment. Born and brought up in the neighboring town of Woonsocket, he enlisted in the company raised there for the Second Regiment R.I. Volunteers in the spring of 1861 and served for four years in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac from the first battle of Bull Run to Lee's surrender. In all those campaigns he saw hard service but escaped all injury from bullet or disease. Apparently he was none the worse physically for those for those four years of extreme mental and physical strain. But there can be little doubt that the chronic disease of the heart which finally caused his death took its origin in the period. By quiet, temperate mode of living he prolonged his life many months after it held the frailest tenure. The final breakdown was caused by a walk from Woonsocket to this village some since weeks since. The death of his old commander, Gen Geo. B. McClellan, for whom he always evinced the warmest sympathy and administration, deeply affected him and saddened his own shortening time. The funeral was held on Sunday at 12 m., in the Universalist church in Woonsocket, Rev Charles White officiating, and was attended by the members of the Freeman Post G.A.R. of this town and the Smith Post of Woonsocket. He was buried at Oak Hill.
"His dirge is triumph; cankering rust,
And time, that turneth all to dust,
His tomb shall never waste nor hide,
The tomb of warrior true and tried."
Woonsocket Patriot and New England News
Friday April 13, 1885
All records indicate that his name is Nahum, not Nathan - tombstone in error.
Obit has him being born in Woonsocket. However other records indicate he was born in Born in Charlton, MA
Civil War Duty
Residence Woonsocket RI;
Enlisted on 6/6/1861 as a Private.
On 6/6/1861 he mustered into "I" Co. RI 2nd Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 6/17/1864
Source - Register of Rhode Island Volunteers 1861-1865
DEATH
Another veteran of the 2nd Rhode Island Vols. Nahum Ball of Blackstone has gone over to the majority. He dies of heart disease while only 47 years old. His faithful service to his country until the end of the war did not predispose to old age.
Woonsocket Patriot and New England News
Friday April 13, 1885
Blackstone
On Friday afternoon, Nov 6, died Nahum Ball one of our best known citizens, familiarly and kindly known by young and old alike. In his little shoe shop at the Canal St. bridge he has been constantly at work for some eight years past, save the time he was incapacitated by sickness, and he had won the esteem of the community by his excellent workmanship, unassuming ways and honest common sense judgment. Born and brought up in the neighboring town of Woonsocket, he enlisted in the company raised there for the Second Regiment R.I. Volunteers in the spring of 1861 and served for four years in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac from the first battle of Bull Run to Lee's surrender. In all those campaigns he saw hard service but escaped all injury from bullet or disease. Apparently he was none the worse physically for those for those four years of extreme mental and physical strain. But there can be little doubt that the chronic disease of the heart which finally caused his death took its origin in the period. By quiet, temperate mode of living he prolonged his life many months after it held the frailest tenure. The final breakdown was caused by a walk from Woonsocket to this village some since weeks since. The death of his old commander, Gen Geo. B. McClellan, for whom he always evinced the warmest sympathy and administration, deeply affected him and saddened his own shortening time. The funeral was held on Sunday at 12 m., in the Universalist church in Woonsocket, Rev Charles White officiating, and was attended by the members of the Freeman Post G.A.R. of this town and the Smith Post of Woonsocket. He was buried at Oak Hill.
"His dirge is triumph; cankering rust,
And time, that turneth all to dust,
His tomb shall never waste nor hide,
The tomb of warrior true and tried."
Woonsocket Patriot and New England News
Friday April 13, 1885
Gravesite Details
Co. I, 2nd RI Infantry
Family Members
Parents
