Oscar Edmund Wait was born 13 December 1840, in Fairfax, Vermont, the son of Edmund and Hannah (Wilson) Wait. In 1850, the family was living in St. Albans, where Oscar was a student. He was credited to Sheldon, when he enlisted 11 August 1862, and mustered in as a private in Co. I, 10th Vermont Infantry. Promoted to corporal on 14 December 1862, he was present at the battle of Monocacy, on 9 July 1864, when the following incident began. Wait was in the same company as his older brother-in-law, Edwin W. Skeels (1817-64), who was captured at Monocacy and died in prison under terrible conditions at Danville, VA.
"Oscar E. Wait of company I, who after being captured near Monrovia by the Confederate cavalry (during the retreat after the battle of Monocacy), made his escape by knocking down a guard. He was recaptured three days later near Clarksburg, and while on the way to Richmond with 300 other prisoners, he picked up a discarded gray jacket, slipped it over his blouse, and taking a musket which one of the guard had left leaning against a tree for a moment, during a halt at night, took his place among the guard, instead of with the prisoners. Watching his opportunity he then made his escape, accompanied by a comrade, and the two reached the Union lines in safety, bringing with them a Confederate officer with his horse and arms, whom they met and captured on the road at some distance from his command." Wait was mustered out of service on 22 June 1865.
He married Julia M. Whipple in 1866, who predeceased him. Wait drafted a manuscript of his Civil War experiences based on his personal journal, which was donated to the Vermont Historical Society.
"Oscar E. Wait of company I, who after being captured near Monrovia by the Confederate cavalry (during the retreat after the battle of Monocacy), made his escape by knocking down a guard. He was recaptured three days later near Clarksburg, and while on the way to Richmond with 300 other prisoners, he picked up a discarded gray jacket, slipped it over his blouse, and taking a musket which one of the guard had left leaning against a tree for a moment, during a halt at night, took his place among the guard, instead of with the prisoners. Watching his opportunity he then made his escape, accompanied by a comrade, and the two reached the Union lines in safety, bringing with them a Confederate officer with his horse and arms, whom they met and captured on the road at some distance from his command." Wait was mustered out of service on 22 June 1865.
He married Julia M. Whipple in 1866, who predeceased him. Wait drafted a manuscript of his Civil War experiences based on his personal journal, which was donated to the Vermont Historical Society.
Oscar Edmund Wait was born 13 December 1840, in Fairfax, Vermont, the son of Edmund and Hannah (Wilson) Wait. In 1850, the family was living in St. Albans, where Oscar was a student. He was credited to Sheldon, when he enlisted 11 August 1862, and mustered in as a private in Co. I, 10th Vermont Infantry. Promoted to corporal on 14 December 1862, he was present at the battle of Monocacy, on 9 July 1864, when the following incident began. Wait was in the same company as his older brother-in-law, Edwin W. Skeels (1817-64), who was captured at Monocacy and died in prison under terrible conditions at Danville, VA.
"Oscar E. Wait of company I, who after being captured near Monrovia by the Confederate cavalry (during the retreat after the battle of Monocacy), made his escape by knocking down a guard. He was recaptured three days later near Clarksburg, and while on the way to Richmond with 300 other prisoners, he picked up a discarded gray jacket, slipped it over his blouse, and taking a musket which one of the guard had left leaning against a tree for a moment, during a halt at night, took his place among the guard, instead of with the prisoners. Watching his opportunity he then made his escape, accompanied by a comrade, and the two reached the Union lines in safety, bringing with them a Confederate officer with his horse and arms, whom they met and captured on the road at some distance from his command." Wait was mustered out of service on 22 June 1865.
He married Julia M. Whipple in 1866, who predeceased him. Wait drafted a manuscript of his Civil War experiences based on his personal journal, which was donated to the Vermont Historical Society.
"Oscar E. Wait of company I, who after being captured near Monrovia by the Confederate cavalry (during the retreat after the battle of Monocacy), made his escape by knocking down a guard. He was recaptured three days later near Clarksburg, and while on the way to Richmond with 300 other prisoners, he picked up a discarded gray jacket, slipped it over his blouse, and taking a musket which one of the guard had left leaning against a tree for a moment, during a halt at night, took his place among the guard, instead of with the prisoners. Watching his opportunity he then made his escape, accompanied by a comrade, and the two reached the Union lines in safety, bringing with them a Confederate officer with his horse and arms, whom they met and captured on the road at some distance from his command." Wait was mustered out of service on 22 June 1865.
He married Julia M. Whipple in 1866, who predeceased him. Wait drafted a manuscript of his Civil War experiences based on his personal journal, which was donated to the Vermont Historical Society.
Gravesite Details
Corporal, Co. I. 10th Regiment, VT Infantry, US ARMY, Civil War, (Pension- Army invalid)
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