The Line of James Henry Hartshorn, III

Father: James Henry HARTSHORN, Sr. (7 Jul 1807 - aft 1880)
Mother: Maria E. WILLIAMS (1808 - 1886).

Born: 5 May 1835 Wakefield, Middlesex, Massachusetts.
Died: 18 Aug 1863 (age 28) at sea, aboard U.S.S. Katahdin.

Never married.

General: James Henry served in the navy during the civil war. From a letter he wrote home from onboard the U.S.S. Katahdin off Galveston, 17 May 1863:

We came very near catching a prize last Sunday, or we did catch her, but she had to run ashore to get away from us. I had to go aboard of her and burn her, which I did after being nearly drowned in getting through the surf. We had the boat fill three times. There was a very heavy sea running. A southeaster was blowing right on shore, but the Captain gave me his gig to go in, which is a splendid whale boat and would outlive almost any sea. We never could have gone through that surf in any other kind of boat, We all came on board looking more like drowned rats than human beings. She flew an English flag all the time we were chasing her. I gobbled that and brought it off together with a few other articles. She was not worth much. She was bound in to get a load of cotton, I suppose. By the way, speaking of cotton, tell Nellie that Amanda did not say anything to me about the piece of furniture she built for my niece, Miss Kitty [dau of his sister, Helen]. I have seen some of Amanda's handiwork and know that whatever she does do she does first rate.
Kiss Miss Kitty from me, and tell her to be a good girl and hurrah for Uncle Jimmie.

Goodbye for a while. Write often to your affectionate sonny boy,
Jas. Henry

USS Katahdin - sketch by Davis, Nov. 22, 1862  [see history]

Extracts from a letter James Hartshorn wrote home when stationed at New Orleans, 27 April 1863:

I have a chance to write a few lines down as far as the Forts with the possibility of getting it by. If it does, you will hear from me so much quicker than you will if I wait till after we have taken the forts. I thought you might have hear of our running by the forts and taking New Orleans and if you did you might feel worried about me. I am very happy to inform you that I have escaped without a scratch although I was in the most exposed place on the ship.
I guess you will be surprised when you hear of our doings here. They say it was the boldest move ever atempted by a naval force and I think it must be, for we had to pass between two large forts one mile and a half apart with a four or five knot current against us. We ran by early in the morning of the 24th before daylight, destroying eleven steamboats and a battering ram (Ironclad). We had two or three shots strike us besides some shell bursting over our heads, but strange to say not a man on board of our vessel was hurt in the least. The vessel ahead of us was sunk and the one astern had five or six shots strike her.
I have distinguished myself a little by standing forward and telling the Master how to steam through the forts while the shot and shell were flying like rain over our heads. He had to stand aft by the man at the wheel and could not see ahead throught the smoke so I kep singing out to him.

James Hartshorn was recommended for promotion for his bravery and coolness under fire during the Battle of New Orleans.

The following are extracts from a notice appearing in a Boston newspaper:

Died at sea August 18, 1863 on board U.S. Steamer "Katahdin" Ensign James H. Hartshorn, at the age of 28.

The seeds of a fell disease were working insidiously in his system, and although somewhat indisposed for a few days immediately preceeding his disease, he remained at his post of duty. Visiting the deck at an early hour on the morning of the 18th of August, he returned to his stateroom for a little rest, and when called by the steward for the morning meal, he was found peacefully reposing, his head resting easily on one hand in an attitude of perfect tranquility, but life was extinct.