Sgt. Francis H. Fletcher

Francis H. Fletcher was born in Salem, MA around 1841 to Hazzard Fletcher, a mariner, and Rachel Sinclair, a housekeeper. His father was born in either Marblehead, Beverly, or Salem, MA, and his mother from Savannah, GA or Maryland. Both of Francis’ parents had been married at least once previous to his birth. Francis was educated, and worked as a clerk before his military service.

He joined Company A of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment on February 13, 1863, and was paid a $50 bounty for signing up. Francis quickly attained the rank of Sergeant and served as such for the entirety of his enlistment, mustering out on August 20, 1865. As a member of the 54th through the entirety of its wartime existence he saw action at Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, the battle made famous in the movie “Glory”.

His enlistment paperwork gives the following description: 22 years of age, 5 feet 3 3/4 inches in height, brown eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion.

After the Civil War Francis lived with his mother and stepfather, Isaac Kelsey, at 2 Pratt Street in Salem and found work as a house painter. I don’t believe he was ever married; the 1865 MA Census lists him as married, but none of the other records I’ve found for him do.

He died of consumption (tuberculosis) in Salem on February 8, 1872, and was buried in the Soldiers Lot at Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem. Sgt. Fletcher’s grave was marked with a veteran gravestone in 1888.