Andrew Watson Leonard (1843 - 1880)

Born 19 Mar 1843 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States

Died 4 Jan 1880 at age 36 in Independence, Buchanan, Iowa, United States

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Biography

Andrew Watson Leonard was born in 1843 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the child of Isabella and Henry Leonard. He served as a white commissioned officer with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the 103rd United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the American Civil War.

Education

In 1850, he is attending school, probably in or near Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Occupations

• 1860, 1863: Clerk

Residences

• 1863: Charlestown, Massachusetts (military enlistment)
• 1860: Charlestown, Massachusetts with his parents and siblings
• 1850: Charlestown, Massachusetts with his parents

Military Service

During the Civil War, he served as a white commissioned officer - First Lieutenant - in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, the first regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 20 years old, single and working as a clerk when he enlisted as a Second Lieutenant on 18 August 1863 from Charlestown, Massachusetts. Mustered 19 November 1863. He was promoted to a First Lieutenant on 31 January 1863, mustering 5 March 1864. In April 1864, he was briefly detached to serve with the Boat Infantry of Morris Island, South Carolina. Discharged 16 May 1865 for a promotion to Captain in the 103rd United States Colored Troops (USCT.)^[1]

Prior to his service with the 54th, he also served in Company D of the 13th Massachusetts in 1861.^[2]

Potter's Raid

Our regiment marched with six hundred and seventy-five enlisted men and the following officers: Lieutenant-Colonel Hooper, Major Pope, Surgeon Briggs, Acting Adjutant Whitney, and Acting Quartermaster Bridgham; Company F, Captain Bridge; Company C, Lieutenant Spear; Company B, Lieutenant Hallett; Company H, Captain Tucker and Lieutenant Stevens; Company A, Lieutenant Rogers; Company D, Captain Chipman and Lieutenant Swails; Company G, Captain Appleton; Company E, Lieutenant Emerson, commanding, and Lieutenant Cousens; Company I, Captain Howard; Company K, Lieutenant Reed. Lieutenants Newell and Joy took part on Colonel Hallowell's staff. Lieutenant Leonard was directed to remain in charge of the camp. A pioneer corps of twenty men was placed under Sergeant Wilkins of Company D for this field service.^[3]

Race

• 1880: White
• 1850, 1860: Unspecified

Death

He passed away due to consumption in 1880 in Independence, Iowa.

Research Notes

☑ Federal census records for Iowa in 1870 or 1880 - no obvious matches Raymoure-1 18:32, 19 March 2019 (UTC)

☑ City directories for Iowa - no obvious matches Raymoure-1 18:32, 19 March 2019 (UTC)

☑ March 2019 Fold3.com preliminary check Raymoure-1 18:32, 19 March 2019 (UTC)

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

1. ↑ Emilio, McKay Roster, p. 335
2. ↑ Emilio, McKay Roster, p. 335
3. ↑ Emilio, p. 291

• 1850 United States Federal Census Year: 1850; Census Place: Charlestown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: M432_322; Page: 122B; Image: 250
• 1850-1880 United States Mortality Schedules National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Non-population Census Schedules for Iowa, 1850-1880; Archive Collection: T1156; Archive Roll Number: 59; Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Independence, Buchanan, Iowa
• 1860 United States Federal Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Charlestown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: M653_512; Page: 307; Family History Library Film: 803512
• Battle of Olustee: First Lieutenant Andrew Watson Leonard
• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)