In August 1859, Ambrose Cockcroft sailed from Liverpool on the SS Tuscarora.
He was travelling alone, steerage class, and recorded as a labourer. He arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA [23rd August 1859].
His brother William and sister in law Martha lived in Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut [1860].
On 12th September 1861, living at Thompson, Connecticut, USA, Ambrose enrolled in the Union Army:
His regiment was attached to Wright's 3rd Brigade,
Sherman's Expeditionary Corps [to April 1862]1st Brigade, 1st Division, Department of the South [to July 1862]
District of Beaufort, South Carolina, Department of the South [to September 1862]
District of Beaufort, South Carolina, X Corps, Department of the South [to March 1863]
Jacksonville, Florida [to April 1863]
District Hilton Head, South Carolina, X Corps, April 1863. Folly Island, South Carolina, X Corps [to June 1863]
2nd Brigade, Folly Island, South Carolina, X Corps [to July 1863]
2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Morris Island, South Carolina, X Corps [July 1863]
1st Brigade, Morris Island, South Carolina, X Corps [July 1863]
Ambrose was captured by the Confederate Army at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, near Charlestown, South Carolina, USA. The first brigade was commanded by General George Crockett Strong and was composed of the 54th Massachusetts, 6th Connecticut, 48th New York, 3rd New Hampshire, 76th Pennsylvania, and the 9th Maine regiments.
Ambrose was made a prisoner of war.
He was sent from Charleston to Columbia Jail on July 21st 1863, and then sent to Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia (a notorious Confederate jail) on Sept 24th or possibly Oct 10th 1863.
He was admitted to the prison hospital on Jan 8th 1864 suffering from diarrhoea etc and died on Jan 21st 1864 (aged 44) of starvation and disease.
There is no known grave in the US, but he is recorded on a gravestone at Mount Tabor Methodist Chapel along with his wife and other family members.
His widow Maria received a pension from the US Government until her death
Page Ref: X590
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