David S. Harris
David S. Harris was born in Varick, New York in 1836. He was the son of Samuel Harris, a boatman, and Ruth Harris. The Harris' had a small home near the lake, where they lived with their 4 daughters and 5 sons, ranging in age from 6 to 28 in 1862. At the time of his enlistment on August 30, 1862, 26 year-old David Harris worked as a farm laborer. He worked as a hospital steward for a period in early 1863, and was later promoted to Corporal, and then Sergeant. He was wounded in the left thigh on June 18, 1864, outside of Petersburg, as the 44th acted as support for a planned night assault. An accidental discharge of a musket betrayed the surprise to the Confederates, who opened fire and wounded several men. He later returned to the regiment and was transferred to Company G of the 140th NY, mustering out with that regiment on June 3, 1865. He returned to Varick after the war, and eventually moved to Colewater, California. He died January 14, 1909, at the age of 73.