First Lieutenant THEODORE A. STANLEY

First Lieutenant THEODORE A. STANLEY, was born July 22d, 1833, at New Britain, Conn., being the son of Mr. Henry Stanley, one of a family who have been for years among the most prominent manufacturers of that progressive-in-all-good-works little city. After completing his education, he went to New York, where he remained learning the mercantile business, until the age of twenty-three, when he returned to his home to take a position in an important manufacturing business to which he devoted his entire time and energy, up to the date of his enlistment, July 15th, 1862. Nothing but an earnest conviction of his duty impelled him to enlist at the sacrifice of most promising business interests, but he unflinchingly chose the path of duty, and throwing his whole energy into the organization of the New Britain Company, in the 14th, was chosen 2d Lieutenant thereof. His health and physical condition were illy suited to the hardships he was to undergo, but he bore his part quietly and nobly to the end. His captain (Blinn), falling at Antietam, where Stanley distinguished himself by his coolness in discharge of his duties, Lt. Moore was promoted Captain, and Stanley was commissioned 1st Lieutenant, with rank from the day of the battle, Sept. 17th, 1862.

At the battle of Fredericksburg, he was in command of his company (the captain being on detached service at the time), and led his men in that grand charge on the rebel batteries on Marye’s Heights, when the storm of shot, shell, grape, and cannister, blackened the air for hours. In this charge Lieutenant Stanley fell mortally wounded by a musket ball through the lungs. While being carried back to the city in expectation of immediate death, he told his comrades to leave him on the field, and take care of themselves. But he survived to be removed across the river, and afterward to Armory Square Hospital, at Washington, where, after eighteen days of suffering, much of which was intense, yet which could not shake his trust in the Saviour in whom he believed, his life ebbed out with the dying year, on the 31st December, 1862. His body was removed to New Britain, where he was buried with military honors. The funeral services were held from the South church, which was filled to its utmost capacity by his friends and fellow-citizens, mindful of his worth and services. Lieutenant Stanley was very quiet and reticent with strangers, and was not well known to many in the regiment, but his Colonel truly said: “He was always found to the front,” and the officers and men of his own company testify to his uniform regard for their comfort and welfare.