"Death" of Major Archibald Bogle,
First North Carolina Colored Infantry

MARCH 2, 1864.

FIRST NORTH CAROLINA COLORED INFANTRY.

Death of Major Archibald Bogle, First Regiment North Carolina Colored Infantry. The sad news reached this city yesterday that Major Bogle of the 1st North Carolina Colored Infantry had been killed in the late battle in Florida. Upon his relatives and friends the intelligence fell with distressing weight. Major Bogle was the only son of Wm. Bogle, Esq., of Melrose. He was formerly a member of the 2d Battalion M. V. M., and did duty at Fort Warren during the time the Battalion was stationed there in 1861. He was afterwards commissioned 2d Lieutenant in the 17th Regiment Mass. Volunteers, and left the Commonwealth, never to return, Aug. 25, 1861. He was afterward promoted 1st Lieutenant in the 17th, which position he held until he was selected by Brig. Gen. Wild for Major of the 1st Regiment of colored infantry, raised in North Carolina. [Editor's Note: Official records state that Lt. Bogle was actually promoted for gallant conduct on the field May 1862 - He was then promoted to major in the 35th USCT May 1863.] Major Bogle was one of the promising young officers that has left Massachusetts during this war. Although but about twenty-two years of age, he was complete master of his profession. He had a natural adaptation for military study and science. His temperament was remarkably cool and steady. He was never excited, and he never lost his poise. A braver or truer heart never beat under a soldier's uniform. He fell at the head of his regiment, far from home and kindred, but his memory will be ever cherished with warm affection by all who knew him as a brave, good man who gave up his young life on the battle field of his country and humanity. [Editor's Note: Bogle was mentioned in General Orders for distinguished gallantry at the Battle of Olustee.]

This letter is from an article printed in the Boston Journal; March 2, 1864; pg. 2, col. 1.

It is made available here through the courtesy of Thomas Hayes, tom_hayes@letterscivilwar.com.

However, I am in possession of several documents provided. by James G. Bogle, Jr of South Carolina, that shows that Major Bogle survived the battle and actually died in Oakland, California on October 11, 1893. Bogle's full name on the Certificate of Death is listed as "Col. Archibald Bogle." His birthplace is listed as Scotland and the reason for his death is listed as "Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver." Complications were listed as "Valoular Heart Disease. Kidneys became inactive toward the last and Dropsy resulting." Bogle was 53 years old when he died. It is easier to understand his alcoholism when you read his adventures after his capture. Bogle left a wife, Anna Conover - 35 years old - whom he had married on August 10th, 1893.

But the story goes on... James Bogle sent me additional information Archibald Bogle showing that the cause of death might not have been from "Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver" after all. His widow submitted numerous papers to the Department of the Interior in 1924 to prove her claim to pension benefits after she was widows for a second time. Some of these papers include statements by medical physicans who treated him later in life and before his death. One states that that Archibald Bogle died from "malarial condition of the liver" and "bowels obstructed caused by a stricture from a gunshot wound, received in service in the Civil War." The doctor who claimed that Bogle died from "Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver" also changed his statement to read "malarial poison and general dropsy" as the cause of his death.

Thomas Hayes is currently working on a historical reference work, "Letters of the Civil War," from the newspapers of the cities and towns of Massachusetts. He has researched the Boston Herald, Chelsea Telegraph and Pioneer, Dedham Gazette, Roxbury Gazette, Randolph Transcript, Worcester Transcript and the Malden Messenger. He says, "I have filed, by date, a little over 3,300 letters. These are from the Soldiers, Sailors, Nurses, Correspondents and Politicans. This project started out as a simple endeavor to find that one letter from my Grandfather, Walter A. Hewes, who served in the 1st Mass. Infantry and 4th Mass. Cavalry. To date, no luck, but I have about 30 more papers to research."

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