Henry L. Achilles Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 2014-009

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Henry L. Achilles was organizer and Captain of Company K, 27th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Later, he operated a plow factory in Rochester, and was highly involved in Union veterans affairs. Materials in this collection mostly relate to his military service, and date from 1861 to 1877, with the bulk dated 1861-1864. The materials include correspondence, muster rolls, enlistment rolls, military passes and discharge, and a plan of battle fieldbook.

Dates

Creation: 1861-1864, 1877

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical / Historical

Captain Henry Louis Achilles was born on May 3, 1833, in Rochester, New York. He was the son of Henry L. Achilles Sr. and his second wife, Samantha. He grew up in Albion, Orleans County, N.Y., and married Susan Elizabeth Bowen in 1855. Together they had three children. He graduated from the University of Rochester with the class of 1857.

In April of 1861 he organized Company K of the 27th New York Infantry Regiment. He and the rest of his volunteers marched from Albion to Elmira, New York. In May the company was mustered in. In July they arrived in Washington, D.C., and soon after fought at the first Battle of Bull Run. Captain Achilles and his unit were also at Antietam and Fredericksburg.

In the summer of 1862, Captain Achilles was released from the army because of illness. He returned to Rochester. In 1864, he became a New York State Election agent and distributed absentee ballots to hospitalized New York soldiers in the Washington area. After the war Captain Achilles began a plow manufacturing company on Platt Street. He also served as the Sunday School superintendent at the Second Baptist Church of Rochester for 21 years. He was actively involved in veterans' affairs. He and other Civil War veterans founded the Rochester Cadets (later renamed Achilles Corps) in 1897, and Captain Achilles was its first commander.

In 1889, the family moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he went into business. While there he and his wife became active in the Washington Soldiers' Home (for disabled volunteer soldiers) of Orting, Washington. Captain Achilles became the commandant and his wife became matron of the home. From 1898 to 1901, he and his wife lived in Hilo, Hawaii, where one of his sons lived. They moved back to Rochester in 1901. Henry L. Achilles died on April 26, 1903 and is buried in the family plot at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Extent

0.3 Cubic Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single box.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated September 20, 1965 by Ferris S. Moulton on behalf of H.L. Achilles' grandaughter, Mrs. Moulton, daughter of Carrie A. Achilles.

Existence and Location of Copies

The bulk of the material in this collection was digitized and mounted as part of the Many Roads to Freedom project. These digital versions can be accessed at http://www.libraryweb.org/rochimag/roads/achillescoll.htm.

Bibliography

"About Henry Achilles." Many Roads to Freedom (pathfinder), Rochester Public Library, Rochester, New York. Accessed May 28, 2020 from http://photo.libraryweb.org/rochimag/roads/achillesmain.htm