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James Hard | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | James Albert Hard |
| Born | July 15, 1843 Windsor, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 12, 1953 (aged109 years, 240 days) Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Unit |  32nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
James Albert Hard (July 15, 1843 – March 12, 1953) was the last verified living Union combat veteran of theAmerican Civil War and the third-to-last verified veteran overall; only drummer boys Frank H. Mayer andAlbert Woolson post-deceased him. Though he claimed to have been born in 1841,[1] research in 2006 found that the1850 Census indicated a birthdate of 1843.
He died inRochester, New York, at the claimed age of 111.[2] Census research indicates, however, that he was probably a year or two younger and may have inflated his age in order to enter the military. He is recorded as having joined theUnion Army on May 14, 1861, aged 19. The 1850,1910, and1920 censuses,[non-primary source needed] however, suggest that he was born in 1843 and 1842 respectively.[citation needed]
Hard served with the32nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment as "Albert," participating in the battles ofFirst Bull Run,Antietam,Fredericksburg, andChancellorsville. The regiment's term of service expired before theGettysburg campaign.[3] He claimed to have metAbraham Lincoln at a White House reception.[4][5]
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