George Bandfield

1841-1923
Hometown: Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, New York

The son of a famer, river pilot, and oil prospector, George Henry Bandfield was teaching school and studying law about the time when the Civil War broke out.

His life, letters, and diaries have been edited extensively by his descendants, Troy A. Hillman and Joan Hillman-Hill and published in 2019: The Diaries of George H. Bandfield, Civil War Marine.

Bandfield served on the USS Vanderbilt with Charley Brother and was assigned to the USS Brooklyn, fighting in the Battle of Mobile Bay and at Fort Fisher. His diaries contribute significantly to the story of these Marines from upstate, New York, many recruited at the same time, and beyond.

After the Civil War Bandfield suffered much from wounds caused by his service, incl. rheumatism, difficulty walking and working, pain in left hip and both shoulders, and deafness.

The Marines who served with him—Leland, Gregg, Harris, and Williard Moon Smith and others—submitted letters of support to help Bandfield get his pension.

Later in life he became blind. Still, after the war he contributed to his community as a notary public, attorney, general store operator and tinman, town clerk, town supervisor, Justice of the Peace, President of the Board of Education.

He died in Hinsdale, NY. For more important details about Bandfield, go to Find-a-Grave or Amazon.com!