Corporal Henry Powers

18-year-old Henry Powers enlisted March 1, 1862 in New Lexington, Perry County, Ohio.  His father, William, a native of Ireland, worked as a laborer before his death in September, 1861.  Providing financial support for his mother, Martha, and three siblings may have motivated Henry to enlist and while in the army Powers regularly sent a portion of his pay to his family in Perry County.  Appointed a corporal in Co. G of the 61^st, Powers served with the regiment until the Battle of Gettysburg.   There on July 1, 1863 he was mortally wounded.  According to Sergeant William Little of Co. G, Powers was wounded in the left thigh when the regiment was engaged in the fields north of town.  When the 61^st retreated he was left behind and died in enemy hands.