FRED S. GURNEY
G.A.R. Post 36 Department of Maine
Fred S. Gurney was mustered into service as 1st Lt. Co. C 5th Maine Vol. Inf., June 24, 1861 and resigned August 5, 1661. He re-enlisted as Sgt. Co. A in the newly formed 27th Maine Infantry Sept. 10th 1862. Gurney was one of a number of 27th Maine troops who extend their enlistment to protect Washington City in the face of Lee’s advancement in July 1863, culminating in the great battle at Gettysburg. For this brave and patriotic gesture Fred S. Gurney and his mates would be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor . (see: SHOWER OF STARS by John Pullen) Gurney was discharged when the brave 27th was mustered out in Portland, Maine July 17,1863. Gurney volunteered yet again in April 1864 when he was commissioned as 2nd Lt. Co. E 32nd Maine Infantry. He was killed in action on May 12, 1864 at Spottsylvania. Per a period record maintained with the Gurney mementos, there were several brothers in service during the Civil War with only one returning. He brought back the trophies of brother Fred S. Gurney’s service which were displayed in the FRED S. GURNEY G. A. R. Post # 36, Department of Maine when the post was chartered in the name of the fallen hero.
