Snmnt*! Knifrht ^nstlriimr woa hnrn I
j Oct. 25, 1842, in Danielson and attended
I the district schools in Kast Killingly
until ten years of age, when bis parents
moved to the part of Thompson which
| is now t'utDam. where he continued his
schooling. Upon the death of his la
ther in 1856 he went to live with his
uncle, A. S. Brace of Pomfret Landing j
and remained there five years. From
1850 to 1862 he engaged in farming at
Pomfret in company with Lucian
Holmes, this occupation being inter
rupted by his enlistment for service in
the Union army, the old military spirit
and loyal enthusiasm of the family com
ing to the front and inducing him to
give up everything for his country.
On July 28, 1862, Mr. Bpalding en
listed in Putnam and was mustered into
the army on Aug. 18, 1862, at Norwich.
Army life was by no means a series of
pleasant incidents to Mr. Spalding, On
June 15, 1868, he was captured by the
enemy near Winchester, Va., and was
incarcerated in Libby prison and at
Belle Isle, being paroled July 10 1868.
