Barrett, Wilson

Wilson Barrett was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1834 and later volunteered for military service during the Civil War. According to Barrett’s service records, he worked as a brickmaker before the war. In August 1864 Barrett traveled to Townsend, Massachusetts and joined Company B of the 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry, which had been assigned to guard Confederate Prisoners of War at Point Lookout, Maryland. In March 1865 the regiment participated in the fall of Petersburg, Virginia. After the Confederates surrendered in April 1865, the War Department sent the 5th Massachusetts to Texas. Barrett’s service records indicate that he became a company cook sometime in May 1865. He remained in this position until the regiment was mustered out on October 31, 1865 at Clarksville, Texas. Barrett died in July 1903 and was buried at Campbell AME Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (By Don Sailer)