Private Peleg Nelson Tolley is the 3rd Great granduncle of Arnold Tolley Slater
Peleg Nelson Tolley was born around 1827 in Tiverton, Rhode Island to Peleg Allen and Zilpha Pearce Tolley, and had at least one younger brother, Richard Allen. They were listed as laborers in the 1850 census. On 7 July 1851, he married Maria Elizabeth Manchester. Eventually they would have 7 children, 3 boys, and 4 girls.
On 28 December 1863, he enlisted in Fall River, Massachusetts into Co G, 58th Massachusetts Infantry for 3 years. He mustered in on 26 March 1864 in Readville, Mass. On 28 April 1864, the regiment left Massachusetts via rail and arrived in Alexandria, VA on 30 April 1864. They immediately boarded a train and arrived in Bristol Station, VA on 2 May 1864. They were assigned to Bliss’ 1st Brigade, Potter’s 2nd Division, Burnsides’ 9th Corps, USA, and marched towards Wilderness, VA. On 6 May, they filled the gap between the 2nd and 5th Corps near Wilderness Tavern.
By 12 May, the entire Corps was at Spotsylvania Courthouse. He was wounded, for the 2nd time, at Spotsylvania. Muster records indicate he was absent the rest of that year.
Turns out, he was captured 30 July 1864 in Petersburg, VA and held prisoner. Records are unclear where he was taken, but he died in a hospital in Danville, VA on 5 November 1864 of disease. His remains are buried in Danville National Cemetery in Danville, VA.
His widow applied for a pension on 22 March 1865, citing 3 minor children. In 1866, she married Valentine Perry, a veteran of Co D, 3rd Mass Inf. The had several children.