James Welz Belden, age 27, in 1860 lived in Berlin with his wife Mary, age 24, and daughter Anna, age 4 and son Wilbur (baptized 1858 and died 1859).  James was the son of James and Anna M, and brother to Marshall H. Belden.  He was a blacksmith.  He was a member of the Kensington Congregational Church.  He enlisted from Meriden into the 7^th Regiment, Company C on September 2, 1861.  He reenlisted on December 22, 1863.  He was wounded on May 14, 1864 at Drewry’s Bluff.  He was captured on June 2, 1864 at Bermuda Hundred, VA.  He died on October 11, 1864 at age 31, in Charlestown, SC, as a prisoner of war.  He was buried in Beckley Cemetery

Roster:  7^th Regiment, Company C

Berlin Connection:  Beckley Cemetery