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Massachusetts Men in the Civil War

34th Massachusetts Infantry, Co. C

Mockley, John; Private Res. Westboro; 18; farmer; Enlisted July 25, 1862; Mustered, July 31 1862; wounded Oct 18 1863, Ripon, Va.; prisoner may 15, 1864 New Market, VA; exchanged March 11, 1865, must out June 16 1865.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (September 15, 1925)

DOV Celebrates Mockley's Birthday

Daughters of Civil War Veterans, Tent No. 33 met Monday afternoon at the home of Com. T.E. Blanchard. One new membership was handed in, Miss Luella Blanchard. A birthday luncheon was given in honor of Comrade John Morbley [Mockley], of Water street, who has just passed his eightieth birthday. The genial member of the G.A.R. is sure quite young for his age and gave many reminiscences of camp and marching life behind Uncle Sam's guns during the Civil War. He was a prisoner ten months in Libbyville.

There were eight daughters present and three G.A.R. members besides two visitors.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (May 28, 1929)

Nineteen Survivors of the Early Wars Will Be Guests of Honor this Memorial Day

John Mockley

Wounded in the battle of Perryville, Virginia (?), and captured in the battle of New Market, West Virginia, is the brief history of Comrade John Mockley, but the interesting manner in which he still tells the stories of the war make them well worth listening to.

No shoes, no hat, riding on the top of a prisoners train with snow falling and just dusk, six of the boys jumped off when the train came to a swamp section near Wilmington. Not being missed, although there was a guard at each door and at the end of the train, the boys made their way to the next bridge, overpowered the guard, taking his food and gun; the same at the next bridge and then luckily a Negro guided them to a sheltered spot in the swamps where for ten days, he brought pigs, chickens and other foods to them and kept them informed as to the whereabouts of the enemy. At the end of the tenth day the Union army advanced and the Confederates fled, so these six half starved free men greeted their comrades and were sent to the hospital. Some of the boys only weighed 90 pounds as did Mr. Mockley.

Being an orphan after the war he shipped via the Isthmus of Panama to California to look for gold. This was in 1865 and he has been in California ever since.

He was 16 years old when enlisting in the 34th Massachusetts Infantry, 1st Brigade, 24th Corps and 8th, called the Army of the James. He will be 85 years old July 4th this year.

Santa Cruz Evening News (May 30, 1930)

GAR Well Represented

John Mockley, 226 Water St. was born on Independence day 1844, at Altey, NY. He was a member of the 34th Mass. volunteers enlisting in Worchester on July 25, 1863. He saw active service taking part in the battles of New Market and Gettysburg and being present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 9, 1931)

John Mockley Is Dead at United States Hospital

A message was received yesterday announcing the death of John Mockley, a Civil War veteran and a resident of this city. He died yesterday at the United States Marine hospital at Mare Island.

Mockley served through the Civil War and for a time was confined in Andersonville prison.

He was about 86 years of age and is survived by his wife. The family home was on Waters street.

Mockley was the adjutant and quartermaster of Wallace Reynolds post, G.A.R.. The burial will likely be in the national cemetery at the Presidio, San Francisco.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 15, 1931)

John Mockley Is Laid at Rest in Presidio Grounds.

In the national cemetery at the Presidio, San Francisco, John Mockley, adjutant of the Wallace Reynolds post, G.A.R. was buried Tuesday with military honors. The beautiful floral offerings from Santa Cruz by the Women's Relief Corps, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Comrade John W. Smith and others were banked about the grave.

The chaplain gave an impressive address to those gathered, who included Mrs. Mockley, Superintended Stangier of the Presidio, and others. The ceremonies were closed by the men in uniform firing three salutes and final bugle call being sounded.

The flag which so beautifully covered the bier was given Mrs. Mockley by the superintendent.

Notes from Edson Strobridge, April 2000

John Mockley was born in Albany, Albany Cnty, New York in 1844. On July 25, 1862 he enlisted as a Private in Co. C of the 34th Massachusetts Infantry. He was mustered out on Sept. 20, 1865. He later affiliated with Starr King Post #52 of the GAR in Santa Barbara.

While living in Santa Barbara he worked as a laborer. On April 07, 1925 John Mockley is listed as having died in Los Angeles. [This is obviously impossible given his presence in Santa Cruz in May 1930.]

John Mockley was buried at the S.F. National Cemetery.

SOURCES: US Military Pension Record Index also lists "Co. C, 14th US Inf." IC#1116539 filed 1904 Nov. 14 from Calif.; GAR Roll Service Book, #300, Starr King Post #52, Wyles Collection, UCSB; A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Frederick H. Dyer, 1908 Sawtelle Soldiers Home Register #6807 (Note: record indicates he was readmitted to Sawtelle Aug 1, 1929: This date is believed to be in error and is in conflict with the Calif. Death Record); (Carl Lionberger, cemetery location and confirms military unit 10/01/96); Calif. Death age 73 yrs. State File #17037.

Date of Birth: 1844-07-04

Date of Death: 1931-08-01

County: San Francisco

Cemetery/City of Burial: San Francisco National

Plot: B/1050

Spouse: (Mockley)_ Marie

Occupation: Laborer

Local Address: Water St 226

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: NY

Enlisted: 1862/07/25

Discharged: 1865/06/16

Military Unit: MA_ 34 Inf_ Co C

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R-Wstbrgh_W_P-Ripon

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
California Death Index
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: W&R 1925 Roster