Another Small Coincidence

Time and time again, small coincidences occur during the course of my research into the lives and military service records of soldiers.

This morning, for example, I began to search for information about Dennis Edwin Barnes, a captain in the Ninety-third New York Infantry killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness. I easily located genealogical records and other basic facts, and then found the mailing address (no Web site) for his hometown historical society in Minerva. I decided to send a letter. I typed in today’s date, August 22, then stopped and checked my notes. Today is Capt. Barnes’ birthday — the 180th anniversary of his birth.