George Denniston Haley was born on June 14, 1848, in New York City, NY. Orphaned at birth, he never knew his parents’ names — a fact confirmed in his Civil War pension records and on his death certificate, where his eldest son, George Jr., left the parental information blank.
At just 14 years old, George enlisted in the 116th Regiment of New York State Volunteers on September 5, 1862, lying about his age to join the war effort. Family stories passed down through his grandson and great-grandson suggest that he was paid to serve as a substitute for another individual, though this claim remains unverified. According to his great-grandson, Harry Powell, George Haley was known for his fiery temper and exceptional billiards skills, even using his amputated arm stump as a makeshift bridge while playing. These anecdotes were relayed to Harry by his father, George Powell.
George spent time in the hospital at Fort Monroe, Virginia, for an unspecified illness, as noted in his pension file. He rejoined his regiment in April 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana. On June 14, 1863, his 15th birthday, George suffered a life-changing injury when his left arm was amputated below the elbow after being struck by a “missile.” The injury, listed as accidental in his muster roll, may have been caused by friendly fire amid the chaotic battles at Port Hudson. According to Port Hudson: Confederate Bastion on the Mississippi by Lawrence Lee Hewitt, such confusion was common in these engagements. The book also highlights the valor of the 116th NY Volunteers, describing them as one of the more courageous and bold Union regiments, despite criticism leveled at other units.
George Denniston Haley’s pension file contains a document listing his post office address as Sing Sing Prison, New York, filed on August 23, 1866. It is unclear whether he was an inmate or an employee there.
After the Civil War, Haley returned to Philadelphia, where he reportedly married before moving to Wisconsin. No marriage certificate has been found, and Haley later claimed to have lost it during various moves. While in Wisconsin and Iowa, Haley and his wife had three children — two sons born in Wisconsin and a daughter born in Iowa. Around 1888, the family returned east, reportedly traveling by covered wagon, as recalled by his Iowa-born daughter.
The family settled in Camden, NJ, where they first appeared in the 1888–1889 Camden City Directory at 326 Chester Street. By 1890, they had relocated to 624 Carman Street. Soon after, Haley joined the Thomas M.K. Lee Post #5 of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a Civil War veterans’ organization. There is no evidence he was a member of a similar group while living in Wisconsin or Iowa.
In Camden, Haley worked as Chief Clerk to the Master Mechanic for the Pennsylvania Railroad, which operated a large facility in East Camden. One of his colleagues was Leonard Laurence Roray, a fellow Civil War veteran and GAR member who lived nearby.
Haley moved to 336 North 10th Street around late 1903 or early 1904, remaining there until 1908. He does not appear in later Camden City Directories, suggesting he retired and possibly lived with one of his children.
George Denniston Haley died on January 2, 1923, from bronchial pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. His funeral services were held at the Wallace M. DuBois funeral home at 505 Broadway, Camden, and he was interred at Evergreen Cemetery on Mt. Ephraim Avenue on January 5, 1923.
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George D. Haley
George Denniston Haley was born on June 14, 1848, in New York City, NY. Orphaned at birth, he never knew his parents’ names — a fact confirmed in his Civil War pension records and on his death certificate, where his eldest son, George Jr., left the parental information blank. At just 14 years old, George…
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