Thomas Hyland (1840 - 1874)

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Thomas Hyland was born January 19, 1840.  He fought in the Civil War with the "First Ira Harris Guard" in honor of the New York Senator, Ira Harris.  He entered the Union Army as a private in Co. D, 5th NY Calvary and was promoted to corporal before he was mustered out.  Thomas was a stand-in soldier for Jacob Sleight who hired him to take his place in the draft for and received about $760 for doing so.  As his substitute, Thomas was under the call of December 19, 1864.  The major battles that the 5th Calvary participated in were: Big Bethel, Yorktown, Hanover, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Gainesville, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Cedar Creek.   It was organized at Camp Scott, Staten Island NY, and mustered into service August 15 through October 31 of 1861, leaving the state on November 18th.  The original members of the unit were mustered out by detachments in 1864, and the remainder of veterans and recruits were retained until July 19, 1865, when they were finally mustered out at Alexandria VA.

Thomas was one of the early deaths in Neillsville, Wisconsin.  He was just just 34 years old when he passed away Feb. 13, 1874.  He was buried in the old City Cemetery and was later moved to the newer burial grounds.