A black man born in Canterbury, New Hampshire, he was drafted for civil war service in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment in August 1863. He saw service at the siege of Fort Wagner, joining his unit as a replacement for the men of the 54th who had died during the assault (this memorialized in the Hollywood movie "Glory"). While stationed at Morris Island, Dustin became ill and was discharged from military service. In October 1864, he enlisted again, this time in the 3rd US Colored Troops and served duty in Florida before being discharged again in 1865. After the war, Dustin settled in Gilmanton and worked as a farm laborer. When he died he was buried outside the boundaries of the Beech Grove Cemetery. Local lore states that Dustin was buried alone because no one wanted to be around him while he was alive, and felt the same after he died. The cemetery was expanded as time passed, and although Dustin's grave is situated in an odd corner, it is now part of the cemetery.
A black man born in Canterbury, New Hampshire, he was drafted for civil war service in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment in August 1863. He saw service at the siege of Fort Wagner, joining his unit as a replacement for the men of the 54th who had died during the assault (this memorialized in the Hollywood movie "Glory"). While stationed at Morris Island, Dustin became ill and was discharged from military service. In October 1864, he enlisted again, this time in the 3rd US Colored Troops and served duty in Florida before being discharged again in 1865. After the war, Dustin settled in Gilmanton and worked as a farm laborer. When he died he was buried outside the boundaries of the Beech Grove Cemetery. Local lore states that Dustin was buried alone because no one wanted to be around him while he was alive, and felt the same after he died. The cemetery was expanded as time passed, and although Dustin's grave is situated in an odd corner, it is now part of the cemetery.
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PVT Co. D, 54 CLD, Mass INF, Civil War
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