Born in Leverett, Mass._Son of Walter Graves,_by occupation a Carriage Trimmer,_Married,_at the age of 35 as a recruit in the 17th Regiment of Infantry, Mass. Vols._Mustered into service March 26, 1862,_
Remained in camp at Cambridge, Mass until about May 1st_Then was sent to Newbern, N.C. to join the regiment, and was assigned to Company D.
He had been on duty only a few days, when he was taken sick and was off duty a few weeks. Becoming convalescent, he was assigned to special service as company clerk.
November 1, 1862 he was sick, and entered the hospital; remained there till the following February._Afterwards, was on detailed duty in the cook house or hospital till {empty} when the regiment was ordered to provost duty at Newbern; Graves then returned to the ranks by preference.
February 1, 1864, at the rebel attack on Newbern, he barely escaped capture near Batchelor’s Creek, a number of the men in the regiment being made prisoners.
February 11, 1864, Graves was ordered with eleven others, to proceed to New York as guard to 37 repentant rebels who had taken the oath under the President’s Amnesty proclamation.
]]>