Leonard Pierpont, Jr. was born on 15 May 1842 and baptised on 5 May 1843 in Litchfield, Connecticut, United States, son of Leonard Pierpont (1819–1874) and Cynthia Turner (1815–~1905).

From the time he entered the service until he became too ill to write, Leonard kept a diary. This diary, which he refers to as his "camp life," is now preserved in four notebooks bearing the handwritten title, "While in the Servis," and a small pocket diary. The notebooks cover the years 1862, 1863, and 1864 and may be transcriptions of the original. According to an inscription in the pocket diary, it was purchased in Memphis in January, 1865. The last entry was made on 10 Jul 1865, seven days before Leonard's death. The handwriting is undoubtedly his. The diary can be reviewed in Ilgenweb.civilwar as submitted by Chandice Johnson." Memorial Manager Russell Kasper, 47146727

The Early Years

In 1850, Leonard, age eight, resided with his father Leonard, the head of household and a Farmer in Litchfield, Litchfield, Connecticut, United States. His mother Cynthia maintained the household and also raised Walter, Edward S., Joseph N., Mary, and Edward. In addition, their was a boarder in the household.^[3] By 1860 Leonard, age eighteen, had relocated with his family to Illinois, United States and he resided with his father Leonard, the head of household and a Farmer in Drummer, Ford, Illinois, United States. His mother, Cynthia maintained the household and also raised Sherman, Newton, Mary, Lucy and twins James and John

The Civil War

"Leonard Pierpont, Jr. was born 1 May 1842. After enlisting in the Seventy Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry on 13 Aug 1862, he served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Texas. He was promoted to Corporal 1 Sep 1864. At the end of the war, the 76th was transferred to Galveston, Texas, where Leonard died on 17 Jul 1865 shortly before his regiment was scheduled to leave for Illinois (it is not clear if he died of injuries sustained in war or illness due to war).

Leonard Pierpont, Jr., a twenty-year-old resident of Paxton, Ford, Illinois, United States enlisted in the Union Army for three years on 14 Aug 1862 as a Private. Private Pierpont was assigned to Company K, 76th Regiment, Illinois Infantry on 22 Aug 1862

The Regiment traveled 12,000 miles and campaigned in eight Confederate states. At the end of the war, only 300 survived out of 1,156 men. In thirty-five month's service he was only off duty two weeks, from illness.

Corporal Leonard Pierpont, Jr., died on 17 Jul 1865 at Galveston, Texas, he died just four days before his Regiment started for the North and home

Civil War Engagements with the 76th, Organized: Kankakee, Illinois, United States on 22 Aug 1862; Mustered out: 22 Jul 1865

• Vicksburg, final major military action in the Vicksburg campaign, 18 May-4 Jul 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Death & Burial

Corporal Leonard Pierpont, Jr., son of Leonard Pierpont, Sr. and Cynthia Turner, died on Monday, 17 Jul 1865, at the age of 23 years, 2 months, 16 days is interred and commemorated in Drummer Township Cemetery, Gibson City, Ford County, Illinois, United States.