Northampton, MA: Commander Alphonso Witherell, 96, of Baker Post, was only 19 when he enlisted in the war's third year. He was in battles near New Orleans and helped capture Ft. Hudson on the Mississippi. Severely wounded, he was given only a short time to live by doctors. After the was he engaged in the grocery business here & in Holyoke for 20 years. Then he was a letter carrier, retiring at 70. Alphonse & Esther resided in Northampton Centre.