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Captain Wright was born in the State of Ohio, in Kirtland, Lake Connty. In 1853, when about seventeen years of age, he came to Albany, to act as clerk in the store of his uncle, the late Nathaniel Wright; in whose employ he continued until the death of his uncle. Afterwards he was in the employ of his successors, Messrs. Woodward & Hill, until he offered his services in the cause of his country.
Although not a professor of religion, he was a young man of good moral character, strict integrity, generous impulses, and was beloved in an unusual degree by those who enjoyed his acquaintance. In fact, there was something peculiar in his frank and yet reserved and quiet manner, that inspired a very warm friendship, so that "Natty," as he was familiarly called, could always count upon the aid of his friends.
His peculiar personal popularity was evinced by his success in recruiting his company at perhaps the most difficult time during the war; and it was evidently appreciated by his superior officers, as he was sent back to Albany to recruit the regiment, when the Government decided to make of it a heavy artillery regiment.
As to his motives in volunteering, I feel confident they were those of the purest patriotism: and this is confirmed by the fact that his services were so highly valued and so promptly rewarded by his advancement, both in position and salary.
He was mustered in the service of the United States, August 11th, 1862, as First Lieutenant, Battery F, Seventh Regiment, N. Y. V. Artillery, Col. Lewis O. Morris. He was first stationed at Fort Pennsylvania, and afterwards at Fort Reno, where he remained until May 15th, 1864, when he was ordered with the regiment to report to Gen. Meade in the Army of the Potomac. Arriving at Spottsylvania about midnight, May 17th, they were assigned to the Second Army Corps, Gen. Hancock. After participating in the following desperate engagements: Fredericksburg Road, May 19; North Anna River, May 23d and 24th; Tolopotomy Creek, May 31st and June 1st; Coal Harbor, June 3d to 10th; Petersburg, June 16th; Petersburg affair, June 22d; Deep Bottom, July 26th and 27th; Deep Bottom, August 12th to 18th; he was killed at Ream's Station, August 25th, 1864, and as our forces were driven back, his body fell into the hands of the enemy. He was shot through the body, and as Major Murphy raised him up, he stretched out his hand, and grasping the hand of the Major held it until he expired. He died like a hero, without a murmur, and deserves a far more extended sketch than this brief tribute.
