Coat of arms
Soldiers and War Heroes

On this portion of my web page I wish to remember the heroic deeds of various Balches who served and sometimes died for their country.  In just looking at a few histories I have seen that our family has its share of brave souls.  I hope that you find the information I have included to be of interest.  Sometimes you will find just a brief history but when I can I like to provide more detailed information.
Joseph Balch - Casualty at Bloody Brook (1675)

Bloody Brook, Deerfield, MA
Bloody Brook & Monument

As a result of constant expansion of English colonies in New England and the increasing encroachment of these same colonies on Indian hunting grounds a war between Indians and colonists began in late June of 1675. The Indian leader of this war was named Metacomet, or "King Philip" as the English referred to him, and he allied numerous New England tribes with his Wampanoag tribe in a war against the colonists. These same Indians went on a rampage conducting unrestricted war striking at civilian and military targets. Many English settlements were burned and many men, women and children killed.

In the midst of this same war the people of Deerfield, Massachusetts retreated to a nearby fort for safety but it soon became apparent that they would be in for a long hungry winter if someone did not return to Deerfield to gain the necessary food from their crops. Under the leadership of Captain Thomas Lathrop some sixty to seventy men (one source says 90), including Joseph Balch (son of Benjamin Balch), marched on Deerfield. Apparently feeling confident that they would not be attacked because of their numbers they proceeded back to base after gathering wheat in oxcarts. Coming to a bridge at what is now known as "Bloody Brook" it became clear that it would take a while for all of the oxcarts to proceed over the bridge. A good number of soldiers are said to have actually laid down their weapons in order to gather grapes growing along the stream. It was at this point, from concealed positions, that aproximately seven hundred Indians (according to one source) made their presence known with a barrage of musket shots. Slaughter ensued and Joseph Balch and all but aproximately seven or eight soldiers were slaughtered. Reinforcements arrived far to late to save the majority of the soldiers who fell victim to this ambush on September 18, 1675.

For more information on this particular battle click on the links below.

Bodwell Family Home Page - Battle of Bloody Brook

Conneticut River Homepage - Battle of Bloody Brook

Mayflower Families - Battle of Bloody Brook
William Balch - Chaplain After the Revolution

USS Chesapeake
USS Chesapeake

William Balch was born on January 17, 1775 into a family of twelve children.  William was the son of Continental Navy Chaplain Benjamin Balch and he was the grandson of another Chaplain who had served in the navy of King George.  While you may not be able to define William Balch completely as a soldier he did serve his country after the Revolutionary War and even during a conflict with the French referred to as the "Quasi War".  The USS Chesapeake, the ship above, was where William served for most of his career as naval chaplain.  Below I have included a link to more information I discovered on the official web site for the Naval Submarine Base in Bangor, Washington.

Chaplain William Balch

G.B. Balch - Civil War Letters

George B. Balch Letters

It's amazing the things you can find online these days.  I was checking out Ebay's web site when I found some interesting Civil War Letters.  These letters happen to be by a man who the seller referred to as G.B. Balch. I had previously heard about a George Beall Balch who served during the Civil War so I believe that this may be the individual who wrote these letters.  Balch was an assistant surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War and has some interesting observations.  In this portion of my web site I have included what the seller wrote about these letters plus a link to some excerpts from the letters.  Here's what the seller says about the letters:

Archive of letters from G.B. Balch, Assistant Surgeon in the Union Army.  Various places:  Covers the years 1862, 1864, and 1865. 8vo and 4to. Mostly accomplished in ink, a few in pencil.  Contains 31 letters  from 1862, 51 from 1864, and 31 from 1865. All contain folds. One or two contain some ragged edges. Otherwise in  excellent condition.  A fascinating archive of letters from Balch detailing his term in the Union Army as an assistant surgeon.  Balch entered the Union Army with the 98th Regt. N.Y. Vols. and also served with the 1st N.Y.Artillery, the 2nd N.Y. Vet. Cav.,  and the 1st Texas Cav. Vols. His letters are written from various locations including Washington D.C., Newport News,VA, Yorktown, VA, Baltimore, MD, Transport Boats, New Orleans, LA, Morganzia, LA, Talladega, AL, Pascagoula, MS, Barraneus, FL, Union Springs, AL, Montgomery, AL, and Indianapolis, IN. An educated man, his letters are well written and detailed. They contain interesting observations on war time hospitals, camp life, the personalities and character of various officers and  doctors,and vivid descriptions of the countryside, towns, villages, plantations, etc. around where he served.

Description & Excerpts from G.B. Balch Letters

George Beall Balch Balch
A Battleship Called Balch


The United States Navy at one time had two different battleships known as the USS Balch.  I came across this image while searching in Copernic (search program) for "Balch". This particular battleship was the second with the name Balch. The first USS Balch served during World War I and the USS Balch DD 363 (this ship) served during World War II.  These two ships were named in memory of Rear Admiral George Beall Balch (I believe the same man as who wrote the letters).  I found this short history concerning George Beall Balch on the USSBalch/USSPorterfield Reunion Association web site.

"Born in Shelbyville, Tenn., 3 January 1821, George Beall Balch was appointed

of Plymouth during Commodore M.C. Perry's expedition to Japan.  During the Civil
War he took part in many engagements. Rear Admiral Balch served as superintendent
of the Naval Academy (1879-81)and for a short period commanded the Pacific Fleet.
He retired in January 1883 and died 16 April 1908 at Raleigh, N. C."

From: DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS, Vol. I, pp. 87.

History of the USS Balch

Orlin M. Balch - Union Soldier in the Civil War

Cannons at Chickamauga

I found some interesting information about a man by the name of Orlin M. Balch on a web page that was discussing the role of various Scots Around the World.  This web site gave a brief history of Orlin's involvement in the Civil war as well as a broader view of his life.  Below I've included an excerpt that discusses Orlin's involvement in the civil war and then a link to further information.nbsp; The picture above was taken at the Chattanooga & Chickamauga National Military Park.

(Orlin M. Balch) enlisted in the Third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly four years as a Union soldier. These four years were ones crowded with hard fighting, for the Third Wisconsin took part in some of the most important campaigns and battles of the great struggle, being, among others, at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga, and with Sherman on his great march to the sea. On one occasion Mr. Balch was wounded and taken prisoner by the enemy, but later his exchange was effected. At the close of his military service, or shortly thereafter, Mr. Balch came to Kansas, and in 1865 homesteaded 160 acres near the Town of Earleton, in Neosho County.

More Information on Orlin M. Balch

John H. Balch - Hero of World War I

John H. Balch

This picture is of John Henry Balch, hero of World War I.  It was because of this man's heroic actions that many wounded were saved during two of the many battles of World War I.  At tremendous risk to himself John, under heavy machine gun fire, saved countless wounded soldiers from certain death.  If anyone has more information on this man I would greatly appreciate it.  Below is a brief history of John's actions as detailed on the Congressional Medal of Honor web site:
  
BALCH, JOHN HENRY Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Vierzy, France, and Somme-Py, France, 19 July and 5 October 1918. Entered service at: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 2 January 1896, Edgerton, Kans. Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, with the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in action at Vierzy, on 19 July 1918. Balch unhesitatingly and fearlessly exposed himself to terrific machinegun and high-explosive fire to succor the wounded as they fell in the attack, leaving his dressing station voluntarily and keeping up the work all day and late into the night unceasingly for 16 hours. Also in the action at Somme-Py on 5 October 1918, he exhibited exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced dressing station under heavy shellfire.

*Source: Congressional Medal of Honor - Official Site*   

Frederick R. Balch, Jr. - World War II Hero



While surfing the internet I came across the interesting story of Frederick R. Balch, Jr who served in the 94th Infantry Division F/376st during World War II.  This particular man (shown in the image above) served valiantly and lost his life for the sake of his country. There was apparently a great deal of uncertainty and heartache his parents felt upon hearing the news because details were very sketchy and even conflicting. There was a fellow soldier who told the parents that the wounds Frederick suffered in combat were to the upper part of his leg and hardly lethal. I found this information and a number of excerpts from letters written by Fred, his parents, his brother and various other people involved in trying to find out the truth. The source of all this information comes from the efforts of Roland Geiger, a native of Germany, and is posted on the Frederick R. Balch, Jr. web site.  Below I've included an excerpt from a Paris, Tennesee news article that appeared after Frederick's death.  This portion of the article discusses what awards Frederick R. Balch, Jr. was awarded after his death.

Pfc. Balch was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart; also the Good Conduct American Theater Ribbon; four bronze stars for battles of Ardennes, Northern France and Rhineland campaigns; World War II Victory Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Sharpshooter Badge with Expert Rifle Bar. His Company (also) won a Presidential Citation.

Roland Geiger's Research on Frederick R. Balch, Jr.

History of the 94th Infantry Division