Alvin Faunce was born in Maine 1813 (father Barnaby originally from Massachusetts) and moved his family to Randolph, MA c. 1850. He had nine (9) children of which three (3) of his sons also enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War: Leonard Azel Faunce, Hannibal Alvin Faunce and Hiram Sylvester Faunce.

Son Leonard (Sgt) served for three years in the 35th Mass Infantry and survived the war. The book of the history of the 35th is scanned. He was a bootmaker and Deacon of the 1st Baptist Church in randolph, MA

Son Hannibal (Sgt) served in the 4th and later the 20th Mass Infantry and was severely wounded at the Battle of Antietam September 1862 (West Woods under BG Dana). Later discharged for disability December 1862 and died in Randolph, MA in September 1863.

Son Hiram served in the 47th Mass (enlisted at age 15) and later the 1st Heavy Artillery. The history of these regiments have been scanned. He survived the war and was am armer, shoemaker and farmer in Randolph, MA.

Alvin enlisted (age 52) in the 5th Mass Independent Light Battery in January 1864. Joined the Battery at Rappahannock Station, VA. During the Siege of Petersburg he contracted Typhoid Fever at or around the time of the blast of The Crater. Sent to Armory Square Hospital 8/14/1864, arrived 8/19/1864. Died 8/24/1864. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery (2 months after it opened) [see ANC website for location of his grave: Section 13]

The book of the history of the 5th Mass Independent Battery has been scanned