A photograph of General William Franklin Draper standing in full military uniform, sword at his side and hat in his hand. William F. Draper enlisted in a local volunteer company, later Company B of the 25th Massachusetts regiment, that his father, George Draper, was instrumental in raising. William F. Draper was chosen second lieutenant although he was only a little over nineteen years old. He served for 4 years and was severely wounded in the battle of Wilderness, though he returned to the field later. He was made a brigadier-general for "gallant service during the war." Both regiments he was engaged with were "fighting regiments." The 25th Massachusetts had nearly seventy percent of their number wounded or killed at Cold Harbor, while the 36th Massachusetts, in the campaign beginning with the Wilderness, had every field and line officer, except one, killed or wounded.
Is part of the Bancroft Memorial Library Local History Collection, Hopedale, Massachusetts. http://www.hopedale-ma.gov/Public_Documents/HopedaleMA_Library/index
