Ambrose C. Fuller, the first child born to Russell and Eliza Fuller, was born about 1835 in Allegany County, New York. His childhood was spent in and around the town of Angelica.

Ambrose married firstly to Eliza Davis, who died on December 16, 1854.

While working as an engineer, Ambrose C. Fuller enlisted in the army on October 8, 1861, joining as a Private in Company F, 58th Pennsylvania Infantry. On January 1, 1864 he reenlisted as a Veteran Volunteer and was promoted to Corporal. He was promoted again to Sergeant on September 1, 1864.

The regiment left the state for Fortress Monroe in two detachments on March 8, 1862, arriving on the day of the contest between the Monitor and the Merrimac and going into camp at Camp Hamilton. On May 10th the regiment embarked on an expedition to Norfolk, thence proceeded to Portsmouth, Virginia, where they performed guard duty until October 11th. While here, Ambrose C. Fuller met Martha A. Bridges, whom he married on September 25, 1862.

From Portsmouth, the regiment was ordered to Suffolk where they encamped until January 1863, taking part in two expeditions to the Blackwater River. On January 5, 1863, it moved to Beaufort, North Carolina and went into camp at Batchelder’s Creek Station, eight miles west of New Berne. On February 12, it surprised a Confederate camp at Sandy Ridge, capturing 143 prisoners. It was engaged with the enemy on the Neuse Road in April, at Cone Creek on the Dover Road a few days later, and took part in the Dover Road action on April 28. In the action at Gum Swamp in May it shared in the capture of the enemy’s works, 125 prisoners, 1 gun, many small arms, and valuable stores being taken.

On May 24, the 58th moved to New Berne and on June 27 to Washington, North Carolina, where it remained on garrison and provost duty until the evacuation of the place in April 1864, sharing meanwhile in a number of expeditions into the interior. On May 1, it joined Gen. Butler’s army, then being organized at Yorktown to operate against Richmond. It was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Corps, and participated in the campaign south of the James River, being sharply engaged with the enemy on the 9th, with a loss of 20 killed and wounded and aiding in the destruction of the Petersburg & Richmond Railroad.

With its corps it joined Grant’s army at Cold Harbor and in the action there suffered a loss of 35 killed and wounded. It was again heavily engaged on the 3rd in the grand assault and suffered considerable loss. Remaining at the front until June 13, it returned by transport to Bermuda Hundred, crossed the Appomattox and shared in the first assaults in front of Petersburg. It was then relieved and returned to Point of Rocks.

The reenlisted men had never received their veteran furlough and on June 24 went to enjoy their long delayed respite, being given 20 days additional. The veterans and new recruits returned to the front on August 25th. With the 188th Pennsylvania Infanty, it was selected to lead the desperate assault on Fort Harrison, where in the fierce onset, the regimental colors repeatedly fell, but were finally planted upon the parapet. Its loss here was 6 officers and 128 men out of 9 officers and 228 men engaged.

Fuller was severely wounded at the battle of Chapin’s Farm, Virginia on September 29, 1864. He received a gunshot wound to the upper left arm. In an attempt to save the arm, the upper third of his humerus was removed. Unfortunately, this left his arm completely useless.

Ambrose received a disability discharge at Hampton Hospital on July 8, 1865. He received a government pension for permanent and total disability.

Through the year 1880, Ambrose Fuller continued to live at Portsmouth, Virginia. He was able to find work as a watchman in the navy yard and as a painter.

By October 13, 1886, Fuller had been admitted to the National Soldier’s Home at Elizabeth City, Virginia. It is not clear when he was released from the Soldier’s Home, but in 1888 he was working as a Justice of the Peace.

Ambrose C. Fuller continued to suffer from the effects of his wound for the remainder of his life. He died on December 5, 1891, at the age of only 56 years. His premature death was attributed to extensive infection of the wound received during the war.

By his second wife, Ambrose Fuller had at least four children, namely, Eliza, Lafayette, Lad, and Lillie. Another boy, Baxter, who lived with the family for a time, may have been a nephew.