MAJOR HORACE BUMSTEAD of this Regiment is a native of Boston,
Massachusetts, and a regular graduate of Yale College, having
completed his course in that institution in 1863. He was a member of
the _Massachusetts Rifle Club_, which has contributed quite a
number of Field and Officers of other grades to our army during this
war, who are known as worthy commanders, distinguished for their
ability and bravery. In connection with this military organization he
held the position of Sergeant, and was afterwards promoted to Major.
Promotion could be secured only upon very creditable examination. N.
Willis Bumstead, Captain of the 45th Massachusetts Volunteers, a
brother of the Major's, is another representative of this patriotic
family.
Horace Bumstead was appointed by the President MAJOR of this
Regiment, April 8th, 1864. After reporting under order at Camp William
Penn, Philadelphia, he there completed the organization of the
remaining Companies, "H," "I" and "K," of the Regiment. He proceeded
with these in a Provisional Battalion to Havre-de-grace, Maryland, and
thence to the Defences of Baltimore and Washington, to assist in
checking the advance of the enemy, then threatening those cities.
Afterwards in command of these Companies, with detachments also
belonging to other Regiments, he proceeded to the front, joining his
own command August 3d, 1864, then on the line before Petersburg, Va.
In the absence of Colonel Yeoman, (now Brevet Brigadier General) doing
duty at Camp Casey, Va., and Brevet Colonel Hall, severely wounded in
the battle of July 30th, the command devolved upon him. He was
commanding officer of the Regiment in all the actions in which it
participated and other duties until Nov. 29th, ensuing--the date of
Colonel Yeoman's reporting. He has in fact been commanding officer
embracing a considerable period of its service, and was such at the
time of its muster-out at Brownsville, Texas, during its perilous Gulf
and Ocean voyage thence to New York, and up to its final discharge at
Phila.
Major Bumstead has participated in the following actions, viz.: Weldon
Railroad, Aug. 19th and 20th, 1864; Poplar Grove Church, Sept. 29th
and 30th, 1864; Hatchie's Run, Oct. 27th and 28th, 1864; heavy
skirmish on the Bermuda Front, in Dec. 1864; Farra's Island at Dutch
Gap Canal, January 25th, 1865; and capture of Richmond, April 3d,
1865.
He is an officer of fine ability, intelligence and bravery, and whose
very exemplary moral character made his connection with the service an
honor to the country.