HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE FIELD AND NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF OFFICERS
OF THE THIRD REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
_FIELD AND STAFF._
COL. SILAS P. RICHMOND.
SILAS PEIRCE RICHMOND, son of Isaac and Lucinda (Peirce) Richmond,
was born in Freetown, June 19, 1831, on the Richmond homestead,
which has been owned in the family continuously since 1775. His
grandfather, Samuel Richmond, was a soldier in the War of the
Revolution, and his father, Isaac Richmond, was a soldier in the War
of 1812-15. Silas P. Richmond was educated in the public schools of
Freetown and at Peirce Academy, Middleboro.
[Illustration: COL. SILAS P. RICHMOND.]
He was engaged in farming and lumber business early in life. He was
the first man to enlist in Company G, Third Regiment, Massachusetts
Volunteer Militia, in May, 1850. He was appointed corporal in April,
1851; commissioned fourth lieutenant of same company in August,
1851; third lieutenant in August, 1853; first lieutenant in May,
1854; captain in May, 1855; major and inspector, Second Brigade,
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, July 29, 1856. He was in Kansas
in 1858-9, and served with John Brown in repelling the “Border
Ruffians” and was badly wounded in the knee at the battle near
Lawrence, Kansas. He returned to Massachusetts and was appointed
captain and aide-de-camp, Second Brigade, Massachusetts Volunteer
Militia, Sept. 15, 1859, and in that capacity responded to the call
of the “Minute Men,” April 15, 1861, serving at Fortress Monroe and
Hampton, Virginia, and taking part in the battle of Big Bethel, June
10, 1861. At the end of the campaign he returned to Massachusetts
and was honorably discharged. On the 8th of May, 1862, he was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel, Third Regiment, Massachusetts
Volunteer Militia, and as such responded to the call to re-enforce
the Army of the Potomac at the time of General Bank’s retreat in
the Shenandoah Valley. In July, 1862, he was ordered by Governor
Andrew to reorganize and recruit the Third Regiment, Massachusetts
Volunteer Militia, to the maximum for service in the field. He
completed that work and the regiment was mustered into the United
States service, one thousand and forty strong, Sept. 15, 1862. He
was commissioned colonel of the Third Regiment Oct. 7, 1862, and, on
Oct. 22, 1862, he proceeded with the regiment by steamer to Newbern,
North Carolina. During that campaign he participated in the battles
of Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep Gully, Blount’s Creek, and
in repelling the bombardment of Newbern. During a part of that
time he commanded a brigade. At the end of this term of service he
returned to Massachusetts. On the 28th of September, 1863, he was
commissioned colonel of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Massachusetts
Volunteers, and proceeded to recruit that regiment. On Nov. 21, 1863,
he was appointed superintendent of recruiting in Bristol, Plymouth,
Barnstable, Nantucket, and Dukes counties, and as such continued the
recruiting of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, until it was ordered to join
the Army of the Potomac, April 28, 1864; but as the Fifty-eighth had
only eight companies at that time, he could not be mustered into the
United States service as colonel of it, and so resigned. On July 19,
1864, he was appointed assistant provost marshal of the Department of
the South, with the rank of colonel, and served as such at Beaufort,
North Carolina, Hilton Head, Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston,
South Carolina. He was on the first steamer that reached Savannah
when it was taken, and on the first steamer that landed at Charleston
when that city was captured. He was honorably mustered out of service
in September, 1865.
He engaged in the lumber and grain business in Indiana and Michigan
in 1867-9, and lost a nice property by fire in Michigan in 1869.
He returned to Massachusetts in 1870. Colonel Richmond has been a
justice of peace for more than forty years, and is also a notary
public. He was for ten years chairman of the board of selectmen
of Freetown. As auditor in 1854 he prepared the first printed
report ever made of the finances of Freetown. He has also served as
assessor, town clerk, school committee, and overseer of the poor
of Freetown. He served eighteen years as moderator at annual town
meetings. He served two terms as United States census taker, and
two terms as state census taker. He was chairman of the trustees of
the First Christian Church in Assonet for several Years. He was a
representative in the legislature from the sixth Bristol district
in 1892, and served as chairman of the taxation committee. He was a
delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1892; a turnkey
in Massachusetts State Prison, 1871-9; deputy keeper in the Bristol
County House of Correction, 1879-82; general traveling agent for
the C. C. G. Co., 1882-89; president of Bristol County Agricultural
Society 1889-91; charter member of Post No. 1, Massachusetts G.
A. R., and member of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He is
a Mason and Knight Templar since 1865. On Jan. 1, 1896, he was
appointed deputy sheriff and court crier of the Supreme and Superior
Courts in Bristol County, and now holds that position. His address is
Richmond Road, Assonet, Mass.
LIEUT.-COL. JAMES BARTON.
[Illustration: LIEUT.-COL. JAMES BARTON.]
LIEUT.-COL. JAMES BARTON came from a military family. Among his
ancestors was Gen. William Barton, of Revolutionary fame, who
captured the English General Prescott and his aide-de-camp in the
town of Portsmouth, R. I., for which act Congress presented him
with a beautiful sword as an acknowledgment of his hazardous and
successful achievement. In his early years Colonel Barton resided
in Newport, R. I., and was a member of the Newport Artillery,
which was chartered in 1741. He accompanied this organization to
Providence at the time of the Dorr War. In 1853 he removed to New
Bedford and carried on the business of a marine blacksmith, and this
he continued after as well as before the war. The breaking out of
the war in 1861 found him holding the position of first lieutenant
in the New Bedford Guards (minute men), afterwards Company E, Third
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. With this company he
served twice, first as first lieutenant of the company, and second as
lieutenant-colonel of the regiment of which the company made a part,
and served with the regiment through its campaign in North Carolina.
He was a good, conscientious officer, faithfully performing every
duty, and always in his place on battalion drill, on the march, and
in battle. He was one of the earliest members of William Logan Rodman
Post, No. 1, G. A. R., New Bedford, Mass. He died March 5, 1887.
MAJ. JOHN MORRISSEY.
[Illustration: MAJOR JOHN MORRISSEY.]
MAJOR MORRISSEY was forty-five years of age when he entered the
service of his country in the Third Regiment. He was a native of
Plymouth, where he resided at the time of his commission. His
position as sergeant-at-arms in the State House, Boston, shows that
he went to war for pure patriotic principles. He was well liked by
all the regiment, and never failed to do his duty on drill, on the
march, and in camp. After the war he was given his former position,
which office he filled acceptably until his death. He died in his own
town, beloved and highly respected by all who knew him. His force of
character was more in good acts than in many words.
ADJ’T. LUCIAN L. PERKINS.
[Illustration: ADJ’T. LUCIAN L. PERKINS.]
ADJUTANT PERKINS was born in Plympton, Mass., July 1, 1835. At the
age of eighteen he joined Company H, Third Regiment of Plympton
Rifles. He served in different positions in this company, and at the
time of President Lincoln’s call for seventy-five thousand troops he
was first lieutenant. He went to Fortress Monroe in command of his
company, and was there elected captain. He served through the three
months’ service and was discharged at the expiration of enlistment.
He served as adjutant of the Third Regiment nine months’ service,
and was discharged at the expiration of the same. He will ever be
remembered as the soldier, the gentleman, and the officer, who
faithfully performed every duty assigned to him. On dress parade and
battalion drill he knew his place and filled it to the satisfaction
of every officer and man.
After the close of the war, he, with his brother Charles A. S.
Perkins, went to Newbern, N. C., purchased several acres of land
there, and was engaged successfully in the cotton business at the
corner of Broad and Middle Streets.
He died in Newbern, N. C., in October, 1864, of yellow fever, and his
remains were afterwards brought to Plympton for burial.
QUARTERMASTER BETHUEL PENNIMAN.
BETHUEL PENNIMAN was commissioned Oct. 10, 1862, being forty-three
years old and a resident of New Bedford. He was a successful business
man, and because he was such was commissioned to look after and care
for the supplies of the regiment. He remained with the regiment and
was mustered June 26, 1863.
After the war he was active in mining, manufactures, and real estate
business. Of his own life he says, “There has been nothing eventful
in my life,” and yet at eighty-six, we find him hale and hearty and
ready to beat the boys in a good, profitable, straight bargain.
His welcome was always cordial, especially to any member of the Third
Regiment. He represented New Bedford in the legislature, and served
one term on the Board of Aldermen in 1862. He was also a member
of the New Bedford Protecting Society, and of the organization of
firemen, and was for five years attached to the old hand engine,
Veteran, No. 1. He was an attendant and member of the Unitarian
Church and belonged to the Wamsutta Club. He was a charter member of
Post No. 190 G. A. R., and a member of the Loyal Legion.
He visited Washington, D. C, and witnessed the inaugural ceremonies
of President Roosevelt. On returning to his home in New Bedford he
was taken sick and died April 15, 1905, being eighty-seven years old.
SURGEON ALFRED AUGUSTUS STOCKER.
[Illustration: SURGEON ALFRED A. STOCKER.]
ALFRED STOCKER was forty-three years of age when commissioned and
a resident of Cambridge. He graduated at Harvard University with
the degree of M. D. in the class of 1853. In 1861 he assisted in
raising the Twelfth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. He
was nominated by Colonel Webster major-surgeon, but unavoidable
circumstances compelled him to decline. By request of Governor Andrew
in May, 1862, he went to the front in Virginia, and joined the “Army
of the Potomac.” Arriving at the White House on the Pamunkey River he
was placed in charge of a division of the great field hospital then
established there. On the breaking up of the hospital he was assigned
to the Thirty-first Pennsylvania as acting surgeon, July 20th to
October 1st, passing through the whole Peninsula campaign. He was at
South Mountain and Antietam. He was commissioned surgeon of the Third
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Oct. 16, 1862, serving
in North Carolina until mustered out with the regiment, and during
the winter of 1863-4 he was at Readville on the staff of General
Pierce, serving as special inspector of recruits. Oct. 16, 1863,
he was commissioned major-surgeon of the Fifty-eighth Massachusetts
Volunteer Veterans in the Ninth Army Corps with General Burnside.
He was with General Grant from the Wilderness to Petersburg, Va. On
account of physical debility contracted in the service, he resigned
Aug. 1, 1864, and was honorably discharged. He has now retired from
professional practice on account of age and growing disability and
resides in Cambridge, Mass.
ASST. SURGEON WOODBRIDGE R. HOWES.
WOODBRIDGE R. HOWES was commissioned Oct. 21, 1862, being forty-five
years old and residing in Mattapoisett. He was in the service of the
United States from Nov. 13, 1862, and with the regiment until it was
mustered out. He practiced professionally in Hanover until his death,
and served on the school committee of Hanover. He was a member of
the Joseph Wilder Post, No. 83, G. A. R., and at one time commander;
member of North River Lodge, I. O. of O. F., holding various offices,
and censor for several years of the Massachusetts Medical Society.
He died in Hanover, Feb. 4, 1898, and was buried in the cemetery of
that town. He left one son, Clarence L. Howes, M. D., practicing in
Hanover, and one daughter, Mary W., wife of J. W. Beal, architect in
Hanover.
CHAPLAIN CHARLES ANDREW SNOW.
[Illustration: CHAPLAIN REV. CHARLES A. SNOW.]
CHAPLAIN SNOW was thirty-three years of age when commissioned, and
resided in Fall River. He was appointed chaplain Oct. 10, 1862;
commissioned October 16th, and sworn into the United States service
October 22d. He was on duty with the regiment until it was mustered
out. Since that time he had been in professional service as pastor
of churches in Fall River, Providence, R. I., South Abington (now
Whitman), New Bedford, and West Harwich. In 1898 he retired from
full ministerial service on account of ill-health. He is the author
of many miscellaneous papers, essays, sermons, important historical
sketches, etc. He was a life member of the Old Colony Historical
Society. He died in Taunton, Nov. 28, 1903.
_NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF._
SERGT.-MAJ. JOSEPH E. NYE.
JOSEPH E. NYE was commissioned at the age of twenty-four, while
residing in New Bedford. He was promoted from Company E, May 29,
1863, vice Robbins having been discharged to enable him to accept a
lieutenancy in the Heavy Artillery. Sergeant-Major Nye was a most
faithful officer, and performed his duty to the entire satisfaction
of his superior officers. He was always on time and always kept good
time when on dress parade and when marching in review.
After the war he was engaged in the livery business in Fall River,
and died there about twelve years ago.
QUARTERMASTER SERGT. THEODORE A. BARTON.
QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT BARTON was twenty-one years old when
commissioned and a resident of New Bedford. He was the youngest
son of Lieut.-Col. James and Mary Barton, and came from a renowned
military family. He was born in 1842 and received a private and
public school education. His parents moved from Newport to New
Bedford when young Barton was eleven years old. He was a member of
the High School in New Bedford, and graduated from the same near
the beginning of the war. He enlisted in the Third Regiment and was
appointed quartermaster-sergeant, in which office he served during
the nine months’ campaign in North Carolina, and was mustered out
with the regiment. He re-enlisted in the Fifty-eighth Regiment and
was appointed quartermaster with the rank of first lieutenant. He was
at one time the youngest regimental quartermaster (and one of the
best) in the Army of the Potomac. He served faithfully to the close
of the war and was mustered out with his regiment.
Soon after the war he took up his residence in Providence and engaged
in the hardware business with Freeman P. Little, forming the firm of
Little & Barton. The governor of Rhode Island selected him as one
of the staff officers with the rank of colonel, in which office he
served with honor, and was distinguished for his soldierly bearing.
Subsequently he removed to Ashton and became bookkeeper in one of
the Goddard’s mills. In 1868 he entered the employ of the Gorham
Company and was their confidential clerk and bookkeeper, remaining
in that position until failing health compelled him to take a long
rest. When the new State House was being constructed he was chosen
assistant to E. K. Glezen, secretary of the commission, and when
it was completed and a new commission formed he was elected its
secretary, in which office he remained until his death, Jan. 24,
1905. He was prominent in G. A. R. and Sons of Veterans circles and
was department commander of Rhode Island in 1886. In 1894 he was
elected senior vice-commander-in-chief of the national body of Sons
of Veterans, and was the first man to receive that honor from Rhode
Island. A widow and daughter survive him, residing in their beautiful
home in Providence.
COMMISSARY SERGT. ARTHUR HOOPER.
COMMISSARY SERGT. ARTHUR HOOPER was born in Bridgewater, May 18,
1843, and was nineteen years old when he enlisted in Company K,
Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, for nine months. He
was promoted to regimental commissary sergeant, Oct. 28, 1862, and
discharged with the regiment June 26, 1863. He re-enlisted Dec. 11,
1863, in Company A, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Third Veteran Regiment
for three years, and was detailed regimental commissary sergeant.
The regiment left Readville, Mass., April 28, 1864, and was assigned
to the First Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, Gen. Ambrose
E. Burnside commanding. Sergeant Hooper was with the regiment in the
battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold
Harbor, Petersburg, Welden Railroad, and Poplar Grove Church. He was
furloughed Dec. 11, 1864, and was ordered to report to the commissary
department of the United States General Hospital at Readville, Mass.
He was mustered out June 13, 1865.
He lived in Bridgewater until June, 1882, when he went to work as
salesman for Carter & Company, paper dealers in Boston. He was
elected to the legislature from the districts of Bridgewater and
East Bridgewater in 1880. He has been secretary of the Fifty-eighth
Massachusetts Regimental Association since 1888. He joined the G.
A. R. in 1868, and for the past four years has been quartermaster
of E. W. Kinsley Post, Boston. He was the compiler of a history of
Bridgewater during the Rebellion, which was published in 1880, a work
that reflects honor on the author and is of great value to the town.
His place of business is No. 100 Federal Street, Boston, where he is
a clerk and director of the firm, respected, trusted, and honored.
HOSPITAL STEWARD EUGENE WHITTEMORE.
HOSPITAL STEWARD EUGENE WHITTEMORE was commissioned at the age of
twenty and resided in Boston. He served with the regiment and was
mustered out with the same. He is now letter carrier in South Boston.
SERGT.-MAJ. EDWARD L. ROBBINS.
SERGT.-MAJ. EDWARD L. ROBBINS was twenty-seven years of age when
commissioned, and a resident of Plymouth. He was discharged May 29,
1863, to enable him to accept a lieutenancy in the heavy artillery.
He was a good, faithful officer, and enjoyed the good-will of all the
officers and men in the regiment. He now resides in Wollaston, Mass.
(Lincoln Avenue).