COMPANY E, THIRD REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
[BY FREDERICK F. MAXFIELD.]
This company was made up of New Bedford men with three exceptions,
Capt. John A. Hawes, of Fairhaven; Daniel H. Tripp, of Westport; and
Albert M. Allen, of Westport. For the greater part the company was
composed of young men and men in the prime of life. It is well for
us to remember that New Bedford has an unique history, among the
military companies of the State. First, the New Bedford Guards were
organized in 1842. They were disbanded, and out of that organization
came many who served as officers during the War of the Rebellion.
At the present time there are two of the New Bedford Guards living;
viz., James E. Blake, druggist, corner of Second and Middle Streets,
New Bedford; William Balis, grain dealer, foot of Middle Street. In
1853 the City Guards were organized and drilled. This company, known
in history as Company L and City Guards continued in commission,
answered to the call of President Lincoln, and served three months
in the Third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. On its return
to New Bedford all its commissioned officers resigned, and William
E. Mason, sergeant of the company, was in command. When the call was
made for three hundred thousand men, Sergeant Mason recruited the
company to its maximum number, but, being a modest man, and knowing
that John A. Hawes was an adept in military matters, he asked Mr.
Hawes to be captain of the company, which being agreed to by all,
Sergeant Mason was made first lieutenant, and James L. Sharp second
lieutenant.
[Illustration: CAPT. JOHN A. HAWES.]
Captain Hawes was a man eminently fitted for the commander of the
company. Born in a home of wealth, educated in the schools of his own
town, and in Harvard Law College, and having practiced law, he was
well prepared to deal with all the difficult questions of military
and army life; yet notwithstanding his wealth, he never asked his
company to go where he would not lead, nor to suffer hardships which
he would not share with them. He went to war not for pay, but for the
honor of the old flag, which he loved more than wealth, more than
ease, more than honors. That his services were appreciated by his
superior officers will be seen by the following:
“HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, FIFTH DIVISION,
EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
NEWBERN, N. C., May 6, 1863.
CAPTAIN JOHN A. HAWES:
It is with much pleasure and I may say pride, inasmuch as your
splendid company is part of my brigade, that I congratulate you on
the remarkable good condition of your company, both in reference to
drill, discipline, and soldierly bearing. To command such a fine
company must certainly be an honor of which you may well feel proud.
I have the honor to be, Captain,
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
J. JOURDAN, COLONEL,
_Commanding Brigade_.”
Captain Hawes looked after the rights and well being of his men, in
camp and on the march. He never allowed one of his company to do
a dare-devil act just for the notoriety of the thing, neither did
he allow any one to shirk his duty. Each man must do his duty, and
each man must be given his rights in rations, in recreations, and in
social enjoyments. On the march he took always the left side of his
company, and, if for any good reason, one of his boys became unable
to continue the march from sickness, he always found a place for him
in an ambulance, instead of leaving him by the roadside to care for
himself. He has been heard to say, “Mrs. ---- intrusted her boy to
me, and I must so care for him, that should we live to go home, when
I meet her I can look her in the face with the consciousness that I
did my duty.” Such was Captain Hawes as an officer of the army.
On returning home he took up his citizen life quietly, and enjoyed
the comfort of his luxurious home. For several years he was president
of the Bristol County Agricultural Society at Myricks, where his good
judgment and kindly acts will long be remembered. A little incident
explains his character. One morning a representative from the church
in Myricks went to him and suggested that a rope be put across one
of the driveways on the Agricultural Society grounds, as some of
the people of Myricks were nearly run over by the careless driving
on the previous day. Turning to one of his officials, he said, “Mr.
---- says a rope should be put across the road to prevent people from
being run over.” “If he wants a rope across the road, let him put it
there,” said the official. Turning to the official he said, “This
is my friend, you see that a rope is put across the road,” and the
proud official had to obey orders. For years he was commodore of the
New Bedford Yacht Fleet, where by his gentlemanly courtesies to his
superiors, inferiors, and equals, he endeared himself to all. After
a well-rounded out life, with his loved ones around him, he quietly
passed from works to reward, lamented by a large circle of friends,
who to this day regard him as a model man, a good officer, and a true
friend to all with whom he had to do.
The same that is said of Captain Hawes can be said of First
Lieutenant Mason, who will be remembered by every man in the company
and regiment, also, as a man of high moral character, and a true
officer. Modest, yet firm in discipline; gentle, yet insisting that
every man must do his duty; bold, when duty called; careful, when
care became the better part of valor, he would not allow himself,
nor the men under his command, to imperil life just for the name of
being called bold; but when duty called no braver man could be found
and no one who could be trusted better with an important duty. True
to himself, he was true to his men. On the march Lieutenant Mason was
always at the head of the company. He never ordered his men to go
where he would not lead. He served his company and his country as a
man who believed that shoulder straps are honorable only when honored
by the wearer. His slogan was that every man has rights, which must
be respected by all regardless of rank or position, and he should be
protected in those rights.
After serving his nine months in the Third Regiment and being
mustered out, he recruited Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry, being second lieutenant Sept. 18, 1863, and
captain in the same company Jan. 22, 1864. Here the same good traits
as an officer continued. At the battle of Cold Harbor he was severely
wounded, and again at the battle of Crater the same year, and for
his bravery in these and other battles he was invested major. He
was mustered out in 1865, returned home, and was made inspector
in the Custom House, Boston, where he remained until failing
health compelled him to resign. In his home in New Bedford, in the
calm and serene beauty of a life of seventy-eight years well and
conscientiously spent, he died May 27, 1905, beloved and honored.
Second Lieut. James L. Sharp was a good officer, who readily
responded to every duty. Before the war he carried on the business
of a tinsmith in New Bedford and was very successful; after the war
he went to New York and continued in the same business. He is known
as the patentee of the celebrated Gas Burner Stove. He died several
years ago.
HISTORY OF COMPANY L, THIRD REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER
MILITIA, AFTERWARDS COMPANY E.
[BY MAJOR CUSHMAN.]
Company L was generally known as the “New Bedford City Guards.” The
first meeting for its organization was held July 22, 1852, and, on
the 31st of August following, George A. Bourne was commissioned its
captain. He had previously been commissioned captain of Company K,
in the Third Light Infantry, Second Brigade, First Division, which
existed in New Bedford and was known as the “City Guards.” Captain
Bourne resigned Jan. 19, 1847, and the company was disbanded Aug.
8, 1849. Captain Bourne commanded the “New Bedford City Guards”
till 1854, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Captain Timothy
Ingraham, who was in command at the time of the receipt of Special
Order, No. 14, dated April 15, 1861, which ordered the company to
report immediately in Boston.
The New Bedford City Guards under Captain Ingraham soon became noted
for proficiency in drill. His son was a cadet at West Point and
the company not only adopted the complete uniform of the cadets,
but excelled in the new tactics afterwards promulgated by the
War Department as _Hardee’s Tactics_, which formed a part of the
instruction at West Point. As a part of their fatigue dress the
Guards wore a unique scarlet jacket, from which they were jocularly
termed when in exercise drills, the lobster backs. Besides their
complement of company officers they had an independent staff and
a full band. They drilled as a battalion as well as a company.
They acquired many of the improvements which characterized the
noted Ellsworth Zouaves, and prided themselves upon excellence in
skirmishing drills, the “silent manual” bayonet exercise, and guard
duty.
When Governor Andrew issued his preparatory order of Jan. 16, 1861,
almost the entire company volunteered to respond to any call for
duty without the borders of the state, so that when Special Order,
No. 14, was promulgated late that Monday evening, April 15th,
they flocked to their armory as the news spread, to learn of the
arrangements for their departure. There was little sleep that night
in the homes of the Guards. What might be their ultimate destination
none could decide. An ominous darkness shrouded the immediate future
into which they were being ushered, trusting in Providence and
confident in their acquired military knowledge. The few short hours
before their departure were devoted to hasty arrangements to provide
for their families and business while absent. Early the next morning
they responded to the call and at eight o’clock left the armory.
Meanwhile the citizens had organized a fitting public demonstration
of patriotic feeling to bid them God-speed, so they were not
permitted to leave until the city’s great heart found expression by a
popular clergyman’s craving Divine protection for its gallant youth,
and Ex-Governor John Henry Clifford had eloquently bade a final
farewell with thrilling assurances of civic pride and neighborly
love, pledging the united support of the entire community. Then to
the inspiring music of its own band the company marched to Fairhaven
ferry, accompanied by such an enthusiastic crowd as never before had
been seen in the city. Owing to the extraordinary duties imposed upon
the railroads which interfered somewhat with the regular schedules,
the company did not reach Boston until noon. It was quartered
temporarily near the Old Colony depot, and that night through the
courtesy of the New England Guards, slept in their quarters over the
Boylston Market. Lieutenant Porter then returned to New Bedford.
The next day (Wednesday, the 17th) Lieutenant Barton joined the
company in Boston. In the afternoon Company L marched to the State
House, received its colors, and was addressed by Governor John A.
Andrew, and then amid the most enthusiastic demonstrations of the
excited populace, proceeded to Long Wharf, where it embarked on the
steamship _S. R. Spaulding_, which dropped down the harbor awaiting
supplies. While at anchor down the bay on the 18th of April, a boat
came alongside and a young man climbed over the side, who stated
that he wanted to enlist. He was recognized instantly by Lieutenant
Cushman as Edward L. Pierce, a former college mate, and was at once
enrolled in Company L. At Fortress Monroe, as soon as “contrabands”
came flocking around the fort for protection, he was assigned to
the congenial duty of caring for their welfare, and proved a most
useful acquisition. At the end of his duty at Fortress Monroe he was
appointed to perform similar service at Port Royal, South Carolina,
and during the war aided materially in developing the former slaves
of the South into defenders of the Union and useful citizens.
On arrival at Fortress Monroe Company L efficiently performed every
duty to which it was assigned, although its costly uniforms were
quickly ruined by the mounting of heavy guns, and the handling of
immense quantities of quartermaster’s supplies, besides the ordinary
routine of military duty. From the company many were detailed
for duty at post headquarters, scouting, and unusual guard duty.
Captain Ingraham, who had been compelled by sickness to return on
the tug-boat, April 18th, and Lieutenant Porter, accompanied by
several recruits reached Fortress Monroe on May 5th, the former
resumed command, but Lieutenant Porter (the fourth lieutenant), being
supernumerary under the army regulations, was with the recruits
mustered into Company K. July 22d the regiment was mustered out of
the service of the United States.
On the return of the company to New Bedford at the end of its
tour of service, it received a popular ovation, and was heartily
welcomed home. Many of its members served subsequently as officers
in regiments which were formed during the war. The state finally
reimbursed the Guards for their ruined uniforms.
CORRECTED ROSTER OF COMPANY E TO MARCH 31, 1905.
[The first figures indicate age at enlistment: the city and town,
the place of enlistment.]
JOHN A. HAWES, Captain; 29; Fairhaven. Dead.
WILLIAM E. MASON, First Lieutenant; 35; New Bedford. Resides at 118
Acushnet Ave., New Bedford. Died May 24, 1905.
JAMES L. SHARP, Second Lieutenant; 33; New Bedford. Dead.
DAVID A. BUTLER, First Sergeant; 25; New Bedford. Carpenter for many
years. Chief of New Bedford police force. Elected colonel First
Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, 1888; resigned. Died in New
Bedford, Feb. 6, 1906. Widow and adopted child living.
CHARLES H. TOBEY, Sergeant; 23; New Bedford. Captain in Fifty-eighth
Regiment. Superintendent of Star Mills, Middleboro, for many years.
Shipper in Leonard’s Shoe Factory. Resides in Middleboro.
JAMES C. HITCH, Sergeant; 25; New Bedford. Dead.
ISAAC H. JENNINGS, Sergeant; 27; New Bedford. Commissioned captain
after nine months’ service. Dead.
JOSEPH E. NYE, Sergeant; 24; New Bedford. Promoted to sergeant-major.
May 29, 1863. Dead.
JOHN H. M. BABCOCK, Corporal; 30; New Bedford. Dead.
FRANCIS HERLEY, Corporal; 33; New Bedford. Dead.
GEORGE R. PADDOCK, Corporal; 27; New Bedford. Dead.
ALEXANDER M. BROWNELL, Corporal; 20; New Bedford. Detective in
Richmond, Va.
FRANK H. KEMPTON, Corporal; 19; New Bedford. Captain in Fifty-eighth
Regiment. Clerk in Providence. Resides in Providence, R. I.
HENRY H. POTTER, Corporal; 21; New Bedford. Captain of New Bedford
City Guards. Dead.
FRANKLIN K. S. NYE, Corporal; 23; New Bedford. Residence, Soldiers
Home, Hampton, Va.
SYLVESTER C. SPOONER, Corporal; 23; New Bedford. In the clothing
business, Millbury, Mass.
STEPHEN P. SAWYER, Musician; 34; New Bedford. In the fine ware
business in New Bedford.
CHARLES G. ALLEN, Musician; 14; New Bedford. Motorman on electric
cars in New Bedford.
HENRY C. BAKER, Wagoner; 25; New Bedford. Baker. Resides in Fall
River.
_Privates._
ALLEN, THOMAS L.; 23; New Bedford. Steward. Astor House, New York.
ALLEN, ALBERT M.; 20; Westport. Dead.
ANGELL, WILLIAM H.; 19; New Bedford. Dead.
BLY, WILLIAM L.; 21; New Bedford. Retired merchant. Returned to New
Bedford at the close of the war. Resides in Medford.
BRIGGS, CHARLES H.; 19; New Bedford. Clerk in a furniture store.
BRAYTON, CHARLES F.; 20; New Bedford. Invalid, lives in New Bedford.
BROWN, JACOB; 36; New Bedford. Dead.
BARKER, WILLIAM T.; 25; New Bedford. Dead.
BULLARD, AMASA; 45; New Bedford. Dead.
BRIGGS, LEONARD; 33; New Bedford. Dead.
COGGSHALL, GEORGE; 19; New Bedford. Clerk. Lives in New York.
CRAPO, PHILIP M.; 19; New Bedford. Sailor. Died in Iowa.
CHRISTIAN, STEPHEN E.; 19; New Bedford. Killed in battle June 18,
1864, while in action in the Fifty-eighth Regiment.
CHADWICK, ISAAC; 47; New Bedford. Retired whaling master. Dead.
COVELL, BENJAMIN B., JR.; 24; New Bedford. Dead.
CUSHMAN, FREDERICK E.; 19; New Bedford. Served in the Fifty-eighth
Regiment. Attorney-at-law. Resides in Austin, Texas.
CHAPMAN, EDWARD T.; 19; New Bedford. Served in the Fifty-eighth
Regiment and lost his arm June 2, 1864, while on skirmish duty. Dead.
CRANE, CHARLES F.; 18; New Bedford. Died in Newbern, North Carolina,
Jan. 29, 1863. Was complimented by General Foster during inspection
for soldierly bearing and neatness.
DEXTER, LUKE; 30; New Bedford. Dead.
DAVIS, GEORGE H.; 20; New Bedford. Dead.
DEDRICK, CHARLES M.; 29; New Bedford. Lives in New Bedford.
DEXTER, THOMAS D.; 22; New Bedford. Carriage painter in Mattapoisett.
FORBES, CHARLES H.; 20; New Bedford. Dead.
FOLGER, REUBEN C.; 21; New Bedford; Mason. Lives in New Bedford.
GRINNELL, ENOCH N.; 22; Policeman in Lowell, Mass.
GIFFORD, THOMAS J.; 22; New Bedford; Plumber. Lives in New Bedford.
Re-enlisted in ninety days’ service.
HOWE, WILLIAM W.; 22; New Bedford. Dead.
HITCH, ALFRED G.; 22; New Bedford. Dead.
HAFFORDS, JOSEPH T.; 21; New Bedford. Dead.
HATHAWAY, SAVORY C.; 25; New Bedford. Dead.
HATHAWAY, JAMES S.; 30; New Bedford. Carriage manufacturer in New
Bedford.
HARGRAVES, JOHN; 36; New Bedford. Dead.
HANOVER, WALTER; 28; New Bedford. Dead.
HILLER, ALFRED; 19; New Bedford. Lawyer. Lives in Nebraska.
HUSSEY, THOMAS; 19; New Bedford. Workman in a shoe factory in New
Bedford, Mass.
HOWARD, ABNER L.; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
HATCH, WILLIAM W.; 23; New Bedford. Served in the Fifty-eighth
Regiment. Dead.
HANDY, GEORGE F.; 19; New Bedford. Resides in Rutland, Mass.
HALL, GILBERT N.; 22; New Bedford. Retired merchant. Lives in New
Bedford.
HOWLAND, NICHOLAS E.; 19; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Company C,
Fifty-eighth Regiment; wounded and discharged. Expressman in New
Bedford.
HOWLAND, CHARLES H.; 25; New Bedford. Lives near Boston.
HUDSON, JACK; 22; New Bedford. Blacksmith in Chicago.
JENKINS, GEORGE W.; 21; New Bedford. Re-enlisted as sergeant in the
Fifty-eighth Regiment and wounded in battle June 16, 1864. Lives in
Malden, Mass.
JACKSON, WILLIAM M.; 32; New Bedford. Deserted Oct. 20, 1862,
immediately after bounty was received.
KELLEY, JOSEPH H. A.; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
LEACH, WILLIAM H. H.; 23; New Bedford. Drummer. Lives in New Bedford.
LAWRENCE, WILLIAM; 43; New Bedford. Dead.
LOVEJOY, AMOS F.; 43; New Bedford. Discharged for disability April
24, 1863. Carpenter. Lives in New Bedford (Wamsutta Mills).
MANN, WILLIAM M.; 25; New Bedford. Dead.
MANN, JOHN E.; 19; New Bedford. Works in a shoe factory, Brockton,
Mass.
MUNROE, JOSEPH V. G.; 31; New Bedford. Dead.
MENDALL, CHARLES W.; 22; New Bedford. Dead.
MAXFIELD, FREDERICK F.; 22; Clerk. Lives in New Bedford.
MANCHESTER, JOHN B.; 28; New Bedford. Keeper of the police station,
New Bedford.
MOSHER, JOHN M.; 23; New Bedford. Lives in Natick, Mass.
NEGUS, CHARLES H.; 28; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Company E,
Fifty-eighth Regiment. Dead.
PAISER, JACOB; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
POTTER, SIMEON W.; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
PURRINGTON, PHILIP B.; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
PIERCE, JOHN W.; 20; New Bedford. Discharged for disability, March
12, 1863.
RIGBY, SAMUEL; 19; New Bedford. Dead.
ROBBINS, THOMAS C.; 21; New Bedford. Letter carrier, New Bedford.
RICE, ADONIRAM J.; 28; New Bedford. Blacksmith in New Bedford.
REYNOLDS, WILLIAM F.; New Bedford. Workman. Lives in Bourne, Mass.
RICHARDS, WILLIAM D.; 23; New Bedford. Keeps a livery stable in New
Bedford.
SOULE, RUFUS A.; 24; New Bedford. Member of the legislature. Speaker
of the Senate. Senior partner of the firm of Hathaway, Soule &
Harrington, shoe manufacturers in New Bedford and Middleboro. A man
of staunch character and influence in New Bedford, where he resides.
SPOONER, SAMUEL H.; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
SIMMONS, CHARLES H.; 22; New Bedford. Bookkeeper in Express Office,
New Bedford.
SADDLER, WILLIAM G.; 28; New Bedford. Invalid, lives in New Bedford.
SWIFT, LEANDER; 24; New Bedford. Dead.
TABOR, LYMAN G.; 19; New Bedford. Dead.
TOPHAMS, PHILIP M.; 24; New Bedford. Unknown.
TRIPP, THOMAS G. C.; 30; New Bedford. Dead.
TRIPP, DANIEL H.; 30; Westport. Blacksmith. Dead.
TRIPP, EDWIN C.; 22; New Bedford. Dead.
TUCKERMAN, ROBERT, JR.; 31; New Bedford. Discharged for disability,
Oct. 28, 1862. Dead.
WILKINSON, WILLIAM; 32; New Bedford. Lives in Alabama.
WILCOX, HENRY P.; 22; New Bedford. Lives in Indianapolis, Ind.
WASHBURN, WILLIAM H.; 19; New Bedford. Died in New Bedford, Feb. 14,
1906.
WOOD, THOMAS F.; 19; New Bedford. Member of the firm of Wood,
Brightman & Co., New Bedford.
WATSON, SAMUEL J.; 19; New Bedford. Re-enlisted as second lieutenant
in the Fifty-eighth Regiment and taken prisoner in the Battle of the
Crater, July 30, 1864. Died on parole in New Bedford.