COMPANY F, THIRD REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
[WRITTEN BY F. P. VINCENT, EDGARTOWN.]
This company, which was recruited in New Bedford, was composed of
men from New Bedford, Dartmouth, Edgartown, Westport, and Acushnet.
Several of the men from New Bedford were sailors, and after returning
from their nine months’ service either enlisted in the navy or went
to sea. Several such never returned again to America; they were what
are known as “roving characters.” We would say, however, that many of
this company re-enlisted and served until the end of the war.
[Illustration: CAPT. GEORGE R. HURLBURT.]
Captain Hurlburt and his lieutenants recruited the company, and
were elected as its commissioned officers. No one ever had cause
to regret the choice made. They were bold, true officers, and the
non-commissioned officers also were as true and faithful as any
company could wish. Captain Hurlburt, whether seen on horse or on
foot, was an officer of which no company need be ashamed. He was of
good build, and quick to learn the evolutions of the company, whether
on company, battalion, or brigade drill. His men believed in him, and
I think would have followed him anywhere he might lead. In evidence
of his standing as a military officer, I have only to refer to an
order from his brigade commander, just before leaving for home.
HEADQUARTERS JOURDAN’S BRIGADE,
EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
NEWBERN, N. C., June 10, 1863.
CAPTAIN: Inasmuch as the term of enlistment of the Third Regiment,
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia is about to expire, I cannot permit
you to go to your home and its endearment without some slight
recognition of your valuable services as a commanding officer, and
it is with pleasure that I call the attention of your friends at
home and abroad to your splendid company, for there is the proof of
your ability as an officer.
With kind regards for your future happiness, believe me to be,
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. JOURDAN,
_Colonel Commanding Brigade_.
Before the war Captain Hurlburt pursued the business of a ship
carpenter in New Bedford, was for some time deputy sheriff of Bristol
County, in which latter position he remained four years. After
being mustered out he raised a company of cavalry and was captain of
the same. After the war he was manager of a hotel in Hartford for
seventeen years. Failing health caused him to seek the quiet of a
home at the Vineyard, where he died in 1900, at the age of eighty-two
years.
First Lieut. William H. Allen was in the harness making business for
years, and later was known in New Bedford as the popular “piano tuner
and repairer.” He died in New Bedford in 1892, and was buried with
military honors.
Second Lieut. Jonathan W. Davis was detailed for signal corps service
during his nine months’ campaign. He returned with his company and
for many years was bookkeeper at the Parker House, New Bedford. He
died in New Bedford, in 1898, and was buried in the family cemetery.
[Illustration: SERGT. PATRICK CANNAVAN.]
But few, if any company in the Third Regiment, could boast of so
proficient an orderly sergeant as Sergeant Cannavan, of Company
F. From 1855 to 1860 he was in her Majesty Queen Victoria’s army;
he saw much hard fighting in the Crimean War and was honored with
two medals for his bravery at that time. After his return from his
nine months’ service for Uncle Sam, like a true soldier he engaged
in such business as he could command. He recruited for the army
and drilled both men and officers. At one time it looked as though
he would receive a commission in the heavy artillery with Captain
James L. Wilber, with whom he had spent several weeks of recruiting,
but Captain Wilber was ordered to consolidate his company with a
portion of a company near Boston. Sergeant Cannavan was offered
the sergeancy in the company but declined. Being determined to
see more active service, he went with his former captain, George
R. Hurlburt in Company B, Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. This time
he enlisted as a private, all the sergeants’ places being filled.
Soon he was made sergeant and sent with a company to Hilton Head,
Florida, where he was ordered to drill officers, both commissioned
and non-commissioned. On the morning following Sergeant Cannavan’s
promotion, First Sergeant Ashley went to the hospital, and, as he
never returned to the company, Sergeant Cannavan performed the duties
of that officer.
Sergeant Cannavan distinguished himself during an engagement at
Gainesville, Florida, on the 17th of August, 1864. In the absence
of his superior officer he led his company in a desperate sabre
charge, thus saving his comrades in the rear from capture by the
rebel cavalry, who outnumbered his cavalry two to one. For this act
of bravery he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in Company A, Fourth
Cavalry. In this engagement he was unhorsed, his carbine shot away
by a rebel bullet which destroyed the hook holding the carbine to
the belt, and he received a slight wound. Seven days later Sergeant
Cannavan with a few of his men reached the main command, and when
they rode into camp the company thought these men must have come
from the dead. Two months after this battle he was promoted to
First Lieutenant Fourth Cavalry, Company B. After the surrender of
Lee Lieutenant Cannavan was detailed to flag all trains going from
Richmond to see if there were any deserters on board. He also had the
supervision of families going from Richmond to their old plantations,
sometimes going as many as forty miles into the interior.
Returning home in the latter part of November, 1865, he engaged in
the grocery business. In 1875 Mr. Cannavan was appointed assistant
city marshal, which office he occupied for two years. In 1878 he was
for the second time appointed on the police force, in which capacity
he has served the City of New Bedford continuously since that time,
viz., thirty years. During all these years he has never met the man
whom he could not handle alone, and in some instances he has had
some pretty hard cases with crazy drunks, but in no instance has he
cracked a skull or broken flesh with his policeman’s club. He is
honored and respected by all the citizens of New Bedford. Even the
rough classes yield when Cannavan is known to be after them. Now in
the sixty-eighth year of his age he is hale and happy. He has never
indulged in the ardent and never used tobacco. He spends his spare
time with his family reading instructive books. He is held in high
esteem by all the children of his patrol, for he always carries
strings for tops, and marbles in his pockets for the little ones.
The city honored him in 1905 by making him chief marshal on Memorial
Day. Taking all in all we believe we make no mistake in writing
so extended a history of this remarkable man, of whom in our long
acquaintance we have heard only good things. In the near future
he expects to receive a medal of honor from this government for
meritorious service rendered during the War of the Rebellion. His
address is 427 North Chauncy Street, New Bedford, Mass.
These officers are but samples of the whole company. They were good
fighters because they were well drilled; they were good soldiers
because they were well disciplined; they are (those still living)
good citizens, because they were good patriots; they have succeeded
and made their mark in the world because the spirit of success
is in them. Good officers make good soldiers, good soldiers make
good citizens, and good citizens make a good country. Is it asked,
“Where are the men who made the rank and file of Company F?” the
answer comes, “Many have joined the great majority, who as young men
responded to their country’s call in the hour of need.” They did
their work well; peace to their ashes. A great and mighty Nation is
reaping the fruits of their toil, and the haughty South has been
brought back, not the raging maniac she was in ’61, but, cured of the
past, she sits at the feet of Uncle Sam, “clothed and in her right
mind.”
“God of the nations, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.”
Lest we forget what war has cost,
When we our greatness loudly boast.
Lest we forget our noble sons,
Who died to hold our nation one.
CORRECTED ROSTER OF COMPANY F, NEW BEDFORD.
[BY F. P. VINCENT AND SERGT. PATRICK CANNAVAN.]
[The first figures indicate the age at enlistment: the city and
town, the place of enlistment.]
GEORGE H. HURLBURT, Captain; 38; New Bedford. Died in 1900.
WILLIAM H. ALLEN, First Lieutenant; 25; New Bedford. Died in 1892.
JONATHAN W. DAVIS, Second Lieutenant; 25; New Bedford. Died in 1898.
PATRICK CANNAVAN, First Sergeant; 25; New Bedford. Lives in New
Bedford.
JAMES H. WILLIAMS, Sergeant; 26; Dartmouth. Photographer, Nantucket
Beach.
FREDERICK A. PLUMMER, Sergeant; 29; New Bedford. Dead.
JOSEPH C. BROTHERSON, Sergeant; 21; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in
Company B, Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. Promoted captain of Company
D, April, 1865. Died with the United States Civil Engineers out West
in 1900.
CHARLES H. WALKER, Sergeant; 40; New Bedford. Dead.
CHARLES A. GOULD, Corporal; 27; New Bedford. In the New York Custom
House, New York.
JAMES SMITH, Corporal; 31; Edgartown. Mason by trade. Contractor in
Boston.
ZACHEUS H. WRIGHT, Corporal; 32; Acushnet. Carpenter. Dead.
ANDREW DEXTER, Corporal; 28; New Bedford. Lives in Ohio.
JOHN H. RICKETSON, Corporal; 26; Dartmouth. Re-enlisted in Company B,
Fourth Cavalry. Died in Dartmouth.
FREDERICK HOFFMAN, Corporal; 26; New Bedford. Went to California and
died in San Francisco.
CHARLES W. CLEVELAND, Corporal; 32; Edgartown. Went to sea; mate of
whaling vessel. Died in New Bedford.
HENRY KOHN, Corporal; 19; New Bedford. Lives in New York City.
FRANCIS P. VINCENT, Chief Bugler; 30; Edgartown. Postmaster, Cottage
City, Mass. One of the leading men of the town.
JAMES WESTERN, Wagoner; 27; New Bedford. Died in 1867.
_Privates._
BOOTH, NATHANIEL A.; 18; New Bedford. Died in New Bedford in 1870.
BURNS, JAMES A.; 35; New Bedford. Dead.
BESSIE, GEORGE A.; 19; Dartmouth. Sailor. Unknown.
BRIGHTMAN, JOHN H.; 40; Westport. Fisherman. Died in Westport, Mass.
BURKE, WILLIAM; 30; New Bedford. Weaver. Lives in Fall River.
BRANNAN, PATRICK; 18; New Bedford. Dead.
BUSWELL, JAMES E.; 28; Edgartown. Dead.
BARRETT, JOHN; 29; New Bedford. Supposed to be living in New
Hampshire. Farmer.
BEATLE, EDWARD E.; 22; Edgartown. Unknown.
CLARK, PATRICK; 31; New Bedford. Went to Fall River. Unknown.
CARD, BENJAMIN F.; 19; New Bedford. Died in New Bedford, February,
1905. Painter and storekeeper until he died.
CHASE, ALVAH H.; 23; Dartmouth. Farmer. Lives in Middleboro.
CLARK, HENRY E.; 27; Dartmouth. Dead. Leaves a widow living in
Hicksville.
CUSHING, WILLIAM B.; 18; Acushnet. Dead.
CORNELL, SOLOMON; 32; Dartmouth. Lives in South Dartmouth.
CAMERON, JOHN; 21; Berkley. Unknown.
DURFEE, GEORGE L.; 18; New Bedford. Carpenter. Lives in New Bedford.
DONOVAN, JAMES; 20; New Bedford. Inspector of cars. Killed on
railroad.
DEKAY, RICHARD; 21; Dartmouth. Deserted Oct. 3, 1862.
DAVIS, GEORGE W.; 19; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Third Massachusetts
Heavy Artillery, Company F. Carpenter. Lives in North Dartmouth.
FISHER, JOHN P.; 20; Edgartown. Dead.
FOSTER, DANIEL O.; 26; Warren, R. I. Re-enlisted as sergeant in
Fourth Cavalry. Dead.
GIFFORD, JAMES B.; 21; Westport.
GIFFORD, ABRAM; 18; Westport. Re-enlisted in ninety days’ regiment.
Carpenter and surveyor. Lives in New Bedford.
GIFFORD, LEVI K.; 22; Dartmouth. Dead.
GORDON, JOHN; 22; New Bedford. Discharged March 21, 1863, for
disability. Dead.
GAMMONS, CHARLES W.; 18; Dartmouth. Discharged March 24, 1863, for
disability. Dead.
GRAVES, PERRY; 33; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Capt. Allen’s Company
Heavy Artillery stationed at New Bedford and Washington, D. C. Dead.
HAMMOND, HENRY; 38; New Bedford. Dead.
HOLMES, SAMUEL B.; 30; New Bedford. Dead.
HATHAWAY, GEORGE W.; 28; New Bedford. Died in New Bedford, Nov. 14,
1905.
HOFFMAN, WILLIAM; 29; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry.
Died in Boston, 1901.
HOLMES, JOSEPH B.; 18; New Bedford. Re-enlisted and was commissioned
second lieutenant in a colored regiment. Sash and blind manufacturer.
Lives in Providence, R. I.
HOWLAND, ABRAM H.; 19; New Bedford. Lives in New Bedford.
HAMER, WILLIAM; 35; New Bedford. Dead.
JENKINS, GEORGE; 25; New Bedford. Went to California. Unknown.
JANNEY, WILLIAM A.; 36; New Bedford. Re-enlisted as sergeant in
Fourth Cavalry. Died in New Bedford.
KENNER, HENRY G.; 27; Dartmouth. Supposed to be living in Maryland.
LUSCOMB, ABRAM R.; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
LAKEY, THOMAS; 20; New Bedford. Drummer. Dead.
LAWTON, JOSEPH M.; 33; Dartmouth; Painter. Lives in New Bedford.
LEWIS, HENRY S.; 23; Dartmouth. For many years overseer in a cotton
mill in New Bedford. Died in 1900.
MITCHELL, JOHN S.; 39; New Bedford. Died at sea.
MASON, HUMPHREY S.; 27; New Bedford. Dead.
MACOMBER, LYMAN A.; 18; Dartmouth. Lives in Providence, R. I.
MACOMBER, ALDEN T.; 30; Dartmouth. Died April 21, 1863.
MOSHER, FREDERICK P.; 28; New Bedford. Dead.
MUSPRATT, JOHN; 20; New Bedford. Lives in New Bedford on Sixth Street.
OLIVER, HORATIO G., JR.; 23; New Bedford. Re-enlisted as sergeant in
Fourth Cavalry, was wounded and captured. Died in prison.
OLIVER, CHARLES H.; 31; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry as
sergeant. Died in Salisbury Prison.
ORNE, GEORGE; 42; New Bedford. Died in Boston Hospital, Jan. 3, 1863.
PLUMMER, HORACE M.; 22; New Bedford. In post office, New Bedford.
PECKHAM, SAMUEL G.; 29; Dartmouth. Died in New Bedford.
PECK, WILLIAM B.; Dartmouth. Died at Smith Mills, Mass.
PIERCE, ALEXANDER O.; 26; Acushnet. Painter. Died Dec. 20, 1905.
PECKHAM, JOHN B.; 21; Dartmouth. Dead.
POTTER, THOMAS, JR.; 40; Acushnet. Dead.
QUICK, JAMES S.; 20; New Bedford. Went to Michigan. Supposed to be
living.
RODMAN, SAMUEL J.; 20; New Bedford. Carpenter. Lives in New Bedford.
RYAN, EDWARD; 19; New Bedford. Dead.
RYDER, DAVID; 44; Dartmouth. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry, captured
and died in a rebel prison.
RIPLEY, JOSEPH A.; 21; Edgartown. Contractor in Providence, R. I.
Member of Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R.
STOWELL, COLUMBUS; 44; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry,
taken prisoner and died in rebel prison.
SOULE, EDWIN P.; 24; New Bedford. Special police in New Bedford.
SMITH, JOHN W.; 18; New Bedford. After the war went to Illinois.
Resides in Chicago.
STILES, JAMES; 26; New Bedford. Lives in Nantucket.
SANFORD, LEONARD M.; 22; New Bedford. Lives in Westport, Mass.
SHEA, MATTHEW; 26; New Bedford. Soldier of Crimean War. Supposed to
be living in Attleboro.
SHAW, CHARLES H.; 30; New Bedford. Dead.
STEPHENS, WILLIAM H.; 22; Dartmouth. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry.
Died in New Bedford.
SPOONER, JOSEPH S.; 36; Acushnet. Supposed to be dead.
TRIPP, PHILIP M.; 23; New Bedford. In the jobbing business. Died June
29, 1906.
TEACHMAN, SIDNEY M.; 18; New Bedford. Dead.
WEBB, WILLIAM H.; 24; New Bedford. Unknown.
WILSON, JAMES; 31; New Bedford. Resided many years in New Bedford on
Ash Street. Died March 5, 1906.
WELCH, WILLIAM H.; 25; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Heavy Artillery.
Died in hospital, Boston.
WADY, WILLIAM I.; 19; Dartmouth. Went to sea. Unknown.
WORDELL, ANDREW L.; 19; Dartmouth. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry.
Died in prison in South Carolina.
WORTH, JETHRO; 25; Edgartown. Went into Navy; officer. Dead.
WILBUR, JOSEPH H.; 19; Edgartown. Painter. Vineyard Haven.
WOOD, GEORGE H.; 19; Dartmouth. Went to sea; returned, and is
now living on a farm in Westport with his twin brother. Both are
bachelors and possess quite a handsome property.