COMPANY G, THIRD REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
This company was recruited by its captain, William S. Cobb; first
lieutenant, Henry W. Briggs; and second lieutenant, James L. Wilber.
In the days of 1862 in passing City Hall, New Bedford, one might
notice four tents on the north side of the hall. In these four tents
companies were being recruited, viz., Companies E, F, and G, and
another company which was being recruited by Major Cushman. In six
weeks the recruiting was accomplished, and Companies E, F, and G,
went into Camp Joe Hooker, Lakeville, Mass., and were made a part
of the Third Regiment. To say that there was no rivalry in this
recruiting would be far from the truth, but as each man had his
choice of the four companies the officer who could show the greatest
advantages succeeded soonest in getting his company filled.
[Illustration: CAPT. WILLIAM S. COBB.]
William Cobb who went as captain of Company G was for several years
in the outfitting business in New Bedford and was well known by
a large circle of admiring friends, and, being at one time city
marshal, he enjoyed the right of way in recruiting his company. He
never lost his hold on his men, nor his popularity as commanding
officer. His men never failed of getting their rations of every sort.
He was a kind, considerate officer, and loved his men as though they
were his own sons. After the war he was for many years high sheriff
of Bristol County, in which place he performed his duties acceptably,
without fear or trembling, neither was he a slave to any political
party. His shibboleth was duty before pleasure.
First Lieut. Henry W. Briggs was a faithful officer during his term
of service, and after the war was a contractor and builder in New
Bedford for a number of years. He was a good, honest man, and those
who intrusted their interests to him had no cause to regret or to
find fault with the work.
Second Lieut. James L. Wilber was not only a faithful officer, but
after serving nine months in the Third he recruited part of a company
for the Heavy Artillery, was commissioned captain of the same,
and went to North Carolina, where he did good service. After the
close of the war Captain Wilber was elected on the police force, in
which position he served as deputy of the day force. He was an able
officer, and was respected by all the citizens of New Bedford where
he resided. After thirty-two years a police officer he died July 23,
1905, and was buried with G. A. R. honors.
The make up of Company G were mechanics, and, on returning home,
their services were in such demand that but few of them comparatively
re-enlisted for the second time. They were nearly all New Bedford and
Dartmouth men, and as the world goes they were a fine set of fellows.
Like all others of the companies of the Third Regiment, more than
fifty per cent. of this company have answered the last roll call,
while their relatives are reaping the benefits of their sacrifice
and toil in the Southland. Some of those still living have gone to
distant parts never to return. So far as known they have all been
good citizens, while many of them have made their mark in the world
of finance, and are well to do business men.
CORRECTED ROSTER OF COMPANY G, NEW BEDFORD.
[The first figures indicate the age at enlistment: the city and
town, the place of enlistment.]
[CORRECTED BY CAPT. JAMES L. WILBER, SAMUEL S. BROADBENT, AND
LIEUT. PATRICK CANNAVAN.]
WILLIAM S. COBB, Captain; 43; New Bedford. Dead.
HENRY W. BRIGGS, First Lieutenant; 33; New Bedford. Dead.
JAMES L. WILBER, Second Lieutenant; 28; New Bedford. Died in New
Bedford, July 23, 1905.
CHARLES WEST, First Sergeant; 30; New Bedford. Dead.
WILLIAM F. CHACE, Sergeant; 28; New Bedford. Dead.
JOHN W. LOOK, Sergeant; 30; New Bedford. Carpenter. Lives in Marion.
ABEL SOULE, Jr., Sergeant; 34; New Bedford. Ship Carpenter. Lives in
New Bedford.
ROLAND W. SNOW, Sergeant; 29; New Bedford. Dead.
SIMEON WEBB, Corporal; 36; New Bedford. Dead.
THOMAS F. HAMMOND, Corporal; 21; New Bedford. Dead.
WILLIAM G. DUNHAM; Corporal; 28; New Bedford. Letter Carrier, New
Bedford.
ANDREW PORTER, Corporal; 29; New Bedford. Dead.
WILLIAM ELDRIDGE, Corporal; New Bedford. Dead.
JOHN L. FLYNN, Corporal; 32; New Bedford. Dead.
GEORGE W. PERRY, Corporal; 33; New Bedford. Carpenter. Resides in New
Bedford.
IRA P. TRIPP, Corporal; 34; New Bedford. Salesman in store corner of
Union and Sixth Streets, New Bedford.
_Privates._
ALLEN, JOSEPH H.; 21; New Bedford. Supposed to be living in Brockton.
ALLEN, GEORGE F.; 22; New Bedford. Unknown.
ALGER, CHARLES, JR.; 18; New Bedford. Re-enlisted. Unknown.
ATCHISON, MARTIN; 18; New Bedford. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry.
Lives in Colorado.
ALBRO, ALFRED; 21; Dartmouth. Unknown.
AKIN, CHARLES R.; 37; New Bedford. Served in Fourth Cavalry. Dead.
ATWOOD, LUTHER; 38; New Bedford. Deserted Oct. 22, 1862. Dead.
BACON, DAVID B.; 31; New Bedford. Dead.
BEARSE, ZACHARIAH S.; 21; New Bedford. Unknown.
BESSE, DANIEL; 34; New Bedford. Dead.
BOWMAN, JOSEPH B.; 42; New Bedford. Dead.
BOLING, JOHN M.; 27; New Bedford. Unknown.
BLISS, CHARLES; 36; New Bedford. Dead.
BOLLES, JAMES C.; 20; New Bedford. Lives in California.
BURDICK, BENJAMIN F.; 27; New Bedford. Lives at Nantucket.
BRADLEY, DAVID; 28; New Bedford. Dead.
CARROLL, JAMES N.; 18; New Bedford. Unknown.
COLLINS, JAMES; 21; New Bedford. Unknown.
CHASE, COLLINS; 30; New Bedford. Wheelwright. Lives in New Brunswick.
COBB, WILLIAM S., JR.; 21; New Bedford. Dead.
CONNOLLY, JAMES; 30; New Bedford. Unknown.
CHASE, WILLIAM H.; 40; New Bedford. Unknown.
CROY, WILLIAM D.; 22; Dartmouth. Discharged May 30, 1863, to
re-enlist. Unknown.
CLARK, JAMES; 26; New Bedford. Discharged May 30, 1863, to re-enlist.
Unknown.
DAVIS, JAMES A.; 26; New Bedford. Dead.
DUNHAM, THOMAS S.; 18; New Bedford. Dead.
DURPEE, BENJAMIN; 18; New Bedford. Went to California. Unknown.
DEXTER, EZRA F.; 43; New Bedford. Lives near Boston.
EDWARDS, JOHN; 29; New Bedford. Dead.
FLAHAVEN, JOHN; 28; New Bedford. Unknown.
FRENCH, JOHN F.; 27; New Bedford. Unknown.
FLEET, JAMES; 33; New Bedford. Dead.
FREEMAN, JOSIAH; 23; New Bedford. Lives at Nantucket.
GIFFORD, WILLIAM F.; 20; New Bedford. Dead.
GIFFORD, SAMUEL T.; 30; New Bedford. Dead.
GIFFORD, CHARLES C.; 18; New Bedford. Sergeant of the police. Lives
in New Bedford.
GARLICK, REUBEN A.; 19; Dartmouth. Unknown.
HAZARD, JOHN F.; 27; New Bedford. Dead.
HASKINS, WILLIAM A.; 18; New Bedford. Unknown.
HATHAWAY, FREDERICK A.; 18; New Bedford. Sailmaker. Lives in New
Bedford.
HARRINGTON, DANIEL; 23; New Bedford. Deserted Oct. 21, 1862.
JENNY, SANFORD, JR.; 23; New Bedford. Dead.
JOSEPH, WILLIAM R.; 19; New Bedford. Dead.
KING, ISAAC; 44; New Bedford. Dead.
KEENE, EBENEZER S.; 20; New Bedford. Dead.
KING, ALFRED C.; 21; New Bedford. Unknown.
LINEHAN, JOHN; 37; New Bedford. Dead.
LEWIS, BENJAMIN F.; 25; New Bedford. Dead.
LOOK, GILBERT A.; 31; New Bedford. Dead.
LONG, GEORGE R.; 34; New Bedford. Dead.
LYNG, WILLIAM; 18; New Bedford. Laborer. Lives in New Brunswick.
MACK, ANDREW N.; 18; New Bedford. Dead.
MOSHER, FOLDER B.; 36; New Bedford. Dead.
MOSHER, CALEB P.; 34; New Bedford. Dead.
MATTHEWS, BARAK E.; 41; New Bedford. Dead.
MCCANN, EDWARD; 35; New Bedford. Dead.
MAXFIELD, CHARLES H.; 18; New Bedford. In clothing store. Lives in
Providence, R. I.
MOLTRAM, JOHN; 29; New Bedford. Resides in Providence, R. I.
MINOR, BARNEY; 35; New Bedford. Deserted and discharged for
disability.
NORTON, FRANCIS; 35; Edgartown. Dead.
PAINE, HENRY K.; 25; New Bedford. Dead.
PACKARD, GEORGE F.; 31; New Bedford. Unknown.
PARKER, GEORGE W.; 22; New Bedford. Unknown.
PERRY, LYMAN C.; 42; New Bedford. Dead.
PIERCE, CHARLES C.; 21; New Bedford. Unknown.
PIERCE, CHARLES H.; 18; New Bedford. Dead.
PARSONS, LEWIS G.; 22; New Bedford. Discharged March 3, 1863, for
disability.
PRATT, HENRY B.; 21; New Bedford. Discharged March 19, 1863, for
disability.
RICHARDS, SILAS N.; 20; New Bedford. Dead.
SALISBURY, ROBERT; 31; New Bedford. Unknown.
SMITH, SAMUEL D.; 43; New Bedford. Supposed to be dead.
SMITH, JOHN S.; 44; New Bedford. Dead.
SISSON, GEORGE F.; 41; New Bedford. Unknown.
SLOCUM, WILLIAM; 19; New Bedford. Dead.
SPOONER, SAMUEL K.; 44; New Bedford. Dead.
TABER, CORNELIUS G.; 32; New Bedford. Dead.
TABER, THEODORE A.; 21; New Bedford. Unknown.
TABER, DANIEL G.; 41; New Bedford. Unknown.
TAYLOR, WILLIAM W.; 24; New Bedford. Dead.
TIGHE, JAMES D.; 19; New Bedford. Unknown.
TRIPP, SYLVANUS A.; 41; New Bedford. Supposed to be dead.
TRIPP, GEORGE H. W.; 26; New Bedford. Discharged April 30, 1863, for
disability. Dead.
TILLINGHAST, WILLIAM A.; 19; New Bedford. Fire Engine Driver. Dead.
WILKIE, DAVID; 20; New Bedford. Unknown.
WHITEHEAD, THOMAS; 41; New Bedford. Dead.
WILBUR, HENRY C.; 21; Edgartown. Unknown.