COMPANY I, THIRD REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
[WRITTEN BY LIEUT. JABEZ M. LYLE.]
The signal service rendered by Company I, and the casualties suffered
by it, make it quite proper to give a somewhat detailed history of
its formation and of the general character of the men composing it.
The following account is taken from an interesting paper written by
Lieutenant J. M. Lyle, and is given in almost his own words:
“In the summer of 1862, President Lincoln, notwithstanding the
prophesies of the wise men by whom he was surrounded,--that the
rebellion would be crushed in a very short time,--found that the
Civil War had lasted more than a year, and that it was necessary
to use more extreme measures if the war was to be closed in favor
of the North, so he called for three hundred thousand men; but
still having in mind the idea that the war must soon be brought to
a close, he offered to take a large part of this vast number as
volunteers for nine months.
“The Third Regiment of Militia which had already served one term at
the front and been honorably discharged again volunteered, and Col.
Silas P. Richmond was authorized to recruit the regiment to the
full standard to serve nine months.
[Illustration: CAPT. BARNABAS EWER, JR.]
“Capt. Barnabas Ewer, Jr., obtained authority to recruit a company
from Fairhaven and adjoining towns, to be known as Company I,
Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. I think it was in
the month of August when Captain Ewer opened an office in Centre
Street, under the old Town Hall, and invited volunteers to come
forward and sign their names on the company roll. After a time
of more or less discouragement a company of one hundred and one
officers and men was raised, of which number forty-two were from
Fairhaven, twenty from Mattapoisett, fourteen from Rochester,
twelve from Lakeville, five from Marion, two from Falmouth,
two from New Bedford, and one each from Acushnet, Wareham, and
Litchfield, Me.
“The company officers were at first, Barnabas Ewer, Jr.,
captain; Solomon K. Eaton, first lieutenant; and Jabez M. Lyle,
second lieutenant. Feb. 23, 1863, Lieutenant Eaton resigned on
account of ill-health, and, on April 8, 1863, Lieutenant Lyle
was commissioned first lieutenant, and Joshua H. Wilkey was
commissioned second lieutenant.
“This company was composed of men from many different walks in
life, farmers, mechanics, business men, clerks, students in
college, and teachers. Their ages as given ranged from eighteen to
forty-five years. Too many troublesome questions along this line
were not asked. With one exception they were American born; this
one exception, poor fellow, was the first one killed. No one was
discharged before the expiration of the term of service, and no
one was punished for misbehavior. Since their muster out, the men,
so far as I have been able to learn, have proved themselves of no
mean order, filling their different stations with honor from humble
citizens of toil to judge upon the bench of the Supreme Court.
“Sept. 22, 1862, the company reported at Camp Joe Hooker, in
Lakeville, where it remained until October 22d, when the regiment
broke camp and proceeded to Boston with orders to report to
Major-General Foster, at Newbern, North Carolina.
“November 30th we were detached from the regiment, and, with about
thirty men from the different companies who were found unable to do
full duty, we started at night on board steamer _Northern Light_,
for Plymouth, N. C. We reached there December 1st, relieving a
large body of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, who returned to
Newbern. Here our numbers were increased by a small company of
infantry and thirty cavalry recruited from the natives in that
vicinity, and known by us under the title of “Buffaloes.” Lying
in the waters, of the Roanoke, there were rarely less than three
or four, sometimes many more gunboats. Commander Flusser, of a
first-class reputation as a fighting man, was in command of the
naval force. We found our duty to be patrol, guard, and picket.
The arrangement between the land and naval forces was that the
land force was to give immediate alarm to the naval force of the
approach of the enemy, and then at once retire to the Custom House
on the bank of the river, when the gunboats would shell the woods,
and, if need be, the town; and in this manner keep the rebels from
entering the place.
“On the 10th of December at 5.30 A. M., a most beautiful moonlight
morning, an alarm was sounded by the picket, and soon we heard
the patrol calling, ‘The rebels are coming.’ Lieutenant Eaton
was off duty sick; so Captain Ewer ordered me to go to company
headquarters and get the men in line, while he visited the other
companies and notified the gunboat. I was quickly at the quarters
of the company and found the men already in line in charge of
Sergeant Wilkey. We waited in this position, hearing nothing more
of the rebels. Presently Captain Ewer came to the company and
asked if anything new had occurred; I told him everything was as
quiet as death. At this point it is well to state that the evening
before all the gunboats save one, which had just arrived and was
a very large one with a full complement of men and a very heavy
armament, had gone down the river to coal. In a few minutes Captain
Ewer ordered me to take an escort and visit a picket about half a
mile from where we were, and on a road parallel to the one where
the alarm had been given, and see if anything could be heard of
the cause of the alarm. Calling for volunteers, Corporal Mendell,
Albert Wilcox, and Elisha Dexter came forward. We visited the
picket named, and could learn only that a sound of moving wagons
had been heard some time previous, but as nothing further had been
heard the noise must have been made by wagons going up the country
outside of our lines. As we started to return to the company, we
heard the rebels coming down the road at the foot of which Company
I was posted. This force of the enemy was composed of the Sixteenth
Regiment of North Carolina Infantry with two pieces of artillery,
and one hundred and five cavalrymen under Colonel Lamb. The cavalry
charged on Company I, yelling like demons. As they were about to
strike the company, Sergeant Wilkey ordered the men to make a half
wheel to the right and fire. This was done and they retired to the
Custom House. Before the company had time to start, the cavalry had
run across the line, taken fourteen prisoners, and wounded a number
of others. On reaching the Custom House the balance of the garrison
were found already there. Up to this time the gunboat had done
nothing. The enemy located one piece of artillery on the bank of
the river and opened fire on her. The first shot went through her
smokestack and the second into her steam chest; when the cry came
that her boiler had burst, upon which her captain ordered her cable
slipped, and she was soon drifting down the river, meanwhile firing
into the town as she slowly drifted away. On reaching the Custom
House our men at once occupied the windows, and when the cavalry
attempted to pass a little later, they found it too hot for them
and retired. The rebel infantry on entering the village, picketed
each cross street to prevent anyone escaping, and also set fire to
the houses. A piece of artillery located on a rise of ground where
it had the range of the Custom House, sent nine shots into the
upper corner, one which fatally wounded young Francis Stoddard. At
this time the rebels suddenly retreated. In this action the company
lost two men killed, Sullivan and Stoddard, several wounded,
fourteen taken prisoners; a number of citizens were drowned or
killed.
“After this we had a quiet time, engaged in picket and guard duty,
but somewhat apprehensive of a visit from a ram, christened by the
boys “Roanoke Sheep,” that we knew was only a few miles up the
river waiting for a chance to visit us. This ram did come down
later, clearing all before it until Lieutenant Cushing succeeded in
blowing it up.
“We had a large number of contrabands, horses and mules to look
after, and as Captain Ewer did not feel authorized to feed them
with government rations we did considerable foraging outside the
lines. Three foraging expeditions fell to my lot to conduct. One
of these occasions is worth relating. We started early in the
morning with a number of wagons and volunteers from Company I to
go several miles outside of our lines to a barn where there was
a large lot of corn that we wanted. After we had proceeded some
distance beyond the picket line we saw a man coming on the run
waving his hands and acting very much excited. We halted until he
reached us and gave us the information that the rebels were at the
barn where we were going, and were loading up the corn to carry up
the country, and that the best thing for us to do was to go back
to camp. After carefully considering the matter, we concluded to
go on and see what we could discover. On reaching the vicinity of
the barn we dismounted and so arranged the men as to surround the
premises, and if possible capture all hands. Our attempt proved a
grand success. We took some thirteen wagons of all descriptions,
with all hands connected with them. After finishing the loading of
the captured wagons and our own, we started on our return. While
still outside our picket line, we saw a body of horsemen coming
on the gallop toward us. We halted, and formed our wagons and men
in the best shape we could to care for ourselves. They proved,
however, to be a body of our own cavalry who were coming to look
for us. The contraband whom we had met earlier in the day had
worked his way into the town and told his story to Captain Ewer,
and he had become anxious about us. We soon formed line again and
took up our camp campwards. After entering within the lines we met
the infantry coming out to see where we were: these so increased
our numbers that when we reached Plymouth we had a large column
of cavalry, infantry, rebels, with our train of wagons, and as we
passed headquarters received a royal welcome from the men from the
gunboats and citizens who were gathered on the street.
“One other expedition we will mention, caused by our guide, a man
named Giles, having been shot while he and Corporal Mendell were
entering the gate leading to the guide’s house. Giles was a native
and his home was outside our lines. Corporal Mendell reported the
incident to Captain Ewer, and it was not known for a certainty
whether or not the guide was dead. I was ordered to take a boat
and crew from Company I, in which were a number of sailors, and
visit the home of the guide to render him any needed aid and bring
him to town if possible. We started early in the morning, were all
day until ten o’clock at night. On reaching the house we found the
guide dead, and that there was nothing we could do.
“In these ways we spent our time until one day in March we saw
a steamer coming up the river carrying a general’s flag at the
fore. When the boat was made fast Company I was ordered to get
ready to go somewhere, we did not know where. It seems, however,
that General Palmer wanted to visit some of the outposts. One of
these was Edenton, and the men were allowed here to go ashore. On
returning to the steamer, some of the citizens reported to the
general that some silver was missing. The company was ordered to
fall in line on the wharf; knapsacks were unslung and carefully
inspected, but no silver was found. On swinging off, the steamer
headed for Elizabeth City. Here the company disembarked and spent
about two months in garrison duties, similar to those performed at
Plymouth. The major of the Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
had command of the post. Foraging became a part of our duty. One
expedition in this line is worthy of mention, showing how the
innocent may suffer imposition. We started one day under command of
an officer of some North Carolina troops. The expedition was made
up of a detail from the Eighth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer
Militia, and Company I. We were absent two days and a night, and
the object was to procure rations as our commissary was getting
short. We were successful in finding corn, bacon, and some very
nice hams. These last were found by Company I. As we were about
to go ashore on our return, we noticed that the men of the Eighth
Regiment had on their overcoats, but in our innocence thought it
not strange, presuming they thought that the better way of carrying
them. The next day when we applied to the commissary for a share of
the hams, he informed us that none were turned in. It seems that
the men with overcoats had carried them away under their capes.
“We formed a part of an expedition sent one day to break up a camp
of guerillas, located some distance up the Dismal Swamp canal. We
used a little noisy steamer which gave a decided notice of our
coming, and, as might be expected, the guerillas took the hint and
left. All we could do was to burn the camp, which we did, and then
returned in safety.
“After about five months of garrison duty in Plymouth and Elizabeth
City, Company I was ordered to report at Newbern, when its
services became again a part of the regimental history.”
CORRECTED ROSTER OF COMPANY I, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
[WRITTEN BY CORPORAL JAMES F. TRIPP AND COMRADE HENRY P. CROWELL.]
[The first figures indicate age at enlistment: the city or town,
the place of enlistment.]
BARNABAS EWER, JR., Captain; 50; Fairhaven. For years before the
war he was in the outfitting business. He raised Company I, and was
its captain during its nine months’ campaign in North Carolina. He
assisted in raising the Fifty-eighth Regiment and was commissioned
major of the same. He went with the regiment to the front and was
killed in action at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864.
SOLOMON R. EATON, First Lieutenant; 55; Mattapoisett. For many years
he was engaged in the architectural business, where he gained success
and renown. He resigned his office as first lieutenant February 23d,
on account of failing health, and died at Mattapoisett, Oct. 9, 1872.
JABEZ M. LYLE, Second Lieutenant; 30; Fairhaven. He was promoted to
first lieutenant, Apr. 3, 1863, and afterwards to captain in the
Twenty-third Unattached Company, One Hundred Days’ Men. After muster
out he taught school in Fairhaven. He was for quite awhile in the oil
business; then engaged in the real estate and insurance business,
which he still continues in New York City successfully. His address
is 1550 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Of Company I he says, “The
men of this company were quite the equal of any company in the Old
Third. Many of them were college graduates, and others were pursuing
their studies in college, which for the time they ceased to take up
again after they were mustered out of service. Since the war many
of these men became doctors, lawyers, one a judge in the courts of
Massachusetts, one the honored principal of the Friends Academy in
New Bedford; many have made their mark in business; and not one has
ever disgraced himself by misbehavior. A large number re-enlisted and
went to the front. All the officers save Lieutenant Eaton went the
second time, and some the third time into the service.”
As captain, Lieutenant Lyle recruited Company I to its fullest
strength. During his service he was acting adjutant for one month
in camp at Lakeville, acting quartermaster, commissary, ordnance
officer at Plymouth, N. C., and lastly he commanded two companies
at Readville, Mass., at the time of the second election of President
Lincoln.
JOSHUA M. WILKEY, Second Lieutenant; 26; Fairhaven. He was promoted
from first sergeant to second lieutenant, Apr. 3, 1863. He was
promoted first lieutenant in the Twenty-third Unattached Company;
also promoted captain in a company raised for one year. He died in
Fairhaven, Nov. 12, 1901.
JIRAH KINNEY, JR.; First Sergeant; 26; Mattapoisett. He was in the
First Rhode Island Detached Militia and took part in the battle of
Bull Run. After the war he returned to Mattapoisett, where he lived
until he moved to Buffalo, N. Y., his present residence.
LAWRENCE R. RANKIN, Sergeant; 23; Rochester. Believed to have been
killed in the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864.
THOMAS H. BOWEN, Sergeant; 21; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, Apr. 30,
1879.
NELSON I. SWEET, Sergeant; 21; Fairhaven. After muster out he worked
for the Standard Oil Company until pensioned and retired by the same.
He resides in Brooklyn, N. Y.
ELISHA COPELAND, Sergeant; 26; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, Apr. 3,
1886.
GEORGE, F. ROGERS, Sergeant; 21; Fairhaven. Died in Newbern, N. C.,
June 2, 1863.
SYLVANUS D. WATERMAN, Corporal; 21; Litchfield, Me. Died in Kentucky
several years ago.
HORACE P. TRIPP, Corporal; 24; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, Apr. 29,
1864.
JESSIE A. WARNER, Corporal; 44; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, June
13, 1892.
NATHAN H. MENDALL, Corporal; 30; Marion. Believed to be living in
Rochester, Mass.
BENJAMIN H. STROWBRIDGE, Corporal; 40; Lakeville. Unknown.
JAMES N. COX, Corporal; 18; Fairhaven. Re-enlisted in Fifty-eighth
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia as sergeant. Wounded in the Battle of
the Wilderness. Resides in Calmut, Mich.
BENJAMIN F. ROBINSON, Corporal; 20; Mattapoisett. Employed at State
Farm, Bridgewater.
JAMES F. TRIPP, Corporal; 28; Fairhaven. Prominent in town affairs.
Real estate agent. One of the officials at Dry Dock, Fairhaven.
Resides on Walnut Street, Fairhaven.
BENJAMIN BURT, Musician; 18; Fairhaven. Resides in New Brunswick, N.
J.
_Privates._
ALLEN, WILLIAM F.; 21; Fairhaven. Engaged in the life insurance
business in New York. Resides in Omaha Menger, N. Y.
ALLEN, CHARLES A.; 19; Marion. Resides in Marion.
BAKER, BENJAMIN T.; 18; Fairhaven. Resides in Whitinsville, Mass.
BARROWS, ALPHEUS; 21; Mattapoisett. Resides in Mattapoisett.
Re-enlisted in Second Heavy Artillery.
BENTON, CHARLES H.; 18; Lakeville. Unknown.
BOWEN, MARTIN; 18; Fairhaven. Died in Franklin, Pa., Aug. 25, 1899.
BRALEY, CHARLES G.; 22; Fairhaven. Living in Fairhaven.
BRIGGS, GEORGE P.; 20; Fairhaven. Resides in Cottage City.
BUTTS, JOSEPH A.; 20; Mattapoisett. Resides in New Bedford.
BENTON, WILLIAM H.; 41; Lakeville. Supposed to be dead.
BRALEY, GEORGE B.; 23; Fairhaven. Died in Marion, Mass.
BLANKENSHIP, JAMES W.; 19; Marion. Nothing known of his history since
muster out.
BISHOP, ISRAEL S.; 43; Rochester. According to best information he
died several years ago.
BOURNE, SYLVANUS, JR.; 22; Falmouth. Believed to be living in
Falmouth.
BOURNE, THOMAS B.; 19; Rochester. So far as known he still lives in
Rochester.
BISHOP, MICAH S.; 27; Rochester. Unknown.
CROWELL, THOMAS C.; 27; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, March 26, 1879.
CROWELL, HENRY P.; 21; Fairhaven. An honored and respected citizen of
Fairhaven, where he still resides.
CARSON, REUBEN; 22; Fairhaven. Died in Hyde Park, in 1904. Buried in
New Bedford.
COLE, CHARLES G.; 38; Lakeville. Unknown.
CRAPO, HENRY E.; 23; Rochester. Unknown.
COLE, THEODORE W.; 24; Rochester. Resides in New Bedford.
COLE, ALBERT L.; 44; Lakeville. Believed to be dead.
COLE, NELSON F.; 43; Lakeville. Unknown.
CARVER, GILBERT; 24; Lakeville. Unknown.
CRAPO, FRANCIS N.; 21; Rochester. Unknown.
CASWELL, WILLIAM F.; Fairhaven. Resides in New Bedford.
CROSBY, EDWARD F.; 18; Mattapoisett. Unknown.
DAMON, EDWARD F.; 21; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, March 23, 1866.
DAVIS, ALDEN; 32; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, Sept. 13, 1901.
DEAN, WILLIAM; 36; Lakeville. Unknown.
DEXTER, ALBERT M.; 25; Mattapoisett. Died July 25, 1899.
DEXTER, ELISHA L.; 28; Mattapoisett. Unknown.
DEXTER, JAMES W.; 44; Mattapoisett. Died in 1890.
DODGE, GILBERT A.; 26; Marion. Resides in Orleans, Mass.
DILLINGHAM, EDWARD H.; 37; Fairhaven. Re-enlisted in Fifty-eighth
Massachusetts Veteran Volunteers. Died in Petersburg, Va., March 8,
1865, and was buried in Virginia.
DUNHAM, GEORGE; 18; Fairhaven. Unknown.
ELLIS, DANIEL S.; 21; Mattapoisett. Died in Mattapoisett, Mar. 21,
1893.
ELLIS, WILLIAM T.; 20; Rochester. Died soon after muster out.
ELLIS, JOHN; 42; Acushnet. Unknown.
FREEBORN, JOHN P.; 22; Fairhaven. Resides in Newport.
GILLETT, ALBERT D.; 21; Fairhaven. Lives in Soldiers Home, Chelsea.
GILLETT, CHARLES W.; 24; Fairhaven. Resides in New Bedford.
GIFFORD, CHARLES H.; 23; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, Jan. 20, 1904.
GIFFORD, WILLIAM C.; 18; Mattapoisett. Re-enlisted in Third Heavy
Artillery. Resides in Fairhaven.
HITCH, FREDERICK H.; 22; Fairhaven. Resides in New York.
HOLMES, HEMAN G.; 25; Mattapoisett. Master’s Mate at close of the
war. Member of school committee in Mattapoisett, where he still
resides.
HILLER, EBEN R.; 31; Mattapoisett. Died in Mattapoisett, May 1, 1890.
HAMMOND, JOHN W.; 24; Mattapoisett. One of the judges of the Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts. Resides in Cambridge, Mass.
HAMMOND, ROWLAND; 20; Mattapoisett. Died in Campello, July 8, 1900.
INGRAHAM, WILLIAM H.; 35; Wareham. Died in Wareham.
INGRAHAM, ANDREW; 20; New Bedford. Resides in Cambridge, Mass.
JENKINS, WILLIAM; 22; Falmouth. Unknown.
LUCE, LEANDER; 24; New Bedford. Unknown.
LOBIE, FRANKLIN A.; 44; Mattapoisett. Died in Newbern, N. C., Jan.
19, 1863.
MARVELL, SAMUEL M.; 18; Fairhaven. Re-enlisted in Fifty-eighth
Regiment. Promoted sergeant. Taken prisoner and died in Salisbury
Prison, N. C., Dec. 29, 1864.
NYE, JOHN L.; 27; Rochester. Unknown.
POTTER, WILLIAM H.; 30; Marion. Resides in Marion.
PIERCE, LUCIUS; 30; Rochester. Unknown.
PAULL, ROGER; 23; Lakeville. Unknown.
PARIS, CALEB; 27; Lakeville. Died in Myricksville, Feb. 19, 1900.
PURRINGTON, WILLIAM B.; 19; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, Apr. 1,
1865.
PURRINGTON, JOHN A.; 44; Mattapoisett. Died in New Bedford, Dec. 14,
1899.
RYDER, MADISON N.; 18; Rochester. Unknown.
RANDALL, FAYETTE E.; 18; Mattapoisett. Resides in Mattapoisett.
RANDALL, GEORGE W.; 26; Mattapoisett. Resides in New Bedford.
SAMPSON, ZABDIEL S.; 20; Fairhaven. Died in New York, 1900.
SMITH, ROLAND; 24; Fairhaven. Resides in Rock Station, Middleboro,
Mass.
SEARS, STEPHEN C.; 23; Rochester. Resides in Somerville, Mass.
SULLIVAN, MICHAEL; 26; Lakeville. Killed in action at Plymouth, N.
C., Dec. 10, 1862.
STODDARD, FRANCIS M.; 18; Fairhaven. Died in Plymouth, N. C.,
December 16th, from wounds received in action Dec. 10, 1862.
TINKHAM, CHARLES H.; 20; Mattapoisett. Died in Newbern, Nov. 30, 1862.
TABER, LORING P.; 18; Fairhaven. Died of wounds in Washington, D. C.,
June 23, 1864.
TOBY, JOHN A.; 23; Falmouth. Town Clerk of Falmouth.
TRIPP, HANDEL J.; 43; Rochester. Died in Foxboro, 1904.
WILBER, ISAIAH T.; 27; Rochester. Died in Mansfield, Mass., Feb. 9,
1901.
WESTGATE, STEPHEN; 18; Fairhaven. Resides in New Bedford.
WRIGHTINTON, THOMAS W.; 25; Fairhaven. Resides in Fairhaven.
WESTGATE, ANDREW; 33; Fairhaven. Died in Fairhaven, Feb. 16, 1904.
WILCOX, ALBERT M.; 30; Fairhaven. Resides in Fairhaven.
WOOD, LEMUEL C., JR.; 33; Fairhaven. Died in New Bedford in 1897.
WINSLOW, LEANDER; 27; Lakeville. Died in 1904.