RETURN TO CITY POINT—MARCH TO RICHMOND—FROM THENCE TO
WASHINGTON—RETURNING HOMEWARD—MUSTER-OUT.
Now that the two principal armies of the Confederacy had surrendered to
the Union forces, the ultimate end of the Rebellion was a foregone
conclusion, and the thoughts of muster-out and return home became
uppermost in all our minds. We enjoyed several days’ rest at Danville
before a retrograde movement was made.
On the morning of the 2d of May, in conjunction with the First Brigade
of the First Division of the Sixth Corps, we started on our return
march, camping at night at Laurel Hill. The next day (3d) we marched
twenty-one miles, crossing Banister River at nightfall and went into
camp. On the 4th we marched as far as Staunton, and camped for the night
on the banks of the river near the railroad. Here we observed an
extensive line of rifle-pits which had been constructed by the
Confederates to defend the bridge and the railway at this point. On the
5th crossed the Staunton River on pontoons, and moved to Keyes’s
Station, arriving there about three o’clock in the afternoon. After a
short stay here we marched a few miles further on, to obtain good water,
and encamped about six P. M.
May 6th, we broke camp at 7.30 A. M., and arrived at Burkeville Station
at two o’clock in the afternoon. After a brief halt we moved two miles
beyond and encamped. We were informed that the War Department had
ordered the discharge of all men in the army as soon as possible, with
the exception of regular troops. We remained here several days.
On the morning of the 15th we were ordered to hitch up, marched to the
station, and loaded our battery, comprising the pieces and limber chests
on the train for City Point. On the 20th of May we left Burkeville
Station at seven A. M., and marched toward City Point. On the 22d, the
battery, with the Sixth Corps, arrived at City Point at three o’clock in
the afternoon.
On the 23d of May the Army of the Potomac under Meade, with the
exception of the Sixth Corps, passed in review before President Johnson
and his cabinet in Washington. It was witnessed by thousands of
spectators, and is said to have been grand and impressive. It occupied
over six hours in passing the grand stand which had been erected in
front of the President’s house.
On the morning of the 24th, Sherman’s army commenced at ten o’clock to
pass in review. The appearance of this army was in striking contrast to
that of the Army of the Potomac the day before. The latter troops had
been operating where full supplies of food and clothing had been
regularly received from the North, while Sherman’s army, being far from
its base of supplies, were not so well dressed as their comrades of the
Army of the Potomac, and were to a great extent compelled to obtain
their food from the country through which they passed. Perhaps they did
not keep the perfect alignment of the well drilled troops of the Army of
the Potomac, but nevertheless the marching of the Western army could not
be excelled, and it was thoroughly drilled to endure hardships, either
by long and continuous marches or through exposure to any climate
without the ordinary shelter of a camp.
On the 25th of May, we painted the battery preparatory to going on
review with the Sixth Corps in Washington. May 27th, we marched from
City Point at seven A. M., and camped for the night near the outskirts
of the town of Manchester.
On the 28th, we marched through Manchester, crossing the James River on
pontoons, and marching up the main street of Richmond which had been the
objective point of the Army of the Potomac for so many long years, we
passed through and encamped outside the city.
We observed in Richmond the devastation made by the recent
conflagration. It was said by an eye witness that on the evacuation of
the place by the rebel army that an order was issued from General
Ewell’s headquarters to fire the four principal tobacco warehouses of
the city. The mayor dispatched by a committee of citizens a remonstrance
against this reckless military order, but it was not heeded, and nothing
was left but to submit to the destruction of their property. The
authorities had taken the precaution to empty all the liquor into the
streets, and to throw out the provisions which the Confederate
government had left for the people to gather up. Some of the retreating
rebel soldiers managed to get hold of a quantity of liquor, and from
that moment law and order ceased to exist. Many of the stores were
pillaged, and the sidewalks were encumbered with broken glass where the
thieves had smashed the windows in their reckless haste to lay hands on
the plunder within. The air was filled with the wild cries of distress,
or the yells of roving pillagers. When our forces entered the city on
the morning of the 3rd of April, it was found to have been fired in two
places, and the place was in the most utter confusion. Our troops
immediately set to work to extinguish the flames, which they finally
succeeded in accomplishing.
May 29th, we moved to Hanover Court House and encamped.
On the 30th, we left Hanover Court House at seven o’clock in the
morning, crossed the Pamunkey River on pontoons, marched a short
distance, and encamped for the night. At eight o’clock the next morning
(31st) we crossed the Mattapony River, directed our march toward Bowling
Green, and camped there for the night.
June 1st, found the battery marching toward Fredericksburg; on the 2d,
we were at Dumfries; on the 3d, at Fairfax Court House; on the 4th, at
Hall’s Hill. On the 7th, we reached Long Bridge at Washington, where we
went into camp. On the 8th, the Sixth Corps, which was necessarily
absent on the occasion of the great review of the Army of the Potomac on
the 23d of May, now passed in review before the President. The troops
made a fine appearance, and their marching and perfect alignment
received favorable comments from the spectators along the route of
march. Our battery was excused from participation in the review.
At ten o’clock on the morning of the 9th, an order came directing
Captain Allen to march his battery to the Arsenal at Washington, and
turn the guns and equipage over to the commanding officer there, and the
horses were turned into the general corral. We returned to camp about
four P. M. Private Franklin P. Burlingame came out to visit us, he
having been on detached service in the adjutant-general’s office in the
War Department since the fall of 1863, when our battery lay at Fort
Scott.
June 12th still found our battery in camp near Long-Bridge. Private Earl
Fenner, who was orderly at headquarters, imparted the joyful information
to us about nightfall that our battery had been ordered to proceed to
Washington on the following day, at noon, and take the cars for
Providence, R. I. These glad tidings induced the men to strike up the
familiar song:
“When Johnnie comes Marching Home!”
On the morning of the 13th, there was hurry and bustle in the various
camps in our neighborhood. Preparations were being made to cross over
Long Bridge into Washington, and from thence the different organizations
would proceed on their homeward journey. At 12.30 we received orders to
pack knapsacks, strike tents, and turn over all property belonging to
the government to Quartermaster Sergeant Allen, and be ready to fall in
at a moment’s notice. At two o’clock we bade adieu to old Virginia, and,
marching into Washington, proceeded to the depot, and, at six P. M.,
boarded the train, with our faces toward the north, and our destination
Rhode Island. While crossing the switch just out of Washington, a
passenger train on the switch approached us from the opposite direction.
There being but one track it should have waited on the upper end of the
switch until our train had passed. The danger signal was up and could be
seen a long distance, but instead of heeding the signal the passenger
train from Baltimore came thundering along, and a frightful collision
ensued. The locomotive of the passenger train struck our train in the
centre, demolishing three cars, and resulted in the loss of thirty-four
men killed and wounded. Ambulances from Washington were immediately
dispatched to the scene, and removed the wounded.
Although none of Battery H were injured it was a sad sight to see our
comrades of other commands after passing through all the dangers and
vicissitudes of war, killed and mutilated in a railroad accident while
returning to their homes. Comrade George F. Woodley, for many years
since the war an honored citizen of Providence, was on board this train,
and his escape from immediate death was almost miraculous. He was a
member of Battery A, First New Jersey Artillery. He was sitting with a
comrade on the top of a freight car, with a rubber blanket thrown over
both of them as a protection from the rain. When the collision occurred
his companion was instantly killed, while Comrade Woodley sustained a
dislocation of the shoulder, besides receiving severe bruises. Just
after midnight the track was cleared and we started on our way again.
At sunrise on the 14th, we arrived in Baltimore, marched, through the
city, and embarked on the cars for Philadelphia. We arrived in that city
about eleven A. M. After disembarking from the cars we received a royal
welcome from the good people of this city while on our way to the famous
Cooper Shop, so well known to every Union soldier who passed through
Philadelphia on his way to and from the seat of war. Here we found a
bountiful collation awaiting us. After partaking of this welcome repast
we continued on our way, and about four o’clock in the afternoon took
the train for New York, arriving there about dark, and quartered for the
night in the barracks at Castle Garden.
At three o’clock on the afternoon of the 15th, we left Castle Garden and
marched to the wharf of the Neptune line of steamers, and embarked on
the propeller _Galatea_ for Providence. We were accompanied by Battery
G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. We left New York at five P. M.,
and arrived in Providence Friday morning, June 16th. A salute was fired
in honor of our arrival, and, under escort of the Burnside Zouaves we
marched to Washington Hall, where an elegant collation had been provided
under the direction of the Commissary-General of the State. We were
welcomed by Adjutant-General Edward C. Mauran, and then partook of the
refreshments before us, after which we marched to the Silvey Barracks on
the Cove lands, and were dismissed until the 28th of June, when we were
ordered to report at the same place for final muster out. We were
subsequently ordered to report on South Main Street, July 3d, where we
received our discharge papers, and were paid off and mustered out of
service.
The following officers and men returned to Rhode Island with the
battery:
Captain.
CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR.
First Lieutenants.
WALTER M. KNIGHT,
ALLEN HOAR.
Second Lieutenant.
ANTHONY B. HORTON.
First Sergeant.
JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 1ST.
Quartermaster Sergeant.
ALBERT F. ALLEN.
Sergeants.
First Duty Sergeant, THOMAS SMITH.
Second Duty Sergeant, BENJAMIN CARTER.
Third Duty Sergeant, ESEK S. OWEN.
Fourth Duty Sergeant, GARDNER L. BENNETT.
Fifth Duty Sergeant, APOLLOS SEEKELL.
Corporals.
WILLIAM H. SPRINGER,
JOB RANDALL,
HURBERT OCHEE,
MICHAEL CROGAN,
HIRAM A. CASEY,
MARVIN RYAN.
JAMES H. RHODES,
FRANKLIN E. PAUL,
ALEXANDER GILLELAND,
EARL FENNER,
ISAAC BRIGGS,
JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 2D.
Buglers.
FRANK DAWSON,
CHARLES S. STRINGER.
Artificers.
SAMUEL T. ALLEN,
LEON ALLISON.
Privates.
ADAMS, GEORGE A.
ALDEN, WARNER
ALDERWICK, GEORGE
ARNOLD, GIDEON W.
ARNOLD, HENRY O.
BALCOM, ORVILLE
BARRY, JOHN
BARRY, MICHAEL
BARRY, WILLIAM
BEAN, ASA S.
BEGLEY, MICHAEL
BISHOP, JOHN
BLABON, GEORGE R.
BRIGGS, HORACE C.
BROWN, FRANCIS A.
BROWN, WILLIAM S.
BUTTERFIELD, FRANCIS H.
BUTTS, HORACE R.
BYRNS, BERNARD
CASWELL, JOSEPH
CHAPMAN, CORNELIUS
CHEEVER, EMOLUS A.
CHENEY, MOSES B.
CLOSE, SOLOMON
COFFEE, DANIEL
CONNER, STEPHEN H.
CROSS, GEORGE G.
CUTTING, ERASTUS
DAILEY, PATRICK
DAWLEY, FRANKLIN W.
DOUGHERTY, CHARLES
DUNN, ROBERT
EASTERDAY, CHRISTIAN
ELLISON, CHARLES J.
EVANS, JOHN
FARRELL, PATRICK
FOX, MICHAEL
FOX, PETER
FLOYD, HORACE F.
FREEBORN, GEORGE W.
GARDNER, PETER
GILBERT, WILLIAM G.
GLADDING, JAMES M.
GOODRICH, SYDNEY A.
GRAHAM, MICHAEL
GREY, JOHN A.
HARADON, GEORGE W.
HARDON, RUFUS P.
HART, THOMAS
HASKINS, AMOS H.
HAYFIELD, ISAAC F.
HAYFIELD, JAMES F.
HAZELTON, ANDREW
HECKMAN, DAVID
HIGGINS, JOHN
HIXON, WILLIAM M.
HOWARD, HENRY I.
HOWARD, WILLIAM E.
HOWE, CHARLES W.
JACK, ROBERT
JACKSON, ROWLAND
JOHNSON, EDWIN C.
KENNEDY, JOHN
KETTELLE, JOHN B. F.
KNOWLES, HENRY L.
LAUGHERTY, ROBERT
LAWTON, EDWARD N.
LEONARD, JOHN
LEWIS, JOHN
LILLIBRIDGE, JACOB L.
LUCAS, ALBERT B.
MAHON, THOMAS
MARTIN, THOMAS H.
MCCOMB, WILLIAM
MCGUIRE, BERNARD
MERRILLS, HENRY
MESSINGER, GEORGE
MILLARD, CHARLES E.
MURPHY, DANIEL
NEWMAN, JOHN C.
NORTHROP, EDWIN
NOYES, ISAAC P.
O’CONNERS, THOMAS
PACKARD, GEORGE W.
PEARSONS, JOHN
PHILLIPS, LUTHER A.
PITTS, GEORGE H.
PRICE, ELLERY W.
REAREY, JAMES
REED, WILLIAM
RYAN, CORNELIUS
SAMPSON, JOHN A.
SCHANCK, AARON B.
SHEFFIELD, JOSIAH
SMITH, FREDERICK A.
SMITH, GEORGE H.
SNELL, OTIS
SPRAGUE, CHARLES
STAFFORD, LEVI
STONE, WILLIAM H.
TABER, OTIS
TASKER, WILLIAM H.
TAFT, JOHN
THORNLEY, WILLIAM H.
TOOD, JAMES W.
TONGUE, EBEN
TWEEDALE, CHARLES
TWEEDLE, WILLIAM B.
VALLETTE, GILBERT P.
VAUGHN, ALBERT A.
VAUGHN, CHARLES D.
VENNER, JOHN F.
VINCENT, CHARLES
WADE, JAMES
WALDEN, JOSEPH, JR.
WARD, JOHN
WELLS, ALBERT
WHITE, WILLIAM H.
WOOD, JAMES
WOODWARD, ALDEN H.
As has already been mentioned Battery H was the last battery sent out
from Rhode Island, and it labored under many disadvantages. It suffered
severely by the desertion of men who enlisted solely for the bounty
obtained, and many incurred physical disability incident to the service,
causing their transfer to the Veteran Reserve Corps. All these
circumstances contributed to weaken the battery for effective work, and
we were unable to show such a long and honorable record as the majority
of our Rhode Island batteries won on many hotly contested fields, yet
every true soldier of our battery may take pride in the consciousness
that he faithfully performed every duty and task assigned him, and that
his name is recorded on the rolls as among those who risked their lives
in the defense of constitutional liberty in the dark hours of the
nation’s peril, and although ours may have been the humbler service, yet
we stood ready to offer our all for home and fatherland.
MEMOIRS.
[We have inserted sketches of the officers and men of the battery so far
as obtainable.]
JEFFREY HAZARD.
CAPT. JEFFREY HAZARD, son of John Hazard, and grandson of Governor
Jeffrey Hazard, was born in the town of Exeter, R. I., on the 23d day of
September, 1835. His elder brother, John G. Hazard, served with
distinction in the War of the Rebellion, rising from the rank of first
lieutenant to brevet brigadier-general of volunteers. The subject of our
sketch obtained his education at the Providence High School, and,
previous to the war, was a teller in the Manufacturers’ Bank.
He received a commission as second lieutenant in Battery A, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery, Oct. 5, 1861, and was subsequently appointed
regimental adjutant. He participated with his battery in many
engagements. Among these may be mentioned Balls Bluff, Yorktown, Fair
Oaks, Malvern Hill, and Antietam. At the latter battle the battery won
for itself great renown, holding an advanced position under a heavy fire
from the enemy. It fought nearly four hours within three hundred yards
of the enemy’s line of battle, losing four men killed and fifteen
wounded. The only officers of the battery present with Captain Tompkins
were lieutenants Hazard and Mason, who bravely worked the guns for want
of men.
On the 1st of October, 1862, Lieutenant Hazard was promoted to the
captaincy of Battery H, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the
resignation of Capt. C. H. J. Hamlin. Captain Hazard immediately
proceeded to Rhode Island, joined the battery at Camp Mauran, and
assumed command. Shortly after his arrival he was ordered by the
governor to proceed with his battery to the Dexter Training Ground,
where the Twelfth Rhode Island Infantry was encamped. Trouble was
anticipated in regard to bounties, which had been promised the men
before leaving the State. Four guns of the battery were placed at the
corners of the grounds ready to repel any mutiny that might arise.
Happily no blood was shed, and Captain Hazard returned with his command
to Camp Mauran.
Oct. 23, 1862, Captain Hazard’s battery left Providence for Washington,
D. C, and proceeded to the artillery camp of instruction, Camp Barry.
While stationed here the battery attained great efficiency in drill and
discipline, due in great measure to the indefatigable efforts of its
commander.
At the time of the battle of Chancellorsville Captain Hazard, with one
section of his battery, was ordered to Rappahannock Station, where it
remained nine days with the Twelfth Vermont Infantry, for the purpose of
guarding the river at that point.
On the 29th of June, we find Captain Hazard with his battery on Little
River Turnpike in the vicinity of Forts Worth and Ward, where it was
engaged in supporting the picket line, as it was apprehended that the
enemy, who were reconnoitering on the turnpike, might be seeking to
force an entrance within our lines at that point. Commendable mention is
made of the services rendered by Battery H at this time by Colonel
Abbott, commanding the brigade to which the battery was attached.
On the 17th of August, Captain Hazard resigned his commission and took
his departure on the evening of that date. The battery deplored the loss
of its commander, for by his energy and ability he had labored to bring
it to a high state of proficiency, and he had the satisfaction of
knowing that it was unsurpassed by any of the volunteer batteries
stationed around Washington.
On his retirement from the army Captain Hazard engaged in mercantile
pursuits, and is now the senior member of the well known firm of the
Hazard Cotton Company, cotton merchants, in the city of Providence.
He is connected with the Massachusetts Commandery Loyal Legion of the
United States, and is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, Department of
Rhode Island, Grand Army of the Republic.
He is a member of the Providence Board of Trade, and held the office of
president in 1887–8.
CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR.
LIEUT.-COL. CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR., was born in Providence, R. I., April 2,
1840. He is the son of Crawford and Sarah S. Allen, and grandson of the
late Rev. Nathan B. Crocker. He received his education at Brown
University, and, upon leaving that institution, he traveled in Europe,
and subsequently made a voyage to China, visiting various islands in the
East Indies. He afterwards went to California, and was in the city of
San Francisco upon the breaking out of the Rebellion. He immediately
returned to Rhode Island, and received a commission as second lieutenant
in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Nov. 7, 1861. This
battery proceeded to Washington Dec. 7, 1861. It took part with the Army
of the Potomac in the campaign on the Peninsula. It withdrew from the
Peninsula, marching by way of Yorktown to Hampton, where it embarked for
Alexandria. The guns were sent forward by transports, in charge of
Lieutenant Allen. At the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, the battery
under Captain Owen fought with great bravery. This battery also
performed good service at the second battle of Fredericksburg, May 2d
and 3d, 1863, when Lieutenant Allen received a slight wound.
Shortly after this battle Lieutenant Allen was made adjutant of the
regiment, and acting adjutant-general of the Artillery Brigade Sixth
Army Corps, which positions he continued to hold until Sept. 30, 1863,
when he was promoted to the captaincy of Battery H, to fill the vacancy
occasioned by the resignation of Captain Hazard. Captain Allen was
mustered into Battery H Oct. 1, 1863. Captain Allen commanded Fort
Richardson, near the falls of the Potomac, for several months.
A correspondent of the Providence _Press_, writing from Camp Barry,
under date of November 30th, says:
“Captain Allen, in the time he has been with us, has shown himself quite
efficient as a commander, as well as exceedingly popular with the men.”
In the battle before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, Captain Allen with
his battery bore an honorable part. The battery went into action at four
A. M., with one section under the immediate command of Captain Allen. It
moved forward with the division, and, after crossing the rifle-pits,
opened upon a section of rebel artillery which had a flank fire on the
Federal infantry. It was soon driven off, when the battery ceased
firing, moved to the left, towards Hatcher’s Run, bringing up the
caissons and awaited orders. It then moved forward again with the
skirmish line and engaged with a rebel battery, which soon had to leave
its position. It was followed up until arriving at the Whitworth House,
where the battery went into position, near the house which General Lee
(Confederate) had occupied as his headquarters. The enemy had placed a
rifle battery in position on the left, and obtained an enfilading fire
at one thousand seven hundred yards. As the rebel battery was beyond the
extreme range of our guns, Captain Allen went to Captain Adams of
Battery G, of our regiment, and requested him to open fire upon the
enemy. Captain Adams immediately opened on the rebel battery and soon
silenced its fire.
Captain Allen was then ordered by Major Cowan to withdraw his guns,
which he did, and went into park in rear of his First Division
headquarters for the night. In this day’s action four men and ten horses
were killed, and six men wounded.
General Wheaton, commanding the First Division of the Sixth Corps, in
his report to Major Whittlesey, under date of the 15th of April, says:
“During our advance towards Petersburg Capt. Crawford Allen Jr.’s
Battery H, of the First Rhode Island Artillery, was admirably handled,
and his losses were severe. His guns were always in front, frequently in
advance of the skirmishers; and as our lines moved forward he invariably
forced the enemy’s batteries to retire, and followed them closely.
Earlier in the day, when the assault commenced, Captain Allen very
handsomely compelled a section of the enemy’s artillery to retire. If
these guns, occupying one of their intrenched works and thoroughly
enfilading our lines, had not been silenced, they might have materially
retarded our advance.”
Captain Allen was promoted major for gallantry and meritorious services
before Petersburg. He subsequently received the brevet rank of
lieutenant-colonel.
At the surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox Court House, to Captain
Allen with his battery was accorded the honor of firing the first salute
in honor of the victory.
CLEMENT WEBSTER.
FIRST LIEUT. CLEMENT WEBSTER, son of Stephen and Lydia (Kimball)
Webster, was born in Kennebunk, Me., Oct. 16, 1817. He attended the
public schools of Kennebunk in his youth, and later, a seminary at
Leamington, Me. He learned the trade of printer in Saco, Me., where he
and his brother Stephen started the _York County Herald_, a weekly
paper. About the year 1841 or 1842, he removed to Providence, R. I.,
where he worked at his trade as a printer, and was also for a time
employed in the Providence post-office. He started the _Providence Daily
Post_ as editor, and was with the exception of brief intervals, its
editor until his death.
In the early period of the war he received a commission in the Third
Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, but Governor Sprague insisted that he
should remain in Rhode Island, where he considered that he could be of
greater service with his voice and pen, than in the field. Nevertheless
later on he was desirous of taking a more active part in the Union
cause, and accordingly was commissioned a first lieutenant in Battery H,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was mustered into the service
Oct. 14, 1862, but did not enter the field, and resigned his commission
Feb. 7, 1863, in consequence of ill health. He died at Providence, R.
I., Oct. 16, 1864.
He married Catherine P. Littlefield, of New Shoreham, R. I., May 15,
1839, by whom he had two sons. The elder son, Benjamin F., died at
Providence in 1861. The other son, George E., after the death of his
father became private secretary to Governor (then Senator) William
Sprague, and was clerk of the Senate Committee of which the Senator was
chairman during the session of 1864–65. He afterwards entered the
Pension Bureau, where (interrupted by secret service work) he remained
until the winter of 1871–72. He is at the present time (1894) clerk of
the Common Pleas Division of the Supreme Court of this State.
Lieutenant Webster remarried Oct. 21, 1858, and of this marriage one
child, Arthur M., was born. He died while a member of the Junior Class
in Brown University.
CHARLES F. MASON.
FIRST LIEUT. CHARLES F. MASON, son of Earl P. and Ann (Larcher) Mason,
was born in Providence, R. I., March 30, 1842. He is descended from good
stock, his ancestor, Sampson Mason, being a dragoon in Cromwell’s army,
the famous “Ironsides.” He came to this country in 1649, and settled in
Dorchester, Mass., and afterwards removed to Seekonk, and thence to
Rehoboth. The father of Lieutenant Mason was a prominent business man in
Providence, being intimately identified with various railroad,
steamship, and commercial interests, besides being connected with the
celebrated firm of Mason, Chapin & Co., a house which still controls an
immense trade in drugs, dye-stuffs, and chemicals.
The subject of our sketch was educated at Merrick and Emory Lyon’s
University Grammar School, in this city, and subsequently entered Brown
University, graduating in the class of ’61.
Lieutenant Mason entered the service as second lieutenant of Battery A,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Dec. 24, 1861. He was present with
his battery in the Peninsular campaign, and distinguished himself by his
gallantry at the battle of Antietam, Md., where he personally assisted
in working the guns, rendered necessary by the want of men. He was
promoted to first lieutenant Oct. 1, 1862, and was subsequently
transferred to Battery H, and mustered in Oct. 15, 1862.
Upon the resignation of Captain Hazard, Lieutenant Mason assumed command
of the battery until the arrival of Capt. Crawford Allen, Jr., who had
been appointed to succeed Captain Hazard.
In November, 1863, he was appointed on the staff of Col. Charles H.
Tompkins, Chief of the Artillery Brigade, Sixth Army Corps, where he
served with honor until he resigned his commission, April 21, 1864.
Lieutenant Mason is now prominently engaged in business in Providence,
R. I. He is President of the Rhode Island Locomotive Works, and
Treasurer of the Bolton Manufacturing Company. He is also connected with
various commercial and mercantile enterprises. He is a member of the
Providence Board of Trade.
GEORGE W. BLAIR.
FIRST LIEUT. GEORGE W. BLAIR, son of William and Zilphia (Ross) Blair,
was born in Woolwich, Me., May 28, 1835. His grandfather, James Blair,
was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was present at the
battle of Bunker Hill. On his mother’s side, his grandfather, Ebenezer
Ross, served in the War of 1812.
His parents removed to Bath, Me., when George was about four years of
age, where he received a common school education. His father was a sea
captain, and was lost at sea on a voyage from Bath to Baltimore. At the
age of seventeen he learned the trade of blacksmithing, of Duncan &
Davenport, of Bath, manufacturers of shipping supplies. He removed to
Boston in 1856, and worked in the repair shop of the Eastern Railroad
Company, East Boston. The following year he went to Providence, R. I.,
and was employed in the blacksmithing department of Thomas J. Hill’s
machine shop. He remained here until the breaking out of the Rebellion,
when he enlisted as a private in the First Rhode Island Light Battery,
April 17, 1861. The battery was mustered into service May 2, 1861, at
the Patent Office, at Washington, D. C. At the expiration of its term of
service (Aug. 6, 1861), it was mustered out. Soon after his return to
Rhode Island, he enlisted for three years as sergeant in Battery B,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861. While he was with
this battery he participated in every engagement in which it took part.
At the battle of Ball’s Bluff, the battery received its first baptism of
fire. In the Peninsular campaign it took part in the Siege of Yorktown,
battles of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Peach Orchard, Savage’s Station,
White Oak Bridge, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. It also distinguished
itself at the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.
On the 2d of December, 1862, Sergeant Blair was promoted to first
sergeant, which position he held until discharged to accept an
appointment as first lieutenant in Battery I, of the same regiment, to
date from Feb. 2, 1863. This battery was never organized, and he was
subsequently transferred to Battery H, April 23, 1863. He served with
credit in this battery, participating in the battles of the Wilderness
and Spottsylvania Court House. He resigned his commission April 29,
1864.
Shortly after his return north he was employed by the Fairbanks Scales
Company, of Boston. He was afterwards appointed to the police force of
that city, and served four years in that capacity. He then returned to
his old position in the Fairbanks Scales Company. He was subsequently
appointed special officer of the property connected with the Old South
Church, of Boston.
About the year 1875, he removed to Providence and entered the employ of
the Barstow Stove Company, remaining there several years, when he went
to Sing Sing, N. Y., and was appointed inspector of stove mountings in
the prison, and in the employ of the Perry Stove Company, formerly of
Albany, N. Y. He remained with this company two years, but in
consequence of ill health he was compelled to relinquish this position
and returned to Providence, and entered the employ of the Providence
Furniture Company, and had charge of the Stove Department for several
years. Since that time he has been employed as night watchman at the
Weybosset Mills, Olneyville, R. I.
Lieutenant Blair was at one time a member of Slocum Post, in Providence,
but soon after the organization of Arnold Post, he was transferred to
the latter post, where he has ever since retained his membership. He has
held the several positions of adjutant, junior and senior vice
commanders, and commander. He has also been president of Battery B
Veteran Association.
ELMER L. CORTHELL.
CAPT. ELMER L. CORTHELL enlisted as private in Battery A, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861. He was promoted to corporal soon
after the first battle of Bull Run, and was transferred to Battery F, of
the same regiment, Oct. 31, 1861, and appointed sergeant the same date.
He was promoted to second lieutenant Oct. 11, 1862, and assigned to
Battery H; first lieutenant Nov. 6, 1863, and transferred to Battery G.
He having established an excellent military reputation by long service
in the field, was promoted to captain of Battery D, Oct. 21, 1864, to
fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Captain Buckley. He
was mustered out of service July 17, 1865. After the war he engaged in
the business of civil engineering, and located at Chicago, Ill.
[Illustration: Capt. Elmer L. Corthell.]
BENJAMIN H. CHILD.
SECOND LIEUT. BENJAMIN H. CHILD, son of John G. and Mary A. Child, was
born in Providence, R. I., May 8, 1843. He was educated in the public
schools of his native city. When he was fourteen years of age he was
apprenticed to Grenville Greenleaf, to learn the wire working business.
At the age of eighteen he enlisted as a private in the Second Rhode
Island Battery, afterwards known as Battery A, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, June 6, 1861. The battery was hotly engaged at the first
battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. It was the only six-gun volunteer
battery taking all of its pieces from the field, two of them being in a
disabled condition. Private Child was slightly wounded in this action.
Battery A was connected with the Sixth, Ninth and Second Corps, Army of
the Potomac. It was engaged in every battle in which the Second Corps
participated. Private Child was present with his battery in the fight at
Bolivar Heights, Sept. 16, 1861, and subsequently in the campaign on the
Peninsula. On the 16th of July, 1862, he was promoted to corporal, and
Sept. 12, 1862, he was made a sergeant. At the battle of Antietam he was
again wounded, this time severely by a bullet in the head.
In the severe struggle at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., Battery A
fought with distinguished bravery, losing five men killed and
twenty-three wounded. Here Sergeant Child was severely wounded in the
shoulder, at the time of Pickett’s charge on Cemetery Ridge. He was sent
to Satalee Hospital, at West Philadelphia. When sufficiently recovered
to be removed he started for Rhode Island. While on his way home he
passed through New York City, at the time of the draft riots. Sergeant
Child witnessed the fearful scenes in the streets while he was being
conveyed in a carriage through the city to the Fall River steamer where
he was to embark for Rhode Island. It appeared as if the rabble might
attempt to attack the wounded Union soldier, and he remarked that it
would be “rather humiliating to be slaughtered by a mob after passing
through the charge of Gettysburg.” But the driver of the carriage kept
as far as possible from the centre of disturbance, and Sergeant Child
was soon safely aboard the steamer. He was hurried aboard in such haste
and in such rude fashion that, his wound, but imperfectly healed, had to
be opened again, and the result is that he is troubled with a stiff
shoulder to this day.
In recognition of his services in the field Governor Smith commissioned
him a second lieutenant in Battery A. He was afterwards transferred to
Battery H, his commission dating from Nov. 6, 1865. Owing to his wound
he was unable to report for duty until after Christmas. He then
proceeded to Brandy Station, where Battery A was at the front, and
received his discharge from that battery. The mustering officer at
General Sumner’s headquarters had hardly signed the papers when a shell
burst through the tent, and seriously wounded that officer. Lieutenant
Child then returned to Washington, and reported for duty to Captain
Allen commanding Battery H, which was then stationed at Camp Barry, in
the defenses of Washington. He was mustered into this battery Jan. 8,
1864. He served with credit in his new position until he was compelled
in consequence of his wounds to resign his commission, Nov. 23, 1864.
For about eighteen months he was employed in the quartermaster’s
department at Washington.
On his return to Providence he was employed with Greenleaf & Company, on
Westminster Street, for about two years. He was subsequently appointed
watchman at the Rhode Island State Prison.
On the 1st of May, 1868, he was appointed by the late Mayor Thomas A.
Doyle a patrolman on the police force of the City of Providence, and he
was promoted to doorman, Station 1, June 4, 1874; sergeant, Aug. 16,
1877; captain, Aug. 8, 1879. Elected chief Jan. 5, 1881. Re-elected
every year since.
He joined Prescott Post, No. 1, June 7, 1867. He was appointed
Aide-de-Camp to the Department Commander in 1887–8; he was elected a
delegate at large to the National Encampment in 1888; and elected a
member of the Council of Administration of the Department of Rhode
Island in 1889. In 1890 he was elected to the position of Senior Vice
Department Commander, and in the following year (1891) to that of
Department Commander. He is a member of the Massachusetts Commandery,
Loyal Legion of the United States. He is one of the committee on the
publication of the _History of Battery H_.
It may not be out of place here to mention the fact that Lieutenant
Child’s twin brother, William D. Child, served with distinction in
Battery A, entering the service as private and rising successively to
the rank of first sergeant. After this battery was consolidated with
Battery B, it took part in the fierce battle of Reams’s Station, Aug.
25, 1864, when the combined battery was nearly annihilated. The total of
killed, wounded and missing numbered fifty-two, with a loss of all the
guns and fifty horses. Lieut. William S. Perrin, who was in command of
the battery, had his leg shattered and was taken prisoner. Lieutenants
Chace and Spencer were also made prisoners. This disaster reduced the
battery to seventy-two men. Captain Brown being on duty in Rhode Island,
and the other officers in the hands of the enemy, the command devolved
on First Sergeant Child, who continued to serve in that capacity until
the arrival of Captain Brown.
On the fiftieth anniversary of his birth, which occurred May 8, 1893,
the friends of Chief Child (and they are legion), in recognition of his
long and faithful service on the police force of the city, determined to
show their affection and esteem for him in a substantial manner. On the
evening of the above date, at his own home, with a large assembly
present, he was made the recipient of an elegant solid silver tea
service, the gift of the officers and members of the Police Department;
also a handsome remembrance from the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of
the City of Providence. One of the gifts which he prizes highly is a
beautiful picture presented to him by his comrades of the Grand Army of
the Republic. His estimable wife was also pleasantly remembered by
several appropriate gifts from many friends and acquaintances.
ANTHONY B. HORTON.
SECOND LIEUT. ANTHONY B. HORTON, the son of John W. and Mary A. Horton,
was born in the city of Providence, R. I., on the 22d of January, 1836.
He attended the Fountain Street School in that city until his tenth
year, when his parents removed to Rehoboth, Mass. He assisted his father
on the farm during the spring, summer and fall months of the year, and
attended the district school in the winter.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted as private in Battery
B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. Aug. 13, 1861. On the 25th of
March, 1862, he was promoted to corporal, and on the 1st of December of
the same year he was advanced to sergeant. He re-enlisted Feb. 8, 1864,
and was appointed first sergeant Oct. 3, 1864. He was discharged Dec.
19, 1864, to receive promotion as second lieutenant in Battery H, to
date from Nov. 29, 1864. He was mustered into that battery Dec. 20,
1864. He was a very brave and gallant officer, cool and collected in the
hour of battle. He was promoted to brevet first lieutenant April 2,
1865, for gallant and meritorious services before Petersburg, Va., to
date from Nov. 29, 1864. He was mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
WILLIAM B. WESTCOTT.
FIRST LIEUT. WILLIAM B. WESTCOTT, son of Harley and Laura Westcott, was
born in Pawtuxet, R. I., March 16, 1841. He received his education in
the public schools of his native village. In 1857 he went to Providence
and was employed as a clerk in the grocery store of Thomas Merewether,
and was thus engaged when the War of the Rebellion began.
On Dec. 2, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Battery G, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery. He was promoted to sergeant Dec. 15, 1861, and
quartermaster sergeant, June 9, 1862. On the 26th of April, 1864, he was
promoted to second lieutenant of Battery H, and was mustered in May 1,
1864. He was promoted to first lieutenant March 2, 1865, and transferred
to Battery B. He was mustered out with his battery June 12, 1865, and
returned with it to Rhode Island.
Oct. 14, 1865, he entered the wholesale drug store of Oliver Johnson &
Co., as a clerk, and has remained in the service of that company ever
since. He is at the present time (1894) head clerk in that
establishment.
Comrade Westcott joined Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R., of Providence,
about December, 1867. He served as officer of the day for two years. He
was department inspector in 1870–71, and assistant quartermaster-general
of the department in 1874.
Comrade Westcott is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and is
also connected with Providence Council, No. 566, American Legion of
Honor, having held the office of Commander in that order.
[Illustration: Lieut. George Lewis.]
His brother, Gilbert O. Westcott, also served honorably for three years
in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and is a member of
Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R. Another brother, George H. Westcott,
served as a corporal in Company D, First Rhode Island Detached Militia.
He died in 1875.
GEORGE LEWIS.
SECOND LIEUT. GEORGE LEWIS was born near Summit, in the town of
Coventry, R. I., Nov. 1, 1831. His father, Benoni E. Lewis, in early
life was a farmer, but afterwards became a carpenter and builder, doing
business mainly in the villages of Harrisville, Quidnick, and Anthony.
Sarah Lewis, the mother of Lieutenant Lewis, was the only daughter of
the Hon. George and Martha (Stone) Hawkins, and a niece of the late
venerable Rev. Richard C. Stone, “who with each of his nine children,”
says the Bunker Hill (Ill.) _Gazette_, “have taught yearly in high
schools, colleges and universities, from two to thirty-one years each.”
His grandfather Hawkins in early life passed through the subordinate
military ranks till he held a major’s commission. He was a
representative in the General Assembly from 1819 to 1829, and senator
from May, 1829, to 1831. For over forty years he was deacon in the Rice
City Christian Church, of Coventry, R. I.
In early youth Mr. Lewis attended the public schools at Rice City, in
Coventry, and at Sterling, Conn. In March, 1841, his parents moved to
the Crompton Mills, in Warwick, R. I. Here George was employed in the
cotton mill as a back-piecer in the mule room. He afterwards went to
live with his uncle in Coventry, working in the shingle mill and on the
farm, except in the winter months, when he attended the public school.
About the first of April, 1848, at the age of sixteen, George was
apprenticed for three years to his uncle, Jason Lewis, then of Phenix,
to learn the carpenter’s trade. He afterwards left his uncle’s employ,
and worked for his father, who had commenced the same business,
continuing with him most of the time until the summer of 1852. In
September of that year he moved to Providence, R. I., and worked for
several firms until the spring of 1854. He was then employed by Cyrus T.
Eddy & Company, with whom he continued the greater portion of the time
until September, 1861, when he entered the service of his country as a
private in Battery E, First Rhode Island Light Artillery.
He was mustered into the service Sept. 30, 1861, and participated in all
the battles in which his battery was engaged. He was wounded slightly
May 3, 1863, at the battle of Chancellorsville. He was promoted to lance
corporal May 29, 1863; corporal Sept. 4, 1863; re-enlisted Feb. 1, 1864;
lance sergeant April 9, 1864; sergeant Oct. 20, 1864, to date from
October 4th; second lieutenant March 31, 1865; assigned to Battery H,
May 29, 1865; never reported or mustered as such; mustered out of
service June 14, 1865.
After the close of the war Lieutenant Lewis resumed work for the same
firm with whom he was employed before entering the army. He continued
with them until February, 1866. He then went to Worcester, Mass., where
he was employed as foreman in the carpenter shop of the “Earle Stove
Company.” That company not succeeding in business closed their works in
June, 1869. In July of that year Mr. Lewis entered the employ of Spicers
& Peckham (now the Spicer Stove Company), the well-known and successful
stove founders of Providence, R. I., with whom he is still (1894)
employed, having had charge of their carpenter shop for over twenty-four
years.
Mr. Lewis is a member of Slocum Post, No. 10, Grand Army of the
Republic, and is also connected with the Soldiers’ and Sailors’
Historical Society. He has served as a vice-president of the First Rhode
Island Light Artillery Veteran Association.
He was chosen historian by his comrades to write the history of Battery
E, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery. He labored with untiring
zeal and ability to further this object, and the imperishable record he
has been instrumental in preserving to the archives of the State will
ever redound to his honor as a soldier and patriot.
GEORGE MESSINGER.
FIRST SERGT. GEORGE MESSINGER, the son of Eli and Ann J. (Roberts)
Messinger, was born in the city of Providence, R. I., March 27, 1842. At
the commencement of the Civil War, he was attending a private school in
that city, preparatory to entering Brown University. With all the ardor
and patriotism of youth, and imbued with a strong desire to serve his
country in her hour of peril, he offered his services and was mustered
into service as a private in Battery A, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, June 6, 1861. He participated with his battery in the first
battle of Bull Run.
The battery was subsequently ordered to the Upper Potomac, and was
stationed at different points between Harper’s Ferry and Washington. At
the time of the battle of Ball’s Bluff one section of the battery to
which Private Messinger had been assigned was stationed near
Poolesville, Md. It was dismounted and crossed the Potomac on a scow,
but took no active part in the engagement, and the next day recrossed
the river and returned to its old camping ground.
About this time Private Messinger was seriously attacked with typhoid
fever and pneumonia. His father, who had enlisted in the same battery,
was detailed to attend him during his illness. His mother also came on
from Providence, R. I., to render her assistance. He was removed to the
house of Mrs. White, the mother of the well known (Confederate) Gen.
Harry White. Private Messinger after becoming convalescent was granted a
furlough, and returned to Rhode Island. On regaining his health he was
detailed on recruiting service in Providence.
[Illustration: Company Clerk George Messinger.]
Battery H was then organizing in that city, and Private Messinger was
transferred from Battery A and promoted to first sergeant of Battery H.
The battery was subsequently ordered into camp near Mashapaug Bond, in
Cranston, R. I. At this time frequent drafts were made upon the battery
for recruits to serve in the batteries already in the field. Sergeant
Messenger combined with his other duties that of drill master, and was
kept constantly employed in that capacity until the battery left its
camp and proceeded to Washington in October, 1862.
His career from that period until the termination of the war was closely
identified with the history of the battery. In October, 1863, while the
battery was stationed at Fairfax Court House, Sergeant Messinger was
wounded by the accidental discharge of his revolver, the ball passing
down his leg on the inside of his boot, entered his heel, and went
through and lodged in the heel of his boot. It being in a vulnerable
spot, he suffered considerable inconvenience from his wound.
Soon afterward, entirely unsolicited on his part, an application was
made for him for a commission, which was signed by all of the officers
of his battery and by the colonel and major of his regiment. The
application was supposed to have been forwarded to the governor of Rhode
Island, but nothing was ever heard from it, and in January, 1864,
Sergeant Messinger re-enlisted as a veteran and received the customary
furlough of thirty days.
While at home on his furlough he had strong hopes that he might receive
a commission from the governor. One day while reading a newspaper he was
astounded to learn that a commission had been granted to a personal
friend of his, but whose service as a non-commissioned officer was of a
very recent date. Feeling aggrieved at this treatment he had received he
went to the governor and requested that his application for a commission
might be returned to him. He was greatly astonished to find that no
application or recommendation had ever been received, and it was not
until sixteen years later that he learned what had become of the papers
that had been forwarded to the governor.
It may be well to state here that his friend who received the
appointment was assigned to Battery E, in the very position which
Sergeant Messinger had anticipated might be allotted to himself. In the
very first battle in which this officer took part after he had joined
his battery he was killed, so that Sergeant Messinger has good reason to
congratulate himself that he did not receive the coveted commission at
that time.
And now we are able to inform our readers what became of those papers.
It seems there was a soldier well known in the battery (now deceased)
whose name we do not desire to make public, who cherished an enmity
against Sergeant Messinger because he had appointed him a corporal at
Camp Mauran against his wishes. He only held the position a short time,
then returned to the ranks, and was appointed mail carrier for the
battery. He was present in the officers’ quarters to take the mail the
morning the captain sent the papers to Rhode Island, and heard the
captain express the desire that the papers might soon bring Sergeant
Messinger his commission.
The mail carrier afterward said to Sergeant Messinger that he determined
at that time that he (Messinger) should not have the commission if he
could prevent it. He took the papers from the mail bag and destroyed
them. No wonder they could not be found in the governor’s office, and
that Sergeant Messinger did not receive appointment to the position
which he was so well qualified to adorn.
After Captain Allen took command of the battery, Sergeant Messinger was
appointed company clerk, and served in that capacity until the muster
out of the battery. He settled all the affairs of the battery for
Captain Allen in a manner creditable to himself and to all concerned.
Even to this day there is no member of the battery who is more highly
esteemed and respected than he, and no one who takes a livelier interest
in the welfare of his comrades. He has had the opportunity and privilege
of visiting many of the members who are scattered over the country, and
they always find him ready to extend a hearty welcome to all; and no
deserving comrade ever found him turning a deaf ear to his plea for help
in time of need.
He is at present engaged in the manufacture of pottery at East
Brookfield, Mass. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic in
his town, and is an honored citizen of the community in which he lives.
He is one of the committee on the publication of the _History of Battery
H_.
HEZEKIAH POTTER.
LIEUT. HEZEKIAH POTTER, son of Christy and Lucius (Smith) Potter, was
born in Pawtucket, R. I., on the 1st day of July, 1834. His parents
subsequently removed to Providence, R. I., where he received his
education in the public schools of that city.
Previous to the War for the Union he was engaged in the wholesale
grocery business, first with his brother in the city of Syracuse, N. Y.,
and afterwards managed the same business for A. & W. Sprague with marked
success for about five years. He was subsequently connected with William
Sheldon in the same capacity.
In August, 1862, he was enrolled as private in Battery H, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of
quartermaster-sergeant in this battery March 28, 1864. On the 21st of
October, 1864, he received a commission as second lieutenant, and was
assigned to Battery E. He was mustered into the battery on the same day
of his arrival, Nov. 11, 1864. Although a man of few words he won the
respect and esteem of all the members of the battery. He was cool and
self-possessed under fire, and was always found reliable in every
position he was placed. He participated with the battery in the almost
daily conflicts with the enemy in the intrenchments before Petersburg,
and was present at the final and successful assaults on the enemy’s
lines, April 2, 1865. He was mustered out of service June 4, 1865.
[Illustration: First Sergt. John P. Campbell.]
After the close of the war he was employed for several years with
Hubbard & Aldrich, wholesale grocers, in Providence, R. I. He has since
been employed in various kinds of business.
JOHN P. CAMPBELL.
FIRST SERGT. JOHN P. CAMPBELL, son of James S. and Ann Campbell, was
born in Treat’s Village, in the town of Voluntown, Conn., March 29,
1844. He was educated in the public schools of that place. During the
Civil War he enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, June 24, 1862. He was mustered into service with his
battery Oct. 14, 1862. By good conduct, gentlemanly bearing and kind
consideration of all with whom he came in contact, he won the love and
confidence of his comrades, and the approbation and esteem of his
superior officers, and was successively promoted to corporal, sergeant,
and in December, 1864, first sergeant, retaining that position on his
muster out of service with the battery, June 28, 1865.
Comrade Campbell is at the present time (1894) a respected citizen of
the village of Lafayette, in the town of North Kingstown, R. I. He holds
the position of head overseer in the Rodman Mill, and is greatly beloved
by all for his sterling worth, and especially by those employed under
him for his many acts of kindness toward them.
ESEK S. OWEN.
SERGT. ESEK S. OWEN, son of Thomas J. and Dorcas (Sayles) Owen, was born
in Smithfield, R. I., Aug. 21, 1839. His parents subsequently removed to
Central Falls, R. I., where Esek attended school. His parents afterwards
moved to Connecticut, and he attended school there for three years. He
also pursued a course of study at the East Greenwich Academy.
He enrolled as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, May 19, 1862, and was mustered into service with his battery
Oct. 14, 1862. In the battle before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, he
commanded the left piece of the right section. In this engagement he was
slightly wounded. He also commanded the left piece of the right section
in the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, Va. He was always cool and
self-possessed under fire, winning the respect and confidence of the men
under his command. He was mustered out of service with his battery June
28, 1865. He is at the present time (1894) an esteemed citizen of
Pueblo, Colorado.
EMULOUS A. CHEEVER.
SERGT. EMULOUS A. CHEEVER, son of Amos and Abigail (Keech) Cheever, was
born in Attleboro, Mass., Aug. 27, 1841. Sergeant Cheever’s parents
formerly resided in Wrentham, Mass., but subsequently removed to
Attleboro, Mass., where the subject of our sketch was born. He received
his education in the public schools of the town.
[Illustration: Corp. Earl Fenner.]
He enlisted in the service of his country Aug. 4, 1862, and was mustered
in with his battery Oct. 14, 1862. He was promoted to corporal in 1862;
and November 6th of that year was made a sergeant. He endeared himself
to his comrades by his manly and upright character, and by many sterling
qualities. He was mustered out of service with his battery June 28,
1865.
EARL FENNER.
CORP. EARL FENNER was born in Providence, R. I., on the 20th day of
April, 1841. He is the second son of James M. and Sarah A. Fenner. His
mother was the daughter of Gould and Alary Brown, of North Kingstown, R.
I. His ancestor, Capt. Arthur Fenner, erected in Johnston, R. I., (then
a portion of the town of Providence) what was known as the “Old Fenner
Castle,” a strongly constructed log house, built for the purpose of
resisting the assaults of the Indians. The old “Castle” and the lands
adjacent thereto descended in direct succession to James, son of Capt.
Arthur Fenner; then to his son Thomas Fenner; then to James M. Fenner,
the father of Comrade Earl Fenner.
The subject of our sketch attended the public schools of Providence in
his youth.
When the War for the Union began Comrade Fenner became imbued with the
martial spirit of the times, and was desirous of taking part in the
great struggle for national existence. On the 25th day of August, 1861,
he enrolled as a private in Battery C, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery. This battery left Providence on the 31st of August, and
proceeded to Washington. It remained at Camp Sprague engaged in daily
drill until October, when it crossed the Potomac and encamped near Fort
Corcoran, giving to its encampment the name of “Camp Randolph.” From
thence it removed to Hall’s Hill, and again to Miner’s Hill, Va., and
became identified with Porter’s division of the Army of the Potomac.
While the battery was stationed here the privations and hardships of a
soldier’s life greatly impaired the health of Comrade Fenner, and
eventually caused his discharge from the service Dec. 9, 1861.
Regaining his health the following year he again yearned to serve his
country in her hour of peril, and enlisted as a private in Battery H,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 24, 1862. From this time on
until its final muster out Comrade Fenner became closely identified with
its history. During his term of service he served as private, bugler and
non-commissioned officer.
When the Army of the Potomac was moving towards Gettysburg, Pa., in
June, 1863, Comrade Fenner was detailed to headquarters of the Third
Brigade, of the Twenty-second Army Corps, and was ordered on special
duty as a bearer of dispatches to the commanding general of the Army of
the Potomac. As that army was on the march against the enemy his
instructions were very explicit to deliver the dispatches entrusted to
him to the general commanding wherever he might be found. On one
occasion while returning from one of these journeys he narrowly escaped
capture by Mosby’s guerillas near Germantown, Va.
In the battles before Petersburg, the engagement at Sailor’s Creek, and
the closing scenes at Appomattox, where the surrender of the Confederate
army occurred, Comrade Fenner was an active participant with his
battery, and at the termination of the war returned to Rhode Island,
where the battery was mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
Comrade Fenner is a member of the First Rhode Island Light Artillery
Veteran Association, and served as Executive Committee of Battery H in
the regimental association a number of years. In 1891 he was chosen
first-vice president of the association, and in 1892 president.
On the 27th of June, 1891, he called a meeting of the old members of
Battery H, for the purpose of forming a veteran association of the
battery. Starting with only four members, through his untiring efforts
as secretary and treasurer, the association now numbers on its roll
fifty members. He was unanimously chosen historian by his comrades of
the battery. Having in his possession a very valuable war diary that he
kept while in service it has formed the nucleus from which a large
portion of the facts and incidents relating to the history of the
battery have been gathered. This diary has also been the means of aiding
many of his comrades and their widows in obtaining pensions, and
likewise been of great service to the pension office in settling
disputed cases.
Comrade Fenner is connected with various societies. He is a past chief
patriarch of Narragansett Encampment, No. 1, I. O. O. F., and has held
the office of recording secretary in Hope Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F. He
is a past great sachem and past great prophet of the Great Council of
the Improved Order of Red Men of Rhode Island, also holding the position
of great mishewina in the Great Council for two years.
Comrade Fenner has been for several years in the employ of his brother,
James M. Fenner, druggist, in the city of Providence.
FRANKLIN E. PAUL.
CORP. FRANKLIN E. PAUL, son of Captain Clark and May (Young) Paul, was
born in Dover, N. H., Sept. 14, 1829. He received his education in the
public schools of his native town. His father was a sea captain, and
followed the sea for over forty years. At the age of fifteen he went to
North Bridgewater, now Brockton, Mass., and lived on a farm for about a
year, and then learned the trade of boot and shoemaking. After serving
faithfully three years as an apprentice, he started out for himself,
working in different towns in Massachusetts.
In 1858 he removed to Mansfield, Mass., and in September of that year he
married Almira Alger, daughter of Edmund Alger, Esq., of that town.
While busy in his calling, the tocsin of war resounded throughout the
land, and aroused within him a spirit of loyalty and devotion to
country, and he determined to enroll himself among his country’s
defenders, and do all in his power to maintain the honor and integrity
of free institutions and good government.
[Illustration: Corp. Franklin E. Paul.]
On the 29th of September, 1862, he enlisted with five others from
Mansfield, in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and was
mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. Leaving a good home, a devoted
wife, and a little daughter, he offered all upon his country’s altar,
and served loyally and faithfully with his battery until the termination
of the war. He was promoted to corporal in 1865. He was mustered out
with the battery June 28, 1865.
On returning to his home in Mansfield, Mass., he worked at his trade for
two years, and then removed to Boston to take charge of a large shoe
manufactory on Pearl Street, in that city. He continued in this position
until May 27, 1877, when he received an appointment as clerk in the
Boston post-office, in which capacity he still remains.
In the year 1892 he was unanimously chosen first vice-president of
Battery H Veteran Association, and in August, 1893, was elected to the
office of president. On assuming the chair he delivered an excellent
address appropriate to the occasion, which was listened to with marked
interest and attention. He is also a member of the publication committee
on the _History of Battery H_. He is held in high esteem by his comrades
of Battery H, his associates in the Boston post-office, and by his
fellow townsmen of Chelsea, Mass., where he now resides.
JOHN P. CAMPBELL.
CORP. JOHN P. CAMPBELL, son of John and Nancy J. (Malin) Campbell, was
born in Boston, Mass., on the 8th day of April, 1846. His parents were
of Scotch descent. On his father’s side he is descended from the
Campbells of Clyde, having an ancestry of rank in the Scottish
Highlands. On his mother’s side also his ancestors attained high
distinction.
The subject of our sketch in his youth was brought up in the family of
Jeremiah Russell Smith, father of William Russell Smith, a noted
musician in South Medfield, Mass. He attended the South Medfield and
Walpole schools, previously going to schools in Boston.
In the War of the Rebellion he enlisted as a private in Battery H, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 19, 1862, and was mustered in Oct.
14, 1862. He was subsequently promoted to corporal. That he served with
credit and honor in his battery is attested by his being wounded
severely in hand, shoulder, and foot, in action near Petersburg, Va.,
April 2, 1865. He was corporal of the right piece, of the right section
of his battery in that engagement. He was mustered out of service June
28, 1865.
[Illustration: Corp. John P. Campbell, 2d.]
Immediately upon his return from the army he went West, and was engaged
in teaching in schools, holding some important positions in high
schools, etc. He received his college education in Cornell College,
Mount Vernon, Iowa. After leaving college he read law under Judge Alonzo
Converse, and was admitted to the bar in Iowa. He went to Abilene,
Kansas, in the year 1876, where he located in the practice of law, and
where he has since resided. He there established the “J. P. Campbell
Collection Agency,” at the head of which he has continued since its
formation. His practice has been in all courts, and has been a
successful and profitable one. He is the author of several literary
publications, brought out by some of the best known publishing houses in
the country.
He is also well known as a lecturer, and has met with much success in
that direction. His lectures on “What is Life?” “Courtship, Marriage,
Divorce,” “A View of Heaven, from the Poet’s Standpoint,” and “The
Soldier,” have been spoken of in the highest terms, and been received
with universal favor. Of the author of these lectures this has been
said:
“John Preston Campbell has, perhaps, the most complete and choicely
selected law and literary library in the State of Kansas, and being
greatly attached to books, of his more matured and written deliberations
much that is entertaining, ennobling and beneficial may be expected. An
hour was spent in his rooms examining his books and chatting with one of
the most genial conversationalists we had ever met.”
He has always been in warm sympathy with his comrades-in-arms, the “boys
who wore the blue” in the trying days of the Rebellion, and is an
honored member of Post No. 63, Department of Kansas, Grand Army of the
Republic.
LEON ALLISON.
ARTIFICER LEON ALLISON, son of James and Josephine Allison, was born in
Three Rivers, Canada, May 1, 1820. He worked on a farm until his
eighteenth year, when he went to Spencer, Mass., where he learned the
shoemaker’s trade. From there he removed to Providence and worked at his
trade for awhile and then enlisted in the navy about the year 1841,
serving on board the United States man-of-war _Delaware_ for three
years, when he was honorably discharged, returned to Providence, and
resumed his former occupation, the shoemaking business, and was thus
engaged when he entered the army in the War of the Rebellion.
He enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, Oct. 9, 1862, and was mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. He
was subsequently promoted to artificer. While the battery was stationed
at Fort Smith on the Potomac River, near Aqueduct Bridge, Comrade
Allison was sent into Washington on official business. On his return he
was brutally assaulted and all his valuables taken from him, even to the
shoes on his feet. Upon his arrival at the fort he was sent to the
hospital, where the surgeon found that his jaw was broken. After he had
recovered from his injuries he resumed his duties in the battery, and
served with credit until his muster out June 28, 1865.
On returning to Providence he again followed his accustomed avocation,
and has been engaged in the shoemaking business ever since. Although a
veteran in years as well as of the war, he is still active and strong
for a man of his age, and is highly respected in the community.
[Illustration: Horace F. Floyd.]
He is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R., of Providence, and
also of Battery H Veteran Association.
HORACE F. FLOYD.
GUIDON HORACE F. FLOYD was but a stripling of fifteen years of age when
he entered the service of his country. He became so imbued with martial
ardor that he walked from Webster, Mass., to Providence, R. I., and from
thence to Camp Mauran, where he enlisted as a private in Battery H,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and was mustered into service Oct.
14, 1862. He was subsequently promoted to battery guidon.
In January, 1863, while the battery was encamped near Fairfax Station,
Va., Comrade Floyd was taken sick with typhoid and rheumatic fever, and
was sent to the hospital at Fairfax Seminary, returning to the battery
at Chantilly, Va., in May or June of that year. While stationed at Fort
Scott in the fall of 1863, he was sick with rheumatism and malaria.
In the battle before Petersburg, Va., on the 2d of April, 1865, he won
special commendation from his superior officers for his gallant conduct.
He carried the battery guidon at the head of the battery throughout the
entire action. In the seventh and last position which the battery
occupied on that eventful day in rear of the Whitworth House, while the
battery was under a very severe cross fire from the enemy he was ordered
by Captain Allen to deliver a message to Colonel Cowan, commanding the
Artillery Brigade of the Sixth Corps, requesting assistance. In
compliance with this request the Colonel sent his New York battery to
our support. Comrade Floyd on returning to the battery after delivering
his message, while riding down our line of battle his horse was struck
by a shell, killing him instantly. Our comrade was prostrated by the
concussion of the shell, and his horse also falling upon him, injured
his leg severely and caused a severe strain upon his bodily powers,
producing nervous prostration, with which he suffered for some time
afterwards. Colonel Cowan in referring to this affair said: “I received
a dispatch from Captain Allen by the boy guidon of Battery H, and could
not help admiring the courage and patriotism displayed by this lad on
that occasion.” Comrade Floyd subsequently recovered from his injuries,
and was mustered out with the battery, June 28, 1865.
Comrade Floyd now (in 1894) resides in Buffalo, N. Y. He is a member of
Chapin Post, No. 2, Department of New York, and has held the office of
adjutant in the post, and is also a past president of the Army and Navy
Union of Buffalo. For over nineteen years he has been connected with the
Seventy-fourth Regiment New York National Guard, rising from the ranks
as private to the position of first lieutenant. He resigned this office
several years ago to accept the position of armorer in the regiment. He
is a member of DeMolay Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and has held
the office of marshal. He is also an active member of the Royal Arcanum.
Comrade Floyd is held in high esteem by his military associates, his
brethren in the various societies with which he is connected, and by his
fellow citizens generally. In the opinion of the writer Comrade Floyd
deserves a medal from Congress for the bravery he displayed in front of
Petersburg.
WARNER ALDEN.
WARNER ALDEN, son of Oliver and Lucinda (Cobb) Alden, was born in North
Middleboro, Mass., Feb. 3, 1830. He is a lineal descendant of John
Alden, who came over in the _Mayflower_, and was one of the founders of
the Plymouth Colony. His father, Oliver Alden, served in the War of
1812. His mother, Lucinda (Cobb) Alden, was the daughter of Ansel and
Cynthia (Howard) Cobb. Comrade Alden’s parents had three children,
Abner, William C., and Warner. Abner served at the age of nineteen in
the Florida War, and was discharged as a first lieutenant. He died in
1883, in Iowa. William C. enlisted in the Third Massachusetts Infantry,
during the War of the Rebellion, and went to Fortress Monroe, and served
three months. Upon the expiration of his term of service he returned
home with his regiment, re-enlisted and served three years in the
Fortieth Massachusetts Infantry, and is now living in Boston.
In his youth Comrade Warner Alden received a common school education in
the public schools of his native town. After leaving school he learned
the trade of mason, which calling he still follows.
Comrade Alden enlisted Oct. 1, 1862, in Battery H, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, and was mustered into service with his battery Oct. 14,
1862. He served faithfully and continuously with his battery until he
was mustered out of service June 28, 1865, at the termination of the
war.
He married Matilda White. They have four children: Mabel J., May F.,
Lizzie N., and Gordon Brooks.
Comrade Alden is a worthy member of Prescott Post, No. 1, Department of
Rhode Island, Grand Army of the Republic, having joined that Post Sept.
2, 1892. He is also a member of Battery H Veteran Association, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery.
SOLOMON CLOSE.
SOLOMON CLOSE, son of Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Close, was born in the
town of Greenwich, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, Oct. 19,
1845. His ancestor, Thomas Close, came from England about the year 1661,
and settled in Greenwich, Conn. He had four sons, Thomas, Joseph,
Benjamin, and John. Comrade Close is a direct descendant from Joseph.
The names of Thomas Close and Thomas Close, Jr., appear on the list of
seventy-two proprietors who purchased a large tract of land in West
Greenwich, Conn., in 1762.
The grandfather of Comrade Close (Solomon Close) was a soldier in the
War of the Revolution. At the time of the attack made by the British
upon West Greenwich, under Governor Tryon, Feb. 26, 1776, he was an eye
witness of the escape of General Putnam down the precipice as he was
being pursued by the British soldiers. Putnam afterwards said he could
hear the enemy’s bullets strike in the trees as they fired at and
overshot him as he rode down the steep declivity.
It is also related of Comrade Close’s grandfather that two other
soldiers and himself were concealed for twenty-four hours in an old
stone wall at Throg’s Neck, then occupied by the British. They were
there for the purpose of capturing a British officer. They failed in the
accomplishment of this object, however, as the enemy obtained
information of their designs and instituted a search for the Yankee
soldiers, who were hiding in an arch in the old stone wall, which was
covered over with salt grass by a friend of the Yankee soldiers. While
lying there the British walked over the very spot where they were
concealed, and our comrade’s grandfather says he could have struck the
blade of his knife into their feet as they walked over him. They halted
near the spot for quite a while, as the grass was considerably trampled
down at that point. One of the British soldiers remarked that the “d——d
rebels” must have lain there the night before. They were subsequently
released from their perilous position by the aid of their friend already
alluded to, and made good their escape. It is stated that Solomon Close
was present at the storming of Stony Point, by the Continental forces
under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne. Our comrade’s grandfather died
Jan. 28, 1840, before his grandson was born, and for whom he was
undoubtedly named. Other members of the Close family served with
distinction in the War of the Revolution, and one particularly, Elnathan
Close, was engaged in privateering. His exploits in connection with
others like himself have formed the basis of many exciting tales.
Captain Andrew Meade and Elnathan Close, of Greenwich, with other daring
spirits were engaged in privateering to the great annoyance of the
enemy. They sallied out on their expeditions provided with large
whaleboats, which were easily hidden from view in the day time in the
small bays along the coast. On one occasion they proceeded by night to
Ferry Point and seized upon a small store vessel, and secured her as a
prize. The vessel was anchored in a small inlet known as Chimney Corner.
The prize was so valuable that the enemy pursued them with one of their
war vessels. They anchored off Chimney Corner, and began making
dispositions to retake their vessel. But the people on shore who had
assembled for the purpose of defending the prize, determined if possible
to prevent its falling into the hands of the British. With a
six-pounder, which was the only large gun in the town, they fired upon
the British vessel. The first shot struck the deck of the vessel. The
enemy returned the fire, but finding it impracticable to retake the
vessel or inflict injury to the people on shore they relinquished their
efforts in that direction and hastily withdrew.
The attack on the British vessel at Ferry Point had been made in two
divisions. One division was commanded by Captain Meade and the other by
Elnathan Close. Captain Meade while leaving the vessel with his division
was wounded in both arms from shots fired by two marines on guard.
Elnathan Close with his division at the same time boarded the vessel on
the opposite side, soon had possession of the decks, and the forces
below quickly surrendered with but little resistance.
Thus it will be seen that Comrade Close came of good military stock. On
his mother’s side his ancestor, Thomas Brown, of Sussex, England,
emigrated to this country in 1632. Comrade Close’s father, Joseph, was
at one time captain of a company of militia at White Plains, N. Y.,
where he then resided. He subsequently removed to Greenwich, Conn., and
purchased a farm of about one hundred acres, and pursued there his
occupation of farmer and drover, dealing largely in cattle, which he
bought mostly in the middle and western states.
Joseph Close’s family consisted of six children, four boys and two
girls. One of these boys, Solomon, the subject of our sketch, was
attending school when the War of the Rebellion began. He became imbued
with martial ardor and had a strong desire to enter the army. But his
parents opposed it. Not because they were not loyal to the Union cause,
but they deemed it advisable that Solomon should remain at school a
while longer.
In February, 1865, while his father was away buying cattle, our comrade
decided that if he could not enter the service of his country as a
soldier, he would go on a whaling voyage. To this proposition his mother
reluctantly gave her consent. He proceeded to New York city and shipped
for a voyage. From that city he was sent to New Bedford, from which port
the ship was to depart. While waiting for the vessel to sail Comrade
Close observed the arrival of a whaler from a long voyage in the Arctic
regions. The appearance of the vessel and the crew and the rough usage
to which they had been subjected cooled the ardor of our friend for a
cruise in the northern seas, and he sought the shipping agent and
requested that he might be allowed to enter the army instead. To this
arrangement the agent consented, and, as there was no recruiting office
in New Bedford, our comrade proceeded to Providence, R. I., and enlisted
as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, March 7,
1865, and joined the battery at Burkeville Junction, Va., April 22,
1865, the day before the battery left that place for the long march to
Danville, Va. Although not permitted to share in the more stirring
scenes of the battery’s history, yet he cheerfully performed every duty
incumbent upon him during his brief term of service, and was mustered
out with the battery June 28, 1865.
On the 11th of June, 1866, he enlisted in the city of New York in Troop
K, Fourth United States Cavalry, and served three years on the Texas
frontier. In August, 1866, that dread scourge, cholera, made its
appearance, and several men of his company were taken sick and died. Two
of his tent-mates were among the victims. Comrade Close was detailed to
regimental hospital to care for the sick, and remained there until the
epidemic abated. His regiment was at that time stationed a few miles
outside of the city of San Antonio, Texas. After the cholera had
disappeared the several companies of the regiment were scattered for a
time, some of them being sent to different posts on the frontier, his
company being assigned to Fort Inge, about ninety-five miles west of San
Antonio. His company scouted the country in the vicinity of the post for
two years, having several sharp engagements with the Comanche Indians.
In this capacity the company continued the larger portion of its stay in
Texas, hunting Indians, Mexican bandits, and outlaws. It was
subsequently relieved by the Ninth United States Cavalry, and the
company was ordered to Fort Brown, Texas, where Comrade Close was
honorably discharged, June 11, 1869, his term of service having expired.
He arrived home July 4, 1869.
On the 22d of October, 1869, he was employed as locomotive fireman on
the New York and New Haven Railroad. May 28, 1873, he was promoted to
locomotive engineer, and still retains that position. Although our
comrade has seen twenty-four years of railroad service, yet he has never
had a collision, nor has a passenger been injured on any of the trains
he has run. It is a singular coincidence that three of his brothers have
also been locomotive engineers.
Comrade Close married Cornelia J. Husted Sept. 25, 1872. She died Oct.
29, 1873. He married Mary F. Knapp Sept. 26, 1876. They have two
children, Joseph, born Feb. 25, 1878, and Mary F., born Dec. 11, 1879.
Comrade Close is a resident of Stamford, Conn., and is an honored member
of Hobbie Post, No. 23, Department of Connecticut. As indicative of the
esteem in which Comrade Close is held we will state that on the 11th of
April, 1893, he was made the recipient of a handsome gold badge of the
Grand Army regulation pattern, studded with diamonds, rubies, and
sapphires, and presented to him by a number of his comrades and friends.
He was elected Junior Vice Commander of Hobbie Post, Dec. 7, 1893. He is
also a member of Battery H Veteran Association.
GEORGE W. FREEBORN.
GEORGE W. FREEBORN, son of Samuel and Eliza P. Freeborn, was born in
Newport, R. I., on the 18th day of May, 1845. He received his education
in the public schools of his native city. He enlisted as a recruit for
Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Feb. 25, 1865, and
reported to the battery at Fort Tracy, in front of Petersburg, Va.,
March 1, 1865. In the battle before Petersburg, April 2, 1865, he proved
to be a man of courage and thoroughly reliable in every emergency. He
was mustered out of service with the battery June 28, 1865. He returned
to Newport, R. I., and in 1867 married Martha A. Goslin, the daughter of
John and Jane Goslin. They have five children.
Comrade Freeborn is now residing in Fall River, Mass., and is foreman of
the packing house of David M. Anthony. He is a member of Richard Borden
Post, of Fall River, and is also a member of the Veteran Firemen’s
Association, and the Firemen’s Relief Association. He is connected with
the American Order of Druids, and a member of Battery H, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery Veteran Association.
SYDNEY A. GOODRICH.
SYDNEY A. GOODRICH, son of Jacob M. and Hannah Goodrich, was born in
Shapleigh, Maine, March 1848. In his youth his parents removed to
Providence, R. I., where he attended the Transit and Arnold Street
schools, until his enlistment in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, Oct. 12, 1863. He reported to the battery at Camp Barry,
Washington, D. C., about Oct. 17, 1863. He served with credit in his
battery until his muster out of service June 28, 1865.
Comrade Goodrich is a member of Gen. Lander Post, No. 5, of Lynn, Mass.,
where he now resides. He is also a member of Battery H Veteran
Association.
JOHN A. GRAY.
JOHN A. GRAY, son of Lawson D. and Harriet E. Gray, was born in the town
of Walpole, Mass., Jan. 17, 1839. He attended the schools of that town
in his youth. In the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Battery H,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 22, 1862, and was mustered
into service with his battery Oct. 14, 1862. He served with credit
during his entire service, and was mustered out June 25, 1865.
Returning to Walpole on the completion of his army service, he has ever
since been an honored resident of that town. He is a member of Post No.
157, Department of Massachusetts, a member of Lodge No. 39, United
Workmen, and is also connected with Battery H Veteran Association, and
with the First Rhode Island Light Artillery Veteran Association.
GEORGE W. HARADON.
GEORGE W. HARADON, son of Elisha and Sarah M. Haradon, was born in the
town of Sharon, Mass., June 14, 1842. He attended the district school of
the town in his youth, and later he attended the Bristol Academy at
Taunton, Mass. After graduation he learned the carpenter’s trade. He
enlisted as a recruit in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery,
March 2, 1865. He reported to the battery at Fort Tracy, in front of
Petersburg, Va. He participated with his battery in the battle before
Petersburg, April 2, 1865, where he displayed all the qualities that are
requisite to make a good soldier. He was mustered out of service June
28, 1865.
He is now located in Manchester, N. H. He is a member of Passaconnaway
Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, attaining the rank of a chief in
the tribe. He is regarded by his fellow townsmen as a man of sterling
character and a good citizen.
[Illustration: Edwin Northrop.]
EDWARD N. LAWTON.
EDWARD N. LAWTON, son of Isaac and Mary Ann Lawton, was born in Newport,
R. I., Jan. 15, 1847. He attended the public schools of that city in his
youth. He enlisted as a recruit and was assigned to Battery H, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Feb. 27, 1865. He reported to the battery
at Fort Tracy, Va., in front of Petersburg, Va., and was present with
his battery at the battle before that place April 2, 1865, where he
exemplified all the attributes that constitute a good soldier. He was
mustered out with the battery June 28, 1865.
He is a member of Charles E. Lawton Post, No. 5, of Newport, R. I. He
served two years as junior vice commander, and declined further
advancement. He is also a member of Battery H First Rhode Island Light
Artillery Veteran Association. He was a brave soldier, and,
consequently, is a good citizen.
EDWIN NORTHROP.
EDWIN NORTHROP was born in Fishkill, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1838, his father
being Jonas Northrop, of Bradford, Yorkshire County, England, who came
to this country in the year 1830, at the age of nineteen. His mother,
Ann Gaunt, was a native of Leeds, England.
Comrade Northrop received a common school education, and at the age of
seventeen was apprenticed to learn wool sorting, and continued in this
calling until his entrance into the service.
Comrade Northrop married Sarah Kyle, daughter of John Ballantine, of
Blackstone, Mass., and four children were the fruit of this union.
At the commencement of the War of the Rebellion he made an ineffectual
attempt to enlist in a company then forming in Woonsocket for the Second
Rhode Island Infantry, afterwards designated as Company I, but so eager
at that time were the young men of that town to enroll themselves among
the defenders of the Union, that before Comrade Northrop’s turn came to
enter the armory, it was announced that the roll was complete, and he
was debarred the honor of enrolling his name with a company that won
fame and renown in the annals of the history of the State.
Aug. 25, 1862, after making careful provision for his little family, he
enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was
mustered into service with his battery Oct. 14, 1862, and served
faithfully and continuously with it until its final muster out June 28,
1865.
Soon after his return from the army he learned the dyer’s art, which
calling he has since followed. He worked at his trade in Blackstone,
Mass., leaving there in 1867, and settling in Norwalk, Conn. While here
he became intensely interested in the principles of the Grand Army of
the Republic, and was largely instrumental in the organization of
Buckingham Post, No. 12, at that place. He was adjutant of the post from
1881 to 1883, and again in 1885, and its commander in 1884. He was
aide-de-camp on the staff of Department Commander Ira E. Hicks, in 1882,
and served the department as assistant mustering and inspecting officer.
In 1886 he removed with his family to Dalton, Mass., and here again took
up the work of the Grand Army. He took an active part in organizing
Hancock Post, No. 187, Department of Massachusetts. He was elected
junior vice commander in 1887–8, senior vice commander 1889, commander
1890, and was also appointed post historian. His wife is an earnest
working member of Hancock Woman’s Relief Corps, No. 133, of the
Department of Massachusetts.
He was aide-de-camp to Department Commander Myron P. Walker; served as
inspector and mustering officer, and was elected an alternate to the
National Encampment in 1888.
On his removal to Kenyon, R. I., 1892, where he is employed by E. Kenyon
& Sons, he became interested with the comrades of Burnside Post, No. 2,
of Shannock, and before joining the post was, for services rendered,
voted an honorary member. He is now (in 1894) commander of the post. He
has received many testimonials of the esteem in which he is held by his
comrades of Buckingham and Hancock posts, which he values very highly.
He is also a Free Mason, having joined the order in 1868, at Norwalk,
Conn.
ORVILLE BALCOM.
[This sketch was received too late to be placed in the list of
sergeants.]
SERGT. ORVILLE BALCOM, son of William and Eliza Doty (Thomas) Balcom,
was born in the town of Cumberland, R. I., in 1841. His parents removed
to Attleboro, Mass., when he was six years of age. During his youth he
attended the public schools of Attleboro. He was mustered as a private
into Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 14, 1862. He
was subsequently promoted to corporal and sergeant. In the battles
before Petersburg and at Sailor’s Creek he performed every service
incumbent upon him with credit to himself and likewise to the battery.
He was mustered out of service June 28, 1865. He is a member of Battery
H Veteran Association, and is connected with various societies in
Attleboro, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the citizens of that
town.
OTIS P. SNELL.
OTIS P. SNELL, son of Barney and Rebecca Snell, was born in Cranston, R.
I., in the year 1832. After he became a lad his parents removed to
Smithfield, R. I., where Otis attended the district school in the fall
and winter months, and assisted his father on the farm during the
remainder of the year. He subsequently worked in a cotton mill for a
time.
In the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, Sept. 6, 1862, and was mustered into service Oct. 14,
1862. He participated with his battery in all the battles in which it
was engaged, and proved himself a good soldier.
Since his return from the army Comrade Snell has worked in a cotton
mill, but is now (1894) employed on a farm near Georgiaville, R. I. He
is a member of Battery H Veteran Association. He is held in high esteem
by his old comrades and his fellow townsmen.
JOHN TAFT.
JOHN TAFT, son of John and Jane (Moore) Taft, was born in Ireland June
5, 1832. He attended a private school in his youth. He afterwards
emigrated to the United States, and located in Natick, R. I.
On the 20th of February, 1865, he enlisted as a recruit and was assigned
to Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He reported to the
battery at Patrick’s Station, Va., Feb. 24, 1865. In the battles before
Petersburg and at Sailor’s Creek he evinced great courage and proved to
be reliable in every emergency. He was mustered out with the battery at
Providence, R. I., June 28, 1865.
Comrade Taft married Jane Rafferty, daughter of John and Mary Rafferty.
Two children have been born to them, namely, Thomas and Joseph P. Taft.
Our comrade is an esteemed member of Reno Post No. 6, of East Greenwich,
R. I., where he now resides, and is honored and respected by his fellow
townsmen.
WILLIAM H. TASKER.
WILLIAM H. TASKER, son of William and Annie (Carroll) Tasker, was born
in Providence, R. I., Nov. 12, 1842. His father served as a soldier in
the Mexican War, and was especially commended by his superior officer
for bravery in battle. The subject of our sketch attended school in his
youth in the city of Providence and also in the town of Johnston, R. I.
In the Fall of 1862 he enlisted in the navy as an able seaman, and was
assigned to the United States gunboat _Iris_. He was subsequently
promoted to signal quartermaster for good conduct, and afterwards to
quartermaster. After serving his time in the navy he was mustered out,
and shortly afterwards enlisted as a private in Battery H, when it was
stationed near Fort Tracy at Petersburg, March 7, 1865. In the battles
before Petersburg, and also at Sailor’s Creek, he displayed good conduct
in action, and was finally mustered out with his battery June 28, 1865.
Comrade Tasker is a member of Slocum Post, No. 10, of Providence, and is
also a member of Farragut Naval Association, having served as
lieutenant, lieutenant-commander, and commander in that association. He
is connected with Battery H Veteran Association. He is now a resident of
Rehoboth, Mass., having purchased the Bowen farm, and is therefore a
respected tiller of the soil, honored and respected in the community.
CHARLES D. VAUGHN.
CHARLES D. VAUGHN, son of John and Catherine (Danforth) Vaughn, was born
in Providence, R. I., July 17, 1836. He attended the public schools of
that city in his youth. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted
as a private in Company C, First Rhode Island Detached Militia, May 2,
1861. He participated with his regiment in the battle of Bull Run, July
21, 1861, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service,
Aug. 2, 1861. He enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, Feb. 23, 1864, and served with credit in the battery
until its muster out of service, June 28, 1865.
ALBERT WELLS.
ALBERT WELLS, son of Silas and Mary (Bowen) Wells, was born in Exeter,
R. I., March 21, 1830. He attended the public schools of this place in
his youth, also those in River Point and West Greenwich, R. I. His
parents removing to Sterling, Conn., he attended school there, working a
portion of the time in the Valentine mill in that town. His parents
subsequently removed to Central Village, Plainfield, Conn., in 1847, and
afterwards, in 1848, to Griswold, Conn., where he worked in Doane’s
mill.
In 1849 Albert left home and went to Crompton to work in the machine
shop in that place. In 1851 he married Almira O. Johnson, and
subsequently went to West Greenwich where he worked on a farm, and
afterwards engaged as a contractor for ship timber for Dexter Irons. In
1855 he took a contract for supplying ties for the Providence, Hartford
and Fishkill Railroad Company. In 1857 he was a contractor for ship
timber with the United States government.
Comrade Wells enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, Aug. 5, 1862, and served honorably with the battery
until its muster out of service June 28, 1865.
Shortly after his return to Rhode Island he worked for a while in the
Liberty factory in West Greenwich, R. I. In 1866 he built a small
shingle mill in that place, and was afterwards engaged in furnishing
wood supplies for woolen mills. In 1877 he built a large mill farther up
the stream for the same purpose. In 1882 he removed to Providence, R.
I., and was employed in the Rhode Island Locomotive Works, remaining
there until 1889, when he engaged in the carriage business for himself
for one year, and then went to work in the repair shop of the Union
Railroad Company, where he has remained until the present time (1894).
Comrade Wells is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, of Providence, and is
also connected with Battery H Veteran Association.
HENRY A. ALEXANDER.
HENRY A. ALEXANDER, son of James A. and Jerusha M. (Skinner) Alexander,
was born in Foxboro, Mass., on the 20th day of January, 1824. He
attended the district school of that town in his youth, and subsequently
attended school in Natick, Mass. He afterwards learned the business of a
rubber worker, which calling he still follows.
He enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 25,
1862, and was mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. Owing to failing
health he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps Sept. 30, 1863.
On his return from the army he located in his native town (Foxboro), and
is an honored member of E. P. Carpenter Post, No. 91, of the Department
of Massachusetts, Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member of
Fair Oaks Commandery No. 20, of Natick, Mass. He is also connected with
Battery H Veteran Association.
HORACE C. BRIGGS.
HORACE C. BRIGGS, son of Silas and Robey Briggs, was born in the town of
Pittsfield, Oswego County, State of New York, on the 12th day of May,
1829. His grandfather, Joseph Briggs, served in the Continental Army in
the Revolutionary War. During his youth the subject of our sketch
attended the district school in his native town.
Comrade Briggs enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, Sept. 9, 1862. During a portion of his term of service he was
on detached duty as an orderly for Lieut.-Col. J. Albert Monroe, of the
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, who was chief of artillery of the
Second Army Corps. He was mustered out of service with his battery at
Providence, R. I., June 28, 1865.
Comrade Briggs is a member of E. B. Piper Post, No. 157, Department of
Massachusetts. He has served as junior and senior vice commander of his
post, and is held in high esteem by his fellow townsmen of Walpole,
Mass., where he now resides. He is also a member of Battery H Veteran
Association.
ROSTER.
Captains.
CHARLES H. J. HAMLIN. First lieutenant and quartermaster, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery, Oct. 3, 1861; promoted to captain, Battery
H, May 16, 1862; never mustered; resigned, Sept. 27, 1862.
JEFFREY HAZARD. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; second lieutenant, Battery A,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 5, 1861; promoted to
first lieutenant and regimental adjutant; captain, Battery H, Oct.
1, 1862; resigned, Aug. 17, 1863.
CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR. Mustered Oct. 1, 1863; second lieutenant, Battery
G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Nov. 7, 1861; first
lieutenant, Nov. 18, 1862; wounded May 3, 1863, at Fredericksburg;
appointed regimental adjutant; acting adjutant-general, Artillery
Brigade, Sixth Corps; captain, Battery H, Sept. 30, 1863; brevet
major, April 2, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service before
Petersburg, Va.; brevet lieutenant-colonel, June 12, 1865;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
First Lieutenants.
CLEMENT WEBSTER. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; resigned Feb. 7, 1863.
CHARLES F. MASON. Mustered Oct. 15, 1862; second lieutenant, Battery
A, First R. I. Light Artillery, Dec. 24, 1861; first lieutenant,
Oct. 1, 1862; transferred to Battery H, Oct. 15, 1862;
subsequently appointed aide on Colonel Tompkins’s staff; resigned
April 21, 1864.
GEORGE W. BLAIR. Mustered Feb. 6, 1863; private, First Rhode Island
Light Battery, May 2, 1861; discharged Aug. 6, 1861; sergeant,
Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861;
first sergeant, Dec. 2, 1861; discharged Feb. 6, 1863; first
lieutenant, Battery I, to date from Feb. 2, 1863; battery never
organized; first lieutenant, Battery H, April 23, 1863; resigned
April 29, 1864.
WALTER M. KNIGHT. Mustered April 8, 1863; quartermaster-sergeant,
Battery F, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 29, 1861;
second lieutenant, Battery H, March 11, 1863; first lieutenant,
April 22, 1864; brevet captain, April 2, 1865, for gallant and
meritorious services before Petersburg, Va.; mustered out of
service, June 28, 1865.
ALLEN HOAR. Mustered Aug. 24, 1864; private, Battery G, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery, Dec. 2, 1861; sergeant, June 9, 1862;
wounded slightly Sept. 17, 1862, at battle of Antietam, Va.;
second lieutenant, May 14, 1863; first lieutenant, Battery H, Aug.
17, 1864; mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
Second Lieutenants.
KIRBY STEINHAUER. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant, Battery G, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Dec. 2, 1861; second lieutenant,
Battery H, June 4, 1862; first lieutenant, Battery D, Feb. 8,
1863; resigned April 19, 1864, on account of disability.
ELMER L. CORTHELL. Mustered about Oct. 30, 1862; private, Battery A,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; transferred to
Battery F, Oct. 31, 1861; sergeant, Oct. 31, 1861; second
lieutenant, Battery H, Oct. 11, 1862; first lieutenant, Battery G,
Nov. 6, 1863; captain, Battery D, Oct. 21, 1864; mustered out of
service July 17, 1865.
WALTER M. KNIGHT. See first lieutenant.
BENJAMIN H. CHILD. Mustered Jan. 8, 1864; private, Battery A, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; slightly wounded July
21, 1861, at battle of Bull Run; corporal, July 16, 1863; wounded
slightly in head at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; sergeant,
Sept. 12, 1862; wounded severely in shoulder at battle of
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; second lieutenant, Battery H, Nov. 6,
1863; mustered Jan. 8, 1864; resigned Nov. 23, 1864, on account of
wounds.
SAMUEL G. COLWELL. Mustered Nov. 11, 1863; sergeant, Battery H, Oct.
14, 1862; second lieutenant, Nov. 6, 1863; transferred to Battery
A, Nov. 14, 1863; resigned April 15, 1864, for physical
disability.
ANTHONY B. HORTON. Mustered Dec. 20, 1864; private, Battery B, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861; corporal, March 25,
1862; sergeant, Dec. 1, 1862; re-enlisted, Feb. 8, 1864; first
sergeant, Oct. 3, 1864; discharged, Dec. 19, 1864; second
lieutenant, Battery H, to date from Nov. 29, 1864; mustered, Dec.
20, 1864; brevet first lieutenant, April 2, 1865, for gallant and
meritorious services before Petersburg, Va.; mustered out of
service June 28, 1865.
WILLIAM B. WESTCOTT. Mustered May 1, 1864; private, Battery G, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Dec. 2, 1861; sergeant, Dec. 2,
1861; quartermaster-sergeant, June 9, 1862; second-lieutenant,
Battery H, April 26, 1864; first lieutenant, Battery B, March 2,
1865; mustered out of service June 12, 1865.
GEORGE LEWIS. Enlisted as private in Battery E, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, Sept. 24, 1861; mustered Sept. 30, 1861; wounded
slightly May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.; lance corporal,
May 29, 1863; corporal, Sept. 4, 1863; re-enlisted, Feb. 1, 1864;
lance sergeant, April 9, 1864; sergeant, Oct. 20, 1864, to date
from Oct. 4; second lieutenant, March 31, 1865; assigned to
Battery H, May 29, 1865; never reported or mustered as such;
mustered out June 14, 1865.
First Sergeants.
GEORGE MESSINGER. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; private, Battery A, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; transferred and
promoted to first sergeant, Battery H, July 8, 1862; appointed
company clerk; reënlisted Jan. 4, 1864; mustered out of service
June 28, 1865.
JACOB B. LEWIS. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant, Battery
B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861; discharged
Dec. 11, 1861; first sergeant, Battery H, Oct. 14, 1862; mustered
out, June 28, 1865.
CHARLES E. BONN. Mustered as corporal, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant; first
sergeant; second lieutenant, Battery D, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, April 26, 1864; first lieutenant, April 3, 1865;
breveted captain; mustered out of service July 17, 1865.
JOHN EVANS. Mustered as private, Jan. 6, 1863; first sergeant;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 1ST. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal;
sergeant; first sergeant in December, 1864; mustered out as such
June 28, 1865.
Quartermaster-Sergeants.
JENCKES B. STEVENS. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; mustered out of service
June 28, 1865.
HEZEKIAH POTTER. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862;
quartermaster-sergeant, March 28, 1864; second lieutenant, Battery
E, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 21, 1864; mustered
Nov. 11, 1864; first lieutenant, June 12, 1865; mustered out of
service June 14, 1865.
ALBERT F. ALLEN. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862;
quartermaster-sergeant, Oct. 21, 1864; mustered out of service
June 28, 1865.
Sergeants.
THOMAS W. SAYLES. Mustered as private, Battery A, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; transferred to Battery H and
appointed sergeant, Aug. 21, 1862; first lieutenant, Troop D,
Third Rhode Island Cavalry, Dec. 16, 1863; captain, Troop H, Dec.
26, 1864; mustered out of service Nov. 29, 1865.
SAMUEL G. COLWELL. See second lieutenant.
GEORGE P. CARPENTER. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862; died in
hospital at camp near Fairfax Station, Va., March 1, 1863.
FRANKLIN P. BURLINGAME. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862;
subsequently ordered on detached service in adjutant-general’s
office, war department, Washington, D. C., remaining there until
June 28, 1865, when he was appointed to a clerkship in
adjutant-general’s office.
CHARLES DE WOLF GIBSON. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; promoted to sergeant
in November, 1862; discharged from battery Nov. 2, 1863, to
receive promotion as second lieutenant, Fourteenth Rhode Island
Heavy Artillery (colored). Never mustered as such.
ALFRED M. TAYLOR. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant; first
lieutenant, Company I, Fourteenth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery
(colored), March 9, 1864; dismissed the service, Dec. 29, 1864.
ESEK S. OWEN. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal, August,
1862; sergeant in 1864; wounded slightly in action near
Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865; mustered out of service June 28,
1865.
BENJAMIN CARTER. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
THOMAS SMITH. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant; mustered
out of service June 28, 1865.
GARDNER L. BENNETT. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
APOLLOS SEEKELL. Veteran; mustered as private in Battery H, Feb. 9,
1864; sergeant; mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
JAMES H. RHODES. Mustered as corporal, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
EMULOUS A. CHEEVER. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal in
1863: sergeant, Nov. 6, 1863; mustered out of service June 28,
1865.
ORVILLE BALCOM. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal;
sergeant; mustered out of service, June 28, 1865.
JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 1ST. See first sergeant.
Corporals.
HENRY C. BROWN. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; mustered out of service June
28, 1865.
JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 1ST. See first sergeant.
JAMES H. RHODES. See sergeant.
CHARLES E. BONN. See first sergeant.
WELLINGTON P. DOLLOFF. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; discharged Feb. 3,
1863, on surgeon’s certificate at Emory Hospital, Washington, D.
C.
HIRAM A. CAREY. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; mustered out of service June
28, 1865.
GILBERT MORTIMER THAIN. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; discharged Dec. 5,
1862, on surgeon’s certificate.
JAMES C. ENGLEY. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; discharged Dec. 15, 1862, to
receive promotion as second lieutenant in Fifth Rhode Island Heavy
Artillery. Resigned April 21, 1863.
WILLIAM H. SPRINGER. Mustered as private Oct. 15, 1862; promoted
corporal in 1863: absent sick in hospital since May 30, 1864;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
EMULOUS A. CHEEVER. See sergeant.
MICHAEL CROGAN. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal in 1864;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
EARL FENNER. Enlisted as private in Battery C, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, Aug. 25, 1861; discharged on surgeon’s
certificate, Dec. 15, 1861; enrolled as private in Battery H,
Sept. 24, 1862; mustered Oct. 14, 1862; bugler; corporal,
November, 1862; mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
HURBERT OCHEE. Mustered as private, Feb. 10, 1864; corporal; mustered
out of service June 28, 1865.
FRANKLIN E. PAUL. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal, 1865;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
ISAAC BRIGGS. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal; mustered
out of service June 28, 1865.
ALEXANDER GILLELAND. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
ORVILLE BALCOM. See sergeant.
WILLIAM BOYER. Mustered as private, Dec. 31, 1862; corporal; deserted
Nov. 26, 1863.
ISAAC P. NOYES. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal; mustered
out of service June 28, 1865.
JOB RANDALL. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal; mustered
out of service June 28, 1865.
MARVIN RYAN. Veteran; mustered as private, Feb. 23, 1864; corporal;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 2D. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal;
wounded severely, April 2, 1865, in action before Petersburg, Va.;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
Buglers.
CHARLES P. MARSH. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; transferred to Veteran
Reserve Corps Aug. 13, 1864.
THOMAS J. GOFF. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; died in hospital at Fairfax
Station, Va., Feb. 1, 1863.
ROBERT H. COKELEY. Mustered as private, Nov. 3, 1863; discharged Dec.
11, 1864, on surgeon’s certificate.
CHARLES S. STRINGER. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; bugler;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.
EARL FENNER. See corporal.
FRANK DAWSON. Mustered as private, Feb. 23, 1864; bugler; mustered out
of; service June 28, 1865.
Artificers.
SAMUEL T. ALLEN. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; mustered out of service, June
28, 1865.
THOMAS CARTER. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; killed April 2, 1865, in action
near Petersburg, Va.
LEON ALLISON. Enlisted as a landsman in the United States Navy in
1841; served on United States man-of-war _Delaware_, and honorably
discharged on expiration of term of service; mustered as an
artificer in Battery H, Oct. 14, 1862; mustered out of service
June 28, 1865.
GEORGE E. TRACY. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; artificer; died
in General Hospital at Fairfax Seminary, near Fort Worth, Va.,
Sept. 1, 1863.
Privates.