USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume III > Part 12
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32 BISCO, HIRAM R. Son of Roswell Bisco, was born in Spencer May 30, 1845. Enlisted as private in Co. F, 60th Mass. Vols., mustered in July 20, 1864, mustered out at expira- tion of service Nov. 30, 1864. Has been in the West several years. He was living at Wichita, Kansas, in 1902.
33 BLANCHARD, LOUIS. Bootmaker, aged twenty-six. . Enlisted March 24, 1864, as private in Co. C, 57th, Mass. Vols., was mustered in April 6, 1864, discharged to date Jan. 3, 1865 to complete his military record under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 5, 1864.
34 BLODGETT, FREDERICK W. Married, farmer, aged forty-four. Enlisted July 20, 1863, as private in Co. B, 2d Mass. Hy. Art., mustered in July 28, 1863, discharged May 25, 1865. General order 27 Hd. Qrs., N. C. He again enlisted in the 2d New Hampshire Vols., died April 7, 1869 and was buried in the old cemetery.
35 BOERNS, JOHN. Unassigned recruit, single, age 29, mechanic, lived at Worcester, but credited to Spencer, enlisted Aug. 3, 1863, mustered in the same day and DESERTED Sept. 24, 1863.
36 BONNEY, FREDERICK. Single, age 20, bootmaker, enlisted Dec. 1, 1863, as private in Co. A, 4th Mass. cavalry, mustered in Dec. 26, 1863, DESERTED Feb'y 3, 1864.
37 BOHNART, JACOB. Private, Co. I, 6th Mass. Vols. Shoemaker, 26, single, Spencer. Enlisted May 24, 1861 ; mus- tered in May 24th, 1861. Re-enlisted Feb. 11, 1864, and credited to Roxbury. Transferred to Co. C, 11th Mass. Vols. May 20, 1864 ; mustered out July 14, 1865.
38 BOULET, FORTUNA. Private Co. G, 57th Mass. Vols. Bootmaker, 18, single, Spencer. Enlisted March 7, 1864,. mustered in March 10, 1864. Discharged, disabled, May 30, 1865.
39 BOURDAGES, REMI. Single, age 21, mechanic, en- listed Aug. 19, 1862, as private in Co. F, 42d Mass. Vols. Mus- tered in Sept. 30, 1862, mustered out Aug. 20, 1863.
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40 BOWMAN, HENRY H. Married, age 21, bootmaker, enlisted July 17, 1862, as corporal in Co. E, 34 Mass. Vols. Mustered in July 31, 1862, mustered out May 25, 1865.
41 BOYD, CHENEY P. Single, age 29, farmer, enlisted July 19, 1861, as private in Co. K, 21st Mass. Vols. Mustered in same date. Discharged for disability Jan'y 13, 1863. Buried at Pine Grove cemetery.
42 BOYD, JAMES O. Private, Co. C, 19th Mass. Vols. Enlisted Aug. 24, 1861. " Never joined for duty." Private Co. F, 42d Mass. Vols., mechanic, age 22, single, Spencer. Enlisted Aug. 18, 1862, mustered in Sept. 30, 1862. Discharged for disa- bility Nov. 18, 1862.
43 BOYDEN, CHARLES A. Was born August 13, 1843, in Spencer. He entered the service at Readville, Mass., Aug.
HENRY BEMIS.
GEO. E. CLARK.
18, 1862, as a private in Co. F., 42d Regt. Mass. Vol. Infantry, and was discharged at Readville, Mass., Aug. 20, 1863, by reason of expiration of term of service. His most intimate com- rades in the service were Charles H. Allen, George Mann and George Stone.
The most important event occurring in his service was the capture of five rebel spies. Now an auctioneer, resides at Spencer.
44 BOYNE, JOHN. Unassigned recruit. Private, age 23. Spencer. Mustered in June 9, 1864. Never joined regiment. Luther Hill's purchase for the town.
45 BOYNES, EDMUND. Private Co. E. 34th Mass. Vols., bootmaker, age 21, single. Enlisted July 19, 1862. Mustered in July 31, 1862. DESERTED May 4, 1863.
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46 BOYNES, LEVI D. Private Co. K, 10th Mass. Vols. Born at Holden, Mass. Teamster, age 18, single. Enlisted June 14, 1861. Mustered in June 21, 1861. Mustered out July 1, 1864. In 1875 resided at Springfield, brakeman on freight train. Deceased, buried at Pine Grove Cemetery.
47 BROSHER, JOHN H. Private Co. C., 2d Heavy Artillery, engraver, age 37, married, Boston, credited to Spencer. Enlisted June 9, 1864. Mustered in June 9, 1864. Mustered out Sept 3, 1865.
48 BROOKS, JOHN. Unassigned recruit. Private, age 22, Spencer. Mustered in June 9, 1864. Never joined Regiment. 39 BROWN, CLARENCE E. Private Co. A, 4th Mass. Cav., bootmaker, age 18, single, Spencer. Enlisted Dec. 4, 1863. Mustered in Dec. 26, 1863. Discharged disabled May 10, 1864.
50 BROWN, WALTER R. Private, Co. E, 34th Mass. Vols., boot clerk, age 22, single, Spencer. Enlisted July 19, 1862. Mustered in July 31, 1862. Prisoner of war. Discharged June 1, 1865. Died at Royalston, July 2, 187 (-). Buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Hubbardston.
51 BROWN, WILLIAM. Was born the 11th day of June, 1837, in Worcester. He entered the service Feb. 4, 1864, as a private in Co. C, 57th Mass. Vols., and was discharged at Portsmouth Grove, R. I., Oct. 12, 1865. Wire-drawer.
52 BROWNING, AUGUSTUS S. Private Co. F, 60th Mass. Vols., 18, Spencer. Mustered in July 20, 1864 ; mustered out at expiration of service, Nov. 30, 1864. He was born in Rutland, March 28, 1847. Died at Providence, R. I., Nov. 10, 1890, where he was buried. He left a widow and two children. He was a tailor's cutter by occupation.
53 BROWNING, CHARLES D. Private, Co. H, 10th Mass. Vols. Bootmaker, 18, single, Spencer. Enlisted June 21, 1861 ; mustered in June 21, 1861 ; discharged, disabled, Dec. 26, 1862. First sergeant, Co. M, 1st Mass. Cav. Enlisted Jan. 5, 1864 ; mustered out as sergeant-major, June 2, 1865. He was born in Rutland, Sept. 27, 1841. After the war he settled in Chicago, and followed the trade of tailoring. He died Nov. 28, 1892, his body being brought to Rutland for interment in the family burial lot.
54 BULLARD, AMASA B. Son of Dexter Bullard, private Co. K, 10th Mass. Vols. Bootmaker, age 23, single, Spencer. Enlisted June 14, 1861. Mustered in June 21, 1861. Mustered out July 1, 1864. He was born in Spencer, March 7, 1839. Deceased, buried in Old cemetery.
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55 BULLARD, LEWELLYN. Corporal Co. A, 1st Batt. Cavalry, age 21, Spencer. Mustered in Dec. 30, 1864. Mustered out June 30, 1865. Expiration of service.
56 BOULEY, ELIXIE. Was born at Montreal, Canada. He was a private in Co. C, 21st Mass. Vols., shoemaker, age 24, single, Spencer. Enlisted July 30, 1861. Mustered in Aug. 23, 1861. Discharged for disability Dec. 10, 1862. Mustered in to V. R. C., Sept. 3, 1864. Credited to Oxford. Discharged Nov. 17, 1865, termination of service. Now living at Worcester.
57 BURGESS, JAMES T. Private, Co. F, 60th Mass. Vols., age 20, Spencer. Mustered in July 20, 1864. Expiration of service, Nov. 30, 1864.
58 BURKE, THOMAS. Private, 25th Mass. Vols. Un- assigned recruit; boiler maker, age 19, East Boston, credited to Spencer. Enlisted June 13, 1864. Mustered in June 13, 1864. Discharged by special order No. 47, March 20, 1865.
59 BUTLER, RENSSELAER. Private, Co. E, 34th Mass. Vols., farmer, age 31, married, Spencer. Enlisted July 19, 1862. Mustered in July 31, 1862. Mustered out June 16, 1865. Went west and settled in Kansas.
60 CAIN, HENRY. Was born June 5th, 1840, in Spen- cer. He entered the service at Worcester, Aug. 23, 1861, as a private in Co. C, 21st Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf., and was dis- charged at Boston, Aug. 30, 1864, his term of service having expired.
Aug. 24, 1861, he was promoted to corporal which rank he held when discharged.
The first battle in which he engaged was Roanoke Island. Subsequently he participated in the battles of Newberne, Cam- den, Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Freder- icksburg, Blue Springs, Campbell's Station, Knoxville, Fort Sanders, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Bethesada Church, Petersburg, and Battle of the Mine.
He was slightly wounded at the battle of Camden, N. C., April 19, 1862, and again at Knoxville, Nov. 24, 1863.
He had no special comrades, but was on good terms of fellow- ship with all.
61 CAPEN, HIRAM E. Private, Co. F, 42d Mass. Vols. Farmer, 19, single, Spencer. Enlisted Aug. 18, 1862; mustered in Sept. 30, 1862; mustered out Aug. 20, 1863. Lives at Brook- field.
62 CARNEY, THOMAS. Farmer, was born at Fathord, Ireland, Aug. 1, 1833. He enlisted as private in Co. H, 10th Mass. Vols., June 21, 1861. Died at Columbia College Hospital, Washington, D. C., Aug. 30, 1861. He was the first soldier of
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
the regiment to die. He was said to have been an excellent soldier, and his death was deeply regretted by his comrades. He left a wife and three children residing in Spencer.
63 CHAFFIN, WINSLOW.
Private, Co. G, 3d Mass. Heavy Art. Bootmaker, 21, single, Spencer. Enlisted July 10, 1863 ; mustered in July 10, 1863 ; discharged for disability, Feb. 16, 1864.
64 CHAMBERLIN, SILAS T. Private, Co. K, 10th Mass. Vols. Bootmaker, 28, married, Spencer. Enlisted June 14, 1861 ; mustered in June 21, 1861 ; mustered out July 1, 1864.
65 CHENETTE, HENRY. Private, Co. A, 4th Mass. Cav. Bootmaker, 19, single, Spencer. Enlisted Dec. 1, 1863 ; mustered in Dec. 26, 1863 ; DESERTED Feb. 13, 1864.
66 CHENEY, GEORGE F. Private, Co. G, 10th Mass. Vols. Mechanic, 21, single, Spencer. Enlisted June 21, 1861 ; mustered in June 21, 1861; discharged for disability, Oct. 30, 1862. Mustered in V. R. C., credited to Worcester, Sept. 9, 1864; dis- charged for disability Aug. 15, 1865.
67 CHICKERING, DWIGHT. Was born Aug. 6, 1841, at
Pomfret, Ct. He enlisted as a private in Co. E, 34th Mass. Vols.,
July 19, 1862. Was killed at the battle of Snicker's Ferry, Va., July 18, 1864. [State Record says "Snicker's Fort." See por- trait, page 54, this volume.
68 CHICKERING HENRY G. Brother of Dwight, was born at Pomfret, Ct., Jan. 4, 1840. He enlisted July 19, 1862, as a private in Co. E, 34th Mass. Vols. Taken prisoner Oct. 19, 1864, and paroled. He was lost off the transport "Gen. Lyon," May 2, 1865, on his way home. [See portrait, page 58, this vol.
69 CHALLY, HENRY H. Private, 25th Mass. Vols. ; unassigned recruit. Farmer, 22, single, Canada. Credited to Spencer. Enlisted June 15, 1864 ; mustered in June 15, 1864.
70 CLARK, GEORGE E. Was born Feb. 5, 1834. in Millbury. He entered the service July 21, 1861, as a private in Co. K, 10th Mass. Vols., and was discharged Sept. 3, 1865. on account of the war closing. State record says "discharged for disability. Nov. 26, 1862." The first battle in which he engaged was Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864. He also participated in the battles of Fair Oaks and Williamsburg. He was wounded at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864. He died at the Soldiers' Home in Washington, Feb. 18, 1900. Buried in Pine Grove cemetery.
71 CLARK, GEORGE PERRY. He was born the 14th day of December, 1841, in Spencer. He entered the service July 19, 1862, at Spencer as a private in Co. E, 34th Mass. Vols., and was
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discharged April 19, 1865, at the Dale General Hospital at Worces- ter, Mass .. for disability, having a compound fracture of the left leg. The first battle he engaged in was at Ripon, Va. Subsequent- ly he participated in the battles of Piedmont, Lynchburg, Snicker's Ford, Winchester, and Halltown. He was wounded Sept. 19, 1864, and confined in the field hospitals at Winchester, Sheridan, and Frederick, Md. His most intimate comrades in the service were LeRoy Hawes, J. H. Ward, Ira E. Lackey, Henry Bemis, and Walton Livermore. Now living at Spencer.
72 CLARK, HENRY B. Private, Co. E, 34th Mass. Vols. Teamster, 18, single, Spencer. Enlisted July 19, 1862; mustered in July 31. 1862; mustered out June 16, 1865. Now at Soldiers' Home. Chelsea.
73 CLARK, JOHN. Private, Co. I, 2d Mass. Vols. Boat- man. 22, Rondout. N. Y., credited to Spencer. Enlisted June 9. 1864; mustered in June 9, 1864; mustered out July 26, 1865, expi- ration of service.
74 CLINTON, GEORGE W. Private, 7th Batt. Lt. Art . 23. credited to Spencer; mustered in June 3, 1864. Never joined for service.
75 CLOUGNER, PALVA. Private, Co. H. 2d Mass. Cav. Laborer, 21, married. Spencer. Enlisted June 17, 1863; mustered in June 20, 1863. DESERTED July 10. 1863.
76 COBB, WILLIAM H. Private Co. K, 19th Mass. Vols., carpenter, aged thirty-four, married. Enlisted as a sharp- shooter March 15, 1865, mustered in same date, mustered out June 30, 1865. Soon after the war went to New Mexico to take charge of a saw mill; sent one letter home containing money for wife and child .. Has not been heard from since. His son, Nathan has become distinguished as a entomologist in Australia.
77 COLLIER, ANSON I. Born Sept. 27th 1836, in Rut- land. Entered service June 21, 1861, at Hampden Park, Spring- field, as a private in Co. K, 10th regiment, Mass. Vols. He was discharged Nov. 17, 1864 and immediately re-enlisted, to the credit of Boston. He was finally discharged Nov. 21, 1865 at Philadelphia, owing to the closing of the war. His first battle was the siege of Yorktown, Va. Subsequently he engaged in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, seven days' fighting in front of Richmond, including Mechanicsville, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, second Bull Run, Antietam and first and second Fredericksburg. He was wounded in the leg July 1, 1862, at Malvern Hill and again in both arms May 3, 1863, at Fredericks- burg. His wounds compelled his confinement in the hospital at Harrison's Landing from July 5th to Aug. 10th, 1862 and at Mt. Pleasant, Washington, from May 8 to Oct. 1, 1863. His most intimate associates in the army were: William Mason, Amasa
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Bullard, Patrick Kelly, Solomon K. Hindley and John Worth- ington. The most important events occurring in his experi- ences of war, he considers, were the Peninsular Campaign and Burnsides' two battles at Fredericksburg, Va. Carpenter, resides in Spencer.
78 COLLINS, JOHN. Private, 7th battallion, Light Art., laborer, thirty-two, single, Boston, credited to Spencer. En- listed June 3, 1864, mustered in June 3, 1864. Never joined for service.
79 CONVERSE, HENRY. Private Co. E, 34th Mass. Vols., butcher, twenty-six, single, Spencer. Enlisted July 19, 1862, mustered in July 31, 1862, corporal Dec. 1, 1864, mus- tered out June 16, 1865. Now living at Rutland.
80 COONEY, JOHN. Private Co. H, 10th Mass. Vols., bootmaker, twenty-seven, single, Spencer. Enlisted June 14, 1861, mustered in June 21, 1861, discharged for disability Jan. 13, 1863.
81 CORBETT, JOHN. Private Co. E, 57th Mass. Vols., farmer, forty-two, single, from Spencer but credited to New" Braintree. Enlisted Jan. 22, 1864, mustered in Jan. 25, 1864. killed May 6, 1864, at the Wilderness, Va.
82 COTTON, GEORGE H. Private Co. C, 21st Mass. Vols., farmer, eighteen, single, Spencer. Enlisted July 23, 1861, mustered in Aug. 23, 1861, wounded April 19, 1862, transferred to 4th U. S. Cav. Oct. 23, 1862.
83 COWAN, HIRAM. Sergeant Co. F, 42d Mass Vols., mechanic, thirty-two, married, Spencer. Enlisted Aug. 18, 1862, mustered in Sept. 30, 1862, mustered out Aug. 20, 1863, went to North Adams.
.
84 CRANNY, TIMOTHY. - Sergeant Co. C, 21st Mass. Vols., bootmaker, twenty-six, married, Spencer. Enlisted July 23, 1861, mustered in Aug. 23, 1861, discharged for disability March 31, 1862.
85 CROOK, JAMES M. Born in England March 11, 1819 and was a cloth finisher by trade. He enlisted Dec. 3, 1863 as a private in Co. I, 2d Mass. Hy. Art. He died April 25, 1865, while at home on a furlough. At this time the thought had been given wide expression that the American soldier deserved a bet- ter burial place than the potter's field and the Spencer Selectmen acting on this sentiment, purchased a lot for twenty dollars in Pine Grove cemetery and placed the body of this soldier in his. long, home in accordance with the wishes of the people.
86 CROSBY, ISAIAH. Was born at West Brewster, Aug. 13, 1830. His father, Isaiah, was a sea captain and in his earlier
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years made frequent voyages to the West Indies, Liverpool and other places. He had two boys and not wishing them to go to sea removed into the interior and settled at Worcester, working with his boys in the wire mill of Washburn & Moen. From here Isaiah Jr. came to Spencer and worked as night hand in Myrick & Sugden's heavy rod inill and at the time was said to be the quickest and best all around man for that work ever em- ployed. Later he worked for J. R. & J. E. Prouty at their wire mill and from here, on the first call, enlisted for the war
ISAIAH CROSBY. Killed in Battle July 2d, 1862.
May 31, 1861, as a private in Co. H, 10th regiment Mass. Vols. He was killed at Malvern Hill, Va., July 2d, 1862.
The following letters illustrative of a soldier's life will be of interest to many. They were written by Isaiah and David Crosby to their sister, Laura A. Crosby, Brewster, Mass. and their mother, Mrs. Mary Crosby :
WASHINGTON, D. C., Camp Brightwood, Oct. 6, 1861. Dear Sister Laura :-
I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you and the rest of the folks, and know that you are well. I got a letter from my wife the same time I got yours. She is well
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and getting along first rate. The town gave me and the rest of the boys ten dollars, and pay my wife one dollar a week. I got paid off two months' pay-twenty-seven dollars. I can send home ten dollars a month. I don't think I ever shall get shot or get a chance to shoot anybody as we are building forts all the time and I think our regiment will go into one of them and stay there till after the war, but I hope not-rather fight than shovel. These forts are worse than state prisons. Got to go to meeting now.
Been to meeting ; have got a big meetinghouse, all out-doors. Have a nice bed-sometimes a board, sometimes ten acres of land in the open lot. We get coffee and bread for breakfast and soup most every day for dinner, tea and bread for supper, but I like it as well as I expected to when I enlisted. I get homesick a little once in a while. We have started to go to battle four or five times but never got a great ways. We are about seven miles from the enemy now, next to Maryland. Go into Maryland on picket guard once in five days. Like it first rate -- sit or lay down twenty-four hours beside the road and stop every team that comes along and search it.
I. C.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Camp Brightwood, Feb. 18, 1862. Dear Sister :-
I received your letter in due time and was very glad to hear from you. I am well and tough and in good spirits. Our band played last night and we gave nine hearty cheers and the same again this morning. They fired thirty-four guns at sunrise this morning from Fort Massachusetts. I had to shovel a good many days on that fort. I got a large box from Worcester. It was full of everything that was nice to eat. The town pays my wife one dollar a week and she hasn't spent a cent that I have sent' home. The town sent all the Spencer boys two shirts apiece. The government shirts are not large enough for a boy ten years old but I can get these on over my overcoat. The cloth cost three dollars a pair. Our old clothes have all been condemned and we have got to pay ninety cents for what we have worn them, and have got some new ones. They are sky blue felt over- coats and we have got dark blue frock coats. It is rain and mud here all the time for the last two months.
I have just had my dinner, rice and molasses. I have to lay down to write this letter, the old hut leaks so. I don't know as you can read it. Give my love to all and write again soon. Tell mother to give three cheers for Foote, three more for Burn- side and nine more for Fort Donnelson ; hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Grant. I will send you some papers once in a while. The
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boys feel good out here today over the great victory. I am go- ing to write to David now, so goodby.
I. C. May 24th, 1862.
Dear Mother :-
I am well and hearty and in camp on the road to Richmond, not over fifteen miles from that place with the army in front of us. Had some hard times since we left Yorktown. We are on the advance. Have a good deal of picket guard to do. We were the third company that crossed the river at Bottom Bridge yes- terday. May 23rd-Had a hard thunderstorm yesterday so I had to leave off writing. Can't write much now. Expect to advance soon. Been making bridges two or three days. I was on guard three days and two nights last week and it rained all the time. All I ask is my health and pleasant weather-that is a soldier's comfort. The closer we get to Richmond the better we feel, but after laying out in the rain and mud three or four days at a time it makes a man think of home, but it beats all that I don't take cold or get sick with my feet wet for a week at a time. I am well and hearty as I ever was. Last week I was out on a skirmish; came on to the enemy; got a shot at them ; they got one at us. The balls flew around my head and sounded like a swarm of bees but hurt none of us. Can go to Rich- mond in going eight miles cross lots. And we are all ready and willing to go. There is going to be a hard battle here or none at all, I can't guess which. Have to guess at everything. Can't tell fifteen minutes before we go into a fight whether we are go- ing or not. Can't write any more this time, so goodby. Send your letters to Fortress Monroe.
From I. C.
WORCESTER, July 20th, 1862.
Dear Sister :-
I take my pen in hand to inform you of the news that brings sorrow to every heart. As near as I can ascertain Isaiah is no more. He was wounded at the battle of July 1st in de- fense of his country before Richmond. He was shot in the breast, and I expect he was taken prisoner after he was shot for I see by the papers there was a man by the name of Crosby that died of his wounds July 2d. I saw it in the paper yesterday, and today Thomas and I went up to Spencer to see if we could hear anything about him, but could not. Mrs. Horace Prouty told ine that her husband wrote to her that Isaiah was shot in the breast and he helped carry him off the field to the hospital. I wrote to him to find out and let me know as soon as he could.
D. C.
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Copy of letter written by an officer in 1862 :--
"Isaiah Crosby, a private in Co. H, 10th Mass. Vols. died on the 2nd of July of a wound by a rifle ball in the breast while in the battle at Malvern. Hill. He was from Spencer and leaves a. wife to mourn his loss. In writing to her the painful news an officer in the company says:"
"While we are saddened by the death of our comrade we cannot but rejoice that he died while doing his duty bravely and. nobly. He has given his life to preserve our glorious Union,, has sealed his patriotism with his blood."
" He had left his home in his spirits' pride, With his wife's sweet word and blessing ; He stood with the valiant, side by side, His country's wrongs redressing."
87 CUMMINGS, JOSEPH L. Musician Co. H, 57th Mass. Vols., bootmaker, thirty-eight, married, Spencer. En- listed Dec. 18, 1863, mustered in Jan. 11, 1864, discharged Aug 8, 1865.
88 DANA, LOUIS. A French boy, eighteen years old when he enlisted in Company C; was born in Canada. He had not. been long in Spencer and could only imperfectly speak English .. But he was bright, intelligent, obedient and attentive to duty. He fell Mar. 14, 1862, at Newberne, N. C., in the charge made- by his company and three other companies of the 21st (A, B, C and H) on a reconnaissance inside the rebel entrenchments. The fog of the morning combined with the smoke of battle was so dense that it was impossible to see the enemy and General Reno at once ordered a reconnaissance by Colonel Clark, who sent Capt. Richardson with Co. C into the fog "to feel around and find out what was in there." Six brass field pieces of the enemy's were soon discovered apparently unsupported by infantry. The fact being soon reported to Colonel Clark, he directly followed with three other companies to the support of Co. C. On his first glance at the guns the Colonel ordered a charge upon them and took them, the gunners running away. During this charge a. severe and incessant firing was kept up on the left flank of the charging party and the loss from killed and wounded was large. This firing came from the rebel regiments (7th, 35th and 37th N. C.) at first concealed partly by the fog, partly by brush and by part of them being in a ravine. Meantime a light breeze had sprung up and the fog was gradually scattering away, revealing to both parties their relative numbers.
Captain Walcott, Co. B and his men had drawn one of the captured guns out of its embrasure, loaded it and turned it on the enemy. The whole force of the enemy charged and Colonel Clark, immediately seeing how greatly he was outnumbered, com -.
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manded his men to spring over parapet and retreat over the out- side of the work which they did. Not finding General Reno to report to him the rebel situation inside the works as revealed by liis reconnaissance but finding Colonel Rodman of the 4th R. I. and Colonel Hyland of the 8th Conn. with their regiments near and not engaged, Colonel Clark informed them how things stood and urged them to re-enter the works where he had entered them and take the enemy in flank. This they did in all possible haste. About the same time General Foster led the 25th Mass. to a charge upon the works in front and the enemy broke and fled. It was in this affair that Dana and several other enlisted men of the 21st were killed. At the outset Lieut. Frazer A. Stearns, acting adjutant, who was about to accompany Co. C, fell mortally wounded. General Burnside gave the gun, turned on the enemy, to the 21st and Colonel Clark with consent of all its officers gave it to Amherst College, of which the Colonel was a professor and Lieut Stearns a student. At the college, in the hallway of the chemical labratory, enclosed in a glass case and bearing a memorial of Lieut. Stearns and the name of Louis Dana of Spencer and seventeen others of the 21st, who were killed at Newbern, stands the gun, a brass field piece manufact- ured at Chicopee, Mass., for the United States government and stolen by the rebels at Fort Macon, N. C., the inscription upon it being graven into the brass at Chicopee by the original manu- facturers. The names of two other members of Co. C, though not front Spencer, are on that gun, Thomas Hurst of Leicester and William H. Williston of New Bedford.
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