History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 30

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 30

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Meetings for drill were held in the town-hall on Monday evenings, in which many a volunteer who afterwards did good service in the field received his first lessons in the school of the soldier. Donations of money, underclothing, etc., were solicited by a citizens' committee, and, during the first winter of the war, forwarded for distribution among the town's soldiers. In July, 1862, systematic measures were adopted for affording relief to the sick and wounded. Frequent public meetings kept enthusi-

asm from flagging. Seventeen three-years' men were demanded of the town, and were soon march- ing with the Thirty-fourth Regiment. It was voted, July 23d, to pay each recruit sworn in the sum of one hundred dollars. Twenty-one nine-months' men were called for in August, and entered the camp of the Fifty-third, under Lieut. Edward R. Washburn.

The Soldiers' Relief Association was formed Au- gust 27, 1862, with Mrs. Harriet W. Washburn, presi- dent, and Miss Elizabeth P. Russell, secretary and treasurer. It soon became a branch of the Sanitary Commission, held weekly meetings, which were uni- formly well attended, and quietly accomplished a vast amount of beneficent work.

In the calls of 1863 the town again offered one hundred dollars bounty in addition to that promised by State and national government, and her quota was quickly filled, most of the recruits being as- signed to the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-sixth Regi- ments. In 1864 the premium was raised to one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars, the maximum allowed by law, and sundry substitutes were hired. As news came from the great battle-fields one by one, Lancaster learned that her sons were doing their duty everywhere, and family after family mourned their unreturning brave. Capt. George L. Thurston , came from the battle-ground of Shiloh, his constitu- tion undermined by fatigue and exposure, to die among his kindred. Capt. Edward R. Washburn was brought from the bloody charge at Port Hudson with a shattered thigh, to die at home within a year. In the very last days of the struggle Col. Frank Washburn fell mortally wounded, while leading a desperate cavalry charge against an overwhelming force of the enemy at High Bridge.

The following is a complete roster of those who served for Lancaster :

Albee, John G., 53d (nine months), I ; 18; Oct. 18, '62; taken prisoner et Thibodeaux, La. ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Alexander, Nathaniel, 15th, C; 40; Dec. 17, '61 ; discharged for dis- ability Oct. 15, '62.

Atchinson, William, 28th, A ; 22; Ang. 10, '63 ; mustered out June 30, '65 ; a substitute for C. L. Wilder, Jr.

Ayers, John Curtis, 53d (nine months), I ; 25 ; Oct. 18, '62, as sergeant ; 2d lieut. May 22, '63; 1st lieut. July 2, '63 ; mustered ont Sept. 2, 1863.

Balcom, Charles H., 15th, C; 33; Dec. 14, '61 ; transferred to V. R. C. April 15, '64 ; re-enlisted ; mustered out Nov. 14, '65.

Ball, Heury F., 4th Cav., C; 24; Dec. 31, '63; hospital steward Sept., '64; mustered out Nov. 14, '65 ; credited to Clinton.

Bancroft, Frank Carter, alias Henry T. Colter, 8th New Hampshire, A ; 17 ; Oct. 25, '61 ; drummer ; wounded in ankle et Maryville, La., May, '63; re-enlisted ; ninstered ont Oct. 28, '65.

Barnes, Frank W., U. S. Navy ; enlisted Sept. 15, '62, on frigate " Min- nesota ; " discharged Sept., '63.

Barnes, George A., 16th, C; 18 ; corporal July 2, 'GI ; shot through foot end taken prisoner at second battle of Bull's Run, Va., Aug. 20, '62 ; discharged for wound Oct. 10, '62.

Beard, Jonas H., 25th, C; 25; Sept. 28, '61; re enlisted; wounded in hip at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, '64 ; mustered ont July 13, '65.

Bell, John, 2d Cav. ; 25; May 7, '64 ; unassigned recruit ; a non-resi- dent substitute.

Bigelow, William W., 25tb, D ; 21; Sept. 27, '61 ; teken prisoner in N. C. ; discharged for disability March 18, '63.

LANCASTER.

Bergman, Albert, 3d Cav. ; 26; July 2, '64 ; a non-resident substitute, Blood, Charles E., 34th, HI ; 21 ; Dec. 19, '63 ; transferred June 14, '65, to 21th, G; sergeant ; mustered out Jun. 20, '66.

Bridge, Jumes A., 34th, II ; Dec. 19, '63; shot ia forehead at Newmarket, Va., May 15, '64, and died of wound.

Brooks, Walter A., 53d (nine months), I ; 25 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; corporal ; died at Memphis, Tenn., Ang. 22, '63.

Brown, Jonas II., 34th, HI ; 11 ; July 31, '62 ; mustered out Juno 16, '65. Burbank, Levi B.,, 34th, IL ; 43 ; July 31, '62 ; discharged for disability Feb. 27, '64.

Burditt, Charles F., 36th ; 43 ; Dec. 26, '63 ; unassigned and rejected ve- eruit ; n veteran of the Florida war.

Burditt, Thomas E., 20th, D; 22; Sept, 4, 'GI; mastered ont Sept. 14, 1864.

Burke, James E., 21st, E ; 26 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; killed at Chantilly, Sept. 1, 1862.

Carr, Wilham D., 13th New Hampshire, G ; 40; Sept. 19, '62; corporal ; wounded by shell May 13, '64, and died of wound June 20, '64.

Chafee, George E., 53d (nine months), I; 35; Oct. 18, '62 ; taken pris- oner at Brashear City, La, June 20, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63. Chandler, Frank W., 53d (aine months), I ; 18; Oct. 18, '12 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Chaplin, Solon W., 34th, HI ; 38 ; July 31, '62 ; color corporal; killed at Piedmont, Va., June 5, '64, by aheil.

Clinton, Joseph, 2d, I ; 22; May 7, '64 ; mustered out July 14, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.

Cobb, William L., 31th, HI ; 22; 2d lieut. July 18, '62 ; Ist lieut. Aug. 23, '62 ; wounded in forehead at Ripon, Va., Oct. IS, '63; taken prisoner at Cedar Creek, Va , Oct. 13, '64; capt. Feb. 18, '65 ; mus- tered out May 15, '65, as Ist lieut.

Cobura, George B., 34th, H ; 18 ; July 31, '62 ; shot through foot, acci- dratally, before Petersburg, and discharged therefor May 16, '65. Coburn, Cyrus E., 5th (one hundred days), I ; 21 ; July 19, '64 ; mus- tered ont Nov. 16, '64.

Copeland, Joseph, 15th, D ; 21 ; April 29, '64 ; transferred to 20tb, E, July 27, '64; died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C., Dec. 21, '64 ; a aubstitute.

Coyle, John, 2d Cav., H ; 22; May 7, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.

Cutler, George W., 15th, C; 22; July 12, '61; shot through head at Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, '61.

Outler, Isaac N., 15th, C; 20; July 12, '61 ; severely wounded in left aukle at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, '62, and discharged therefor March 20, '63.

Cutler, Henry A., 530 (nine months), I ; 18; Oct. 18, '62 ; died at Baton Rouge, La., July 9, '63.

Dailey, James, 34th, HI ; 18 ; July 31, '62 ; mustered out June 16, '65.

Dumnou, Daniel M., 34th, H ; 25; July 31, '62 ; Ist sergt. ; taken pris- voer at Winchester Sept. 19, '64 ; 2d lient. May 15, '65 ; omstered out June 16,'65, as Ist sergt.

Davidson, Thomas H., 15th, A ; 25 ; July 12, '61 ; discherged for dis- ability April 25, '62.

Davis, George W., 13th Battery L. A .; 23; April 6, '64; mustered out July 28, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.

Day, Joseph N., 34th, H; 22; Jao. 4, '64 ; wounded in head at Win- chester, Va., Sept. 19, '64; transferred to 24th, G, Jane 14, '65, and to V. R. C. May 2, '65 ; diecharged July 25, '65.

Dillou, James, 34th, H ; 26 ; July 31, '62 ; discharged for disability April 7, '63, and died at home May 10, '63, of consumption.

Divoll, George W., 7th Battery L. A. ; 37; Jao. 5, '64 ; died at New Orleans, La., Sept. 21, '64 ; credited to Leominster.

Dupee, John, 33d, E ; 36; July 2, '64 ; transferred to 20, A, June 1, '65 ; minstered out July 14, '65 ; a non-resideot substitute.

Elden, Henry H., U. S. Signal Corps ; 23; Dec. 2, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.

Ellis, Warren, 15th, F ; 20 ; July 12, '61 ; wounded at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, '62 ; transferred to U. S. Sigual Corps Oct. 27, '63.

Fahay, Bartholet, 15th Unattached Co. (one hundred days) ; 21 ; July 29, '64 ; mustered out Nov. 15, '64.

Fairbanks, Francis HI., 15th, C; 25; July 12, '61 ; discharged for dis ability April 10, '62; re-ealisted io 34th, Il, July 31, '62 ; taken prisoner at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct., '64, and died at Salisbury, N. C., Jan. 4, '65.

Fairbanks, Charles T., Ist New Hampshire Inf. (three months), F ; 23; May 2, 'GI ; mustered out Aug. 9, '61 ; re-enliated in N. H. Batt. of N. E. Cav. Sept. 15, '62 ; sbot through body June 18, '63, and died the next day.

Farnsworth, Johu A., 34th, HI ; 18 ; July 31, '62; corporal; wounded 3}

in arm at Piedmont June 5, '64 ; discharged for disability Muy I8, 1865.

Farasworth, Franklin H., 15th, C; 19; July 12, '61 ; killed at Fair Daks, Va., May 31, '62.

Farnsworth, George W., 34th, 11 ; 18; Jan. 1, '62 ; wounded in head at Piedmont, June 5, '64 ; discharged for disability June 8, 145.

Farasworth, John E., 34th, 11 ; 18; July 31, '62; corporal ; wounded in leg at Newmarket May 15, '64; in arm and hip at Winchester Sept. 19, '64 ; mustered out Jane In, '65.

Farnsworth, William H., 7th, B ; June 15, '61.

Field, Edwin F., 21st, E ; 29; Aug. 23, 'GI ; sergt .; 20 lient. Dec. 18, '62; resigned May 8, '63.

Finnesey, James, 42d New York, K ; 21; corporal ; Ang. 9, 'G1 ; sergt., transferred to 59th N. Y. ; mustered out August 5, '64 ; died at In- dianapolis Oct. 10, '64.

Fisher, William 11., 53d (nine months), 1; 18; Oct. 18, '62 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Flagg, Albert, 53d, K ; Is ; Det. 17, '62 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Flagg, Charles B., 34th, A ; 23; June 23, '62 ; mustered out June 16, 1865.

Fox, William L., 21st, E; 19; August 23, ^61 ; corporal; wounded in arm at Chantilly Sept. 1, '62; re-enlisted Jan. 2, '04 ; sergt. ; dis- charged as supernumerary Sept. 24, '64.

Fox, Thomas, 11th Battery L. A. ; 18; Dec. 23, '64 ; mustered out June 16, '65 ; a substitute.

Frary, Oscar, 53d (nine months), I; 30; Oct. 18, '62; died at Baton- Rouge, La., July 28 ; '63.

Fuller, Edward M., 34th, F ; 20; corporal; Aug. 9, '62; appointed capt. ia 39th U. S. C. T. March 21, '64; maj. U. S. C. T. June 1, '65 ; mustered out P. c., '65 ; wounded in head at Petersburg July 30, '64.

Fury, Michael, 34th, H ; 26 ; July 31, '62 ; wounded in leg at Piedmont June 5, '64 ; mustered out August 6, '65.

Goodwin, John, 2d Cavalry, L; 18; Sept. 13, '64; a non-resident sub- stitute.

Gould, John, U. S. Navy ; enlisted August, '62, on supply steamer " Rhode Island."

Gray, Stephen W, 34th, H ; 30; July 31, '62; died at Martinsburg, Va., April 2, '64.

Gray, James M., 15th, C; 23; July 12, 'Gl ; discharged for disability Feb. 16, 163.

Hardy, George II., 21st, D ; 21 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; corporal ; wounded in leg at Roanoke Island Feb. 7, '62; re-enlisted Jao. 2, '64, and trans- ferred to 36th, I ; wounded in body at Petersburg, Va., June 1, '64 ; transferred to 56th June 8, '65; mustered out July 12, '65 ; credited to Harvard and Leominster.

Rarriman, Harris C., 53d (nine months), I ; 33 ; Oct. 18, '62; wounded by shell io leg at Port Hudson, La., June 14, '62 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Haynes, John C., 36th, G ; 29 ; Jan. 2, '64 ; died at Camp Nelson, Ky., March 19, '64.

Hills, Thomas Angustus, 53d (nine months), C; 21; Nov. 6, '62 ; mus- tered out Sept. 2, '63 ; enlisted in 5th (one hundred days) July 22, '64 ; mustered ont Nov. 16, '64, as sergt ; credited to Leominster .

Hodgman, Oren, 34th, C; 19; July 31, '62; taken prisoder at New- market, Va., May 15, '64, and died at Charleston, S. C., Sept. 30, 1864.

Horan, Fordyce, 15th, A ; 20; Dec. '24, '61 ; transferred to Ist U. S. Artillery, Co. I, Nov. 17, '62; died at Washington Nov. 3, '64.

Hosley, Henry H., 15tb, C; 18; July 12, '61 ; transferred Nov. 12, '62, to Ist U. S. Artillery, I; mustered out July 12, '64; credited to Townsend.

Hunting, Albert G., 16th, B ; 19; July 2, '61 ; killed at Fair Oaks Jude 25, '64 ; credited to Holliston.

Hunting, Joseph W., 16th, B; 22 ; July 2, '61 ; mustered out July 27, '64 ; credited to HIollistoa.

Hunting, Thomas A. G., 34th, H ; 45; July 31, '62; shot through the body and taken prisoner at Piedmont, Va., June 5, '64 ; discharged for dieability May 23, '65.

Jackson, David W., 53d (nine months), I; 33; Oct. 18, '62; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

James, John, 53d (nine months), I ; 21 ; Oct. 18, '62 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Johnsou, Adelbert W., 15th, C; 23; July 12, '61 ; discharged for dis- ability May, '62; enlisted io 53d, Nov. 6, '62, from Leominster ; wounded in knee at Port Hudson, La., and died at Baton Rouge July 11, '63.

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Joslyn, Edward R., 13th Illinois, B; 21 ; enlisted at Sterling, Ill., May 24, '61 ; taken prisoner May 17, '64, and died at St. Louis, Mo., April 13, '65.

Kelly, Martin, 60th New York, H; 20; eolisted at Ogdensburg, N. Y., Oct. 17, '61 ; corporal ; re-eolisted Dec. 14, '63 ; mustered out July 17, '65.

Kero, John, 2d Heavy Artillery ; 22; July 2, '64 ; a non-resident sub- stitute.

Keyes, Sumner W., 5th (one hinodred days), I ; 21; July 19, '64; mis- tered out Nov. 16, '64.

Keyes, Stephen A., 53d (nine months), K ; 1% ; Oct. 17, '62 ; died and huried at sea off Florida Ang. 10, '63.

Kilburo, Sumner R., 15th, C ; Is ; July 12, '61 ; re-colisted Feb. 18, '64 ; wounded in Wilderness, Va., May 6, '64, and died at Fredericksburg May 16, '64.

Kingsbury, Joseph W., 15th, A; 18 ; Aug. 1, '6] ; taken prisoner end discharged for disability Nov. 27, '62.

Kittredge, Solomon, 15th, C; 42 ; Dec. 17, '61 ; transferred May 1, '62, to V. R. C. ; re-enlisted July 1, '64; mustered out Nov. 14, '65.

Krum, Juhu, 35th, K; 24; June 29, '64; transferred to 29th, K, June 9, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.

Langley, James, 2d Cavalry ; 22; May 7, '64; a noo-resideot sub- stitute.

Lawrence, Sewell T., 23d, H ; 31 ; Oct. 5, '61 ; discharged for disability Aug. 11, '62 ; credited to Clinton.

Lawrence, Willard R., 15th, C; 28; July 12, 'Gl ; shot through hody aod killed at Ball's Bhiff, Va., Oct. 21, '61.

Leroy, Frank B., 57th, C; 18 ;_ Feb. 18, '64; mustered out June 22, '65 ; a noo-resideot substitute.

Mel'arroo, William, 3d Heavy Artillery, L ; 23 ; May 30, '64 ; discharged for disability Sept. 30, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.

Mckay, William S., 3d Cavalry, A ; 24; April 8, '64 ; sergt. ; sergt. major July 26, '65; mustered out Sept. 28, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.

McQuillao, Charles E., 2Ist, E ; 20; Ang. 23, 'G1 ; corporal ; wounded at Aotietam, Sept., '62 ; transferred to 2d U. S. Cavalry, K, Oct. 30, '62 re-enlisted in Hancock's U. S. Vet. Vols, Dec. 9, '64; mus- tered out Dec. 9, '65.

McRell, Ephraim, U. S. Navy ; 18; enlisted Aug. 2G, '63; served one year, chiefly on gunboat " Nipsic " in Charleston blockade.

McRell, William J., U. S. Navy ; 21 ; enlisted Aug. 12, '62; wounded by concussion of sbell Feb. 1, '63, at Stone Inlet, S. C .; taken prisoner.

Mabar, Dennis, 21st, B ; 21 ; Ang. 23, '61 ; discharged for disability Jan. 16, '63 ; claimed also Ly Clinton.

Mann, George C., 15th, F ; 21 ; July 12, '61 ; taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, '61 ; wounded in right leg at Gettysburg, July 2, '63 ; mustered out July 28, '64.

Matthews, David W., 31th, II ; 20; Sept. 19, '63 ; transferred to 21th June 14, '65 ; mustered out to date from Jan. 20, '66.

Matthews, George W., 34th, H : 18 ; Sept. 19, '63; wounded in leg at Newmarket, Va., May 15, '64 ; taken prisoner at Liberty, W. Va., June 17, '64, ond in Andersonville prisoo ; discharged for disability June I, '65.

Mayo, John, 2d, G : 24 ; July 2, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.

Mellor, William HI., 34th, H ; Is ; July 31, '62 ; transferred to V. R. C. Jan. 19, '65.

Miller, Fraok, 2d Heavy Artillery, A ; 27; July 2, '64; died at New Berne, N. C., May 12, '65; a non-resident substitute.

Moeglen, Joun Louis, 20th, A ; over 50 ; discharged for disability April 29, '62; enlisted in 2dl Cavalry, M, Feb. 2, '64; died Sept. 28, '64, of a bullet wound in Shenandoah Valley.

Mouyer, Joho, 2d Cavalry ; 35 ; Dec. 27, '04 ; a non-resident sub- stitute.

Moore, Joseph B., 53d (aine monthis), I ; 38; Oct. 18, '62; wounded in bead May 27, '63, at Port Hudson, La. ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Moore, Oliver W., V. R. C. ; 20; July 21, '64, on re-enlistment ; mus- tered out Nov. 17, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.

Moses, Robert R., 15th, C; 24 ; Dec. 17, '61 ; shot through lungs at An- tietam Sept. 17, and died Oct. 3, '62.

Murphy, William F., 32d, D; Sept. 7, '63 ; transferred to U. S. Navy May 3, '64 ; a non-resident substitute for E. W. Hosmer.

Neu, Louis, 2d Heavy Artillery, A ; 22 ; July 2, '64; died Nov. 22, '64, at Plymouth, N. C. ; a non-resident substitute.

Nourse, Byron II., 53d (nine months), 1 ; 24 ; Oct. 18, '62, as sergt; Ist sergt. Jan. 22, '63 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Nourse, Roscoe H., 53d (nine months), I; 22; Oct. 18, '62 ; drummer ; mustered out Sept. 2, '03 ; enlisted in 5th (one hundred days), E, July 22, '64 ; mustered out Nov., 16, '64.

Nourse, Henry S., 55th Illinois ; 30; enlisted in Chicago Oct. 23, '61 ; commissioned adjutant March 1, '62; capt. Co. H, Dec. 19, '62; commissary of musters 17th A. C. Oct. 24, '64 ; mustered ont March 29, '65.

Nourse, Frank E., 5Ist (nine months), C; 21 ; Sept. 25, '62; mustered out ,July 27, '63.

Nourse, Fred. F., 5th (one hundred days), E ; 21 ; July 22, '64, died at New Brunswick, N. J., Sept. 13, '64.

O' Brien, Michael, 28th, 23 ; May 7, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.

Ollis, John, Ist Heavy Artillery ; 18; corporal ; Dec. 3, '63 : wounded jo foot by shell at Petersburg, Va., June 22, '64 ; ninstered out July 31, '65.

Ollis, Luke, 21st, E; 19 ; Ang. 23, '61 ; transferred to 2d U. 8. Cav., Co. K, Oct. 23, '62 ; re-enlisted and died of wound in Shenandoah Valley Oct. 13, '64.

Otis, Edwin .A., 5Ist (nine months), C ; 19; Sept. 25, '62 ; mustered out July 27, '63.

Parker, Leonard II., 36th ; 21 ; Dec. 29, '63 ; mustered out June 8, '65. Parker, Henry J., 6th (three months), B; 25 ; June 19, '61 ; eolisted ia 33d, E, August 5, '62; Ist sergt. ; sergt .- maj. Feb. 18, '63; 2d lieut. March 29, '63; 1st lieut. July 16, '63 ; killed at Resaca, Ga., May I5, '64 ; credited to Townsenl.

Patrick, George H., 53d (mne months), I; 19; Oct. 18, '62 ; mustered out Sept. 2, '63 ; enlisted io 36th, G, Oct. 14, '64 ; transferred to 56th, E, June 8, '65; mustered out Ang. 7, '65.

Plaisted, Simon M., 51st (nine months), E ; 24; Sept. 25, '62; mustered out July 27, '63 ; enlisted io Ist Heavy Artillery, F, Ang. 15, '64, corporal ; mustered out June 28, '65.

Pierce, William D., 5th (nine months), I ; 23; Sept. 16, '62 ; mustered out July 2, '63 ; credited tu Bolton.

Pierce, Frank E., 21st, E; 20; Aug. 23, '#1 ; transferred to 2d U. S. Cavalry, K, Oct. 23, '62; re-enlisted Feb. 29, '64.

Pierce, Edward, 35th, B; 21; June 29, '64; transferred to 29th, B, June !, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.

Priest, Henry S., 7th Battery L. A. ; 25; Jan. 4, '64 : discharged. Puffer, Charles, 26th, E ; 41 ; Ang. 9, '64 ; mustered out Aug. 26, '65. Putney, Henry M., 45th (nine months), F; Sept. 26, '62; shot through head at Dover Cross-Roads, N. C., April 28, '63.

Rice, Walter C., 53d (nine months), I ; 45; Oct. 18, '62; mustered ont Sept. 2, '63.

Richards, Ebenezer W., 21st, E; 35 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; killed at Freder- icksburg, Va., Dec. 13, '62, by a shell.

Richards, George K., 16th, C; 39; Nov. 25, 'il ; transferred to V. R. C. Aug. 11, '63 : re-enlisted Nov. 30, '64 ; nmustered out Nov. 14, '65. Robbins, William H., 21st, 1 ; 39; in band and mustered out Ang. 11, 1862.

Ross, William, 2d Cavalry, H ; 27 ; May 7, '64; a non-resident substi- tute.

Rugg, James, 53d (nine months), K ; 42; Det. 17, '62; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.

Rugg, llenry H., 15th, C; 21; July 12, '61 ; wounded io shoulder at Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, '61, and discharged therefor May 1, '62; enlisted in 5ud (nine months) Oct. 17, '62, and in 42d (one hundred days) July 22, '64 ; mustered out June 16, '65.

Sawtelle, Edwio, 53d (nine months), I; 24; Oct. 18, '62; mustered ont Sept. 2, '63.

Sawyer, Oliver B., 21st, E ; 21 ; Aug. 23, '61 ; discharged for disability June 30, '62; enlisted in 40th, B, Aug. 22, '62; nmstered out June 10, 1865.

Schumaker, William, 4th Cavalry, E; 21; Jan. 27, '64; died a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 13, '64.

Sheary, Patrick, 34th, II ; 28; Jan. 5, '61; transferred to 24th, Co. G, June 14, '65; mustered out Jan. 20, '66.

Sinclair, Charles H., 2Ist, E ; 21 ; Aug. 23, 'GI ; Killed at New Berne, N. C., March 14, '62; credited to Leominster.

Smith, John, 28th, D ; 23; May 5, '64 ; minstered out June 15, '65 ; a non-resident substitute.

Smith, William, 28th : 25; May 7, '64 ; a non-resident substitute.

Smith, William, 13th Battery L. A. ; 22; April 8, '64; mustered out July 28, '65.

Sweet, Caleh W., 23d, H; 23; Sept. 28, '61 ; re-enlisted Dec. 3, '63 ; wounded and taken prisoner at Drewry's Bluft, Va., May 16, 64, and died at Richmond Aug. 3, '64.

42a

LANCASTER.

FRANCIS WASHBURN.

In the month of April, 1838, Johu M. Washburn, then a merchant on the eve of retiring from business, removed from Boston to Lancaster, and in the July following his third son, Francis, was born. Bringing into his life and character, as an inheritance from his Puritan ancestors, an integrity of purpose and an in- domitable will, it seemed from his childhood that he was born to be a leader of men. Of a nature somewhat reserved, though deeply imbued with the spirit of tenderness for a few, his boyhood was not one of numerous friendships, nor was he in manhood a seeker for popular favor. From the academy of his native town he went, at the age of sixteen years, to serve a regular term in the Lawrence Machine Shop, that he might know his work from the beginning and become a master of the details of practical en-, gineering. From Lawrence he went to the Scientific School at Cambridge, and in 1859 to the famous school of mining and engineering at Freiburg, in Saxony. He became an accomplished student in these subjects, determined to fully equip himself for the important positions which were already awaiting his acceptance on his return. Jesse Boult, of San Fran- cisco, who was one of his fellow-students at Freiburg, says of him that he was regarded then as a young man of the highest intellectual powers, and sure of a very brilliant future.

When, in 1860-61, the storm that now seems so far from us, began to blacken in our civil sky, he wrote " I must hasten my return. If the war comes I shall sail at once." When the storm broke upon the country he said, " I will take a commission if it is offered; I will go as a private soldier at all events." He came home to find a commission already promised, but also to find that his father was languishing in tatal dis- ease, which was rapidly hastening towards its termina- tion. Restrained, therefore, by filial solicitude and duty, from immediately proceeding to the field, he now studied the arts of war with the same fidelity with which he had devoted himself to those of peace.

In December, 1861, his commission came, and with it orders to proceed at once to duty. His only regret in receiving it was that it came one day too late to receive his father's sanction. Waiting only to pay the last tribute of honor and affection, he reported for duty and was mustered as a second lieutenant in the First Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry, then in camp at Reedville. The history of this distin- guished regiment is part of that of the war and ueed not be dwelt upon here.

He was successively captain in the Second, aud lieutenant-colonel iu the Fourth Cavalry, and, on the resignation of Colonel Rand, was, in February, 1865, commissioned as colonel, which position he held until and at the time of his death.

ployed in difficult and dangerous cavalry service, Colonel Washburn escaped any injury till his last engagement, and was seldom, if cver, off duty by reason of sickness. After the death of his brother, Captain Edward Richmond Washburn, who died of wounds received at the first assault on Port Hudson, La., he made two brief visits to his home. lle wax always considerate in asking leave of absence, feeling that such privileges were more valuable and more due to brother officers who had left wives and chil- dren behind them. Nor was he less considerate of the men under his command. At the time of his last visit he said earnestly and with a strong sense of justice : " If I die on the field, you must leave me there. The men in my regiment have just as much to live for as I have: their death will bring equal sorrow to their homes; the officer is no more than his men. Buried where they tell, so let it be with me."

He was mortally wounded in the brilliant and chivalrous engagement at High Bridge, Va., the last in the war, on April 6, 1865. This was one of those forlorn hopes, in which it became the duty of a small, well-disciplined and gallant band to make a stand against the flower of the Confederate Army, in its retreat from Richmond. The orders were not wholly clear; but the purport of them was to hold back the retreating army to the last possible mo- ment.

Whether these orders were wisely and judiciously given may not now properly be inquired; but history tells that they were executed with a firmness and valor unsurpassed in the anuals of ancient or modern times. The odds were too great to be computed. Colonel Washburn charged the enemy with an intre- pidity and effectiveness which called out their ex- pressed admiration on the field and in their subse- quent accounts of the engagement. The orders were literally and fearlessly obeyed, and the enemy was held back till every officer of the command had been killed, wounded or made a prisoner. The courage and gallantry displayed in this action were noted by the highest officers of the army, and Colonel Wash- burn was, at the request of Lieutenant-General Grant, commissioned as a brevet brigadier-general for gallant and meritorious services.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 30

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576