USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > History of the town of Douglas, (Massachusetts,) from the earliest period to the close of 1878 > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment left the State April 18, 1864, and was mustered out July 30, 1865. During its term of service it took part in the following-named engagements : Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
350
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, and Hatcher's Run.
Of the five who enlisted in the Fifty-seventh from the town of Douglas but one returned. Henry Glover was killed at Cold Harbor, John N. Gaskell at Spottsylvania, David B. Curtis and Abner A. Lealand in the battle before Petersburg. Lewis Moun- tain was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, July 30, 1865.
FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
The organization of eight companies of this regiment was completed April 25, 1864, and they left the State April 28. The remaining two companies were afterwards recruited and sent ยท forward to join the regiment. It took part in the engagements at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Fort Sedgwick, and Fort Mahone, and was mustered out July 14, 1865.
FIRST REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS CAVALRY.
This regiment was mustered into the United States service Nov. 1, 1861. The First Battalion left the State Dec. 25, the Second Dec. 27, and the Third Dec. 29, 1861. The Third Bat- talion was detached from the regiment Aug. 4, 1863, and subse- quently became a part of the Fourth Regiment of Cavalry, and a new battalion was recruited to fill its place. The following are the battles this regiment were engaged in: Poolsville, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Brandy Sta- tion, Aldie, Upperville, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Culpepper, Auburn, Todd's Tavern, fortifications of Richmond, Vaughn Road, St. Mary's Church, Cold Harbor, and Bellefield.
THIRD REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS CAVALRY.
This regiment was recruited and originally went into the service as the Forty-first regiment of infantry. It was mustered into the service Nov. 1, 1862, and left the State November 15.
In June, 1863, the regiment was changed to a cavalry organiza- tion, and the first, second and third unattached companies of cav- alry were consolidated with them, and became a part of the organ- ization. It was mustered out Sept. 28, 1865!
351
APPENDIX.
It was in the following battles : Irish Bend, Henderson Hill, Cane River, Port Hudson, Sabine Cross-roads, Muddy Bayou, Piney Woods, Red River campaign, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Snag Point, Winchester, and Cedar Creek.
FOURTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS CAVALRY.
This regiment was composed of the Independent Battalion, for- merly Third Battalion, First Regiment of Cavalry, and two new battalions recruited in Massachusetts. At the time the regiment was organized the First Battalion, Major Stephens, was stationed at South Carolina. The Second Battalion left the State March 20, 1864, and the Third April 23, 1864. It took part in the battles of Gainesville, Florida, Drury's Bluff, and in several of the engage- ments before Petersburg and Richmond.
In the desperate engagement at High Bridge on Thursday, the 6th of April, 1865, this regiment, under command of the brave and gallant Frank Washburn of Worcester, bore an honorable part, their bravery and daring challenging the admiration of both armies. While en- deavoring to hold the High Bridge, over which it was feared Lee's army might escape, they were surrounded and overpowered by two divisions of Lee's cavalry. After having made two charges through the rebel lines the Colonel might at either of these times have passed on with his cavalry and escaped, but refusing to leave the infantry while there remained the slightest chance of rescuing them, and although the odds were eight men to one, he made his third charge, and in this, while crossing sabres with a rebel officer whom he had nearly disarmed, he was shot through the head by another, and after he had fallen received a sabre cut upon the skull which completely disabled him. He was two days a prisoner, during which time, notwithstanding the gallantry he had displayed, they did nothing for his wounds, and relieved him of his horse, his sword and his money. Upon being released he was brought home, and died the day following his arrival at Worcester, at the house of his brother, Mr. J. D. Washburn.
The following testimonial from a rebel Colonel, Inspector-Gen- eral on General Lee's staff, corroborates what has been said of the Fourth and its brave commander. In speaking of the battle of High Bridge, he says : "So fierce were the charges of Colonel
352
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
Washburn and his men, and so determined their fighting, that General Lee received the impression that they must be supported by a large part of the army, and that his retreat was cut off."
General Grant, as soon as the intelligence of the death of Col- onel Washburn was received, paused amidst his vast labors to write with his own hands a letter to the family of the deceased, expressing his sympathy in their loss, and admiration for his gal- lant and heroic conduct.
FIRST MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY.
This regiment was organized as the Fourteenth Regiment In- fantry, and was mustered into the service July 5, 1861. The or- ganization was changed to a heavy artillery regiment Jan. 1, 1862. The three men who enlisted in this regiment on the Douglas quota were not from this town.
SECOND REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY.
The companies composing this regiment were mustered into service at different dates. Four companies left the State Nov. 4, 1863. Two companies left Nov. 6, 1863, and the balance (six companies) left Jan. 8, 1864.
The regiment was stationed in North Carolina and Virginia during its full term of service. Companies G and H were cap- tured in April, 1864, at Plymouth. They were then 275 strong. In the spring of 1865 the remnant of them rejoined the regiment, thirty-five in number, a sad commentary on the starving system of Andersonville. The principal part of the regiment were in few battles, but were detailed to garrison forts and to do skirmish duty. Companies B, C, F, I and M participated with honor in the battle- of Kingston.
SIXTEENTH (UNATTACHED) COMPANY HEAVY ARTILLERY.
The Third Regiment Massachusetts Heavy Artillery was com- posed of the Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Elev- enth, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth (unattached) companies of heavy artillery, and with the exception
353 .
APPENDIX.
of one company, which was on detached duty, was employed in the coast defenses of the State and at Washington, D. C.
FIRST REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
This three months' regiment left Providence for the seat of war in two detachments- the first on the 20th of April, under com- mand of Col. A. E. Burnside, and the second April 24th, under Lieut. Col. Joseph S. Pitman. The regiment was accompanied throughout the campaign by the Providence American Brass Band. It took part in the battle of Bull Run with honor to itself, and re- turned to Providence July 28th, 1861, its time of service having expired.
SECOND REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS
was recruited at "Camp Burnside," on the Dexter Training Ground in Providence. Major John S. Slocum of the First Regi- ment was appointed Colonel. While making preparation to leave for Washington the regiment received many tokens of interest and regard from friends. The firm of A. & W. Sprague presented them with one thousand rubber blankets. The citizens of Lons- dale made a generous donation to the hospital department, and many of the officers received for themselves and for their compa- nies several expressions of interest and good-will in the form of useful articles designed for their comfort and convenience. The regiment was also presented with an elegant stand of colors by the ladies of Providence, through Col. Jabez C. Knight, Pay- master-General.
June 19, the regiment embarked on board the steamer "State of Maine" for Washington, and entered upon active service.
During the war the Second took part in the following engage- ments : Bull Run, Williamsburg, White House, Mechanicsville, Seven Pines, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Chancellorsville. At the battle of Bull Run the regiment suffered severely. Its loss was twenty-eight killed, fifty-six wounded, and thirty missing. It was in this disastrous battle that Colonel Slocum, Major Ballou, Captain Tower, and Captain Smith were killed. The colors of the regiment were completely riddled by balls, but the standard- bearer, Sergeant John M. Durfee, stood by them and brought them from the field.
23
354
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
It was a remarkable fact in the history of this regiment that from the first battle of Bull Run to that of Chancellorsville it met the same rebel regiments in the field and on picket. So familiar were the relations established between the men on both sides that on the appearance of the Second Rhode Island at their post the rebel pickets would leave their rifle-pits, stack arms and enter into friendly conversation, often inquiring with apparent interest for members of the regiment who were absent. Throughout their term of service the regiment bore a uniform character for bravery and efficiency.
FOURTH REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment left "Camp Greene," in Providence, for Wash- ington Oct. 2, 1861. Like the regiments preceding it, the mem- bers of the Fourth were made the recipients of many useful gifts, including a stand of colors presented by the ladies of Provi- dence.
This regiment was identified with the army of North Carolina, under General Burnside, and took part in the battles of Roanoke Island, Newbern, and Fort Macon, after which they joined McClellan's forces, and were engaged in the battles of South Moun- tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and two skirmishes on the Nanse- mond river, and two at Suffolk.
SEVENTH REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS
was organized May 22, 1862, at " Camp Bliss," South Providence, and left for Washington September 10, under command of Col. Zenas R. Bliss. Joining the army of the Potomac in November, it took part in the battle of Fredericksburg ; was afterwards as- signed to the Department of the Ohio, where they did valuable skirmish service, in which several of its officers and soldiers were killed. Its losses during the campaign were thirty-five by death.
FIRST REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY
was organized as the First New England Cavalry, in the autumn of 1861, and passed the winter in camp at Pawtucket, R. I. On the 12th of March, 1862, a battalion under Major Sanford left the State for Washington, and in a few days the rest of the regiment followed. Uniting there, the regiment proceeded to "Camp
355
APPENDIX.
Mud," Warrenton Junction. Shortly after a battalion of one hundred men from this regiment was sent forward to Port Royal to save bridges and do any other necessary work. They entered Port Royal just as the enemy was setting fire to the bridge from the opposite side. Putting spurs to their horses, the cavalry dashed across the bridge and upon the enemy with irresistible force, cap- turing one hundred and seventeen prisoners, and rescuing twenty men and two officers of the First Vermont Cavalry, who were being held as prisoners by the rebels. The loss in this brief but decisive action was seven killed and seven wounded, including Capt. Wil- liam P. Ainsworth, a brave and dashing officer, who was highly esteemed by his men.
The other battles in which the First was engaged were : Cedar Mountain, Groveton, Bull Run, Chantilly, Leesburg, Beverly Ford, Kelly's Ford, Middleburg, and Deep Bottom. It also took part in General Sheridan's last raid, which forced Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court-house.
Sylvester Chase, a musician in the First, from this town, relates that he saw the last rebel cannon fired at Generals Sheridan and Wright and their body-guards and staffs.
The casualties to Douglas men were as follows : George Snow, severely wounded in the leg at Kelly's Ford March 17, 1863, afterwards discharged and re-enlisted. In a severe engagement at Middelburg, Va., June 17, 1863, Lieut. Simeon Brown was wounded ; Charles E. Gould, M. Leach, and Albert A. Greene were captured by the enemy, and William Lyon not accounted for, supposed to have been captured. Alfred P. Palmer, wounded and missing at the battle of Middleburg, paroled and enlisted as veteran volunteer. Isaac King, Quartermaster-Sergeant, was seriously injured by a fall from his horse while practicing a cavalry charge. Mr. King was active in securing the enlistment of Douglas men in his regiment, but through an unintentional oversight his name was omitted from the list on page 118, as also the names of Joseph and Josiah Hough and Alfred Snow, who were enlisted at the same time.
SECOND REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY
was a three years' regiment. It was enlisted in Providence, and was ordered to join the forces of General Banks at New Orleans,
356
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
arriving in season to take part in the first advance on Port Hud- son, March 14, 1863. It was also a part of the force engaged in the Teche expedition, taking an active part in the engagements at Bisland and Franklin. The expedition proceeded to Alexandria, La., and then to Port Hudson, where it was actively employed in scouting and foraging. On the 20th of June it was sent with other regiments to protect a forage train between Clinton and Jackson, La. They were attacked by a large force, composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery. Colonel Corliss of the Second was in advance, and held the enemy in check while he sent three times for the artillery to come up. He then went and brought it up himself, and used it with such effect as to result in killing one and wounding seven. Four prisoners were also captured.
At Springfield Landing the regiment lost one man killed, four wounded, and thirteen prisoners taken.
At Brashear City the rebels captured Major Anthony of the Second, and twenty of his men. The regiment became reduced in numbers by hardm arches and skirmishes, so that in July, 1863, it was consolidated into one battalion of four companies, and united with the First Louisiana Cavalry. The officers retained were Cap- tains William J. McCall, Henry C. Fitts, George W. Beach, E. A. Hardy ; First Lieutenants J. N. Whitney, Charles W. Turner, John D. Hanning, Walter M. Jackson, and Second Lieutenant Frank Hays.
This battalion was afterwards united with the Third Rhode Island Cavalry at New Orleans, the names of its members from this town appearing in the Third Rhode Island Cavalry list, page 118. Nearly all the Douglas men in this regiment were enlisted by Captain Henry C. Fitts, who was also a resident of Douglas.
Captain Fitts was a thorough soldier, early evincing a fondness for military pursuits, entering the service when quite young. After one term of service as a musician he was commissioned a Captain in the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, remaining in that position until his death, which occurred Dec. 19, 1864, at Donaldsonville, La. Through all the excitement and danger incident to the cavalry service, he showed his efficiency as a commander, was ever ready to lead and prompt to act, yet cared for the interests of his men, and never exposed them to needless danger. He had, to a re-
357
APPENDIX.
markable degree, the respect and good wishes of both officers and men. His fine social qualities and generous nature made him exceedingly popular with all who knew him, and his unexpected decease, after a brief illness, carried sadness to many hearts. No officer in the regiment could have been more sincerely mourned or more affectionately remembered.
The following were the casualties to Douglas men : Joseph Hough, captured while bearing dispatches, afterwards paroled and returned home. Daniel E. Gould, captured while on a scout- ing expedition, and died from exposure. David L. Thomas was captured while on a skirmishing expedition ; after five months in rebel prisons was exchanged and returned home. His name should appear in the list on page 118. William H. Wilcox, Thomas Magec, and Eugene H. Gould served until the expiration of their term of enlistments, were discharged, and while returning home were lost on the steamer "North America," which was wrecked off the coast of Cape Hatteras, and all on board perished.
THIRD REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY
was recruited at Providence. Enlistments commenced as early as July, 1863. A camp was first established at Mashapaug, but in August the recruits were transferred to "Camp Meade," on Conanicut Island. On the 24th of December 376 men had been enlisted. In the latter part of December embarked for New Or- leans to join the forces of General Banks.
SEVENTH SQUADRON RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY
was composed of 165 men, enlisted for three months' service in the early part of the war. It was composed of a company re- cruited from Dartmouth College and Norwich University, and one company enlisted in Providence and left the State June 28, 1862. Its principal service was reconnoitering and scout duty in the vicinity of Winchester and Harper's Ferry. It was mustered out of the service Sept. 28, 1862, at Providence.
The names of George Packard and Charles A. Phillips should appear in the list of Seventh Rhode Island Cavalrymen from Doug- las, page 118.
358
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS.
THIRD REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Four Douglas men served in this regiment, enlisting in Septem- ber, 1861. The last three in the list - Cyrus, George and JJames Jepherson - were brothers. George Jepherson died at McDougal Hospital in New York, and Corporal Peter Balcome was wounded at the battle of James Island June 16, 1862.
THIRTEENTH, EIGHTEENTH, AND TWENTY-SIXTII CONNECTICUT VOL- UNTEERS.
Newell J. Lee was a Sergeant in the Thirteenth Connecticut, enlisting from the town of Putnam. He served four years, pro- cured an honorable discharge, and returned home ; afterwards died at the residence of Mr. Andrew Wallis, in East Douglas, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
Walter Ward enlisted from Thompson, Conn., in the Eighteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers ; at the expiration of his term of service was honorably discharged, returned home, and is still living.
Myron Starrett, son of Mrs. Adaline Starrett, enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Connecticut regiment from the city of Norwich. On the first day's battle at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, he was re- ported missing, and nothing further was learned by his friends regarding his fate until the return of his regiment at the close of the war. The Captain of his company and the Colonel of the regiment both witnessed his bravery during the action, and made the following statement, which establishes beyond doubt the fact of his death at that time : Before going into the fight a call was made for volunteer sharp-shooters, and Myron Starrett was of the number who responded, and at the close of the unsuccessful charge on the enemy's works was the only man in the regiment not ac- counted for.
Upon the surrender of Port Hudson, a few days after, it was ascertained from rebel officers that on the evening of the 27th, after the engagement was ended, they took several wounded men into the fort, and among the number was one of the Twenty-sixth Connecticut men, who was wounded above the hip, died before morning, and was buried inside the fort.
359
APPENDIX.
ENGINEER, SIGNAL AND VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
The men whose names are recorded in these branches of the service were nearly all non-residents, who enlisted upon the quota of Douglas.
UNITED STATES NAVY, ETC.
James Wilson, the first man to enlist in the United States Navy on the quota of Douglas, was mustered into the service June 19, 1864, Edgar P. Barton July 16, 1864, and John Norton Sept. 2, 1864. James L. Mannahan, a native of Douglas, also enlisted in the navy, but was not credited on the Douglas quota.
Henry Hutchins served in the Fifth Maine regiment, afterwards in the Fourteenth Maine.
Charles A. Andrews, Sergeant in the Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers, was a resident of Douglas, although credited to the city of Boston.
Capt. George H. Amidon, of the Fourth Vermont Volunteers, was a son of William B. Amidon of Douglas.
Captain Amidon was a promising young officer, a true patriot and brave soldier. At the battle of the Wilderness, while leading his men, he was severely wounded in the thigh, and was obliged to return home. On partially recovering he returned to his regiment, and at Cedar Creek, Oct. 17, 1864, was again severely wounded in the thigh, and died. His sufferings, although very great, were borne with remarkable firmness and fortitude. It was purely for the love of his country that he had enlisted in its service, and his life was offered a willing sacrifice in its defense.
9912
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.