USA > Maine > History of the Seventh Maine Light Battery, volunteers in the great rebellion also, personal sketches of a large number of members, portraits, illustrations and poems > Part 7
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" You remember, the next night we were ordered back for ammunition; and how some of us tried to sleep under the canvas, which was as wet as though it had been dipped
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PERSONAL SKETCHES.
in the sea. I shook and shivered all night, and wished myself at home. No wonder the boys had the fever and ague and lots of other good things! And even now it gives me the chills when I think of that night and what we suffered at Bethseda Church, where the rebels thought they had us, sure; but, after two days of hard fighting, we drove them back. You must also remember that Sunday afternoon when we were all sitting on the ground, with the horses grazing around us, when . boots and saddles' were sounded; and before we could get hitched up, the enemy came charging down upon us. It looked at one time as though they would take us prisoners before we could get into position to repel the attack ; but we made haste and soon the music of war began : shot and shell were flying and exploding all around us, and men and horses were being killed by the score. After two days of hard fighting, however, we drove them back. At North Anna River, some of the boys went out foraging and brought in some corn meal, which we mixed with water and salt and then fried it in pork fat: and it was the best meal I ever ate in my life: for rations were short and we were very hungry."
ALBERT BILLINGS.
Was born in Woodstock, Me .. June 26, 1833. He enlisted. as a private in the Battery Dec. 28. 1863, being at that time a mechanic, residing at Berlin Falls, N. II., and married. He was with the Battery during all its service, being engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cedar Creek, Cold Harbor, Fair Oaks, Petersburgh and Fort Steadman. He was not wounded : but was in the White Hall Hospital, Penn., in August, 1864, by reason of sickness. Was mustered out with the Battery at Augusta. Me., June 21, 1865.
He married Julia A. Mason, July 24, 1854. Has four children, viz. : Albert O., aged 36; Geo. W., aged 34; Charles -
HI., aged 31. and Clara E., aged 20 years. His residence since the war has been at Greenwood, West Baldwin, and Portland, Me., the latter place being his present home. He receives a pension of 86.00 per month, for rheumatism and heart trouble therefrom. In polities he is a Democrat. and a Universalist in his religious belief.
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WAGONER ALGERNON S. CHAPMAN.
Was born in Bethel, Me., Dec. 21, 1832, from which place he enlisted as a private in Dec., 1863, and was afterward pro- moted to Wagoner. He was in all the battles in which the . Battery was engaged. Was mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. Was a short time at the hospitals at City Point and White Hall on account of sickness.
He was married, Sept. 10, 1856, to Miss Carrie A. Bars- tow, of Portland, Me. Has eight children, viz. : Wennie A., George S., Ellen B., Frank M., Alice G., Fred L., Carrie A., and Angie M. His residence since the war has been at Bethel, until 1870, engaged in livery business; then went to Baton Rouge, La., where he was clerk in a store one year: from there he moved to a plantation near Port Hudson, and lived until 1876, when he went to Dayton, O., and stopped one year; thence back to Bethel, which has since been his home and where he says he is always pleased to see any of the Battery-men, and that none. seem so near to him as the boys of the old Seventh Maine. He receives a pension of 88.00 per month for rheumatism and chronic diarrhea. In politics . he is a Republican, and a Congregationalist in his religious belief.
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Commissary THOMAS STOCKWELL SIMMS.
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COMMISSARY THOMAS STOCKWELL SIMMS.
Was born in Raymond, Me., Sept. 12, 1845, aud enlisted from Bethel, Me .. Dec. 2, 1863, as a private in the Battery, being at that time engaged as a clerk in a grocery store. He was with the Battery all through its service, acting as Commis- sary. except for about two weeks, from September 12 to 26, when he was in the hospital at City Point, Va. He was mustered out at Augusta, Me., June 21, 1865. Has resided since the war at Portland, Me., until 1872, when he removed to St. John, N. B., which is his present residence.
He has been married three times, his present wife being Miss Ida L. Rutherford of St. John. He has three children : Lewis W., aged 6 years ; Stockwell, 2 years : and Hugh Ruther- ford, 1 year. In politics he is a Republican, and in his religious belief a Baptist.
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STANLEY C. ALLEY.
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STANLEY C. ALLEY.
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Was born in Edgcomb, Me., Aug. 27, 1837, and enlisted from West Bristol, Me., Dec. 13, 1863, as a private in the Battery, his occupation at that time .being a sailor. He served during the remainder of the war, was in every battle in which the Battery was engaged, and was promoted to a Corporal Jan. 1, 1865. He was in the hospital a short time in Washington by reason of sickness, and was mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. His residence since the war has been at South Bristol, Me., where he married, July 4, 1865, Sarah F. Plummer. Has had eight children, four of whom are now living, viz. : Frank, aged 24 ; Ambrose P., aged 22 ; Mary M., aged 20; and William C., aged 13. In politics he is a Republican, and a Methodist in his religious belief. He is a member of Harvey Giles Post, No. 157, G.A. R., at Boothbay, Me.
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THOMAS M. ADAMS.
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Was born in Union, Me .. Sept. 25, 1841, from which place he enlisted as a private in the Battery Dec. 15, 1864, and joined the organization in the field before Petersburgh. He took part in the final engagements there, where he claims to have lost his hearing on the 2d day of April, 1865, in the engagement of that day. He was mustered out with the Battery at Augusta, June 21. 1865. On June 12, 1876. married Rose M. Pomroy. They have no children. He remained after the war for several years in New England, but finally went to Oak Hill, Fla., where he now resides. In politics he is a Democrat, and gives his religious belief as a " Home Baptist." He receives a pension of 812.00 per month for deafness of both ears and for kidney complaint, and is a member of the Grand Army.
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HORACE BURRILL.
Was born at Vienna. Me., Jan. 17. 1840. and enlisted from Presque Isle. Me., as a private in the Battery Nov. 1, 1863, in which he served until mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. He was never wounded. but was in several hospitals on account of sickness, and was in seven of the battles in which the Battery was engaged. He married Frances A. Currier, July 11, 1869. Has one child, Frank E .. aged 16 years. His residence since the war has been at Blaine, Presque Isle and Mapleton, Me., the latter place being his present home. He receives a pension of $24.00 per month for injury to face, neck and right eye and for chills and fever. In politics he is a Republican. and has no religious preference. He is a member of the Grand Army.
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BENJAMIN F. BERRY.
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BENJAMIN F. BERRY.
Was born in Wayne, Me., Feb. 21, 1843, and enlisted from North Wayne, Dec. 10, 1863, as a private in the Battery. He served during its entire service, being in the engagements at the - Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and in front of Peters- burgh. Was mustered out June 21, 1865, at Augusta. He was not wounded, but was a short time in the hospital near Petersburgh ou account of sickness. He married Maretta J. Washburn, Feb. 20, 1868. Has had three children, viz. : Laura M., aged 21; Vernon L., aged 16; and Genevieve. aged 3. He has resided since the war in Illinois six months. Chillicothe, Mo., seventeen years and Kansas City, Kan., since 1883, where he now resides, and is a real estate dealer. In politics he is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member of the Grand Army.
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CHARLES M. BIXBY.
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CHARLES M. BIXBY.
Comrade Bixby was born in North Andover, Mass., Oct. 31, 1847, and at the time of his enlistment, Dec. S, 1863, was a farmer, residing at South Paris, Me. He served during the whole of the Battery's service, and was in all the battles in which it was engaged. In the fall of 1864 he was taken with a fever and removed to the hospital at City Point, and from there to McDougal General Hospital at Fort Schuyler, New York harbor, being absent from the Battery about one month. He married Abbie A. Griffin at Lowell, Mass., Dec. 25, 1876. They have two children, viz. : Eddie E., and Millie. He has resided since the war at Boston, Lowell and Chicopee. Mass., the latter place being his present residence. In politics he is a Republican, and in his religious belief a Congregationalist.
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JESSE D. BISBEE.
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JESSE DUSTIN BISBEE.
Was born in Bath, Me., in 1845, and enlisted as a private Dec. 7, 1863, at Portland, Me., where he then resided, being a blacksmith by trade at that time. He was a single man, and served as a private during the service of the Battery, being mus- tered out with that organization June 21, 1865, having been in all the engagements into which the Battery was called, except a short time in the hospital at Alexandria, by reason of sickness, in 1864. He married Miss Anna J. Salmon in 1886. His residence since the war has been at Portland, Me., Boston, Mass., and Chicago, Ill., the latter city being his present home. He is a Democrat in politics and of the Protestant faith, and is also a member of the Grand Army.
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JOSEPH W. BEAN.
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JOSEPH W. BEAN.
Comrade Bean was born in Oldtown, Me., Aug. 17, 1847, and was a farmer, residing at Bethel, Me., at the time of his enlistment, Dec. 23, 1863, being then only sixteen years of age. He served with the Battery as a private during its whole service, and was mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. He was in the engagements with the Battery at the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Weldon R.R., Petersburgh and South Anda River. In August, 1864, he had typhoid fever and was for awhile an inmate of White Hall Hospital, Pa. He married Susan A. Spooner, May 10, 1881. Has resided at Lewiston, Me., Boston and Revere, Mass., the latter place being his present residence. In politics he is a Republican, and a Protestant in religious belief. ·
The following pleasant incidents are reported of the service of Comrade Bean : June 1, 1864, he was a driver on the 5th gun, and on that day breastworks were thrown up along the line, except at a point between the 5th and 6th guns of the Battery. Lieut. Bundy gave orders for the drivers to dismount, hitch horses, take spades and build up the breastworks between the 5th and 6th guns. No one started immediately, as the bullets were coming thickly through the gap, and it was a most dangerous undertaking. After a moment of waiting, however, a Frenchman, who was on detail at the Battery, sprang into the opening and began to work. Young Bean immediately followed, making this remark as he went, " The State of Maine dares to go where Canada will." At the third shovelful a ball struck the Frenchman in the
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SEVENTH MAINE LIGHT BATTERY.
forehead, killing him instantly. Bean then dropped his shovel and ran back, but at once returned with another of the Battery boys and carried the body of their slain comrade back to the edge of the woods. Soon after this, as he was passing the Captain's quarters, Lieut. Bundy called to him, and presenting him to Captain Twitchell said. " Captain, this is the boy who looked so white the other day when the Frenchman was shot beside him." Young Bean at once replied. " I guess you would be white if you had lost half of your crew." he and the Frenchman being the only ones in the gap. At another time while the Battery was on drill one day out by Lincoln Hospital, Washington, D. C., the lead driver of the gun to which young Bean was attached swung his horse in too short, throwing the borse which Bean was riding to the ground. In this position the horse began to spring with Bean still clinging to the saddle. The Captain, seeing the accident, said to Bean, "Why don't you get off ?" ". I am waiting for orders, sir." was his quick reply.
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ALEXANDER BOYD.
Was born in Boothbay, Me., Feb. 28, 1831, from which place be enlisted in the Battery as a private Dec. 6, 1863, and served until the close of the war, being discharged June 22, 1865. He was in the following engagements : The Wilderness. Spottsyl- Vania, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburgh, Burnside's Mine, Petersburgh, April 2, and Pegram Farm. He married Ella G. Lewis, Sept. 28, 1856. Has had four children. viz. : Leonard P., aged 32, Fred B., aged 28, Rosa E., who died Nov. 12, 1870, and Clarence A .. aged 15. He has resided ever since the war at North Boothbay, Me., and now receives a pension of $10 per month for lung disease. In politics he is a Republican, and in his religious belief a Free-Will Baptist. He is a member of the Grand Army.
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OSCAR BLUNT.
Was born at Union, Me., Ang. 25, 1842, and enlisted from Brownville, Me., Sept. 10, 1864, as a private, joining the Battery as such in the field before Petersburgh. Prior to this enlistment he had served eleven and one-half months in Co. B, 24th Maine Infantry, in which service he was in two engagements at Port " Hudson, La. ; and was a short time in the hospital at East New York, by reason of sickness. He was in the final engagements with the Battery before Petersburgh, and was discharged with the Battery at the close of the war. He married Mary E. Hayden of South Tomaston, Me., Aug. 17, 1865. Has had two children : Wm. O., aged 24; and Julia A., aged 22. Since the war he has resided at Browuville, Vinalhaven and Thomaston, Me., the latter place being now his home. He receives a pension of $4.00 per month for malarial poisoning. Has been an officer at the Maine State Prison for nine years to present time. In politics he is a Democrat, with no religious preference.
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AUGUSTUS BARDEN.
Was born in Stetson, Me., March 17, 1839, and enlisted from Brownfield, Me., as a private in the Battery, Sept. 20. 1864, being at that time an engineer. He joined the Battery as a recruit before Petersburgh, being in the final engagements of the war, and was discharged at Augusta, June 21, 1865. He married Miss Rose Morrill. Had one child, Rose, who was six weeks old at the time of his enlistment. His residence since the war has been at Fayette, Iowa, where he has held the office of Justice of the Peace and been a member of the City Council. In politics he was a Democrat until 1888, when, as he says. " It busted ; " and in his religious belief a Christian or Campbellite.
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GEORGE HENRY BLAKE.
Born at Portland, Me., Oct. 7, 1835, from which place he enlisted October, 1864, as a private in the Battery, being at that time a Congregational clergyman. He served with the Battery until the close of the war, being in all its engagements, and was mustered out at Augusta. June 21, 1865. He married Marrette Storer, July 27, 1861. Has had two children : Flora Eliza, born Oct. 8, 1862; and Henrietta, died, aged 7 years. He resides at Portland, Me., where he has principally resided since the war. He was government cotton agent at Port Royal, S. C., during 1862, and was commissioned Captain in Illinois in 1863. In politics he is an Independent, and a Congregationalist in his religious belief, He receives a pension of $12.00 per month for rupture. defective eyesight, and malaria.
LYMAN CARTER.
Was born in Dixmont, Me., Mar. 22, 1845, and enlisted from Troy, Me., Dec. 11, 1863, as a private in the Battery, serving until the close of the war and being in every engagement into which the Battery was called ; was mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. He was married Oct. 26. 1588, to Miss Mina Cole. Has no living children. His residence since the war has been at Lowell. Mass., Manchester, N. H., and Troy, Me., the latter place being now his home. In politics he is a Republican, and of the Protestant faith.
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JOHN L. CRIE.
Was born in Rockland, Me., in 1847, and enlisted from Unity, Me., as a private in the Battery, December 23, 1863. He was with the Battery in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl -. vania, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Peters- burgh, Burnside's Mine, the siege of Petersburgh, Pegram Farm, and all of those in which the Battery was engaged, and was dis- charged at Augusta, June 23, 1865. He married Ellen J. Woods, Dec. 7, 1866. Has had four children, three of whom died the same month of measles, viz. : James H., aged 20, and Fred. J., aged 18, Feb. 5,. within one-half hour of each other ; and Emma J., aged 16, Feb. 14, 1888, nine days later. They have one living, Bert. H., now aged 14. He has resided since the war at Belmont, Me., being a Republican in politics, and without any religious preference. He is a member of E. H. Bradstreet Post No. 44, G. A. R., at Liberty, Me., and receives a pension of $12.00 per month, for chronic diarrhoea, rheumatism and other complaints.
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GEORGE M. CHURCHILL.
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Was born in North New Portland, Me., Dec. 22, 1845, and enlisted as a private in the Battery from Lexington, Me., Dec. 24, 1863. He was in every engagement of the Battery during its service, and was only off duty twice, five days each time, being mustered out at Augusta June 21, 1865. He has partially lost his hearing, a trouble which has continually grown upon him since his services ; and has a trouble with his back from which he has suffered since, caused by his falling across his wagon pole while on duty in front of Petersburgh. He has resided at Lexington, Me., since the war, his present address being Lexington Planta- tion. He married Florence Moody, July 4, 1878, and has one child, Pauline, aged 9 years. In politics he is a Republican, and a Baptist in his religious belief. He is a member of the Grand Army, and receives a pension of $15.00 per month for deafness.
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ANDREW L. CRAM.
Was born in Westbrook, Me., Sept. 23, 1845, and en- listed as a private in September, 1864, joining the Battery as a recruit at Fort Sedgwick, on the extreme left of the line before Petersburgh, serving from there, and being in all the engagements of the organization, to his muster out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. He was single at the time of enlistment, his occupation being a railroad employee. He married Susan Day, of Freeport, Me., in January, 1866; and for a second wife, Ada S. Walsh, of Phila- delphia, Pa., in 1888. Has had one child, Rose E. Cram, by his first marriage, who is now 18 years of age. He has resided since the war at Hallowell and Portland, in Maine, at Boston, Mass., and New Haven. Conn .. the latter place being his present residence. He is an independent in politics, of the Protestant faith, and is a member of the Grand Army.
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CHARLES C. DALTON.
Was born in Norridgewock, Me., June 2, 1844, and en- listed from Lewiston, Me., as a private in the Battery, Jan. 26, 1864, in which he served during its whole service, being in its every engagement. Was mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. He was wounded in the abdomen, August 19, 1864, before Petersburgh, by a piece of shell, and was treated in the Depot Field Hospital close by. He married Georgie A. Preble, Jan. 14, 1885. Has resided since the war in Massachusetts, Indiana and California, his present residence being at Cambridge, Mass. In politics he is a Republican and in his religious belief an Independent Protestant.
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JAMES E. DUDLEY.
Comrade Dudley was born in Waterford, Me., June 26, 1826. He was a farmer and resided at the time of his en- listment, Nov. 23, 1863, at Easton, Me. He served as a private during the whole of the Battery's service, being engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Hanover Court House, North Anna River, Cold Harbor and Petersburgh. He received a sunstroke while in the service, for which he has a pension of $30.00. Is a member of the G. A. R. and has been Chaplain of his Post No. 104, Dept. of Maine. He married Mary E. Burns, Dec. 13, 1846. They had ten children, viz. : George A., Mary E., Clara I., Edwin D., Charles F., Etta M., William H., Clarisa A., Annie B. and Alord. His present residence is at Easton, Me. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious belief a Methodist. The following incident is related of his army life : One day in December, 1864, while stationed in Fort Hell, firing being begun from both sides, as was often the case, Comrade Dudley, with others, was watching the shells (cr ". turkeys " as they were then called, from the noise which they made as they turned in the air), and dodging them as they came over the fort. Getting tired. he sat down on a box to rest just as a " turkey" whistled past and buried itself in the ground close by him. The boys cried out to him to look out; and throwing himself upon the ground he awaited the explosion, expecting it was the last of him. The explosion came and he was literally buried in the mud. Some. of the boys cried out, "Dudley has gone under," when, to their surprise and joy, he began to kick and squirm, and soon was heard to say as he arose from the mud, ". They haven't got old Jim yet," and at the same time he held up a quid of tobacco which he had just cut off and held between his fingers as he "went under," and said, "I haven't lost my quid of tobacco, either, in the scrape." Of course they all then laughed heartily at his comical appearance and his miraculous es- cape. He is a member of the Grand Army.
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WARREN O. DOUGLASS.
Was born in Upton, Me., Jan. 7, 1847, and enlisted as a private from Bethel, Me., in August, 1864, joining the Battery in the field as a recruit and serving until the close of the war, being in all its final engagements before Petersburgh. He was slightly wounded in the head at Fort Hell by a piece of shell, but was not off duty, and was discharged at Augusta, June 22, 1865. He was married at Winona, Minn .. May 1. 1873, to Miss Hortense French. Has no children. Has resided since the war at Upton and Paris, Me., and Minneapolis, Minn., the latter place being his present home. He was a Deputy Sheriff and Coroner eight years at Paris, for Oxford County, Me., and police officer two years and Deputy Sheriff one year at Minneapolis. In politics he is a Republican and in his religious belief a Universalist.
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JOSEPH H. DUNHAM.
Was born in Woodstock, Me., March 8, 1830, and enlisted from North Paris, Me., as a private in the Battery, Sept. 15, 1864, being at that time engaged at farming. He served with. the Battery during the remainder of its service, being in all its final engagements before Petersburgh, and was mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. He was twice married : first to Sarah H. Dunham, Jan. 11, 1853, who died Sept. 2, 1863, aged 28 years, leaving two sons now living, viz. : W. F., aged 30; and F. A., aged 28. His second wife was Martha J. Dunham, to whom he was married Aug. 24, 1865. He now resides at North Paris, Me., where he has had his home ever since the war. Is a member of Wm. Kimball Post No. 148, G. A. R., Dept. of Maine. He receives a pension of $4.00 per month for rheumatism. In politics he is a Republican, and in his religious belief a Baptist.
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L. L. CASWELL.
Enlisted as Charles Emerson. Was born in Lincoln, Vt., March 30, 1839, and enlisted at Portland, Me., as a private in the Battery, Sept. 9, 1864, being at that time a carpenter and residing at Ripton, Vt. He was in the final engagement before Petersburgh, and on Dec. 15, 1861. was injured by the falling of a log at Fort Sedgwick, while building a stable, causing varicose veins. He was also wounded in left wrist about Jan. 15, 1865, by a fragment of shell thrown from the enemy's gun while on picket duty. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. His residence since the war has been at Ripton, Vt. He was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Chatfield Aug. 26, 1873. Has six children, viz. : Eunice M., 17 years ; Clara E., 16; Ben L., 14; Charles E., 10; Daniel L., 8; and Maud E., 5. In politics he is a Republican. with no particular preference as to his religious belief. HIe receives a pension of $8.00 per month for varicose veins and weak eyes.
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SEWALL B. EMERY.
Was born in Gray, Me., Feb. 20. 1843, and enlisted as a private in the Battery from Paris, Me., in September, 1861, having formerly served in Co. G, Tenth Maine Regiment, from Sept. 20, 1861, to May, 1863. He joined the Battery before Petersburgh, as a recruit, and was in all of the battles of the siege of Petersburgh during the winter of 1864-5, being mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. His residence since the war has been in Massachusetts, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri and Illinois, his present residence being in Chicago. Ill. In politics he is a Republican, and is of the Protestant faith.
ALBUS T. FIELD.
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Was born in Sidney, Me .. April 1, 1843, from which place he enlisted in the Battery Dec. 18, 1863, and served in that organization until the close of the war, being in all its engage- ments, and mustered out at Augusta, June 21, 1865. Ile married Ellen M. Field, Nov. 16, 1865. Has three children, viz. : William, aged 22; Effie, aged 20; and Cora, aged 17. His residence since the war has been at Sidney and St. Albans, Me., the latter place being his present home. In politics he is a Republican, and in his religious belief a Universalist.
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