USA > Maine > Oxford County > Porter > Porter, as a portion of Maine: its settlement, etc. > Part 4
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For the Mexican war, commenced April 24, 1846, and closed Feb. 2, 1848, by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, seven young men enlisted.
47
HISTORY OF PORTER.
To suppress the slave-holders' rebellion, commenced by a rebel attack on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861, and closed by Lee's surrender to Gen. Grant at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865, eighty-one of our resident and native young men volunteered. It is a peculiar incident that the war of the revolution, that of 1812, that with Mexico, and that of 1861 commenced in April. According to the report of our late adjutant general, John L. Hodsdon, Maine fur- nished during the great rebellion 66,669 soldiers. Of these there died of wounds 2,805; of disease, 4,854; discharged for disability, 12,863; and missing in action, 2,041; total casualties, 22,563.
Historians, other than our own, give due credit for Maine's sacrifices in crushing the slave-holders' rebellion. But what of Maine while an appendage to Massachusetts ? What her history during the French and Indian war, that of the revolution, and the war of 1812? Behold, it is all writ- ten in the book of the chronicles of Massachusetts,-Maine's history appropriated by Massachusetts! There we shall find that Maine regiments, in fact, were Massachusetts regiments in name; that Massachusetts and Maine won in battle, but Massachusetts alone won in honor. When Washington, in addressing and commending a portion of his troops for their valor in turning the tide of a desperate battle in his favor, said, " God bless the Massachusetts line," he spoke not to men of Massachusetts, but to men of Maine, from our coun- ties of York and Cumberland. A faithful history of what Maine was instrumental in accomplishing for our common country, during those many years of war's desolation, has never been written, neither will it be. Of our history we have been plundered as well as of our lands.
The whole number of men in the United States that en- listed into the Union army was, according to the president's annual message of 1872, 2,688,523. It is stated in Gree-
48
HISTORY OF PORTER.
ley's American Conflict, vol. ii., page 759, that the number enlisted for three months was 191,985; for six months, 19,- 076; for nine months, 87,558; for one year, 394,959; for two years, 43,113; for three years, 1,950,792; for four years, 1,040 ; total, 2,688,523, and that, as many of these enlisted two or three times, while thousands deserted, it is probable that not more than 1,500,000 effectively partici- pated in suppressing the rebellion. The same author esti- mates our loss of life as follows : 56,000 dying on the field of battle, 35,000 dying in hospitals of wounds, and 184,000 dy- ing in hospitals by disease. The number dying after their discharge, by disease contracted in the service, we have no means of ascertaining.
REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS.
There is no plantation or town record of any vote for representative to the legislature before our separation from Massachusetts in 1820 ; although from 1810 to 1819 inclusive we were classed with other towns for the choice of represent- atives. The classification has been as follows: In 1810 we were classed with Denmark and Lovell; from 1811 to 1814 inclusive, with Denmark, Lovell, and Waterford; in 1815, with Denmark, Lovell, Waterford, and Fryeburg; in 1816 and 1817, with Sumner, Woodstock, Fryeburg, Hiram, and Brownfield; in 1818 and 1819, Oxford County formed one representative district ; from 1820 to 1831 inclusive, with Brownfield and Hiram; from 1832 to 1841 inclusive, with Hiram ; from 1842 to 1851 inclusive, with Brownfield and Hiram ; from 1852 to 1861 inclusive, with Brownfield and Fryeburg; from 1862 to 1871 inclusive, with Brownfield and Fryeburg; and from 1872 to 1881 inclusive, with Brown- field, Fryeburg, and Stow.
49
HISTORY OF PORTER.
MILLS AND BRIDGES.
One saw-mill, at least, and probably two, were built here as early as 1799. One was built at Porter village, another on the same stream not far from the Stanley or Roberts pond, called on the plantation map " Deer pond." The saw-mill of Stephen Libby was built near the site of the mill ' now owned by John Weeks, and was in operation as early . as 1805. The first grist-mill in town, as stated by the late David Colcord, was built in 1793 by Caleb Emery, on the outlet of the Colcord pond, known on the map as " Ellen- wood's pond," Mr. Ellenwood having occupied the farm on its western border. This grist-mill and one at Porter village were, doubtless, built about the same time. From the best evidence attainable, the first bridge across the Great Ossipee at Porter village was constructed between 1795 and 1800 ; the second in 1808; and the present covered bridge there in 1876, costing this town $1,717.24. The first river bridge at Kezar Falls was built by subscription in 1833, and the covered bridge at the same place, in 1869, at a cost to Porter of $1,632.15.
The population of Porterfield in 1800 was 272; of Porter in 1810, 292; in 1820, 486 ; in 1830, 841; in 1840, 1,133 ; in 1850, 1,208; in 1860, 1,240 ; in 1870, 1,105.
The state valuation of the town was in 1820, $27,939; in 1830, $36,311; in 1840, $113,984; in 1850, $165,198; in 1860, $186,204; and in 1870, $275,469.
TOWN DEBT.
Our auditors report the pecuniary standing of the town as they find it on the 20th of February. According to their report, the indebtedness of the town, aside from trust funds, was, Feb. 20, 1862, $3,475.34; 1863, $8,407.04; 1864, $11,747.31; 1865, $29,547.00; 1866, $22,920.59; 1869,
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
฿17,066.15; 1870, $12,282.62; 1871, $9,275.46; 1872, $7,861.90; 1873, $7,396.91; 1874, $6,505.46 ; 1875, $5,- 929.35; 1876, $5,938.36; 1877, $5,613.95; 1878, $5,373 .- 78; and 1879, $5,293.33.
CURRENCY.
At the commencement of the war of 1861, the bills of our solvent banks were equal in value to gold. Jan. 13, 1862, gold was first sold at a premium. Since that time the high- est current premium was paid July 11, 1864, one dollar in gold being sold for $2.85 in bills; in November, 1865, for $1.46g ; in July, 1867, for $1.38} ; in Feb., 1870, for $1.18 ; in Nov., 1871, for $1.10; in Dec., 1876, for $1.07; in Sept., 1877, for $1.03} ; in Jan., 1878, for $1.01} ; April 13, 1878, at New York, for 1.00g ; and Dec. 17, 1878, at the same city, for $1.00, resumption by law not being re- quired until Jan. 1, 1879. There were a few sales in 1864, when the gold dollar brought $2.98 in greenbacks.
POST OFFICE.
The first Post-office in town was established at Porter village, in about 1820. For several years before the gov- ernment had granted the privileges of an office at Par- sonsfield middle-road, and the benefits dispensed thereby, were, in part, ours. At an earlier date the nearest office was at Saco.
Our first postmaster was James Coffin, who held the of- fice until the time of his death, in March, 1823. His suc- cessors have been William Towle, jr., Mrs. Jane Coffin, Eben. Blazo, Jolın Higgins, William Stanley, and James French, jr. William Towle, jr., and Mrs. Coffin, held the
51
HISTORY OF PORTER.
office eight or nine years, Mr. Higgins about one, Messrs. Stanley and French about four years each, and Mr. Blazo, the present incumbent, about thirty-nine years.
LETTER POSTAGE.
At the organization of the Post-office department, the postage of a single letter (i.e., one composed of a single piece of paper), under 40 miles, was 8 cts., under 90 miles, 10 cts., under 150, 12} cts., under 300, 17 cts., under 500, 20 cts., and over 500, 25 cts. By act of Congress of 1825, and the amendatory act of 1827, the rates adopted were as fol- lows : for any distance not exceeding 30 miles, 6 cts., over 30 and under 80 miles, 10 cts., over 80 and under 150, 12} cts., over 150 and under 400, 18₴ cts., and over 400 miles, 25 cts. If a letter was composed of two pieces of paper, double postage was required, of three pieces, triple postage, etc. In 1845 the postage of a letter not exceeding 1-2 oz. in weight, was reduced to 5 or 10 cts., as the distance was under or over 300 miles. A further reduction was made in 1851 and in 1852. In 1863 the present rates (3 cts. for every 1-2 oz. to any part of the United States) were established. Postage stamps and stamped envelopes were ordered by Congress in 1852.
REGISTRY OF DEEDS.
Our Registry of Deeds was at Alfred until 1800, when one was established at Fryeburg. The registers at F. have been James Osgood, John Bradley, Daniel Clement, Rich- ard Clement, James O. McMillan, Asa Charles, and Sey- mour C. Hobbs.
52
HISTORY OF PORTER.
RESIDENT SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Samuel Brooks, James Brown, John Fox, David Moul- ton, Joseph Pearl and Josiah Wood.
OF THE WAR OF 1812.
Job Bailey, William Bickford, John Brooks, Samuel Brooks, Nathaniel Cook, Nathaniel Cook, 2d, Edward Fox, Ephraim Fox, John Hays, jr., David Hodsdon, James Lib- by, John Libby, Jacob Mason, Francis Mathews, - McIntire, John Moulton, John Pearl, Simeon Pearl, Dia- mond Pearl, Jonathan Philbrick, Perkins Philbrick, Simon Philbrick, Daniel Sargent, Samuel Stanley, Samuel Tibbetts, John Thompson, Hugh Tucker, jr., and Daniel Wentworth.
OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
Samuel Brooks, 3d, Edward Fox, George W. Kennard, George W. Pearl, James Peters, Thomas B. Peters and Jonathan Stacy.
IN MEMORIAM.
Of the resident Revolutionary soldiers named, all died in Porter.
Samuel Brooks was born in Buxton, March 19, 1761, enlisted March 14, 1777, and died in April, 1825.
James Brown was born in Virginia and died in 1851.
John Fox was born in Gilmanton, N. H., and died April 17, 1834.
David Moulton was born in Hampton, N. H., enlisted in 1778 and die l Oct. 18, 1838.
Joseph Pearl was born in Rochester, N. H., and died in 1813.
53
HISTORY OF PORTER.
Josiah Wood was born in Dracut, Mass., and died in 1844 or 1845.
In the war of 1812, Jacob Mason, the eldest son of John, was the only soldier from this town who did not return. He died of disease, Oct. 26, 1813.
In the Mexican war, Samnel Brooks, 3d, son of Thomas, died in the city of Mexico, March 19, 1848.
Edward Fox, son of Ephraim, died in Vera Cruz, Mexico, July 23, 1848.
G. Washington Pearl, son of John, died in the city of Mexico, about Dec. 3, 1847.
Jonathan Stacy, son of Oliver, having been discharged, returned home in August, 1848, and died Feb. 17, 1849, of chronic diarrhea, contracted in the service, aged 25 years.
James and Thomas B. Peters, sons of Thomas, are supposed to have died in the service.
In the Great Rebellion, John C. Bridges, Co. G, 10th Me. Regt., died at Knoxville, Md., of diphtheria and ty- phoid fever, Dec. 1, 1862.
Ezra Blazo, Co. A, 20th Ill. Regt., died at St. Louis, Mo., of chronic diarrhea, about Sept. 10, 1863.
Joseph M. Davis, Co. K, 23d Me., died on Long Island Sound, on his homeward voyage, of consumption, Jan. 7, 1863.
Randall French, Co. A, 11th Me., died at Yorktown, Va., of typhoid fever, May 29, 1862.
Ira Floyd, Co. K, 23d Me., died at Camp Grover, Md., of typhoid fever, Nov. 13, 1862.
Osgood F. Floyd, Co. C, 29th Me., died at Annapolis, Md., of typhoid fever, Ang. 9, 1864.
William W. Fox, Co. G, 10th Me., died at Harper's Ferry, Va., of typhoid fever, Oct. 30, 1862.
George Henry Fox, Co. B, 29thı Me., died in U. S. Gen- eral Hospital at Patterson Park, Baltimore, Md., Nov. 5,
54
HISTORY OF PORTER.
1864, in consequence of a wound received in battle at Ce- dar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864.
Albion P. Fox, Co. G, 7th Regt. N. H. Vols., died Mar. 31, 1865, at Wilmington, N. C., of typhoid fever.
William F. Foster, Co. G, 13th Me., was discharged at New Orleans, La., for disability, Oct. 27, 1862, and died at Porter, of chronic diarrhea, Nov. 13, 1862.
Samuel N. Gibbs, Co. K., 18th Penn. Cavalry, was taken prisoner Oct. 10, 1863, and died in Libby prison, Va., Feb. 11, 1864, murdered by exposure and starvation.
Elias R. Gibbs, Co. K, 18th Penn. Cavalry, died in An- dersonville prison, Ga., July 19, 1864, murdered as was his cousin in Libby prison, by rebel officials acting under the or- ders of Jeff Davis.
Randall Libby, 2d, Capt. of Co. A, 11th Me., died at Porter, May 8, 1871, of pulmonary consumption, contract- ed in the United States' service.
Benjamin H. Ridlon, Co. E, 9th Me., mortally wounded in the head while skirmishing at Bermuda Hundred, May 20, 1864, was sent to Fortress Monroe, and, without doubt, died there.
Oren W. Rogers, Co. I, 3d Me. was supposed to have been killed in battle at Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 10 or 12, 1864.
Frank Robbins, Co. K, 23d Me., rendezvoused with his company at Portland, Me., returned home by the direction of the surgeon, and died of typhoid fever, Nov. 17, 1862.
Ezra Towle, Co. G, 10th Me , died Sept. 27, 1862, at Sharps- burgh, Md., in consequence of a wound received in battle.
Nelson Towle, Co. E, 9th Me., was killed in battle, Sept. 29, 1864, in the charge on battery Gilmore, near Richmond, Va. He was appointed Lieutenant by the Governor, but died before his commission reached its destination.
John F. Wiggin, Co. F, 133d Penn. Regt., died at Doug-
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
las Hospital, Washington, D. C., Dec. 31, 1862, in conse- quence of wounds received in battle.
Isaac D. White, Co. G, 13th Me., died in 1863, at sea, on his passage from Texas to New Orleans, on board of Steam- er Clinton.
James M. Wilkinson, Co. A, 11th Me., died in the hos- pital at Point of Rocks, of chronic diarrhea, Sept. 2, 1864.
SOLDIERS EITHER RESIDENTS IN, OR NATIVES OF, PORTER, WHO WERE ENGAGED IN SUPPRESSING THE SLAVE- HOLDERS' REBELLION.
For the materials of this chapter I am indebted to such soldiers as could be consulted, to the friends of other soldiers, and to the various reports of our late Adjt. Gen. John L. Hodsdon.
The actual merits of every soldier are not to be estimated solely by the facts herein stated. Some of them have been able to give a full and correct account of the stirring events in which they were actors, others equally meritorious, have failed in imparting information so as to do justice to them- selves, or were, as soldiers, by no fault of their own, placed in positions unfavorable to an exhibition of their true charac- ter. Death, too, has precluded the rehearsal here, of much that would heighten our regard for the memory of many who went forth from us to do battle for the right.
In the short time' allotted me in the preparation of this chapter, I have spared no reasonable pains. Interviews with soldiers have been had, and letters written in all instances where it was supposed that facts of any value might be ob- tained. My exertions in this direction have been, in many cases, successful ; in some, partially so, and in others a total
1 It was not contemplated to add this chapter until after most of the previous portion of this work had been printed.
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
failure. Hence the result as here presented, must, by the want of better information on the part of the writer, be nec- essarily defective, and to a certain extent, unsatisfactory to the reader as well as to the writer.
Banks Ivory H., Com. K,'23d Me.,
Capt. Moses N. Stanley, was mustered into the U. S. ser- vice for nine months, Sept. 29, 1862, and was mustered out of the service and discharged July 15, 1863.
Berry John, Com. A (probably), 44th Mass.,
was mustered into the U. S. service in August, 1862, for nine months. About Jan. 1, 1863, he was in the battle of Whitehall, N. C., where he received a severe wound in the wrist. He was shortly after discharged for the disability named.
Bickford Isaac, Com. H, 1st Regt. Me. Cavalry,
Capt. Henry C. Hall, was mustered into the service Dec. 28, 1863, for three years, and was discharged Dec. 28, 1864, for disability.
Blazo Ezra, Co. A, 20th Ill.,
Capt. John S. Wolf, Col. C. C. Marsh, was mustered into the service April 19, 1861, for three years, was taken pris- oner in the Britton's Lane fight, gave his parole, and was sent to St. Louis. While there he was exchanged, joined his regiment, and was in the following battles : Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Pittsburgh Landing or Shiloh, and in all of Grant's battles at the siege of Vicksburgh. During the most of his service he was under the command of Gen. Logan. He died .*
Boston Benjamin F., Com. A, 11th Me.,
Capt. Randall Libby, was mustered into the service Oct. 12, 1863, for three years, and was in the following battles : Drury's Bluff, May 14, 15 and 16, Bermuda Hundred, from
* The star (*) denotes that the time, place and cause of the soldier's death are stated under "In memoriam," page 52.
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
June 2 to June 20, Strawberry Plain, July 26, Deep Bot- tom, Aug. 14, Flusser's Mills, Aug. 16, Siege of Petersburgh, from Aug. 25 to Sept. 29, and several battles before Rich- mond, from Oct. 1, 1864 to Jan. 1, 1865. The above dates are as stated in his company memorial. In March, 1865, he was in the battle of Five Forks, and April 1 and 2 in that of Hatcher's Run, where he was wounded by a minie ball through the band. He was discharged for the disability in Sept., 1865.
Bradeen Erastus W., Com. B, 23d Me.,
Capt. Horace C. Little, was mustered into the service Sept. 29, 1862, for nine months, was appointed corporal, and mustered out July 15, 1863. He re-enlisted, and was mus- tered into Co. B, 29th Me., Capt. Benj. M. Redlon.
Bridges John C., Com. G, 10th Me.,
Capt. Jonathan Blake, was mustered into the service Sept. 18, 1862, for two years, and died .*
Brooks John M., Com. I, 12th Me.,
Capt. James M. Thompson, was mustered into the United States service March 17, 1865, for one year, and was mus- tered out March 17, 1866.
Cole John W., Com. F, 27th Me.,
Capt. J. Plummer, was mustered into the service Sept. 30, 1862, for nine months.
Cook Joseph B., Com. G, 10th Me.,
Capt. Jonathan Blake, was mustered into the service Aug. 18, 1862, for three years, was transferred to Com. B, 10th Me. Battalion, and again transferred to Com. D, 29th Me., was taken prisoner, gave his parole, and was discharged in 1865.
Coolbroth Thaddeus W., Com. G, 13th Me.,
Capt. Joshua L. Sawyer, was mustered into the service Dec. 31, 1861, for three years, re-enlisted, was mustered in- to the same company Feb. 29, 1864, and was transferred to 5
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
the 30th Me., Nov. 18, 1864. The 30th regiment was mus- tered out Aug. 20, 1865.
Coolbroth William J., Com. G, 13th Me.,
Capt. Joshua L. Sawyer, was mustered into the service Dec. 31, 1861, for three years, and was mustered out Jan. 6, 1865.
Danforth Samuel, Com. K, 23d Me.,
Capt. Moses N. Stanley, was mustered into the service Sept. 29, 1862, for nine months, and mustered out July 15, 1863. Davis Joseph M., Com. K, 23d Me.,
Capt. M. N. Stanley, was mustered into the service Sept. 29, 1862, for nine months, was discharged for disability Jan. 5, 1863, and died of consumption on the 7th of that month.
Day Wentworth,
enlisted and was mustered into a New Hampshire regiment. Downs Joseph,
was mustered into a New Hampshire regiment.
Durgin Henry D., Com. E, 9th Me.,
Capt. A. G. Marston, was mustered into the service Sept. 22, 1861, for three years, and was discharged for disability Jan. 2, 1863.
Duroy John B., Com. C, 9th Me.,
Capt. George W. Brown, was mustered into the service Aug. 11, 1862, for three years, was appointed an orderly by Maj. Gardiner, was slightly wounded in the battle of Morris Island, and was discharged July 24, 1865. In 1863, July 10, he was in the battle of Morris Island, S. C., July 11 and 18 in the attacks on Fort Wagner ; in 1864, Feb. 20, he was in Gen. Seymour's disastrous defeat at Olustee, Fla., May 20 in the battle at Bermuda Hundred, June 1 at Cold Har- bor, June 30 in front of Petersburgh, Aug. 16 and 18 at Deep Bottom, Sept. 29 at Chapin's Farm, Oct. 27 at Derby Town Road ; and in 1865, Jan. 15, in the assault upon and capture of Fort Fisher by Gen. Terry, a portion of the 9th Me. par- ticipating in the attack.
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
While in front of Petersburgh, ten men from each company of his regiment were detailed for a particular service. Mr. Duroy was of the number. Six-tenths of them were slain, owing to their commanding officer's misapprehension of his orders.
Floyd Ira, Com. K, 23d Me.,
Capt. M. N. Stanley, was mustered into the service Sept. 29, 1862, for nine months, and died .*
Floyd Osgood F., Com. G, 10th Me.,
Capt. Jonathan Blake, was mustered into the service Aug. 23, 1862, for three years, was transferred to Bat. 10th Me., and from 10th Bat. to Com. C, 29th Me., and died .*
Foster William F., Com. G, 13th Me.,
Capt. Joshua L. Sawyer, was mustered into the service Jan. 16, 1862, for three years, was discharged for disability Oct. 27, 1862, and died .*
Fox Albion P., Com. G, 7th N. H. Vols.,
was mustered into the service Sept. 23, 1864, and died .*
Fox Daniel J., Com. K, 23d Me.,
Capt. M. N. Stanley, was mustered into the service Sept. 29, 1862, for nine months, and was discharged July 15, 1863. He re-enlisted for one year, was mustered into Co. B, 11th Me., Capt. Chas. Sellmer. He was in the battle of Hatcher's Run, in the last Petersburgh, and in Gen.Grant's final con- flict with Lee at Appomattox Court House. His final dis- charge was dated June 12, 1865.
Fox David M., Com. D, 5th Me.,
Capt. Edward W. Thompson, was mustered into the service June 24, 1861, for three years. He re-enlisted Jan. 4, 1864, in Com. B, 1st Regt. Infantry, Veteran Vols., Capt. Charles H. Small, for three years, and was mustered out July 2, 1865. He was severely wounded in the thigh in the battle of Cold Harbor, and was wounded in the leg and back while in front of Petersburgh. He was in the following engage-
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
ments : in 1861, July 21, Bull Run ; in 1862, May 7, West Point, last of May, Mechanicsville, June 27, Gaines' Hill, June 28, Golding Farm, June 30, Charles City Cross Roads, Aug. 27, 2d Bull Run, Sept. 14, Crampton's Pass, Sept. 17, Antietam-under fire eighteen hours-Dec. 12 and 13, Fred- ericksburgh ; in 1863, the first days of May, Chancellorsville, July 2 and 3, Gettysburgh, Nov. 7, Crossing of the Rappa- hannock, Nov. 27, Orange Grove ; in 1864, from May 5 to May 12 inclusive, in the battles of the Wilderness, that near Spottsylvania Court House, and the charges on the fortifica- tions near the Court House, June 1 at Cold Harbor, Sept. 19 at Winchester, Sept. 22 at Fisher's Hill, Oct. 19 at Cedar Creek ; and in 1865, April 2, in the battle in front of Peters- burgh.
Fox George Henry, Com. G, 10th Me.,
Capt. Jonathan Blake, was mustered into the service Sept. 9, 1862, for three years, was transferred to Com. B, 29th Me., and died .*
Fox James L., Com. K, 23d Me.,
Capt. M. N. Stanley, was mustered into the service Sept. 29, 1862, for nine months, and discharged July 15, 1863.
Fox Jonathan, 2d, Com. G, 13th Me.,
Capt. Amos G. Goodwin, was mustered into the service Dec. 31, 1861, for three years, and discharged for disability July 17, 1863.
Fox Lorenzo D., Com. D, 5th Me.,
Capt. Edward W. Thompson, was mustered into the service June 24, 1861, for three years. He was appointed Sergeant, and was mustered out July 27, 1864. He was in the follow- ing battles : in 1861, July 21, Bull Run ; in 1862, May 7, West Point, last of May, Mechanicsville, June 27, Gaines' Hill, June 28, Golding Farm, June 30, Charles City Cross Roads, Aug. 27, 2d Bull Run, Sept. 14, Crampton's Pass, Sept. 17, Antietam-under fire eighteen hours-Dec. 12 and
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HISTORY OF PORTER.
13, Fredericksburgh ; in 1863, the first days of May, Chan- cellorsville, July 2 and 3, Gettysburgh, Nov. 7, Crossing of the Rappahannock, Nov. 27, Orange Grove ; in 1864, from May 5 to May 12 inclusive, the battles of the Wilderness, that near Spottsylvania Court House and the charges on the fortifications near the Court House, and June 1, Cold Harbor.
Fox William W., Com. G, 10th Me.,
Capt. Jonathan Blake, was mustered into the service August 18, 1862, for two years, and died .*
John Fox who settled in Porter in 1801, was a Revolu- tionary soldier. His brother Edward was one of our volun- teers in the war of 1812. Ephraim Fox, a son of Edward, also volunteered in the war of 1812. Edward Fox, a son of Ephraim, was in the Mexican war, and died in Mexico. Daniel J. and David M. Fox, whose war record is given above, were the only remaining sons of Ephraim. George Henry, James L., Jonathan 2d, Lorenzo D., and William W. Fox were the only surviving sons of the late Richard Fox, who was a brother of Ephraim.
French Charles, Com. B, 2d Regt. Mass. Vols.,
Capt. Greeley S. Curtis, Col. George H. Gordon, enlisted May 11, 1861, for three years. He was under Gen. Banks in the Shenandoah Valley at the time of his retreat from Winchester, and under Gen. Pope during his disastrous re- treat from Centerville, where our losses were numbered by tens of thousands. He was in the battles of Cedar Mountain, South Mountain, Antietam, and Chancellorsville, where he was taken prisoner May 3, 1863. Being sent to Richmond, he was put in Libby prison. He remained there but one week, when he was exchanged. Fortunate, indeed, it was for liim that he was so soon liberated. He says that in the room where he was confined there were four hundred and twenty-five prisoners, and it was with much difficulty that they could lie down at all, or obtain any rest, upon a floor
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