USA > New Hampshire > A history of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, Volunteer Infantry in the rebellion war, 1861-1865, pt 1 > Part 19
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Hirani Ko. Little
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HIRAM K. LITTLE.
At the assault upon the rebel works at the Shand House in front of Petersburg, June 17, 1864, he was taken prisoner, conveyed south, and held a prisoner some months. when he escaped. and after much suffering suc- ceeded in reaching the Union lines. After the war he taught school in the South a short time ; then returned North, and for many years has been master of one of the schools in Boston. He resides in Watertown. Mass.
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LIEUT. HIRAM K. LITTLE.
Hiram K. Little was born in Newbury, May 27, 1830. He was a descendant in the eighth generation of George Little, who was in Newbury, Mass., in 1640. His great-grandfather. Bond Little, served under Captain John Hazen in the expedition against Crown Point in 1758. When the boy was ten years of age, his father died, and the family moved to Manchester, where he attended school. In 1850 he returned to Sutton, and in 1856 married.
For some years before the war he was engaged in the manufacture of clothes-pins, was one of the selectmen of the town. and a popular and highly respected citizen. September 4. 1862. he was commissioned second lieu- tenant of Company F. Eleventh New Hampshire Volun- teers. He was promoted to first lieutenant January 30, 1863. He was a participant in the battle of Fredericks- burg. in the Mississippi and East Tennessee campaigns, and in all the battles from the Wilderness to Petersburg. He was mortally wounded in the trenches in front of Petersburg, June 20, 1864. His wound was in the neck. rendering him speechless. He was carried on board the United States floating hospital. Vew World, then lying
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at Point of Rocks on the Appomattox river, and taken to the government hospital at David's Island, New York harbor, where he died July 4, 1864. While upon the transport, he was recognized by a brother of the Masonic fraternity, Captain J. M. Durgin, Company G, Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers. of Laconia. Captain Dur- gin, at his request, took charge of some effects that happened to be upon his person, including a beautiful silken sash. September 1, 1882-more than eighteen years afterwards-Captain Durgin was present at a vet- erans' encampment at Blodgett's Landing, Sunapee lake, where the camp bore the name of " Lieut. Little." On beholding the name of the camp, memory quickly carried him back to the scene on board the transport. He says,-" I at once inquired concerning the family of the loyal, patriotic dead, and learned that he had a son, the only survivor of the family, Cyrus H. Little, now arrived at early manhood, and in all respects worthy of so noble a sire, and that on the next day he would be at the camp where I could make his acquaint- ance-an event fondly cherished by me while life and reason remain, for I now have the honor and pleasure of presenting to this son the long-kept sash, the beauti- ful badge of a noble father's military honor and fidelity, which he sealed with his life-blood. And now to this much respected and dutiful son, I need not say, Accept this sash with the respect and reverence due to so hon- ored a father, and cherish it among your sacred things : may you preserve it as a sacred emblem, not only of the honored dead, but of the noblest country on earth res- cued from impending ruin."
Lieutenant Little was a brave soldier, and his death was deeply lamented by his comrades of the entire regiment. After his death his body was carried to his home in Sut- ton, and buried with Masonic honors.
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R. FREEMAN SANBORN.
For the wonderful and almost miraculous manner in which Lieut. Little was discovered, see the thrilling sketch by Lieut. Nason of the same Company F.
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LIEUTENANT AUSTIN W. MESSER.
Austin Waters Messer was the son of Richard H. and Sally S. Messer. He was born in New London, September 22, 1836, and was busy with his father in the manufacture of scythes, until Company F, Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers, was formed. of which company he was commissioned first lieutenant September 4, IS62. His health was very poor at the time of his entering the service, and, being unable to withstand the hardships that would be required of him, he was obliged to ask a discharge from the service, very much to the regret of his company and of the regiment. He was honorably discharged from the service September 29, 1862, after twenty-five days' service, and returned to his home, where he died November 14, ISSO.
LIEUTENANT R. FREEMAN SANBORN.
R. Freeman Sanborn was born in Springfield, June 21, 1824. There he resided until his enlistment into the United States service, farming in summer and teaching school during the winter. He served as orderly sergeant of Company F-into which company he enlisted August 13, 1862-until January 29, 1863, when he was commis- sioned second lieutenant of his company. He was pro- moted to first lieutenant July 25, 1864, but was not mustered.
On the march from Milldale to Jackson, Miss., Lieu-
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tenant Sanborn sustained a severe sun-stroke, accompa- nied by chills and fever.
He participated in the East Tennessee campaign and in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court-House, when he became too ill for duty, and was sent to the Naval School hospital, where he remained until he was honorably discharged from the service for physical disability August 9, 1864. Since the war he has followed the occupation of a miller, residing respec- tively at Grafton. Meredith, and Ashland, which latter place is now his home.
CAPT. J. LEROY BELL.
J. LeRoy Bell was born in Haverhill, November 29, 1839, and still resides upon the same place where he was born, and which has always been his home. He followed the occupation of a farmer before the war, and since the war he has been engaged in farming and the grocery business.
He assisted in raising Company G. Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers, of which he was commissioned second lieutenant September 4. 1862. He was pro- moted to captain of his company July 22, 1864. Cap- tain Bell was the only commissioned officer left with his company October 1. 1863. and was placed in command of it, continuing in command until September 30, 1864. He was mustered as captain August 13, 1864. He was wounded slightly in the left leg at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864 ; received a scalp wound by a bullet near Pop- lar Spring church June 3. 186; : a slight wound in the head by a bullet at the Mine explosion in front of Peters- burg. July 30. 1864 : and very severely wounded in the right thigh September 30, 1564, at Pegram Farm, by a
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ARTHUR E. HUTCHINS.
Minié ball. With his first and third wounds he remained on duty with his company ; the second wound caused him to be taken to the field hospital, where it was dressed. and he returned to duty the day following ; with his last wound he was taken to the general hospital at City Point, Va., where he remained several days, then returned to his home upon a furlough, where he remained two months. He was then placed on light duty at Concord, remaining until he was honorably dis- charged with the regiment June 4. 1865.
Captain Bell participated in all the campaigns and battles in which his regiment bore a part until he was wounded September 30. 1864, caring for his company faithfully and ably. Being a fine singer, he, with others, assisted in whiling away many a pleasant hour when in camp. as the men of the regiment well remember. Upon the retirement of Captain Bell from active service, Com- pany G was commanded for a time by Lieutenant R. Baxter Brown, and afterwards. and until the close of the war, by Lieutenant Solomon Dodge.
LIEUT. ARTHUR E. HUTCHINS.
Arthur Edwin Hutchins, son of Chester and Jane (Swan) Hutchins. was born in Bath, September 2. 1838. At twelve years of age he was fitted for college. and at the age of thirteen years he entered Dartmouth. from which he was graduated in the class of 1857. He read law in the office of Judge Carpenter, of Bath. and afterward entered the law school connected with Harvard University. He was admitted to the Grafton County bar in August, 1862. and September 4, 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company G, Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers.
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Lieutenant Hutchins participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, and soon after was prostrated with a severe fever. He rejoined his company at Newport News, just before the regiment broke camp for Ken- tucky. He also participated in the Mississippi campaign . at Vicksburg and Jackson. Returning to Kentucky, he was again seized with fever, and, upon becoming equal to light duty, was detailed upon the staff of General Hincks, at Concord, in the winter of 1863-64. He rejoined his regiment at Annapolis in April, 1864, and was appointed acting assistant inspector-general upon the staff of Gen- eral (then Colonel) S. G. Griffin, commanding the Second Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps.
When this brigade received the order to advance and charge the enemy's lines. on the afternoon of May 6, 1864 (see Battle of Wilderness), General Griffin dis- mounted, and handed the reins to Lieutenant Hutchins. This being the only horse belonging to the staff on the field of battle, Lieutenant Hutchins mounted him. The brigade had advanced close up to the enemy's lines, and had halted a moment for the final order to charge. As the order was received the brigade met a terrific storm of bullets. and Lieutenant Hutchins and his horse were killed, both being near the captured works. Lieu- tenant Hutchins was the only officer to be seen on horse- back in the entire Second Division at the front. and his heroism was inspiring to the men on the extreme right of the brigade, who saw him just as the charge was made.
His death, coupled with that of Lieutenant-Colonel . Collins, was a severe loss to the regiment. Both of them died facing the enemy's deadly fire. The body of Lieu- tenant Hutchins was found by some men of the Eleventh, members of the ambulance corps. and buried on the field. In 1867. Chaplin Lyford and Lieutenant Goodall
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WILLIAM S. CARTER.
visited the battle-field, exhumed the body of Lieutenant Hutchins, and conveyed it to Bath, his mother's home, where it was interred for its last long rest.
COMMISSARY WILLIAM S. CARTER.
William S. Carter. son of William, Jr., and Hannah (Badger) Carter, was born in Warner, September 28, 1842, where he resided until nineteen years of age.
He received his education in the schools of Warner and Henniker, fitting for college at the academy in Hen- niker.
He entered Dartmouth college in IS62, but not to remain. He enlisted in August. 1862, and became a member of Company D. Eleventh New Hampshire Vol- unteers, September 2, 1862. He was appointed commis- sary sergeant for the regiment. and upon the promotion of Lieutenant Cilley he was made commissary, which position he held until the war closed. Upon the return of the regiment from the Mississippi campaign, he was appointed quartermaster of the Main Street hospital. Covington, Ky., where he remained until the reorganization of the Ninth Army Corps at Annapolis. He was then relieved at his own request, and rejoined his regiment, being commissary for 1,200 convalescents, belonging to his corps, from Covington, Ky., to Annapolis. Md. Upon joining the regiment, he resumed his duties as commissary.
After the war Commissary Carter entered the mercan- tile business in Lebanon, which is still his home. He is a leading member of the firm of Churchill & Carter, the largest house in New England outside of Boston, engaged in the manufacture of goods for working men and gentlemen's furnishing goods. He is a trustee of the
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Lebanon Savings Bank, a director of the First National Bank of Lebanon, president of the Business Men's Asso- ciation, and president of the Lebanon Electric Light and Power Company. He was auditor of the state treas- "rer's accounts in 1890-'91, and is high in the councils of the G. A. R., of which he is a valued member. He rep- resented his district in the state senate in 1891, being chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, and a member of the committees on Judiciary, and Banks, and Manufactures. He has taken high degrees in Masonry.
He was president of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regimental Association several years.
He married, August 23, 1867. Dora, daughter of Oren and Mary A. (Robins) Bugbee, of Lebanon.
LIEUT. CHARLES C. PAIGE.
Charles C. Paige, son of Osgood and Martha W. (Blais- dell) Paige, was born in North Weare, June 28, 1838. He received his education in the schools of Manchester, whither his parents moved when he was three years of age, and also at New Hampton : was a carpenter and pattern-maker in Lawrence, Mass., and afterwards a farmer in Candia, whither his parents removed. He was the first man to enlist from Candia in Company I, which company he assisted in organizing and drilling.
Lieutenant Paige was with the regiment at Fredericks- burg, in Kentucky, then in the Mississippi and East Tennessee campaigns, and in all its battles during the last great campaign until the morning of June 3, 1864, when he was severely wounded in his left arm from the the same volley that wounded Sergeant A. J. Bennett in his right fore-arm. Both were treated in the same hos- pitals, and were discharged from the service August 23.
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CHARLES C. PAIGE.
1865. (See Sergeant A. J. Bennett.) At the siege of Knoxville, Lieutenant Paige was acting sergeant-major, and at times acting adjutant of the regiment, performing his various duties in the most vigilant and faithful man- ner.
Lieutenant Paige was commissioned both as second and again as first lieutenant, and assigned to Company C, but was unable to be mustered on account of wounds. He has contributed valuable material for this history, giving his own record in graphic language. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Candia, where he resided one year ; then removed to Franklin Falls, where he still resides. He engaged in the millinery and fancy goods business several years; then in door, sash, and blind manufacture ; and later became a dealer in furniture and an undertaker. in which business he is still engaged, having places of business in Franklin Falls and in Tilton. He has been a member of the local school board, and is an earnest advocate of all reformatory movements, political, religious, and philanthropic. He was one of the building committee of the regimental head-quarters at The Weirs, and for several years treasurer of the associ- ation.
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CHAPTER VIII.
AT ANNAPOLIS-FROM THE RAPIDAN TO THE JAMES-INTRODIC- TION-PARTS I, II, AND III-CAMP LIFE AT ANNAPOLIS-FROM ANNAPOLIS TO ALEXANDRIA.
Here the men of the Eleventh were glad of a rest. The campaign just ended had told heavily upon the vital- ity of every man. Preparations were going on for a thorough reorganization of the Ninth Corps, which was again to become a portion of the great Army of the Poto- mac, and, under the leadership of Grant, was expected to give the Rebellion its death-blow, sooner or later. The South had nearly exhausted its resources in men and in needed supplies ; the North, flushed with the suc- cesses of the past year, was full of loyal courage and devotion, and large numbers of new troops were rapidly filling up the Union armies all over the country. The North, with abundant resources and hardly yet seriously affected, was determined, and strong in faith and un- doubted patriotism. With this outlook. the government, mighty in power and vigor, was rapidly carrying out plans which should culminate by striking the enemy blow after blow in succession, from which it could not eventually rally.
April 13, General Grant, accompanied by General Burnside, made a hasty inspection of the troops that up to that date had congregated at Annapolis. The Eleventh had not yet been able to receive supplies of clothing enough to make a creditable appearance at this inspection, sandwiched as it was between two new regiments which had just joined the corps. As Grant rode along the lines, passing regiment after regiment of
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men who had lain inactive during the past few months, and who made a showy appearance, and came suddenly to the Eleventh. his quick eye noticed its appearance, and halting. he said to Burnside, " What regiment is this?" .The Eleventh New Hampshire," said Burnside, "which has just returned from the East Tennessee cam- paign. and has not yet received its supplies of new clothing." Grant raised his hat to the boys of the Eleventh, and said, " Brave men, I am glad to see you," and rode away amid deafening cheers from the men of the Eleventh, who felt proud then that they had taken part in the deliverance of East Tennessee.
In the new organization of the corps, the Eleventh was still a portion of the Second Brigade and of the Second Division of the corps, and was the only regi- ment. save the Second Maryland, in the Second Brigade that was retained in the new deal. The other regi- ments of the brigade were the Sixth and Ninth New Hampshire, the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Maine, and the Seventeenth Vermont, all under command of Colonel Griffin of the Sixth New Hampshire, who was soon commissioned a brigadier-general for gallant services. and later was made a major-general. Gen- eral Griffin was the only soldier from New Hampshire who won the stars of a major-general,-an officer every way worthy to lead the brave men under his charge, as he did in many a terrific struggle. asking no man to go where he would not lead; an officer careful. intelli- gent, and brave to a fault ; an officer who bore, as it were, a charmed life, having taken part in so many of the great battles of the war, from the first battle at Bull Run, where he was captain of Company B. Second New Hampshire, until the final charge when the Rebellion ceased and Lee surrendered,-and never receiving so much as a slight scratch from an enemy's fire. Several
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regiments became later a portion of the Second Brigade. These were the Fifty-sixth Massachusetts and the Sec- ond New York mounted Rifles ; and the Seventy-ninth and the One Hundred Eighty-sixth New York, serving on foot.
But there is music in the air. All is confusion inci- dent to a great movement. The wives of some of the officers of the regiment, who have been with their hus- bands for a few days. as well as a number of civilian friends of the men. have just left for their homes. All surplus baggage has been disposed of. Battery after battery has joined the corps, now consisting of four grand divisions. three of white troops and one of colored, and on Saturday morning, April 23, the corps broke camp, and started on its march to rejoin the Army of the Poto- mac. After a march of thirteen miles it went into camp, and on the next day (Sunday) made a march of twenty miles, and camped near Bladensburgh-famous as being the scene of many duels in the days of chivalry, and before the Southern people knew what civilization really meant. That night came a pouring rain, and in the morning many of the men of the Eleventh made their morning toilet from little pools of rain-water lying all about them. Monday morning the march was resumed, and Washington was reached early in the day, where the corps was reviewed by President Lincoln and Gen- eral Burnside from a balcony of Willard's hotel.
One of the most faithful and intelligent of all the war correspondents. Charles Carleton Cotlin, in his " Four Years of Fighting," pages 309 and 310. thus describes the passage of the Ninth Corps through Washington :
"All the speculations in regard to Burnside's destina- tion fell to the ground, when on the 25th of April the Ninth Corps passed through Washington and moved into Virginia. It was a sublime spectacle, the corps march-
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ing through the capital of the nation, passing in review before Abraham Lincoln .. The corps marched down Fourteenth street, past Willard's hotel, where, upon the balcony, stood the president and General Burnside. Be- hold the scene ! Platoons, companies, battalions, regi- ments, brigades, and divisions. The men are bronzed by the rays of the Southern sun and by the March winds. The bright sunshine glances from their bayonets. Above them wave their standards, tattered by the winds, torn by cannon-ball and rifle-shot, stained with the blood of dying heroes : they are priceless treasures, more be- loved than houses, lands, riches. honor, ease, comfort, wife. or children. The people of Washington have turned out to see them ; senators have left their chamber, and the house of representatives have taken a recess, to gaze upon the defenders of their country as they pass through the city. many of them, alas ! never to return. There is the steady tramping of the thousands, the deep, heavy jar of the gun-carriages. the clattering of hoofs, the clanking of sabres, the drum-beat, the bugle-call. and the music of the bands. Pavement, sidewalk, win- dows, and. roofs are occupied by the people. A divi- sion of veterans pass, saluting the president and their commander with cheers. And now, with full ranks. platoons extending from sidewalk to sidewalk, are brig- ades which have never been in battle. for the first time shouldering arms for their country, who till a year ago never had a country, who even now are not American citizens, who are disfranchised, yet they are going out to fight for the flag ! Their country was given them by the tall, pale. benevolent-hearted man standing upon the balcony. For the first time they behold their benefactor. They are darker-hued than their veteran comrades, but they can cheer as lustily, . Hurrah ! hurrah "' ' Hurrah for Massa Linkum " . Three cheers for the president !'
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They swing their caps, clap their hands, and shout for joy. Long, loud. and jubilant are the rejoicings of those redeemed sons of Africa. Regiment after regiment of stalwart men, slaves once but free men now, with steady step and even rank pass down the street, moving on to the Old Dominion. It was the first review of colored troops by the president. He gave them freedom. He recognized them as soldiers."
The following was the order for the march to the Rapidan :
HEAD-QUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
WARRENTON JUNCTION, VA., May 1, 1864.
GENERAL CIRCULAR.
The General Commanding publishes the following instructions to the men just entering the service of their country. He expects that every old soldier, who has learned their value by experience, will join in impressing their importance on those who are now to share with him the honor of a soldier's life :
On the march no soldier should quit the ranks, on any pretence whatever, without permission of his commanding officer. The army is about to move into the country of an active enemy, with no friendly force behind or near it, and every straggler runs the risk of Libby prison or a bullet.
No soldier should leave camp without his musket, nor on any con- sideration, whether on the march or in action, take off his haversack, canteen, or cartridge-box.
He should sleep with his arms within reach.
Washing the feet at night. soaping the stockings, and greasing the shoes, will prevent foot-soreness.
Cavalry and artillery should husband their forage. Every soldier should endeavor to make his rations hold out longer than the time for which they were issued. A little saving may save a day's starving. It is well to make little bags or some secure packages, for coffee, salt, and sugar ; if mixed in the haversack they become worthless.
Blankets and overcoats should never be thrown away, no matter how tired or hot one may be: cold nights follow hot days. The chief point in health and comfort is to sleep warm. At the same time the recruit should not overload his knapsack : by endeavoring to carry many comforts he may be compelled to throw away all.
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He should never waste a cartridge or a cap; the time may come when every one will tell.
When on picket he must remember that the safety of the whole army may depend upon his vigilance. He should observe and report every unusual sound. If attacked, he must remember that a cool and deter- mined party, acting on the defensive and properly protecting then- selves, can keep at bay many times their number, and thus give time to their comrades to form and come to their support. In action, he should keep cool, not loading in haste, but tearing the cartridge and pouring in all the powder before putting in the ball. He should aim deliberately, aim low, and pull the trigger slowly. One shot in five minutes, well aimed, is better than five in a minute without aim.
He should never leave the ranks to carry off the wounded without permission of his officer -- the ambulance attendants will take care of them-and he must feel that his first duty is to stand by his comrades in the fight.
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