USA > New Hampshire > History of the Twelfth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers in the war of the rebellion > Part 59
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He belonged to a family that are direct descendants from one of English distinction and entitled, as it is said, to a " coat of arms." Married Maria A. Trask, of Brookfield, December 27, 1860, but left no children. His brother, Rev. Joseph F. Joy, now living in Farmington, was a member of the United States Sanitary Commission during the war.
In battles, as believed, of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Lieutenant Batchelder said of him : " A good man and soldier, and his fall was lamented by all the company that survived him."
SERGT. THOMAS E. LAWLER.
The pen moves gladly to record the merits of this brave soldier, who was born in Queens county. Ireland, April 26, 1842, and was the fourth child of Joseph and Charlotte Lawler, who had two sons and three daughters. He came to this country in May, 1861. A year and three months later, prompted by that love of freedom which pervades the heart of every true blooded Irishman, he had enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment ; but not being accepted because he was not a citizen until too late to go in that regiment, "I knocked at the Twelfth," to use his own words, "and was taken in by Captain Savage, of Company A."
From that time to the end of the war there was no better soldier or more desirable tent-mate in his company, or any other, than he.
" In all the battles and skirmishes of the regiment," he writes, " but never in ambulance or hospital and never excused from duty, but I lost forty pounds of flesh on the Gettysburg march from Falmouth to Point Lookout." And what makes his words more remarkable is the fact that he was wounded three or four times, and once or twice severe enough to have passed him to the rear and into the hospital, if inclined like some to go in that direction.
* See page 416 and the following sketch. t See page 416.
497
New Hampshire Volunteers.
A long and interesting account of his experience on the battle-fields of the regiment we are obliged to condense as follows : At Chancellorsville his clothes and blanket were bullet-holed in many places, and he had a close encounter with, and a narrow escape from, the enemy ; a thrilling experience in and after the battle of Gettysburg ; at Drury's Bluff wounded by shell ; wounded by musket ball and blanket-roll shot off at Cold Harbor, and wounded again by musket ball in front of Petersburg.
To the honor of the vocation be it known that this hero of the battle-field is by trade a brickmaker.
Married October 3, 1870, to Matilda A. Ferguson, of New York city. Children, Edwin J .. Charlotte M., and John J .. the oldest only living. Ilis two sisters came to this country and became the wives of John A. Lewis, of Suncook, and William Giles, of Concord.
" When I enlisted," he says, " no one knew me, and I knew no one in the regiment "; but when he was mustered out, few, if any. of the survivors were better known or more highly respected.
Speaking of Gettysburg, he says: "The night of July 2, after the battle, I spent on the field, doing what I could for the wounded and dying."* *
* " The very thought of that night thrills me now. What historian can tell the tale of what I saw and heard on that field of agony and death, that bright moonlight night, to make it touch such a tender chord?" And thus we learn it true, that " the tender heart is often the bravest."
lle was always pleasant and cheerful, and no clash of battle could blanch his cheek or even drive the sinile from his countenance. However others might change or betray, he was always the same brave, faithful, and noble hearted soldier and friend.
See anecdotes of him on pages 404 and 450, the former being erroneously credited, as will be seen, to Davidson, of Company G.
MOSES J. LUCAS.
This soldier, the oldest of three children and the only son of Benjamin F. and Mary W. (Willey) Lucas, was born in New Durham, February 21, 1841, and died of chronic diarrhea at his father's home in Alton while on a sick furlough, November 2, 1863. He was brought up on a farm, but occupied his spare moments in the improvement of his mind ; and by this means, being an excellent scholar, and several terms' attendance at the high school at Wolfeborough, paying his own tuition and board, he had acquired a good education, which, founded upon his good habits and backed by his perseverance, would, had he lived, won for him an honorable position among his fellow men.
lle was of Irish descent, and his great-grandfather, Wilham, was one of the first settlers of Wolfeborough.
In battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Wapping Heights. Wounded severely in knee at Chancellorsville. Never married. Buried in Alton.
" A bright day-star obscured ere it reached scarcely beyond the morning mists."
SERGT. GEORGE P. MILLER
Came into this world at Alton, March 5, 1842, as the son of Nathaniel and Mehitable (Gilman) Miller, who had eight children, four boys and four girls. He became the hus- band of Melissa A., daughter of Jolin Lang, of Alton, June 15, 1867. No children.
Upon the organization of the company he was appointed second corporal and afterward promoted (see roster). In battles of Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville, and Port Walthall. Injured by shell concussion at Chancellorsville.
Mark C., a brother of this soldier. was in Company E, Eighth New Hampshire Volun- teers and died in the service ; and another brother, John M., in Company I of the same regiment, was wounded at Port Hudson, and died soon after his discharge in January, 1865.
* See page 416.
32
498
History of the Twelfth Regiment
Hle is still a resident of his native town, where he is a respected citizen.
While correcting the " proof " of this soldier's sketch, the author is reminded by letter from him of the following incident : When the regiment was marching through Manches- ter, Va., on its way home in June, 1865. a young lady of that place presented and decorated with her own hands the colors with a beautiful wreath of roses. With cheers and tears the old veterans gladly greeted the fair donor, and then sadly bid her farewell forever Her name was Miss Sarah S. Witworth, and should not be soon forgotten in history.
SERGT. IHRAM MOONEY.
This soldier was made first sergeant of the company and left the state as such when the regiment went to the front ; but he was soon discharged (see roster) because of dis- ability (lung and chronic trouble), and saw little of " savage war."
He was born in Alton, August 30, 1817, where he lived and worked upon a farm until after his discharge, when he moved to Wilton. Iowa, and ten years later to Parsons. Kan., where he died November 28, 1886. During most of his time in the West he was a hotel keeper.
He was married before enlistment to Lucretia B .. daughter of William Trediek, of Farmington, but never had any children. His widow still lives to cherish his memory. ller address is 14 Peirce street, Dover.
CORP. HORACE B. PERSON.
Born in New Chester (now Hill). April 27. 1830. Parents. Willard J. and Harriet (Avery). Ilis grandfather. John Person, was an old Revolutionary veteran, who lived to relate liis seven years' experience in the continental army. He was one of a party of scouts who, taking advantage of the darkness, surprised and captured a party of British on that memorable nineteenth of May, 1780.
Taken siek with fever at Arlington Heights, Va., and sent to Washington, where, after recovery, he was head nurse in hospital for nearly two years, rejoining the regiment at Bermuda Front. Va., in October, 1864. and continuing in the ranks to the end of the war.
Married to Lovey J. Gray, of Alexandria, July, 1852. Children, Loren A., Hiram W .. Horace L., Frank N., Nettie L., and Edwin L.
Though never in battle, there is no spot or blemish in his record, so far as known.
HENRY W. PERKINS.
Sixty years ago the twentieth day of June, 1890, this son of John Perkins was born in the town of Alton, where, except when in the army, he has ever since been an inhabitant. Ilis mother's maiden name was Sally Libbey, whose father, Benjamin, was a soldier of the Revolution.
October 7, 1855, Adaline Gilmore accepted his hand in marriage, and has borne him two sons. Albert E. and Herman A.
In the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, where he fought in the ranks and was slightly wounded in the latter. After this he was assistant in the hospital depart- ment, and was present, assisting Doetor Fowler and others in caring for the wounded, at Gettysburg, Cold Ilarbor, and other engagements. He says he remembers well that there were only three inen in his company for two or three days after Chaneellorsville battle, viz., the brave and faithful Colomy. Kingman, killed at Gettysburg, and himself.
Many have faced more and greater dangers on the battle-field, but few have seen more of its horrors or done more to relieve its suffering victims. He says : "I stood Elder Durgin on his feet after he was wounded (see sketch) and tried to help him along, but had to leave him." * * * * "I and Freeman Frohock (see sketch) helped carry Captain Savage off the field. He was struck by a minie ball over the left eye."
Since the above was written the subject of this sketch has gone to join his comrades and one or both of his children on the other shore. He died July 28, 1892. He was a good man and soldier.
-
499
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. B. L. 5-S. MOSES J. LUCAS.
Bk. Bk. D. 5-6.
SERGT. GEORGE P. MILLER.
B. D. L. 5-9. SERGT. HIRAM MOONEY.
H. D. D. 5-9. CORP. HORACE B. PERSON.
500
History of the Twelfth Regiment
CORP. JOHN L. PETTENGILL.
A native of Franklin, and claims a residence on earth since May 28, 1835. Son of John and Mahaley (Kimball) Pettengill and the brother of Amos, of Company G, Fifth Regi- ment, and of Franklin B., Company E, Ninth Regiment.
Married to Betsey Wallingford, of Alton, April 23, 1857 (deceased), and to Deborah Ricker, of Alton, October 27, 1861. Children, by second wife, are Annie M., Fannie B., Lilla M., and Johnnie F.
In Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Wounded in arm and taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, and "hoarded at 'Libby Hotel' in Richmond, Va .; while there they took us to a pleasure trip to Belle Isle," as he says in his diary. Rejoined regiment at Point Lookout in December, 1863, and was in all battles after that except Cold Harbor, where he was detailed, on the morning of the charge, as blacksmith at division head- quarters, and served as such faithfully until end of war. "I never went to surgeon's call and never lost a minute's time on account of sickness." Something that few can say, and shows he was not one of the " shell-sick " kind.
DANIEL J. PINKHAM.
Son of Clement and Eliza G. (Johnson) Pinkham and born in Alton, August 21, 1831. Killed at Cold Harbor, and was in all battles, as believed, previons to this. lle was wounded in the left arm at Gettysburg by musket ball going in at the elbow and coming out at the wrist.
Few braver or better soldiers fell in that terrible battle. Though his dust mingles with the soil of the South where he fell, he died for the whole country and will long be revered as one of her honored martyrs.
BUT. LIEUT. CHARLES A. PLACE.
This fourth child, and the third and youngest son but one, of Joseph and Lydia (Hurd) Place, was born in Alton, May 8, 1842. An older brother, Jonas M., served in the Forty- fifth Massachusetts.
Occupatiou before enlistment, farming ; since discharge, a traveling salesman most of the time. Hle is seen here as he looked years after the war.
In all the battles of the regiment, except Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, but never wounded. (See error in roster.) Taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, and entered Libby Prison on his twenty-first birthday. Seventeen days' experience there and at Belle Isle was sufficient to cause him to take narrow chances with rebel bullets next year on the Bermuda picket line, rather than tall again into rebel hands. lle was, as he says, the only one of the last to advance in that battle who escaped alive."
Of Chancellorsville. he says : " While in this position (lying by the brook) my cousin, Charles M. Gilman (see sketch), was instantly killed by my side." ** * " 1 fired nearly sixty rounds of cartridges before retreating. and my gun became so foul that I could not drive a charge home, so I forced the end of the rammer against a small tree close by. As we fell back to avoid capture by one line of the enemy we found ourselves in the rear of another, and could do nothing else but surrender."
Married April Il, 1866, to Abbie S., daughter of Eleasor Cate, of Alton, and sister of Charles E. Cate, of the same company, and their children are Mamie A .. Charles F., and Inez 1 ..
This brave soldier's motto seems to be : " Act well your part, there all the honor lies "; and when life's journey with him shall near its end may the " well done " plandit be his to feel if not to hear.
* See page 248 et seq.
501
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. I. L. 5-7 . HENRY W. PERKINS.
LB. B. L. 5-6. CORP. JOIIN L. PETTENGILL.
B. L. L. 6-0. DANIEL J. PINKHAM.
D. Bk. D. 5-9. BUT. LIEUT. CHARLES A. PLACE.
502
History of the Twelfth Regiment
PERLEY P. PRESCOTT.
A native of Alton and was born September 21, 1840. Son of Joseph and Harriet N. (Place) Prescott. Both his grandfathers, Samuel Prescott and Jacob Place, were in the War of ISI2.
Taken sick before the regiment left camp at Concord, and never rejoined it.
Married January 1, 1860, to Ann Maria Dudley, of Barnstead, and Nettie F. is their only child. Occupation, shoemaker and farmer. A good citizen.
JOHN F. RANDALL.
" Killed at Chancellorsville," reads the official record, but it seems, from best informa- tion, that he was not killed instantly, but lived for several hours.
Lieutenant Towle, of his company, says: "Ile might have lived," meaning that his chances to live were seemingly in his favor until the surgeons commenced to probe and cut for the " buck-shot," as Towle calls it, that struck him in the leg, ending in amputation and death. Name of father, Peter ; of mother, Betsey (Willey). Born September 6, 1843. His brother, Samuel L., the oldest of five children, served in the Fifteenth Regiment, and his grandfather, Robert Willey, was a soldier of 1812.
Ile was buried on the field, and his body was never recovered. His aged mother still lives to mourn the loss of a brave and patriotic son.
ELISHA E. ROLLINS.
Here he is as he looked enjoying his "camp-fire comfort" in the war. (See A. D. Jones.)
Son of Jeremiah A. Rollins, of Alton, and was born in that town, February 18, 1838. He was married to Mary A. Chase, and had by her two children, Carrie and Eri. She is now the wife of Frank W. Hicks, of South Wolfeborough.
Ile was severely wounded in leg at Chancellorsville, and had it amputated soon after the battle. "Killed by the doctors," is the short, sad, but probably truthful story of Lieutenant Towle about this brave soldier, and there is too much of truth in these four words as said of many who " died of wounds," as reported, but ought to have recovered and lived many years to enjoy the pleasures and blessings of home. He was always joyous and full of fun, and is said to have been a good man and soldier.
IRA M. ROLLINS.
This soldier. who went out as drummer of the company, was born in Alton, August 18, 1828, and is the son of Stephen and Abigail (Severance) Rollins.
Married Frances A. Sampson, November 11, 1848. Children, Stephen E., Amaziali C., Albert N .. Ichabod. and Ida B.
He played the base drum from the time it was given the drum corps at Falmouth, Va.,* till the close of the war, and still plays the same drum at almost every annual reunion. This drum was stolen from its keeper in the war and afterwards fonnd and reclaimed by the drum corps.
A shoemaker before enlistment and a farmer since discharge. .
CAPT. MOSES HI. SAVAGE.
This long-lamented officer of Company A was born in New Durham, January 15, 1828, being the son of Capt. Benjamin and Louis (Davis) Savage, and was killed (see roster) May 3, 1863, by musket ball wound over left eye.
He was married to Betsy T., daughter of James Woodhouse, May 1, 1855.
Captain Savage, as a man, had few equals and no superiors. Enlisting solely from a clear sense of duty to his country and his God, leaving a home so pleasant and happy that he said that he had rather face the cannon than bid his wife and child good-by for the
* See page 63.
503
New Hampshire Volunteers.
J
G. D. D. 5-10. PERLEY P. PRESCOTT.
G. D. D. 5-S. JOHN F. RANDALL.
D. D. D. 5-4. ELISHA E. ROLLINS.
G. D. L. 5-7. IRA M. ROLLINS.
504
History of the Twelfth Regiment
front, he served long enough to win among his comrades what he had long held as a citizen at home - the love and respect of all that knew him ; and sealing his patriotism with his life's blood, went early to his reward.
Chaplain Ambrose, writing to his widow soon after his death, says: "The more I became acquainted with him and the better I knew him, the more his sterling qualities as a man appeared. Kindness beamed always from his countenance. I never remember of hearing him use a harsh expression. He seemed to be free from that selfish, ambitious spirit so often manifested."
The farewell injunction to his wife to try, should he never return, to have his son, then but three or four years old, well educated, has been bravely and nobly obeyed, though in the face of obstacles that would have disheartened anyone less energetic and determined. But under a sacred obligation of love and duty to the living and the dead, she persevered, and now her son, Henry W. Savage, of Boston, Mass., is a college graduate and one of the most promising young business men of the city. May he ever prove himself worthy of his name.
" His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, This is a man !"
SERGT. JAMES SLEEPER.
This soldier, who went out as the fourth sergeant of his company, was born October 13, 1820, and died at East Concord, where he resided, January 20, 1895. He was the son of Joseph and Susan (Lougee) Sleeper and the grandson of Benjamin Sleeper, who was in the Revolution. He was a brother of William H., of Company B, who died at Alexandria, Va.
lle was in Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and wounded in last battle by musket ball through upper jaw, and never with the regiment afterwards.
Married Susan, daughter of Jonathan Lougee, of Alton, September 18, 1851. Children, Frank E., Ella A., Lizzie C., and Edmund L.
Though nearly exempt by law when he enlisted, yet he proved one of the best of sol- diers ; and when obliged to accept a discharge because of his wound. the regiment lost a brave soldier, and by his late death the community where he lived has lost an honest and respected citizen.
EDWARD S. SMITH
Was born in Wentworth in 1821 or 1822, and was the son of Joseph and Esther Smith (maiden name unknown).
Married to Lavina Putney, of Wentworth, many years before enlistment, by whom he had ten children, viz. : Albert, Esther B., Granville J., Helen F., Electa B., Charlotte, Charles E .. Carrie L., Georgia, India A., one unnamed (died in infancy), and Josephine B. Albert, who first enlisted in the First Vermont Infantry, was a member and reenlisted veteran of the Sixth New Hampshire Volunteers, and was severely wounded in the battle of Antietam. Charles E. enlisted into the service, but was not mustered on account of disability.
This soldier died of typhoid fever at Falmouth, Va., March 17, 1863. His grandfather, Joseph, was in War of 1812.
CORP. CHARLES H. STOCKBRIDGE.
Time and place of birth, February 22, 1843, Alton. Parents, Abednego and Maria (Clough) Stockbridge, and his mother was an aunt of Leroy Clough (see sketch). His father lived at or near "Stockbridge Corner." He was an only son. who had two sisters.
From all that can be learned he was in most of the battles of the regiment, but never severely wounded. He is remembered as a good fellow and soldier, and from the last heard of him he lived in Hayden, Col.
505
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. S. L. 6-0.
CAPT. MOSES HI. SAVAGE.
B. D. D. 5-IO. EDWARD S. SMITH.
B. B. I .. 5-53. SERGT. JAMES SLEEPER.
B. I .. L. 5-6. CORP. CHARLES H. STOCKBRIDGE.
506
History of the Twelfth Regiment
ASA T. THOMPSON.
Born in Gilmanton in the year 1829.
In the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and soon after taken sick and sent to,hospital and discharged (see roster).
He was at one time in the meat business before enlistment, and station agent for a time since discharge at Alton or New Durham. But little is known of his history, but is believed to have died several years ago.
LIEUT. CHARLES F. TOWLE.
This brave and faithful officer, the oldest of ten children, of whom six were boys, was born in Wolfeborough, January 6, 1827, and is the son of William and Ruth L. Towle. Ilis great-grandfather was in several battles of the Revolution, and returning uninjured, lost a hand by the bursting of a gun he was firing in honor of the occasion.
In every engagement of the regiment except Gettysburg, when he was sick from wound in right thigh at Chancellorsville. Takeu prisoner at Bermuda Hundred, November 17. 1864, and for forty-two days of the three months he was in Libby Prison, he and five others were confined as hostages.
Married August 27, 1870, to Emma F., daughter of Jerome B. Witham, of New Durham. Children, George L., Clara M., and Charles F., Jr.
Enlisted and acted as private until after Fredericksburg, and this, with his solid common sense and good will for all. made him one of the best liked and most reliable of the line commanders.
By occupation a shoemaker most of his life and a brave and true soldier from 1862 to the end of the war. The name of few soldiers should be more revered or more grate- fully remembered than his.
CORP. WILLIAM P. WATSON.
This is the only one of the original Twelfth whose place and date of birth is not known and of whose death the exact day and place equally uncertain. Ile worked for sev- eral years before enlistment for Major Savage in Alton, where he enlisted, and from best information was never married. But little more than this is known of his history save as a soldier. He was a constant follower of the flag and a true and brave fighter beneath its folds from Fredericksburg to Cold Ilarbor, after which there is no well authenticated record of him. Two or three different stories are told by as many members, all claiming, and for good reasons, to know the facts concerning his last appearance and condition. But from the Revised Records of the state and other information from comrades there is little doubt but that he received his death wound at Cold Harbor and lived but a short time.
John Fifield (see sketch) says : "The last I ever saw him was in the field hospital at Cold Harbor, shot through three times. I think I was the last one who knew him who ever saw him alive."
LIEUT. JAMES M. YORK.
Born in Lee in Ists and died in Farmington, where he had long resided. He was a son of David and Betsey (Langley) York and grandson of Eliphalet York, of the War of 1812, and relative, as believed, of him of the same name who served in the Revolution.
l'pon the organization of Company A he was chosen first lieutenant, serving as such until disabled by exposure in Fredericksburg campaign. Before the war he had belonged to the " Strafford Guards," and was an ensign in the old state militia. For this reason he was selected by Captain Savage to drill the company, and it received its first lessons at Concord and Falmonth, Va., from him.
Married, first, to Catherine Dockham, and second, to Lucy A. Willey, of Durham, October 2, 1845, by whom he had four children, Ella F., Emma F., Roger S., and Albert Q., of whom the two last are living.
One worthy of the " Old Twelfth," though his record is short.
507
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. D. L. 6-1. ASA T. THOMPSON.
B. L. L. 5-S. LIEUT. CHARLES F. TOWLE.
B. DR. D. 5-S. CORP. WILLIAM P. WATSON.
G. D. D. 5-10. LIEUT. JAMES M. YORK.
508
History of the Twelfth Regiment
COMPANY B.
This is said to be the first company to arrive in camp at Concord, though both A and B reached there and were mustered into the govern- ment service the same day, August 1, 1862, instead of September 5, as stated of Company A .* The company was raised almost entirely in the towns of Gilmanton and Barnstead, only five or six living in other towns. Nearly one half the company enlisted from Gilmanton.
The meeting for the election of officers and organization of the com- pany was held at Gilmanton "Iron Works" (so called) a few days before the company left town for Concord, when Thomas E. Barker, of Gilmanton, was unanimously chosen captain, and John M. Durgin and Charles E. Marsh, both of the same town, were elected as first and second lieutenants ; and all were afterwards commissioned by Governor Berry to fill these respective positions, which they did until the shot of the enemy disabled them at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Horace Edgerly was elected as first or orderly sergeant. The other four sergeants were elected and received their warrants in the order here named : Jonathan Tasker, Sylvester J. Gale, Horace B. Carr, and Rufus E. Gale. The corporals were John L. Piper, William T. Knight, George P. Buswell, Oliver H. P. Young, John P. Eaton, Baron F. S. Burpee, Joseph E. Dockham, and William H. Berry.
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