USA > New Hampshire > History of the Twelfth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers in the war of the rebellion > Part 61
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Born in Gilmanton, February 10, 1832, and the oldest son of the two children of Thomas J. and Hannah ( Sanborn ) Gale.
Married November 29, 1857, to Harriet S., daughter of William R. Gilman, of Gilman- ton. Children, Cora B. and Arthur E.
In Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and wounded in last named battle, by minie ball through right leg. Reported for duty at Point Lookout, October 9, 1863, but not having fully recovered from wound, was sent on recruiting service to Concord, N. Il., and remained there and at Galloup's Island, Boston Harbor, until discharged.
A blacksmith by trade and occupation, and a man who has an opinion of his own, and is not afraid or unable to express it, either with tongue or peu.
ALVIN D. HALL.
Son of William and Jehosheba ( Ilussey ) Hall, and born in Barnstead, March 4, 1833. His great-grandfather, on his mother's side, Edward MeGoon, and his four brothers were in the War of the Revolution.
In Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Wounded in last battle by musket ball through right arm, below the elbow ; and returned to duty in September following, soon after which, was sent to Concord, with Lieutenant Edgerly, on recruiting service.
Married .Innia Bodge, of Barnstead, December 24, 1871, and died in said town, November 15. 1875, of pneumonia, having never been in good health after his discharge.
His wife died, June II, 1873, leaving two children, Bertha M. and Bertrand M. (twins), who are now living. Ile possessed the elements of trne manhood and was a good and brave soldier.
CHARLES T. JACOBS.
Born in Gilmanton, and was the oldest son of the six children (two boys), of Alfred C. and Ann E. ( Sawyer ) Jacobs.
lle was not, as believed, able to be in the battle of Fredericksburg, being taken sick some time before.
Alas! like too many, oh, how many, he in the prime of youth's vigor, lost strength and hope, and died, martyr to the canse of humanity. And he was but one of the many thousands who died while the army lay at Falmouth, Va., during the winter of IS62-3. * It makes tears of sorrow, even now, and dims the fading vision of the old veteran, as he remembers those terrible days of sickness and death.
EVERETT JENKINS.
This is the oldest son, but one, of the eight children ( six boys ) of Joseph and Lydia ( Merrill ) Jenkins, of Barnstead, where he was born, September 29. 1836.
lle married Addie N., daughter of Wyatt Knowles, of Pittsfield, where they now reside. Ile was severely wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg, and, from want of proper medical attention, has been a cripple and constant sufferer ever since ; although by reason of a strong constitution he still survives as a living illustration of the cruel and barbarous practice of war. He is a victim of one of the shells thrown at the regiment before it crossed the river ;t a piece of it striking his gun barrel with sufficient force as to bend it almost like a hoop over his shoulder, and shatter his right arm. Ile has suffered more how- ever with his right leg, upon which. from the effects of blood poisoning, he has had several operations, and lost a large part of the bone, although it was not injured at all by the shell at the time he was wounded.
* See page 56, et seq.
+ See page 41.
521
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. Bk. D. 5-93. -
SERGT. SYLVESTER J. GALE.
11. L. L. 5-93. ALVIN D. HALI .
G. B. 1 .. 5-103. CHIARLES T. JACOBS.
B. L. L. 5-10. EVERETT JENKINS.
522
History of the Twelfth Regiment
One of his four half-brothers, William A. Jenkins, went out and cared for him for two months or more until he was able to go home. Much of this time he seemed balancing between life and death, and but for the brotherly attention and assistance he received then would not now probably be among the living. Although an invalid all the time, he, with the assistance of his wife, was enabled to hold the position of postmaster, in Pittsfield, for about twenty years, and is to-day one of its most respected citizens.
SERGT. LEWIS JENKINS .*
This brother of the last named soldier was born in Barnstead, February 2, 1838.
He was married September 14, 1862, to Carrie S. Palmer, of Barnstead, and has three children. Walter L., Ellen, and Annie M. All of the family are now living.
Ile was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and capture of Richmond, aud wounded in foot by minie ball at Chancellorsville. He was on detached service at prisoner's camp, Point Lookout, Md., for some months, and in the Post Commissary Department, at Richmond, Va., from April 3 to end of the war.
MELVIN J. JENKINS .*
The youngest of three brothers, this and two last mentioned (see sketch), whose names all appear upon the muster rolls of Company B of this regiment.
Hle was born in Barnstead, December 8, 1843. Ile grew to early manhood working upon his father's farm on Beanty Hill in his native town.
He was for sometime an efficient member of the police force in Manchester, was six or eight years one of the best city marshals of that place, and is at present employed as watchman there in one of its large cotton manufactories.
After the war, January 2, 1868, he married Mary A. Parker, of Loudon, by whom he has two children, Everett P. and Ethel.
CHARLES II. JONES.
The subject of this sketch was the only son of the four children of John and Lydia M. (Drew) Jones, who was born in Great Falls, September 1, 1837. He died of black measles at Potomac Creek, Va .. December 11. 1862.
Ile was the first of the regiment to die of that disease, and one of the many who died that winter while the regiment was encamped at Falmouth, Va. He was a Christian by profession, and a good man by nature. A farmer, and was never married.
JOHN C. LEIGHTON.
Son of James and Lavina (Kimball) Leighton, and born in Gilmanton, August 14, 1838. Married Julia Ann Lougee, of Gilmanton, June 14, 1861 ; no children.
In the battle of Fredericksburg, and from exposure, probably, in that short but severe campaign contracted the cold which resulted in his death from typhoid fever a few weeks later. (See roster.)
lle was a young man of rare moral excellence, and possessed what he professed, the true brotherly love and kindness of a Christian's heart; and this together with his naturally kind and attractive disposition made every acquaintance a friend, and his com- rades to love him as a brother. Honor to his memory and sorrow for his untimely end, is the sentiment of all who still remember him.
* See end of this company.
523
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. B. L. 5-9. SERGT. LEWIS JENKINS.
B. B. L. 5-10. MELVIN J. JENKINS.
B. B. L. 5-53. CHIARLES II. JONES,
B. B. L. 6-0. JOHN C. LEIGHTON.
.
History of the Twelfth Regiment
524
ANDREW D. LOCKE.
Fifty-five years ago this 7th day of September, 1891, this son of Reuben and Eliza (Shaw) Locke was born in the town of Loudon, where he now resides. Married Amanda M. Sanborn, of Loudon, January 1, 1856. Children, Charles A., Flora E. and Clara E. (twins), George A., Ida B., Jennie M., Henry P., and Mamie E.
In Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Cemetery Hill, Siege of Petersburg, and Bermuda Hundred. Wounded and captured at Chancellorsville, and captured again at Bermuda Hundred. In Libby prison twice, about three weeks each, and two months or more in rebel prison at Salisbury. A printer by trade.
LIEUT. CHARLES E. MARSIL.
An honorable ancestry and a good record belongs to the name and claim of this comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic, who left his blood on two great battle-fields of the war, being wounded in left arm by shell at Fredericksburg,* and by musket ball in left groin at Gettysburg, and so far disabled as to unfit him for further field service.
Son of Amos and Susan (Gilman) Marsh and grandson of Joseph Marsh who was a soldier of the Revolution. Born in Gilmanton, April 4, 1836; academic education ; and worked before enlistment in a plow manufactory. Ile was married June 16, 1864, to Laura A. Griffin, of Lowell, Mass. Children, Myrtle M., Lilly M., and Frederick C.
After the war he worked at the printing business a while in Gilmanton, and then moved to Greenville where he has resided ever since, and has held several local and town offices including postmaster, cashier of bank, and town representative, beside others of trust and responsibility.
THOMAS MOORE.
Here is another one of the "Old Guard " as he looked, with his whiskers cropped, in his dress-coat suit of uniform.
Parents, Jonathan and Charlotte (McCrillis) Moore ; place and date of birth, Dover, October 12, 1826. Married July 25, 1857, to Mary Phebe, daughter of William Green, of Pittsfield, whose sons, Cotton W. and George F., served in the New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. Children, Hattie C. and Frank L., both lived to grow up but now deceased. In all the principal battles of the regiment from Fredericksburg to Cold Harbor inclusive.
Wounded in right thigh at Gettysburg, and in left thigh at Cold Harbor, the last while on the advance picket line June 7. 1864, instead of the third as stated in the roster. As soon as able, after Gettysburg, he was sent to the hospital at Brattleboro, Vt., and remained there until January 14, 1864, when he rejoined the regiment at Point Lookout, Md. After Cold Harbor, he was in Washington Street Hospital, Alexandria, until near the close of the war, when he was sent to Auger Hospital, Washington, where he was discharged. Occupation, a fariner like his father before him, who was in the War of 1812. A man of few words, but brave, honest, and reliable not only as a soldier but in every position and relation of life.
HIORACE T. MENSEY.
Son of Joseph and Sally C. (Twombly) Munsey, and born in Chelsea, Mass., April 14, 1836. Married April 17, 1860, to Sophia C. Munsey, of Barnstead. In Fredericksburg, and, as believed, fought at Chancellorsville. Ile was a worthy man and brave soldier. Died of fever.
Ilis brother, George F., died of wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg instead of disease. (See roster.) Ile too was a brave soldier, and his name appears, as it should, ou the roll of honor. He was married and left one daughter.
* See page 41.
525
New Hampshire Volunteers.
G. DB. D. 5-6.
ANDREW D. LOCKE.
11:
B. S. S. 5-11. LIEUT, CHARLES E. MARSII.
B. B. L. 5-73. THOMAS MOORE.
G. B. L. 5-6. HORACE T. MUNSEY.
526
History of the Twelfth Regiment
EDWIN S. NELSON.
Born on the old homestead farm in Gilmanton, which has ever since been his home, May 18, 1842. Son of John F. and Huldah (Kimball) Nelson, and was the fourth of five children, two of whom were boys. In the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and severely wounded in last in right leg, disabling him from all further service. He lay on the field where he fell for several days in the enemy's lines before he was paroled.
Ile was married soon after the war to Margaret, daughter of Capt. Jonathan Picker- ing, of Barnstead, and Minnie Ethel is their only child. Though his war record was short yet he fought and bled on one of the most sanguine battle-fields of the war.
ALBERT M. NEWELL.
William HI. Newell married Olive Dennett and had by her thirteen children, four of whom fought for the Union, viz., William JJ., of the Fifth New Hampshire, Albert M. and Arthur C., of the Twelfth, and Samuel A., who served in a western regiment. William J. and the subject of this sketch were both twin children, though of different ages hy several years.
Married to Amelia J. Fisk in 1854, and their children are Albert, Frank, and John P.
In Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Wapping Heights battles but never wounded. At the battle of Gettysburg when the tide turned, and it was his turn to catch fish, he " bagged " eight Johnnies though not exactly at one " haul," and had them all upon one " string " within our lines. They were all found on dangerous shoals, and quite willing to be taken .*
He was selected as cook at regimental headquarters at Point Lookout, and acted as such and company cook to the end of the war.t While carrying rations to the men while in front of Petersburg he came very near being killed by a rebel sharpshooter.
Ilis twin brother, Lafayette, was a photographer at Point Lookout, Md., for some months while the regiment was encamped there, and many pictures that appear in this history are engraved from photo-copies of the living original as taken by him at time and place.
BYT. LIEUT. HARLAN PAIGE
Is a native of Gilmanton where he now resides, and his parents, Asa and Eliza F. (Edgerly) Paige, welcomed his advent there, August 5. 1838. He is the oldest but one of eight children, four boys and four girls. Ile was with regiment through all its battles except Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was slightly wounded in the head at Drury's Bluff and in leg at Cold Harbor.
His brothers, Albert T. and Asa F., served for four years in Fourth New Hampshire Regiment, the latter serving three years more in the regular army. He and a comrade had a perilous experience within the enemy's lines in the fall of 1862, but fortunately escaped capture.#
January 2, 1860, he married Lydia E., daughter of Joseph Sleeper, of Gilmanton, who had two sons in the same regiment-James, who was severely wounded at Chancellorsville, and William II., who died in the service. (See roster.) Lieutenant Paige has three chil- dren named Agnes L., Alice .J., and Fannie B. Ile is a shoemaker by occupation, working as such both before and since the war. He is of English descent, but America is now proud to claim him as one of her most reliant defenders.
HORACE M. PARSHLEY.
Born in Barnstead where he now resides, May 11, 1830, with Abby Bickford whom he chose as his life partner March 7, 1862, and by whom he has been blessed with seven chil- dren, Frank L., Bettie A., Eli, Euphemia D., Mary V., Bertha P., Inez E., all living. He is the son of Joshua and Patience (Keniston) Parshley.
* See page 126. t See page 418.
* See narrative page 400, also anecdote 425.
527
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. B. I .. 5-10. EDWIN S. NELSON.
Bk. D. D. 5-9. ALBERT M. NEWELL.
G. DB. D. 5-53.
BVT. LIEUT. HARLAN PAIGE.
B. D. D. 5-63. HORACE M. PARSHLEY.
528
History of the Twelfth Regiment
In Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Drury's Bluff, and Cold Harbor. Ile says : "I was the last to come out of Cold Ilarbor alive. The ground fairly crawled beneath my feet." Though sick and in hospital much of the time, he was in some of the hardest fights of the regiment, and came home with the few who lived to see the end. Ile is living in his native town to-day.
CORP. PELEG D. PERKINS.
Born in Fairhaven, Mass., in 1830, the son of William and Adda (Perkins) Perkins, and the brother of William H., who was in the same company and mortally wounded at Chancellorsville. Married November 30, 1863, while at home on furlough, to Sarah E. Dow. sister of Charles W. (see sketch), and his only child, who was not born until after his death, was named Clara Ella and is now the wife of Clarence S. Jenkins, of Pittsfield.
In most or all the battles of the regiment, being wounded at Chancellorsville, until the last and fatal one of Cold Harbor, where he lost both legs and from the effects of which he soon after died. (See roster.) Little is known of the family record of this man, but he is remembered by his comrades as one of the bravest and best.
THOMAS J. PIERCE.
We give here a good picture of this soldier who was born in Barnstead, December 19, 1838. His father, Heury H. Pierce, was a carpenter and worked for many years for the Pittsfield cotton mill, and was an upright man. Ilis mother, also lately deceased, was Abigail N. M. Caswell. He was the second son.
Hle was wounded in right arm at Chancellorsville, causing amputation at elbow, and about a month later his death. (See roster.) When lying in hospital after losing his arm he continually complained of its hurting him, saying it was doubled up some way and pained him. Upon digging it up, it was found to be lying in a cramped position and was changed. lle did not complain of it afterward, although he did not know that it had been moved.
Married to Mary, daughter of John Chesley, of Barnstead, in September, 1862; no children. A shoemaker by trade, and of good disposition and habits. His grandfather was a veteran of the War of 1812.
SERGT. JOIIN L. PIPER.
Here is a good picture of a good soldier and good man. Like many others of the company, too much cannot be said in his praise. Born in Gilmanton, March 16, 1836. Parents, Stephen and Mary (Glidden) Piper. Married November 25, 1856, to Mary E., daughter of William Dudley, of Barnstead, and their children are Frank II. and Harriet M .; another, the first born, died in infancy.
A brother, Dudley L., served in New Hampshire Heavy Artillery.
In every engagement with his regiment until Cold Harbor, where his left leg was penetrated by a grape shot, that he still keeps, disabling him from further service during the war. During the winter of 1863-64, he was ou detached service at Concord, gathering up and taking recruits to the front.
Over six feet tall and well proportioned, he is one of the very few, out of the many large men, who enlisted in the regiment, who were present in the ranks after the first year ; and almost the only one who was so long at the front. At Chancellorsville, when told by Captain Barker, when wounded, that he would have to take command of the company as lie was the ranking othcer left, he replied, as he vigorously rammed another cartridge down his gun barrel : " Well, I'll do the best ! can ;" and he kept his word not only through that battle, but until the end of his service. Had all as earnestly resolved and faithfully performed as he. there would be many less to feel ashamed that they are alive to-day.
Several years after the war he was providentially saved fromn violent death while working in a saw mill. Ile was caught by and carried around a swift revolving shaft where it seemed impossible for a man of his size to go ; but he did and came out alive .*
* See incidents, pages 157 and 425.
New Hampshire Volunteers.
529
B. S. S. 5-9. CORP. PELEG D. PERKINS.
B. A. I .. 5-S. THOMAS J. PIERCE.
B. B. L. 6-3. SERGT. JOHN L. PIPER.
34
530
History of the Twelfth Regiment
GEORGE W. PITMAN.
This member of the old drum corps,* is the son of Daniel and Betsey (Straw) Pitman, and was born in Barnstead in 1838, on the same month and day as he from whom he took his world-honored nanie.
He was with the regiment, as musician, in all its marches and battles, and at every place-except a short time in hospital-from the beginning to the end, when he visited home and greeted his relatives and friends for the first time after leaving them nearly three years before.
He was a drummer, and a good one, and is to-day ; and as brave with his stretcher on the field of courage, as he was skilful with the use of his drumsticks on dress parade or review. He married the widow of George W. Jewett, of Company H (see sketch), April 2, 1872. No children. Nothing can be said of this soldier or his record that is not meritorious.
GEORGE E. PLACE.
Son of Smith C. and Nancy J. (Dicey) Place, and born August 8, 1837. Jacob Place, his grandfather, was in the last war with England; and in the late war his father served in the Seventh New Hampshire Volunteers, and his brother, Josiah S., died while a mem- ber of the Fourth New Hampshire, and was buried at Hilton Head, S. C., where his dust still reposes.
Married November 27, 1860, to Elsie M. Kendall. Children, Edwin J., Nora A., Ida J., and Gertrude S .- the first and last living.
In the battles of Chancellorsville, Swift Creek, Port Walthall, and also Cold Harbor, where he was wounded by musket balls in right arm and back. In the fall of 1864 he was detailed to serve in ambulance train of Twenty-fourth Corps, remaining there until the end of the war. Although sickness kept him from the field for several months, yet he was always the same intelligent and faithful soldier, and acted well his part. He was Com- pauy B's poet in the army while at Falmouth, and used to write verses for his comrades for five cents each. Since the war he has exercised his literary talent by frequent contri- butions for the press. His personal experience at Chancellorsville, and other extracts from his pen will be found elsewhere in this history.t
JAMES E. RANDLETT.
Here is one of the youngest of the regiment, and used to be called, as every one sup- posed he was, " the baby of Company B." And not till many years after the war, when youth had changed to manhood, and gray hairs appeared among the brown. did the Bible fact appear, upon careful investigation, that not only Company B, but nearly the whole regiment, had been proudly nursing the wrong baby !
Hle was the second of the four children of James S. and Abby O. (Chase) Randlett, and was born in Quincy, Mass., September 5. 1846.
It soon became evident that he was too tall for his years to stand long in the ranks of war, and he was left sick at Warrington, Va., being reduced, then or soon after, from 158 to 76 pounds. After this he was sick for a long time and the keen edge of his youthful ambition to serve his country was dulled, and he consented to act the invalid's part till the bloody drama closed. (See roster.)
Married Georgia, daughter of Solomon Gray, of Concord, December 22, 1864. Chil- dren, Clarence B. and Elizabeth M.
After the war he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it fifteen years, then was mail carrier at Concord for four years, and then appointed keeper of the State House for four years more ; since which, engaged in architecture, being employed in building Memorial Hall building at Philadelphia for the great Exposition of 1876. Also has been employed
* See page 371. t See pages 206 and 447.
53I
New Hampshire Volunteers.
II. Bk. D. 5-7. GEORGE W. PITMAN.
G. B. D. 5-74. GEORGE E. PLACE.
Bk. B. D. 5-9. JAMES E. RANDLETT.
532
History of the Twelfth Regiment
to draw plans for erection of many public and private buildings and blocks of this State, among which is the State Agricultural building at Durham, which he also built .. Nothing is so commendable in this sketch as the following from his own pen :
"I received my education mostly from evening schools after I had done my usual day's work at my trade. I started in life with just the clothes I had on my back ; but God has blessed me, and I think I have been very successful."
Thus from his work since may be inferred what his army record might and probably would have been had health permitted.
JOSEPH C. RUSSELL.
A native of Franconia, where he became the child of Joseph and Abigail S. (Pink- ham) Russell, May 20, 1836. Enlisted as a teamster and served as such to the end of the war, being wagon master for some time in Quartermaster department. Ile married Jennie B., daughter of John N. Hoyt, of Barnstead, March 12, 1859, and their only child's name is Ilarry H.
A farmer when he enlisted, but for many years after the war a grocery merchant in Boston, Mass., and now engaged in the same business at Barnstead Parade.
The fact that he was promoted and so long retained in the line of service for which he enlisted is sufficient evidence of his ability and fidelity, for it proves that he acted well his part.
NOBLE SACKETT.
Son of Noble and Olive (Watkins) Sackett, and born in Westfield, Mass., August 4, 1814. Married Rooxbe S. Jacobs, who was a good and faithful mother, December I, 1841. Children, David N., Hannah M., Olive J., Angeline R., Sedelia S. (deceased), Hiram M. (deceased), Priscilla A., Franklin E., Electa S., Cyntha A., Ada MI., and George A.
In Fredericksburg. and in Chancellorsville where he was wounded in head, lying for some time senseless on the field, taken prisoner and confined in Libby and Belle Isle until paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., where his leg was accidentally broken, and from which place he was discharged.
Re-enlisted in the Eighteenth New Hampshire Volunteers and served therein until the end of the war. Buried in Barnstead where he died August 27, 1885. (See error in roster.) Occupation, shoemaker and farmer. Ile was a good man and soldier and left an honorable record. See father's and son's pictures, next page.
DAVID N. SACKETT.
The oldest child of Noble and Rooxbe (Jacobs) Sackett (see last sketch), and born in Pittsfield, January 12, 1842. His grandfather Jacobs was in the War of 1812.
In Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and wounded in the last battle in right hand and hip, losing a finger. Calvin D. Pitman, of his company, was killed by his side.
Married Sarah E., daughter of Aaron G. Young, of Barnstead, March 24, 1867, and Nellie E. is their only child.
Quiet and modest, but one of those men it would be safe to select to carry a " forlorn hope." Now, as for some years, a successful merchant at Barnstead Centre, where he has the confidence of his patrons and the respect of all his townsmen.
533
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. B. D. 5-S. JOSEPH C. RUSSELL.
B. G. L. 5-43.
NOBLE SACKETT.
B. B. L. 5-S. DAVID N. SACKETT.
534
History of the Twelfth Regiment
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