USA > New Hampshire > History of the Twelfth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers in the war of the rebellion > Part 74
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Married July 26, 1865, to Nellie S. Howell. of Goldsborough, N. C. Children, Edward II. and Eliza B.
Since the war he has been commander of G. A. R. Post, inspector of department, and assistant inspector-general, for one year.
REUBEN P. WILLARD.
This soldier, who was in Fredericksburg battle, and whose severe wound in both hips at Chancellorsville so far disabled him from further service that he was discharged a few months later.
Ile was born in Loudon, October 9, 1831. Son of a carpenter, John Willard, he early learned that trade which has been his principal business since the war. He also learned the shoemaking trade, working at it for some years before enlistment, and for a while, because of his wounds, after his discharge. ITis father married Ann Batchelder, by whom he had seven children, Renben and John (see Company F), of the three boys, both serving their country in the war for its preservation.
Married December 29, 1860, to Olive B. Bean, of Sandwich, and Edward F., Daniel MI., Nellie F. L., John P., Arthur B., and Ernest II., are the fruits of their marital usion. May they be as happy in the enjoyment of our free institutions as their father was willing to toil and suffer for their defense.
695
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. BK. L. 5-10. GEORGE W. WATSON.
HI. B. L. 5-9.
HENRY L. WILKINSON.
B. L. S. 5-7. REUBEN P. WILLARD.
696
History of the Twelfth Regiment
COMPANY I.
The work of raising this company was carried on in the towns of Meredith, Centre Harbor, Campton, and Holderness.
A recruiting office was opened at Meredith, by Joseph W. Lang, Jr., who enlisted eighty-six men in three days. A whole company might have been enlisted by him if a squad of fourteen men from Campton, enlisted by Edwin Pronk, had not been taken into the company because they wished to go altogether.
The following men were elected by members of the company and afterwards commissioned : For captain, Joseph W. Lang. Jr. : for first lieutenant, William H. H. Fernal : second lieutenant, William W. Stevens : sergeants, George S. Cram, Edwin Pronk, Levi Leach, William P. Ham, and Moses F. Hutchins : corporals, Alden A. Kidder, Moses Chapman. Samuel W. George, George G. Badger, George W. Ham, Loammi Hartshorn, Dudley F. Norris, and Robert Forsaith : William E. S. Foss and William H. Skinner were appointed musicians.
Captain Lang, as afterwards commissioned, was the first man to enlist in the company.
The muster of this company into the United States service occurred September 9. 1862.
697
New Hampshire Volunteers.
SULLIVAN BRYANT.
Born in Meredith, February 24, 1823, and is the son of Hazen and Mehitable (Quincy) Bryant and father of William ()., who enlisted in the same company (see sketch) and was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor.
The subject of this sketch was married to Mehitable II. Barry, of Tamworth, October 26. 1844. Children, William O., Hattie G., Clara E., George W., Hosea F., and Sarah JJ.
lle was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Wounded slightly in both ears at Chancellorsville and in hand by minie ball at Gettysburg, where he also had his knapsack torn from his back by a shell. His grandfather, Jonathan Quincy, was in the War of 1812.
A shoemaker before enlistment and laborer since discharge. He died at Meredith, February 19, 1897.
WILLIAM O. BRYANT.
Here is another of the youthful heroes of Company I who gave his life for his country. About his parentage, etc., see sketch of his father, Sullivan. Born June 23, 1816, he was but one month and sixteen days over sixteen years of age when he enlisted ; yet he was with his regiment in every battle, as believed, except Fredericksburg. up to Cold Harbor, where he fell mortally wounded in the bowels, but lived, from best information, until 6 p. M. Sergeant Gray. of Company F. was talking with him a few minutes before he died. He seemed quite composed, and not then suffering much. Suddenly he exclaimed, " Oh, dear, I shall die!" and immediately expired. At Gettysburg, while acting ou detached duty in the First New Jersey Battery, two horses that he was holding were killed by a shell that left him untouched.
Captain Lang says of him : " good, always ready ;" while another of bis comrades says : " good as the best :" while his mother, with fearful eyes, thus expressed this tribute of praise : " he was a good hearted, dutiful boy." Few words indeed, but how full of meaning, and hence applicable to this brief sketch of one whose memory should be cherished.
ALBERT L. BUSIEL.
llere in full uniform, cap-a-pie, is a picture of the youthful patriot who was the first to fall from the ranks of the Twelfth, being accidentally shot while buying a revolver in a gun shop at Concord, two days before the regiment left there for the front.
He was the oldest child of Harrison M. Busiel (see sketch ) who, finding that his son, a mere boy of fifteen years, was determined to go to war and had already enlisted, decided to enlist himself in the same regiment that he might be with and care for him. How little he thought then how short the time and unavailing his care would be.
Albert L. was born October 19, 1846. He was a bright, promising boy, full of life and energy, and this sad and sudden death of their first born was a terrible blow to his parents, who had not the consolation even of knowing that he fell on the field of battle, and in defense of the flag that he was so earnestly willing to follow. Yet, why should his praise be less ?
" Who would not be that youth? What pity is it
That we can die but once to save our country."
DANA E. BUSIEL.
This worthy defender of his country's flag was the oldest son of Jonas S. and Clar- enda (Ames) Busiel, and was born in Bedford, Mass., November 23, 1842.
In October, after his discharge. in 1865, he was married to Sarah A. Peabody, of Gil- ford, by whom he has two children, George II. and Parker A., both living.
In all battles of regiment, except Cold Harbor and Siege of Petersburg, during which time he was on detached service in the division supply train.
A farmer by occupation, and as reliable as a soldier, as are the rains of spring to clothe the fields that he tills, with verdure. " I tried to do my duty," he says in a letter to the author of this sketch and his record shows how well he succeeded.
698
History of the Twelfth Regiment
SERGT. MOSES CHAPMAN.
The picture of this veteran shows him as he looked when discharged from the service, for disability from protracted sickness, a month or two before the close of the war. Ile is the son of Moses and Betsey (Giddings) Chapman, and born in Danvers, Mass., July 30, 1821.
Married April 5, 1851, to Margaret HI. Westwood, of his native town, where they resided until he moved into this state some years later. Children, Moses E., George A., Christianna, Maggie E., Isabella (deceased), Charles II., Edgar, Jennie A., Frank, and Nellie.
In Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, where he was taken prisoner and lay for a while in the rebel lines exposed to a scathing fire from the Union side, one bullet passing over him and wounding a man by his side, who had already been wounded four times in that battle.
It is enough to say of the good will and sterling worth of this soldier, that knowing as he did from his experience on two terrible battle-fields, what he was to meet on the next, he went into and through the battle of Gettysburg with a certificate from Surgeon Fowler, exempting him from all military duty and which had been endorsed, while on the march, by one of General Mead's medical staff, who told him not to try and keep along with the regi- ment. After the battle he was unable to keep up with the army and followed after alone, as far as Harper's Ferry, where he was ordered into the hospital, rejoining the regiment some weeks later at Point Lookout. From there until his discharge he was either doing light duty with the regiment, or at home on sick furlough.
CHARLES B. CLOUGH.
Youngest of the three brothers (John F. and George S.), who are here found sketched in the order of their ages.
Though a mere boy, being born February 14, 1845, yet brave, determined, and faith- ful, he followed and stood by the flag of his country in all the marches and battles of the regiment from Concord to Point Lookout, Md., where disease, taking advantage of his toil- worn condition, fastened upon him, and he went home to die. His father, who had tried hard to dissuade him from enlisting, went out after him hoping that a change of air and a mother's care might save him. But all in vain, for in just three weeks from the time his mother pressed a love-welcoming kiss upon his pale and sunken cheek, that cheek was pale in death. Captain Fernal said that he could be tracked for miles on the march to Gettysburg by the blood that came from his feet, his shoes being too badly worn to protect them. At Chancellorsville. he fired seventy-two rounds, teu more than he carried, and was slightly wounded by a rail thrown against him, his knapsack receiving the blow and prob- ably saving his life.
One of the bravest and best.
GEORGE S. CLOUGH.
In number, age, and size, here is the middle one of the "Clongh brothers," of Com- pany I, whose picture shows him at the time of his enlistment.
Born in Meredith. May 23, 1843; see sketch of John F., for parentage and family record.
He was taken sick at Arlington Heights, and was confined in hospital at Washington for seventeen weeks before discharge. He went ont and got his brother, John F., a furlough after the latter was wounded at Chancellorsville, and brought him home.
Married June 20, 1863, while at home on furlough, to Eliza C. James, of New Bed- ford. Children, May E. and Lizzie F.
lle was a shoemaker when enlisting, but since the war has most of the time been engaged in the meat and provision business at Manchester. Like his brother, he has the respect of all who know him and is a successful and reliable business man.
699
New Hampshire Volunteers.
B. B. L. 5-73. ALBERT L. BUSIFL ..
B. B. D. 5-73. SULLIVAN BRYANT.
B. D. D. 5-7. WILLIAM O. BRYANT.
700
History of the Twelfth Regiment
JOHN F. CLOUGII.
Soon after the birth of this veteran of Company I, who is second in a family of seven children, all boys, November 14, 1842, his parents, John K. and Ellen (Libby ) Clough, moved from the town of Gray, Me., to Meredith. where his two comrade brothers were born (see sketches), and where his aged mother is still living. This family of Cloughs are of Scotch descent and immigrated to this country.
In Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, where he was severely wounded in right knee. and lay for sixteen days on the field without any food or care except the little received from the enemy. Speaking of the battle, he says : " All I got to eat, all this time, was water and flour so poor that when mixed up it looked like ashes and water. I lay in the old log house until it was literally knocked to pieces by our own solid shot and shells, and one of which, passing through the house, just grazed my body as I lay prostrate upon the floor." He was reported dead, after the battle, and the day for the funeral services appointed at his home in Meredith, when the good news came that he was still among the living.
Annie L. Kenny, of Manchester, who became his wife March 19, 1872. is now the mother of Eugene F., their only child.
The fact that he has been county commissioner of Hillsborough county for nearly eight years, being elected four times, and a member of the city government of Manchester for about the same time, speaks plainer than words of his integrity and ability as a public officer. and of his personal affability and high character as a citizen and a man.
Occupation before enlistment a shoemaker, and since discharge in the meat business with his brother, George S. (see sketch), and in office as above.
llis grandfather. Oliver Clough, was a pensioner of the Revolution, and is remem- bered as the last survivor of that war, of Meredith, or any where in that section. Ile was at the surrender of Burgoyne, and said to have been on guard at the execution of Andre.
LIEUT. GEORGE S. CRAM.
This soldier went ont with the regiment as first sergeant of his company, and was promoted to a second lieutenant just before the battle of Chancellorsville, where he was killed early in the fight, by a musket ball passing through his neck and severing both jugu- lar veins, the blood spurting out on both sides.
Ile was the youngest son of Amos and Jane S. ( Prescott) Cram, who had two other sons and three daughters, and was born in Meredith, March 2, 1826.
Married Abby J. Deen, of Lincolnville, Me .. November 9, 1815, by whom he had four children, Francis II., Clara A., Viola J. (died young), and Alberto J. Ilis progenitors were of English descent, but his more immediate ancestry lived for several generations in Mere- dith. He received his commission on his birthday, 1863, but a presentiment that he should be killed in the first battle following proved but too true. "He had just told me, (G. W. Clarke) as he fell, to go to the rear, as I was just then severely wounded." He had told Captain Lang, shortly before, that he shouldn't live through the battle.
The G. A. R. Post, of Meredith, is named for himn.
CORP. NATHANIEL S. DAVIS.
Son of Josiah M. and Mehitable (Smith) Davis, and born in Gilmanton, November 24, 1837.
Hle was a farmer before the war and enlisted from Meredith.
Ile was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, being wounded in the latter by minie ball in left thigh and taken prisoner. He was paroled the next day and exchanged in November. His grandfather Smith enlisted in the War of the Revolution, serving five years, and his two brothers, Jolin P. (see sketch) and Charles O., were also members of this regiment.
Sarah S. Graves became his wife, December 30, 1855, and their children, George E., Frank, and John P .. are all living.
701
New Hampshire Volunteers.
LB. L. L. 5-43. DANA E. BUSIEL.
B. D. D. 5-9. SERGT. MOSES CHAPMAN.
ยท
B. LB. L. 5-63. CHARLES B. CLOUGH.
B. B. L. 5-S. GEORGE S. CLOUGH.
DB. D. I .. 5-113. JOIIN F. CLOUGH.
702
History of the Twelfth Regiment
CAPT. WILLIAM II. HI. FERNAL.
Captain Fernal. the only son of Luke and Betsey (Stevens) Fernal, was born in Boston, Mass., March 11, 1834; his parents moving to Meredith, which ever after was his home, when he was about a year old.
His father was for some years a missionary among the Cherokee Indians in Tennessee, and possessed in a marked degree those noble qualities of heart that were transmitted to, and so often manifested by, his son. Receiving a common school education, he learned the trade of blacksmith, and continued to work at that business until he enlisted into Company 1. August 15, 1862, being chosen by that company and afterward commissioned as its first lieutenant.
November 3, 1855, he was married to Loretta S. Burleigh, of Holderness, having by her two children, Harry L. and Minnie II., both living. llis wife had both grandfathers in the Revolution.
lle was in more battles and saw more active field service than any other one of the original officers of the regiment, being in every engagement except Cold Harbor, and present at that, but not getting off picket in time enough to enter the charge, and never wounded, except slightly in the ear, at Chancellorsville. There was no mean or mercen- ary blood in his veins. Hle enlisted to put down what he believed to be a " wicked and causeless rebellion," and with a brave heart and strong arm he valiantly wielded the sword in his country's defense, until the work was done. In writing of Cold Ilarbor he said : " We got Lieutenant Dunn's body at night and carried him off the field and buried him. It was eleven or twelve o'clock at night, when Sergeant Place and I buried him, and lay down to sleep, using the new made grave for a pillow. Dr. Sanborn marked a board for a headstone."*
Though modest and unassuming, patient to bear, and slow to resent, he was none the less capable to perform and quick to execute when the occasion required or exigency demanded.t Ile was a good officer, a brave soldier, a kind husband and father, a worthy eitizen, and an honest man.
Ile died of heart disease, February 27, 1872, when he should, and but for the war doubtless would, have been in the vigor and prime of his manhood.
CORP. ROBERT FORSAITII.
A descendent of the first settlers of Deering, who were English, and he was born, May 2. 1824, at Deering, and died on the battle-ground of Chancellorsville, Va., thirty-eight years and one day afterward. and buried by the enemy on the field.
lle was, as believed, the oldest child of David and Naney (Mills) Forsaith, who had five sons ju the war - Horace and Squiers in the Fourth and Sixteenth New Hampshire Infantry ; Warren in the New England Cavalry ; JJohn in a Massachusetts regiment ; and the subject of this sketch who was killed in the Twelfth New Hampshire, as above stated.
Corporal Forsaith was by occupation a painter, and Angust 28, 1849, was married to Mary A. Ellsworth, of Deering, whose father was a cousin to Colonel Ellsworth, who was killed early in the war at Alexandria, Va. Children, Enima J. and Carrie L.
One of his comrades says he was wounded in the bowels ; and from what Levi Leach, of his company, who thinks he was the last one to ever see him alive, has told the writer, it seems that this might be correet, and that he received the fatal wound unconscious of the fact, some little time before he fell. Sergeant Leach further said : "Speak well of Corporal Forsaith," to which the writer replies : "I cannot truthfully do otherwise if I would for he seems to have been a good Christian soldier and man."
* See page 212.
t See page 12G.
703
New Hampshire Volunteers.
G. B. L. 5-113.
LIEUT, GEORGE S. CRAM.
B. B. L. 5-8. CORP. NATHANIEL S. DAVIS.
B. L. L .. 5-11. CAPT. WILLIAM H. H. FERNAL.
B. G. D. 5-75. CORP. ROBERT FORSAITII.
704
History of the Twelfth Regiment
CORP. SAMUEL W. GEORGE.
A true and faithful soldier of the cross and the army, who left his wife and family, containing twins only eight months old, for the front to defend the country he loved so well. The town of Plymouth was his birthplace and upon her soit his parents, Eaton and Ruth W. (Dow) George, resided. lle was born in 1836.
lle was in the battle of Fredericksburg although he was not able to go and was taken from the men picked up back in camp who were unfit to take an active part in battle. Ile died of disease at Falmouth and had the pictures of his wife and twin children in his bosom, and the last thing he did was to spring up in bed that he might bring the pictures up before him to look at. He was brought home to Plymouth and buried there by the Masons.
Married September 3, 1859, to Anna M. Jones, of Concord, sister of Abner C. ,Iones, of Company E, and had two children, Samuel W. and Emma.
LIEUT. WILLIAM P. HAM.
lle was born in Farmington in 1822.
In the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Cold Harbor, where he was wounded, dying a few days after the battle. June 15. 1864.
He was the father of two or three children.
Captain Lang says : " Ile lived in Meredith a short time before he enlisted."
The fact that he enlisted as sergeant and died at Cold Harbor as lieutenant, shows that he was one of the true and brave, and his death upon the field entitles him to a place in the " Roll of Honor." Soon after his death his widow and children moved from Meredith to Sandwich, where she died a few years later.
BVT. LIEUT. LOAMMI HARTSHORN.
This meritorious soldier first saw the light on Tuesday, July 1, 1828, in the quiet town of Lunenburg. Mass .. and was soon named after his father. while his mother's maiden name was Sibyl Scripture.
Although it was April fool's day. 1862, when he invited ministerial sanction to a life co-partnership with Mary E. Gay, of Nashna, there are now a multitude of witnesses to testify that it was the wisest act of his life, and Frank L. and Charles E. are the products of their union.
The next most important act of his life happened but a few months later. in this, to him, eventful year, when he enlisted as a private and was mustered into the service of " Uncle Sam" as the sixth corporal of Company I. From this date to the end of the war. his record. written by the bayonet and punctuated by the bullet, is one of which he may well feel proud. Ile was in every battle and skirmish where the Twelfth fought or faced the enemy, save the battle of Gettysburg, when he was sick in hospital from accidental injury. Ilis knapsack eut from his back, and hat eut in two by solid shot or shell at Cold Harbor.
He was a wagon painter before the war, and resumed his occupation after his return, being as constant and faithful to his daily duties as a soldier citizen as he was brave and heroic to defend the flag of his country as a citizen soldier. One of the last to talk about carrying a forlorn hope, either before or after, but one of the first to do it.
JAMES HAWKINS,
The younger brother of W. H. (see sketch), was born in 18H1. and died on the field of Gettysburg, on the third day of the battle. lle was wounded the day before by a minie ball or piece of shell perforating his bowels.
lle was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, his last, where he fell with his face to the foe.
lle, like his brother, was tall, but he was the heavier and stouter built, as well as the taller of the two.
lle was a brave man and " good soldier," as said of him by all his comrades.
705
New Hampshire Volunteers.
Bk. Bk. D. 5-113. CORP. SAMUEL W. GEORGE.
G. S. L. 5-9. LIEUT. WILLIAM P. HAM.
D. D. L. 5-6.
BVT. LIEUT. LOAMMI HARTSHORN.
B. L. L. 5-112. JAMES HAWKINS.
45
706
History of the Twelfth Regiment
WILLIAM HI. HAWKINS.
The father of this soldier served in the Eighth New Hampshire, and died in the war at Camp Kearney, La., November 12, 1862, and had two other sons, JJames (see sketch) and Lorenzo in the same company. llis mother, whose maiden name was JJane B. Plaisted, died several years ago. This son was born in 1839.
Married, just before he enlisted, to Helen Emery, of Meredith, and his only sou, Fred- erick L., now a doctor and practising in Meredith. his native town, was about a year old when his father enlisted. His great-grandfather Plaisted was in the Revolution.
In the battle of Fredericksburg, and at Chancellorsville he was wounded in knee and thigh by two minie balls as it seems, the latter proving fatal (see roster).
He and his brother, last mentioned. have their names on the " Roll of Honor."
LIEUT. HORACE S. HUTCHINS.
This officer, who was born in Meredith, December 23, 1838, is the son of Moses and Miranda (Webber) Hutchins and the brother of Moses F., of Company I, and George F. in the Sixteenth Massachusetts, wounded at Fair Oaks. His grandfather was in the War of 1812.
In the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Although wounded severely in the elbow May 2, 1863, he kept with his company and fought in the great battle of the next day until wounded again in the hand and wrist. In trying to get to the rear, he was run over by the cavalry and lay helpless on the ground until picked up and carried off the field. In the spring of 1864. he was commissioned second lieutenant in the First United States Volunteers, and served until after the close of the war on the western frontier, where he was promoted to first lientenant, and commanded his company in a defensive fight of several hours against a large force of Indians.
Married Hannah H. Sturtevant, of Moultonborough (deceased). Children, Herbert E., Horace W., and Annie L. Married Ellen E. Horn, January 26. 1882 ; one child.
Itis claims as a soldier were good.
CORP. JJEREMIAH F. JENNESS.
And here its the privilege of the reader to look upon the engraved print of another of the heroes of the "Old Twelfth," who first saw the light in Meredith, at the hour of 4 P. M., on the 13th day of July, 1844. Youngest child of Jeremiah and Dorothy (Dockham) Jeimess.
lle never belonged to the coffee-cooling brigade nor curried favor with any officer high or low. Independent in thought and action, he never hesitated to express the one. or per- forin the other, without fear or favor; but when or where the enemy moved or fought he was there. and ready to do his full share. The colors of his regiment were never endangered, but he was there to protect them, except at Chancellorsville, and then he was on detached service.
Wounded slightly at Gettysburg, but went through all other battles untouched except in clothes.
Sibyl N., daughter of Abel Nutting, of Plymouth, became his wife, April 3, 1875. Children, Elmer F. and Mazie A.
Like most of the youth who enlisted in the Twelfth, he spent his early years in work- ing upon his father's farm and attending the district school, where by healthful labor and athletic sports, he developed the strong and enduring qualities of body and mind, without which he could never have made for himself such a long and honorable record in the service of his country. May many happy years be his to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
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