USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 54
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Sept. 3 the regiment left Camp Berry at Concord to join the corps being formed at Camp Win- field Scott, Hempstead Plains, Long Island, for a secret expedition under Gen. T. W. Sherman. Sept. 15, at midnight, the regiment left camp in light marching order for Washington, where it was soon after joined by the remainder of the brigade under command of General Viele. Oct. 4 they moved to Annapolis, and temporarily occupied the Naval Academy buildings. Thence, on Oct. 18, they embarked for Fortress Monroe, where the entire corps was formed, which place they left on Oct. 29 for Port Royal, South Carolina, where they arrived, after considerable difficulty, on Nov. 4 and witnessed its capture by the naval fleet under Admiral Dupont. Dec. 4 company F was sent on a foraging expedition to Pinkney Island.
The regiment's first baptism in blood was a severe one, and occurred June 16, 1862, at Secession- ville, on James Island, S. C., where one out of every six men were either killed or wounded, Lieut. Henry A. Marsh being numbered among the latter, together with seven other Nashua men, viz: Daniel N. Atwood, Edgar Duples, David Fitzgerald, King H. Flanders, James French, George W. Miller and Ezra B. Peabody. Capt. James F. Randlett and Sergeant-Major Elbridge J. Copp are men- tioned, among others, by Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, commanding regiment, as particularly deserv-
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ing notice for gallant conduct in this engagement. Lieut. Henry A. Marsh is also credited with courage and coolness in at first refusing attention after being wounded and insisting that others were more in need of assistance. The Third here demonstrated that it could be relied upon as a fighting regiment, and its subsequent record abundantly confirmed it.
Jan. 3, 1863, company F, under Capt. Charles S. Burnham, was part of a force of two hundred men sent to Florida to capture a lot of lumber on St. John's river, but the rebels had destroyed it. On their return they were fired upon and three men were wounded.
Various movements occupied them during the early summer. July 10 it participated in the suc- cessful morning surprise upon the enemy's rifle pits and batteries at the lower end of Morris Island. It performed gallant service in the unsuccessful assault upon Fort Wagner July 18, followed by the tedious and perilous siege, which later terminated in its capture. So well recognized was its valor, that it was one of the three regiments selected by Gen. Q. A. Gillmore "to be at all hours in front of the army." From July 21 until Jan. 20, 1864, Captain Randlett was the ranking officer present, and had command of the regiment.
Sept. 6 another charge upon Fort Wagner was ordered, with the proposition by General Terry that the Third lead "the forlorn hope." Captain Randlett, in command, communicated to his regi- ment, through the chaplain, the nature of the service before them, its danger so great that probably not one in twenty would survive the first charge, and asked none to go except willingly and after mature consideration. Every man volunteered for the service or the sacrifice, upon which the chap- lain suggested that they return to their tents, write their letters, settle their worldly business and commit themselves to God, asking that He do to them as seemeth to Him good. "The hour came; the assault was made; on these noble souls rushed, into the 'imminent deadly breach,' right into the jaws of death. But like Daniel when he was thrown into the lions' den, it pleased God that the lions' mouths should be shut. Scarcely an hour before, the enemy had secretly evacuated the fort, and the forlorn hope entered into full possession, without the loss of a single man."
The following winter was occupied mainly with provost and guard duty. Nov. 25 one hundred men from the regiment participated in the contemplated surprise upon Fort Sumter. Before March I, 1864, two hundred and seventy men re-enlisted, and left for home on thirty days' furlough under Captain Randlett. The local papers report the reception given them April 8, on the eve of their return to the seat of war. At noon they formed in Railroad square, under Major Randlett and Adju- tant Copp, whence, escorted by companies A and B of the Governor's Horse Guards, under command of Lieuts. C. C. Webster and Gus. Walker, with Major Virgil C. Gilman of the Horse Guards as chief marshal, they marched through the principal streets to the City Hall, where a collation was served, grace being said by Rev. Doctor Richards, and an address of welcome by the mayor, Dr. Edward Spalding.
March 1, 1864, the regiment was mounted and designated as the Third New Hampshire mounted infantry. In April the regiment proceeded to Fortress Monroe and the James river, reaching Ber- muda Hundred May 6. May 9 it was engaged in the affair at Chester Station. May 13 it won laurels and made severe losses in the twenty minutes' charge at Drewry's Bluff, where Major James F. Rand- lett and Adjutant E. J. Copp and thirteen other Nashua men were severely wounded. May 16, the last of the four days' battle at Drewry's Bluff, Lieut. Eugene J. Button was instantly killed while in command of his company. Drewry's Bluff leads the entire list for fatalities in this regiment among Nashua men, no less than fifteen being here wounded, and three killed. The engagements following at Bermuda Hundred, in front of Petersburg and at Ware Bottom Church, were memorable and resulted in severe losses; while at Deep Bottom, Va., on Aug. 16, the regiment was nearly annihilated in repeated charges and countercharges. Entering the fight with less than two hundred men, it cap- tured some three hundred prisoners; and with many of its men having but seven days more to serve before being entitled to return to their homes, its killed, wounded and missing numbered ten officers and eighty-three men. Adjutant E. J. Copp here received another severe wound, and Lieut. Joseph Ackerman was slightly wounded.
Aug. 23, 1864, the three years' enlistment having expired, such men as had not re-enlisted were mustered out, less than twenty per cent of the original strength of the regiment thus returning home. They had won immortal honors. The remainder, a mere handful, were engaged in the five weeks' siege of Petersburg and the affairs at New Market Heights, the reconnoissance near Richmond, at
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Laurel Hill and Darbytown Roads. Nov. 2 the regiment embarked for New York, there to defend the ballot box at election. The service was exceedingly trying from cold and the lack of food other than short rations of pork and hard bread. Nov. 19 they were again back at Bermuda Hundred in winter quarters.
Early in January, 1865, they were ordered to North Carolina and participated in the midnight assault and capture of Fort Fisher Jan. 15, followed by the engagements at Sugar Loaf Battery Feb. II, and Wilmington Feb. 22.
Here the regiment remained, doing provost and other responsible duty until June, when it pro- ceeded to Goldsborough, N. C., and remained until June 20, when it was finally mustered out and returned to Concord, N. H., arriving there on the twenty-eighth, where it was appropriately received and given appreciative welcome. Its colors were returned to the governor, and Aug. 2 it was paid and discharged.
Nashua's part in the record is a brilliant one. Of her one hundred and thirteen officers and men, twelve were killed in battle, thirty-eight wounded and seven died of disability while in the ser- vice, a total of casualties of fifty per cent, not including prisoners. Private Albert Blood of company H enjoys the unique distinction of being the only Nashua man in this regiment who was captured during the war.
Capt. Joseph Ackerman, Private John F. Ennes (who died June 25, 1864, of wounds received at Ware Bottom Church) and Corporal Charles D. Smith (killed Aug. 16, 1864, at Deep Bottom, Va.,) were awarded the "Gillmore Medal" by Major-General Q. A. Gillmore, for gallant and meritorious conduct during the siege of Charleston, S. C., in 1863. The medals were of bronze, representing Fort Sumter in ruins on one side, and on the reverse a fac-simile of General Gillmore's signature. It was attached to a bar bearing the name, rank, company and regiment of the recipient.
FOURTH REGIMENT.
Within two weeks after the return and discharge of Nashua's two companies of three months' men in the First regiment, Captain Greenleaf set about raising a company of three years' men for the Fourth regiment. His advertisement in the Nashua Gazette of Aug. 22, 1861, was as follows :
"Recruits wanted. I am now enlisting recruits for the Fourth regiment of New Hampshire volun- teers, which will be under the command of that brave and chivalric soldier, Col. Thomas J. Whipple. The pay of each non-commissioned officer and private is as follows: First sergeant $24, sergeant $21, corporal $17, private $13. In addition to which each man receives from the state a bounty of $10. Pay and board to commence from the time of enlistment. Office at the armory, City Hall."
Sept. 18, two weeks after the Third left the state, the regiment was mustered into the service at Manchester, company B being largely composed of Nashua men. Its non-commissioned officers were as follows: First sergeant, Adelbert White; sergeants, Grovenor D. Nichols, Leonard A. Gay, Charles A. Harris; corporals, John B. Bussell, Hugh Watts, George H. Emerson, Charles H. Per- kins and John R. Kimball.
Rev. Martin W. Willis of the Unitarian church was chaplain of the regiment, Dr. George P. Greeley, assistant surgeon, and Israel T. Hunt, hospital steward.
The regiment left camp at Manchester for Washington on the twenty-seventh of September, leav- ing there Oct. 9 for Annapolis, Md., to join Gen. T. W. Sherman's expedition to Port Royal, S. C., which embarked Oct. 19, stopping at Fortress Monroe until Oct. 29. The Fourth, on board the side- wheel steamer Baltic, towing the ship Ocean Express, encountered a terrible storm off Hatteras, and struck on Frying Pan Shoals, but with the assistance of other vessels in the fleet was after a time relieved. A three days' gale followed, but on Nov. 4 they arrived at Port Royal and witnessed its capture Nov. 7, after three days' bombardment by the navy. The Fourth immediately landed at Hil- ton Head, and here they remained nearly three months, actively employed in building fortifications and wharves, drilling and other work.
In the latter part of January the regiment embarked upon the expedition south, which captured Fernandina, Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Seven of the ten companies of the regiment garrisoned St. Augustine until September, when they joined the other three, including company B, located at Beaufort, S. C., since June.
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They took part in the battle of Pocotaligo, S. C., after which they went into winter quarers at Beaufort, where they remained about five months.
In the spring of 1863 operations were begun with a view to the capture of Charleston, S. C., the navy assisting. After two unsuccessful movements, it was decided possible only by protracted siege, and our company B of the Fourth is credited with commencing the work of building batteries for attacking Morris Island on the night of June 17, which labor was silently continued for twenty-one nights. On July 10 began the attack on Fort Wagner by the forty-four guns and mortars in position. After unsuccessful charges it was decided to take it by regular approaches. On July 23 the Fourth dug the first parallel, and planted chevaux de frise; and for forty-six days thereafter, under a blazing South Carolina sun, the battle of shell, shovel and sortie was continuous, until, on Sept. 7, when line was formed for the final charge, the fort was found to have been evacuated. Its capture resulted in that of the whole island. From this time until January 15, 1864, the regiment was engaged in garri- son, fatigue and picket duty connected with the siege of Charleston. Two Nashua men, Michael Connolly of company C, and John Nolan of company G, were given the "Gillmore Medal," hereto- fore referred to, for gallant and meritorious conduct during their operations.
The regiment was then again ordered to Beaufort, where three hundred and eighty-eight men, the largest number in any New Hampshire regiment, re-enlisted for three years or the war. In February it was engaged in the expedition up the Savannah river, and thence was ordered to the defence of Jacksonville, but soon returned to Beaufort. Early in March the re-enlisted veterans were furloughed for thirty days, and arrived home, under Colonel Bell, in season to vote at the state election.
April 12 the remainder of the regiment embarked for Fortress Monroe and Gloucester point, York river, where the furloughed men joined them. On the fourth of May the army of the James, of which the Fourth regiment was now a part, started up the James river for Bermuda Hundred, which was immediately fortified. May 9 an advance was made and the enemy attacked at Swift creek and driven to the defenses of Petersburg. The following day the advance was continued to the first line of the defenses of Richmond. Then followed the severe ordeal at Drewry's Bluff on May 16. Against great odds the regiment avoided capture by retreating through a perfect rain of bullets, losing one hundred and forty-two men in killed, wounded and missing. Sharp engagements followed for several days near Bermuda Hundred. On the twenty-eighth of May the division was transferred to the Eighteenth corps, and ordered to report to General Meade, commanding the army of the Potomac. It took part in the eight days' battle of Cold Harbor, and on the twelfth of June returned to the south bank of the James river. June 16 the regiment joined in the first attack on Petersburg, Colonel Bell's brigade capturing one hundred and twenty-five prisoners and several pieces of artillery. The siege of Petersburg followed. The Fourth well understood this kind of duty, which continued for thirty-six days, at the end of which time the federal picket trenches were within twenty feet of the rebel outpost. The regiment lost fifty men during this ordinary trench duty. On the thirtieth of July it took part in the Crater fight, or the battle of the "Mine," where for hours, under the hottest enfilading fire, it held its position, losing fifty out of its total strength of two hundred men. Its flag- staff was twice cut off, and fifty-five bullets and shells pierced its flag. The next day what remained of the regiment returned to Bermuda Hundred. Aug. 14 to 16 it was engaged in the battle of Deep Bottom, with heavy losses, the brigade being in command of a captain, and only one captain remain- ing for duty in the regiment.
On the eighteenth of September, the original enlistment having expired, one hundred and seventy-four men left for home. Of the three hundred and eighty-eight who re-enlisted the previous February, and over seven hundred recruits, only forty men were available for duty in the attack on Fort Gilmer, Sept. 29, a lieutenant being in command of the regiment. The Fourth was engaged in the two expeditions against Fort Fisher, the first under General Butler, without success, the second- under General Terry resulting in its capture, but only after two days of severest bombardment by Admiral Porter, followed by a land assault Jan. 15, terminating in fearless hand-to-hand struggles, fought inch by inch from traverse to traverse, the flag of the Fourth in advance of all, locked for twenty minutes with the confederate flag on the top of traverse number eight. The night of the cap- ture, as the remnant of the regiment slept over a magazine, it exploded, adding to the long list of casualties.
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On the eleventh of February advance was made upon Wilmington. Feb. 18 Fort Anderson was found evacuated and possession was taken of Wilmington. Then followed a quieter period, awaiting the advance of General Sherman's army on his northward march. Guard duty followed at Magnolia until after the surrender of Lee, when the regiment was quartered at Raleigh until its return home. It was mustered out Aug. 23 and arrived home Aug. 27, when a grand reception was given it, Gov. Frederick Smythe expressing the most appreciative welcome.
Nashua had ninety-one men in the Fourth regiment, and suffered thirty casualties, including deaths, wounds and captures; and of her ten men suffering capture, six died in rebel prisons.
FIFTH REGIMENT.
Nashua's representation in the Fifth regiment was small, and with the single exception of one man born in the city, but residing elsewhere, no member at time of enlistment was identified in any way with Nashua, except by being credited to it through being drafted as a substitute. A few mem- bers later became residents of the city, as appears in the personal record.
The character of the service performed by the Fifth regiment is most brilliant. It well earned the name, "The Fighting Fifth," and is credited with having suffered the severest losses of any union regiment in the war. Its engagements appear in the list preceding the personal records of its members.
SIXTH REGIMENT.
In November, 1861, the Sixth regiment was organized at Keene, but at that time had less than a dozen Nashua men. Dr. William A. Tracy was made surgeon, and James H. Noyes hospital steward, who later was successively promoted through the several grades to surgeon.
The regiment saw the hardest kind of service in seventeen different states, as far south as North Carolina, in Virginia, in the Southwest at Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., later returning to Virginia, where it served with great credit during the war.
Capt. Osgood T. Hadley, company E, has recently (July 27, 1896) received tardy recognition from the War department, a medal of honor, "for most distinguished gallantry in action near Pegram House, Va., Sept. 30, 1864.
SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Soon after his return from the three months' service in the First regiment, Orlando Lawrence opened a recruiting office at the corner of Main and Franklin streets and organized company B of the Seventh regiment, of which he was given command. The regiment was organized at Camp Hale, Manchester, under the personal direction of Adjutant-General Joseph C. Abbott, who waived com- mand on condition that it be given to a graduate of West Point. The colonelcy was therefore bestowed upon Lieut. Haldeman S. Putnam of the U. S. Topographical Engineers, appointed from New Hampshire, General Abbott being made lieutenant-colonel.
The regiment left the state Jan. 14, 1862, for New York, remaining there a month in White Street Barracks, whence it proceeded to the Dry Tortugas, Fla., where, in Fort Jefferson, it remained until June 16, busy with drill and fatigue duty, and guarding commissary stores and munitions of war. Thence it proceeded to Port Royal, S. C., followed by service at Beaufort, St. Augustine and Fer- nandina.
Thus far it had had no fighting, but disease had severely decimated its numbers by nearly five hundred men. June 7, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Hilton Head, preparatory to another attempt on Charleston. After ten days it embarked for Folly Island, where, until June Io, it was engaged in the construction of batteries, which, on this date, opened upon the enemy and successfully covered the advance of General Strong's column upon the south end of Morris Island, followed by the remainder of the forces. At night the regiment went on picket within a mile of Fort Wagner, and commenced work upon the first parallel laid for its siege. The next day it supported the first attack upon Fort Wagner, and that evening commenced work upon the second parallel, and for the week following was actively engaged in the trenches, preparatory to the second assault on Fort
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Wagner. This was ordered about sunset on the eighteenth, the Second brigade, under Colonel Putnam, supporting the First, under General Strong. The engagement was of the most desperate character and without success. The Seventh regiment lost two hundred and eighteen killed, wounded and missing, including its gallant colonel, out of its aggregate of four hundred and eighty- one when line was formed for the assault, its loss of officers exceeding that of any other regiment in any engagement during the war, Lieut. Alfred N. Bennet of Nashua being among the killed, and Lieut. Ezra Davis so severely wounded as to cause his death a few days later. The hitherto carefully drilled and disciplined regiment had proven its men by this severest ordeal to be veterans indeed.
The siege of Fort Wagner followed, in which the regiment shared, and was ordered in as a part of the storming party of Sept. 7, rendered unnecessary, however, by its sudden evacuation.
Dec. 20 the regiment left Morris Island and went into camp on St. Helena Island opposite Hilton Head, being assigned to Gen. Joseph R. Hawley's brigade. Here it received over three hundred recruits, many of them worthless, and here it exchanged its Enfield rifles for Spencer repeating carbines.
Feb. 4, 1864, the regiment embarked for Jacksonville, Fla., and took part in General Seymour's disastrous campaign, culminating in the battle of Olustee, where its losses were severe, numbering two hundred and nine.
While at Jacksonville, one hundred and eighty-three re-enlisted and went home on thirty days' fur- lough. April 14 the regiment embarked for Fernandina, and thence, on the seventeenth, for Fortress Monroe and Gloucester Point, to join the army of the James under General Butler.
It participated in all the movements and engagements of the Tenth corps from Bermuda Hundred and in front of Petersburg, including the affairs at Chester Station and Lempster Hill, the battle of Drewry's Bluff, the demonstration on Petersburg under General Gillmore, Ware Bottom Church, Deep Bottom, the siege of Petersburg, New Market Heights, reconnoissance toward Richmond, Laurel Hill and Darbytown Road. The duty was of almost uninterrupted severity, causing large losses in effective strength.
The Seventh was among the troops sent to New York for possible riot duty at the November election, but happily it was not needed, and returned to its quarters, Laurel Hill, Nov. 17. It took part in the expedition against Fort Fisher, N. C., leaving its winter camp Jan. 4, 1865. After the two days' bombardment by Admiral Porter's fleet, the land forces, on Jan. 15, made their successful assault, the Seventh leading against the sea-angle, and planting its colors upon the bastion, following with an advance upon Battery Buchanan, which immediately surrendered, thus gaining the entire system, heretofore deemed almost impregnable.
General Terry's forces then advanced on Wilmington, where the Seventh was in garrison until June, followed by a short service at Goldsborough, where it was mustered out July 20. It returned to Manchester and Concord, where it was appreciatively received and addressed by Gov. Frederick Smythe, in behalf of a grateful people, whom it had so faithfully served. Less than one hundred of those who originally went out with the regiment returned with it to receive the honors so gladly bestowed upon them.
The Nashua men in this regiment who were recipients of the "Gillmore Medal" were Private Michael Cahill and Corporal George F. Carson, both of company B.
EIGHTH REGIMENT.
The Eighth regiment was organized at Camp Currier, Manchester, in the fall and winter of 1861, under Col. Hawkes Fearing of Manchester. Company A of Nashua was the first to enter camp, on Oct. 12, Capt. William M. Barrett commanding, with J. Q. A. Warren, first lieutenant, and Dana W. King, second lieutenant, and George S. Eayrs, first sergeant. Company E was largely enlisted in Nashua, under Capt. Daniel M. Fiske, Alonzo W. Putney being its first lieutenant, and George W. Thompson, 2d, first sergeant. Dr. Samuel G. Dearborn was regimental surgeon.
The state was still paying the paltry bounty of $10, but ranks were soon filled by patriotic men, many of them veterans of the three months' campaign, conscious of the gravity of the situation, and well realizing that such enlistment meant willingness, if need be, to meet martyrdom.
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Company A was mustered in Oct. 25, and then returned to Nashua on a two days' furlough. Nov. 14 it again went to Nashua to witness the presentation of swords to its officers, given by appre- ciative friends. Jan. 14 the regiment escorted the Seventh regiment, ordered to the front, to the depot. Jan. 22 it received its guns, and Jan. 25 it left camp for Boston, where it was quartered over night in Faneuil Hall, and next day was transferred to Fort Independence, where it was actively engaged in drill for about three weeks. Feb. 15 six companies, under Colonel Fearing, embarked on the ship E. Wilder Farley for Ship Island, to join the "Butler Expedition." The remaining four companies, "A" included, under Lieut .- Col. O. W. Lull, left for the same point Feb. 18 on the ship Eliza and Ella, arriving March 29 after much difficulty.
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