USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 21
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New Chester october 16th 1781 Reuben Wells
Sworn to before Carr Huse on above date.
I Jacob Wells of New Chester in the County of Grafton & State of
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
New Hampshire of Lawfull age Testifyeth and saith that in the month of november 1775 that I came from Winter hill the 17th day of sd month and I came to Sandown and I saw Benjamin Straw of Sandown & he told me that he was going down to Winter hill the next day-and the sd Straw told me that Peter Wells was agoing with him down to Winter hill for to Inlist himself into the Servis-and further saith not
Jacob Wells
Lieut. Thomas Wells testified as to Peter Wells's enlistment at Win- ter Hill in Capt. Daniel Moor's Co., as did also Jeremiah Towle and Samuel Wells.
The following list, which is as nearly correct as can be made, includes all from New Chester who served in the colonial army during the war, and it specifies, as far as known, from what part of the town they went :
From Bristol
From Bridgewater
Lieut. Benjamin Emmons
Sergt. Thomas Crawford
Sergt. Peter Sleeper
Jonathan Crawford
John Fellows
John Crawford
Josiah Fellows
Robert Crawford
Chase Fuller
James Craige
Ebenezer Ingalls
John Craige
Jonathan Ingalls
John Clark
John Kidder
John Clark, Jr.
Gideon Sleeper
Sterling Heath
Moses Worthen
Benj. McCallister
Samuel Worthen
Daniel Heath
From Hill
Uncertain
Lieut. Cutting Favor
Lieut. Carr Huse
Corp. Nason Cass
John Bussell
Jonathan Clifford Zebediah Richardson Joseph Davis Joshua Fletcher
Robert Forsaith
Peter Wells
Joshua Wilson
Nathaniel Bartlett
There are reasons to suppose that the foregoing is not a com- plete list of those from New Chester, who served in the Revolu- tionary army during the war, as the existing Revolutionary rolls are only fragmentary. All named served at least one term, some two or more, and some served terms not mentioned here. It is claimed by the descendants of John Kidder that he was at Bun- ker Hill, but this claim is not clearly established. Chase Fuller evidently served one term not named above. It is said by his descendants, on what appears to be good authority, that he was drafted in July, 1776, and started for the army, leaving his wife and one child alone in his cabin. The wife determined not to
18I
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
remain alone during the absence of the husband, and so started horseback for her old home in Sandown, carrying her first-born, two years of age, in her arms. She reached Pembroke on this trip, where her second child was born July 13, 1776.
It will be noticed that the above list contains thirty-four names, which lacked but three of being just equal to the total number of enrolled men in New Chester in 1775, including those in the army. The number liable for military duty was proba- bly increased during the war by new settlers and by boys who became of enrolment age, but still the record is remarkable. On the other hand, it is only reasonable to suppose that some who were enrolled were unable by reason of infirmities to bear arms. Surely, the service of these pioneers in the wilderness of New Chester in the cause of American Independence will bear favorable comparison with that of any other town in the state, and was such as to make all succeeding generations proud of the record of the yeomen of the town.
12a
CHAPTER XVIII
MILITARY HISTORY FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO THE CIVIL WAR
Soldiers in arms ! Defenders of our soil ! Who from destruction save us ; who from spoil Protect the sons of peace, who traffic or who toil; Would I could duly praise you, that each deed Your foes might honor, and your friends might read. -Crabbe.
At the November session of the legislature in 1784, a change was made in the militia system of the state. Provision was made for the organization of one regiment of light horse- men of six companies, composed of sixty-four men each. Two of these companies were formed in Rockingham and one in each of the other counties. The remainder of the militia of the state was divided into twenty-five regiments of infantry. The Four- teenth Regiment was composed of the militia in the towns of Plymouth, Rumney, Alexandria, Campton, Holderness, New Chester, Cockermouth, and Thornton.
The constitution of 1792 recognized the necessity for "a well regulated militia " as "the proper, natural and sure de- fence of the state." At the next session of the legislature, in December, following, the militia of the state was organized into twenty-seven regiments, which in turn were divided into six brigades, and these into three divisions.
The commander of a division was a major-general ; that of a brigade, a brigadier-general; and the commander of a regiment, a lieutenant-colonel; each of the two battalions of a regiment was commanded by a major. The companies were commanded by a captain, and had, as other officers, a lieutenant, an ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer, and a fifer. The regimental staff consisted of an adjutant-general, with the rank of lieutenant, a paymaster, surgeon, surgeon's mate, sergeant- major, drum-major, and fife-major. Each battalion was entitled to a company of light infantry, and each division to a com- pany of cavalry.
The field-officers were appointed by the governor and council ; the captains and subalterns, by the governor on the recommendation of the field-officers.
The companies of light infantry were volunteer organiza- tions, commanded by officers of their own selection, uniformed
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MILITARY HISTORY
by themselves, and supposed to be possessed of sufficient mili- tary pride to devote enough time and money to become better drilled than the ordinary militia.
The companies from Plymouth, Holderness, Rumney, Camp- ton, and Thornton composed the first battalion of the Four- teenth Regiment; and the companies from New Chester, Bridge- water, Cockermouth, Alexandria, and Hebron, the second battalion. The Fourteenth Regiment was in the Sixth Brigade and Second Division.
All able-bodied white males, between eighteen and forty years of age, were enrolled under this law, and organized into companies, one company to a town; but, as the num- ber of men liable to military duty differed largely in the different towns, the companies differed greatly in size, and the number of companies in a regiment from seven to sixteen. The Fourteenth had ten companies. It was the duty of the captains to call out the companies for drill and inspection twice a year and at such other times as they thought proper. Each commander of a battalion was to call out his command once a year for the same purpose. The battalion was, therefore, the largest body of troops called together in times of peace, and constituted the annual muster of those days, which was probably of as great interest to the people as the annual muster of years later, when a larger display of military force was made.
In 1795, the Miami Indian war had assumed such propor- tions that a draft seemed probable. On the 23rd of February, a special town meeting was held in New Chester at the house of Capt. Cutting Favor, the sole object of which was "To see what Method the town will take to Enlist there Cotao of Minute men agreeable to an act of Congress." Lieut. Thomas Wells was elected moderator of this meeting. It was
Voted to Equip the Towns Cotao of Minute men with arms amunition with blankets Knapsacks and accoutriments as the law Directs
Voted to give Each man which Shall Enlist as this Towns Cotas three Dollars per man
A Vote was put to See if the town would reconsider the Second Vote which was put which was to give Three Dollars per man and Voted in the affirmative.
A Vote was put to See if the town would give the Nine men which was this Towns Cotao one Dollar per man which Should enlist & Voted in the affirmative to pay one Dollar per man Down upon his Enlisting & the other Dollar per man as soon as the Collector Could Collect it.
The same year, Bridgewater "voted to give each man who should enlist one dollar as soon as it can conveniently be collected and $5 if called into service." The men enlisted in this emergency were not called out. Then came the trouble with France, when war seemed inevitable, and again men were enlisted for the United States service.
184
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
On the 23rd day of February, 1798, another special town meeting was held in New Chester. One article in the warrant was
To see if the Town will vote to give the Minute men which have enlisted for twelve months two Dollars each as a Town bounty and to See if the town will Vote to make each Soldier up Eight Dollars per Month with what the law allows while they are in actual Service and to see if the town will equip the Soldiers
Under this article the following business was transacted :
Fourth Voted that those Minute Men which have Enlisted for one year according to an Act of Congress Should have Two Dollars as a Town Bounty when they are Called upon to March.
Voted to give each Soldier Eight Dollars pr Month while they are in actual Service with what the law allows
Voted to Equip those Soldiers who have Enlisted with arms and accoutriments
Fortunately, war with France was averted, but the arro- gance of England constantly reminded the people of the necessity of being at all times prepared for hostilities.
There was a division of sentiment among the people of New Chester and Bridgewater in regard to the necessity of war with England; but this did not prevent the people from supporting the government when war came. Both New Chester and Bridge- water did all that was thought necessary, or that other towns were doing, to encourage enlistments for the War of 1812. Bridgewater called a special town meeting for June 23, 1812, " To see if the town will answer the petition of Benj. Boardman and others in regard to soldiers that is to be raised to give them something handsome when called for." The vote was to give each man that should enlist one dollar as a bounty for enlisting, and five dollars extra if called for. In 1815, New Chester voted to give those soldiers who went to Portsmouth two dollars with what they had already received from the town; but what they had received does not appear from the records.
Among those who entered the service from New Chester were Daniel Hoit, John Rowell, Jacob M. Follansbee, Levi Follansbee, Nathan Sleeper, and Sanborn. Bridge- water sent into the service, David Corless, Benj. L. Boardman, Jonathan Fellows, John Fifield, Stephen Bohonon, Horatio Kelley, Moses West Sleeper, Aaron Emmons, John Brown, and Abel Tyrrell.
Under the law of 1808, the militia of the state was divided into thirty-six regiments, and the famous Thirty-fourth Regi- ment was then organized. This regiment embraced the militia of the towns of New Chester and Bridgewater (later including Bristol), Hebron, Groton, Danbury, and Alexandria. Later
185
MILITARY HISTORY
divisions made thirty-eight and then forty and forty-two regi- ments in the state; but the Thirty-fourth appears to have remained the same till the militia system of the state was abolished, in July, 1851. The captains were now required to call out their companies the last Wednesday in June, and at such other times as thought proper, not exceeding four times during the year. Each regiment was called out in September or October, either at a regimental or battalion muster. At such musters, the selectmen were required to furnish suitable meat and drink, or thirty-four cents in lieu thereof, for each non- commissioned officer and man. They were also required to keep in their respected towns a certain amount of powder, balls, flint, and camp kettles.
Previous to 1815, the officers were required when on duty to be armed with a "spontoon," or pike, but after this date with a sword or hanger only.
In 1819, the division of the regiments into battalions was abolished, and a colonel was placed in command of the regiment. The enrolment was made to include all able-bodied men from eighteen to forty-five.
The annual muster of the Thirty-fourth Regiment was the great event of the year for this section. To it, not only the young, but the old, looked forward with the keenest interest. The day of the muster was named by the brigade commander ; but the place was named by the regimental commander. The following are some of the muster grounds of this regiment: In White's field, just east of this village; west of the turnpike, just south of North Bristol ; on land east of the turnpike, south of the old Hoyt schoolhouse; at Crawford's corner ; on land now occupied by the Bristol cemetery, (1842) ; on land now owned by Favor Locke, (1839) ; and the last, held about 1850, at South Alexandria, just north of Clark's corner, on the "gunhouse lot," so called because the gun of the artillery com- pany was housed there. Long before daylight, on the day of the muster, all the people of this section were astir, and all the roads leading to the muster ground were alive with all sorts of vehicles, conveying soldiers and spectators, and many on horse- back, with a bundle of hay or a bag of oats with which to feed the horse. Usually when the line of march was through this village, companies rendezvoused here, formed and at the proper time marched to the muster ground. It was no uncommon thing, at the firing of the morning gun at sunrise, to find companies already forming, the air filled with the martial music of the drum and fife, or, in later years, of the brass band, and the streets lined with spectators of all ages and conditions. As the hour for muster arrived, these scenes were transferred to the muster ground and there intensified. Here were a large number of peddlers or hucksters with wares of many kinds for sale,
186
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
chief of which were spirituous liquors, and "ginger bread " which sold for a uniform price of four pence "ha-penny." With all the excitement of the day, no one was completely happy without having devoured a sheet of ginger-bread, while such as could afford it must carry home at least one sheet to be divided among those who could not attend.
The program of the day was varied somewhat from year to year, but usually in the early morning there was an inspection of companies by the brigade inspector, when each musket was examined as to its serviceableness, the company being in line, and each man in turn passing his musket to the inspecting officer. This over, the cartridge box was examined to see that it contained the required amount of cartridges and priming- wire; the knapsacks, if there were any, were laid open on the ground, and these were examined, though perhaps not one contained an article that would be required in actual service. After one company had been inspected, the inspector would pass to the next, and thus the morning, or most of it, would be passed, the companies, when not otherwise engaged, devoting the time to company drill. Towards noon, the regiment would be drawn up in line, the colonel would make a show of inspect- ing the line, and make a few evolutions. Then, the booming of cannon would announce the arrival of the brigadier-general ; the colonel would call to attention, put the line in the best possible condition, and take position at the front and center of the line. Accompanied by the colonel, the general, followed by his staff, all gaily uniformed, would pass down the line in front and up the rear, the drums beating, and the band playing. This part of the review over, the general took position at some commanding point, the colonel assumed command, and the regiment marched in review before the general; then the regi- ment was formed in a hollow square or en masse, a prayer was offered by the chaplain, and the regiment was addressed by the general. The colonel then addressed the regiment, especially if he thought himself the better speaker. Usually, the men had better opinions of themselves and their personal valor after such addresses, and were far more heroic at the sham fight in conse- quence. The sham fight of the afternoon was the great event of the day. The evolutions were supposed to be the same as would be made on the field of actual conflict ; and the powder burnt by the infantry and the artillery made a great smoke, and a great noise, and a great impression on the militia and spec- tators. Such valor was simply invincible. During the day, among the spectators at least, there was many a fight that was not sham, the inspiration for which was drawn from the intoxi- cating liquors sold on the ground.
On muster day, there was at least a show of discipline, and the men were on their good behavior. This was especially true
187
MILITARY HISTORY
of the uniformed companies, which took great pride in making a good appearance and showing their proficiency at drill; as was true, indeed, on any day they paraded.
The drill of the ununiformed militia on other days was little better than a farce. Usually, the officers had no authority over the men, and frequently the most earnest command was followed by a movement that only excited the laughter of the crowd. An attempted straight line was more often like a half circle, simply because the men chose to make it so. The law re- quired all to appear "armed and equipped with a musket and bayonet in good condition, knapsack, canteen, cartridge box capable of holding twenty-four rounds of ammunition, priming wire and brush, and two spare flints." There was seldom any attempt to enforce the law, and the arms were of all descrip- tions ; some serviceable, some not ; one would be minus a lock, and another lack a stock or even a barrel; not because the men had to appear thus, but because they wanted to, and the fear of the law did not prevent it. At one of the last trainings held by the ununiformed company in Bristol, one man appeared with a codfish strapped to his back, and another had a few dozen crackers strung on his back; and while the drill was in progress, men would leave the ranks, help themselves to crackers and codfish, and munch away with evident satisfaction, while keep- ing step to the music of the drum and fife.
Perhaps the finest company of uniformed men was the Bristol Phalanx, organized in the summer of 1838, largely through the influence of John S. Bryant, Esq., who became its first captain. This company flourished till Sept. 7, 1849, when it was disbanded.
Rank was not always respected, even on muster days, as will be seen by the following incident. In September, 1830, Gen. Cook of Campton, the brigade commander, issued his call for the Thirty-fourth Regiment to parade. The call was defect- ive in that no day was named, and Col. J. S. Bryant, who was in command, took the responsibility to warn the regiment to muster on a given day on the field just south of the Hoyt tavern in Bridgewater. On the day named the regiment mus- tered in full ranks. Towards noon, the general appeared on the ground, riding in the fashionable two-wheeled chaise of the day. Every one scented trouble and it soon came. The general rode up to the colonel and placed him under arrest, and ordered the next in command to dismiss the regiment. Instantly, there was great excitement. Capt. Blake Fowler, who was in command of the artillery, caused the gun to be loaded, and the piece to be run near the general's chaise and aimed at it, and then gave the order to fire. Had the command been promptly obeyed, the general would have been blown from his carriage, but for- tunately it was not. The general saw the temper of the man he
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
-
had to deal with, and promptly put the whip to his horse. The captain repeated the command. This time it was obeyed; but the chaise was so far away that the discharge simply lifted the chaise on its thoroughbraces, but it stirred the general to renewed exertion to get away, which he did, though he was followed from the field and given two or three parting shots as he disappeared. Gen. Cook preferred charges against Col. Bryant, who was cashiered for calling out his regiment with- out authority. In 1839, Col. Bryant was again in command of the regiment. Capt. Fowler was never called to account for his part in the affair.
It was a general custom for the officers to treat their men with spirituous liquors, and much of the popularity of the officers rested in their liberality. It was said to have cost Col. Peter Sleeper a barrel of rum and a fat ox for entertainment at one muster.
Below is given a roster of the field and staff of the Four- teenth Regiment from 1794 till 1808, and of the Thirty-fourth Regiment from 1809 till 1851. From 1815, more complete re- turns were made to the adjutant-general of the state, in that the dates of commissions and close of service are given. From this date, a colonel was in command of the regiment, with a lieu- tenant-colonel as the next ranking officer. Two majors were retained till 1821; thereafter, only one. This roster also con- tains the names of the companies in Bristol, forming a part of the Thirty-fourth Regiment and the names of the commissioned officers of the same from 1815.
1794-5 Samuel Holmes, lieutenant-colonel in command Stephen Wells, major, First Battalion Peter Sleeper, major, Second Battalion
1796-7 Stephen Wells, major, First Battalion Peter Sleeper, major, Second Battalion
1798-1800 Peter Sleeper, lieutenant-colonel in command Stephen Wells, major, First Battalion Theophilus Sanborn, major, Second Battalion
1801-2 Stephen Wells, lieutenant-colonel in command William Preston, major, First Battalion Benjamin Boardman, major, Second Battalion Moses Baker, lieutenant-colonel in command William Webster, major, First Battalion
1803
1804-7 Moses Baker, lieutenant-colonel in command William Webster, major, First Battalion Moses Lewis, major, Second Battalion
1808-10 Moses Lewis, lieutenant-colonel in command Ebenezer Kimball, major, First Battalion Robert McMurphy, major, Second Battalion
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MILITARY HISTORY
1812
Robert McMurphy, lieutenant-colonel in command Ebenezer Kimball, major, First Battalion
1813 Robert McMurphy, lieutenant-colonel in command Ebenezer Kimball, major, First Battalion Thomas Page, major, Second Battalion 1814 Thomas Page, lieutenant-colonel in command Enoch Melvin, major, First Battalion William Crosby, major, Second Battalion
Colonels
Date of Com. Vacated
Luther K. Madison, lieuten-
ant-colonel in command
June 23, 1815
Promoted
Luther K. Madison
July 4, 1816
June 7, 1817
Samuel Martin
June 19, 1817
Oct. 13, 1818
John Roby
Nov. 17, 1818
Apr. 20, 1820
Levi Flanders
May 19, 1820
Dec. 20, 1820
Wm. Crawford
Feb. 2, 1821
Aug. 31, 1822
Moses Sleeper
Nov. 8, 1822
Feb. 4, 1824
Isaac Crosby
May 17, 1824 Feb. 2, 1826
Jan. 30, 1828
Cyrus Cass
Aug. 5, 1828
June 9, 1830
John S. Bryant
Sept. 24, 1830
Cashiered
Nathaniel P. Melvin
June 27, 1835
Promoted
Samuel Pillsbury
July 3, 1837
May 1, 1838
John Hastings
June 29, 1838
Mar. 20, 1839
John S. Bryant
June 27, 1839
June 8, 1840
Samuel D. Farrar
June 19, 1840 June 24, 1842
May 9, 1845
Samuel H. Rollins
June 30, 1845
June 17, 1848
Joseph F. Rollins
June 24, 1848
July 2, 1849
James S. Knowlton
July 6, 1849
June 24, 1850
Alpha S. Ordway L. A. Follansbee
June 28, 1850
June 21, 1851
Lieutenant-colonels
Samuel Martin
Dec. 9, 1816
Promoted
John Roby
Dec. 9, 1817
Promoted
Levi Flanders
Nov. 17, 1818
Promoted
William Crawford
May 19, 1820
Promoted
Joseph Morse Moses Sleeper Isaac Crosby
June 29, 1822
June 16, 1823
Promoted
Ebenezer Webster John McClary Cyrus Cass
May 17, 1824 Feb. 2, 1826 June 26, 1827
Apr. 23, 1827
Promoted
Nathaniel S. Berry Ichabod S. Johnson
Aug. 5, 1828 July 1, 1829
June 8, 1829
Promoted
Feb. 2, 1821
June 8, 1822 Promoted
Promoted
David C. Willey
July 4, 1851
Jan. 9, 1826
Ebenezer Webster
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
Lieutenant-colonels
Date of Com.
Vacated
John S. Bryant Rufus Pike
June 22, 1830
Sept. 24, 1830
Leavitt Little
Jan. II, 1834
Moses Eastman
Nathaniel P. Melvin
July 5, 1834
Promoted
Oscar F. Fowler
June 27, 1835
June 3, 1836
Cyrus B. Bowers
June 16, 1836
June 27, 1837 Promoted
John Hastings
July 3, 1837
Walter Favor
June 29, 1838
Mar. 2, 1839
Samuel D. Johnson
June 27, 1839
June 10, 1840
Sherburn S. Worthen
June 19, 1840
Oct. 6, 1840
Hosea Ballou
Solomon S. Sleeper
June 20, 1844
June 30, 1845, Pro.
Sherburne S. Merrill
June 30, 1845
June 24, 1848
James S. Knowlton
June 24, 1848
·Promoted
Alpha S. Ordway
July 6, 1849
Promoted
L. A. Follansbee Peter Hersey
June 28, 1850
Promoted
Majors, First Battalion
Parker Morrill
June 23, 1815
Res. June 7, 1817
Moses Sleeper
Feb. 2, 1821
Promoted
Isaac Crosby
Nov. 8, 1822
Eben Webster
June 16, 1823
Promoted
John McClary
May 27, 1824
Promoted
Cyrus Cass
Feb. 2, 1826
Promoted
Nathaniel S. Berry
June 26, 1827
Promoted
Ichabod S. Johnston
Aug. 5, 1828
Promoted
John S. Bryant
Nov. 21, 1829
Promoted
Rufus Pope Nathaniel P. Melvin
June 24, 1831
Promoted
Sherburne Wells,
July 5, 1834
June 4, 1835
Cyrus B. Bowers
Jan. 27, 1835
Promoted
Samuel Pillsbury Walter Favor
July 3, 1837
Promoted
Elhanan W. Dean
June 29, 1838
Nov. 1, 1838
Samuel D. Farrar
June 27, 1839 1841
June 24, 1842
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