USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 25
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He was mustered ont (as Colonel) 21 June, 1865. Since the war he has been employed by the Concord R.R. as conductor; afterwards by the Boston & Lowell R R .. as Station Agent in Boston. Since then, he has been local agent in Boston for one or more Western railroads.
At this writing ( 1800) he is Secretary of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions in Boston - a very important position, requiring a high degree of efficiency.
He is highly esteemed as an entertainer at camp-tires, as what he lacks (if any) in imagination is largely recompensed by his unbounded store of wit and his genial manner. He was born at Lowell, Mass., 22 Nov. 1838.
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707
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
JOSEPH J. DONOHOE.
He was the original Ist Sergeant of Co. C (his brother, Michael T., being Captain). Joe, as he was popularly called, was not far below his Captain in the list of wits, and was really a very bright and pleasant fellow. He was not so punetilions as some, but managed very well to take care of his part of the company duties.
In September, 1862, he was commissioned as 2d Lieutenant, dating back to June, and was again promoted to Ist Lieutenant in March, 1863. Ile did not remain long thereafter with the Third New Hampshire, but left it on the following month, having been tendered the Adjutaney of the Tenth New Hampshire, the new Irish regiment, of which his brother had been made Colonel. Ile left us 15 April 1863.
Of his subsequent career, it is sufficient to say that he was appointed Adjutant of the Tenth New Hampshire 7 May 1863; was wounded in action 3 June 1864; and severed his connection with the regiment 28 April 1863.
Boru 9 June 1842, at Lowell, Mass. Died of quick consumption, 29 Sept. 1873, at St. John's Hospital, in his native city.
WILLIAM LADD DODGE.
Dodge was technically a recruit for Co. D. He was enlisted and mus- tered after the formation and muster-in of the company. In a general way, he is almost always classified as an original Co. D man. Being a pri- vate, his opportunities for making his mark were somewhat meagre; but none were wholly lost. As a private. his first notoriety was gained by being detailed as clerk in the Adjutant's office. This was on 29 Nov. 1861, and was continued till May of the following year (on Edisto). Here he acted as Sergeant-Major from 1st to 7th May, when he returned to his clerkship, serving till the 12th, afterwards going to his company for duty as a common, ordinary soldier.
He served with his company, participating in the little serimmage of 16 June; and within a few days thereafter (21st) was detailed as clerk at Headquarters of the Post (James Island), Col. Williams. First Massa- chusetts Cavalry, Commanding. On the return of the Third New Hamp- shire to Hilton Head (1 and 2 July ), he continued as clerk to Col. Williams, who was placed in command of the Post of Hilton Head on his arrival there. Here Dodge continued to throw military ink from a government pen till even beyond the reign of Col. Williams, which ended 19 Aug., when a portion of the latter's regiment was ordered to Virginia. Col. Guss, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania. succeeded ; but Col. Gnss did not depose Dodge, whose service here was varied a little by being (in addition to his clerical position) AActing Post Sergeant-Major. This was an anomalons position. and was required by the presence of a large number of guards for the various headquarters buildings, and were from various regiments. The form of a " post guard mount " was inaugurated; and Dodge filled the position designated above.
All this came to an end on 15 Sept. 1862, when he, with Lient. H. S. Dow and others (see Recruiting Service) were ordered North for recruits. While on this duty (Jannary, 1>63), he was appointed Sergeant-Major of the regiment (to date 1 Jan.) Of this good fortune he was apprised, and at the same time the propriety of his returning was quietly broached. He was not obtuse, and returned on the Irago, arriving at Hilton Head 9 March, and reaching his post at Pinckney Istand next day (seven companies there).
Dodge made rapid strides in acquainting himself with his new duties. A good sergeant-major knows everybody's name in the regiment. Dodge exceeded this : he knew nearly everybody's middle name as well; and as many superfluous names as the party had, Dodge mastered. Arriving at Folly Island. we find Adjt. Copp sick, and Dodge acting as Adjutant: and inasmuch as (opp's health was very poor, it frequently fell to the lot of Dodge to act as Adjutant. This condition of things continued till near the first of November, and the records and data show very frequent ocen- rences of this, and varied by some officer acting instead of Dodge. On s
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Aug., Capt. Randlett, Commanding Regiment, recommended Dodge for 2d Lieutenant, thus: " I would also recommend to fill vacancy in case of Lient. Trickey's promotion, William Ladd Dodge, the present Sergeant- Major of the regiment. Sergt .- Maj. Dodge has been in his position during the promotion of ten orderly-sergeants, and I believe has won in the late battles and duties of this post the promotion to which he is recommended." This was repeated 15 Sept. (not the words) ; and Col. Jackson (at Concord himself) recommended him 16 Nov. He received the new commission, and on 3 Feb. 1864 was mustered on it, to date 20 Jan., and was assigned to Co. F (with Ist Lieut. Wadsworth).
When the re-enlisted men went North (March ), Wadsworth went with them, thus leaving Dodge the sole officer and in command of the company, from that time till the end of April, when the regiment arrived at Glouces- ter Point, and Lient. Wadsworth rejoined. Ile took the company through the " horse pilgrimage" to Jacksonville, where the whole regiment was shortly dismounted. He served on the drum-head court-martial at Jackson- ville which tried and sentenced Miller of F to die by shooting, etc.
On 3 June, he was minstered as Ist Lieutenant, to date 29 May, and was assigned to Co. B. Here we find him Acting Adjutant again, from 21 Ang. to 4 Sept., being relieved by Lient. Edgerly (Adjt. Copp wounded and absent). On this latter date Dodge was assigned to Co. A, the company having no officer, and he having had actual charge of it for several days prior. At this time he was commanding A and B. On 21 Sept. he was re- lieved of Co. A by Lient. Parker. He participated in the entire Virginia campaign, up to the date of his discharge, 19 Oct. 1864, by reason of the expiration of his original term, at his own request. His discharge was dated 19 Oct. (S. O. 153, C. Hdqrs.), as of the 16th. He started for home next day, with Lieut. Connolly.
Dodge never had a leave of absence, and never was detached as an officer. He participated in all engagements except Pocotaligo, 22 Oct. 1862 (absent on recruiting service) ; boat expedition to Sumter, September, 1863; Bluffton ; four companies, 2 June 1864 (his company not engaged).
Since the war he has been engaged in various financial enterprises in Boston and vicinity. From 1 Sept. 1867 to 1 July 1890, he was at the Boston Custom House. His residence and address (1891) was Topsfield, Mass.
Born in Boston, Mass., 17 Aug. 1842.
ROBERT C. DOW.
Was instrumental in getting together the men who were mustered in as Co. II (from Manchester) ; and he was made its first Captain, having with him Ist Lient. Maxwell and 2d Lient. Langley. Capt. Dow was successful in bringing his company to a good degree of efficiency for the various duties required of it, and of proficiency in drill. His first special dnty was at Edisto Island, in April, 1862. when he was made Provost Marshal of the Post (Fort Edisto was the name), in the absence of Capt. Van Brunt (Wright's (. O. 2, of 22 April 1862). His company was then at the Hopkins Plantation, Eddings Wharf, Edisto, all alone, the rest of the regiment being then on three different plantations, with headquarters at Mitchell's. Capt. Dow commanded the company in a little expedition up the creeks, noted elsewhere, and was reported to have acted wisely and with good judgment. During the battle of James Island (16 June 1862), where he commanded his company. he and Col. JJackson had some little un- pleasantness, which resulted in the Captain's resigning soon after. His resignation was accepted 21 June, by S. O. 124, D. S., and he left us on the 22d for home, broken in spirit, so it was said. It is considered by the friends of Capt. Dow that the words uttered by him in the heat of battle were possibly excusable, and that the words of censure in Col. Jackson's official report might have been less severe. Be it as it may, the friends of each are ready to furnish ample proof that each was right, and we dismiss the subject as a painful one. Capt. Dow has resided ever since the war in Manchester, N. H .. and is said to be almost hermetically sealed as to talking about the war, and particularly about the Third New Hampshire.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
CHARLES F. DUNBAR.
He was the first Captain of Co. D, and an account of Co. D will show what need not here be repeated. We find Capt. Dunbar serving on a gen- eral court-martial, which dissolved 24 Jan. 1862. ITis health was not of the best; and as evidence of this it may be said that when the regiment went on the Savannah River reconnoissance, he started with it, but on reaching Seabrook felt forced to return to camp. His health continued poor all through our Edisto experience, and he did not go with the regiment into its fight of 16 June 1862. Singularly enough, however, though he had been away (sick) on the Steamer Ironsides, plying in that vicinity. he landed on .James Island during the fight, and was sitting on the veranda of the Grimball's Plantation house while the fight was at its hottest. (Chaplain of Seventh Connecticut on same steamer.) The writer learned these facts from Capt. Dunbar himself, since the war. He resigned in a few days after and was dis- charged A diary of 22 June 1862 says, " Dunbar gone."
Capt. Dunbar, after leaving the Third New Hampshire, was for a few months Paymaster's Clerk on the receiving ship Sabine, at New London, Conn. His home has been at Hampton, since as well as before the war, and he died there 18 April 1889, of cancer.
WILLIAM DAVIS.
Davis was an original private in Co. H (Capt. Dow's company) of Manchester. Just prior to the -breaking out of the war he was engaged in the publication of a newspaper at Littleton, N. H. The following extracts from " The Ilistory of Littleton, N. H.," give particulars obtainable from no other source, and are inserted here in justice to Davis, and to the Historian of Littleton, the Hon. A. S. Batchellor, of Governor's Council (1890) and much interested in army matters :
" In his salutatory, in taking charge of the paper, upon Rowell's retire- ment, Mr. Davis alluded to the fact that it had hitherto been devoted almost entirely to the dissemination of Republican principles, so that the amount of local intelligence which subscribers derived from its columns had been meagre. This defect he proposed to remedy, and also declared his intention, while advocating the former political sentiments of the paper, to treat the Democratic party with proper and due respect : a politic determination, undoubtedly, since that party was gaining strength, and evidently about coming into ascendency in town, while the Journal was then the only paper here published.
" William Davis continued as publisher of the People's Journal about a year. Meantime the war came on. Times were hard, especially for newspapers. Paper stock went up in the market at an enormous rate; patronage lessened, and Davis becoming discouraged, or patriotic, as the case may be. gave up the paper and enlisted in the Union army. The Journal, June 28, 1861, passed into the hands of William J. Bellows, Esq., whose name had appeared as senior editor from the 10th of May previous, the office having been removed to Tilton's block. Davis became a private soldier in Co. II, Third New Hampshire Regiment, and served faithfully through the war, or until severely wounded in the assault upon [an advanced work in front of - D. E.] Fort Wagner, Aug. 26. 1863, and incapacitated for farther active duty. He was promoted to the rank of 2d Lieutenant, Jan. 5, 1864.
" The place of Mr. Davis' nativity I have not been able to ascertain ; but an obituary notice, published in the Sunilac Jeffersonian, at Lexington, Mich., where he died, Jan. 31, 1874, states that he was a native of New Hampshire; that his parents both died when he was a child, and he was taken and reared by a minister of the English church at Sherbrooke, Canada. When he returned to this country cannot be definitely determined; but Phineas R. Goold informs me that he became an apprentice at the printer's trade in the Republican office at Haverhill about the same time that he did (in 1857), and served with him there the usual time. At the close of the
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
war he came back to New Hampshire; but soon went to Michigan, and after a time secured a position as foreman in the Jeffersonian office at Lexington. He afterward went to Missouri ; but, being disappointed in his expectations there, returned to Michigan, and was, for a time, foreman of the Saginaw Courier office ; but, finally, some two years previous to his death, resinned work in the Jeffersonian office at Lexington, which he continued as long as failing health permitted and up to within two months of his decease. He left a widow. formerly Miss Sarah Morris of Lexington, and a little son about two years of age. The widow afterwards married I. C. Wheeler, a lawyer of Lexington."
In addition to the information thus given, we would say that on 16 Dec. 1863, Davis was at home (in Littleton), wounded, being furloughed in September from Morris Island for good condnet. He was mustered on his 2d Lieutenant's commission on 23 Feb. 1864 as of 31 Jan. and assigned to G. In March (when regiment was mounted), he appears in II. and was with H through the Florida campaign, going with the four companies (A, D, H and K) to Palatka. He was with the regiment during the Virginia campaign of 1864, though in June, July and August he appears as sick in quarters.
The writer's memoranda says : " Lieut. Davis was detached 28 Aug. 1864 for duty in the Ambulance Corps, and refusing to serve, was sent back to the regiment. The presumption is that his physical condition warranted him in declining the duty assigned. As evidence of this, he was discharged for disability + Sept., by S. O. 243, D. Hdqrs., though it does not appear that he received the order till 9 Sept."
The muster rolls of the Third New Hampshire give his native place as Gibralter, Spain.
HENRY S. DOW.
Dow was the original 1st Sergeant of Co. I (Capt. Carlton's company), and assisted in the formation, by enlisting a few men as recruits. He was an active, ambitious man, and aspired to a commission at the outset; but fate for the time being, and Gov. Berry too, decreed otherwise. On 3 April 1862 (ready to leave for Edisto) he was ordered to act as 2d Lieu- tenant, anticipating the arrival of his commission. This came to hand 11 April, at Edisto; and he was duly set in motion as a fully fledged 2d Lieuten- ant. At the end of June, 1862, he was commanding Co. I (Carlton killed, and Ist Lieut. Thompson on other duty), though he was borne on Co. F rolls. In July, 1862, he was ordered North, with others, on recruiting service. In October (the 16th), he was advanced one more step,-to Ist Lieutenant Co. I, - his commission being dated 28 Aug. This was while he was absent in New Hampshire.
In January, 1863, we find him in Concord, N. H., enlisting men for the Second Brigade Band. On 20 Feb. he had started for the regiment, leaving New York on the Arago, 5 March, reaching the regiment 10 March. He of course went to Co. I, then at Pope's Plantation, on Skull Creek, Hilton Head Island. On the regiment going to Edisto Inlet and Botany Bay, early in April, Cos. I and E became separated from the regiment, being on a separate steamer (the Boston), landing at Hilton Head again and staying there a short time (Maj. Plimpton in command), and then going to Bay Point. These two companies (and our hero) went from Bay Point about 10 June, to St. Helena, whither the other eight companies had removed from Botany Bay.
Dow was again promoted, being mustered 11 June as Ist Lieutenant, dating " way back" to 31 Aug. 1862. We find him on hand in the movement on Morris Island, and that he acted as Adjutant about 15 July, in place of Copp, who was sick and who was acting for Libby, then on Strong's Staff. This continued almost without interruption during the rest of the month. We find him with B on 11 Aug., and in command of that company 21 Ang. From 8 Sept. to abont 12 Sept. he was again Acting Adjutant, in place of Copp, sick. On 16 Sept. he was appointed Assistant Provost Marshal of Morris Island (Capt. Randlett was Provost Marshal), S. O. 179, U. S. F. Wasagain advanced in January, 1864, to Captain of Co. B, and was mustered 20 Jan., as of 1 Jan. Ile went to Florida with the regiment.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
In the Virginia campaign he appears to have been on duty during the early part; but at the end of June, 1864, he is reported as " absent, sick." Was away on leave from 25 July to 17 Aug., the morning after our great fight, and assumed command of the regiment (Lient .- Col. Plimpton killed, and Dow highest in rank present ).
He was in command of the regiment at the time the "old men " were mustered out. 23 Aug. (see his letter to the Governor in the main story). Capt. Dow was restless; and on 20 Sept. he started North again, having obtained an order to go on recruiting service in New Hampshire. Not many moons filled up and shrunk away ere he was discharged at his own request, for expiration of (original) term. This was 7 Oet. 1864, and under Circular No. 75, W. D.
He was a bright, smart, tall and slenderly-built chap, - what is gener- ally called of genteel form, -and in uniform was a striking figure. After the war he went to Michigan, studying law at Ann Arbor. He became slightly deranged, and finally suicided at the Biddle House, Detroit, Mich., 6 Feb. 1875.
ORRIN M. DEARBORN.
He was the original 2d Lieutenant of Co. D (Capt. Dunbar's com- pany). The first item of importance in connection with this officer appears early in January, 1862, when he was sent (with Capt. Clark and others) on recruiting service to New Hampshire, on a six months' tour. He returned, however, with his party and 16 recruits, in May, joining at Edisto. Was within two or three days thereafter appointed Acting Adjutant, relieving Lieut. T. M. Jackson about the 6th (Adjt. Hill had recently resigned). He continued on this duty till we went to James Island, in June. About the 5th he was relieved by Lieut. Libby, who arrived from leave and had been commissioned as Adjutant.
About S June, Lieut. Dearborn was detailed as an Aide on the Staff of Gen. Stevens (afterward killed at Chantilly, 1 Sept. 1862), who commanded another brigade on the same island. Lieut. Dearborn served thus during the battle of James Island (16 Jnie) ; and when Gen. Stevens' brigade was ordered to Virginia, he accompanied him. This was soon after the evacua- tion of James Island.
After the death of Gen. Stevens, the command fell on Gen. Willcox, who continued our hero on his Staff until relieved of the brigade. Gen. Willcox was ordered to command of the Ninth Army Corps, and took Lient. Dearborn along with him, and made him Aide, and Ordnance Officer of the corps.
In October, 1862, Lient. Dearborn was advanced to Ist Lientenant, and placed on the rolls of Co. E. his commission being dated 27 June. In November, Col. Jackson made request for return of Lient. Dearborn to the regiment. This was endorsed favorably by the Secretary of War and forwarded to Gen. Willcox, who demurred and reported to Gen. Burnside (then Commanding the Army) that he could not spare him. Gen. Burnside then telegraphed the Secretary of War what Gen. Willcox had said ; and the Secretary directed Gen. Willcox to hold Lient. Dearborn. All this time our hero had not received his new commission; but he had heard of its issue, and asked the Governor for a duplicate, thinking the original had been lost. A duplicate was issued. Though absent, Lieut. Dearborn was transferred from company to company, to suit the exigencies of war: 19 Jan. 1863, to C (from E) ; 30 March, to H. He continued to do duty as Ordnance Officer of the Ninth Army Corps till the latter part of March, 1864, when he was commissioned as Captain of Co. A.
He arrived back 1 April 1864, just in time to be mustered as Captain and join his company, then embarking for Jacksonville. The principal reason assigned for his lengthy detached service was that he made an excel- lent staff officer, and his services in that special line were invaluable. He was of good address, and his general appearance was certainly in his favor. Ile was with the four companies ( A, D, Hand K) on their trip to and from Palatka.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
On reaching and entering the Virginia campaign, he was soon de- tached, and was not with his company and regiment in the Drewry's Bluff fights (13 to 16 May 1861). His position was Ambulance Officer on Gen. Gillmore's Staff, till Giffmore was relieved. Some time during JJnne, he was again detailed, this time as Acting Ordnance Officer, Eighteenth Army Corps. He continued on this duty to the end of his service.
He had leave of absence during September and October, and un- doubtedly had another in January, 1865. He never rejoined, being dis- charged 11 Feb. 1865, presumably on same basis as Lient. Dodge, Adjt. Copp and others, at expiration of term.
Since the war, Dem boru is reported to have been engaged in trade at Richmond. Va .. for a short time, and then to have gone West, where all trace of him was lost. A mother survives him at Hampton, N. H. (Mrs. John Dearborn).
RICHARD ELA.
" Dick," as he was almost universally called, was the original Ist Lieutenant of Co. E (with Capt. Plimpton and 2d Lieut. Geo. W. Jackson). He was born in Concord, N. H., 12 Feb. 1840, and was the son of Geo. W. Ela. He was educated in the schools at Concord, both public and private, and early erineed a tendency toward the law as a profession. He fitted himself for college, though he did not pursne the regulation collegiate course. He studied law in the office of the then well-known Concord attorneys, George and Foster. and simultaneously attended one or more terms at the Cam- bridge Law School.
On the breaking out of the Civil War. Dick became imbued with a military spirit : and this culminated in his being commissioned in the Third New Hampshire. Dick was a finely-formed fellow, nearly six feet tall, and was, with his niform on. quite military in appearance. being as straight as an arrow and with a bright. piercing eye that seemed to penetrate anything aimed at. In short, Dick was a fine fellow. making friends of almost every- body, right and left, and was early well planted in the affections of his com- pany and regiment.
His legal tendencies resulted in his early appointment as Judge Advo- cate of the regiment : and it was before him that many officers and non-coms. have sworn to the faithful discharge of their duty, etc. He was admitted to the bar after his appointment in Third New Hampshire.
When the regiment left Concord, there were in its charge about 100 recruits for the Second New Hampshire; and Lient. Ela was appointed to look after and be responsible for them while they continued with us. This matter was one of military convenience only, and the recruits left us at New York. At Washington, a letter says : " Richard has thus far acquitted himself with much credit : and his superiors look upon him as one of the most active, efficient and promising officers of the regiment."
Dick accompanied the expedition on a reconnoissance up the Savannah River, in March, 1862, and thus wrote home: " The officer (rebel) in com- mand did me the honor to try the range of his carbine on me; and I returned the compliment by shooting his horse with one of the rebel rifles taken two days before : and on our return I got his blankets and holsters."
On Edisto Island he was promoted to Captain and assigned to K. tak- ing command of that company on the day of the removal to Johny' Island (1 June). He commanded the company in the James Island fight ( 16th). On the return of the regiment to Hilton Head (1 July ) we find his health gradu- ally giving way, though he continued on duty. On 13 Sept. he returned to E. He was appointed. 27 Sept., on the Board of examine officers' cases where they had overstayed their leaves of absence, and was relieved there- from 20 Oet. This duty, though requiring great judgment, did not demand so much time as to relieve him from the command of his company. The next day (21 Oct. ) was the day of the Pocotaligo deht, so called; and the regiment was there. though not breaking its camp, over which Capt. Ela presided as its commandant during the absence of the regiment. It is to be presumed that the state of his health was the main reason why he was selected to remain ; and the relieving of him from the Board of Examiners was inci- dental to that.
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