USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 26
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CAPT. RICHARD EI.A.
CAPT. J. HOMER EDGERLY (War).
3
CAPT. DANIEL ELDREDGE, Historian.
CAPT. J. HOMER EDGERLY (Peace).
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On 22 Nov. he obtained a sick leave of 20 days within the Department (S. O. 366, D. S.), and went to St. Augustine, Fla., passing nearly his entire leave with friends in the Seventh New Hampshire, stationed there.
On the scattering of the regiment to outposts, early in 1863, Capt. kla was with his company, at Pinckney Island (seven companies there). He accompanied the regiment when it reunited early in April in a movement toward Charleston. by transports rendezvousing at Edisto Inlet. Cos. E and I became separated from the rest of the regiment [on Steamer Boston, I think. -- D.E.] ; and they were ordered back to Hilton Head almost simul- taneously with the landing of the eight companies on Botany Bay Island. These two companies were landed and did some temporary duty (out- post or guard), and were shortly thereafter sent across the harbor to Bay Point, where they manned the works and there remained till after the eight companies had gone to St. Helena (10 June, 1863) ; and the two companies soon after joined them there.
Capt. Ela continned with his company and regiment to Folly Island (4 July) ; and in the capture of Morris Island ( 10 July ) he served with gallan- try. In the famous charge on Wagner (18 Inly, evening) he was with his company and came out unscathed.
Early in Angust ( Morris Island) a corps of sharpshooters was organ- ized, Capt. Ela being appointed to the command of it. This was considered quite a compliment, not only to Capt. Ela, but to the regiment as well. As the sharpshooting matter is not well understood, the following is given as explanatory : Capt. Brooks, Aid-de-Camp and Assistant Engineer. on Gen. Gillmore's Staff, early in Angust called the latter's attention to the impor- tance of such a corps, saying, " The present so-called sharpshooters are in- efficient, are not good shots, their arms are not in good condition. they are not sufficient in numbers, and not properly officered." It would seem by this that these were quasi-sharpshooters, picked out offhand and sent to the front. Capt. Brooks wanted something different. Hle recommended that a suitable officer be placed in command; also that eight per cent of the line officers and two per cent of the rank and file of regimental and battalion commands, who are known to be the best marksmen, be tested by firing at a target. Each to fire tive shots; and then select one-third of the whole number to be the corps: the two best shots among the officers to be the appointees. The men to be organized into a company, be encamped by themselves, and be provided with the best arms that could be procured.
This was duly referred to Gen. Terry, and he was directed to organize the corps, of abont 50 or 60. It was suggested that preference be given to the Ballard rifle, in use in Col. Montgomery's (colored) regiment; and if found to be the best to take them (i.e., the guns), The Springfield was found to be the best. and was adopted. Capt. Ela was honored in this ap- pointment. But few men of our regiment were detailed: but ('apt. Ela was ably assisted during a part of this time by Lieut Edgerly. The sharp- shooters' camp was on the west side of Morris Island, in the vicinity of our " left batteries."
Capt. Ela's appointment was dated 13 Ang. 1863, by S. O. 71, D. S. Hle did himself great credit in this special duty, in which he continned until the corps was discontinued, early in October. This was of course after the evacuation of Wagner and Gregg. After this, and until the regiment went to Hilton Head (29 Feb. 1864), Capt. Ela was in command of the regiment several times, but for short perlods.
(Jn 1 Nov. 1863 (S. O. 586, D. S. ). he was again ordered to duty on the Board to examine cases of officers who had overstayed their leaves, rice Capt. Greenleaf, Fourth New Hampshire, relieved. On 20 Dec., and for sev- eral days thereafter, he was Acting Provost Marshal of the island (Capt. Randlett sick). On the return to Hilton Head, 29 Feb. 1864, arrangements for the re-enlisted men to go home on furlongh were in active progress, and C'apt. Ela was one of the officers who expected to accompany. lle even went so far as to partially pack his trunk and prepare the papers for turning over his company to a successor. Fate decreed otherwise. . The powers that be selected another in his stead. Poor Dick! how disappointed he was. How his eyes flashed as the truth dawned upon him! Dick was
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military -he surrendered; but, oh, how disappointing, how humiliating! We need not look for the cause with any degree of hesitancy; but we draw the curtain, for with canses we have little to do.
Diek didn't go home, but remained and swallowed his bitter pill al- most in silence. He amused himself immediately thereafter by drilling his company as cavalry. Dick took to it like a duck to water; and so far as one can imbne others with his own spirit and ideas, Co. E became proficient under his tutelage. He accompanied the regiment to Jacksonville (mounted). He served on the drum-head court-martial of Miller. We have now traced him to where he (and the regiment) leaves for Virginia, arriving at Gloucester Point the latter part of April, 1864. Early in May, as the troops are about to embark for the Virginia campaign, Capt. Ela thus wrote home: " You need not expect to hear from me again until I find an oppor- tunity to write from Richmond or some other equally distant and improbable point." His trunk went at the same time ( we were all for " light marching order"). Poor Dick reached the " distant and improbable point" on 13 May, while gallantly leading his company up an incline to attack the enemy in its rear, after we had passed completely around the enemy's right flank.
Lieut .- Col. Plimpton, in a letter of 25 May 1864 to the afflicted parents, said : "It is my painful duty to inform you of the death of your son, Capt. Richard Ela. He was shot through the head on the afternoon of the 13th inst., while gallantly leading his men in an assault on a rebel fortifica- tion, and died almost instantly. He was a most excellent officer, and one we could ill afford to lose - one whose death will be regretted by us all; but to you his loss must be still greater. After the action was over, his body was buried, and the grave marked, and he now lies some seven miles within the enemy's lines."
Capt. Dearborn also wrote thus : "Allow me to convey the painful intelligence of the death of your son Richard. He was killed instantly, - has fought his last fight, - falling a true hero amidst the carnage of battle, in defence of his country's fag."
Certain officers were chosen to draft suitable resolutions on the deaths of Capts. Ela and Ayer and Lient. Button (all killed at Drewry's Bluff) ; and this was the one specially referring to Capt. Ela : -
" Resolved, That to the memory of him who first fell, Capt. Richard Ela, will ever cling many fond recollections; and that his conduct in enter- ing the service of his country, when in the prime of life, just as he had be- come fitted for his profession, deserves the approbation of his comrades in arms and all his countrymen."
The following extracts from the Veterans' Adrocate of 7 Oct. 1884, headed " Recollections of a Drummer Boy." will be of interest : " We were poking along . . . . came upon Capt. Richard Ela . . . . usually full of fun, was looking sad and downeast. Said I, ' Are von sick?' . No.' said he; . I had a presentiment of death last night. We are soon to engage in a tieree struggle. and there will be a terrible slaughter, and Dick Ela will be numbered with the slain; and before the sun rises tomorrow it will be over with me.' I langhed at his fears, and jokingly said : . Diek, if I were you and felt as you say you do, I would not go into action.' ' If it comes to that' - he flushed in the face, straightened to his full height and looked and looked me in the eye, and said with some empha- sis : . Dick Ela never shrank from duty; and though I know this to be my
last battle, my duty to my country shall be well done,' He then smiled and conversed in his usual jovial manner until the sharp report of a musket ap- prized us of the close approach to enemy's lines The regiment formed in line of battle, and advanced, capturing a small picket post near a church. [Here follow details found in the story proper. - D. E. ] We were in pos- session of the first line of defences around Richmond . . . . Capt. Ela was dead . . . . killed while desperately fighting within 20 paces of the enemy . Co. E fought like demons to recover the body. As I gazed upon the lifeless form, the words. . My duty to my country shall be well done,' rang in my ears
" Rest, soldier brave, in Southern soil: Doue thy strivings, done thy toil! If God doth mark the hero's hfe. Then, sure, not vain the hero's strife."
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The writer will add that as the body of Capt. Ela was conveyed past the then re-formed line, in a blanket, passing in review as it were. he well remembers the expressions of sorrow on either hand, and the writer himself shed many a tear at the exceedingly sorrowful sight. As he writes these lines, the same scene is enacted with same results: for the lifeless form of Capt. Ela is seemingly forever photographed upon his memory.
On 24 May, in accordance with the Army Regulations, the personal effects of Capt. Ela were sold at public auction, within the regimental camp. Many officers didn't attend this sale, as they did not fully agree that such a sale could not be avoided. Many of his personal effects reached home.
Dick Ela will long be remembered by his comrades in arms, as one of the best in the regiment - generous, brave, gentlemanly and a thoroughly good soldier.
NOTE 1. - Ezra D. Clark of Co. I, of Pioneer Corps, assisted to bury Capt. Ela.
NOTE 2. - Isaac Walker of Pembroke, N. H., prepared a paper on Capt. Ela, which was published in The Academean, Pembroke Academy, in the January, 1885, number. The writer obtained a portion of his data from that source.
J. HOMER EDGERLY.
J. Homer Edgerly was born in Dover, N. H., 5 May 1844. He was the son of Calvin O. Edgerly of Dover, and was therefore a mere boy when the war broke out. In writing of this officer, we shall be governed somewhat by the positions he occupied as he passed from one to the other. We first deal with him as a private; and it may be well to state right here that J. Homer Edgerly was one of the most popular officers in the regiment, and was also popular as a private. The company in which he enlisted was almost wholly from Dover, and was justly entitled to be called the Dover company (K). Upon the promotion of Ist Sergt. Scruton to a 2d Lieu- tenantcy, the selection of some member of the company must be made to fill the vacancy. The company had its complement of non-commissioned officers, each supposably desirous of promotion; but for some reason best known to those whose duty it became to make the selection, they selected Private J. Homer Edgerly to be made Ist Sergeant. This was so unusnal and so unmilitary as to cause considerable adverse criticism, not only from the parties directly interested, but also from others. The decision was final, as such decisions almost invariably are; and Edgerly was duly appointed Ist Sergeant. His warrant dates back to 1 May, while Lient. Dearborn was Acting Adjutant. He was sworn to the faithful discharge of his duty in his new office, at Edisto Island, on 17 May 1862, before Lieut. Ela, Judge Advo- cate of the regiment. He entered at once upon his duties, and thus was almost suddenly placed in a position where he had got to " do or die." He was on trial, with a biased jury, and witnesses more or less prejudiced. To say that he acquitted himself and made his mark is, perhaps, a little in ad- vance of the story. We shall see later on. Manfully he struggled with his new duties; and within a month we find him in the regiment's first real action - James Island, 16 June 1862, where he did his full duty. On the afternoon of (about) the 14th, he was sent with a message to some regi- ment on the right; and in doing so, had to pass an open spot where he was in full view of the enemy. They opened upon him without ceremony, firing several shots from small field pieces. and came very near cutting off our friend, and this narrative too. at this point.
While the regiment was at St. Helena Island, Edgerly received a 2d Lieutenant's commission (in Co. B). The commission dates 13 May 1863. His discharge as enlisted man to accept the promotion was of 27 June, to date 23d; and his muster-in as 2d Lieutenant was on 29 June, to date 23d. His promotion was rice Brainard, promoted. These dates are given for three reasons: 1. Because the original papers have been examined person- ally, and the dates therefore correct; 2, To show how errors occur in making up history ; 3, For purpose of preservation.
Lieut. Edgerly participated in the action of 10 July 1863 (the taking of Morris Island, lower end), and on the next morning, when the Third New
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Hampshire acted as support to the attacking but unsuccessful column. On 18 July, possibly fortunately for our hero, he was Officer of the Gnard, and therefore didn't participate in that memorable and bloody assault on Wagner in the evening. He viewed the battle from the sand hills, where our camp lay. He took part in the siege which followed, resulting as shown elsewhere. After the wounding of Capt. Ayer, he was assigned to the command of Co. II, and so continued till Capt. Ayer's return to the regiment.
Among the commissions brought by Col. Jackson, on his return to the regiment in January, 1864. was one as Ist Lieutenant for Edgerly in Co. D. It bore date 2 Jan. He was mustered as Ist Lieutenant 20 Jan. (as of the 20th).
On 16 Feb. 1864, at Morris Island, Lieut. Edgerly was assigned to duty with the Boat Infantry Picket. a very dangerous service, of which a de- scription will appear elsewhere. In this service he took charge at various times of extra hazardous portions, always with credit to himself. His as- signment was by S. O. 49, IIdqrs. U. S. F., M. I., S. C., 16 Feb , by Col. W. H. H. Davis, Commanding Post ; and he reported to Capt. John A. Hennessey for duty.
About this time the men were re-enlisting and preparing to go home. The various compapies were a little scattered ; but were all ordered to Hil- ton Head, from which place the veterans sailed North on their furloughs. Lieut. Edgerly was one of the officers selected to accompany them. He, and they, thus did not participate in the mounted service of the regiment in Florida, and did not rejoin till the regiment reached Virginia.
In the Virginia campaign we find him on duty and in all the actions of the regiment. On the death of Capt. Ela, killed 13 May, Lieut. Edgerly was assigned to the command of Co E. The casualties among the officers were so many. and occurred so often, that it is quite impracticable to attempt to follow any particular company officer with a view of determin- ing just what company he was with at all times. They were shifted about to meet the exigencies of the service; and Lieut. Edgerly was no exception to this rule. At one time, while in charge of the picket line at Bermuda Hundred, he was informed that Gen. Butler wished to capture a single rebel soldier, for obvious reasons. Lieut. Edgerly performed the difficult and delicate task and delivered the man to Butler. This occurred a few days previous to the mine explosion at Petersburg.
The following data concerning J. Homer Edgerly, gathered from official papers, are here inserted for preservation : 30 Sept. 1863, took command of Il, relieving Morrill; made returns for II for October and November. Was on duty with E (Capt. Ela) 20 JJan. 1864; with Boat Infantry Picket 26 Dec. 1863 (aud it would appear that he was twice assigned to it). Commanded H, 31 Oct. 1863. To E, 27 June 1863. With E. 10 and 11 July 1863. Made returns for D for June, July, August and September, 1864. Acting Adjutant, 24 Sept. 1864; also 9, 13 and 23 Oct. 1864. Commanded F, 26 Dec. 1864. Had command of D 'part of second and third quarters, 1864. Had command of F part of third and fourth quarters, 1864, and first quarter, 1865 : also for April, May. June and July, 1865. At end of January and end of February. 1865, he appears in command of F, and the sole officer of the company in both cases.
On 24 and 25 Ang. 1864. we tind Lieut. Edgerly sick in the hospital at Point of Rocks : and this appears to be his only " off duty " of the kind. On 27 and 28 Oct. 1864, he served as a substitute staff. officer on Gen. Abbott's Brigade Statt. and there won new honors. In Gen. Butler's con- gratulatory order of 11 Oct. 1864. Lieut. Edgerly was mentioned " for gallantry in conducting the skirmish line ou 29 Sept., as well as on the reconnaissance towards Richmond, is recommended to His Excellency, the Governor of New Hampshire, for promotion."
A Captain's commission arrived at the regiment for JJ. Homer Edgerly on the 22d of the same mouth; but the writer cannot say there was any connection, as the document was dated Oct. 1, and made him Captain of F, cice Wadsworth. discharged. His master-out and muster-in occurred on the 30th, as of the 15th. Capt. Edgerly went on a 30 days' leave Wednes- day, 2 Nov. IsGt; and we find him at Washington 2 Dec., at expiration of leave, requesting a short extension of three days.
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We next note the conduet of Capt. Edgerly at Fort Fisher. The capture of that stronghold was on Sunday, 15 Jan. 1865. A more particular account of the famous action will be found elsewhere. Capt. Edgerly won distinction here by pulling down the Confederate flag which was flying over the Mound Battery, the most southerly of the series which together formed the fort. At this late date it is quite impossible to obtain a minute and exactly cor- rect account of this daring act; but the reader may be assured that the fol- lowing is substantially correet. There appears to have been two flags flying, at different points, one of which had been probably shot away rather than captured or pulled down by our forces, as the ground where the latter was located was held by our troops at the time of the pulling down of the former ; and the writer has seen no account of any capture of a flag at this battle except that from the Mound Battery : and he has read a large number of accounts. It appears that at a slight lull in the fight some one (supposably Gen. Terry) called for volunteers to capture the flag in question. This call was not upon any special regiment, because the several regiments were con- siderably intermixed at the time; but upon hearing the call, Capt. Edgerly, as he says himself, " Upon the impulse of the moment, and wholly without orders, I called for volunteers to join me in response to the call; and almost before I could realize the situation, I was on the run for the flag with a dozen or more men at my heels. Arriving at the flag-staff, and meeting with no serious resistance, I hastily cut the halliards; and in a twinkling the flag was in my possession, and I and my men on the way back to rejoin the main body." The flag was given to Gen. Terry and by him to Secretary of War Stanton, who arrived within a few days, and by him taken to Wash- ington. One of the rebel officers ( Maj. Riley), after his capture, told Capt. Edgerly that he had snapped his revolver three times at him during the engagement. Under date of 26 June 1865, Capt. Edgerly was informed by the Secretary of War that he had been brevetted " for gallant and merito- rious services at the storming of Fort Fisher, N. C.," a Major of Volunteers by Brevet, from 13 March 1865.
Soon after the capture of the fort it became necessary to send the pris- oners North; and probably out of compliment to Capt. Edgerly, he was selected to go in charge of about 900, to Point Lookout, Md., in the Steamer North Point. The order was issued by Gen. Terry, - S. O. 7, 18 Jan. 1865, - and directed Capt. J. H. Edgerly, Lieut. Pierrepont of Seventh Connecticut, and Lient. Gessner of Sixth Connectient, with a guard detailed from the Six- teenth New York Heavy Artillery, to take the prisoners to the prisoner's camp at Point Lookout, Md., and then return. During the passage a severe storm was encountered and the prisoners, and guard too, were very sick ; and those below suffered untold misery. Ilere were prisoners of war numbering nine to one of the guard; and it was quite out of the question to permit them, even for humanity's sake, to come on deck in large numbers, lest they rise and overpower the small guard. Capt. Eagerly at once saw this danger upon going on board, and governed himself accordingly. He at once arranged that a certain small number should be permitted to come up on deck forward for half an hour, and then go below aft, and another lot of the same speci- fied number simultaneously come up forward. This operation was repeated. being carefully guarded, and all the requirements necessary to safety rigidly carried out. Much credit is due this officer for so wise an arrangement, and for devising one having as much of the humanitarian element in it as was possible under the circumstances. Notwithstanding all this careful attention, the men below were in a pitiable condition, and some died on the voyage.
Arriving at Point Lookout the men were mustered upon the wharf, surrounded by colored troops, the garrison of the place. This made their Sontheru blood boil, of course; but their physical condition was weak, and they made no extended show of their feelings. The muster developed a few short of the papers. "How many?" said Capt. Edgerly. " Three men short," was the reply. Capt. Edgerly directed his guards to bring ashore the three dead men: and the whole number was accounted for. Capt. Edgerly then returned ein Fort Monroe, where he turned over the North Point to the Quartermaster Department. himself and guard taking passage to Fort Fisher in the Gen. Me Clellan. Upon reporting back to Gen. Terry, he re-
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ceived his verbal thanks for the service just rendered, and was also informed by the General that he had recommended him for brevet for his daring act at Fort Fisher.
While the regiment was at North East, Capt. Edgerly served upon the flag of truce that arranged for the wholesale exchange of prisoners (Lient. Jackman of Third New Hampshire, and Lient. McCabe, Seventh New Hamp- shire, were his associates), the rebels being represented by Gen. Wade Hampton and Aides.
On 3 March 1865, Capt. Edgerly was appointed Assistant Provost Marshal of Wilmington, N. C., and ordered to report to Lieut .- Col. Randlett, Provost Marshal. The order was by Brig .- Gen. J. R. Hawley, S. O. 2. In this position he continued till 22 June 1865. being relieved by Capt. W. S. Marble of Seventh Connecticut, by S. O. 80. As Assistant Provost Marshal, Capt. Edgerly's duties and responsibility were varied, important and intri- cate. To go into a recital of them would serve no useful purpose. It is sufficient to say that his services were well performed, and merited and received the commendation of his superiors.
A deal more could be written about this gallant young officer; but the essential parts of his military career are contained in this narrative. He was mustered out with the regiment on 20 July 1865, at Goldsborough, N. C. Not long after this, we find him in the Navy Yard at Charlestown, Mass., where he held the position of Master Painter, say 1870-84. He retired a few years ago. A little later he carried on the business of painting (house, sign and ornamental) in Boston, Mass. He is now an Inspector of Buildings in the employ of the City of Boston.
A letter, almost accidentally in the writer's hands, written by Gen. Abbott in 1875, to Capt. Edgerly, says : " My Dear Captain . . I re- member well how you climbed the Mound [Battery] and brought down the Confederate flag, which [ gave to Terry, and he to Stanton . . . I can think of no one whom I was more in the habit of trusting in matters which required good judgment, sagacity and presence of mind on critical occasions than yourself." Gen. Abbott commanded the brigade at Fort Fisher.
After so long and faithful service of this officer it may not be amiss to show how ungrateful ( ! ) republics are. In September, 1865, he was notified that in the settlement of his accounts with the Department he appeared to be short " 1 ramrod." How the gallant Captain ever success- fully struggled with this startling announcement. the writer has no know- ledge, nor does he care to investigate. J. Homer Edgerly was never seriously wounded, never had a furlough as an enlisted man, and was very rarely sick.
NOTE .- J. Homer Edgerly was a member of the City Council of the City of Charlestown in 1871, and was a mounted aide to the Chief Marshal at the Centennial Celebration in Boston in 1876 (quite an honorary position). He was an auxiliary delegate from Boston to the National Republican Convention at Chicago (1888).
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