USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 28
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During the Lieutenant's stay at Concord, the St. Albans Raiders ex- citement was on; and at one time it was reported that the raiders were actually in the camp as substitute recruits. This caused a deal of excite- ment, not only in the city adjacent, but in the camp itself; and a general examination of all on hand was ordered. Several were found who answered the description ; but nothing was done about it except to frighten them. A St. Albans man was even sent down to identify, but failed to do so.
In January, 1865, a Captain's commission was issued to Lieut. Eldredge ; but the orders from War Department were imperative that no offieer should be mustered into a higher grade, if unfit for field service. Lient. Eldredge's arm was still in a sling, though the wound had healed once and reopened. His choice lay between going to the regimeut in North Carolina and being refused muster, or declining the commission. He chose the latter, rather than hold it and not be mustered; and this declination gave the promotion to the next in rank. The commission itself was not surrendered.
During his stay at the Rendezvous, Lieut. Eldredge occasionally took charge of a squad of recruits himself, from Concord to Galloupe's Island, Boston Harbor. He never lost a man en route, though it was almost in- variably the case that several of each squad escaped, either by jumping from the cars or by suddenly leaving the ranks in the streets of Boston.
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Lieut. Eldredge was on duty at Concord when the news of the fall of Fort Fisher, and also of Richmond, was announced. The latter event was publicly celebrated 10 April 1865, by a military and civic procession in Con- cord, in which our Lieutenant played a part. Again, he was at Concord when the sad news of the assassination of Lincoln was flashed over the wires. He saw the excitement in Concord; saw men forced to hang out the old flag ; saw the crowd of excited citizens go to Franklin Pierce's stopping- place on Main Street, and heard his Union speech ; and saw much more not down on the bills. At this time, business at the camp had almost ceased. Recruiting had stopped altogether.
Lieut. Eldredure was ordered on the 4th, and proceeded on 5 May 1865, to take to Point Lookout. Md., a squad of men (old soldiers) then at the Webster U.S. General Hospital, Manchester, N. H. They had been transferred (against their wishes) to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and their regiment was at Point Lookout. Why Lieut. Eldredge should be selected to take a lot of men to a place they didn't wish to go, and had thus publicly expressed themselves, was not for him to inquire into. On falling into line, Lieut. Eldredge read his order to the men, and made a few general remarks about obeying orders, applying it to himself and them. IIe was supplied with a guard, picked by himself, of four men and a sergeant. All started, and all got there. On the way a difficulty arose, in this way : The order and the transportation called for one more man than actually went (one left behind sick) ; and the Lieutenant was averse to paying fare for more than he had. To New York it worked all right, for he had tickets, in groups and singles. Beyond that point it was not so easy. The Quarter- master declined to make his order for any lesser munnber than the order specified. The next resort was to the conductor of the train, who had tickets in abundance. IIe was asked to give a single ticket in return, but flatly refused, at the same time trying to snatch the ticket for the whole from Lieut. Eldredge's hand. Hot blood now arose on both sides. Lieut. Eldredge was firm in his position. not to see the Government defrauded. Conductor equally firm. Lieut. Eldredge and his squad and guards occupied exclusively the rear car. Another Lientenant, with a similar party, join- ing at New York, occupied exclusively the next car forward. Conductor threatened to uncouple the car. Forced to desist by cold steel applied to his rear. Lieut. Eldredge, by virtue of his rank, assumed command of both parties, and ordered the Lieutenant of the other squad to not permit his car to be uncoupled without special orders. This attached the two cars to the train, go where it would. Much delay was caused at Newark, by a vain at- tempt of the conductor to have Lient. Eldredge arrested. Here the condne- tor telegraphed back to New York, to Gen. Dix, in substance that his train had been seized by guerillas and his life was threatened; and more, that the aforesaid armed guerillas were detaining the mail of the great United States. How this little episode ended is too long a story for insertion here. The Government was not defrauded.
Months after, and after Lient. Eldredge had been transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, a package of official documents came to hand at New Haven, Conn .. ordering him to report his conduct forthwith. This had been to the Adjutant General's Office, and to Lieut. Eldredge's corps, division, brigade and regiment; and when it got there it found him trans- ferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Then it went on its travels back to Washington, to again start from the Provost Marshal General's Office. on its mission. The package was a formidable one, growing as it went along its weary march. It contained copies of the affidavits of the case. Reading them very calmly, our Lieutenant could hardly recognize himself in the picture drawn. He reported fully, and never after heard from it.
In going to Point Lookont, the party went ric Baltimore and down the Chesapeake, returning ria Washington. This gave Lieut. Eldredge an op- portunity to obtain an examination for the Veteran Reserve Corps, to which he had already requested to be transferred. This he obtained after a short delay, resulting in his transfer to Co. A. Third V. R. C., as 2d Lieutenant, his company being stationed at New Haven, Conn. This appointment was received the latter part of June, 1865, and his discharge from Third New
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Hampshire was made to date 21 May, and " to accept commission in V. R. C., 22 May 1865." Maj. Caldwell, of the U. S. A., with whom Lieut. Eldredge was serving at the time this appointment was received, remarked sarcasti- cally when he saw that it was to be 20 Lieutenant, " Is that the way they reward faithful officers?" It was inevitable. The supply was greater than the demand.
Lieut. Eldredge shortly after joined his new company at New Haven, and was soon thereafter made Adjutant of the camp, under Capt. E. I. Merrill, who, after the war, was made postmaster at Farmington, Me. The war being over, the only practical duty done at Draft Rendezvons was to receive returning regiments and care for them and their arms until paid off and finally discharged. Lieut. Eldredge had charge of escorting the regi- ments to the camp from the railroad station - a long distance. Of his experience at New Haven, a single item only in worthy of mention. Returned soldiers had a penchant for stealing their arms after turning them in. This got to be something alarming. in quantity and in valne. Stringent measures were adopted; but it required a lightning stroke to stop it. It happened in this wise. The guard over the guns turned in had been doubled, pending a threatened and combined attack on the place of deposit. The guards had been directed to load and be ready. It was well known that guard was mounted with loaded guns. Despite all this, the desire for stealing was paramount to everything else. Lieut. Eldredge, as Officer of the Day, had placed his guards at the most advantageous points and duly instructed them. He was the only officer in camp at the time. Clear and sharp rang out the rifle of the guard about nine in the evening. Lient. Eldredge was quickly on the spot. There lay the result : a mortally wounded man, and his excited companions quickly gathering around. The guard was immediately ordered to the spot (i.e., the off reliefs), and the guard who fired the shot, after a brief explanation, was at once relieved and sent to the guard-house, for protection against possible harm. Lient. Eldredge and others at once took the unfortunate man to the hospital, where the best possible surgical aid was rendered. He was a Sixth Connecticut man. The ball passed through his right breast, and then through the arm, at short range. He died at 10 A.M. next day. At intervals he cried, " Don't shoot!" It appears that he actually assaulted the guard after repeated warnings, and thus met his death. An investigation was ordered, held, and reported no case against the guard. It was a sad episode ; but who shall say it was avoidable?
From New Haven, Lieut. Eldredge was ordered on general court-martial duty at Hartford, in September. Here he served till abont the latter part of November, when he was ordered home, to report to the Adjutant-General monthly, awaiting orders. He went as directed, and reported with regu- larity, but was never ordered to duty. During July, 1866, he was discharged, as of 30 June, because his services were no longer required.
Almost five years of service! Not wholly in the field, to be sure; but quite varied in character, the bitter with the sweet; and he had tasted various kinds of service.
While on " waiting orders," Lient. Eldredge committed matrimony in the town of Wilmington, Mass., 14 Feb. 1866; and having no fear of being ordered to the tented field, he took his new wife across the border into Montreal. While there he visited the Theatre Royal, and during the play, the whole performance stopped at the entrance of an elderly man and his daughter, the redoubtable Jeff. Davis, late President, etc .. etc. Everybody (not including Lieut. Eldredge and wife) arose, and shouted and checred. Jeff. bowed right and left. The pit called for " Dixie," and the orchestra played it, followed by more cheering, loud clapping of hands, etc. All this was not enjoyed by Lieut. Eldredge; for his blood fairly boiled, and he got himself and his wife out, at the earliest practicable moment. Jeff. was evidently a favorite there.
Lieut. Eldredge has since the war, and for several years, resided in Boston. At this writing, he is the secretary and treasurer of three very successful co-operative banks, in the introduction of which system into Massachusetts he took a leading part. These three banks, combined in one
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office, are The Pioneer Co-operative Bank (oldest in the State), The Home- stead Co-operative Bank, and The Guardian Co-operative Bank, with com- bined assets (1893) of a million dollars.
Lient. Eldredge (he is generally called Captain by his friends) was President of the Third New Hampshire Volunteer Veteran Association, 1889 and 1890, and takes great interest in and attends the reunions very regularly. His address is No. 36 Bromfield Street, Boston, Mass.
NOTE 1 .- He was in every action of the regiment (except Pocotaligo) up to the time of his wound, 16 Ang. 1864.
NOTE 2 .- The excessive length of this personal sketch is almost in- excusable, though written after all the others. The varied services and a desire to describe the same may possibly be mitigating circumstances.
DANIEL FARRAR.
Dr. Farrar's appointment dates 13 Aug. 1862. It should not have been so dated. The fact that a vacancy was imminent was not a sufficient mili- tary justification, though it was well in the end. He arrived at the regiment about the middle of September, 1862, soon after it had been recalled from outpost duty. Dr. Buzzell had only preceded him a few days, and had already begun to make his mark. Dr. Moulton was absent at the North, and his discharge was daily expected. Dr. Eaton was well-nigh worn out, and siek besides, and talked resignation, but did not actually resign till the month following.
At the end of September, 1862, we had what might appropriately be termed a " medieal muddle." Our rolls bore a surgeon (Dr. Moulton, not yet discharged) and three assistants - Eaton, Buzzell and Farrar. The regu- lations and orders permitted only three, one surgeon and two assistants. As Dr. Farrar was the surpins, he could draw no pay till the resignation of Dr. Eaton. whose place was filled by Dr. Buzzell; and then Dr. Farrar filled Buzzell's place: and a little later (one month), Buzzell stepped up to Moulton's place (Moulton discharged), and Farrar up to Buzzell's place as Ist Assistant, leaving the 2d Assistant's place vacant. It will be seen that within a brief period we had not only a surplus of doctors, but a deficiency as well. As for the regiment itself, it will be seen that at no time during this muddle did it have actually present more than the regula- tion number allowed at that period; and it would seem to have been a wise forethought that thus planned it. Dr. Farrar began his duties at once, not- withstanding his anomalons position, and did them well.
In the spring of 1863, when the regiment was again scattered (G and H at Hilton Head, seven companies at Pinckney Island, and one company at Pope's, Hilton Head), Dr. Farrar remained at Hilton Head with G and H.
On 15 April 1863 (after regiment had gone to Edisto Island ), Dr. Farrar was ordered to special duty, taking charge of the sick at the outposts of Hilton Head ( Seabrook, Fort Mitchel. Pope's, Jenkins Island and Spanish Wells), with headquarters at Pope's. He had scarcely entered upon these duties when he was relieved by an order relieving everybody in the brigade of which the Third New Hampshire was a part. Hle rejoined the regiment while it lay in Edisto River. On 27 April, the writer's data says : " Dr. Farrar resigned; not accepted "; but this act of his was repeated at once, and he was honorably discharged + May, after we had landed on Botany Bay Island.
It would appear that he did not immediately go North; for on 10th May he loaned his horse (at llilton Head) to Bandmaster Ingalls (then Second Brigade Band) to ride to Drayton's Plantation.
Dr. Farrar was born 29 May 1836, at Troy, N. H. He studied with Dr. A. M. Caverly of Troy (in 1855 and 1856), and graduated from the Harvard Medical School in the spring of 1862, and practiced at Troy, N. H., prior to his entry into the service. Upon his return to civil life he practiced a short time in Troy, and from there went to Boston, Mass., tarrying but a short time at the latter place; and thence to Leominster, Mass., where he died 3 June 1875, leaving a widow and two children. The widow, Mrs. C. A. Farrar, still resides (1890) at Leominster.
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ENOCH Q. FELLOWS.
Enoch Q. Fellows was born in Sandwich, N. II., 20 June 1825, and had a military ancestry. He early evinced a desire for connection with military matters, and in 1844 he obtained an appointment to West Point, and entered that noted military academy the same year, making excellent progress with his studies. He there remained until November, 1846, when he voluntarily withdrew, an act he has probably many times since regretted. His school- mates were Gen. Whiting (rebel, of Fort Fisher fame) Gen. W. F. (Baldy) Smith, Gen. Fitz John Porter. Gen. John G. Foster, Gen. Geo. B. Mcclellan, Gen. John L. Reno, Gen. T. J. (Stonewall) Jackson (rebel), Gen. Truman Seymour, Gen. A. E. Burnside, Gen. Egbert L. Viele, Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, Gen. Rufus Saxton, and many others, both Union and Confederate. From 1847 to 1851 he was regularly appointed drill-master in the New Hampshire State Militia. From 1847 to 1849 was Adjutant of the Nineteenth regiment of militia, and in 1858 was brigadier-general of the brigade composed of the militia of Carroll, Belknap and Strafford Counties. From 1851 to 1854 he was doorkeeper in the State Senate. He was an inspector at the U. S. Custom House, Boston, from 1854 to 1857, and the following four years he might have been found at his home in Sandwich.
This brings him to the very edge of the war; and he appeared, ready, at the first signal. His serviees were at once in demand in drilling recruits and organizing the First Regiment. Though offered a captaincy in it, he enlisted as a private, and was at once made Ist Lieutenant of Co K, and then immediately detailed as Acting Adjutant of the regiment, with which he went to the front and honorably served and acquitted himself, returning at the expiration of the term (three months), after having participated in whatever of war was the lot of the regiment to see. (See brief account of First Regiment.) Scarcely had our hero brushed the dust of his journey from his clothes ere he was tendered the Coloneley of the Third New Hampshire, just organizing at Concord. It would appear that the First Regiment was mustered out on 9 Aug .. and that a Colonel's commission was issued to E. Q. Fellows on the following day. Tradition has it that in looking about for a Colonel for the Third Regiment, the position having been ten- dered to one and declined, Lieut .- Col. Jackson and the Hon. Mason W. Tappan, by some strange coincidence, said to themselves. almost simulta- neously upon the arrival of E. Q. Fellows. " Here is the man "" and they at once repaired to Governor Berry and urged his appointment. This was made, our hero being taken quite by surprise, though he surrendered. Col. Fellows. for we must now call him Colonel, did not at once repair to the camp then formed at Concord, but returned to his home for a few days' needed rest. Until his arrival in camp, Lieut .- Col. Jackson looked after the details of organization. etc.
Upon the arrival of the regiment at Long Island, Col. Fellows was in command of the post, the only other force arriving there during our stay being the Eighth Maine. Col. Fellows was summoned to New York City to consult with Gen. Sherman as to details; and during the latter part of our short stay at Long Island, Gen. Viele was in command. At Concord, at Long Island, at Washington and at Annapolis, considerable attention was attracted to the regiment, by the military bearing and fine presence of Col. Fellows, who was a striet disciplinarian, understood military tactics, and also understood his responsible position.
Soon after arriving at Hilton Head he was made Commander of the Post, being the senior Colonel, thus leaving the command of the regiment to Lieut .- Col. Jackson. He also served on a general court-martial at the same post. When the regiment went with other troops to Edisto, in April, 1862, Col. Fellows was directed to accompany and assume command of the Post, which he did, establishing Post Headquarters at the Henry Seabrook plantation, near the northeasterly extremity of the island,-a beautiful place,- and retained our band there for musical services.
During his stay as Commander of the Post, he required the strictest discipline and a report in writing of the minntest details of all that hap- pened at the different posts. Was relieved from this duty by Gen. Wright,
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about the 23d of April. He weut North on a sixty days' leave of absence, which he had taken the preliminary steps to procure before leaving Hilton Head, but had deferred pushing, as the Edisto movement seemed to require his services. He never returned from this leave, but resigned at its expira- tion. Was honorably discharged by Gen. Ilunter's S. O. 140, dated 26 June 1862. This resignation was a disappointment to the regiment, as he was beloved and respected by all.
Of his firmness and knowledge of tactics, one circumstance is vividly remembered by the writer. It was at Hilton Head. We were forming on the large parade ground (cotton field), for brigade drill. The Third New Hampshire was either a little behind time. or the other regiments ahead of time. At any rate. we were last to reach the field. The other regiments had formed and " dressed." We were on the right. When " dressed " we did not align with the other regiments. Orders came from the brigade commander, for the Third New Hampshire to " dress" on the Eighth Maine. The Colonel sat on his horse, in our immediate front. Though slightly deaf even then, he readily understood matters, and shouted out, "Stand fast! The Third New Hampshire is on the right! Stand fast. men!" We did stand fast, and the whole line had to " dress " on the Third New Hampshire.
Again, an instance of determination. One day, at the same place, for some reason the Adjutant was a little behind time, and not for the first time, in getting out to parade. The Colonel was considerably vexed, and shouted so one could hear him nearly half a mile, " Adjutant, mount your horse and come out here!" There was no mistaking his meaning. The Adjutant came right out with his horse under him.
With this ends the record, so far as the Third New Hampshire is con- cerned; but who of the old Third wishes to drop so valuable an officer in such a summary manner. Let us follow him and his fortunes. Upon his resignation as Colonel of the Third, he was at once made Colonel of the Ninth, in which he served creditably, participating in the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam. The conduct of the regiment and its Colonel in the former battle was commended by Gen. Reno. From the Ninth, Col. Fellows resigned in November, 1862, after unsuccessfully fighting neuralgia and kindred ills.
His campaigns may be summed up as follows : Three months under Gen. Patterson; under Gen. Sherman in the Port Royal campaign ; under Mcclellan in the Maryland campaign. The Governor and Council recom- mended him to the President for a brigadier-general's commission, in which capacity he served during a considerable part of the time.
While at West Point, the first appearance of the unfortunate malady, deafness. made its appearance; and with its increase, though very gradual, came a desire to retire from activity. To this peculiar feature may be attributed, in part at least. the conspicuous fact that he very rarely attends the annual reunions at Weirs.
In 1863 Col. Fellows went West, remaining there for a few years only, after which he returned to Sandwich and became connected with the Carroll Connty Savings Bank. Ile was an assistant assessor from 1869 to 1873, and also a deputy collector of internal revenue for a part of the time in Carroll and Belknap Counties. In the years 1868, 1869 and 1877 he served his town in the Legislature, and was on the Military Committee. In politics Col. Fel- lows is strongly Republican. He has a son and two daughters. Ile has substantially retired from all activity, and devotes his time to his family and his books.
NOTE .- The writer is indebted to the Granite Monthly, Nos. 11 and 12, of 1885, for a portion of the data concerning Col. Fellows.
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DANIEL J. FLANDERS.
Flanders was the original Ist Sergeant of Co. E (Capt. Plimpton) ; and being the 1st Sergeant of the company having the ranking captain is sup- posed to be one of the reasons for his early promotion to 2d Lieutenant. The document arrived 31 May 1862, at Edisto, and he was assigned to Co. E. His commission was dated 15 April. In the action of James Island, 16 June 1862, he was with Co. E, which company was commanded by Capt. Maxwell.
After the return of the regiment from James Island to Hilton Head, and after the outpost duty, he, as 2d Lieutenant of Co. F, took Co. E (Capt. Plimpton to Major, and Lieut. Ela to Captain and to Co. K). He accompanied the expedition to Florida, after lumber (January. 1863).
About 19 Jan. 1863, he received a Ist Lieutenant's commission, dated 16 Nov. 1862, rice Dearborn, promoted. Without being mustered, he was at once assigned to Co. E (already with it). He did not get mustered into his new grade till 18 April, as of 20 Jan. Co. E being on Provost Guard at Hilton Head, we find him temporarily at Pinckney Island ( seven companies there), and probably on a visit and respite on account of his health. He had a leave of absence in May and June, returning 26 June.
Soon after his company's return to St. Helena (really reuniting with the regiment), in June, he was assigned to Co. F. His health being under- mined, and no immediate prospect of change for the better, he was dis- charged at his own request, for disability, by S. O. 387, 2 July. (Regiment then on St. Helena. )
In 1864 he again took up arms, raising Co. F of the First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. Ilis commission as Captain was 5 Sept. 1864. His muster- out was 15 June 1865. In 1891 we find him in the steam engine works of G. A. Rollins, at Nashua, N. H.
He was born in Wheelock, Vt., 16 Aug. 1834. The war found him working in a machine shop in Nashua, N. H.
ANDREW J. FOGG.
He was the original 2d Lieutenant in Co. B, with Wilbur as Captain and Ayer as Ist Lieutenant. Fogg took an active interest in getting the company into shape and is entitled to credit for it.
He was with his company in the James Island battle (16 June 1862). We find him in command of Co. C from about 27 July to 13 Sept. Capt. Wilbur of B was in arrest, and Lieut. Ayer was with H a part of the time : hence the actual command of B devolved on Fogg in such cases. On 12 Sept. he received a Ist Lieutenant's commission, dated 17 June, and was relieved from C by Capt. Allen and returned to B.
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