USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 31
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Holt was again appointed Acting Adjutant, in place of Adjt. Jackman, who was sent home in charge of the discharged men of the Third and Seventh New Hampshire (i.e., the June discharges of those whose terms would expire prior to 1 Sept.) He continued to act as Adjutant to the end, though commanding Co. F a part of the time. ITis service as Acting Adjutant ended in New York, where the regiment, then on its way home, met Adjt. Jackman, returning to regiment from his special service.
Holt was a man possessed of a fine moral sense, and naturally allied himself with those of a like tendency. After the war, he entered the ministry, and is now (1890) pastor of a Congregational Church, on Califor- nia Street, Omaha, Neb. This position has been fairly carned. Holt was a worker - an enthusiast, if you please - in whatever he was engaged. For several years he was engaged in pioneer work on the frontier, assiduously striving to introduce and establish the Christian Church. His field was Nebraska; and after years of unremitting labor, in which he was seconded by his noble wife, he established a college at Neligh, Neb., becoming its president and manager, and presiding over its religions and financial mat- ters with credit for a period of five years. Did this college need money, Holt was sent East to obtain it - and returned with it.
He was three years at Racine, Wis., same at Coral, IN., then five years at Wheaton College. Ill., graduating in 1876. Afterward taught school at St. Charles, Ill .. and at Hartford and Viroqua, Wis., at which latter place he was ordained. He preached at Creighton, Neb., for two years, going thence to the Gates College at Neligh, Neb., already noted.
Holt was born at Nelson, Cheshire County, N. II., 30 July 1845. He participated in every action of the regiment except the lumber expedition in January, 1863, charge on Wagner, 18 July ( was on home guard), 14-16 May, 1864 (was in 13th, and sent away 14th in charge of arms, etc., of killed and wounded). He never was in the hospital, never wounded, and was never detached, except as noted in this sketch.
RUTIIVEN W. HOUGHTON.
Houghton was born 29 Jan. 1841, at Sharon, Vt. He was the original Ist Sergeant of Co. A (Capt. Clark). He was a well-built fellow and made a soldierly appearance. That he was popular with the company is evidenced by the fact that his comrades presented him with a valuable gold watch on Christmas Day of Is61, at Hilton Head. Houghton says he was almost paralyzed by the complete surprise and ceremonial presentation.
In the James Island tight ( 16 June 1862) he was conspicuously brave, and was favorably mentioned by Col. Jackson in his official report of that battle (see report). He was duly promoted to 2d Lieutenant, cire Hynes, promoted, his commission arriving 15 Oct. ; and no muster being required at that date, he was assigned to his own company (A). While the seven companies were on Pinckney Island, in the Spring of 1863 (10 April), he was in receipt of a Ist Lieutenant's commission, dated 15 March (rice Corne- lius, resigned ), and was mustered 15 April, as of 10 April, and assigned to his own company (1).
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In May, while at Botany Bay (eight companies ), he obtained a 20 days' leave, but got no further than Hilton Head, when all leaves were revoked, and he sadly returned to the regiment, which he found embarked for St. Helena ; and he actually joined at that place. On 10 July, during the action, a shell exploded uncomfortably near him and filled his arm with powder.
On the night of 31 Aug., he had command of a vidette of ten men, and crawled out to extreme front, passing over the torpedoes. Whitman of Co. A accidentally exploded one. Result : Whitman killed, three wounded, and all dazed and some unconscious, temporarily. Houghton made a few revolutions, but was practically unhurt. On 1 Sept., he was wounded at the front, in the trenches, by a fragment of a shell hitting him over his right eye.
He was an Aide-de-Camp on Gen. Terry's Staff, at Morris Island, in October, and again after removal of headquarters to Folly Island. 20 Jan. 1864, he was made Captain (rice Burnham, resigned), his muster dating 20 Jan., and his commission bearing date + Jan. On the day following his muster he was duly installed as the commanding officer of Co. I. When the re-enlisted men went home on furlough (March), Capt. Houghton was one of the fortunate officers to accompany, rejoining in Virginia, latter part of April.
He served creditably in the Virginia campaign. When the 1861 men were mustered out, Capt. Houghton was selected by Capt. Dow (then in com- mand), to go home in charge, and sent by him one of our flags (see letter). While at home on this quasi leave, he was taken sick, and sent the required certificate to the regiment (15 Sept.)
Unfortunately for him the W. D. orders were very strict at that particular time, and required all officers who had overstayed their leaves to report at Washington, to a Military Commission, within 15 days, or stand dismissed from the service. It is presumed that Capt. Houghton was either unable to travel or was in ignorance of the order; and the Adjutant-General issued an order, 19 Nov. 1864, dismissing him for absence without leave. This wrong was righted later by a new order, revoking the order of dis- missal and honorably discharging him as of 24 Oct.
Capt. Houghton was at Bluffton, Pocotaligo, Danfuskie, and in every action where the regiment was engaged. In 1890 his address was Denver, Colorado.
MARSHALL P. HAWKINS.
Hawkins began his military career as the original 5th Corporal of Co. I (Capt. Carlton). He was a neat, soldierly-appearing fellow, and was gentlemanly in every way.
On 3 April 1862, we find him ordered to act as Ist Sergeant; and on 11 April, he was made Ist Sergeant, rice Henry S. Dow, promoted to 2d Lieutenant. Ile received a 2d Lieutenant's commission 16 Oct., dated 4 July, and was ordered to Co. K. He was detached 4 Feb. 1863 for duty in the Signal Corps (S. O. 46. D. S.) In his new field he performed valuable service at various stations, undergoing privation and danger in many instances.
He resigned in November, 1863, his discharge being by S. O. 528, W. D., A. G. O., 28 Nov. 1863, Ex. 30. He was then Acting Signal Officer, and stationed on Folly Island. He arrived at New York 18 Dec., by the Arago,
He served in the Bluffton and Pocotaligo affairs, and was with the regi- ment at James Island, 16 June 1862. As Signal Officer he was on Folly, Morris and James, and other islands in their vieinity.
He was born at Troy. N. H., > March 1-39. Has been in Minneapolis, Minn., since the war ( 1890).
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
GUSTAVUS W. INGALLS.
He was born in Bristol, N. H., 21 May 1824. He early exhibited a genius for music, and sawed wood for his first instrument - a violin. About 1842 he began organizing brass bands, and a little later he entered into the manufacture of seraphines. lle was at one time with the well-known firm of A. Prescott & Co., of Concord, N. II., and was for many years the leader of the Concord Brass Band. In 1859 he went South, locating at Augusta. Ga., remaining there till January, 1861. He found it growing more and more unpleasant for Northern people, and he took steamer for New York (in January ) from Charleston. This steamer sailed out of the harbor under a Palmetto flag. In August, 1861. he was commissioned to recruit a band for the Third Regiment, then forming. Of his services in the regimental band and the succeeding bands ( formed principally out of it), all the original members of the old Third are practically cognizant.
Mr. Ingalls now resides at Worcester, Mass., and is engaged in the manufacture of organ reed boards, etc. Though he has substantially given up the practice of music, he still remains an enthusiastic lover of it. His mantle is said to have fallen upon his son, Walter G. (See Regimental Band and Second Brigade Band. )
JOHN H. JACKSON.
John II. Jackson was a Portsmouth, N. H., man. Long ago, prior to our Civil War, he was a bearer of arms and participated in several well-fought battles. This was in the Mexican War. The Ninth U. S. Infantry was the regiment recruited in the New England States. John H. Jackson was made a Ist Lientenant, and was ordered on Recruiting Service at Dover; and he there enlisted our Adjt. Hill and Capt. Littlefield. In repairing to Fort Adams, R. I., the place of rendezvous, Jackson by some accident missed his train, and though he had taken leave of his family, returned for the time being to them. His sister presented him with a Bible at this interval; and right well did it serve the recipient, though in a manner unforeseen. The muster-in took place at Fort Adams, near Newport; and the muster-ont occurred at the same place after the Mexican War was over, though these men did duty there for some time before the minster-ont. The Captain of the company (C) never joined it ; and Lieut. Jackson had command through the entire campaign. The movement southward was by transport from Fort Adams to Vera Cruz ..
Under the head of " Interesting Incidents," the American Star, published in the city of Mexico, dated Thursday morning, 21 Oct. 1847, says: " After the storming and capture of Chepultepec, the gallant Ninth Infantry, under Maj. Seymour (the brave and lamented Col. Ransom having just before fallen on the height of Chepultepce), found itself. with others, at the aquednet, under the walls of the city . . Lient. Jackson, Co. C, of the Ninth, during the melee, received an escopette ball in his breast. which, glancing off, whizzed upon the ground for a great distance, and imust have killed him upon the spot, but for a fortunate incident. He carried in his vest pocket a small copy of the Bible, a precions volume, the gift of his sister just before leaving his New England home. The ball struck this book and made a deep indentation in it; but it proved as good a breastwork as the cotton bags did at New Orleans to the troops of Gen. Jackson, and saved the life of its owner
An examination of the Army Register of that year (1847) shows John HI. Jackson, Ist Lieutenant, 9 April 1847, No. 60 (Thos. J. Whipple of N. H. was No. 61). The official list of those officers who participated in the battles of the Mexican War shows that John II. Jackson was in the follow- ing : Contreras. 19 Ang. ; Cherubusco, 20 Ang. ; Molino del Rey, s Sept. : near Chepultepec, 12 Sept. : Chepultepee, 13 Sept. ; Garita de Belin. 14 Sept. For his services on the 19th and 20th of August, John H. Jackson was brevetted Captain.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
The Army Register of 1848 shows John H. Jackson, Captain Co. H, 19 Feb. 1848, No. 80. The Ninth Infantry, thongh composed of New England men, by the changes wrought by the fortunes of war, was at one time under field officers composed wholly of Southerners. Wm. B. Taliaferro (pro- nounced Tollirer), whom we met, or tried to meet, at Wagner, IS July 1863, was a Captain in the Ninth U. S. Infantry, in Mexico, and was made Major upon the death of Col. Ransom, previously mentioned. With this ends the story of John H. Jackson in the Mexican War. We will not attempt to follow him from his mnster-ont to the opening of another war, in which he was destined to play so conspicuous a part.
The Boston Courier of 3 Ang. 1861, in referring to the Third New Hampshire, then forming, says : " The Lieutenant-Colonel is John H. Jackson of Portsmouth, a gentleman of military experience and education. His grand- fathers on both sides fought in the Revolution. His father was killed in the War of 1812, and he himself was an officer in the late war with Mexico . was made a brevet Captain for gallant and meritorions condnet . . . . "
John H. Jackson soon repaired to the camp at Concord and assisted largely in getting things into shape. These preliminaries fell upon him, as Col. Fellows was not quite ready to buekle on the armor. Five days before the regiment left Concord, Lieut .- Col. Jackson received the handsome gift of a horse and equipments from his friends in Portsmonth.
Upon arriving at Annapolis, Col. Jackson was made Provost Marshal, with headquarters in the Assembly Buildings ( State House), and was detached from the regiment temporarily for that duty. His appointment dates 11 Oct., by Gen. Viele's S. O., No. 5. His detail consisted of 1 captain. 1 Ist lientenant, 1 2d lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 3 corporals and 75 men, besides a company of the Forty-seventh New York for guard duty. The Third New Hampshire detail was under Capt. Plimpton of E, with 27 non-coms. and. men from E and F, and balance from other regiments. On the 13th, Col. Jackson requested a change of officers and men, to increase the efficiency of the guard. Many who were there and read this will not wonder why the Colonel did so. On the 15th he returned all of the Forty-seventh New York to their regiment, and asked for a relief from the Eighth Maine in their stead. On the 17th he returned two privates of his force to their regiment (Forty-seventh New York), for drunkenness and stealing from citizens. 18 Oct., the provost duty ended at 11.20 A.M. ; and the embarkation took place soon after. Though the duty lasted but a few days, it was exceedingly trying, tedious and perplexing. Soon after arriving at Hilton Head, the command of the regiment fell upon Col. Jackson, by the detailing of Col. Fellows as Commander of the Post. Col. Fellows never commanded the regiment afterwards. The work of getting a regiment into shape, of drilling it, of the details of a camp life in an enemy's country, were something enormous : but Col. Jackson accomplished it, and apparently with the least possible friction. He went wherever the regiment went while he was its commander. and present. At Bluffton, at Pocotaligo, on the reconnaissance up the Savannah River, at the battle of James Island, - the regiment's first action. and ever to be remembered on that account,- at the taking of Morris Island, at the memorable charge on Wagner: all these bear silent witness that Col. Jackson was there and did his duty - was willing to and did lead, and his men followed him. Accounts of these will be found in their proper places.
The assault on Wagner proved to be the last action in which Col. Jackson was engaged. He was wounded in the assault, having his breast considerably contused. probably by a fragment of a shell. Within a few days thereafter he, with others of the regiment, was ordered North for duty in conducting drafted men to their regiments, presumably those assigned to the Third New Hampshire; but this did not so prove, as the detailed men were sent hither and thither, and after a while returned to regiment, of which an account will be given.
Col. JJackson. with his detail, repaired to Concord. N. IL .. arriving there abont 2; July 1-63. As the writer was one of the detail, he may be pardoned, perhaps, for relating an incident of the voyage on Steamer Atrago to New
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York. Next morning after leaving Morris Island, a blockade runner was discovered dead ahead and running with all speed possible. Cotton bales floated by us, showing that they had lightened a little and what their pre- sumable cargo was. The Arago had a mixed passenger list, it being com- posed of numerous officers and soldiers bound Northward on duty or on furloughs, sick and wounded officers and men, and a large delegation of civilians of both sexes. The Captain of the _Irago decided to chase the runner, as it was going in his general direction; but later the chase put directly east. Then, as we had considerably decreased the distance, the craft was seen to be denuded of its entire deckload, and the black smoke which rolled from its smoke-stack showed clearly that they were using every means to get away, increasing their fires with parts of the cargo. This made it all the more desirable to capture it; and the Captain directed his course after the runner, directly to sea. An old cannon on board was loaded with blank cartridge and fired; but no notice was taken of it. Then a solid shot was fired which fell a little short; but it was in good range and we were gaining every minute. Another shot went through their rigging, and they ' hove to." As we now felt sure of the prize, the reader may be assured that the interest and excitement on board the Arago was intense. Field glasses and naked eyes as well discovered arms and other war imple- ments on board the little runner, and great fears were entertained lest at the moment of capture she should send us one and all to " Davy Jones' locker." Meantime Col. Jackson had organized a small force, which stood next the bulwarks, with gleaming bayonets, for boarding, should it be required. About this time the desperate runner started up again, as if for a death struggle ; and another shot had to be tired to " bring them to." They made no further effort to escape. We came alongside; and then, how to get possession was the main question. The old drogo fairly careened, so heavily was she at that moment laden on one side. The Arago's crew declined to go on the perilous mission. Col. Jackson was equal to the emergency. He offered to go with his little squad and seize the steamer, if the Arago would simply furnish boat and rowers. The squad was composed in part of the Colonel's own detail from the Third New Hampshire. The writer was of the party and the second to step on board. Col. Jackson found no arms whatever in the craft, but did find a valuable cargo of rosin and turpentine, a part of which had been burned in the attempt to escape. The writer's memory says there was a crew of thirty, and two passengers, bound for Nassau, N. P., from Wilmington, N. C. The captured steamer had already made four trips ; and this, the fifth, they calculated would yield profit enough to fully clear the vessel of all claims. After staying on board awhile, she was taken in tow. the crew being transferred to the Arago, and a part of the latter's crew being put on the prize; and we started for New York. fairly aglow with pride and enthusiasm. How much prize money? None; for the laws were such that all the prize money went to the Arago's crew. We sailed into New York on a Sunday morning, with the Emma in tow, with the stars and stripes floating above the English tag. More details could be given, but for obvious reasons are withheld. On the Arago were Gens. Seymour and Strong, both wounded at Wagner and the latter lying very low. The writer and others carried him upon a stretcher through the streets of New York to his residence, and bade him a last farewell. Ile died a few days after.
Col. Jackson arrived at Concord with his detail about the 27th of July, and reported for duty to Brig .- Gen. E. W. Hlinks, who had charge of the Rendezvous. For a few days each was allowed to go home. Col. Jackson, whose failing health was quite noticeable, continued on duty at this Rendez- vous till the following January, when he returned to the regiment, joining it at Morris Island, where he had left it in JJuly. While at Concord, Col. Jackson was sent in charge of recruits to various regiments, making several trips of this kind. Among the regiments visited in this manner were the Second, at Alexandria. Va., and the Tenth, at Portsmouth, Va. At the Second New Hampshire. the Colonel relates that, having no camp guard, quite a number of the new recruits escaped the first night, At Portsmouth, he very kindly assisted Col. Donohoe (formerly a Captain in the Third) to obtain a leave of absence.
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For a short time during the latter part of Col. Jackson's stay at Concord, he was in command of the camp. The writer was on duty in his office, which was a busy one. Very large sums of money, brought in by recruits (substitutes), were left for safe keeping, and there were varions other details which required the closest attention and the exercise of good judgment. Col. Jackson's return to the regiment was by way of Long Island, Boston Harbor, to New York by rail, thence by steamer to Hilton Head. A large number of recruits for the various New Hampshire regi- ments in the Department was under his charge, which having delivered, he rejoined. His health was failing so rapidly and perceptibly that, by the advice of friends. he assented to an attempt to become transferred to the Invalid Corps (afterward called the Veteran Reserve Corps). These efforts began at Concord. He was fully endorsed and his efforts were seconded by Gov. Gilmore, the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer and ex-Governors Berry and Goodwin. A special examination at Concord resulted in a proper certificate by Drs. Crosby and Hidden that he was unable to enter active service in the field again, but with proper care might be fit for garrison duty. Gens. Terry, Gillmore and Benham fully endorsed him. Dr. Buzzell, in whom no Third New Hampshire man ever lacked confidence, after ex- amination, certified that he was suffering from chronic bronchitis and feeble- ness of constitution, which in his opinion disqualified him for performance of the active duties required in the field. This was dated 22 Feb. 1864; and his resignation bears the same date. His discharge was by Gen. Gillmore's S. O. 91, D. S., 24 Feb. 1864 : . . . The resignation of Col. John H. Jack- son, Third New Hampshire Volunteers, tendered on account of physical disability, is hereby accepted. to take effect this date. He is accordingly honorably discharged from the service .
Thus ended John H. Jackson's connection with the Third New Hamp- shire. He returned to his home in Portsmouth. Of his services, none question the value or length; of his bravery, the survivors of the regiment will abundantly testify. In 1888. Col. Jackson was serving in an important capacity at the Boston Custom House, and had been there over twenty years. Whenever asked (as he frequently was) to assist any of his old soldiers in the matter of evidence to support a claim for pension or otherwise, Col. Jackson was ever ready to render every assistance in his power. Having kept a roll-book of his own. and noted everything of value opposite each name, he was able to render great assistance in the line indicated. He also preserved much of historical value, to which the writer has had free access, for pur- poses of regimental history, and is entitled to a deal of credit for the same. There are, in the New Hampshire State House Rotunda, certain relics of the Mexican War contributed by Capt. Jackson, and they attract much atten- ยท tion.
[Extracts from Adjutant-General's Reports (N. H.), 1868.]
Cos. C, H and I of the Ninth Infantry sailed from Newport, Friday, May 21, 1547, on the transport North Bend, landing the men at Vera Cruz, June 21, 1847. Co. C's roll shows John H. Jackson, Ist Lieutenant ; Alfred J. Hill, Sergeant: Israel B. Littlefield, Sergeant. John H. Jackson was born in Portsmouth, Oct. 20, 1814. Was Ist Lieutenant of First Co. of Light Infantry, of First Regiment. N. H. Militia, April 22, 1841, and Captain of same, Sept. 19, 1848; and Colonel of the same regiment, Dec. 27, 1848. He was an inspector at the Boston Custom House from 1853 to 1861.
Before the charge at Chepultepee the Ninth's men were addressed by Gen. Pillow, as follows: " Tomorrow, if you say it, the Star Spangled Banner floats up yonder. If New England would place her name in the high page of history, now''s her time. You of the Ninth, if you will, shall lead In the charge. None need volunteer who will not swear to enter that castle vonder or die." The charge took place on the morning of the 12th of Sept .; and in half an hour the stars and stripes waved over the captured spot. The two New Hampshire companies, who bebaved with their usual gallantry, were commanded by Lients. Bowers and Jackson, who on this, as on other occasions, proved themselves worthy sons of the old Granite State.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
Col. Jackson never had a leave of absence, the nearest approach to one being in the Fall of 1862, when he took the preliminary steps to procure one; but the arrival of Gen. Mitchel (in September) changed the aspect of affairs in the Department, and he did not press the matter.
When Col. Jackson entered the army for service in Mexico, he was Captain of the Rockingham Guards of Portsmouth, N. H.
Col. Jackson's connection with the events, as narrated under 7 Ang. 1863 (see main story), was of no small importance. The orders relating thereto were as follows : -
(1.) S. O. 359. HDQRS. OF THE ARMY,
Extract No. 1. WASHINGTON, D. C., 13 Aug. 1863.
Col. J. H. Jackson, Third New Hampshire Volunteers, will proceed immediately to this city, and report himself in arrest to the Adjutant-Gen- eral of the Army. By command of Maj .- Gen. HALLECK.
E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt .- Gen.
(2.) S. O. 393, HDQRS. OF THE ARMY,
Extract No. 6. WASHINGTON, D. C., 1 Sept. 1863.
Col. J. H. Jackson, Third New Hampshire Volunteers, is hereby re- leased from arrest and will join his regiment without delay.
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