USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 33
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Dr. Kimball was one of the most expert surgeons in the Department. Though physically large, he was as deft with the instruments of his pro- fession as a girl with scissors and needle. But deft as he was, he was said to be utterly devoid of any super-sensitiveness while disjointing a finger or saw- ing off' a leg. This was probably because he studiously avoided any exhibition of feeling, on the basis that it would seriously interfere with and undermine his reputation. He was born in Bridgton, Me .. 27 March 1829. Was a student at the Harvard Medical School in 1858, and also studied medicine at Dover, N. H .. 1855 to 1858. He practiced in Maine (probably Bridgton) and in New York, next prior to the Civil War.
Dr. Kimball was early set at work in his new position (Drs. Buzzell and Burnham his associates), as on the morning of 10 July 1863 his services were especially called into requisition, the wounded being taken back to Folly Island for treatment. Again. on is July (charge on Wagner), his services were again proven of valne. This latter event showing that a siege must be undertaken (the demand for surgeons elsewhere being great), Dr. Kimball was detached about 23 ,July and sent to the hospitals at Beanfort, S. C., from which he returned about 25 Dec. ( Morris Island).
He went with the four companies (A. D. H and K) to Palatka, from Jacksonville, Fla. In the Virginia campaign, Dr. Kimball performed valuable service, and at one time was on special duty with the Provost Guard of the First Division, Tenth Army Corps. In the memorable 16 Aug. 1864 tight, he. with Hospital Stewart Kittredge. was near by. in the woods, to render temporary aid to the wounded, who were immediately sent farther to the rear, to an improvised hospital. In November he accompanied the regiment in its New York Harbor campaign.
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At Fort Fisher, Dr. Kimball operated all night (15 Jan.), indiscrimi- nately, upon all brought to him, no regimental lines being observed. Soon after the occupation of Wilmington, N. C., Dr. Kimball was placed in charge of the Marine Hospital, where he had a corps of surgeons as assistants, and plenty to do, the hospital being a sort of dumping ground for siek and wounded (including rebels). This service proved detrimental to his health ; and in March, 1865, he was given a leave of absence. This, the writer is informed, was in the form of an order (S. O. 25, Dist. Hdqrs.) to proceed North on some nominal duty.
On 23 May 1865 he was mustered as Surgeon, rice Buzzell, deceased, as of 22 May, his commission being dated 20 April; and he was mmustered " for the unexpired term of the regiment." He was at the time of this muster in charge of the Post Hospital (identical with Marine Hospital), by S. O. 60, Dist. Hdqrs. At the end of June, 1865, the regimental return shows him on detached service at l'ost Hospital. Though the regiment was at that date at Goldsborough, it is presumed that a post hospital had been established there, as the authority is quoted as S. O. 109, Dist. Hdqrs. When Lieut. Marshall was wounded, Dr. Kimball performed upon him what is techni- cally termed " re-section of the shoulder joint." Dr. Kimball accompanied the regiment on its trip home. after its final muster-out.
He practiced his profession after the war, locating in New Hampshire, Maine, and lastly in Andover, Mass. On 8 Nov. 1882, Dr. Kimball met with a sad bereavement, his wife being instantly killed by the ears at Andover.
The Doctor suffered from the close of the war to his death, with sclerosis of the nervous system, and was for several years a helpless invalid. His mental powers, however, continued good to within a short time of his death, which occurred at Andover, 13 Dec. 1889. Ile left two daughters, who faithfully administered to his every want to the last sad moment.
NOTE. - The writer called on him at Andover about 1887, and was only permitted to see him about five minutes. He then lay helpless upon his couch, and was barely able to articulate, though his mental powers were exceedingly active.
JOHN KIRWIN.
Kirwin was one of the first group of sergeants in C (C'apt. Donohoe). While his company was lying on the Mary A. Boardman, Edisto Inlet, 10 April 1863, Kirwin received a 2d Lieutenant's commission, being mus- tered on 16 April as of 15 March, rice Houghton, promoted. He was as- signed to his own company.
When the regiment left St. Helena, 4 July 1863, to go to Folly Island, Lient. Kirwin and others got left behind by accident, but soon rejoined by another steamer. On Morris Island, on the night of 28 Aug., Lieut. Kirwin got hit.
On 17 Oct. a Ist Lieutenant's commission arrived for Kirwin, and he was duly mustered in 19 Oct. as of the 17th, the document bearing date 23 July, rice Flanders, discharged. He was assigned to Co. B. The precise time when he went back to his own company (C) does not appear, though he was with that company on duty on Broad and Small Islands, in Decen- ber, 1863, and January and February, 1864, entting wood (A. C and K).
When the regiment returned to Hilton Head (end of February, 1864) to be mounted. Lieut. Kirwin was Incky enough to be one of the officers to go home with the re-enlisted men (see end ). From this delightful dnty ( ! ) - equivalent to a leave of absence-he rejoined, with the others. at Gloucester Point, Va., latter part of April. April and May reports show him as Ist Lieutenant Co. B. Again promotion came to Kirwin, to Captain of Co. H. rice Ayer, killed 16 May. He was mustered 3 June. as of 29 May, commission being dated 24 May.
The August return shows him sick in quarters: and about 20 Sept. 1864 he went to hospital at Fort Monroe (presumably the officers' hospital, the Chesapeake, at Hampton, Va.)
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The regimental return for September says, "Absent with leave in New Hampshire" ; and it is to be inferred that he got a " leave " from the hospital and returned to it. He was at the hospital 20 Oct .; for Lieut. Dodge (discharged), on his way home, met him there.
The November return shows him to be absent sick since 21 Sept. Capt. Kirwin was finally discharged, for expiration of original term, 9 Dec. 1894, by S. O. 339, Dept. Va. and N. C. This was not known in the regi- ment at the time; for the monthly returns carried him through January and February 1865, reporting him as " absent sick, General Hospital."
In April, 1892, he was at Chicago, Ill.
NOTE. - While with the re-enlisted men at Camp Grant, Va., he had charge of the men of Cos. C. E and H, for purposes of drawing rations and clothing.
ISRAEL B. LITTLEFIELD.
He was the original Captain of K. going to Concord with one of the larger detachments of recruits, from Dover and vicinity, to which other small groups were added to fill up the company. Capt. Littlefield was un- doubtedly the oldest man in the regiment. 1Ie had seen service in the Mexican War in Co. C, Ninth U. S. Infantry (with our Lieut .- Col. Jackson. Maj. Bedel and Adjt. Hill). He was in the State Militia for many years prior to the war and commanded the Strafford Guards.
Ilis health was none of the best; and when we came to Ililton Head his eyes were very seriously affected by the sand. He was obliged to resign, and did so, being discharged 1 April 1862, at Hilton Head. His action, as well as the occasion for it, caused much regret in the company, as well as to the Captain himself; for each had become endeared to the other. He turned over the property to Ist Lieut. Butterfield, 1 April, and left for the North. on the Atlantic, + April, the very day the regiment sailed for Edisto.
The fact that Capt. Littlefield was a Mexican War soldier was a source of great pride to Co. K. He left the regiment respected and regretted by all. He at once returned to his home and family in Dover, where he resided till his death, which occurred I Jan. 1889, of heart disease.
GEORGE F. LORD.
Lord excelled as a clerk, writing a clear and concise hand, and was early called upon to serve in that capacity. Ile was an original private of Co. B. When Col. Jackson and detail were sent North (July, 1863) for conscripts. Lord was one of the detail, being at that time Adjutant's Clerk. In that capacity he was succeeded by John G. Graham, a volunteer reernit of September, 1862, who ably filled the position to June, 1865. when he (Graham) was mastered ont.
Lord went with the detail to Concord; and it was not long before his clerical ability became known in the State of New Hampshire. The Adju- tant-General needed just such a person to assist in putting into shape the mass of military data at the State House. Lord was detailed. as might have been expected ; but it required a special order from the War Department to do it. This was readily obtained by Adjt .- Gen. Natt Head, who. in one or more of his annual reports, very favorably mentioned Lord and his efficient service. It follows that Lord did not return to the regiment with that detail (the last of it, in January, 1864), but continued at the State House. In order to get him back to the regiment, the ruse was used of appointing him Sergeant-Major, rire Dodge, promoted; but it didn't work. He still remained at Concord. and resigned the warrant 10 March. In this case (the only one of its kind), Lord had been dropped from Co. B, on account of promotion to the non-commissioned staff: and now he had to be dropped from the staff and taken up again by Co. B, as a private.
Hle was innstered out 26 Sept. 1864. at Concord: and the inference is that he had been continually in the Adjutant-General's office, and was there employed at time of muster-out and later.
His whereabouts since the war is not easily traced. He has been at various times an inmate of one or two National soldiers' homes; so it is presumable that fortune has not smiled on him.
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JOHN F. LANGLEY.
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Langley was born 21 Aug. 1831, at Nottingham, N. II. He was the original 2d Lieutenant of Co HI, was much interested in the company, and assisted largely in its organization. It was not his fortune to serve with any other company. In the latter part of May, 1862. he received a 1st Lieu- tenant's commission. When Capt. Dow resigned, in June, 1862, Langley was placed in charge of the company and its property.
He resigned in July, 1862, turning over the company and property to 2d Lieut. J. C. Wiggin (killed 21 Aug.) His discharge was by S. O. 163, D. S.
Ile soon afterward was a part and parcel of the Twelfth New Hamp- shire, being commissioned as Captain in that regiment. Later he was pro- moted to Major. Was discharged from that regiment in September, 1864. Since the war he was for a considerable time in Boston, Mass., and about 1890 was clerk in the post office there. In 1891 we find him at Amherst, N. H., residing with a daughter, and in very poor health.
JONAH LIBBY, JR.
Libby had originally intended to go to war in a Massachusetts regi- ment. He was in Boston; and he and T. M. Jackson (our first Sergeant- Major) were intimate friends there, both being prominently connected with the then flourishing temperance movement. When Jonah found Thomas was to go in a New Hampshire regiment, he surrendered and went to Concord, where he enlisted. Capt. Wilbur, then gathering Co. B into shape, at once selected him as the proper man to be Orderly Sergeant of the company, and he was so made. The choice was a wise one, reflecting great credit on the selector and the selectee.
Jonah was short. but did not appear boyish - indeed. he looked and acted beyond his years. He made an excellent Ist Sergeant, and was soon promoted. The commission as 2d Lientenant arrived 17 Sept. 1862, and he was assigned to duty in his own company (B). The commission was dated 17 June.
His health was very poor about this time, and he succeeded in obtain- ing a leave of absence (9 Oct.) for 20 days, by S. O. 320, D. S.
He did temporary duty with Co. A, beginning about the middle of Jannary, 1863. On 10 April he was sent to D. He was again promoted (to Ist Lieutenant) and was inustered 15 April, as of 19 Jan., rice Cody, dis- charged, the commission being dated 16 Nov. 1862. On & May we find him temporarily in command of D ( Botany Bay Island), Capt. Maxwell being absent for some purpose not apparent, at flilton Head.
On 23 June 1863, at St. Helena Island, he tendered his resignation. This was not accepted. however; but instead he was granted a 20 days' leave. 2 July (from St. Helena Island). He was too valuable an officer to be readily permitted to sever his military connection. From this leave he promptly returned, reaching Hilton Head on the Fulton, 28 July. He thus escaped the actions of 10 and 18 Ily. On his return, still being sick, he was made Acting Adjutant, temporarily (Adjt. Copp sick).
During the operations of 7 Sept. ( evaenation day) he was slightly wounded in the left breast (contusion) during the advance. At the end of September he was reported as " sick in quarters." On 2 Oct. we find him in command of Co. E (Capt. Ela either in command of the sharpshooters or temporarily in command of the regiment). During the latter part of November (he still continuing sick) a leave of absence was granted him, " within the Department." We find him at St. Augustine, Fla., at the Con- valeseent Hospital, I Dec., on which day he notified the Ordnance Officer at that station that he intended to resign Apparently he did not do this : or, attempting it. failed : for on 25 Dee. he arrived back at camp on Morris Island.
About this time the excitement was high in regard to re-enlisting; and Jonah being still ill, but yet able to perform certain kinds of duty, was ap-
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pointed (January, 1864) to the position of Recruiting Officer, to take charge of all those cases where the re-enlistment fever had proved fatal. The rolls show that during the time he was thus engaged he was promoted, as the first shows him to have been Ist Lieutenant, and the later rolls show his signature as Captain.
Col. Jackson, arriving 19 Jan. 1864, from detached service, had in his pocket a commission as Captain for Jonah ; and he was duly mustered next day, as of 20 Jan., rice Emmons, resigned. the commission being dated 2 Jan. [considerable lapse here .- D. E.] He was assigned to Co. G and con- tinned attached to that company to the end.
He served with credit through the Florida campaign, and was in the Drewry's Bluff fights. On 16 Inne, Libby received a severe wound in the thigh. He was at once sent to the General Hospital at Fort Monroe, and soon after was transferred to the officers' hospital at Annapolis, Md. From this latter place he got leave of absence and went home, abont 16 Sept.
It is to be assumed that he returned from this leave; for on 19 Oct. he was discharged for disability, by S. O. 354, W. D., Extract 32, on ac- count of wounds received in action.
Libby was born in Danville, Me., 22 Ang. 1830; died at Anburn, Me., 31 March 1877. He left a widow (who afterward married John L. Emery, Eliot, Me.) and one son ( Walter A.)
Jonah's colored servant, Mike, was, after service with Jonah, em- ployed by Hynes when he was Captain and A. Q. M.
ALVAN H. LIBBY.
Libby was formerly in the Regular Army, serving five years, three as Ist Sergeant in Co. I, Tenth U. S. Infantry. This is the regiment that went, with others. on the Utah Expedition in 1854, and in which was also our Capt. Maxwell (see his Personal Sketch).
Libby's experience in the Regular Army especially qualified him for service. He was a clean-cut, trim body, of good build and every inch a soldier. He went ont with us as Ist Lieutenant Co. A (Capt. Clark). During the winter of 1861-62 (our first winter at Hilton Head) the men of his com- pany presented him with a beautiful and costly watch. When Capt. Clark (and others) was sent home in January, on recruiting service, he turned the company and property over to Libby.
Libby remained in command of the company till a leave of absence was granted him about 1 May, when he turned over the property to 2d Lient. Hynes and departed, leaving the regiment at Edisto, only a few days prior to arrival of Capt. Clark and others of the recruiting party. He arrived in New York, by the Oriental, 9 May.
On I June, a commission arrived for Libby as Adjutant, rice Hill, re- signed; and a memorandmn says, "sworn in by Lieut .- Col. Jackson, at James Island." This would tend to prove that no opportunity was afforded for this ceremony till arrival of regiment at JJames Island, as we left Edisto 1 June, and were in a rough-and-tumble state till we reached Grimball's Plantation, on James Island (about the 10th). He rejoined 5 June from leave.
Libby was in the James Island fight, and was thus mentioned in Col. Jackson's report : "Adjt. Libby .... rendered me great assistance. The Adjutant was several times much exposed in carrying orders, but came out of the fight unscarred." He was at Pocotaligo (22 Oct.), and accompanied the expedition to Florida for lumber (January, 1863).
When the regiment was reunited at St. Helena Island (June, 1863), and Gen. Strong took command of the troops at that station, he selected our Adjutant as his Adjutant-General, and Libby served thus until his death. On Botany Bay Island. in May, when our Colonel was placed in command of the Post (two regiments there), Adjt. Libby was made Post AAdjutant. This was a temporary matter, lasting but a few days.
Libby did efficient service at the taking of lower end of Morris Island. 10 July. On the night of 18 July, in the assault on Wagner, our hero was
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mortally wounded carly in the fight (was on Strong's Staff), and died within an hour, inside the rebel lines. The accounts vary somewhat as to the particulars; but it appears beyond question that he was shot, and that he died. Some aver that he was mounted, and when wounded his horse, un- guided, took him within the rebel lines. One account says he was hit while assisting Gen. Strong after he (Strong) was wounded. It is quite possible, and many think it probable, that some former Regular Army officer recog- nized Libby, or that some brother Mason may have interested himself. Something of the one kind or of the other resulted in the bringing in of his personal effects under a flag of truce next day.
Thus perished a noble man, a gentleman, a soldier. His grave is un- known. He left a widow, since remarried, and now deceased.
The many friends of Libby erected a monument at Manchester, N. H., in the Valley Cemetery, soon after the war. It is inscribed as follows : -
Erected by the Officers of the Third New Hampshire Volunteers, as a token of respect to Adjt. ALVAN H. LIBBY, who fell on Wagner, July 18, 1863, aged 29 years, 3 months.
Fifty feet away is a marble stone over the grave of John R. Hynes (see his Personal).
Libby was born in Jay, Maine, 14 April 1834.
SIMON N. LAMPREY.
He was one of the original Corporals of Co. B. The records show a promotion to Sergeant 13 Sept. 1862. On 1st Sergt. Libby, Jr.'s, advance- ment, Lamprey became 1st Sergeant. On 22 July 1863, just after the assault on Wagner (the regiment was short of officers, and to be further decimated by the detail going North for conscripts), Lamprey (then 1st Sergeant), was ordered to act as 2d Lieutenant. He was a faithful and trusty soldier, and had been recommended for a commission, which precious document arrived 17 Oct .; but for some reason not apparent, he did not get mustered until 23 Nov. His muster was of 18 Nov., rice Copp, promoted to Adjutant, while Copp's commission was dated 20 July. In the January following, he was again promoted, to Ist Lieutenant, being mustered on 20 Jan. 1864, as of same date, the commission being dated 5 Jan .. rice Place, resigned. This placed him in K. to which he went, but for a few days only. He was trans- ferred to Co. B. 30 Jan.
When the regiment started for Florida. 1 April, Lieut. Lamprey was assigned to Co. K (with 2d Lient. Eldredge), to equalize the officers. Though in command he did not have the company property turned over to him by Lient. Eldredge. the time being considered as very short for his stay in Co. K. Ile did stay, however, till his death. On the reuniting of the regiment in Virginia, Lient. Lamprey was superseded in the command of Co. K by Capt. Stearns (end of April ).
Lieut. Lamprey was in all the actions of the regiment up to the time of his death, so far as the writer has data. On that fatal day, 16 Ang. 1864, Lieut. Lamprey was shot through the body, being in the thick of the light. The records show he was killed in action ; but the writer was with him (both wounded), on the steamer next morning, en route to the hospital at Fort Monroe. He was able to walk about the steamer's deck a little at times ; but he was wholly " ont of his mind," and his ravings were something never to be forgotten. The poor fellow died on the ambulance, between the wharf and hospital (Chesapeake), at Hampton, Va. Ilis body was sent home. He was buried at Hampton, N. II.
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JAMES E. MCCOY.
McCoy was mustered as a Corporal (the 5th) in Co. F, at Concord, in August, 1861, and there began his military career. Was made Sergeant 17 Oct. 1862, and held that position till June of the following year, when he was made 1st Sergeant. rice Button, promoted. Meantime he re-culisted, and got his furlough with the others.
In the Virginia campaign he did not escape the enemy's missiles. He was wounded 16 June 1864, though not seriously, and was sent to the Division Hospital. It would appear that he had a commission as 2d Lieu- tenant, apparently received the day prior to the wound. We find him mustered into the new grade 19 June, as of 15 June, the commission being dated 24 May, rice Morrill, promoted.
He was again wounded on 27 Oct. 1864 at Charles City Cross Roads. and similarly situated as before as to new commissions. He was mustered as 1st Lieutenant 30 Oct., as of 20 Oct., the commission being dated 13 Oct., vice Edgerly, promoted.
As a 2d Lieutenant he was attached to Co. H, and as a 1st Lientenant to Co. D. Ile was one of the very few officers - a mere half dozen or so - who were part and parcel of that famous and successful assault upon Fort Fisher, 15 Jan. 1865. At that time McCoy was Acting Adjutant, and did his whole duty. There was no Adjutant at that time, the position being actually vacant. McCoy continued to go upward in the scale, for we find him mustered 3 March, at Wilmington, as of same date, into the grade of Captain, rice Kirwin, discharged. He was now Captain of Co. H, and so continued to the end. His commission as Captain was dated 5 Jan. He acted as Adju- tant from some time in November, 1864, up to 17 Feb. 1865, at which time Jackman arrived to take the place, having been commissioned and mustered.
McCoy was last heard from at Orange, Mass., in 1889. He was born in Pelham, N. H., 20 Aug. 1841.
ALBERT A. MOULTON.
He was our original Surgeon, having for his assistant Dr. Eaton. Only one assistant surgeon was allowed at that time. His previous experi- ence as a physician was at Meredith and Concord, N. H. He graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1850. He was a man of considerable energy, well educated in his profession and was considered far above the average physician.
Some time in January, 1862, he was appointed Brigade Surgeon. In March (the 31st) his wife and young son came to gladden his heart, though extreme military men said it was unmilitary to have one's heart gladdened that way - that it should only be gladdened by the sight of an enemy.
James Island was reached, and active operations were in progress, though just what day they would culminate no fellow knew or could find out. On 13 June 1862 - just three days prior to our little maiden effort to convince the rebels they were wrong - Dr. Moulton got a five days' leave from James Island to - where he pleased. This leave - an unfortunate one - was then and has since been a bone of contention. It took him just two days beyond the fight; and the brunt of the whole hospital service had to rest on Dr. Eaton, the Assistant Surgeon, and was practically all over when Dr. Moulton returned. Col. Jackson severely reflected upon the Doctor in his report of the battle. for leaving without permission ; but Gen. Williams, commanding the brigade. entirely exculpates the Doctor by saying he him- self granted the permission. The point is in part a technical one; but the fact that the Doctor was absent for his pleasure at so trying a time was not forgotton, though he was no doubt forgiven. Military law and enstom covered the case: for he was at the time Brigade Surgeon ( Williams').
The Doctor's health declined rapidly ; a sick leave was obtained ; and he started North about 6 Ang. Ile got no better; and the time became so prolonged that he was discharged (at home) for disability, by S. O. 369, W. D., 29 Nov., to date 15 Nov. ; but this was amended by S. O. 374, W. D., 2 Dec., to date 31 Oct.
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