USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 34
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After the war Dr. Moulton practiced at Concord and at Tilton, N. H. He resided at the last-named place during the latter part of his life. During these years he became quite unsettled in his mind - to a degree alarming to his friends. He finally ended his earthly career by cutting his throat, 28 April 1890. Dr. Moulton left a son to mourn his loss.
GEORGE W. MANTER.
Dr. Manter was an appointment from civil life. He came to us 22 May 1865, at Wilmington, N. C., being appointed to the place of Asst .- Surg. Kimball, who had been made Surgeon, rice Dr. Buzzell, deceased. His com- mission was dated 24 April, and he was mustered in 23 May, as of 22 May.
Dr. Manter attended to the medical wants of the regiment substan- tially from the time he joined to muster-out, Dr. Kimball being detached at the Marine Hospital, Wilmington. It will be observed that from the time Dr. Burnham was discharged, forward to final muster-ont, the regiment had but one assistant surgeon. This was, as it may be inferred, owing to the depletion of the regiment.
Dr. Manter was educated as a physician at Castleton, Vt., about 1832, and soon after began practice in Manchester, N. H. At the close of his service with the regiment he resumed practice in Manchester. He remained there a short time only, going thence to Wellfleet, Mass., where he died.
He was born at Londonderry, N. II., 22 Ang. 1825, and died 7 July 1870, of paralysis. He left a widow, two sons and a daughter. His widow was in Providence, R. [., in 1891, and the two sons at Wilson's Crossing, N. H. The daughter has since died.
FRANK L. MORRILL.
Morrill was born in East Washington. N. H., 5 Dec. 1841. He was the original 2d Sergeant of Co. A, and was advanced to Ist Sergeant when Houghton was made 2d Lieutenant. We find him Acting 2d Lieutenant (Officer of the Guard ) at Botany Bay Island & May 1863. He received the commission 25 May. Difficulties arose (not apparent) as to getting mustered, which was delayed till 29 June (regiment at St. Helena), dating back to 28 May. This was by S. O. 376, D. S. His commission was dated 17 April, rice Hopkins, resigned. This attached him to Co. H; but it would appear he did not stay with that company, as in the action of 10 July (and probably the 18th, too) he was with Co. B.
On the day following the assault on Wagner, he was in charge of a burial party. He was made an Aide-de-Camp on Col. Guss' Statl' (commanding First Brigade, Morris Island) 11 Ang., and there remained till end of same month, when he was relieved by Lient. Woodbury of our regiment. He then took Co. H ( Ayer wounded). During latter half of September, 1863, he is reported as Acting Adjutant (Copp sick). On 30 Sept. he turned over the company and its property to Lient. Edgerly, having been detached as Acting Signal Officer in the Signal Corps. He continued in this duty to the end of his life. His duty in the Signal Corps took him anywhere in the Depart- ment where wanted, and we did not see much of him. When the Tenth Army Corps went to Virginia, Morrill went too, and did etficient service there.
On Dearborn's promotion to Captain (Dearborn was mustered 1 April 1864, so there was a considerable interval between dates), Morrill was ad- vanced to Ist Lieutenant, his commission being dated 24 May ; and the muster was 15 JJune, as of same date.
On 2 ,July Morrill was shot through the right leg, shattering both bones, and suffered amputation on the field. The accounts vary as to circumstances attending the fatal shot and his death. They all appear well authenticated. One is, that he was wounded while lying close up to the enemy's line. trying to read their signals. Another that he was shot (by minie ball ) while crossing a small open field, to save distance, when he might have taken the
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precaution to go around, following the edge of a wood. He died of his wounds at Chesapeake Hospital, near Fort Monroe, 13 July. One account gives the cause of his death as gangrene; another that he died of lockjaw. His body was sent home to East Washington. N. H., in accordance with his last expressed wish.
He left a widow and daughter, who have since removed to Claremont, N. H., where they both resided in 1887. The latter married Walter A. Pierce, and the former (Frances M.) remarried (Jones). Lient. Morrill had a brother, George E .. a tax collector, in 1887, at Manchester, N. II.
From Signal Officer T. E. Townes' report it is found that Lieut. Morrill was stationed at Botany Bay Island, 7 Nov. 1863. at one of a series of signal towers; and about 1 Dec. he changed station to near Bay Point (Big Bay Island).
The following extract is of value : " Lieut. Morrill, Third New Hamp- shire Volunteers, Acting Signal Officer, deserves mention for the efficiency displayed by him in working the station at Big Bay Island .. He remained there, alone, six weeks, his men imperfectly armed, and without a boat, depending solely on fighting if attacked no matter by what numbers, and picketed by a force from the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts (colored) whom he frequently found asleep on post, and passed through at night repeatedly, without being challenged by the pickets. Certainly he has not been molested ; but it requires some nerve to take a station so undefended, and practicably in the enemy's country, and make it conspicnous by signals so as to tempt the enemy to attack it."
WALTER MELLISH.
Mellish enlisted like other soldiers, and was made part and parcel of Co. I, Capt. Carlton. His rank at muster-in of the company was Private. From this grade he was promoted thus : to Corporal in July, 1863 (on Folly Island) ; to Sergeant 26 Aug. 1864. As a corporal he re-enlisted, and had the regulation furlough.
When the regiment went to Fort Fisher in January, 1865, Mellish was left in Virginia. He received 2d Lieutenant's commission about 25 Jan. He rejoined with the others (from Virginia) 17 Feb., near Fort Fisher, and went with regiment through to Wilmington. He was mustered as 2d Lieu- tenant, 25 April, as of I March, 1865, cice J. Ackerman, promoted, the com- mission being dated 24 Jan. It is quite apparent. as Ackerman was mastered into his new grade 24 Feb. that the interval of two months was an injustice to Mellish; but historians have no power to right this class of wrongs. He was assigned to Co. F, and the muster was for the unexpired term of the regiment. Very soon again he was promoted to Ist Lieutenant, rice John S. James, promoted, being mustered 19 May, as of 26 April, and for the unex- pired term of the regiment. The commission bore date 6 April. He was assigned to Co. II and so continued to the end. Mellish, on receiving his 2d Lieutenant's commission (in Virginia), was presented by his comrades there with a sword and straps. He was at Bluffton, Daufuskie, Pocotaligo, Jehossee, Edisto, James Island (but not in the fight of 16 June, being sick in camp). Went to Florida with the lumber expedition, in January, 1863. Was never wounded. Was for some time one of the color-guard.
He was born in Boston, Mass., 16 JJune 1841. His address, in 1890, was Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass.
HENRY A. MARSIL.
Marsh enlisted with the squad that became Co. F, Capt. Randlett, and was made its original 2d Lieutenant. He was temporarily assigned in April. 1862. to Co. K (Capt. Littlefield discharged. 2d Lient. Miles resigned, and Ist Lient. Butterfiell being alone ). He remained with K a few days only. On the night preceding the James Island fight ( 16 June), we find him on picket with four companies. He was in the fight, and with F, and was slightly wounded.
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After the return of the regiment to Hilton Head, and the companies scattered, to duty on outposts, Lieut. Marsh was granted a leave of absence (20 days) and started North, 6 Aug. 1862, with Dr. Moulton. It would ap- pear that he was either sick prior to or during the leave; for he is reported at ends of August and September as absent with leave. He probably obtained the regulation certificate of inability to travel. He rejoined 13 Oct., and in three days thereafter was promoted to Ist Lieutenant, the document being dated 4 July. The presumption is that Lieut. Marsh's health did not improve, for he was discharged 30 Dec. by S. O., D. S.
He was born in Amherst, Mass., 2 Nov. 1839, and his residence (1890), was Nashua, N. II.
WILLIAM H. MILES.
Miles was the original 2d Lieutenant of Co. K (Capt. Littlefield). He resigned before active operations began, being the second officer in the regiment to sever his military tie. He was discharged 5 Feb. 1862, by Sher- man's S. O. 65. He reached New York 22 Feb. 1862, by the Arago, from Port Royal, and arrived at Dover N. H., two days later.
Ile afterward enlisted (30 Aug. 1862) as a recruit in the Seventh New Hampshire, and was assigned to Co. H. and was discharged therefrom 11 May 1865. He was from the town of Madbury, N. H., at which place he resided after the war. The fact that he served so long in the Seventh New Hampshire, and in the ranks, more than offsets any possible discredit attach- ing to his early resignation from the Third New Hampshire as an officer. He was born in Madbury, N. H., 30 June 1842. In 1892 he was in Haverhill, Mass.
WILLIAM H. MAXWELL.
Maxwell was the original Ist Lieutenant of Co. II (Capt. R. C. Dow and 2d Lieut. Langley).
He served as a soldier prior to the formation of the Third New Hamp- shire, and we give the fact due notice. It was in the Regular Army. He. with twelve others (among them was Lieut. A. II. Libby, Third New Hamp- shire), enlisted at Manchester. N. H., 8 June 1855, as recruit for Co. I, Tenth U. S. Infantry, the regiment being at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. The Captain of the company was Jesse 1. Gove, commissioned from civil life by President Pierce. After about six months' drilling, the regiment was or- dered to Fort Snelling, Minn. About that time Maxwell was made Corporal. After another lapse of about six months, Maxwell and four others were sent to Fort Ridgeley, then Minnesota; but now Dakota. The duties at this place was the protection of the settlers from the Indians. This was the winter of 1856, and the snow was deep.
It was here that Maxwell came near losing his life, while trying to save the life of a comrade (Samuel Wallace), who was absent at roll call and supposed to be on a debanch, and liable to perish in the snow. Max- well found him, and in the condition named, and started to return to camp. The night was dark and stormy. They got lost. Shouts for assistance were unheard. Lost on the prairie ! They wandered about till exhausted, the drunken man partially sobering when told they were lost. They buried themselves in a huge drift, hoping the storm would soon abate. They fell asleep, though both realized that wakefulness and activity were essential to life. They waked again. fortunately, and Maxwell thrust his arm through the drift and was gladdened by the moon's rays, and by its welcome light he could see the fort, fortunately quite near. They were saved ; but Wallace died two days later from the effect of that night's debauch. with its terrible accompaniments. Maxwell himself (his left leg and arm frozen) came very near following Wallace.
In 1:57 the Utah campaign began, and the Tenth U. S. Infantry (Col. E. B. Alexander) was ordered to Fort Leavenworth to report to Gen. Har- ney. About 4 July 1857, the expedition left Leavenworth for Utah, Gen.
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S. C. Johnson (afterward a rebel in the Civil War) going in command. And right here comes in an item with a moral. Felt hats were to take the place of stiff hats, and woolen overshirts to replace dress coats. The Ist ser- geants of companies collected money of the men and bought the new hats and overshirts at the sutler's. In one case the Ist sergeant did not return, but deserted, taking the money with him; and consequently his company (G) had to go into the campaign without those new goods. This same man was discovered by Lieut. Maxwell at Hilton Head, S. C., being at the time an officer in a New York regiment stationed there. Maxwell felt it to be his duty to report the facts. and did so. He felt that Sergt. Waid (or Wade) Co. G, Tenth U. S. Infantry, ought to make good to the U. S. the time he had stolen from it by desertion. He was obliged to remove his shoulder- straps (took them off himself as soon as arrested). and was finally ordered to duty with Hamilton's U. S. Battery, then at Hilton Head. for a period equal to the time dne the government. So much for an incident which fastened the Utah expedition of 1857 to the Port Royal Expedition of 1861 with an unpleasant link.
Maxwell's tramp westward was about eight miles a day, six days in a week, until say 5 Nov. 1857, when the snow became too deep for further progress. This was on the Sweetwater, near the abandoned Fort Bridges. The teams did not arrive and the rations were cut to seven ounces of hard bread for five months. In the spring of 1858 the expedition again started, and for Salt Lake City, reaching it and going into camp beyond the Jordan : Camp Floyd, after the then Secretary of War. Here Maxwell (who had previously been promoted to Sergeant), was detailed as Provost Sergeant, and so served until his term expired. Maxwell says the salt was lost by (on) the wagon train, and the loss was a severe one. Ile paid $2.50 for about a half a pound. to a cow-boy. The object of the expedition was to establish a Governor. who had been sent out by the President, and whom Brigham Young had declined to recognize.
Maxwell arrived home in 1860, and had worked at his trade about a year, when he enlisted as a private in Co. H. Third New Hampshire. He being one of the very few persons in the regiment who had a knowledge of military duties, he very naturally fell into the position of drill master.
While the regiment was at Washington (less than three weeks) Lieut. Maxwell was detailed to drill the officers of the Eighth and Ninth Maine, and was so absent from his own regiment nearly all the time of its stay at Washington. At Edisto he was a part of the time in command of Co. A (Capt. Clark on recruiting service, and Lient. Libby absent on sick leave). When the regiment left Edisto for James Island, rin Johns Island, Lient. Maxwell commanded Co. A across the latter island ( Capt. Clark being sick and left behind), and commanded Co. E (Capt. Plimpton, Acting Major, and Lieut. Ela promoted to Captain and to K) directly upon arriving at James Island, Lieut. Libby arriving and becoming Adjutant. Maxwell, with his company (E), was in the James Island tight (16 June 1862). The com- pany preceded the regiment, as skirmishers, so that when the other nine companies reached the spot (see main story ) where they could advance no further, Co. E fully covered the regimental front. and wasn't actually gotten together until the regiment began to fall back, each man firing his piece at will when he found himself as a skirmisher.
About 12 Sept., Lient. Maxwell received a commission as Captain of Co. D, cier Dunbar, resigned, dating 17 Jie. Musters were not then re- quired, the oath of office being administered by a field officer of the regiment.
A letter of 12 Nov. 1862 says: " Co. D bas presented Capt. Maxwell with a field glass, sword. belt, etc." It is fair to infer from this that Co. I) and its new Captain were in accord.
Capt. Maxwell went with his company to Pocotaligo (22 Oet.), and when the lumber expedition was started, in January, 1863. he went in com- mand (see main story for particulars). The force was really a large de- tail from the Third New Hampshire. He had a leave of absence from Botany Bay Island in May 1863, returning in June.
. When the regiment embarked in boats, on night of 8 July 1863, from Folly Island, Capt. Maxwell was with his company, though sick. On the
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following night. however, he was too ill to accompany, and was therefore not in at the capture of lower end of Morris Island, his company being com- manded by Lient. Wadsworth. He immediately rejoined and was at his post; and in the famous night assault on Wagner he commanded his com- pany and did well his part.
Capt. Maxwell's health was not very good during our stay on Morris Island, though he did more or less duty. When the regiment was in line, 7 Sept. 1863, to make a final assault on Wagner (but did not), Capt. Max- well was unable to go with the men: On 25 Nov., he was relieved from serving further on a Board of Inspection (by Capt. Clark). On 15 Dec. we find him temporarily in command of A and C ( Clark resigned from A).
At Jacksonville, Florida, Capt. Maxwell was assigned to the com- mand of the four companies (A, D), HI and K) which were sent to Palatka (see main story). Capt. Maxwell says of this, that he was piloted to Pa- latka by a guide furnished by Gen. Hatch. That at Palatka he, with his four companies, went on a reconnoissance next day after arrival, say 12 miles. When the place (Palatka) was evacuated, his force covered the retreat.
In Virginia, on 13 May 1864, Capt. Maxwell commanded the skirmish line (Co. D)) and was considerably in advance of the regiment. Though relying on a negro guide furnished by Gen. R. S. Foster, Capt. Maxwell had many difficulties to contend with. We were secking the enemy's rear. A substitute of his company persistently broke the line of skirmishers twice ; but a stinging blow from Capt. Maxwell, who had become exasperated, brought him to his senses. This was in the woods; and none save those who have had the experience can appreciate the difficulty of keeping entire control of a skirmish line, in the woods, if any one or more of the men play false. Capt. Maxwell says he came to an open field; and as he approached it. came upon a small ereek running parallel with the open field, and over which he had to take his company, singly, on a log. This they did noiselessly, and filed to the left at the extreme edge of the wood. The open field was rising ground, and at the top of this rise was the enemy and his works (facing the other way). The rebels were soon aware of the presence of an enemy, and the two skirmish lines exchanged shots. Co. D having the Spencer rifle (seven-shooters) had the advantage and used it, from behind a fence which bordered on the open field. The regiment having by this time come np. the skirmish line jumped the fence and, followed by the regiment. went by the most direct route toward the rebel works. After the fierce assault was over (and it did not last many minutes ), Lieut .- Col. Plimpton ordered the regiment to re-form in the wood, in a road leading from the open field. This they did, to be ready for an expected assault; but it didn't come, the rebels having retreated. Co. D did not reassemble with the regiment, but remained on the field and gave attention to its wounded. Capt. Maxwell says the rebel wounded and dead and ours were "all mixed up." Hle further states that while he was taking care of the wounded (he not having heard Lient .- Col. Plimpton's order to re-form ) the Fourth New Hampshire appeared in sight. off to his right. Fearing they might tire. under a misapprehension of the facts, he waved what was once a white handkerchief, and successfully. Capt. Maxwell continued through those terrible days (13 to 16 May 1864) in command of Co. D, and it and he did good service.
He commanded the force ( uncertain how many and of what companies) of the Third New Hampshire which retook the rifle-pits ( picket line) that had been lost at early morning of 2 June by the Seventh Connecticut. The necounts differ as to the companies : but presumably there were four. Capt. Maxwell was Acting Major at the time: and Lient .- Col. Plimpton went with the force as far as the point where the men were divided into two parts (not equally ) : one for the assault, the other for a reserve. Capt. Maxwell went forward with the advance, commanded through the successful assault, and did not leave the line till he had seen it made a continuous one. At first there was a gap of several hundred yards. Capt. Maxwell went off to the right and found the left of the Thirty-ninth Illinois. After comparing dates of commission with the Captain in command, and finding his own
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was of an earlier date, he ordered the regiment to deploy to the left till it connected with the Third New Hampshire. Capt. Maxwell is deserving of much credit for this miniature battle. It was a brilliant dash. and in its results far exceeded in value and casualties many a more pretentious affair.
On 16 June, when the rebels had evaenated their works in our immediate front, our regiment was advanced to the front. following up the retiring rebels as we supposed, but really meeting another force advancing to re- occupy. Capt. Maxwell was on this occasion out with his skirmishers (Cos. D and E). and saw nine regimental flags, implying a large force, which came onward with an impetus his little force could not withstand. All fell back, fighting (see main story). The Captain was wounded that day, while we were contesting the ground in the woods, and was taken to Chesapeake Hospital, at Hampton, Va. From there he obtained leave of absence when able to travel and went home. Ile rejoined the regiment from this leave at Bermuda Hundred, at a time when the regiment was starting on a new campaign (13 Ang. 1864). He was unable to accompany, being obliged to use a cane, and went back to the Chesapeake Hospital, where he stayed about a month, thence being ordered to Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md .. for light duty. He remained but a short time, when he was ordered to the U. S. Draft Rendezvons. Hart's Island, New York Harbor, and went on duty. This consisted chiefly in taking charge of and conducting detachments of recruits (mostly substitutes) to their regiments in the field, and continued till his discharge, by S. O. 24. W. D., 16 Jan. 1865, dating back to 14 Dec. 1864, for expiration of term of service. His whole service was about eight years and four months.
Capt. Maxwell has resided in Manchester, N. H., ever since the war. He attended the reunion of 1890 at the Weirs. Has for many years (1890) been one of the Overseers of the Poor, and dispenses the bounty of the city of Manchester with a wise discretion and rare judgment.
He was born at Pictou, N. S., 30 March 1830. The records show him discharged at. Concord, N. H. ; but that is erroneons.
After the war Maxwell was made Captain of the War Veterans, State Militia ; a Lientenant-Colonel of the State Militia ; also Colonel of the First Regiment National Guard, holding the latter position for five years.
DUSTIN MARSHALL.
Marshall was one of the 1862 squad of volunteer recruits, and was assigned to Co. C. We find him promoted to Corporal 25 JJuly 1863; re- turned to the ranks in May, 1864; to Sergeant ( from private) 26 Aug. ; to Ist Sergeant 28 Oct. On the very next day he had ample opportunity to show what he was made of. He was one of about a dozen selected (under Lieut. Donley ) to go to a house between the lines, and from that point watch the enemy and make frequent reports. This was at the Charles City Cross Roads, where the Tenth Corps was engaged. Seven rebels were found ocen- pying the building. persumably for the same purposes: but they decided (wisely) that a dozen was better than seven and vacated. Instead of going to their lines, however, they made a stand all by themselves, in a small rifle-pit midway between the house and the rebel lines. A First Massachu- setts Cavalry man joined the squad of a dozen, his detachment being located in a patch of woods near our right front. He also had a " seven-day clock" (Spencer rifle). Hle and Marshall went out alone and did battle with the seven enemies, driving them from their pits and to their lines, some wounded in their flight. No sooner had Marshall and his daring comrade returned to the house, than the rebel fire was concentrated thereon and our boys had to vacate. The bravery of Marshall was noted at the time and he was marked for a commission.
At Fort Fisher, 15 Jan. 1865, Marshall was wounded in the arm, near the shoulder; but amputation was not then resorted to. He went North, presumably to hospital, and perhaps home. returning to regiment at Golds- borough A commission was there for him as Ist Lieutenant . he never was 2d Lieutenant) ; and on this he was mustered at Wilmington 20 June 1565, as
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of 22 May 1865, rier Parker, discharged. On the trip to Wilmington (for muster) he caught a severe cold in his arm, and it began to look dark for Marshall. Gangrene got into the wound, and his arm swelled to an alarming size. The surgeon finally yielded to his solicitations and amputated the arm at the shoulder, 1 July 1865. It was a question whether he would live, amputation or no amputation and it was considered that he hazarded nothing by amputation. Chloroform! he would not have; and with teeth clenched and eyes open, he passed through the terrible ordeal.
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