USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 35
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Poor Marshall got along nicely at first; and he and his comrades felt encouraged to believe that he would really go home with the regiment. This he did, being mistered out 20 .July 1865, with the rest of the boys. In the meantime " proud flesh" got into the nuhealed stump, and Marshall withstood the burning of it out, saying to the Doctor, " Do not be afraid of hurting me; I want to go home."
He was born at Manchester, N. HI Died at Worcester, Mass., 11 May 1879, leaving a widow - Elizabeth.
GEORGE H. MINER.
Miner was the original Commissary Sergeant, and served as such for three years, being the only non-commissioned statt' service uninterrupted by change of some kind. Miner was well qualified for the position. He was the man to be met at drawing of rations, and almost uniformly gave satis- faction.
When the original men of the regiment, whose terms had expired, were mustered out at Bermuda Hundred, Va., 23 Angust, Miner should have been mustered out with them, being present; but for some very obseure reason he was not so mustered ont. He was sick - very sick - in the regimental hospital, then near Gen. Terry's Headquarters. Whether his inability to travel was the aetnal reason is not apparent. He did not get inustered out till 6 Oct. 1864.
Since the war he at one time was at Chicago, of the firm of Miner Smith & Moriarty, commission merchants (produce), and was an officer of the Chicago Board of Trade. Later he came East, and was in Boston and New York.
Miner was born in Littleton, N. II., in 1838, and was enlisted at Concord N. H., 19 Aug. 1861, by Jas. F. Raudlett, afterward Captain Co. F. He died 21 Oct. 1889, at Oconto, Wis.
ARTHUR S. NESMITH.
He was our original Quartermaster. and an efficient one. He had a leave of absence in February, 1862, returning therefrom 4 March (Emmons, too). He was favored again with a leave (20 days), and started North about 6 Sept. His health was impaired; and being unable to return at end of the 20 days. he obtained the usual physician's certificate to prolong his stay, finally reaching the regiment again 24 Nov.
He remained with the regiment till latter part of December, when an order was received from the War Department discharging him. This order was S. O. 369. 29 Nov. 1862, to date 15 Nov. He left us 27 Dec., going North on the Steamer Star of the South.
He was appointed Captain and A. Q. M. of Volunteers, 22 July 1863, and was assigned to duty on the Staff of Maj .- Gen. Heintzelman, Washing- ton, D. C., as Inspector of all Quartermaster matters in all the forts (30) embraced in the defenses of Washington. He was mastered out 6 July 1865. as Captain and A. Q. M. Volumeers, by S. O. 353, W. D.
He was in the Quartermaster's Department of the First New Hamp- shire, which three months' experience qualified him for the advanced position in the Third New Hampshire Volunteers.
He died in Franklin, N. IL., 18 Ang. 1877. Ilis widow resides at Georgetown, D.C.
769
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
JAMES W. PLAISTED.
Plaisted was an original private of Co. D. Ile was made Corporal 1 Cet. 1862, and re-enlisted as such in January, 1864, with the usual furlongh. During the latter month, he was made Sergeant. A few days after the Drewry's Bluff fights he was again advanced, to Ist Sergeant.
Appearances indicate that he acted as 2d Lieutenant during the North Carolina campaign, January and February, 1865. He was mustered as Ist Lieutenant (and to D)) 24 April, as of 2 March, rice MeCoy, promoted, for the unexpired term of the regiment. The commission (he never was 2d Lieu- tenant) was dated 4 Jan. 1865.
On 2 May he was in command of Co. A, and so continued for some time.
He was on Co. D's rolls at the ends of May and June, 1865, and his final muster-out (20 July) was as Ist Lieutenant of Co. D, receiving a Cap- tain's commission too late for muster.
While the re-enlisted men were temporarily near Washington, on their return trip, Plaisted was detailed for clerical duty in the office of Gen. Casey, for say ten days. He had a furlough (May, 1863) while the eight companies were on Botany Bay Island, S. C.
Since the war he has resided the greater part of the time at Epping, N. H., where he was in 1890.
THOMAS PRICE.
He was one of our first squad of substitute recruits, arriving at the regiment, on Morris Island, about the middle of November, 1863.
It does not appear that he ever held the position of Corporal. The records of Co. F show him to have participated in the Drewry's Bluff battles, also that of 16 June 1864. In the absence of records to the contrary, it must be assumed that he participated in all the actions of the regiment from the time he joined to muster-out, 20 July 1865.
That he was a good soldier is proven by the fact that he was promoted to Sergeant 1 Jan. 1865, to 1st Sergeant 1 May 1865, and was further pro- moted to Ist Lieutenant at the very end of the war, too late for muster.
His whereabouts since the war is unknown.
JOHN M. PARKER.
Parker was the original 5th Sergeant of Co. I (Capt. Carlton). We find him advanced to Ist Sergeant, 15 Oct. 1862, when Hawkins was com- missioned. When the regiment was divided (April, May and June, 1863, Cos. E and I temporarily at Hilton Head, and the other eight companies on Botany Bay Island), Parker was acting as.2d Lieutenant in Co. I. Very soon thereafter, the two companies went to Bay Point. He served credita- bly in the Morris Island siege; for we find that he had a furlough in October, 1863, for good conduct during the siege. From this furlough he returned on the Arago, 24 Oct., and with straps on, showing a promotion during his absence. On this (2d Lieutenant ) he was mistered 24 Nov., as of 18 Nov., vice Wadlia, promoted. the commission being dated 7 Oet. He was assigned to Co. C, remaining therewith till 23 Jan. 1804 (i.e., on the rolls). Appar- ently, however, he was with Co. I, as he inspected the company 20 Nov., was with it 6 Dee., and was in command of it 1 Jan. 1864.
When Col. Jackson rejoined, in January, he brought several com- missions, among them one for Parker as Ist Lieutenant; and he was mustered on it 20 Jan .. as of the same date, rice Houghton, promoted, the commission being dated 6 Jan. During a part of January and February, 1864, he acted as Adjutant. When the re-enlisted men went on furlough (Adjt. Copp accompanying), Parker was appointed Acting Adjutant, and so remained during the Florida campaign, and until regiment was reunited at Gloucester Point, Va., latter part of April. At Drewry's Bluff he com- manded Co. G; but Adjt. Copp being wounded, Parker was again made Acting Adjutant.
51
770
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
~~~ [The returns show him sick in regimental hospital at end of July; and 13 Ang. he went to Fort Monroe, to General Hospital, sick with remittent fever, returning 20 Sept. We find that during parts of September and October he was Acting Quartermaster. On 26 Sept., he served on a Board of Survey on Co. E's property (with Capt. Stearns and Lient. Ackerman). He was discharged 31 Oct. 1864, for expiration of original term.
Since the war, Parker has resided in Fitzwilliam, N. H., and for a con- siderable part of the time has been in business, keeping a general store.
He was born at Kingston, N. H., 17 Sept. 1836.
He participated in the following actions : Bluffton, Pocotaligo, James Island (10 and 18 July 1863), Morris Island siege, the Drewry's Bluff fights (13 to 16 May 1864), 16 June 1864 ( which was apparently his last engage- ment).
LEONARD F. PLACE.
He was the original 2d Sergeant of Co. I (Capt. Carlton). The first data at hand is of 15 Sept. 1862, when he was ordered North on recruiting service with Lient. Handerson and others (a relief party). The order de- tailing him calls him Sergeant; but there is a confusion of dates in his case, as the date of his commission is given as 4 July, and the return says. "23 Aug. 1862, to 2d Lientenant Co. I." Yet we find him in New Hampshire in September, October, November and December as Sergeant. On 24 Dec., he (with Lient. Cornelius, relieved) started for the regiment, having been commissioned, and actually arrived 9 Jan. 1863, on the Star of the South. In May, at Botany Bay Island, we find him serving with Co. B. On 13 June, he was mustered as Ist Lieutenant (no muster required when he re- ceived 2d Lieutenant's commission), rice Fogg, resigned, the commission being dated 15 April, and his muster as of 26 May 1863.
His health was not of the best; and we find him reported sick on 8 July 1863, but went with the regiment, in boats, on that night. Was with the regiment at the taking of Morris Island, 10 July, and next morning, when the regiment was supporting a charge on Wagner. This was his last military duty.
He resigned his commission, and was discharged for disability by S. O. 415, D. S., 22 July 1863.
Lieut. Place (at Oakland, Cal., in 1892) says his 2d Lieutenant's com- mission is dated 4 July 1862.
Apparently, Lieut. (then Sergeant) Place was acting as 2d Lientenant when he went North, in September, 1862. In fact. the New York papers announced the arrival of Lieut. Handerson and Lieut. Place, Third New Hampshire.
He was born at Rochester, N. II., in 1819.
JESSE C. PUSHEE.
He was one of our September, 1862, group of volunteer recruits. and was assigned to Co. F. He was made Corporal in June, 1863. When the regiment arrived at Bermuda Hundred, Va., he was taken sick and was sent back to Fort Monroc. On 26 Aug. 1864 (old '61 men just gone home) he was made Sergeant; 1 Oct .. Ist Sergeant. Soon after the taking of Fort Fisher, he was commissioned as Ist Lieutenant (he never was 2d Lieutenant ), and was mastered into the new grade 29 April 1865, as of 3 March 1865, tice Hitchcock, dismissed. The commission was dated 4 Jan. 1865. and the muster was for the unexpired term of the regiment. The writer is of the opinion that Pushee acted as 2d Lientenant at Fort Fisher and through Wilmington, up to muster as Ist Lieutenant, as he finds data in support of the theory. After he was mustered, he went to Co. 1 (30 April 1865), and continued in that company to the muster-out of the regiment. At Goldsborongh, N. C., in June, 1865, he had charge of the Provost Guard.
Pushee died at his home in Nashua, N. H., 24 Oct. 1874.
771
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
JOSIAH I. PLIMPTON.
He was born in West Cambridge, Mass., 27 Dec. 1826, and was there- fore 35 years of age at entry into service - far above the average age of regiment. Ile was largely instrumental in the enlistment and formation of his company (E), the largest group coming from Milford, his residence. At the organization of the regiment, he was made Captain. Though Capt. Clark of A was actually the senior Captain, he gracefully surrendered the position to Capt. Plimpton, by request of the Governor, chiefly on the basis that Capt. Plimpton was his ekdler, and because the Governor requested it. A surrender of this kind is almost always regretted, and this case was not an exception, though this is no reflection npon either party.
In February, 1862, Capt. Plimpton was detailed at Hilton Head to build a saw-mill, and had several men assigned to him as carpenters for that purpose. The spot chosen was near Drayton's Plantation, not far from camp and close to the river (Broad). This service continued several weeks. There were several men from the Third New Hampshire detailed to work at this saw-mill.
- At the battle of James Island (16 June 1862), he acted as Major, and was favorably mentioned in Col. Jackson's report of the battle. His com- mission as Major, dated 27 June 1862. was received 30 Ang. 1862. He turned over the company (E) to 2d Lient. Flanders. This company, in October, 1862, presented him with a beautiful and costly sword, sash and belt. He served with distinction at Pocotaligo in October, 1862. Of this event, and of him, a letter of 18 Nov. 1862 says: " He is especially de- serving of great merit. He was behind me [a Co. H man] in the late battle, in a position of great danger, but was as cool and firm as a man could be. He is an excellent officer and a popular man." - Vor Populi, Lowell, Mass., 12 Dec. 1862.
In February, 1863, we find him detailed on a Board to examine officers as to fitness, etc. (see G. O. 12, D). S.) In the latter part of February, 1863, he being ill, a leave of absence was granted him, and he went North on the Arago, the 25th, accompanied by his wife, who had been at Hilton Head since about 15 Feb. On his return, 14 May 1863, he assumed command of Cos. E and I, at Bay Point.
On the reuniting of the whole regiment on St. Helena (E and I the last to arrive), he was appointed Acting Assistant Inspector-General of the forces there, to assist in getting the troops into shape for the new mnove. This severed his immediate connection with the regiment, to which he did not return till February, 1864.
On Morris Island, he was made Assistant Inspector-General on Gen. Seymour's Staff, and was in that position at the assault on Wagner, 18 JJuly 1863. An incident of the assault is thus related : Capt. J. J. Comstock. Co. M, Third Rhode Island Artillery, commanded Battery Weed (armament, mortars) that day and night. He is responsible for the story. He says : After the assault was over, Maj. Plimpton came riding from the front at a terrifie pace, and informed him that the troops had been driven from the fort (Wagner) and to open fire at onee. Maj. Plimpton, being a staff officer, must be obeyed. Capt. Comstock says he himself stood at the moment with lanyard in hand, and "' at once" meant instantly. There was a report, a horse leaped into the air, Maj. Plimpton on his back. The revolutions in mid-air Capt. Comstock was unable to count; but he says, finally, that Maj. Plimpton came down " on top," as was his enstom.
On Gen. Terry's assuming command of the Northern District, Maj. Plimpton was announced on his ( Terry's) Staff'as Acting Assistant Inspector- General (25 Jan. 1864). It should be understood that the Colonel was on detached service at Concord, N. H., the Lieutenant-Colonel a prisoner of war, and the regiment in command of a captain. On the resignation of the Colonel, say 17 Feb. 1864, Maj. Plimpton was relieved and took command of the regiment, and therefore went with it when it left Morris and other islands to concentrate at llilton Ilead and be mounted ( say 29 Feb. 1864).
772
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
The regiment was now at Hilton Head. The re-enlisted men had gone home, and Maj. Plimpton had on his hands the mounting of the men and the thousand and one new questions to meet in the new condition of things. He was appointed Ordnance Officer ; for be it known that saddles are ordnance, though the horse is quartermaster stores; and notwithstanding we had a Quartermaster, he could n't draw a saddle or bridle, revolver, nose-bag or sponge. The grouping together of guns, saddles and sponges as ordnance may strike the reader as ludicrous; but facts are facts, funny though they be or inconsistent.
Maj. Plimpton took the regiment to Florida ; and it was he who ordered the drum-head court-martial which sentenced Miller of F to be shot, at Jacksonville, for desertion. He also took the regiment to Virginia, where, upon arrival (and rejoining of the re-enlisted men ), he received a Lieutenant- Colonel's commission, being mustered into the new grade 29 April 1864, the valuable document bearing date 6 April. By this it will be seen he entered the Virginia campaign as Lieutenant-Colonel and was in command of the regiment. He so remained till his untimely taking off, 16 Ang. 1864.
His death (which was instantaneous) occurred during a heated action. about the middle of the day, and within a minute after he had tied a hand- kerchief around the wounded arm of the writer. As to his body, the Adjutant-General's Report (N. H.), Vol. II., of 1865, page 793, says : " The body fell into the hands of the enemy, but was returned next day, under flag of truee. It was subsequently taken to Jones' Landing, and there buried on the northern bank of the James River. In the following December the regiment had the remains disinterred [by Lieut .- Col. Randlett. - D.E.] and sent home to a bereaved wife and children."
Other data in the writer's hands says Plimpton's body was brought in under a flag of truce the next day, after the battle (nearly dark). The rebel party was one officer and four men. Our party consisted of the Chaplain and others (not recorded). The body was nearly naked. One of our men (a bearer) was J. W. Burley of Co. D. The body was taken by our party about a mile, where a halt was made, and a rude coffin was hastily constructed of boards taken from a negro shanty; and he was buried without special ceremony. The Chaplain's diary says: " I went with Plimpton's body to Bermuda Hundred, - started 10 PM ..- and buried the same." Later, the body was taken up by Lieut .- Col. Randlett.
The Hon. Leonard Chase, of the Governor's Council, went to Virginia (with others; see main story, 25 Dec. 1864), and accompanied Lieut .- Col. Randlett and the body to Milford, N. H., where a Masonic funeral was held by Benevolent Lodge, No. 7. to which he belonged. Services were held in the Congregational Church, and the burial was at the town cemetery.
His widow remarried (E. W. P. Guye), and is now (1891) a resident of Seattle, Wash.
JAMES QUINL.IN.
He was an original private in Co. C and re-enlisted in that grade, going home on furlongh. From some canse not apparent, he did not return when he ought, and cruel Army Regulations decreed that he be reported as a deserter, and dropped from the rolls. Quinlan suffered all this withont pain, however; for he knew nothing of it. He returned after awhile; and there is no doubt he explained things, as he was restored to duty without trial, and no fuss was made about it.
Not long thereafter he was advanced to the dignified position of Sergeant. 3 Dec. 1864. On 3 May 1865, by R. O. 23, he was ordered to act as 2d Lieutenant in his own company, pending arrival of commission. This came to hand in due time, and he was mustered 20 May 1865. as of 26 April, the commission being dated 6 April. rice Mellish. promoted. His muster was for the unexpired term of the regiment. Hle was assigned to Co. F, but at end of June, 1865, he was commanding Co. C.
773
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
JAMES F. RANDLETT.
Randlett was born in New Market, N. H., 8 Dec. 1832. He was inter- ested in the Third New Hampshire to the extent of ninety recruits, which, with a few others. formed Co. F. Randlett was made Captain ; Chas. S. Burnham, Ist Lieutenant; Henry A. Marsh, 2d Lieutenant. He drilled these ninety men prior to taking them to Concord, and they were among the early arrivals.
Capt. Randlett was of a religions turn of mind, readily fraternized with the Chaplain and other officers of like tendencies, and allied himself with any movement looking to the moral and spiritual elevation of the regiment.
The first special service we find credited to him was that of taking his company to Pinckney Island, 4 Dec. 1861. for forage -really a little onting. This might have been made permanent. or at least of longer duration, had our erring brothers over " on de main " been aware of the little pienic. Pinckney Island was generally considered neutral ground, though it had numerous advantages, such as melons and figs, pigs and yearlings, etc., lying around loose.
In January, 1862, our little church was completed; and when the Sab- bath School was organized. Capt. Randlett took one of the four classes, be- coming its leader. At Edisto, in May, he was sick for several days, but did not leave the company. He so far recovered as to be able to go with the regiment to James Island 2 June, and participate in the battle of 16 June. After this he again succumbed, and was reported sick, though present. Again, in September, 1862. we find him sick during the latter part of the month (30 Sept. Sergt. Button commanded the company at inspection). He was at Pocotaligo 22 Oct. with his company and regiment. He was detailed on general conrt-martial 16 Dec., at Hilton Head. He did not serve long, however, being relieved by Capt. Clark, to enable him to go North on sick leave. He departed 27 Dec., on the Star of the South. His return from sick leave was 5 Feb. 1863. on the Arago (our new Assistant Surgeon, Burn- ham, and the exchanged men of Co. II, on same steamer). Capt. Randlett went with his own company and Co. A np May River. 15 March, on recon- noissance. His wife arrived at Hilton Head about 15 Feb., with the wives of several other officers; but in spite of the most careful nursing, Capt. Randlett did not improve ; and when the regiment was ordered to embark (about 3 April), Capt. Randlett had to be left behind, sick. He rejoined his company at Botany Bay Island. 30 April, coming up on the Delarare from Hilton Head.
About I July, at St. Helena Island, he was detailed on a general court- martial (to meet 3d ) ; but as the regiment and all the troops left the 4th, it is hardly supposable that the general court-martial ever did more than organize and prepare for cases.
He participated in the capture of Morris Island and in the charge on Wagner. Col. Jackson having been wounded, Lient .- Col. Bedel taken pris- oner, and Maj. Plimpton on detached service (Seymour's Staff), matters were a little mixed as to command. Capt. Clark was next in rank, then Randlett. Col. Jackson, though severely bruised, was able to be about. The movement at once began to send details home for conscripts, those slightly wounded or sick to be given the preference. Under this Col. Jack- son. Capt. Clark and others (see main story) were detailed, and left on the 22d for New Hampshire.
This left the regiment in command of Capt. Randlett, from that day onward during the entire siege. He served with great eredit, the regiment meanwhile gaining an enviable reputation for its services. On the morn- ing of 7 Sept., he stood at the head of the forlorn hope, ready to do or die ; for the Third New Hampshire was given the post of honor (i.e., on the right ), with the right to die first in the expected struggle.
The siege being over, so far as Morris Island was concerned, Capt. Randlett was made Provost Marshal of the island, and took with him the entire regiment for that special duty. The regiment, however, did not so remain all of the time that Randlett was Provost Marshal, varying in num-
774
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
ber of companies and in the letters as well. Presumably, his Provost Mar- shalship ended with the calendar year; for on 30 and 31 Dee. 1863, Capt. Ela was Acting Provost Marshal.
The return of Col. Jackson in January, 1864, relieved Capt. Randlett of the command. Ile went home with the re-enlisted men in March, on leave, thoughi on an order. He had charge of the detachment, which he re-assembled at Nashua at the proper time, and with commendable promp- titnde started with them to return, rejoining the regiment at Gloucester Point, Va., whither it had come from South Carolina, 28 April 1864. He got mustered as Major the next day, rice Plimpton, promoted to Lieuten- ant-Colonel, rice Bedel to Colonel, rice Jackson, resigned.
On the first day's real fighting (13 May 1864) at Drewry's BInff, he was wounded and was taken (with Adjt. Copp, also wounded) in an ambu- lance by a colored driver, and - whether by mistake or otherwise will never be known - was driven directly toward the source from which the missile came. A squad of cavalry, happily met, induced the driver to re- trace his steps; and the two officers breathed more freely, though the driver was apparently unconcerned as to which direction he steered his bark. Maj. Randlett was sent to Chesapeake Hospital, near Fort Monroe. Later. he received a 30 days' leave and returned to the regiment 23 June 1864, at Bermuda Hundred (Copp with him from 13 May).
He was within a few days thereafter, and before the end of June, appointed Provost Marshal of the Tenth Army Corps, by S. O. 60. He con- tinucd on this special duty till after the terrible fight of 16 Ang. 1864. He was relieved by G. O. 27 (24 Ang. ), Tenth Army Corps. The order itself shows that he requested to be sent to the regiment when he found it had lost so heavily in officers, and that Lient .- Col. Plimpton had been killed. In the future operations of the regiment, in Virginia. the Major commanded, the Laurel Hill affair being the last, except Wilmington., 22 Feb. 1865. He was mustered as Lieutenant-Colonel 30 Oet. 1864, rice Plimpton, killed. On 22 Dec. 1864, he took up the body of Lieut .- Col. Plimpton. and had it suitably prepared for removal North, by having it placed in a metallic casket. which the writer understands was paid for by voluntary subscriptions among the officers of the regiment. Having obtained a leave of absence. Lieut .- Col. Randlett started North on Christmas night. 25 Dec. 1864, with the body, turning over the command to Capt. Trickey.
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