USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 36
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He rejoined the detachment at Laurel Hill, 21 Jan. 1865, the regiment having gone to Fort Fisher, and with them rejoined the regiment 17 Feb., near Fort Fisher, relieving Capt. Trickey (not yet mustered as Major).
On 2 March 1865. he was appointed Provost Marshal of Wilmington, N. C., by G. O. 1, District of Wilmington, and took with him about one- half the regiment, as gnards for the various posts to be established. The duties here were arduous and trying. A volume could be written about what a provost marshal had to do, how he did it, who helped him, what hindrances he met with, and so on.
He was ably assisted by Capt. Edgerly (see Edgerly's Personal). The oath of allegiance had to be administered. One may well inquire whether the people were coerced, or whether it was taken with one's own free-will and accord. It is something like vaccination - " We 'uns hafter takum, boss." The oath of allegiance meaut food to the hungry, clothing to the naked. quinine and Dover's powders to the sick, a shelter tent to the houseless one, and so on. Did these refugees, these poor whites, these stragglers, these poor " enlind pussons," these "out and onters," who were certainly out of many things : did they hanker for an oath of allegiance? Oh. yes! with all that that implied. Certainly; and Provost Marshal Randlett and Asst. Provost Marshal Edgerly, with their corps of assistants, were on hand with copious doses of this same oath of allegiance, and ink and pen, and all that, and " hole up yer ri' tand !" etc.
This duty lasted with more or less severity, gradually growing lesser and lesser in magnitude as time rolled on and the rebellion began to gasp for breath, until the latter part of June. Is65. when Lient .- Col. Randlett returned, by S. O. 80, D. Hdyrs., dated 29 June, the regiment being then at Goldsborough, N. C.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
The tale is substantially ended, as he was with the regiment at its final muster-out, 20 July 1865, at Goldsborough, N. C., and accompanied it to Concord (Col. Bedel in command), where the final parting was had.
But we have not yet got through with this case. The Major had a desire for the old camp-ground ; and we find him in some trading enterprise, at Charleston, S. C., in 1866, but are unable to connect him with the next link of history. He was commissioned as Captain, Thirty-ninth U. S. Infantry (one of the colored regiments, under the reorganization of the army), 6 June 1867, and accepted 20 July 1867. He was not quite ready to join, and had 5 and 25 days granted, and then to 15 Oct. He was unassigned 20 April 1869, and on 15 Dec. 1870 was transferred to the Eighth U. S. Cavalry.
In January, 1871, he stood 71 in list of captains and 120 in list. He was Captain of Co. D. In 1872 he stood 68 on list; 1882, 21; 1883, 17; 1884, 11; 1885, 8; 1886, 5.
In 1886 he was transferred (5 July) to Ninth Cavalry. Strangely enough (there are two majors), he is the 2d Major and Guy V. Henry is the Ist Major. " The whirligig of time," etc. Probably these two officers had never met since they met at Hilton Head. Henry being then a Regular Army officer with a volunteer appointment (Colonel Fortieth Massachusetts).
Randlett. Cornelius, Cody and Hynes were the only officers of the Third New Hampshire who went into the Regular Army afterward. Cornelius and Ilynes are dead, Cody is ont, and Randlett is the only one remaining in the Regular Army ; and the time is near at hand for his retirement.
In July. 1889, Maj. Randlett attended the reunion at Weirs, being on leave from Ninth U. S Cavalry, the battalion to which he belonged being then stationed at Fort Duchesne, Utah.
SAMUEL ROBINSON.
Robinson was an original private in Co. I (Capt. Carlton). We find him promoted to Corporal 15 March 1862, and to Sergeant 15 Oct. : and in this last grade he re-enlisted. receiving the usual furlough. Previous to this, however (March, 1864), for good conduct during the siege of Wagner, he was favored with a furlough (October, 1863).
He received his death wound on 13 May 1864, at Drewry's Bluff, Va., and died of his wounds at Point Lookout Hospital, 2 June. Previous to this he was the recipient of a 2d Lieutenant's commission, but was unable to be mustered. Whether, in the extreme liberality of the pension office, coupled with the possible efforts of his heirs, the records will be amended so as to make him a 2d lieutenant instead of a sergeant at death, is an un- solved problem so far as the writer is concerned. It would be an act of justice were it done; for Robinson was a good and faithful soldier, and fought the battles of his country even unto death.
WALTER J. RICHARDS.
Richards was an original private of Co. II. Ile was promoted to Corporal 23 July 1863, and to Sergeant I Sept. ; and in this last grade he re- enlisted. Later, in March, 1864, he was made Ist Sergeant, rice Davis, com- missioned : and when the tumult was all over, a commission was issued to him as 1st Lieutenant, but too late for muster.
His whereabouts since the war is unknown.
SAMUEL M. SMITH.
Smith was born at Hinsdale, N. II., 12 Nov. 1834. He was made the original 2d Lieutenant of Co. I, with Capt. Carlton and Ist Lient. Thomp- son. Smith was eccentric, but not of that order that shirks from duty or pales if an enemy is near.
As Lieut. Thompson was always on special duty, the company duties devolved entirely upon Capt. Carlton and Lieut. Smith; and 2d lieutenants were shifted about from one company to another with ease and rapidity.
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Smith was not exempt from this. We find him very available in this line. In January, 1862, he was with E; during the latter part of the same month with I; about the middle of February was ordered back to E; and during May, at Edisto, he was ordered to A.
At the battle of James Island, 16 June, he did his duty. In August, he commanded Co. E; 1 Sept., was transferred to A; 12 Sept., to 1st Lieuten- ant and to K, continning there till 8 Oct.
Smith covered himself with glory at Pocotaligo, 22 Oct. 1862. He was detached for a special purpose, with a squad of men, to capture certain rebel pickets, who might cause our forces trouble. How well he did it will be seen in his official report (page 225).
When he was receiving verbal instructions as to this little matter, he said, in his peculiarly quaint and slow way : " General, do you wish me to go in and slash and cut and kill and destroy ? Is that the idea ?" Upon being assured that he would best please the General by taking the game alive and without mutilation, he cheerfully acquiesced, merely touching his cap, saying, " All right, General, just as you say," and took his departure. A very successful trip he made, too.
In January, 1863, he went on the lumber expedition to Florida. On 6 March (at Pinckney Island), he took K from Capt. Butterfield, discharged for disability. He was relieved of the command (only) of K 31 March, by Capt. Handerson (mustered in as Captain on that day). On 12 May (Edisto), he left K and went to B, relieving Lieut. Fogg (resigned). He continued in command of B to about the middle of June (St. Helena Island), when he was transferred to K (12th) and was discharged next day, having resigned his commission. IIis discharge was 13 June 1863, S. O. 337, D. S., and he left on the Arago next day, for New York and home.
This abrupt resignation was on account of the promotion of a lieu- tenant - his junior -to captain. Smith's blood was up, and he sent in two resignations before he succeeded in obtaining a discharge. Gen. Gillmore had just taken command of the Department. and didn't like to grant dis- charges on the eve of active operations; but he was finally persuaded to issue the order of discharge; at the solicitation of Col. Jackson, who was only theoretically responsible for the cause of Smith's resignation. Col. Jackson would not. of course, urge the acceptance of the resignation of so brave an officer, save that he was satisfied the man's usefulness had de- parted, having made up his mind to go home.
The records show that Smith re-entered the service the following Spring, as Captain, Thirty-second U. S. Colored Troops, his commission being dated 18 March 1864. The regiment was organized at Camp Wm. Penn, Penn., February and March, 1864, for a term of three years. This regiment was in action at Honey Hill (November, 1864) and at Devaux Neck, S. C. (December, 1864), and was mustered out 22 Ang. 1865.
Previous to service in the Thirty-second U. S. Colored Troops, Smith enlisted as a private (recruit) in the Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers. Mustered in Is Dec. 1863, assigned to Co. G, and was discharged therefrom 29 Feb. 1864, by order, presumably to accept the appointment in the Thirty- second U. S. Colored Troops.
Smith practiced law, very successfully, in St. Louis, Mo., for several years. He died there, 5 Feb. 1884, leaving a widow and two daughters (at Keene, N. H., in 1890).
WILLIAM A. SWALLOW.
Swallow was a volunteer recruit of September, 1862, and was assigned on his arrival to F. While his company (and others) were on Provost duty, on Morris Island, in February, 1864, he held the responsible position of " Assistant Jailer."
He was made Corporal 17 June 1864; in April, 1865, Quartermaster- Sergeant, ciee George R. James, promoted. His career in the new position was short; for he was among the number ordered to be mustered out in June, 1865, because their terms would expire prior to I Sept. 1865. He was succeeded by John Clark, also of F.
At Nashua, N. H., since the war.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSIHRE REGIMENT.
THOMAS SMITH.
Smith was a substitute recruit of 1863. He arrived at regiment in November, 1863, with the first group of his class, and was assigned to Co. H. He was made Corporal, 31 Dec. 1864; Sergeant-Major, 1 May 1865, rice Holt, promoted to Ist Lieutenant. He was the last of seven sergeant- majors, and was mustered out 20 July 1865. He apparently served as nurse in Depot Hospital, Point of Rocks, in August and September, 1864.
His whereabouts since the war is unknown.
ALBERT D. SCOVELL.
Scovell was an original Co. I man. We find him mustered in the com- pany as the 4th Corporal, from which position he resigned about 1 July 1862. He was put into the regimental hospital, in June, 1862, as a nurse, and retained his connection therewith till the end of the regiment's service. In November, 1863, however, he temporarily changed his position from nurse to clerk. His services at the James Island tight and upon Morris Island were valuable, and many a poor fellow well remembers him. In Virginia, too, he was on hand. When the original men were mustered out (23 Aug. 1864), Scovell was made Hospital Steward, rice Kittredge (term expired), and he held this position to the end.
About 1 March 1865, at Wilmington, he was detached from the regi- ment for special service, and assigned to the Marine Ilospital (Dr. Kimball there, too) as Chief Steward. This did not deprive the regiment of his services, as it was near by. Here he did yeoman service, for which no recompense could be made.
About 10 June 1865 (regiment already gone to Goldsborough) he ob- tained a furlough of 30 days, and went home, rejoining the regiment at Goldsborongh, about 15 July 1865. His place in the regiment while absent was at least a part of the time filled by Private George Bueltner, of Co. F.
Scovell was born in Walpole, N. HI., 23 March 1840. He was in the New Hampshire Legislature of 1887, and was therefore in that memorable action known as " The B. & M. R.R. fight." He has resided since the war at Manchester, N. H.
DARIUS K. SCRUTON.
Scruton started as original Ist Sergeant of Co. K (Capt. Littlefield) ; and no mistake was made in the selection. He was methodical, stern (but not severe), meant what he said; and the boys really got so they liked him, though at first he appeared too exacting. He possessed a schoolmaster-like air that made him noticeable; and it was said that he was a gennine Yankee schoolmaster, and left that delightful occupation to engage in war. His promotion to 2d Lientenant was carly and deserved.
When Lient. Miles. his immediate superior, resigned (in February, 1862), Scruton was almost at once ordered to act as 2d Lieutenant ; and on 10 May, at Edisto Island. his commission arrived (no muster then required). Scruton's career as an officer was short. In the James Island fight (16 June 1862) he was severely wounded in the arm, and was very soon thereafter (21 June) granted a 60 days' leave of absence, from 23d ( Hunter's S. O. 124). The order directed him to report at its expiration to Department Head- quarters.
The circumstances of his going into the action at James Island may be seen by consulting the Personal Sketch of Capt. W. J. Butterfield. Lient. Scruton failed rapidly, and the writer is credibly informed that at a point where amputation had been decided upon as a last resort, Sernton boldly declared he'd rather die than lose his arm. He begged so hard for it to be spared, that the physician yieldled, and Scruton, as a result, yielded up his life. He passed away at his home, in Rollinsford, N. H., 8 AAng. 1862. He died the death of a soldier, leaving a widow, two sons and three daughters to mourn his loss.
Lieut. Seruton was born in Barnstead, N. II., 30 July 1827. He enlisted, prior to Third New Hampshire, in the three months' troops, but was appar- ently never mustered in; and was discharged therefrom by Gov. Berry, 30 Aug. 1861, as of 13 May. His funeral was in charge of the Masonic frater- nity, from the church at Rollinsford.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
GEORGE STEARNS.
Stearns was the original Ist Sergeant of Co. F (Capt. Randlett). He was short and slightly built, but so active an Orderly Sergeant as to early attract attention.
On 19 Feb. 1862 his comrades presented him with a beautiful and costly gold watch, the presentation being made with suitable ceremony. 30 Aug , he was ordered to act as 2d Lieutenant (really as Officer of the Guard), having been recommended for a commission. 20 Sept., we find he went to the hospital, sick, returning the 27th to his company, but not yet tit for duty. 6 Oct., we find he went on duty. Ten days later (16th) he received a com- mission as 2d Lieutenant, dated 9 Ang.
The changes occurring in January, 1863, gave him another promotion, to Ist Lieutenant, though the commission itself did not arrive till April; and he was mustered 17 April as of same date, rice Marsh, resigned, the com- mission being dated 1 Jan.
On 28 June (St. Helena Island) he was sent to Co. C, from Co. F. There is no data at hand showing Stearns to be otherwise than on duty during the entire siege of Wagner. At the end of September, however (the siege ended " Sept.), we find him " sick in quarters." This. apparently. was the cause of a short leave of absence to St. Augustine, Fla., which occurred in November and December.
In January, 1864, he was promoted to Captain, the commission bearing date 3 Jan., rire Handerson, resigned: and consequently he found himself Captain of Co. K, and went to Broad Island, where the company (and A and C) was cutting wood, relieving Lient. Wadlia, temporarily assigned, and who at once left the company, returning to Morris Island and leaving Stearns the sole officer with the company. Ilis muster as Captain was 20 Jan., as of same date. Stearns remained alone with the company till 2d Lieut. Eldredge joined, early in February. When the regiment reunited at Hilton Head, to be mounted, Capt. Stearns was one of the officers selected to go home with the re-enlisted men. From this pleasant service ( ! )- equivalent to a leave - he rejoined with the others at Gloucester Point, Va., latter part of April. and at once relieved Lieut. Lamprey of the command of Co. K (2d Lieut. Eldredge had the property). He participated in the Vir- ginia campaign, in all the actions in which the regiment was engaged.
At the end of August, 1864, he is reported as " sick in quarters." 23 Sept. 1864, lie served (with Lieats. Dodge and MeCoy) on a Board of Sur- vey on Co. A's property ; and three days later (26th), on same kind of duty on Co. E's property (with Lients. Parker and Ackerman). At the end of September he is again reported as .. sick in quarters." In November. he was discharged, for expiration of original term, by S. O. 322, D. Hdyrs., 31 Oct. 1864.
After the war he was in Boston, Mass .. the greater part of the time till his death, which occurred in that city. At one time, when Gen. J. G. Foster, U. S. A. (his unele) was on duty in Boston, Stearns was a clerk under him.
He was born in New York City, 1841; died in Boston, 11 Jan. 1881. He left a widow.
MOODY A. SAWYER.
Sawyer was our first Hospital Steward, was qualified for the position, and did his duty. He was born in Concord, Vt., 30 April 1836, his parents removing very soon after that event to Bristol, N. II. It is said that he was so skilled in his particular department of our regimental hospital, that he could distinguish the difference between a Dover's powder and a quinine pill, by the mere sense of touch, in the darkest night, and had enough mili- tary obedience about him to administer to a complaining sollier either of those two popular . confections " for an abrasion or for maiaria. if ordered . to do so by his superior officer. He had a kind word for all who responded to " surgeon's call." His kind heart did not exempt him from the effects of the climate, and the early spring of 1862 developed a greater quantity of malaria within him than was congenial or healthful.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
He was with the regiment on its .. excursion " to Bull's Island and Bluffton. The battle of James Island (our first) found him at his post; and there was no lack of opportunity on that occasion to display his skill or his fortitude. He ably assisted Dr. Eaton in his almost herculean work on that fateful day and the days immediately following.
The crossing of John's Island, and the severe though brief campaign at James Island, were the final blows for Sawyer's military service. He was discharged 9 Sept. 1862, at Hilton Head, for disability (malaria and chronic diarrhea), and left us for his Northern home, to recuperate, if possible.
In 1892, Sawyer was a resident of Boscobel, Wis.
JOHN H. TREDICK.
Tredick was the 6th Corporal of Co. D at muster-in. Was made Ser- geant in August, 1862, and Ist Sergeant in March, 1863. Did not re-enlist. Was mustered 3 Feb. 1864, as 2d Lieutenant. He took part in the siege of Morris Island. and participated in the little diversion to Palatka (see ex- tended description elsewhere). At Drewry's Binff, Va., May, 1864, he was on hand.
During the latter part of May, or the first part of June, 1864, for some reason best known to himself, he tendered his resignation. This perforce had to go to Gen. Butler ; and this latter officer was constitutionally opposed to resignations, especially during a campaign. Before this resignation was heard from, the regiment got into a fight (16 Inne). Lieut. Tredick re- ceived a mortal wound and was conveyed to Chesapeake Hospital, Hampton, Va. (near Fort Monroe), where he died 6 July. Meantime, the resignation had been acted upon, and Gen. Butler's S. O. 180, dated 3 July, dishonorably discharged the dead Tredick. This was so manifestly unjust (though not so intended) to a man who had died of wounds received in action, that upon a proper representation of the facts, Gen. Butler very promptly and prop- erly revoked the order (18 July, S. O. 195). It is very probable that Lieut. Tredick was buried near the hospital where he died.
FRED H. TUTTLE.
He was a volunteer recruit of September, 1862, and assigned to Co. K. He early showed himself worthy of promotion and (6 Sept. 1863) was made Corporal. So quickly did the vacancies occur, that he was made Sergeant the same month. On 26 Aug. 1864 he was made Ist Sergeant (rice Watson, term expired), and from that position he leaped up to Ist Lieutenant in 1865, though we find him acting as 2d Lientenant back as far as 17 Ang. 1864 (next day after a fight).
Tuttle was mustered as 1st Lieutenant 29 April 1865, as of 28 April, his commission being dated 4 Jan. He was mustered for the unexpired term of the regiment, vice Hazen, discharged. At the end of May he was in command of Co. B, but was actually Ist Lientenant of F. Having a talent for staff duty, he was detached 18 June ( regiment at Goldsborough, N. C.) as Assistant Commissary of Musters, Tenth Army Corps, by S. O. 83, Dept. N. C. There is no evidence at hand showing that he did not serve as such to the muster-out of regiment.
While on Morris Island Tuttle was detached during September, 1863, as clerk or orderly for the Medical Director, Surgeon S. W. Gross. Folly Island (till March. 1864). His duty as Assistant Commissary of Musters (June and July, 1865) took him to New Berne, Raleigh and other points, to innster out convalescents in hospitals. He rejoined and came home with the regiment. Ile was nt Palatka (four companies), Fla., and in nearly every action of the regiment.
Tuttle was born 14 March 1843. at Georgetown, Mass. His address in 1890 was Rice Lake, Wis.
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THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.
WILLIAM H. TRICKEY.
William H. Trickey was born in the town of Exeter, Me., 22 Jan. 1841. He was one of those peculiarly-inade-up characters in which the powers within were developed by circumstances. That is to say, he was not of the dashing. dare-devil sort, who shout themselves hoarse and walk right over other people for the sake of having it known that they are ahead or on top. He was, rather, one to be depended upon in time of trial, and could be counted as one upon every occasion of duty, or danger, or both. His path was where duty led, whether dangerons or otherwise.
He started as a private in Co. G, but was made a Corporal early in our first December at Hilton Head. In about three years from that time he was in command of the regiment; but of that the reader will learn more in its proper place. In April, 1862, on Edisto Island, he was promoted to Sergeant, in which position he served only about six weeks; for we find him at the end of May, 1862, again promoted, and this time to be Ist Sergeant of his company - an important position. He was in all the actions and reconnoissances of his company and regiment, except as noted here- after. In April, 1863, he received a 2d Lieutenant's commission in Co. I.
He was in the action of 10 July 1863 (lower end of Morris Island), and in the night assault on Wagner, 18 July. At this charge he was the sole officer with the company (G), Capt. Emmons being " sick in quarters." Co. G was the " color company," which brought Lieut. Trickey near the colors. At the extreme latter part of the engagement (i.e., next prior to the actual withdrawal of the regiment), a portion of the color company and the color guard essayed to advance still further, and managed to get over the (ap- parently) last ridge and a little way down the incline, when the unmistake- able order to retreat was heard. Lieut. Trickey was with the brave squad, and he and they - foolhardy though they were admitted to have been - stand credited with having got nearer the fort than the main line of regi- ment, though the " line" at that time was very, very crooked. During the siege, Lieut. Trickey was practically in command of Co. G the greater part of the time, owing to Capt. Emmons' sickness.
In January, 1864, he was promoted to Ist Lieutenant. He went to Florida with the mounted men, and was one of the drum-head court which tried and sentenced Miller of Co. F.
In Virginia, Lieut. Trickey was sick; and when the regiment started on its march to the Drewry's Bluff battles, 13-16 May 1864, he essayed to go with his company (E), but was reluctantly obliged to remain in camp. On 2 June he took a conspicuous part and did himself great credit. The same on 16 June.
The next action of importance was on 16 Aug. 1864, with bloody results ; but our hero was, probably fortunately for him, absent on leave. This was for 30 days, from about 18 July, by Gen. Butler, at Bermuda Hundred. A diary says that W. H. Trickey returned from leave on the same day that the 1861 men were mustered out (23 Ang.) The writer and other officers were in Chesapeake Hospital at Hampton, Va. (each having been wounded 16 Aug.) ; and the writer distinctly recalls the fact that W. H. Trickey called there, being on his way to the regiment; and we jocularly told him it was of no use for him to return to the regiment, as he would come right back, wounded. The prediction proved true: for on 3 Sept. he was wounded in the shoulder by a minie ball while being relieved and passing between our batteries. He was sent to the Hospital before named ; and his fellow officers congratulated ( ! ) him on his quick return. Here he remained for about five weeks, when he was permitted to rejoin the regi- ment, at his own request, arriving Friday, 7 Oct .. at Laurel Ilill.
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