USA > New Hampshire > The Third New Hampshire and all about it, pt 2 > Part 38
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He enlisted at Manchester, 13 Aug. 1861, having been out of the ser- vice less than a month. He was made 3d Sergeant of his company (A) at muster-in. His promotions were as follows : to Ist Sergeant, 1 June 1863; 2d Lieutenant, Co. I, 1 Jan. 1864 (mustered 3 Feb.) ; Ist Lieutenant, Co. G, 24 May (mustered 3 June) ; Captain, Co. G, 9 Nov. (mustered 1 March 1865).
On the taking of Port Royal (7 Nov. 1861), White and others were selected to act in the capacity of orderlies to Gen. Sherman. This was temporary, lasting for only a few days, it being an expedient to meet the lack of a sufficient number of staff officers as assistants. During portions of December, 1861, and Jannary, 1862, he was detailed as clerk at Post IIead- quarters, at Hilton Head ( Col. Fellows, Third New Hampshire, Commanding).
While his company (A) was on Broad Island, with C and K, he was a part of the time Acting 2d Lieutenant, had command of his company, and was Acting Post Adjutant, nnder Capt. Allen of C.
In March, 1864, we find him going home with the veterans (re-enlisted men) under orders -equivalent to a leave of absence. He was assigned on this " excursion " to the position of Acting Quartermaster, under Capt. Randlett, Commanding Detachment. It is presmned the duties of this of- fice were filled with White's usual efficiency and urbanity. He probably had no forage left over or unaccounted for. This position was vacated when these re-enlisted men were united with the regiment at Gloneester Point, Va., in the latter part of April, 1864, and without a general order.
White was in the various engagements in Virginia in which the Third New Hampshire had a part, up to, and including. 16 Ang. 1864, at which date he was severely wounded, nigh unto death. He commanded Co. G at the time, and was the only officer with it. He was at first wounded slightly, and started away from the field; but almost immediately got his " second wind," and at once returned, only to meet his almost death wound. The bullet went through the body and White was laid low. The writer (him- self wounded) saw him lying in the group of wounded, hastily gathered in the woods, and could see no hope for him. As we lay there (about inid-day) the writer, being on slightly higher ground, could overlook the unfortunate group. A slight shower (blessed rain !) almost took poor White's breath away, he being utterly unable to protect his upturned face from its patter. Others of the regiment were there, noted elsewhere. White was sent to Chesapeake (officers') Hospital, Hampton, Va .. reaching there the 18th (eve- ning). He had for companions, Capt. Wadlia, Adjt. Copp and the writer. White's life hung in the balance for some time, the writer visiting him daily so soon as he himself was able to get about. White was in an annex (separate building). His wife came to look after his comfort, and minis- tered unto him only as can a tender wife. White's first wound was slight, a mere contusion of the abdomen, troubling him for about a week. The second was caused by a minie ball through his right arm, above the elbow ; and not content with that, it proceeded to pass, with neatness and despatch too, into his right side, and after cavorting through both lungs, making its exit and reaching daylight below the left shoulder blade. This was enough for one little bullet. Strange to say, White's wound was dressed tempora- rily on the tield, and not again till the night of the 19th, at the hospital.
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On 20 Oct. 1864, a leave was granted him and he went to his home in Boston. The usual extensions of time took him to the end of the year ; and we find him returned to the hospital 2 Jan. 1865. He there remained until about 14 Feb. 1865, when he started for the regiment, reaching its vicinity abont 19 Feb., near Fort Fisher, stopping at Gen. Terry's Headquarters. He there remained till 1 March, on some light, temporary duty, when he was mustered as Captain. On the day of his muster-in as Captain, he was ap- pointed Headquarters Commissary, Tenth Army Corps, by S. O. 46, from Headquarters Provisional Corps, Department of North Carolina, Gen. Terry, Commanding. It may fairly be inferred that Capt. White's health would not admit of active service; and this position was assigned him in conse- quence, and also in recognition of his services.
On 23 June 1865 (Gen. Terry to Richmond, and relieved by Gen. Ames), Capt. White was reappointed to the same position on Gen. Ames' Staff, by S. O. 76, Headquarters Tenth Army Corps, Raleigh, N. C., 23 June, and was relieved from it a few days prior to the muster-ont of the regiment, at his own request, reaching the regiment 17 July 1865, at Goldsborough, N. C.
Capt. White was placed in charge of all the regimental and company books, records, rolls, etc. (boxed), from Goldsborough, N. C., to Concord. N. H., where they were turned over to the Mustering Officer, Capt. A. B. Thompson, U. S. A. A small squad was detailed for the purpose of secur- ing safe passage of these valuable packages, and the guard was under Capt. White's orders. This ended his connection with the Third New Hamp- shire. By G. O. 67, W. D., 16 July 1867, White was brevetted as Major, and as Lieutenant-Colonel, for." bravery and meritorious conduct on the field of battle, to date 13 March 1865."
Since the war, White was for a few years a clerk in-the Second Audi- tor's office at Washington. He afterward reached the wild West. During 1879 and 1880 we find him a Brigadier-General of the Colorado National Guard, commissioned by Gov. F. W. Pitkin. In 1883 he was Chief En- grossing Clerk of the Colorado Senate. He was Mayor of Greeley, Colo- rado, in 1888, entering upon his duties 16 April (same day as originally enlisted), and serving one year. He was Postmaster of Greeley from 7 Feb. 1884, to 16 April 1887. He attended the reunion at Weirs in August, 1889.
He was born at West Deering, N. H., 19 Sept. 1836. His post office address is Greeley, Colorado.
ROGER W. WOODBURY.
Woodbury was the original 4th Sergeant in Co. A. He was, and re- mained, a newspaper man, until he became a banker. At setting type, Woodbury was an adept; and the faculty of newspaper writing naturally followed. The Manchester Mirror proprietor knew this, and was loth to let him enlist. Woodbury was bound to rise. He had available talents, and they responded to all of the demands which early begun to be made upon them by superior military authority. At Mineola, Long Island, N. Y., we find him detached from his company and regiment, and serving as Brigade Commissary Sergeant under Capt. Scull, Brigade Commissary on Gen. Viele's Staff. He retained this position until January, 1863, serving at Mineola, Washington, Annapolis, Fort Monroe and Hilton Head. At the latter place the position was of greatly increased importance. involving the receipt and care of all the commissary stores in the vast depot, and the issue of the same to the value of many millions of dollars.
In March, 1862. we find him with others of Co. A. laving the cases and setting the type for the first issue of the New South (15 March 1862), the advent of which was hailed with delight. This service was, of course, gratuitous and voluntary.
He was relieved from duty (see September, 1861) by S. O. 110, Gen. Terry, 12 JJan. 1-63, and returned to the regiment. While the seven com- panies (including his own, A) were on Pinckney Island, early in 1863, we find him acting for awhile as Sergeant-Major, in place of Dodge, absent on recruiting service. Here he was ordered to act as 2d Lieutenant, 11 March
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1863, and did so till his muster-in as 2dl Lientenant (28 Ang. 1863), his com- mission being dated 14 June 1863. He was assigned to Co. B. He did not serve with B, because at once detailed (relieving our Lient. Morrill) as an Aide to Col. Gnss, commanding our brigade, on Morris Island. He was relieved early in October, and took command of Co. A. He was again pro- moted, in January, 1864, to Ist Lieutenant of Co. C, bat assigned to A. He continued in its command, his commission being dated 4 Jan. 1864, being mustered 20 Jan. into his new grade.
Abont this time his former experience in the Commissary Department caused him to be called for a short period to the charge of the Post Com- missary on Morris Island, on the Staff of Col. W. W. II. Davis, Commanding.
He was with his company (A) on the expedition to Palatka, Fla. (from Jacksonville), and on the trip was Acting Quartermaster of the detachment (four companies), while Capt. Dearborn commanded Co. A. On return to Jacksonville, Woodbury found an order awaiting him, by which he was ap- pointed Acting Ordnance Officer, by Gillmore's S. O. 157, D.S. This contin- ued till and during removal to Virginia, when (in May) he was assigned Acting Ordnance Officer. Second Division, Tenth Army Corps, and so re- mained till the expedition to Fort Fisher (see later on).
His duties as an Ordnance Officer were as dangerons as important; for the supply of ammunition to the dozen or more regiments of the division when engaged in battle received his personal supervision. On one occasion he probably saved the fortunes of the day, by being present and supplying the other two divisions of the Corps in a heated engagement, whose ordnance trains had fled far to the rear at the first onslanght of the rebel attack. In this special duty, Lieut. Woodbury actually participated in a greater number of engagements than did his regiment. At the battle of the Mine Explosion. in front of Petersburg, 30 July 1864, he was wounded (contusion of thigh) by a spherical case shot, but continued in the saddle against the advice of friends, and, in fact, did not go off duty.
Woodbury had a 20 days' leave in October, 1864 (sick with fever and ague) - Butler's S. O. 100, 19 Oct.
On 1 Jan. 1865, he was mustered as Captain of Co. B. His commission was dated 28 Oct. 1864. Gen. Terry was to go to Fort Fisher, that is to say, in that general direction, reaching there if he did not meet with too inuch opposition. He looked about for suitable officers for his Staff. Hay- ing known our friend Woodbury (Gens. Turner's, Foster's and Ames' Staff's ), he appointed him (S. O. 1, Hdqrs. Expedition Forces, Steamer MeClellan, 3 Jan. 1865) to the same position (Acting Orduance Officer) on his Expedition Corps Staff (also Dr. Buzzell : see his Personal). He served with distinction in the memorable capture of Fort Fisher. where it was given to him to reach the palisades surrounding the fort and effect a breach, exploding gunpowder beneath; but the sacrifice proved immnecessary. He did his duty in the sub- sequent operations against Wilmington, and was relieved only by the close of the war.
In June. 1865, the war being over, Capt. Woodbury was sent North on a 20 days' leave (S. O. 98, Dept. N. C., 21 June), on surgeon's certificate of disability. He did not return to the front. as the regiment was mustered out during his leave. As the train bearing his old comrades passed through Manchester without stopping, Capt. Woodbury waved his cap from the station platform, and following only a train later, joined the party at Con- cord, and was there discharged with the regiment.
Since the war Woodbury has continued to develop. Within a week after his muster-out. his old employer of the Manchester Mirror made him local reporter, where he remained until the next Spring, when he emigrated to the young Territory of Colorado. There he first went to the gold mines. after which he resumed type-setting. Within a year he became the editor of a daily journal in Denver, and soon after one of the proprietors. Early in the seventies he became sole proprietor of the Daily Times, and made it profitable. powerful and valuable. The character of the Daily Times was the counterpart of his own, and its individuality was marked amongst all the papers of the far West. It enjoyed the credit of exercising a greater influence on the public mind than any contemporary, which was due to its
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candor, truthfulness and courage of its convictions. (Woodbury had the honor of giving Colorado its popular name of the "Centennial State.") Though Woodbury retired from the profession in 1882, and has since been engaged in important private and public business, and financial enterprises, nevertheless, he himself considers that it was in the editorial harness that he did the most important work of his life.
The Times building. which he erected, is one of the handsomest in Denver. His residence is excelled in beauty, comfort and elegance by none, and equalled by few. if any.
He developed as a public speaker, and during three years of service as President of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade was frequently called upon for addresses before various organizations. IIe founded the first free public library in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains country. Under his administration was erected the Chamber of Commerce building. He was President of the New England Society of Colorado. and of so many other organizations as to demand his entire time through many years. Of late he has endeavored to escape from many of these calls, but with imperfect success. In educational matters he has been prominent; and the Woodbury gold medal has now for many years been eagerly competed for in the Denver High School. He was elected on the Republican ticket as Regent of the State University for six years, and rendered such valuable services there that, on his retirement, the new dormitory was named " Woodbury Hall," in his honor.
In the Masonic fraternity he has long been prominent. For nearly twenty years he was in official harness, during which time he held the high- est honors within the gift of his brethren, including those of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templars. He planned and organized the Masonic Temple Association of Denver, which erected one of the finest edifices in the West. He possesses a number of very beautiful jewels of great value, which have been at vari- ous times presented him by the fraternity.
He was Brigadier-General of the Colorado National Guard, which, with the office of Regent of the University. was the only public office he ever held in the State of his adoption; though unquestionably he might have enjoyed the highest political preferment had he ever assented thereto. He is now President of the Union National Bank, an institution with a capital of one million dollars, and devotes most of his energies thereto. During the summer months he spends a vacation at his mountain resort, at an alti- tude of some 3,000 feet above Denver.
Few public movements in Denver fail to appeal to Gen. Woodbury for the encouragement of name, advice, time or contribution. He has of course become " Westernized "; but he has never lost his love for New Hampshire, nor tenderness in all that relates to the .. Old Third."
He was born in Francestown, N. II., 3 March 1841.
NOTE. - Capt. Woodbury actually served on the Staff's of Gen. Amnes and Gen. Terry at Fort Fisher, and the newspapers of the period gave him a place in both staff lists.
ANDREW JACKSON WADLLA.
Was born at Sanford. York Co., Maine, 18 Nov. 1828. He was named in honor of Gen. Jackson, who was that same year first elected President. His grandfather, Daniel, did valiant service in the War of the Revolution. When Wadlia was but seven, his parents removed to Dover, Piscataquis Co., Maine.
In 1845, he ran away from home and took to the deep sea, making three voyages - one to the West Indies. He then shipped ( February, 1846) for three years in the U. S. Navy,- war with Mexico being imminent, - and went on board the Receiving Ship Pennsylvania, then lying at Norfolk, Va., Navy Yard.
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In the early spring of the same year, the Schooner Flirt was fitted out as a despatch boat, Lient. Sinclair, Commanding. With our hero as one of her crew, she was sent to the Rio Grande River, where Gen. Taylor was then encamped with his army. This despatch boat did service between the Rio Grande and New Orleans, Pensacola and other local seaports. particu- larly looking out for Mexican prizes (war had been declared). In the Fall of 1846 the Flirt returned to Norfolk, and Wadlia was again put on the Pennsylvania, where he remained during the winter.
In the spring of 1847 the Sloop-of-war Saratoga was fitted for service, and Post Capt. David Farragut assigned to its command. Wadlia was one of the crew and was assigned to an honorable position in the Captain's gig - the same position as he had held on the Flirt. This position gave our hero shore opportunities of great value. Another position on shipboard was first rammer and sponger of a 64-pounder Paixhan gun (same as Columbiad), the largest then in use by the navy. By the merest chance the Saratoga was one day too late in arriving to participate in the battles of San Juan and Vera Cruz. light winds and calms being wholly responsible. After this the Saratoga was on blockade duty until January, 1848, when she was ordered to New York and her crew discharged.
Wadlia was now a citizen once more; but his experience had made him a thorough seaman and had given him a love for the rolling deep that would not be suppressed. He shipped again on a merchantman, and went to the West Indies, South America, Europe, the Mediteranean and along the American coast, until 1851. Ile then joined himself to the land and to a wife, and located at Wolfboro', N. H., earning his daily bread by car- pentering.
Nothing of unusual importance struck our hero from 1851 till the Civil War burst npon the people. He enlisted 31 July 1861, and was mustered into Capt. Wiggin's company (G) as 4th Sergeant. On arriving at Hilton Head, and it becoming known that Wadlia had served previously and was a man of energy and genuine Yankee gumption, he was early sought out and detailed to assist in engineer work.
Later, by Gen. Sherman's S. O. 6, 18 Jan. 1862, he was ordered to report for duty on the 20th to Capt. Q. A. Gillmore, Chief Engineer; and was placed in charge of working parties on earthworks being erected for the protection of the island. On the completion of these works, he was sent to Daufuskie Island (about 12 Jan. 1862), to construct batteries on the Savannah, to ent off communication with Fort Pulaski, and thus assist in its reduction. This work was arduous, difficult and exhausting, having to be done mostly at night, rain or shine.
The works were on Bird and Jones' Islands (more partienlars in the . main story -regiment there once) .. These islands were partially covered at high tide. To mount guns on such foundations required much material. heavy timbers, a large quantity of sand in bags, planks for gun platforms and to cover magazines, all of which was prepared on Danfuskie, moved by boats about four miles, and from Battery Vulcan carried three-fourths of a mile on the shoulders of the men, through mud and water from one to two and more feet deep, across Jones Island to the Savannah River.
On the night of 3 Feb. 1862 the work was very nearly completed. Next morning the rebel Commodore (?), Tatnall, came down with his mosquito fleet (so called because small and seemingly insignificant), and sent his compliments at the new battery. This was responded to with the- six guns comprising the battery, mostly 22-pounder Parrotts, which had been drawn over the mud on shifting plank tramways by willing but tired hands. Things were lively for a few minutes. Almost every discharge resulted in dumping the gun nearly off its platform by the recoil; and while one set of men were forcing the kicker to its place, others were loading and flring those in position. Tatnall retired in a graceful manner, after seeing a shot hit one of his feet. Bird Island was almost directly opposite, on the Georgia shore. Sergt. James E. Wilson of the U. S. Engineers was in charge. and in a testimonial to Wadlia's worth says : " Having immediate command of the Department to which Sergt. Wadiia was attached during
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the operations on the Savannah and in the reduction of Fort Pulaski, I can say he is the best and most fearless soldier I have met with in ten years in the regular army."
On the completion of these two batteries, the force of engineers was removed to Tybee Island, south side of entrance to the Savannah. where batteries were being erected to reduce Fort Pulaski. Sergt. Wadlia was assigned to mount 10-inch Columbiads and 13-inch mortars, weighing about nine tons each. This had to be done in the night and under circumstances very trying indeed ; but Sergt. Wadlia and his brave assistants were equal to it, as the sequel showed. He was assigned, after preparations were substantially completed, to Battery Burnside, and had charge of a relief which worked a 13-inch mortar. Added to this he had charge of remounting such as kicked themselves over, which had to be done under fire and required excellent judgment, a clear head. a mechanic's eye, quick movements and every motion to count for something.
Lieut .- Col. James F. Hall, commanding officer of the Engineers before Fort Pulaski (Gillmore was chief of all Engineer forces in the Department), says in a certificate : " Ile [Wadlia] has been engaged in the Engineer Department since November last [November, 1861] and has performed, to the satisfaction of his commanders in the Department. difficult, dangerous, and important duties. His skill and military energy on Tybee, before Fort Pulaski, entitles him to the thanks of his commanding officer." In this Capts. F. E. Graef and James E. Place, both of the Engineer regiment, fully concurred. Capt. T. B. Brooks, another Engineer officer, says by certificate, in substance, that Sergt. Wadlia commanded a relief in the Burnside Battery, against Pulaski : and this battery was considered one of the most efficient. This Captain goes on to say that Gen. Gillmore, both in his report and verbally, made honorable mention of Sergt. Wadlia's services.
Shortly after the reduction of Fort Pulaski (11 April 1862) in June, Sergt. Wadlia was sent with the Engineers to James Island and assisted in mounting the guns on the batteries there for operations against Secession- ville. This work was near home, as his regiment was close at hand. Singularly enough. Sergt. Wadlia was relieved from this special dnty and returned to his regiment and company on the very morning of its first fight (16 June 1862), and actually joined while the regiment was in motion and on its way to its first struggle with the rebels.
He did not stay long with the regiment-his worth in the Engineer Department had become known; and in a few days after this little struggle of the 16th, he was again detached and sent with others (in a schooner towed by an ordnance-laden steamer) to Hilton Head and reported to the Ordnance Department there. The excessive labors and exposure and fatigue of the Pulaski campaign and the increasing heat of the summer told on our hero, and he was taken sick in July, 1862, with congestive fever. Being unable to obtain the treatment he desired at the General Hospital, Hilton Head, he was permitted to join his company, then at Seabrook, on the bor- der of Skull Creek (regiment on outpost duty then, and scattered). After the return of the regiment (August, 1862) to Hilton Head ( i.e., re-uniting). Sergt. Wadlia still continued sick, and dangerously so. Meantime his com- mission as 2d Lientenant arrived, and he did a little duty as an officer at ir- regular intervals. The Surgeon ( Buzzell) would not permit him to go to Pocotaligo with the regiment (21 Oct. 1862). After this latter event he was worse in health than before, and was forced to go to the Regimental Ilos- pital, his comrades actually taking his tent down from over his head. On 13 Dec. 1862 he was mustered (sworn) as 2d Lieutenant by Lieut. Myrick, Third U. S. Artillery. as of 1 Aug. 1862. On the same day he was dinnped on board the steamer for New York, without attendants, and left to his fate.
After a hard struggle with malarial fever, being threatened at one time with loss of reason and paralysis of his right side. he slowly recovered sufficiently to return. This was in May. 1863; and our hero had long over- staved his leave, and was in danger of discharge therefor. On his arrival at Hilton Head, early in June, he was at once ordered before the Examining
CAPT. ROGER W. WOODBURY (War).
CAPT. CHARLES A. WHITE.
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CAPT. ROGER W. WOODBURY (Peace).
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CAPT. RUTHVEN W. HOUGHTON.
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Board for overstaying his leave. They never reported on his case. Wadlia was too good an officer to be lost to the service for being unfortunately sick ; and the writer very well remembers the efforts of the officers of the regi- ment (particularly Col Jackson) to have him retained in the service. By the letter of the law (existing orders) he would have been discharged.
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