USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 27
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 27
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In the darkness, the assaulting column moved forward. The ironclads and the Union batteries opened a heavy fire, which was continued till the column was so near that further firing would endanger it, when, at a signal, all the Union batteries became silent. In an instant, Fort Wagner was aflame. Its heavy siege guns, howitzers, and forty-two pounder carronades burst forth, pouring a stream of shot and shell into the advancing troops. And now, in addition, the parapet of the fort swarmed with men, who, through the terrible cannonade of the day, had been lying securely beneath the bomb-proofs. Mingled with the roar of the cannon were their volleys of musketry.
The first brigade had the advance. Its ranks went down like grass before the mower. Some of the soldiers fled, panic-stricken. The second brigade, led by the 7th N. H., pressed on and filled the decimated ranks. Suddenly they found themselves confront- ed by a ditch fifty feet wide and ten feet deep, with four feet of water flowing into it. Only at the south-eastern angle was it dry. It was enfiladed by howitzers. Into the ditch leaped the
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soldiers. Grape and canister mowed them down, but others crowded on. The 7th N. H., led by Lt. Col. Joseph C. Abbott, made its way unfalteringly into the ditch, through it, and up the slope of the parapet. Cannon and musketry blazed in their faces ; and now there was a flash behind them-the 100th N. Y., not having removed their caps, were firing into the dark mass, not knowing who was friend, who foe. All was confusion. All or- der disappeared. In the darkness no one could be recognized. Amid the groans of the wounded, the shouting of officers, the rat- tle of rifles, the roar of cannon, the bursting of shells, it was im- possible to maintain discipline. Col. Putnam, a few of his sub- ordinates, and one or two hundred men entered the fort. The enemy charged, but were driven. Col. Putnam was killed ;- one officer after another went down. The reserve, which should have rushed up, did not come. The assault had lost its force. Like sheep the Union soldiers fled as best they could through the dev- astating fire, leaving a ghastly heap of dead and wounded in the ditch, and on the parapet of the fort. Among the killed was Hen- ry W. Baker. By his side were Dexter Pritchard, Liberty G. Raymond, and Alexander F. Stevens, from Boscawen, and of his company, also killed. Among the wounded was Samuel MeEvely, and among the prisoners was John Clancy, who died in prison at Richmond.
In his first battle, Lieutenant Baker gave his life to his country. Those who served under him speak of him with affection. He was cool and brave, and ever mindful of his duties. He was buried where he fell, with his commander, Col. Putnam, and his subordinates, Pritchard, Raymond, and Stevens. He was the last of his family, his elder brother, J. C. Baker, M. D., of Abing- ton, Mass., deceased, being his only near relative. Those who knew him best will ever hold him in affectionate remembrance.
BALLARD, WILLIAM WALLACE,
Was born in Peterborough in 1828. His father was Nathan Bal- lard, of Peterborough, who married Sarah D. Clement, of Bos- cawen. He was left an orphan at an early age, but was adopted by Benjamin Walker, Mrs. W. being his aunt. He learned the trade of stone-cutting, but spent most of his time with Mr. Walker,
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attending the district school-Water street, south. He was of a quiet, gentle nature, and in boyhood showed none of those sterling qualities of character which revealed themselves in after life.
It is altogether probable that the flame of patriotic ardor, which at the breaking out of the war in 1861 induced him to be one of the first to enlist, was kindled by Mr. Eliakim Walker, Revolu- tionary pensioner, who never was weary of rehearsing the story of Bunker hill ; and, without doubt, the flame was intensified by the uncompromising hostility of Mr. Benjamin Walker to slavery.
When the second regiment of N. H. volunteers was organized, young Ballard enlisted in the Goodwin Rifles, of the 2d Regiment. The regiment, on its way to the seat of war, was entertained at Boston, in Music hall, where Mr. Harrison D. Clement, of Law- rence, uncle to Ballard, had a conversation with him.
"I did not suppose that you had any great military ardor," was the remark of Mr. C.
" I have not, but the call is urgent. I have no family; I can go. Military life has no attractions for me ; but I owe a duty to my country, and I shall do my best to perform it."
It is out of such men that heroes are made.
His regiment was in the first battle of Bull Run, where Bal- lard acted with conspicuous coolness and deliberation. After the engagement, he informed his uncle that he had several fair shots at the enemy, at half the distance of which he was sure of his mark.
A few weeks subsequent to the battle he was sent to Washing- ton to perform some duty, and, upon his rejoining the regiment, found a second lieutenant's commission awaiting him, the promo- tion having been made wholly without his knowledge. A sword and uniform were presented him by his brother officers.
He commanded the company at the battle of Williamsburg, and throughout nearly the entire Peninsula campaign, in which the 2d Regiment took an active part [see Adgt. Gen. Report].
During the seven days' fighting, his clothes were pierced several times, and he was slightly wounded on the forehead, which filled his eyes and covered his face with blood ; but he maintained his place, leading the men into action while thus disfigured.
During one of the battles, while in the thick of the fight, he , dragged a wounded soldier behind a tree, and himself took shelter.
While they were there the tree was struck seventeen times.
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The regiment, at Gettysburg, was attached to the 3d corps, com- manded by Gen. Sickles. During the march from the Rappahan- nock, Lieut. Ballard was taken sick, and though entitled to ride in the ambulance, resolutely maintained his place with the company. Although he had the surgeon's certificate in his pocket, excusing him from duty, he not only made the march, but was seen carrying the guns of his worn-out soldiers, and even the tent-pole, on his shoulder. On the morning of July 2d, the surgeon and officers, knowing how exhausted he was, tried to dissuade him from taking part in the engagement, but in vain.
The regiment was stationed in Sherfey's peach orchard, and was one of the first to feel the blows inflicted by Longstreet's ad- vance.
In the first shock, nine of the officers were killed or wounded. The captain of Company B being one of the number, the com- mand devolved upon Lient. Ballard. Not long after, he was mor- tally wounded by a ball passing through his hips and bowels, but did not fall till, unable to move, he was knocked down by a battery wheeling into position. So close was the fighting at this moment, that when his sword flew from his hand it fell close to the rebel line,-so near, that one of the soldiers of the regiment, in attempting to recover it, was taken prisoner. Lieut. Ballard was taken to the rear, and lingered five days, re- ceiving all the care that was possible to give in the over-crowded hospitals. He knew that his wound was mortal, and calmly . awaited the coming of death, sending this message to his friends :
" Should I leave any property after paying my debts, I desire that it may be given to the soldiers who have suffered for their country."
His remains were taken to Boscawen, and interred in the cemetery, near the site of the old meeting-house. His funeral sermon was preached by his old chaplain, Prof. Parker-now of Dartmouth college-in the Congregational church on the plain, which was filled by a great concourse of people, who had known his sterling qualities, and which were thus set forth :
" In the prime condition and obligation of life, which comes up to us most forcibly in life's adieu, and beside the grave,-your life, dear friend, did you regard and employ it as yours for God? How happy to be able here to-day to make mention of the fact, that, at the early age of 21
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fourteen, he made public profession of the Christian faith, and conse- crated himself forever to the cross and service of the Redeemer.
" Of the consistency of all the years of his Christian life, I do not know how faithfully he fulfilled the obligations of his Christian profes- sion-I cannot fully testify ;- but this I do know: his soldier's career was singularly free from the vices of army life. I never knew any de- parture in his conduct from the strict line of principle and virtue. ITis character seemed as upright as his tall frame.
" Ile was one with whom, in the army, I had ever pleasant inter- course and strong congeniality of feeling. I can see him even now, accom- panying his men, as was so invariably his custom, to our regimental Sabbath services; or, as he often sat within my tent, conversing upon themes which showed alike his excellent sense and excellent principles.
" It was no ordinary testimony to the esteem in which he was held by the noble company of which he was a member, when from a private, without ever having worn a corporal's stripes upon his arm, he was passed over all the intermediate grades at a step, and made a lieuten- ant by common consent.
" The respect he had among you here at home, for his character and worth, he never lost in the army; and had he been permitted to return to live once more among you, it would have been to have enjoyed your increased regard, I doubt not, as a man and a Christian.
" And now Lieut. Ballard, at the early age of thirty-four, sleeps in death! No more campaignings, no more hard-fought fields: the march and battle of life are over!
" That noble spirit of his, which animated him to the performance of duty at whatever cost or hazard, which forbade his shrinking from any peril, finally urged him forward with his men to the battle, although debility and disease warranted inaction, and demanded rest; and his sick and weakened frame was unable to sustain the shock and effect of the wound then received.
" I might have expected all this, so often have I heard him say that, if he could move, nothing should ever keep him from accompanying the regiment when a battle was to occur.
" Brave soldier, noble officer, excellent young man, dearly beloved friend, we leave thee. Thy life was thy country's: she has it ;- and now thy name is thy country's: she will keep it!
" Was it a lasting honor to have fought with our Revolutionary fathers to found this government? Then is it enduring fame like thee to have fought and died to sustain it!
" Has no land ever more merited a patriot's love than thine ? Then, than thine, no patriot's devotion ever more merited gratitude; no pa- triot's death more merited honor.
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" And so we leave thee, heroic soldier, true-hearted patriot, Chris- tian young man, esteemed, beloved friend. With many tears, and yet with hearts beating to a deeper love of country, and a higher estimate of the true citizen, of manly worth, of virtue, of right, of freedom, and of religion, we consign these battle-torn remains to the grave, and thy soul to God, thankfully trusting that the victory of the Christian life and conflict is thine,-martial strains exchanged for the music and mel- odies of angels, the sword for the harp of gold, the soldier's laced and plumed attire for the robes of heaven and the crown of life and immor- tality ! "
BUXTON, EDWARD, REV.
The second pastor of the Congregational church in Webster, Rev. Edward Buxton, was born in Reading, Mass., Aug. 17, 1803, -the youngest son of Benjamin and Hannah (Flint) Buxton, who subsequently removed to New Boston. Mr. Buxton desired that one of his sons should enter the ministry; but in child- hood the son was subjected to a fright which produced an im- pediment of speech, and the father gave up all expectation of ever seeing him engaged in the ministry. But the son adopted a rigid course of discipline, by which he overcame, in a good de- gree, his stammering,-so much so, that in 1829 he began the study of medicine. He gave himself so thoroughly to study, how- ever, that sickness intervened, and he was compelled to relinquish for a time his chosen pursuit.
Recovering his health in some degree, he engaged in teaching in New Boston, and, to perfect himself as a teacher, attended Exeter academy, then under Benjamin Abbot, the preceptor who could count Edward Everett, Alexander H. Everett, and many other distinguished men of the century, as his pupils.
Upon leaving the academy, Mr. Buxton became preceptor of the academy in Greenland, N. H., where he found congenial society in the person of Rev. Wallace Clark, pastor of the Congregational church. The young preceptor became superintendent of the Sun- day-school, and whenever the pastor was absent was selected to conduct the public exercises upon the Sabbath.
So acceptable were his services, that neighboring parishes, with- out a minister, called upon the preceptor at Greenland to occupy their pulpits. Thus gradually, and almost without any plan for his future life, Edward Buxton became a preacher, teaching by
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day in the academy, studying theology by night in the house of his friend, Rev. Mr. Clark. His studies, rather, were in the early morning, for during those years he formed the habit of light- ing his fire and lamp before the first glimmerings of dawn were seen in the east-a habit that has adhered through life, and ena- bled him to accomplish much which otherwise never would have been done.
He was ordained at Greenland in 1836, and was employed in preaching at Rochester for a few months, then at Dorchester and Whitefield, until called to Webster, in August, 1837.
He was installed pastor of the church December 13 the same year, succeeding Rev. Mr. Price, who had resigned the pastorate in the spring of 1836. From that date to the present, with the exception of a few months in 1876, he has preached to the people of Webster, preaching his 40th anniversary sermon in December, 1877. He is the oldest pastor in the state. His term of office em- braces an important period in the history of the country. Since his settlement, the nation has passed through a great civil war. Previous to the breaking out of the conflict was the period of ex- citement incident to the agitation of the anti-slavery question.
The church in Webster, in common with most of the churches, was conservative .- slow to act, and regarding with distrust the methods of many of the earnest anti-slavery reformers. Dur- ing the years of excitement, the pastor of the church manifested that equipoise of judgment and calmness of disposition which carried him safely through a period in which many pastorates were dissolved.
Mr. Buxton, like his predecessor, has performed arduous duties as superintending committee of schools, and has taken great inter- est in the cause of education, giving individual instruction to many young ladies and gentlemen.
He has been thrice married,-first, to Elizabeth McFarland, daughter of Rev. Asa McFarland, D. D., of Concord; second, to Mrs. Lois Jewett, of Laconia; third, to Mrs. Louise Jane Dix Pillsbury, widow of Gen. Moody A. Pillsbury, and daughter of Col. Timothy Dix, of Boscawen.
In 1876, Mr. Buxton was elected delegate to the convention for the revision of the state constitution.
By his fidelity as a pastor, his high character, his consistent
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life, his devotion to duty, and his regard for the welfare of the whole community, he has won the respect and affection of the public in a remarkable degree. It falls to the lot of but few men to be so universally esteemed.
Though past the age allotted to man, he still ministers to the people, and maintains the studious habits of his early years.
He is an ardent lover of music, and is in full sympathy with the progressive spirit of the age, endearing himself alike to old and young, with the sports and pleasures of childhood, as well as with the graver duties of maturer years.
BURBANK, ABRAHAM, CAPT.
One of the prominent business men of Boscawen was Abraham Burbank, eldest son of David Burbank, and grandson of Capt. Moses Burbank, one of the early settlers of the town. He was born Nov. 16, 1781, learned the trade of blacksmith of his father, and carried on blacksmithing on Little hill with Jesse Little. He was an adept in making axes, giving them a shape much liked by the woodchoppers at the beginning of the century, and of such keen temper that " Abe Burbank's axes " were widely known, and had a ready sale.
He married Mary Call, and, second, Polly M. Jackman, settled in Bashan on the farm now owned by his son, Mr. Azro Sheridan Burbank, and engaged in lumbering.
With his son, Friend L. Burbank, he became proprietor of the mills on Blackwater river; also, a mill on Knight's Meadow brook ; also, one on Pond brook. At one time, nearly every mill in Boscawen was employed in sawing his lumber, which was sent down the Merrimack river to Lowell and Boston.
He was greatly respected by his fellow-citizens, and was re- peatedly elected to represent them in the legislature. He was a cheerful supporter of religious and charitable organizations, and alive to all interests affecting the public welfare.
He died in 1856, aged 75-an active, energetic, honored citizon to the last year of his life.
BURBANK, LITTLE,
Son of David, was born in Boscawen [see Genealogy ]. He settled in Bashan, on land now owned by William Huntoon, at the
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corner of the road leading west to the cemetery, but subsequently purchased the farm now owned by F. F. & Wmn. Fisk. He early engaged in lumbering, sending masts, spars, and oak timber to Medford, and other kinds to Lowell. He was a man of great industry, working early and late, and employing many men. He was a public-spirited citizen, a steadfast supporter of civil and re- ligious institutions, a consistent member of the Congregational church, and a respected member of society.
BURBANK, CALVIN M.,
Youngest son of Little Burbank [see Genealogy], at the begin- ning of the war enlisted in the Goodwin Rifles, Company B, 2d Regiment, commanded by Col. Gilman Marston, of Exeter, and attached to the brigade commanded by Gen. Burnside. The regi- ment was conspicuously engaged in the first battle of Bull Run, in which Mr. Burbank displayed that undaunted bravery which animated him in all subsequent engagements. Upon the retreat, he carried a comrade-Holmes-on his back for a long distance, and after leaving him in the hospital, picked up the rifles thrown away by others, having at one time five on his shoulders.
During the fall of 1861 the regiment was stationed at Chika- moxen. In the Peninsular campaign it took part in the battle of Williamsburg. In a letter to his brother he gives an account of the engagement :
" We started at sunrise, and pushed rapidly forward, our corps tak- ing the central route,-Keyes on our right and Sumner on our left. Our division took the lead, and at six o'clock we were in sight of the rebel entrenchments before Williamsburg. The action soon com- menced, and as the day progressed grew hotter, till by noon it was ab- solutely terrific. Our division, the rest of the corps failing to come up, had to withstand the whole force of the enemy's centre; and right val- iantly did they do it, as the record of the day's fight will show. Four times were they driven back, and as many times did they rally, and re- cover the ground they had lost. Thus the battle raged till four o'clock, when reinforcements so long looked for at last arrived, and decided the battle in our favor, when the enemy, being driven hard into their en- trenchments, and darkness settling over the earth, ended hostilities for the day.
" To add to our hard fighting, it rained in torrents all day, and the men were completely drenched. Many of the men when they went
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into the fight threw away their knapsacks, and without any shelter you may judge that our situation was not to be envied. Still, the men were resolute in their determination to commence the fight the next morning.
*
" Yesterday afternoon I took a stroll over the battle-field, and the sight that met my eyes was sickening in the extreme. Friend and foe lay side by side in scores. Evidences of the fierceness of the fight were everywhere visible, and it was easy to trace the progress and success of the fight by the too visible marks of the strife. Language fails me to describe the appearance of a battle-field after the contest is over. It must be seen to be realized to its full extent."
For gallantry at Williamsburg, he was made a corporal.
Endowed with a strong constitution, he passed through all the hardships of the Peninsular campaign, doing his duties whenever called upon, notwithstanding the malaria of the Chickahominy. He was in the thick of the fight at the second Bull Run battle, in which the regiment suffered severely. Defeat had followed de- feat. The soldiers had lost confidence in the management of the army. But there was no faltering of patriotism.
In a letter written Oct. 30th, 1862, is this outburst of loyalty : " I, for one, am getting heartily sick of this war, and the way it is conducted. The fact is, there has been blood enough spilled and lives enough sacrificed to have put down the Rebellion ere this if rightly managed; yet I do not wish to see it settled in any other way, and willingly devote the term of my enlistment to attain the end for which the war was commenced. And yet, there are recreants North who would advocate a compromise, or peace on any terms,-who would even consent to sever this glittering chain of strength and glory. There are traitor knaves who would lift their sacrilegious hands to break that which God hath united, which man must not sever. Is there a man now who dares to advocate a disunion of these blood-brightened links ? Palsied be his tongue to the very roof of his mouth, ere he can croak out one word of disunion!
" Pardon this flight of words; but I feel that all the hindrances are owing to this class of persons."
He was in the battle of Fredericksburg, in Franklin's corps, where the regiment suffered severely. In the battle of Gettys- burg, the 2d N. H. was, at the beginning of the action on the second day, stationed in Sherfey's peach orchard, behind a rail fence. Upon the advance of Longstreet's corps, it was almost
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the first regiment to open fire .. Mr. Burbank fired twice at the advancing skirmishers. After the second shot, he jumped upon the fence to see its effect, when a ball went through one of his thighs, shattering the bone, and he fell to the ground. The en- emy was close at hand-30,000 men advancing rapidly. The whole of Sickle's line, in which was the 2d N. H., was forced back, and Burbank was left upon the field. During the whole of the contest, he was exposed to the fire of both armies. His clothes were pierced with bullets. A wounded comrade, lying near him, had his head taken off by a cannon ball. During the night of Thursday he was in the enemy's hands ; but they had so many of their own wounded to care for that they could pay no attention to the Union wounded.
Through the contest of Friday he lay there upon the ground, exposed to the terrible storm of shot and shell. On Saturday afternoon he was exposed to a thunder-shower. The rain poured in torrents. He soon found himself in a pool. The water ran till it covered his body, and he could only keep from drowning by propping up his head with his knapsack. The water assuaged the terrible fever that had set in from his wound, and quite likely saved his life, as mortification ere long must have set in. Upon the retreat of the enemy, Saturday night, he was taken up by the ambulance corps, having lain where he fell from Thursday after- noon, with nothing to eat but the few crackers in his knapsack.
He was taken to the hospital at Brattleborough, Vt., where he remained till his wound was healed. He was impatient to join his regiment. He applied to be sent back, but the surgeon would not give him permission, thinking he was not well enough.
One day he was found missing, and " deserter" was written against his name. The return was sent to the colonel of the regi- ment ; but before it reached there, Burbank was doing his duty in the ranks as picket, having voluntarily returned. His colonel or- dered him into his presence, and condemned him to have an addi- tional stripe sewed upon his right arm, advancing him to the rank of sergeant. Nothing but an impediment of speech debarred him from receiving a commission. He was in all of the battles of the Wilderness campaign in which the 2d N. H. took part.
On the 16th of May, 1864, the regiment was engaged with the enemy in front of Richmond, when Burbank, who was in advance
.
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