USA > New York > New York regiment, 1887-1895 > Part 13
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Charles 1. Gardner, Cape Vincent, N. Y.
Ansil Tompkins, Gouverneur. Frank Hurelle. George Babcock, Norwood, N. Y.
COMPANY E, OF PLATTSIMGH. H. C. Darragh, Washington, D. C. 1. J. Pierce, Owasco, Mo. Alfred Caise, Plattsburgh, N. Y.
J. L. Grant,
Daniel Pauley, 221 Watson St., Buffalo, N. Y. Mie . Bovey, Marlette, Mich. t'has. Fourma, Redford, N. Y. Jus. Jenkins, Prairie Star, Neh.
Wm. lane. L. C. Titemmb, Webster, N. H.
J. Myers, Weyanwega, Wis.
Thos. Rooney. Win. R. Apps, Morrisonville, N. Y.
Jno. A. Sullivan. Henry Shelly, Rogerstield, N. V.
Henry Schmiedle, Hospital Steward, U. S. A., Sur. Genl's office, Washington, D. C.
McGuire Wellet, Plattsburg, \. Y.
Chas. Pefft, Clintonville, N. Y.
John Dawson, 191 5th Street, Troy, N. Y.
Jus. Christian, Dannemora, N. Y. Mitchell Bully, Plattsburgh. Peter Amore, Morrisonville.
George Staves, Plattsburgh.
Nelson Staves, :
Albert Marshall. Peter Ferry, Saranac, N. Y. James Gidden, Morrisonville, N. Y. Ilirain VanNorman, Ausable Forks, N. Y. James Norcross, Altona or Woods Falls, N. Y. Peter Larock, Plattsburgh.
Stedman Stiles, :
George Stiles, William Akey, Stepen Tupper, Bellmont, N. Y. Sands N. Pike, Ellenburgh, N. Y. Rufus Palmer, Ingraham, Clinton Co., N. Y.
Henry W. Weber, Cornwall, Ont.
COMPANY F. OF POTSDAM.
John Dyke, Nicholvilie, N. Y. Joe Cardinell, Potsdam.
Edgar Crossman, Pierpont, N. Y.
Henry Dove, Streator. III. H. M. Hayes, Sherman City, Mich.
C. W. LeRocy, care Post los, Highland, N. Y. Ransom Mathews, Denver, Dakota.
Asph Dodge, Ho-7 St. N.E. Washington, D.C.
J. H. MeCurry, Ogdenshurg.
A. E. Sayles, Nortolk, N. Y. John Shaw, Norwood. Oel Austin, Norwood.
H. F. Love, Eureka, Cal.
Thomas Austin, Boulder, Col.
Jehial M. Hamblin, Spartinsburg, Pa.
Newell E. Dimick, Minneapolis, Minn. Antoine Deshane.
Richard Lamb. Chas. H. Hodskin, Ft. Jackson, N. Y. William E Adams, Norfolk. F. J. Sanford, Nicholville, N. Y. Wm. Day, Win. H. Harvey, ..
S. N. Stevens, North Lawrence, N. Y. W'm. Goodcourage,
Jas. Cook, Colton. Leander Ellison, Hayes City, Kansas. Robert Griswold, Stockholm Depot, N. Y. Hiram Hammond, St. Regis Falls. Henry Holliday, Massena, N. Y. Bliss Holliday, Sumnel Brown, Vermont. Nathan Hodge, Nicholville .; Alex. Barnhart. Cornwall, Ont.
Reuben Griswold, Springfield, Mo. David Collins, Lohrville, Calhoun Co., Iowa lines Webb, Rock Elm, Pierce Co, Wis. James Arlington, Farmington Station, Minn. Levi Kelly, Fulton, N. Y. Henry Brown, Waddington, N. Y. Martin Wait, South Colton, La sharron, South Haven, Mich. John T. Mott, Juniata, Adams Co, Neb. Alexander Bangle. David Roach. Win. Allen. tim. Witherell. John Dyke, Nicholville, N. Y. Topl Bruce. Samuel G. Bruce, St. Regis Falls, N. Y. Charles W. Johnson, Brasher Falls, " Joseph D. Lamb.
L. C. Howard, Massena. Cornelins Miller, .
George Brownell, Palmyra, Wis .. Charles Foster, Forest City, Dakota. Tintothy Farrell, Los Angeles, Cal. Hiram H. Rust, Ellenburgh Depot, N. Y.
John Crowley, Augusta, Wis. S. S. Thomas, Nicholville. N. Y. Willis Shattuck, Brasher Fall, N. Y. W. P. Foote, Bellville, Fowa. John Butterfield, Humbird, Clark Co., Wis. Stone, St. Paul. Minn. James Webb, Rock Elm, Wis.
COMPANY G. OF DEPEYSTER.
G. L. Johnson, Maquoketa, Iowa. Julius C. Bishop, Gouverneur. John F. Russell, Hokah, Minn. Thomas Fieldson, 2506 Market St., St. Louis, Mo. James McKelvey, Juniata, Kan. Emerson Bostwick, Park City, Utah. Anthony Adams, Santa Rosa, Mo.
Edwin O. Betts, Accotink, Va. Charles S. Blood, Heuvelton, N. Y.
David Backus, Mapleton, Cass Co, Dakota. John Delack, Morristown, N. Y.
William Fieldson, Edenton, St Law Co, N. Y.
Charles B. Jillson, Nappa City, Cal. William Mayne 3d, Heuvelton, N. Y.
Henry Mills. Ogdensburg.
Jones L. Reed, State Center, Iowa.
Theodore H. Stevens, Tuscola, Mich.
Daniel Austin, jr, Doland, Spink Co, Dakota. Amos H. Dean, North Lawrence, N. Y.
John Goodeson, Dekalb, N. Y.
William Henry Bell, Heuvelton. Rollin Burnham, Storm Lake, Iowa.
Thomas B. Chilton, Hermon, N. Y. James E. Chaffee, Heuvelton. William M. Dean, DeGrasse, St Law Co, N. Y. George H. Fleetham, Depeyster. William E. Gore, Richville, N. Y.
Edwin H. Hulett, Heuvelton.
Charles Hill, 143 Clayburn Place, Chicago, IN. Geo. W. King, Fort Collins, Col. James Murphy, Gouverneur. Charles Poor, jr., Dekalb. John Timmons, Leadville, Col.
Denny Turner, Pierce, Pierce Co, Nch.
Oliver Wells, Morrisonville. N. Y.
Sammel Wardell, Henvelton. George Brown, Hammond, N. Y.
William K. Galloway, Eau Claire, Wis. Daniel Dart, Russell, N. Y.
Elisha A. Phillips, Green Bay, Wis.
George B. Elliot, Arlington, Kan.
John O'Conner, Miles City. Montana. Benjamin Goodeson, Downing Station, Wis. Samuel Baxter, New Baltimore, Green Co., N. Y.
Amos H. Benson, Tidionte, Warren Co, Pa. Nathaniel Fisher, Leadville, Col. John Hackett, Ellenburgh, N. Y. Hugh Ballentine, Janesville, Iowa.
Joseph Roberts, Plattsburg, N. Y.
George P. Raven, New Westminster, B. C. Francis P. Heath, Diamond Springs, Mich. Valentine Benson, care Post Tidionte, War- ren Co, Pa. Robert Dempsey, Clayburgh, N. Y. Joseph H. Western, St. Cloud, Minn.
COMPANY H. OF STOCKHOLM.
Francis A. Englehart, Middleport, N. Y. Samuel Heath, Falls Village, Conu.
Benj. F. Heath, Littleton, N. H. Win. H. Finch, Tonawanda, N. Y. Nelson L. Trussell, Stockholm, N. Y.
Jerry Converse, Potsdam.
J. F. Breckenridge, 850 Hudson Ave Albany. Henry Fulsom, Foxboro, Mass. O. Wright.
Con Huntington, San Diego, Ca).
Geo. A. Wight, Streator, III. Daniel Collins, Lohrville, Calhoun Co., fowa. Willis Merrill, West Stockholm, N. Y. Alex Kemberly, Oconto, Wis.
Fred Salls, Pierpont Center, N. Y. Henry Kennan, Norfolk, N. Y. Walter t'hapman, So. Hartford, N. Y. Altın Arnold, Mendon, Vt. C. H. Sunner, Moira, N. Y. Riley E. Wilkins, N. Stockholm, N. Y. E. Wilkins,
Alex. A. Mills, North Lawrence, N. Y. Nekon Lauber, Lawrenceville.
Andrew J. Locke, Brasher Falls. N. Y. Cassins R. Corbin, Stockholm, Orin Eldridge, Boston, Mass. Francis V. Clark, Parishville, N. Y. Levi Rockwood, West Stockholm, Jotham A. Coon. ..
N. C. Pelsne. Adams, W. D. Wells, St. Charles, Mich. ..
Lorenzo Page, North Stockholmn,
Honice Wilkins, Waddington,
Willard JJ. Wolcott. N. Stockholm,
H. H. Murray, West Springfield, Erie Co, Pa. Joel P. Moses, Potsdam. Rufus Walston, Algona, lowa.
L. F. Maginn, Omaha. ch
Julius Strobeck. Colton, N. Y. Darwin Hurlburt, Sibley, lowa.
C. N. AAllen, Nedsville, Wis. Charles H. Berry, S20 Rose St., Lacrosse, Wis. H. R. Durkee, Lake Geneva, Wis. L. B. Osgood, Mapieworks, Wis. COMPANY 1. OF MALONE.
B. S. Phillips, Eau Claire, Wis. Henry 11 Ellis, Ticonderoga, N Y. Miner Hilliard.
Cornelius Hugaboom, Sacramento, Cal.
Simon E. Bemis, Estherville, lowa.
Fredus C. Van Horn, New Haven, Conn. Charles W. Busher. W. W. Barber, East Constable, N Y.
Jonathan B: no. Maione.
George W. Hubbard. Tustin City, Cal.
Marshall Amidon, Montpelier, Vt.
M. E. Roberts. Chateangay. N. Y.
M. A. Kennedy, ..
Julius Sancomb, Lonis Sancomb. Charles Sancomb,
John Robinson, .. Myron Huntley. .. George W. Fletcher. Levi Sancomb, Malone, N. Y. Richard Clifford,
W. H. A. Lord,
Byron E. Everest, ..
James B. Hatch. .. Russell J Cuoningham, . Patrick Magine,
Jantes Laughlin,
C. A. Brown. Iwiston, Maine.
Joseph Neddo, Malone.
William D. Boston, Rhode Island.
Isthe Counter. Brushton, N. Y.
Timothy B. Manmx. Amherst T. Stewart, Westville Center, N. Y.
Myron Graves, Chicago. 11.
Rovat lones. West ville Center.
Will am selbinzer. Malone.
John Braey, Malone.
Ransom 4. Luther, 115 North Butler St. Madi-
Patrick Hunca, Châteauguay. Nathan Harang. M.lotte.
s. M Rowants, Porcintys. Wis. Henry Wythe. Partage, Wis. Viat rose A. Conger. los Angeles, Cal.
Chances Danie, Fast Constable. S. Y. Varmt New-Rad. Burke Center, N. Y.
Swift R. Smith. Formed. Franklin Co. Towa. W .! hipt L. Bb iry. Martin Y'all.dan.
W. H. M. Donald, Rocket River, St. Law. Co.
Thomas Sullivan Thomas & Whitehouse. Alfred Bradford Ezra S. Rullis Edward Graville. Charles M Hilliker.
COMPANY K, OF WOODS FALLS.
Rufus S. Dodge, Sparta, Wis.
Thos. Barnaby, West Chazy, N. Y. W. A. Nichols, Plattsburgh, N. Y. Samuel t'annon, Moows. N. Y.
Robt. Watson, 3 riah, N. Y. Nathan becker, Ironville, E-sex Co., N. Y. Albert Albers, Albany, N. Y.
G. M. Baldwin, Malone, N. Y.
Chas, Grant, care Post I, Portland, Oregon. Geo. W. Green, Ellenburg, N. Y.
Samuel A. Gonyea, Post 52, Saranac, N. Y. P. Mediorris. Oren b. Hays, Wadhams Mills, N. Y. Melvin Welch, Ellenburgh.
Geo. H. Walker, Coffeyville, Kansas.
Stephen Myott Ellenburg. Geo. Il. Watters, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Wm. Woodville, Breckenridge. Col.
Alfred Jourdacaer, Redford, N. Y.
Herman Muffleman, . ational Soldiers Home. Togus, Me.
Samuel Muzzy, Saranac.
Moses H. Starwell. E. W. Steel, Movers Forks, N. Y.
Lewis Reymond, care Post 14, Rutland, Vt.
Wm. C. Bates, Oakland, N. Y.
C. F. Seaman.
Frank S. Ketcham, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Capt. H. H. Ketcham. 2d U. S. Inft., U. S. A. War Dept., Washington, D. C.
Jas Neville, est Dorchester et, Montreal. P. Q. W. A Smith, Motfitsville, Clinton Co., N. Y. Joseph vonyea, Cadyville, Clinton Co., N. Y. Erastus Carpenter, Peru, N. Y.
Joseph Doty,
George M. Baldwin, Malone, N. Y.
Gilbert Lapoint, West Chazy, N. Y. Julius Laport, Movers, N. Y. Edgar Moss, White Lake, Aurora Co., Pak. John Nichols, Moers Forks, N. Y.
Joseph Rowden. Movers. Louis Ploof, Ellenburgh.
Ed. J. Monroe, Lemon, Wis.
Sanford Witherel, West Chazy.
Gideon R. Hewitt. Phillips Aldrich. Claudius Bugbee. Martin Bromley.
Albert Hedding.
Horace Loomis.
George Martin.
Edward Merritt.
William F. Manning.
John Paul.
Martin Rogers. William S. Richards. Joseph Martin. James Mott, West Chazy. COMPANY UNKNOWN.
George W. Black. John Erseman, 1915 South 6th St., Philadel- phin, Pa.
James Carry, Attica, N. Y.
William E. Patterson.
W. II. Rayson, care Post 102. Sheffield, Iowa. John Hughes, Ward's Island, N. Y.
Robert Lucas, Alexandria, Va.
Jo. Gibson, Burgess, Mich.
James Young.
Henry Tater, Groton, N. Y.
Oliver Reynolds, Granville, N Y.
Ed Bell, Tonawanda. NY
L. H Lake, care Post 35, Kimball, Dak.
Riley V Surdam Patrick Joyce, De Witt. Nob.
Chark . Luther, Madison, Wis , care C & N W.RR Lucien M Parmeter, Beatrice, Gage Co .. Nel. Thomas Matteson, Peshtigo, Wis.
1. E. Rous .. Merritt, Was. Henry Parlow, Waddington, N Y
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Company D, 48th
N. Y. S. V.
.
NOTE .- The sobriquet or nick-name, ".Die-No-Mores" was given to Company D from the refrain of a favorite song of some of its members, who were deeply religious and who maintained their piety through all the temptations of camp life Most of them were killed or mortally wounded at the assault on Fort Wagner.
62829
:: 22 1895
CAPTAIN D. C. KNOWLES.
.
CAPTAIN W. J. CARLTON.
CAPTAIN A. LIPPINCOTT.
CAPTAIN J. O. PAXSON.
CAPTAIN J. M. TANTUM.
11
LIEUTENANT J. BODINE.
Co. D, 48th REG'T, N. Y. S. V.
Company D, as a constituent part of the Forty-eighth New York State Volunteers, was known as the "Jersey Company." It was not the intention of the officers nor of the men from New Jersey to contribute either to the quota or the patriotism of another state. The natural feeling of every Jerseyman would have been, under ordinary circum- stances, to become identified with an organization raised under the auspices of his own commonwealth.
But the circumstances attending the formation of what was called "The Continental Guard," were extraordinary, for its promoter, the Rev. Dr. James H. Perry, had received authority from the War Department to recruit a regi- ment of infantry, to be under the patronage and direction of the general government. Its officers were to be com- missioned by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army, and the regiment was not to be subject to nor iden- tified with any state authority. This last feature was not so expressed in the order authorizing the recruiting of the regi- ment, but it was implied in the very nature of the authority referred to. A state organization would have its authority from the governor of the state, and be subject to his orders and requirements, and not under the general government until accepted by it and sworn into its service.
There were probably other similar authorizations given to recruit regiments and companies throughout the loyal states, all given prior to the call of July, 1861, for 500,000 volunteers to serve for three years or the war. This number was assigned to the several states in proportion to the population capable of bearing arms, and the responsibility of filling their quota devolved wholly upon the several state governments. It was then quite proper for these state governments to claim every organization within its borders to contribute to their quota. Governor Morgan, of New
6
York, dispatched his Adjutant-General to Washington urg- ing and demanding that the Continental Guard and other military organizations within the commonwealth of New York should be formed and commissioned by his sole author- ity. An order to that effect was issued by the President, and that -is the way Company D, with its 91 residents of New Jersey, became a part of a New York State regiment. There were also quite a number of Jerseymen in other companies.
I have referred to this matter at some length, not because it is new, but as being an important fact in the history of the company, and because due to the loyal Jersey- men composing it.
The company was organized by Daniel C. Knowles, under authority of Colonel Perry, on the 24th day of July, 1861-thirty years ago to-day. In less than one month more than enough acceptable recruits had been received, all of whom were in due time mustered into the United States service. It was mustered on the 21st day of August, the fifth in order in the regiment, with Daniel C. Knowles, Captain, James O. Paxson, First Lieutenant, and John Bodine, Second Lieutenant.
How Captain Knowles was led into the service is best told in his own language, and I, therefore, quote from his account prepared at my request.
"I was teaching at Pennington Seminary when the war broke out. It was farthest from my thought at that date that I should ever be a soldier. As the troops began to gather I began the study of Hardee's tactics with a chess- board and chessmen, with a view to understand the move- ments and formation of a company. In this way I very soon became familiar with company evolutions, which I found very easy to master and a positive pleasure to me. In a few weeks a company of home guards was organized in our village, and I joined it and was elected Ist Lieutenant. I soon discovered that I could command it and drill it better than the Captain. This suggested the idea to me that I might be an officer. About that time-I think in May, '61- I saw in the New York Tribune that Colonel Perry was
7
about to organize a regiment of moral and religious men. This at once fired me with the thought of raising a company in New Jersey for that regiment. I thought I had an ex- tensive acquaintance among the Methodist ministers of the Newark and New Jersey Conferences, and through them I might raise a company of good young men for this good regiment.
"I at once consulted Dr. Wiley, our principal at Penning- ton, and he endorsed my thought heartily. I immediately drove down to the old farm to see my father, and he also urged me to go and help save the nation. I then went over to Brooklyn and saw Colonel Perry, who heartily seconded my purpose and gave me authority to raise Company D. I then issued a circular stating what I proposed to do, and addressed it to every Methodist minister in New Jersey, most of whom I knew personally. Just at the time our school year closed, and I had some pledges from a few of our scholars at Pennington to join the company. Corporal Porch was the first man to enlist and go into Camp Wyman. He brought some one with him whose name I cannot re- member. Tantum came a day or two later. Through some ministers some came from South Jersey, and each new squad helped to gather others. I was introduced to Lieutenant Paxson, who wanted to go as Ist Lieutenant. He brought some. Lieutenant Bodine I knew, and he also helped. Thus the work went on until we had a full company of splendid fellows. When I had enlisted Company D, it became noised abroad about the company, and I could soon have raised another, so general was the desire to get into it. It was because of the high moral character of the boys and our prayer meetings at Camp Wyman that so many desired to join us.
" If I mistake not, it was through Lieutenant Bodine that Sergeant Patterson came, and he brought a number with him. I wish I could produce a copy of the original circular, but I did not keep a copy. I had no thought of joining a New York regiment at that time, as it was said and understood that the Continental Guard, as our regiment
1
:
8
was called, was to be accepted as a national and not as a state organization. We were very enthusiastic over the idea at first. This explains why I drew the boys from New Jersey."
The recruits were mostly gathered from different parts of the State of New Jersey. A few came from New York and Connecticut. Captain Knowles is credited on the muster roll with recruiting three-quarters of the company, but I presume his original recruits brought others and gave his name as the recruiting party. Lieutenants Paxson and Bodine are credited with a few. Sergeant Patterson brought in several, as did Sergeant McDougall.
Of the ninety-one Jerseymen, thirty-three came from Trenton and adjoining counties; thirty-two from the southern part of the state ; seventeen from Monmouth and Ocean counties, and nine from Morris county. Nine were from New York State and two from Connecticut.
Before giving an account of the rank and file I will refer to the officers :
That Company D was well officered I need not state. No officers in the regiment were more intelligent, con- scientious and faithful. While the character of the rank and file contributed mainly to the standing of the company, in the hands of less efficient officers in the beginning, it is not probable, however excellent the material, that it would have taken a high position at the very outset and have maintained it to the end.
The formative period of a body of volunteer soldiers is as critical as that of the individual. Many a company, regiment and army during the war on both sides of the conflict were not as efficient as they would have been had they been disciplined and drilled when first entering the service, and no one recognized this fact quicker than the men themselves.
Captain Knowles entered upon the duties of his posi- tion with enthusiasm, and a purpose to make his company second to none in the regiment. The theories of drill that he had worked out upon his chess-board, and the army rules
9
and regulations he had studied so hard to acquire, he put into practice in constant drilling and in the management of affairs. Do you not recall, comrades, the ardency and earnestness of his manner, as with constant and persistent "left, right, left, right," and himself suiting the action to the word he marched us and countermarched us about the fields at Camp Wyman ? His zeal knew no fatigue, his energy no abatement. At Washington and Annapolis, as opportunities permitted, he continued the constant drill that became to us sometimes tiresome and dreaded, but we afterwards appreciated it all. He allowed himself no rest and gave none to his men ; and yet he was kind hearted and ever solicitous for the welfare and comfort of his com- mand ; its rights he maintained, and insisted upon every privilege it was entitled to.
Among his brother officers he was held in high esteem and respect. His pronounced religious character and the patriotic devotion of his soul to his country's needs im- pressed every one who came in contact with him. Colonel Perry advised with him on many occasions, and so fully did he confide in him and recognize his abilities, that it was his purpose to recommend Captain Knowles as his successor in command of the regiment upon his, Colonel Perry's, expected promotion to a Brigadier General.
But it is not probable that Captain Knowles would have long enjoyed his promotion had he received it, for already his health had become impaired by excessive exposures and labors on the mud islands in the Savannah River. . Under advice of the surgeons of the regiment he tendered his resignation for the reasons given, intending to recruit his health and return to the service. But his health did not return. During all the years that have passed since his resignation he has experienced uncertain health. Re-enter- ing his profession as an educator, he has pursued that career with marked success, with an interval of a few years in the active work of the ministry, until lately when he has been compelled to resign his position. An amputation of his right foot has recently been made, and he is now
10
but slowly recruiting from the effects of this strain upon his system.
- At the first reunion of the regiment, April 21st, 1881, Captain Knowles was selected to present to the Long Island Historical Society the flags of the regiment, to be held in its custody, a service he performed with great acceptability to the survivors of the regiment on that memorable occasion.
The selection of Lieutenant Paxson was in every respect eminently satisfactory. By hard study and careful observation in drill, he soon proved himself worthy of the position. His mechanical abilities were of value on several occasions in the peculiar service the regiment was called upon to perform. When he was promoted to be captain, upon the retirement of Captain Knowles, he took the place as naturally as if to the manner born. Captain Paxson was greatly beloved by the company. His feelings toward the men were reciprocated. He drew the company to him, and it is no exaggeration to say that it would have obeyed any order he might have given, or followed him wherever he would have led. The year of his command of the company was mostly spent in Fort Pulaski.
One day in June, '63, an order came for the Forty- eighth to go to the front. To no one had the confinement of Fort Pulaski been more irksome than to Captain Paxson. Active, not stagnant, service was what he wanted. How enthusiastic he was in the preparations to leave, and with what undisguised satisfaction he marched out of the sally port with his company down the south dock to the steamer that was to carry eight companies of the regiment to St. Helena Island, the rendezvous of Strong's Brigade! Fifteen days were quickly passed there, thence to Folly Island, where preparations were made for the capture of Morris Island. The effort was successful, which was followed by eight days of picket and fatigue duty ; then the terrible assault on Fort Wagner. Paxson was among the first to fall in crossing the ditch of the fort. Both legs were shattered at the knees. The stretcher corps carried him to the rear. Amputation of one limb was advised, but there seemed too
11
little vitality left to warrant it. With others he was taken to Beaufort lying on a mattress on the floor of the steam-boat Mary Benton. I visited him as soon as my duties permitted and passed all the time I could give until the day before he died, when I was compelled to return to my station at Hilton Head, being away without leave. Before I left his vitality began sensibly to diminish. In his frequent delirium he would cry out "Come on, Die-no-mores." "Come on, boys," the very words I am informed he used as the regiment took the double quick and plunged into that seething abyss of death and destruction. On the afternoon of the day he died, August Ist, 1863, I went to Beaufort fully expecting to see him alive, though I knew he could not survive long. Imagine my surprise and grief to learn that he was not only dead, but buried. He had died at noon, and within three hours had been carried by a burial party to his grave. I subsequently procured a zinc box, and had his body placed therein ready for sending it north. In a few days his brother, Mr. H. C. Paxson, arrived at Hilton Head and bore it to Trenton, where in Mercer Cemetery the mortal re- mains of James O. Paxson were placed to await the resurrection day.
No officer in the Forty-eighth stood higher in repu- tation for bravery and soldierly qualities. More than once I heard the statement that at the time of his death he was without a peer in the regiment.
Of Lieutenant Bodine I am not permitted to speak with the freedom I would have if he were not present. His modesty would prevent his enjoying all the good things that I could say of him. Suffice it is to say, however, that he co-operated with his colleagues in all matters per- taining to the welfare of the company and with the utmost harmony.
As a matter of fact, Lieutenant Bodine, of the three offi- cers, was the only one who had had any military experience. He had been a member of a company in the state militia and was thoroughly acquainted with the drill. His admin- istrative abilities were soon recognized by Colonel Perry.
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