USA > Vermont > Orleans County > Greensboro > The memorial record of the soldiers who enlisted from Greensboro, Vermont, to aid in subduing the great rebellion 1861-5, accompanied by a brief history of each regiment that left the state > Part 1
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Go 973.74 V59ro 1771720
M. D.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 3666
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/memorialrecordof00roll
THE
Memorial Record
OF THE
SOLDIERS -
WHO ENLISTED FROM
t.
GREENSBORO, VERMONT,
TO AID IN SUBDUING
THE GREAT REBELLION OF 1861-5,
ACCOMPANIED BY A BRIEF HISTORY OF EACH REGIMENT THAT LEFT THE STATE.
PREPARED BY E. E. ROLLINS.
MONTPELIER : PRINTED AT THIE FREEMAN PRINTING HOUSE. 1868.
-
1771720
843356 75 Rollins, E
The memorial record of the soldiers who enlisted from Greensboro, Vermont, to aid in subdning the great rebellion 1861-5. accompanied by a brief history of each regiment that left the state. Prepared by E. E. Rollins. Montpelier. Prist- ed at the Freeman printing house, 18Gs.
77 p. 17gem.
1. Greensboro. Vt .- Hist .- Civil war. 2. Vermont-Hist .- Civil war.
Library of Congress
7-23952 62812
1.59. GSI7 (93b]] -
MEMORIAL RECORD.
INTRODUCTION.
Among the reflecting portion of mankind, there is probably not one who will ever forget the feelings of anxiety and sorrow exhibited by the people in their vicinity, who had friends or rela- tives actively engaged in quelling the great rebellion, which has so recently ravaged and nearly destroyed the fairest portion of this country. Who can forget the scenes of strife and bloodshed, accounts of which were received by nearly every mail, during the four years in which we were made a nation of mourners ? The anxiety depicted on the countenances of those who, after each bat- tle, waited for tidings from a husband, a son, or a brother, hoping for the best, and yet fearing the worst; the suddenness with which their countenances would lighten up, when a letter was at last re- ceived, saying that he was safe; or the anguishing sorrow with which they would turn away, when they learned that he had given his life in behalf of his country, or been mangled by the deadly missiles hurled against him,-such scenes cannot be forgotten.
The inhabitants of Greensboro felt as deeply as any portion of the country the responsibility resting upon them, of helping to crush out the spirit of rebellion existing among the people of the south, and, with few exceptions, with strong arms and willing hearts, performed well their part in the great work. If they did not enlist, they encouraged others to do so, by offering various. inducements to them. And while the fallen brave are held in grateful remembrance by all true patriots, let not the surviving soldiers be entirely forgotten. Let us remember those who sacri-
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
ficed all the pleasures and comforts of home, to stand in the bat- tle's front between their fellow citizens and the rebel horde who sought to destroy this glorious union, and the institutions of the land.
The South commenced this war without any justification what- ever. For years the "slave-holders had cherished the idea that slavery should never be abolished, nor even curtailed; that it should increase with the population, expanding westward, as new sections became settled. The majority of the inhabitants of the United States were opposed to this plan. And when, in 1860, it appeared by the elections that slavery could expand no further, the slave-holders, led on by a few ambitious men, commenced a fanatical civil war against the legitimate government of the United States, thinking to intimidate the North into acceding to their proposals, or else to effect a separation from the north. Neither plan succeeded. The North put forth its giant arm and' crushed out the rebellious people, and in destroying the rebel government, it also swept out of existence that fearful curse, American slavery, and all the eivilized world cried, Amen !
There were no better soldiers in the army than those who en- listed from Greensboro, and while none of them attained to a high rank, yet the cause is sufficiently plain without being in any way detrimental to them. There was no company, or majority of a company, organized in this town. There were only eight from this town in any one company, with the exception of Co. I, 15th Regiment, in which there were about twenty. As a result of this, they had, as it were, no voice in the election of officers, either commissioned or non-commissioned-that is, in comparison with other and larger towns. But their services were just as valuable to the country, and they are entitled to as much praise as though they had all been generals. They periled their lives, their mor- als, their religious principles, their honor and their fair names among their fellowmen, for the sake of those who remained at
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
home. They did so willingly and cheerfully, and while they did not, and could not expect to wholly escape all the dangers that beset them, yet, sustained by the cheering letters from home, and a steadfastness of purpose to resist temptation, the soldiers from this town were in many cases examples worthy to be followed by their comrades.
The most that can be said in favor of any soldier is, that know- ing his duty, he performed it ; and this can be said of nearly ev- ery soldier that enlisted from this town. There were four or five who became discouraged by the prospect of a long and tedious service, and disgracefully deserted their comrades in arms; but their punishment, which will last during their lives, will be suffi- ciently severe without addition by any one. Before giving an ac- count of each soldier, a short account will be given of the action of the town, in regard to enlisting them, in connection with the various calls of the President under which they were enlisted, and in the last chapter an account of each regiment. The move- ments of each soldier, while with the regiment, can thus be easily ascertained, and when absent, a detailed account of his doings will be given after his name.
The object of this work is to preserve the substantial facts in regard to the soldiers herein named, and many current anecdotes in regard to them have been omitted, so that no one can complain of injustice.
CHAPTER I.
The various calls of the President for troops during the war, were as follows :
Apr. 15th, 1861 .9 months men 75 000
.
July 22d, 1861 .3 years men 500 000
July 5th, 1862 .3 years men. 300 000 Aug. 4th, 1862 .9 months men 300 000 Oct. 17th, 1863
.3 years men. 300 000
Feb. 1st, 1864 3 years men 200 000
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
Mar. 14th, 1864.
. 3 years men 200 000
July 18th, 1864
.3 years men 500 000
Dec. 19th, 1864
.3 years men 300 000
Total,. 2,675 000
Of the 75,000 three months men, none enlisted from this town. Three enlisted at the same time for the Second Regiment, and were the first who enlisted from this town. Their names were Seth P. Somers, George Withers and Elisha E. Rollins. The Third Regiment was raised shortly after, and six of our citizens enlisted in that organization. The First, Second and Third Regi- ments were recruited in the State at large, and when the State soon after adjusted its accounts with the United States, it found itself accredited to a large number of men whe had not been ac- credited to the various towns. The surplus was immediately ac- credited to the towns according to their population, and appears in the reports as miscellaneous men, not accredited by name.
Under the call of July, 1861, the quota of this town was fixed at thirty-two. Those who had previously enlisted were accredited on that number. Recruiting was immediately commenced for the Fourth and Fifth Regiments. Eight men from this town joined the Fourth Regiment, but none enlisted for the Fifth. Recruit- ing was continued by the selectmen, and five were enlisted for the Sixth Regiment, three for the Seventh, one for the Eighth, and three for the Ninth Regiment. Under the call of July 5th, 1862, the quota of this town was fixed at fifteen, and recruiting pro- gressed rapidly for the Tenth and Eleventh Regiments. Only one of our citizens enlisted in the Tenth, and six in the Eleventh. A call was issued Aug. 4th, 1862, for 300,000 nine months men, and the quota of this town was fixed at eighteen. But twenty- two men enlisted for the Fifteenth Regiment, and the town gave them a bounty of twenty-five dollars each.
A town meeting was held Dec. 12th, 1862, and it was voted to pay the balance due for soldiers' bounty, amounting to forty dollars,
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
Mar. 14th, 1864
3 years men 200 000
July 18th, 1864
.3 years men. 500 000
Dec. 19th, 1864
3 years men 300 000
Total, 2,675 000
Of the 75,000 three months men, none enlisted from this town. Three enlisted at the same time for the Second Regiment, and were the first who enlisted from this town. Their names were Seth P. Somers, George Withers and Elisha E. Rollins. The Third Regiment was raised shortly after, and six of our citizens enlisted in that organization. The First, Second and Third Regi- ments were recruited in the State at large, and when the State soon after adjusted its accounts with the United States, it found itself accredited to a large number of men whe had not been ac- credited to the various towns. The surplus was immediately ac- credited to the towns according to their population, and appears in the reports as miscellaneous men, not accredited by name.
Under the call of July, 1861, the quota of this town was fixed at thirty-two. Those who had previously enlisted were accredited on that number. Recruiting was immediately commenced for the Fourth and Fifth Regiments. Eight men from this town joined the Fourth Regiment, but none enlisted for the Fifth. Recruit- ing was continued by the selectmen, and five were enlisted for the Sixth Regiment, three for the Seventh, one for the Eighth, and three for the Ninth Regiment. Under the call of July 5th, 1862, the quota of this town was fixed at fifteen, and recruiting pro- gressed rapidly for the Tenth and Eleventh Regiments. Only one of our citizens enlisted in the Tenth, and six in the Eleventh. A call was issued Aug. 4th, 1862, for 300,000 nine months men, and the quota of this town was fixed at eighteen. But twenty- two men enlisted for the Fifteenth Regiment, and the town gave them a bounty of twenty-five dollars each.
A town meeting was held Dec. 12th, 1862, and it was voted to pay the balance due for soldiers' bounty, amounting to forty dollars,
.
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
deducting that paid by individuals. And it was also voted to raise fifty cents on a dollar of the grand list, to pay bounties and town expenses. A draft was made Aug. 28th, 1863, with the following result : Whole number drafted twelve, of which four entered the service. One (Thomas Abraham) procured a substi- tute, and seven paid three hundred dollars commutation, which amount exempted them from being liable to perform military duty for three years. Their names are as follows : Samuel P. Camp- bell, Benjamin Cate, Joseph A. Crane, Robert Esdon, Wallace W. Goss, George W. Wood and George Young. There were two persons not drafted, Henry Tolman and Clark Baker, who pro- cured substitutes.
A call was issued Oct. 17th, 1863, for 300,000 three years men, and a town meeting was held Dec. 3d, 1863, when it was voted to pay each recruit, enlisted to fill the quota of the town on the last call for 300,000, three hundred dollars ; also to pay each recruit enlisted to fill the quota on the draft, three hundred dollars, provided they were called for; and it was also voted to raise one hundred cents on a dollar of the grand list to pay town expenses.
Two calls were subsequently issued for 200,000 men each,-one on Feb. 1st, 1864, and the other March 14, 1864. A town meet- ing was held June 15th, 1864, when it was voted to pay each vol- unteer enlisted and mustered in, three hundred and fifty dollars ; also to pay three hundred dollars to all drafted men who enter the service, either by themselves or by substitutes.
In December, 1863, an opportunity was offered by the govern- ment for soldiers who had served two years to reenlist, and they were assured by their officers, that they would receive the one hundred dollars bounty to which they were entitled, as well as all other bounties then being paid, including the local bounty then being paid by the various towns. Such was the confidence of the soldiers then at the front, in the patriotism, generosity and good faith of the people at home, that many readily acceptel the offer,
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
and were furnished with a thirty-five days furlough, enabling them to proceed home and conclude a bargain with their own town offi- cers, or with those of some other town, for the local bounty then being paid. Four men reenlisted to the credit of this town for three years, as follows : Elnathan Bailey, Wm. K. Montgomery, Stephen B. Rogers and George Shepard. They entered upon their next three years full in the faith that they would receive as much bounty as was then being given to other recruits. But in this they were mistaken. The recruiting officers had got their names by dallying with them, without making any definite bargain, and when the time came that the bounty should be paid, they refused to pay what was justly due to four as valuable men to the service as ever left the town.
A call was issued July 18th, 1864, for 500,000 three years men. A town meeting was held Aug. 10th, 1864, when it was voted to raise two hundred cents on a dollar of the grand list to defray town expenses ; also to instruct the selectmen to deposit money in the State Treasury for the purpose of obtaining recruits from the southern states, the amount deposited being left discre- tionary with the selectmen.
Another meeting was held Aug. 24th, 1864, and it was voted to rescind a vote passed June 15th, 1864, in regard to bounties ; also voted to leave the question of bounties solely with the select- men ; and it was also voted to pay a bounty, at the discretion of the selectmen, to any man who should furnish himself with a sub stitute
At a meeting held Sept. 29th, 1864, it was voted to pay a bounty for the five extra volunteers, above the quota of the town, on the last call, as procured an i paid by the selectmien ; also voted to raise three hundred cents on a dollar of the grand list to pay bounties and the indebtedness of the town.
.
A call was issued Dec. 19th, 1864, for 300,000 three years men. And a town meeting was held Jan. 19th, 1865, when it
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
was voted to instruct the selectmen to procure volunteers as cheaply as possible, not exceeding the number required from the town on the last call for 300,000. Another meeting was held Sept. 21st, 1865, and it was voted to raise two hundred cents on a dollar of the grand list to pay the indebtedness of the town and necessary expenses.
Thus it will be seen that eight hundred and fifty cents on a dol- lar of the grand list had been raised, which amount left the town nearly even, as 22,000 dollars had been paid for bounties and other expenses of the town.
Dec. 3d, 1864, six men were required from this town to fill its deficiency under all calls. These men were promptly enlisted.
The whole number of men who enlisted during the war is as follows ;
Different men enlisted to the credit of the town. 100
Reenlisted in the field, accredited to the town .. 4
Discharged and enlisted, accredited to the town 3
Total actual enlistments. 107
Miscellaneous, not accredited by name 7
Aggregate 114
Enlisted for nine months 22
Enlisted for one year. 17
Enlisted for three years 68
Total 107
Killed in action
6
Died from wounds received in action. 7
Died of disease. 19
Total deaths 32
Deserted .
5
Discharged 63
Total 100
In regard to the bounties paid to the individual soldiers, the persons who have kept an account of them, are not willing that
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
they should . be published, lest it might result to the disadvantage of the town. Therefore, the most of those that are published, are such as appear to have been paid, on orders on the town treasury.
The soldiers who enlisted during the first of the war, did so for no pecuniary reasons, but as the hard struggle continued, from year to year, less enthusiasm was manifested, and it became nec- essary to offer some substantial inducements for men to enlist. This town paid fully as large bounties as other towns, and filled its quota on the various calls, with a promptness that did credit to those (principally the selectmen) whose business it was to enlist them.
The selectmen during the war were as follows : For 1861, and 1862, H. S. Tolman, J. N. Stevens, and Alex. Esdon. For 1863, H. S. Tolman, Alex. Esdon, and A. W. Wright. For 1864, H. S. Tolman, J. M. Smith, and Charles Cook. For 1865, H. S. Tolman, J. M. Smith, and Alex. McLaren.
To these men the credit is due of having used every reasonable exertion to sustain the credit of this town, as being a corporation which, recognizing the blessing of a free government, were willing to sustain it. This duty became a little more difficult in this town than it was in many others, owing to our population being partly composed of foreigners, who were not liable to perform military duty ; and being of peaceful and industrious habits, they preferred to till the soil, rather than be fighting their brethren in the South. But those that did enlist displayed as much industry in subduing the rebels, as they did at home in subduing the rocky soil of their adopted homes.
The most revolting and cruel treatment that any of our citizens were called to endure, was realized by those who were captured and sent to the Andersonville prison. The inhumanity with which they were treated, beggars all description. It has been estimated that there was at one time in that pen, 30,000 of our brave northern soldiers. They were huddled together like so many
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
·
brutes, without shelter, blankets or proper clothing, compelled to live, or rather starve, on the morsel of corn bread, or other ra- tions that were furnished them, never at one time receiving one- fourth as much as their appetites craved. Imagine them shiver- ing in the cold morning air, after having passed a miserable, sleep- less night, on the bare cold ground, waiting for the pittance dealt out to them by their cruel captors, and perhaps glaring at the corpse of a comrade, who during the night had been relieved from his torment. Some became nearly crazed by their sufferings, and the prisoners were compelled to organize a police force, to protect themselves from a set of desperadoes who had become perfectly reckless, and nearly frantic, by their long confinement, and com- mitted frequent murders and robberies.
Those that were sick were left to die in the camp; else, after having become so reduced as to be unable to walk, were carried to a miserable hospital, which they nearly all left for their graves. The water was so extremely filthy that a rush would be made, (when an opportunity was offered for them to get a cupful,) to near where it came into the enclosure, and so eager were they some- times, that a few would get over or be pushed over the dead line, on such occasions, they were not always shot, but often a bullet came whistling near them. According to the best information possible to obtain, none, as has been stated, purposely crossed the dead line, to end their suffering by being shot down. The fact was there demonstrated that soldiers cling to life with the same tenacity as any other class of people, and keenly as they suffered, they did not give up all hope of being ultimately released.
CHAPTER II.
In the following account, received from the soldiers themselves, or their friends, some inaccuracies may possibly occur. All sol- diers not otherwise designated, enlisted for three years. An ac-
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
Count is also given of ten of our citizens who enlisted in other States or towns. Their names are as follows: Worthington Blake, John B. Cook, Luther M. T. Calderwood, John M. Ham- mond, Fletcher E, Kenniston, Sumner P. Rollins, Andrew J. Rol- /ins, J. R. Woodward, John Olmstead, Sherman S. Pinney.
WYMAN H. ALLEN
Enlisted at the age of twenty-one years, at Montpelier, May 7th, 1861, as an original member of Co. F, 2d Regiment, and was mustered into the United States service, June 20th, at Bur- lington. He proceeded with the company to Washington, and remained with it until accidentally wounded in the knee by a bay- Onet. He was sent to Douglas Hospital, Washington, March 1st, 1862, and remained there until May Ist. He was then taken with the small pox and sent to Kalarama Hospital, and remained until June 1st, when he returned to Douglas Hospital, where he received his discharge July 19th, 1862. Returning home, he re- mained until Feb. 7th, 1865, when he enlisted as a recruit for the 8th Regiment, for one year, and was assigned to Co. C. He was mustered in at Burlington, Feb. 7th, and proceeded to Conscript Camp, Fair Haven, Conn., where he remained three weeks. He was then sent to the Regiment at Summit Point, Western Vir- ginia, and was with it until mustered out at Ball's Cross Roads, Va., June 28th, 1865. He received $625,00 bounty from this town on the last enlistment.
FREDERICK ATHERTON
Enlisted at the age of thirty, at Greensboro, July 8th, 1861. He was mustered in at St. Johnsbury, July 16th, as an original member of Co. G, 3d Regiment. He deserted to the rebels Oct. 10th, 1861, since which time nothing has been heard from him. He had lived in this town but a few months previous to his enlist- ment.
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
LUMAN E. AMES,
Son of Royal Ames, was born in Greensboro. He enlisted at Barton, at the age of eighteen, Sept. 3d, 1862, and was mustered in at Brattleboro, Oct. 22d, 1862, as an original member of Co. I, 15th Regiment. While in camp at Fairfax Station, in Febru- ary, he was taken with the lung fever, and sent to the regimental hospital, where he remained about six weeks; when nearly re- covered he returned to the company, but was immediately taken with the measles, and he was sent to the Methodist Church Hospi- tal, at Alexandria, where he remained until discharged from the service, July 2d, 1863.
DANIEL W. BAILEY,
Son of Samuel Bailey, was born in Barnston, P. Q. He en- listed at the age of twenty, at Greensboro, Jan. 29th, 1862, and was mustered in at Brattleboro, Feb. 12th, as an original member of Co. H, 7th Regiment. He proceeded to Pensacola, Florida, with the command, where he died of the chronic diarrhoea, Jan. 29th, 1863, and his body was there buried.
THERON L. BAILEY,
Brother of Daniel W. Bailey, was born in Sutton, Vt. He en- listed at the age of twenty-four, at Greensboro, Sept. 24th, 1861, mustered in Oct. 15th, as an original member of Co. E, 6th Reg- iment. He served faithfully with the company until killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6th, 1864. ITis body was there buried.
ABIJAH BAILEY,
Born in Potton, P. Q., enlisted at the age of forty-four, as an original member of Co. I, 15th Regiment, at Greensboro, Sept. 3d, 1862. Mustered in with the company at Brattleboro, Oct. 22d. He remained with the company until discharged Aug. 5th, 1863.
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
ELNATHAN BAILEY
Was born in Greensboro. He enlisted at the age of twenty- four, at Barton, Aug. 21st, 1861. Mustered in as a corporal of Co. D, 4th Regiment, at Barton, Sept. 20th. He followed the fortunes of the regiment faithfully, but was reduced to the ranks in the fall of 1863. He reenlisted Dec. 15th, 1863, and came home on a thirty-five days furlough. He returned to the com- · pany at its expiration, and participated in the following spring campaign. He was captured by the rebels at the Weldon Rail- road, June 23d, 1864, and was sent to Andersonville prison, where, after severe suffering, he died Feb. 3d, 1865. His body was buried there.
HENRY BAILEY,
Son of A. M. Bailey, was born in Montpelier. He enlisted at the age of twenty-seven, as an original member of Co. D, 4th Regiment, at Barton, Aug. 1st, 1861, mustered in at Brattleboro, Sept. 20th. He was with his regiment during all its engagements, until wounded in the thigh by a minnie ball, at Banks' Ford, May, 1863. He was immediately taken prisoner and remained in an old barn ten days, was then paroled and sent into the union lines, and remained in the general field hospital one week, thence to Howard Hospital, Washington, where he remained three weeks, thence to hospital at Brattleboro, where he remained a short time. He was then sent to Marine Hospital at Burlington, where he re- mained until transferred to the Invalid Corps, Nov. 20th, 1863, and was stationed at the following places : Brattleboro, Clifton Bar- racks, Washington, Hospital Boat Connecticut, in the Potomac River. He remained there until the expiration of his term of en- listment, and was discharged from the service at Clifton Barracks, Oct. 18th, 1864.
PHILIP D. BADGER,
Son of Samuel Badger, enlisted at Greensboro, at the age of
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MEMORIAL RECORD.
thirty-nine, as an original member of the 2d Battery, Nov. 29th, 1861. He was mustered into the United States service, Dec. 16th, at Brandon. He remained with the company until taken sick with fever and ague, originating from sun stroke, Aug. 1st, 1862. He was in the hospital at New Orleans until discharged Jan. 20th, 1863.
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