,1. o> •^0' .*•' "- x V "°. ..^'•^. v-><. ^ "^ ^♦ii^-^V 'bV \^-n '^s f^^y-m- /x^y •II .[i\ t^.W Pn 'b'^"-. ^^;/z^-'. ./>s- "°o ,<).■» •'^ '"•^. ^^ x"-<. .*^% O .0' ?^ />^?V' vO^ •n.^.^ .^^°- "-0 0^ :-ct o >• ViA^.i .0- '%. --y^is^- >*■ •t o .0 FRANK WEST ROIJJNS, Governor of New Hampshire, 1899- 1900. HISTORY FIFTEENTH REGIMENT New Hampshire Volunteers 1862=1863 By CHARLES McGREGOR PUBLISHED BV UKDKK OF THE Fifteenth Regiment Association 1900 Library of Conprew*. Two Copies Recfi/eo AUG 8 1900 Copyriphf entry SECOND COPY. Delivered to ORDER DIVISION, Alio 10 1900 67471 Copn-RicuT, 1899, Bv Charles McGregor. L- \Silv MARY EMMA McGREGOR. To THE Memory of mv Deceased Wife, Hilary €mma ^HccBrcgor, who departed this life, at sunset of may 26, IN THE one hundred AND TWENTY-THIRD YEAR OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, JUST AS THIS BOOK \VENT TO PRESS, 5 3n0cri6e (W^ 'U^orft. Charles McGregor. ASSURED we there dear ones shall meet. We loved in earth below ; Their faces grown in heaven so sweet That them we'd scarcely know ; And where, with ever brightening face, We may pursue an high ideal. Upon an ever upward race, Where all \ve hope for shall be real. #> CHARLES MCGREGOR, Historian Eifteenth New Hampshire Volunteers TABLE OF CONTENTS. The Roll of the Dead * . . . . Roll and preliminary sketch of Company A Roll and preliminary sketch of Company B Roll and preliminary sketch of Company C Roll and preliminary sketch of Company D Roll and preliminary sketch of Company E Roll and preliminary sketch of Company F Roll and preliminary sketch of Company G Roll and preliminary sketch of Company H Roll and preliminary sketch of Company I Roll and preliminary sketch of Company K The Band The Field and Staff .... The Regiment as an Organiz Preliminary remarks ..... Reception of its colors and departure from Concord Army Life at Long Island Voyage of the " James S. Green " Voyage of the " Prometheus " . Voyage of the "Cambria" Army Life at Carrollton Army Life at Camp Parapet Embarkation for Port Hudson . Its participation in the siege of Port Hudson The trip home and muster-out 5 38 47 59 66 74 79 84 92 98 105 1 10 114 134 13^^ 147 166 186 194 200 218 294 310 5S5 * This, though it may be considered matter of reference merely, is given the place of honor in this work. INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. Acro.ss the River from Camp Parapet . . . . . .250 Aldrich, John ......... 39, 413 Ames, Thomas G 24, 582 Austin, A. A. . . . . . . . 391, 614 Ayers, A. R. . . . . . . . . . 370 Ayers, Lieutenant, Company G . . . . . . . 547 Badger, E. A. . . . . . . . . . . 449 Badger, Lewis D. . . . . . . . . . 483 Bailey, George W. ........ . 3S7 Baker, Hiram S. . . . . . . . . .10 Banks, General .......... 439 Barney, A. E. . . . '. . . . . . . 395 Batchelder, B. B 505 Bean, Lieutenant, Company C . . . . . . -59 Bedell, Curtis .......... 495 Berry, Governor . . . . . . . . .139 Berry, Senator . . . . . . . . . -455 Blair, Henry W 384, 3S5 Blair, J. C. .......... 393 Blake, John C. . . . . . . . . .167, 579 Blake, Lewis .......... 5 Broad, Ezra C. ......... 397 Brown, H. R. . . . . . . . . 377, 596 Brown, John C. ......... 479 Bryant, Clark 163 Bryant, James A 163 Bunce, Charles C. ........ . 505 Burbick, Cyrus ......... 7 Burnham, B. F. ......... 487 Burnham, Cyrus . . . . . . -457 Burleigh, Alvin . . . . . . . . 50, 613 Burley, J.J 372 Carr, Dr. Edgar L 86. 613 Carrollton and Parapet . . . -231 List of Illustrations Chad wick, Lieutenant Chase, A. M. . Chesley, D. A. Church, Almon S. Church, Stephen C. . Coburn, W. I. Cogswell, Thomas Colby, Lieutenant Cox, A. V. Currier, John S. Currier, Samuel A. Davis, Moses B. Day, R. S. Dedication, The Dickey, John Dow, General . Drake, John A. Durgin, Lieutenant Dutton, Matthew Ela, Captain Elliott, Ephraim Eudy, Leonard AL Eudy, William D. Fife, Wesley Flags, The Fogg, John P. . Fowler, H. B. . Fowler, William M. . Frost, Lieutenant-Colonel Frost, Lorenzo . Furnald, T. E. . Gage, Dan B. . George, Frank H. Gilmore, Governor Goodhue, James W. Gordon, Captain Gordon, Sergeant, Company Hackett, George W. . Haines, A. C. . 66 378 501 457 594 490 39. 605 150 459 501 477 501 39' 399' 601 395 66, 607 393 609 395 610 6io 14 355 399 399 615 118 142 436 6ig 45' 606 603 150 499 501 607 ■ 63, List of Illustrations. Hall, Captain Hall, Enos K. . Hanson, Sergeant ]. ]. Hazeltine, Lieutenant Headquarters at The Weirs Hendley, Lieutenant Hill. Ira A. Historian, The Homeward Bound Hook, Hiram Horney, Charles G. . Hoyt, Isaac P>. . Hoyt, Isaac 15., and sister Horsch, Surgeon Huse, David S. Huse, E. IS. Huse, Lieutenant Janvrin, Assistant Surgeon Johnson, Captain Johnson, S. S. . Johnston, John . Kimball, Burgess C. . Kingman, Colonel Lancaster, John H. . Lang, Captain Larkin, Lieutenant Map of Route . Martin, Lieutenant Mason, I). I'. McCluer, R. M. McDaniel, George McGregor, Color Corporal McGregor, Mary Emma Merrick, Color Sergeant Menill, Rpckwood G. Mitchell, S. S. . Moore, M. L., and family Morrison, J. G. Morse, Austin PAGE . 510 357, 364 613 619 624 39 163 viii 5«7 363, 602 602 157 393 3S1 361 66 4S3 619 495 [6. 140 494 59' 367 490 620 611 505 433 457 5'' iv 5'i 9 483 485 594 487 List of Illustrations. xm Mulligan. J. A. Nelson, Joseph B. Page, George A. Page, Lieutenant Parker, Amos V. Parker, Fernando Parker, Lieutenant Patch, Granville P. Penniman, Justus B. Perkins, John Perkins, Lieutenant Perry, Henry S. Philbrick, Josiah B. Philbrook, Daniel M Philbrook, Wm. H. Pickering, Lieutenant, Pinkham, Adjutant Pinkham, Captain Pollard, Milo C. Port Hudson Preston, John E. Proctor, Charles H. Randall, J. W. Richardson, John Roberts, Alvin H. Roby, Charles H. Rollins, A. C. . Rollins, Governor Sanborn. Anthony L Sanborn, Captain Sanborn, G. D. Seavey, Lieutenant Sherman, General Shute, John B. . Spencer, J. G. . Springfield Landing Stanley, William S. Stearns, Captain Stevens, William N. Com PAGE. 594 555 483 52 555 340 148 603 9 459 92 397 165 391 494 398 359, 616 98, 599 • 495 443. 463, 532, 55S • 583 • 477 • 479 • 505 • 395 . 615 487. 495 Frontispiece 613 92 379 469 352 27 447 300 380 148 594 List oj niiistiatioiis. Swain, Corporal Cliarles F". Swain, J. J. Tebbetts, Noah Thurston, James C. . Towle, Sergeant, Company D Towle, Surgeon Tricl r.v lira C. lEvantTs Concord, X. H. THE DEAD AND WHERIC THEY SLEEP " Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead, Dear as the blood ye gave ; No impious footstep here shall tread The herbage of }'()ur gra\e. " No rumor of the foe's achance Now sweeps upon the wind ; No troubled thought at midnight haunts Of loved ones left behind. "The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tatt(x) ; No more on life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few. " No vision of the morrow's strife The warrior's dreams alarms ; No braying horn or screaming fife At dawn shall call to arms." ROLL OF THE DEAD. Company A — i8 Deaths. 1. Orklx F. Wheeler, age 19, of diphtheria, at (jiltOrd, now Lakeport, November 22, 1862, not having left the state. This was the first death in the regiment. Hillside Cemetery, Laconia. 2. Ge()R(;e T. Jacksox, age 30, of malarial fe\er, at )ute t< at ( lear 1 Momid City, 111., August 6, 1863, while en Hillside Cemetery, Laconia. 3. Sidney C. Hill, age 19, .of malarial poi.sonii manton, August 15, 1863. Gilmanton Cemetery, old home. 4. XoAH M. Weeks, age 34, killed by shell at Tort Hudson, La., one o'clock of the morning of June 3, 1863. Port Hudson National Military Cemetery, grax'e unknown. 5. Lewis Blake, age 43, of malarial fever, at Baton Rouge, June 22, 1863. Baton Rouge National Military C e m e t e r )', grave No. 2,446. 6. Ansel F. Younc;, age 21, of general decline, at the Car- rollton Hospital, Louisiana, May 14, 1863. Buried at Carrollton, La. One year afterwards, the remains were disinterred and for- warded to Belmont, N. H., where they now rest in the family cemetery. 1 LEWIS BLAKE — Co. A. 6 The Fifteenth Xeie Hamf^shire I 'olnnteers. 7. Akthlk S. Sa\\\i:k, a^c 30, of cli})hthci"ia, at Carroll- ton, La.. July 4. 1863. Body despatched home, but left somewhere on the way on account of imperfect casket. 8. Lewis S. Be.\x, age 18, of disease, at United States barracks, New Orleans, La., July 16, 1863. Chalmette, unknown. 9. Maklax p. Gilmax, ai;e 21, of fever, on steamer "City of Madison," July 29, 1863, while en route for home. His body, with that of Horace A. Burley, of Company H, was buried in the dense woods on an island at Alilliken's ]^end, a little way below the mouth of the Arkansas river, in the state of Arkansas. 10. JoHX E. Takbell, age 36, of fever, July 31, 1863, on steamer " City of Madison," while en route for home. Buried at Helena, Ark., with James Sanborn, of Ccmipany D. I I. J.\c<)i; WiLEAKD, age 44, of congestive chills, at three o'clock in the afternoon of August 6, 1863, on train, at Dun- kirk, Pa., while en route for home. J^ody left at Buffalo, X. \'., for burial ; it la\- on a railroad truck, wrapped in a blanket, when the train ])ulled out. h'orest Lawn Cemetery, soldiers' lot, Buffalo, X. V. 12. RoNAi. BovxTox, age 44, of disease, at Lake X'illage, X. H.. August 10, 1863. lUr.-ied at Lake X'illage. 13. 'rii()>E\s W. Mi:Run.i., age 2j , of fever, at Concoixl. X. II., August II, 1863. Buried at Gilmanton Iron Works. 14. Cm.\ki.i:s v.. Cl.w, age 21, of diphtheria, at Carrollton, La., P'ebruary 25, 1863. Discharged for disabilil}' and died same da\'. His comrades subscribed Si 25 tor a metallic case in which to send the body home. This was the first death in Comj)any A after reaching the enemy's country. Huried in Pelmont. 13. Cn.\Ki.i:s I-". .SwAix, age 35, of malaria, at (iiltord, now Lakeport, Sej)tember 13, 1863. Iknied at Gilford. Roll of lite Dead. ; i6. James W. Blake, age 21, of disease, at Gilford, now Lakeport, August 27, 1863. Hillside Cemetery. 17. Dewit Clinton, age 44, of climatic fever, at (iilford, now Lakeport, August 13, 1863. Hillside Cemetery. 18. AiLNEK W. Morse, age 26, of typhoid fever, at Marine Hospital, New Orleans, La., March 18, 1863. Hody des- patched for home, but was cast overboard into the sea during the voyage on account of defective casket. Company B — 24 Deaths. 1. Benjamin F. Adams, age 20, killed in action. May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Port Hudson Xational Military Cemetery, grave unknown. Was shot through the heart. 2. William P. Averv, age 18, of diphtheria, March 16, 1863, at Camp Parapet, Louisiana. Buried March 17 with military honors. 3. ThOx\l\s a. Barstow, age },"] , killed in action at Port Hudson, La., May 27, 1863. Port Hudson Natiimal Military Cemetery, Port Hudson, La., grave unknown. 4. Henry W. Benton, age 28, of fever. May 11, 1863, at Carrollton, La. He was on guard at Carrollton depot, and in the night tripped on the railroad track, and in falling his gun dis- charged, tearing off one of his thumbs. He was taken to the hospital to haxe this wound dressed, and ne\er returned. 5. Joseph Brown, ]\<., age 19, of diphtheria, August 11, 1863, at Campton, N. H. 6. Cyrls Blrp.ick, age 30, of congestive chills, at Chicago ^^^^^ bcrbick 8 Tlic I'lftccuth Xcw Ilavipshirc 1 'oluutccrs. Marine Hospital, .■\u,L;ust 7, 1863, while en route fur home. Buried in Rose Mill Cemetery, ChicaL;(), in the soldiers' lot. A rei;ister is ke])t of all soldiers' burials in this cemeter)-, enabling friends to hnd their praxes. 7. Jonah Ca.mi", age 40, of disease, at Memphis (ieneral Hospital, IVIemphis, Tenn., August 6, 1863. Left sick while en route for home. I'nited States National Military Ceme- tery, Memphis, Tenn., grave No. 4,087. 8. Hexkv Cook, age 35, of disease, at Buffalo, N. Y., August 13, 1863. Left sick while en route for home. Soldiers' lot. Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, N. Y. g. BvKox Elliott, age 19, of wounds receixed in battle, at Tort Hudson, La., May 27, 1863. Died June 5, 1863. Wounded in right side. 10. W'alti'.k B. Farxum, age 24, of diphtheria, at l^aton Rouge, La., June 16, 1863. Baton Rouge National Ceme- tery, gra\e No. 2,202. He was the smallest boy in the com- pany. He was taken sick on the twenty-fifth of Ma\" while on the " firing line" ; he remained on duty, and on the twent}-si.\th was wounded while on picket. He was thus the first of the regiment to receixe injur)' from the fire of the enem}-. He participated in the battle of the twent)- seventh, after which he was sent to hospital ; he was haxing vomiting spells as he bade his comrades good bxe. He was ne\er seen of his companx' afterwards. He was of a xerx' sunny nature, and was accustomed to xisit the boxs in the hosi:)itals at Carrollton and cheer them with his kindl}' offices and xvords of encouragement. I I. Ai;s()i.\M l-"(iKi>, age 22, of fexer, at Memphis, Tenn.. August 4, 1863. Left at Memphis sick xvhile en route for home. United States National Militarx' Cemetery, Mem- phis, 'i'enn., graxe Xo. 4,092. 12. W'n.Di'.K B. (iKii-i-i\, age 26, of fexer, Julx' 16, 1863, at liaton Rouge, La. L'nited States National Mililarx' Ceme- terx', i^aton Rouge, La., graxe No. 1.549. Roll of the Dead. 13. HvLAs Hackktt, age 18, of fcvcr. Au-usl 5, 1S63, at Memphis, Tenn., while en route for home. 14. ]'>i)\viN" A. Hart, age 18, of malarial fe\er, August 18, 1863, at Camptou \"illage. 15. Isaac S. Joxks, age 27. of fe\er, June 17, 1863, in camp, at Carrollton, La. 16. John Kimball, age 20, of malaria, i\Iay 28, 1863, at Camp Parapet, La. 17. RocKWooi) G. Merrill, drum major, age 21, at Bridge- water, N. H., August 25, 1863. Dropped dead just as he reached his own door. 18. JosKi'H B. Nelson, age 21, of fever, July 9, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. 19. Ge()R(;e a. Page, age 24, of malaria, at Cairo, 111., August 3, 1863, while en route ROCKWOOI) C. MKRKII.L — Co. U. for home. Was buried on the Kentucky shore ; ordered re- moved by the civil authorities; re-interred on the Ohio side ; again removed to Mound City National Military Cemetery. 20. Jlstls B. Pexniman, age 18, wounded in battle at Port Hudson, La., May 2-j , 1863, died of his injuries at New Pl-XXniAN 10 The FiftcLiith Xcik.' Hanipsliirc W^luntccrs. Orleans, La., June i6, 1863; both leL;s shot off below the knees. The i\. A. R. Post at Plymouth is named in his honor, and it is said he was the first man killed from that town. He was one of the volunteers of May 27, and carried a plank to bridt;e the enemy's ditch. 21. Ch.vklks G. Perkins, age 21, of fever, January 12, 1863, at Carrollton, La. Disinterred from Carrollton avenue and removed to Chalmette National Military Cemetery, grave Xo. 8,334. This was the first death in the regiment after reaching the enemy's country, and occurred seventeen days after the landing at Carrollton. 22. George W. Plummer, age 35, of fever, at Carrollton, La., PY'bruary 16, 1863. Chalmette National Military Ceme- terv, grave No. 8,340. Disinterred from Carrollton avenue. 23. Harvey D. Powers, age 20, mortall}- wounded in action, at Port Hudson, La., June 13, 1863. Died June 26, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La. Baton Rouge National Military Cemetery, grave No. 2,451. Wounded in leg. 24. Charles H. Willev, age 25, died June 20, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La., of wounds received in action at Port Hud- son, La., May 2'j , 1863. L^nited States National Military Cemetery, Baton Rouge, La., grave No. 2,356. Wounded in ankle. See register. Company B. CoMi'Axv C — 30 Deaths. I. HiKA.M S. Baki:k, age 27, of climatic fe\e.-, on steamei- " Cit\' of Ahidison," while en route for home, six miles abo\e Memphis, Tenn., and buried on the Tennessee shore on a high bluif under a large tree. The ])urial took place while the boat la\- loo lor repairs. Dale of death and l)uri;d, August 1. 1863. He tlied in the forenoon at ten o'clock. lin<.\M S liAKl'.K Cm. 1. Roil of the Dead 1 1 2. David Batchelder, age 19, died at \e\v Orleans, La., June 13, 1863, of wounds received in battle May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Chalmette National Military Cemetery, grave unknown. 3. JoHX Bishop, age 44, of disease, August 4, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn., where he was left sick while en route for home. United States Military Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn., unknown grave. 4. Dexter E. Butmax, age ig, of climatic fever, April 22, 1863, in regimental hospital, at CarroUton, La. Buried in George Hill Cemeterv, Enfield, X. H. age 25, musterec Died of diarrhoea and general dcbilit}' the next day at Concord. Buried at Bath. 6. Albert Chamherlaix, age 18, of malarial fexer, at the regimental hospital, Camp Parapet, La., Ma}- 8, 1863. Chalmette National Military Cemetery, grave No. 1,032. Dis- interred from Camp Parapet. 7. PLvRRV Chamberlaix, age 24, of fever, May 18, 1863, at regimental hospital. Camp Parapet, La. Chalmette, unknown grave. 8. Stephex C. Church, age 41, of disease, at Mem])his, Tenn., September 3, 1863. Left there sick while en route for home. United States National Military Cemetery, Mem- phis, Tenn., grave No. 4,067. 9. JoHX Clark, age 44, of disease, at Bath, N. H., August I I, 1863. Buried at Bath. 10. Charles Cram, age 29, of climatic fever, at regi- mental hospital. Port Hudson. La., July 25, 1863. Port Hudson Military Cemetery, unknown. 11. P:x()CH C. De.vrth, age 31, of malarial fe\er, at Car- roUton, La., May 26, 1863. Chalmette, unknown. 12. Charles B. P:la, age 32, accidentally shot by a com- rade, at CarroUton, La., and died of the wound January 19, 12 The Fifteenth Xei<' Ilauipshire ]^oluiiteers. 1863, at i;encral hospital, Carrollton, La. Buried at Carroll- ton, La., January 20, ICS63, at four o'clock in the afternoon. Chalmette, unknown. 13. John C. Fuller, age 41, missing in action May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Undoubtedly mortall}' wounded and captured by the enemy, and carried within their works. He must have died inside the fortifications of Port Hudson, and been there buried b}' the eneni)'. Was nexer seen nor heard from afterwards by any of his comrades. 14. Dan B. G.age, age 41, of climatic diseases, at Mem- phis, Tenn., August i, 1863, while en route for home. United States Military Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn., gra\e No. 4,089. 15. Buk(;es.s C. Klmhall, age 18, of malarial fever and general debility, at Lnfield, X. H., August 15, 1863. Old Burying Ground, I'hifield. 16. Iu)w.Mh:s, age 21, of diphtheria, within the works at Port Hudson, La., July 20, 1863. Port Hudson Military Cemetery, grave unknown. He was a great sufferer in the end, and begged of a eomrade who took care of him to end his miser}- b}' death. 2. HoKACK A. BUKLEV, agc 18, of disease, on steamer " Cit}" of Madison," on the passage up the river, at one o'clock in the mon-iing of Jul}' 30, 1863. His body, with that of Harlan P. Ciilman, of Compau}- A, was put ashore and buried at Milliken's W^wCi, on an island, in the dense woods, a little way below the mouth of the Arkansas rixer. 3. jA>n:s II. U. Blaisoeli., age 39, wcnmded May 27, 1863, in the battle of that dale, at Port Hudson, La., and died of his wounds June 30, 1863, at that place. l'idrus Grove. CoMPAXv I — 12 Deaths. 1. SvLVESTEK P. Wallace, age 20, wounded at Port Hudson, La., June 13, 1863, while adxancing with skirmish line. Died of his wounds June 15, 1863, at Port Hudson. Port Hudson National Militar^• Cemeterv, unknown. 2. Joiix H. Roiu'.Ris, age 22. of disease, at Concord, X. II., August 13, 1863, the da}- of the nuister out. Buried in Rochester, N. H., in the Rocliester Cemetery, four miles above the cit}'. 3. GiDi'.ox C.\R'n:K, age 44, of fe\er, at regimental hospi- tal, Carrollton, La., Ai)ril 16, 1863. at 5.14 a. >l Bod}' sent home to l^xeter on the ^\■^\ of his deatli. Buried in Old Cemetery. 4. JoHX C. Garlaxd, age 27, of climatic fever, at regi- mental hospital, Carrollton, La., April 16, 1863. at 12 >l Remains were sent home the next ihw. and were buried in Roll of the Dead. 29 the Old Cemetery at Rochester, X. H. Disinterred and removed to the new North Side Cemetery, Roclicster, where they now repose. 5. John D. Lampkev, age 19, killed at I'ort Hudson, La., in the battle of May 27, 1863. Buried on the battle-ticld ; disinterred and removed to Port Hud.son National Military Cemetery, grave unknown. 6. Abxer Morse, age 21, killed in battle of May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Buried on the field ; disinterred and removed to Port Hudson National xMilitary Cemetery, gra\'e unknown. 7. Solomon N. Newlands, age 20, mortally wounded May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, La., and sent to hospital at Baton Rouge, where he died July 4, 1863. I^aton Rouge National Military Cemetery, grave No. 1,469. 8. William Nudd, age 44, of disease, at Exeter, N. H., August 9, 1863. 9. George M. Swaix, age 23, mortally wounded May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, La., and died August 4, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La., where his remains repose in the National Cemetery among the unknown. 10. John J. Smith, age 18, left sick at Memphis, Tenn., July 31, 1863, while on the passage home, where he died September 2, 1863, and where he now reposes in the National Military Cemetery, grave No. 4,095. Was taken sick after the close of the siege. 11. Wentworth Willev, age 25, was left behind sick at Memphis, Tenn., July 31, 1863, while en route for home, where he died August 3, 1863. He is one of the unknown in the Military Cemetery of that city. Was taken sick just as he embarked. 12. George V . Young, age 20 — was through all the battles of Port Hudson — of disease, on board steamer " City of Madi- son," July 28, 1863, opposite Vicksburg, while on the passage home. He was rolled in his blanket and buried without coffin. 30 The Fiftccntli Xci^' Hamf^shirc 1 ''oluntccrs. Company K — i6 Deaths. 1. Hexrv N. l^Kowx, age i8, of disease, at Mouiul Cit}-. 111., August 3, 1863, wlierc he was left in hospital while en route home. 2. Milton S. I^kown, age 18, of fever, at Port Hudson. La., July 5, 1863. 3. Isaac X. Clolc.h. age 23, of disease August 2, 1863. at Memphis, Tenn., where he was left in hospital while en route for home. 4. John S. Currier, age 19. of malarial fever, at Port Hudson, La.. Jul}- 2, 1863. 5. Moses Griefin, age 37. of disease, at Danville, X. H.. August 19, 1863. 6. P'ranklin p. Ireson, age 27, of fe\er, August 19. 1863, at Buffalo, X. Y., where he was left sick while on the way home. Soldiers' lot. Poorest Lawn Cemetery. Buffalo. X. Y. 7. \\'iLLi.\M H. Johnson, age 19. of fe\er, Juh' 31. 1863. at two o'clock in the afternoon, on the river steamer, "City of Madison," near Memphis, 'Penn. 8. P^DWiN D. Kellev, age 18, killed by the enemy's sharpshooters June 11, 1863, at Port Pludson, La. Shot through the neck and spine. L'nited States Xational Militai-_\' Cemeter)-, Port Hudson, La., grave Xo. 3,610. 9. Mi:iA IN Low 1:1.1., age 23, of disease, August 22, 1863, at Salem, X. 11. 10. \\'iLLi.\M P\ Mansf-iei.I), agc 18, of fever, at 10.30 p. M., March 26, 1863, in hosjjital at CarroUton, La. His remains were sent home for burial. I I. Danii;i, Maksion, age 32, of fe\er, at CarroUton. La., June 7, 1863. 12. Cii-.oRoi". AP D. Mi'.ADi:, age 18, of fe\er, August 15, 1863, at Memphis, 'Penn.. where he was one of thirt\- sick Roll of the Dead. 3 1 put ashore from the steamer "City of Madison," on its passage up the river and left behind. United States National Military Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn., grave No. 4,084. 13. Iddo K. Morrison, age 35, of disease, August 14, 1863, at Concord, N. H. 14. Edwin B. Mosher, age 44. Detailed at Port Hudson as sharpshooter, June 14, 1863, at the opening of the battle of that date, and never seen nor heard from afterward. Undoubtedly killed and buried by strangers with the dead on the battle-field, lliese dead have all been gathered up by the government, and interred in the United States I\Iilitar\- Cemetery, near the place where he fell. 15. Alha Noyes, age 22, of fever, July 24. 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Port Hudson Militar)' Cemetery, gra\e No. 3,035. 16. William L. Stanton, age 20, of fever, August 10, 1863, at Buffalo, N. Y., where he was left behind sick while en route home. Soldiers" lot, Forest Lawn Cemeter)-, Buffalo, N. Y. 32 The Fifteenth Xcie Hampshire I 'oluittccn Total deaths, 1S3 ; of these there cliecl in — New Hampshire . I'ort Hudson, La. Carrollton, La. Memphis, Tenn. . Baton Roui;e, La. Steamer "City of Madison " New Orleans, La. Camp Paraj^et, La. Buffalo, X. V. Mound City, 111. . Chicago, 111. Cleveland, (). Xew York City . Townsend, Mass. . I^den, W. . Cairo, 111. . Dimkirk, Penn. At sea 41 34 32 19 15 9 8 6 6 4 Uate. )r immediateh' after reaehin; Two died, not haxini;- left the l'j,^ht\-si.\ died en route home home. ( )f 30 left at Memphis, 19 died. \'er\' man\- died later of disease and wounds, of which we make no account. Roll of the Dead. 33 Memorial and Executive Committee, Grand Army of the Republic Of the City of Buffalo, Department of New York, Buffalo, N. Y.. July 25, 1S98. Mr. Charles McGregor, Historian Fifteenth N'. H. I'o/s., Nashua, N. H. Ih'ar Comrade: Your communication in regard to tiie burial of the remains of the Fifteenth New Hampshire Volunteers who died in Bulfalo during the war, has been referred to me for reply. I am glad to state that I believe the remains are buried in our soldiers' lot at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The records show that in grave No. 13 there are ])uried the remains of seven soldiers, names unknown, who died while in the hospitals in Buffalo during the war, and in grave No. 14 the remains of four soldiers, names unknown, who died under the same cir- cumstances. They were removed from the pulilic cemetery when we obtained possession of our lot at Forest Lawn, and are doubtless the remains of your regiment, as we have no records of any others who are buried in our lot whose names are unknown ; and the}- are duly honored every Memorial Day. Yours truly, James W. Chatman. Srirfta>y. All the dead who were left in southern lands have l^een leathered up and laid in the nearest military cemetery. Thp: Chalmette Military Cemetery. Interments: Known, 6,962; unknown, 5,742; total, 12,704. This cemetery is located near New Orleans, on General Jackson's old battle-field. The Baton Rouge Military Cemetery. Interments: Known, 2,512 ; unknown, 532 ; total, 3,044. 34 'Hi^' Fifteenth Nci^ ILmnps/Nir I 'olnntccrs. Till". Port Hunsox Mii.rr.\K\ C"i:.Mi:ri:K\'. Interments : Known, 594 ; unknown, 3,239 ; total, 3,833. The unknown here outnumber the known nearl}' six times. The Memimh.s Miutakv Cf.mktkkv. Interments: Known, 5,174; unknown, 8,.S20 ; total, 13.994- MOUX!) CiTV MlLITAR\' Ci:M i: Tl'.KN . Interments: Known, 2,508 ; unknown, 2,763 ; total, 5,271. ViCKSPAiRG Mii.nAKv Ckmetkrv. Interments: Known, 3,944; unknown, 12,721 ; total, 16,665. These military cemeteries arc established and maintained by a grateful government. They arc surrounded by strong- walls with massive gates at the entrances, and are each in charge of a superintendent whose residence is within the enclosure. They are places of great beauty and sanctity. Visitors instinctix'cly uncover here, and move al:)out in silence. They are adorned witli shade trees ; the graves are not mounded ; the long lines of white heatlstones stand in the softest of green grass; the flag, for which they fell who now sleep so quietly beneath, is raised above them each morn at sunrise and lowered at sunset forever. " On Fame'.s eternal camping-sed by these opinions and by the paper), not one of them was passed over the veto, and scarcely one of the measures denounced in the o])inions and the |)aper has yet become a law. 'I'here was considerable indignation expressed b_\- some of the legislators, at first, on the assumption that Mr. hda came there to watch oxer them ; but as the character of his serxice.-- de\elojieil, there was general c-onunendatiDU of the work he was accom- plishing. Roll and Sketch of Couipaiiy />'. 49 "While a Democrat in national politics, Mr. Mia has always opposed carryin;; politics into local elections. He has actively supported every 'citizens' movement' in city elections in Chicago. He has been a member of the executive committee of the Civic Federation and its vice-president ; was chairman of the committee which prosecuted the election frauds ; \ice- president of the Arm)' and Navy League, which did such effectix'C work in assisting Chicago soldiers and theii" families during the war with Spain, and has been president of the Chicago Philosophical Society." 50 The Fifteenth Xci^' Hampshire W^lunteers. AI.VIN lUKI.KIGH. From " Nkw Hampshire Men." *' Hon. Al\'in BiKi.i'.K.ii was Ijorn in Plymouth. December 19, 1842. He secured his education at lN.iml)all L'nion Academy, Meriden, and at Dartmouth Collci^e, whence he was graduated in 1871. The year toUowini;- his graduation he was principal of tlie Woodstock ( W.) High School, and then entered upon the study of law with Hon. Henry \V. Blair at Plymouth, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1874. He formed a partnership witli Mr. l^lair. wliich existed from 1875 to 1879, when Mr. Hlair was chosen to the Roll and SkctcJi of C oinpany B. 5 1 United States Senate ; and since then has been associated with George H. Adams, under the firm name of Burleigh & Adams, practicing in the state and United States courts. In 1887 he was speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and filled that arduous position during the long and trying session of that year with remarkable fidelit\- and impartiality. For several years he has been president of the Plymouth School Board, is a trustee of the xMethoclist Church in Plymouth, of the Plymouth Guarant}' Sa\"ings Bank, and of the State Normal School. When a boy Mr. Burleigh learned the tanner's trade, and from the age of fifteen has supported and educated himself. He forsook the tanner's bench in 1862 to enlist in Company B of the P^ifteenth New Hampshire Regiment, and served until it was disbanded, being one of the four children descended from a Revolutionary grandfather, who fought in the Rebellion. Mr. Burleigh is a member of the Grand Army, has been the commander of the Penniman Post, twice judge adxocate of the Department of New Hampshire, and a member of the national staff. Mr. Burleigh is one of the most reliable of men. He has been called as counsel in some of the most noted cases that grace the records of the bar, and as an advocate, as well as a counsellor, his fame is secure. A large practice attests his success, but above all that rests the knowledge of the confidence of those who know him, a dearer and sweeter reward than can come from anv measure of honor." 52 The I'iftccntli Xcw Hampshire I 'olimtccrs. ^ CAPTAIN KI,A — Co. H. LIEUTENANT WYATT — Co. LIEUTENANT WVATT— Co. I! LiHrTi-:N.\.\ 1 v\ .1. Roll aud Sketch of Coiii/aiiv />. 5 - SKETCH OF COMPANY B, UP TO i\"0\ KMJii:R 12, 1862. Caft. Hkxrv W. Bl.vik and Cait. John W. Va..\. This company was made up of t\vent}'-six from Haxcrhill : John D. Brooks, age 27 ; wounded in head May 27, 1863. Neander D. Brooks, age 27. James Buckland, age 2 1 ; deserted at Concord, October 10, 1865. Charles Carpenter, age 35. Edwin J. E. Clark, age 37 ; wounded in right hand June 16, 1863. Royal Y. Clark, age 23. Richard C. Drown, age 32. Daniel C. Duncklee, age 25. F'ranklin P'erguson, age 30. James G. Glynn, age 22. Hylas Hackett, age 18. John Hackett, age 27. Nelson S. Hannaford, age 28. Ethan O. Harris, age 23. George F. Keyes, age 24. Hiram P. Kidder, age 32. Aiken Ladderbush, age 39. Lewis Ladderbush, age 19. George W. Leith, age 41. Sylvester W. Marden, age 1 8 ; deserted at Concord, Octo- ber 25, 1862. James A. Page, second lieutenant, age 26. Calvin Pennock, age 29. George W. Pennock, fifth sergeant, age 24. Charles G. Perkins, age 31 ; first man to die in the enemy's country. 54 The Fifteenth Xei^' Hampshire W^Innteers. John C. Shelley, age i8. George C. Smith, age 27. Sixteen from Plymouth : Henry W. l^lair, captain, age 27. Alvin Burleigh, age 19. Cyrus R. Corliss, fifth corporal, age 25. John A. Drake, second sergeant, age 43. Simeon Eastman, age 35. John W. Ela, first lieutenant, appointed captain, age 24. Walter B. Farnum, age 24 ; first man in regiment to receive wounds from the enemy. Edward E. Ferrin, age 24. Frank H. George, age 22. Frank C. Green, age 18. George K. Jewell, age 25. Rockwood G. Merrill, musician, age 2 1 . Andrew J. Morgan, age 25. Edwin J. Morgan, age 26. Justus B. Penniman, age 18. Henry Webster, age 22. Fifteen from Piermont : Eleazor P. Andros, age '},6 ; detailed blacksmith for horse and mule shoeing. Thomas \. Barstow, fourth sergeant, age i"] . Albert A. Bowen, age 19. ICdwin O. Bowen, age 18. Jonah Camp, age 40. l-"rancis Chandler, eighth corporal, age 18. George W. Chandler, age 24. Hiram 1^. Clark, age }f'j ; severe wound in head May 27, 1863. Absalom Ford, fourth corporal, age 22. William Harris, Jr., age 40. Roll and Sketch of Cojitpany B. 55 Edgar H. Lund, age 20. Harrison Messer, age 18 ; wounded in hand May 27, 1863. Otis B. Rhodes, age n. Edgar H. Stevens, age 21. Ezra D. Terry, age 28. Fifteen from Campton : Benjamin F. Adams, age 20. Joseph C. Blair, wagoner, age 21. Joseph Brown, Jr., age 19. Cyrus Burbick, age 30. Henry Cook, age ^^^. Edwin A. Hart, age 18. James F. Merrill, age 28. Samuel S. Mitchell, seventh corporal, age 2 i . Fred A. Mitchell, second corporal, age n ; wounded in arm June 14, 1863 ; appointed sergeant after Ma}' 27. William F. Mitchell, age i^. George A. Page, age 24. George W. Plummer, age 35. David Webster, age 27. Charles H. Willey, age 25. Henry D. Wyatt, first sergeant, age 25 ; aj^pointed first lieutenant No\ember 3, 1862 ; severely wounded in left arm May 27, 1863. Thirteen from Thornton : William P. Avery, age 18. James O. Bagley, transferred to Company F. Harrold D. Bagley, age 23. Ezra C. Broad, age 32 ; wounded in head and shoulder May 27, 1863. Holmes H. Constantine, age i"/ ; band. Charles W. Dearborn, sixth C(jrporal, age 28 ; wounded in head and shoulder Mav 27, 186;. 56 The Fiftccntli Xcw Hainpslnir 1 'oliintccrs. Ephraim Elliott, age 39. George W. Hackett, first corporal, age 26. Newton L. Page, age 25. Samuel K. Page, age 2 1 . Joseph W. Pliimmer, age 30. George S. Whitney, third sergeant, age i'}^. George D. Rowe, age 18. Plight from Groton : Henry S. Annis, age 39. Hand. Byron P^lliott, age 19; mortally wounded in right side May 27. Rosalba J. P\)x, age 19. Charles \\\ Goodhue, age 18. Wilder B. Griffin, age 26. Horatio N. Hall, Jr., age 22. Robert M. McCluer, first corporal, age 24. Harvey I). lV)\vers, age 20 ; fatalh' wounded in leg June 13, 1863. Three from Woodstock : Isaac S. Jones, age 27. Albert A. JMfield, age 19. Henry W. Benton, age 28. Three from Orford : Edwin N. Berry, age 18. Frederick Robinson, age 23. Alden Stevens, age 18. One from I lel)i"on : Josei)h H. Nelson, age 2 1 . ( )ne from Warren : John Kimball, age 20. Roll and Sketch of Loinpauy J>. 57 The compan}' was mustered as above b)- Charles Hohncs. of the Seventeenth United States Infantr}', on the ei,L;iitli day of October, 1862, with the exception of Royal V. Clark, who was mustered on the thirty-first of same month. James O. Bagley must have been transferred to Company V, as his name is thereafter found there and ceases to apjK-ar on the rolls of Company B ; and Henry W. Blair, although mus- tered October 8, as captain, it seems had alread}- receixx'd his appointment as major on the pre\-ious day. Thus the promotion of Captain Blair to the field, and the transference of Royal F. Clark to Company F, leaves Company B to stand on October 8, at ninety-nine officers and men all i.old. Before the promotion of Captain Blair, the officers stood as follows : Captain, Henr}' W. J-)lair. First lieutenant, John W". Fla. Second lieutenant, James A. Page. First sergeant, Henry D. \\'}-att. Second sergeant, John A. Drake. Third sergeant, George S. Whitney. Fourth sergeant, Thomas A. Barstow. Fifth sergeant, George W. Pennock. P^irst corporal, George W. Hackett. Second corporal, PTed A. Mitchell. Third corporal, Robert M. McCluer. Fourth corporal, Absalom P'ord. Fifth corporal, Cyrus Corliss. Sixth corporal, Charles \\\ Dearborn. Seventh corporal, Samuel S. Mitchell. Eighth corporal, P'rancis Chandler. After the promotion, John W. P21a became captain. Henry D. "VVyatt, first lieutenant. James A. Page remained second lieutenant by his own option. 58 The Fifteenth Xc7^> llaiiipshiir I'oIiuitccTS. John O. Drake became first sergeant. George S. Whitney, second sergeant. Thomas A. Barstow, third sergeant. George W. Pennock, fourth sergeant. Second corporal Fred A. Mitchell became fifth sergeant. George W. Hackett remained first corporal. Robert M. McCluer became second corporal. Absalom Ford, third corporal. Cyrus R. Corliss, fourth corporal. Charles W. Dearborn, fifth corporal. Samuel S. Mitchell, sixth corporal. Francis Chandler, seventh corporal. Private Frank H. George, eighth corporal. Two privates deserted — James Buckland and Sylvester W. Marden — before leaving the state. This reduces the number to ninety-seven. Of the company eighteen died of disease, and six of mortal wounds received in the siege of Port Hudson. Of the Campton men, numbering fifteen, eight died either of wounds or disease. Roll and Sketch of Coinf-diuy C. 59 CAPTAIN LANG — Co. C. LIKl'T. A v.. iii: . 67 SKETCH OF COMPANY D, UP TO N0VKMB1-:R 12, 1863. Those who ser\'cd in other ori^anizations, so far as can be ascertained, are marked with a star. [This Hst follows the s])eHin,<4()f the orii;"inal descriptix'e book.] Jonathan H. Johnson, caj^tain, a^e 46, Dcerfield. Jerre \i. Chadwick, first lieutenant, age n, Deerfield. Woodbury M. Durgin, second lieutenant, age ^^y , North- wood. Charles A. Towle, first sergeant, age 25, Ej^som. John J. Hanson, second sergeant, age 26, Ne\vmarket. Nathaniel D. Bean, third sergeant, age 21, Northwood.* Jeremiah J. Swain, fourth sergeant, age '':^--,, Northwood ; wounded in hand Ma\- 2"/, 1863. John O. A. Hanson, fifth sergeant, age 28, Dover. Alfred E. Ambrose, first corporal, age '^^''^^ Deerfield. George J. Fogg, second corporal, age ''^'j , Northwood. George H. Rand, third corporal, age 31, Chichester. William H. Chadwick, fourth ctjrporal, age 19, Durham. Clark S. Willey, fifth corporal, age 22, Northwood. James \V. Goodhue, sixth corporal, age 29, Deerfield. Clark Bryant, sex'enth corporal, age 37. Northwood. Israel G. York, eighth cori:)oral, age 21, Lee. Edward P. Lane, musician, age 18, Candia. Benjamin V. Swain, musician, age 18, Candia. luhvin l-)atchelder, wagoner, age 31, Deerfield. Adams, Frank L., age 2"], Deerfield. Ames, Thomas J., age 33, Chichester. Avery, Joseph, age IJ , Candia.* Batchelder, Benjamin B., age 44, Deerfield. Barker, Levi, age 44, Candia. 68 The Fifteenth Xei^^ Hampshire I'oluiiteers. l^eedc, Reuben \ ., a.<;"e 20, Xorthwood. Bean, Walter \V., age 19, Candia. Bean, Albion A., age 19, Deerfield. Bryant, Henry AI., age 24, Xorthwood. Bryant, James A., age 18, Xorthwood. Bryant, Charles L., age 21, Aloultonborough.* Brown, John H., age 18, Candia.* Brown, Jt)hn C, age 18, Epsom. Brown, Charles A., age 18, Epsom; severely wounded in body May 27, 1863.* Brackett, Walter G., age 18, Epsom. Bunce, Charles C, age 20, Dover.* Chase, Joseph W., age 18, Deerfield. Chase, Arthur M., age 22, Deerfield. Clay, Franklin, age 40, Candia. Dockham, Charles F., age 18, Xewmarket. Dow, Samuel T., age 22, Xorthwood.* Dunaven, William C, age 32, Deerfield. Duesbury, William X., age 18, Allenstown ; wounded in leg June 14, 1863.* Edmunds, .Aaron, age 39, Xorthwood. F'arnham, John W., age 21, Xorthwood.* Fifield, George C, age 26, Candia. iMfe, Wesley, age 28, Deerfield. Fogg, John P., age 18, Xorthwood. Fuller, Chase C, age 44, Xorthwood. (iowen, John, age 38, Dover.* Goodwin, Kobert. age 30. Durham. Grifiin, John S., age 22, Concord. Mall, Daniel, age IJ , Candia. Haines, Alanson C, age 19, Xewmarket ; re-cnlisted in Sixth Massachusetts.* Hoit, William A., age 18, Xorthwood. Hill, Henry ()., age 18, Xorthwood. ■■ Roll and Sketch of Covipajiy D. 69 Hilton, Stephen, a<;e 31, Lee. Jenkins, William, a<;e },^, Deerfield. Johnson, Alexander J., age 28, North wood. Johnson, Calvin U., age 23, lij^som. Johnson, Samuel S., age 43, Northwood ; severe contu- sions head and abdomen, June 14, 1863. Joy, Eben, age 44, Newmarket. Langley, Daniel B., age 28, Candia. Langley, John ()., age 41, Madbury. Lancaster, John G., age 18, Northwood. Lock, John F., age 22, Northwood. Mason, Daniel P., age 22, Northwood. Marston, Charles S., age 20, Chichester. Marcott, John, age 22, Hanover. Mead, Andrew J., age 20, Candia. Nay, Samuel C, age 18, Candia.* Nealey, James D., age 19, Newmarket.* Norton, John, age 39, Northwood. Palmer, John, age 44, Newmarket. Page, George H., age 21, Northwood.* Perkins, Charles W., age 21, Newmarket. Philbrick, Josiah B., age 24, Deerfield ; api^ointed eighth corporal March 25, 1863. Randall, Joseph VV., age 36, Deerfield. Reynolds, Nason F., age 21, Northwood.* Richardson, John, age 2 1 , Northwood. Richardson, P2ben R., age 29, Northwood. Roberts, Alvin H., age 18, Northwood.* Robinson, Nathaniel, Jr., age 40, Newmarket. Sanborn, Anthony L., age 30, Deerfield. Sanborn, James, age 41, Northwood. Smith, George S., age 21, Pittsfield. Smith, Charles F., age 44, Deerfield. Smith, James, age 30, Durham. /O The Fifteenth Xcw llaiiipslnir \ 'oluntccrs. Smith, John, age 28, Do\er. Stevens, William T., age 43, Deerfield. Stevens, William, age 20, Durham;. Stanley, William S., age iS, Chichester. Taylor, William B., age 44, Newmarket. Taylor, George W., son of William B., age 18, Candia. Thompson, Josiah D., age 27, Lee.* Tilton, George W., age 34, Deerfield. Tourrigney, Calis, age 21, Hanover. Watson, David P., age 18, Northwood.* White, Charles E., age 19, Deerfield. Williams, Roswell S., age 43, Northwood. Witherell, Edwin E., age 28, Deerfield. Wyman, Richard !{., age 22, Newmarket. One hundred and one (officers and men. Eifth Sergeant John O. A. Hanson, deserted at Camp N. P. Banks, Jamaica, Long Island, X. Y., November 21, 1862 ; George C. h'ifield, at Concord, October 11, 1862, and was apprehended June 2"] , 1863, but nex'cr rejoined the com- pany; Robert (loodwin, at Concord, October 25, 1862 — went home on furlough and did not return ; James Smith, at Concord, October 25, 1862 ; John Smith, at Concord, Octo- ber 28, 1862 ; and William Stevens, at Concord, Noxcmber 8, 1862^ — six in all. I^ben R. Richardson, while at home on furlough, just prior to the regiment's departure for the front, lost one or two of his toes b}- some "means not explained," on account of which injur\' he was discharged at Concord, xMarch 2-], 1863, not Inning left the state. These will receive no further mention. Stephen Hilton deserted at Jamaica, Camp N. P. l^anks, Novembei" 29, 1862, and William C. l)una\en, N<)\-ember 30, 1862, at I)rooklvn. N. \'.. but both returned xoluntarily Roll atid Sketch of Company I). 71 under the President's proclamation, on March 30, 1863, and served with credit to the end of the term, and were hon- orably discharged. John Marcott, Calls Tourrigney, and Richard 1{. \\'\man were transferred to Company F on the twelfth day of November, 1862. Three remained behind sick — Joseph Avery, George S. Smith, and Henry M. Hryant. Avery and Smith remained at home, reported to the company on its return, and were mustered out with the regiment. Smith did not long surxive, dying on the fifth day of November, 1865. He took cold on guard, which resulted in pneumonia and consumption. Avery recovered, and later re-enlisted in the First New Hampshire Cavalry, serving therein to the close of the war. Bryant rejoined the company at Carrollton, Fa., on the tenth day of March, 1863. The company was thus depleted by fifteen men before leaxing for the South, three only of whom returned to duty. Fxcept these fifteen, and Lieutenant Durgin, the company reached the enemy's countr)- by the good ship "James S. Green," without serious mishap or the loss of a single life, as will be hereafter related. It will thus be seen that eighty-five of Company D embarked on this steamer, and their names can be ascertained by consulting the roll. The Northwood and Deerfield boys frequently met and drilled under Messrs. Johnson and Chadwick, prex'ious to going into camp. On the sixth of October, 1862, the Xorth- w(xxl squad rendezvoused at the village store in Northwood Narrows. They had been enlisted by ^Ir. W. M. Durgin, who at that time was one of the selectmen of the town — afterwards second lieutenant of the company — and under his charge were conveyed to Concord, a distance of sixteen miles, by means of one four-horse team and several single ones, many friends and neighbors accompanying them. The dav was a very fine one, and the box's dlx'erted themse]\-es -J 2 The Fiftccntli Xcic Havipshiir ]'olu}itccrs. b\- pcltiiii;- each other with ajjples, and in other boyish sports along the way. It is still remembered that one Johnson's lonely tall hat became a special mark, and was sadly wrecked. The party left the place of rendezvous at nine a. m., and reached its destination at noon and took up its quarters in the barracks at the fair grounds, over the long bridge across the Merrimac ri\-er and about one mile from the capitol. The Deerfield contingent was enlisted by Mr. Jonathan H. Johnson — afterwards captain — who at the time was one of the selectmen of Deerfield. All but Fife went into camp on the same date — October 6 — at the Concord barracks, some by teams, but most by rail from the Candia depot \ia Manchester. The Candia boys also went by rail at the same time. A joint meeting of the various scjuads had been previously held in the town hall, at Deerfield, at which the officers of the company were chosen by vote, Mr. Johnson being elected captain, Mr. Chadwick first lieutenant, and Mr. Durgin second lieutenant, and on that occasion swords were publicly presented to the captain and first lieutenant-elect. The non-commissioned officers were chosen C)ctober 24. On the seventeenth the company drew their uniforms. After a stay of six or eight days at the barracks all were furlouglied home for a week. On the Sunday of October 12, when at honie, the Northwood boys buried, with military honors, Lieut. Charles W. Bean, of the Fifth New Hampshire \'ol- imteers, who a few da}'s before had returned from tlie Iront to (He of wounds received at Antictam on the sevenleenlli ot September previous. During this furlougli, neighbors and citizens, with i)ublic ceremonies, i)resented Lieutenant Durgin with an elegant sword, remarks being made b\- Mr. llenr\- Knowlton, antl to which the lieutenant responded. ()n the return of the com- ]~»any to camp at the expiration of this furlough, it was tull\- organized and passed the time in thill and the usual routine Roll n lid Skch'/i of Company D. 73 and amusements of camj) life until November 12, when, with the rest of the regiment, it marched to Concord, and in the state house yard was formally mustered into the serxice of the United States. Of this company, of eighty-eight officers and men who actually reached Louisiana, two were killed, eighteen died of disease, several were wounded as will be shown, and at least nineteen served in other organizations. Idie light loss of life in killed is accounted for by the fact that the company was detailed as sharpshooters on May 27, 1862, and thereby avoided the severe battle of that date. Company D, at the muster of the regiment in the state house yard on November 12, had present three commissioned officers, thirteen non-cr)mmissioned officers, two musicians, one wagoner, and se\'enty pri\-ates, four prixates being at home sick. 74 il<^' l-iftccnth Xc-a' Hauipshiir I'olnHtccrs. ROLL AND PRLLIMIXARY SKETCH OF COMPANY E. Capt. William E. Stearns's company was composed as follows : From Mollis— 23 : Francis A. Wood, second lieutenant, age 27. Alfred A. Hanscom, sergeant, age 29. Charles H. Adams, age 18 ; severe wound in hand June 13, 1863. George H. Annis, age 22. Caleb W. Chamberlain, age 34. Ai Coburn, age 42. Charles S. PLamblett, age ^-j ; severe wound in hand June 13, 1863.* Henry J. Hardy, age 18. Isaac Hardy, age ^^y . Samuel F. Hayden, age 29. George S. Hull, age 30. Granville P. Patch, age 31. Aaron AI. Pond, age 30 ; se\erely wounded in leg June II, 1863.* Frank ¥.. Pond, age i"] . Rufus Potwine, age 22; March 2, 1863, having been absent sick and recoxcred and not returned, is dropjx'd as a tlesertcr ; March 10, returned trom desertion.* David J. Rideout, age 21.* Thomas Sculley, age 42. j-'reeman II. Smith, age 17.* John C. Smith, age 41 . (icorge V . Tennew age 20. Isaac \'and\ke, age 39; wounded in face Ma\- 2~ , 1863. Harvey .M. Willoby, age 29. Oliver \. Willobv, age 38. Roll atid Sketch of Company E. 75 The following- from Brentwood — 12 : George K. Russell, first sergeant, age 2 i . Josiah Norris, sergeant, age 22 ; severe wound in arm June 14, 1863. James S. Lord, corporal, age 26. Lorenzo D. Gate, age ij . Frank A. Golby, age 18. Frank W. Gould, age 20. Edward Hamil, age 22. James T. Heselton, age 28. George B. Lane, age 21. James H. Robinson, corporal, age 23.* Lewis \V. Sinclair, age 30. INIarcus M. 7\ittle, age 19 ; deserted. From Auburn — 6 : IVIoses B. Davis, corporal, age 2 i . Daniel C. Abbott, age },2 ; se\ere wound in foot June 14, 1863. Jonathan Ballou, age 21.* Willis H. Brown, age 18. Jesse Wood, age 28. Frank C. Wood, age 22.* Vx()\\\ Manchester — 8: William E. Stearns, captain, age 21 ; wounded May 27,1863. Walter S. Killey, sergeant, age 18. Michael Abbott, age 18. George W. Brown, age 22.* Joseph K. Heselton, age 19 ; wounded in arm by shell June 2 I .* Charles H. Martin, age " 16" ; was only fourteen years of age ; wounded June 27.* Henry S. Perry, drummer, age 16 ; severely injured by explosion of shell after the surrender. Irving D. Tobie, age 18. "j^ The I'lfticnth Xciv Havipsliirc ] 'olniitccrs. From Windham — 6: Levere L. Duplesses, age 33. Albert Fletcher, age 22.* Charles E. Hanscomb, age 23.* Elexis Marcott, age 21 ; wounded in hand June 12, 1863. Joseph F. Mayot, age 18. Ephraim Plumpton, age 18.* From Litchfield — 7 : James V . Parker, second lieutenant, age 20. David L. Annis, corporal, age 32. John C. Graham, corporal, age 25. Langdon Lydston, cor}:)oral, age 28. Jonathan Burbank, age 29. Charles H. Marsh, age 21. Fernando Parker, age 27 ; appointed sergeant. F"rom Popping — 3 : Horace C. Page, corporal, age 44. James Richards, age 19 ; wounded June 14.* Joseph Hamil, age 28 ; deserted. P'rom Westmoreland — 2 : Amasa O. Amidon, age 18.* William H. Clark, age 28 ; deserted. P'rom Merrimack — 5 : Charles N. Green, sergeant, age 21 ; discharged for dis- ability May 20, 1863. Tyler 'P. Longa, corporal, age 21.* Pleni-}- Putterheld, age 20. Samuel Marsh, age 44. George Wylie, age 25. 1^'rom Ik'dford — 5 : James S. Lord, corporal, age 26. Roll and Sketch of Company E. "J J Andrew C. Giles, age 22; wounded June 21, at. Port Hudson. John Hodgman, age 41 ; severe wound in arm June 14, 1863. William H. Hodgman, age 18. Jacob I. Whittemore, age 24 ; severe wound in foot May 27, 1863. From Dunbarton — 3 : Chester L. Page, age 34.* Robert Richards, age 27.* Lysander W'yman, age 18.* F'rom Goffstown — 3 : Leonard N. George, age 18.* Godfrey Johonnett, age 35. Henry C. Richards, age 19 ; detailed to Fourth Massachu- setts Battery, P'ebruary 27, 1863. F'rom Lor.donderry — i : John Orale, age 19. From Concord — i : Rothois Planders, drummer, age 19. F'rom Salem — i : Stillman B. Heselton, age 25.* From Landaff — i : John (3'Connor, age 22 ; deserted. From Chichester — i : William Stearns, age 44 ; father of Captain Stearns. Eighty-eight officers and men all told. Of these four deserted: William H. Clark, Joseph Hamel, John ()"Coiuior, and Marcus M. Tuttle. This leaves eighty-four to reach Louisiana. 78 The h'iftCiiitJt Xfz.' HainpsJnrc W^liintccrs. Robert N. Corning-, of Concord, presented Lieutenant Parker with a sword. This company, on the da}- of the battle of May 27, was deployed as sharpshooters on the left of the battle-field, well up front but concealed in a slashing, and this accounts for its light loss of life by gunshot wounds. One was killed on this occasion, twelve died of disease inci- dent to the service, twenty-two served in other organizations, twelve were wounded, fort)'-six were under twent}-two years of age. This company had two drummers and no fifer. Jonathan l^allou, left behind sick in New York city, rejoined company at Camp Parapet, January 5, 1863. R. I'otwine. left behind sick, rejoined company at Camp Parapet, March 12, 1863. It is a singular circumstance that of the twent)'-two from Hollis all returned alix'C ; but John C. Smith died three da}"s before the muster out of the regiment. The company went into camp Thursday, October 2, 1862; mustered in October 9. Lieutenant Parker was mustered in same date. Ca}itain Stearns and Lieutenant Wood were mustered in October 22. The compan}' chose their non-commissioned ofificers Novem- ber I . Those ser\-ing in other organizations, so far as known, are marked In' a star. Ro/i and Skitc/i of Coiiifany F. 79 ROLL AXU PRELIMLXARV SKKICH OI- COMPANY F. From Canaan — 19 ; William Gordon, captain, age 4 1 . I^'red H. Wells, first sergeant, age 42.* Alvah Oilman, fourth corporal, age 44. William Adams, age 2 i . Edgar D. Aldrich, age 18; severe wound in i-il)s June II, 1863. I^dwin D. Aldrich, age 19. Dexter F. Bradbury, age 27. Albert Bradbury, age 24. Austin Dunham, age 24 ; wounded May 27, 1863, slight. Everett W. Dow, age 20.* James Furlong, age 25. Rufus S. Gross, age 33. Hiram Jones, age 44. David Legro, age 27; wounded May 27, 1863. sliglit, hand. Levi Martin, age 40 ; wounded May 27, 1863, slight. Iiand. Gilbert J. Roby. age 27. Abial Sharp, age 34. Don C. Washburn, age 23. William W. Dustin, age 43 ; severe wound in leg June 1 1, 1863. From Grafton — 16 : Sylvester Martin, first lieutenant, age 23. Stephen George, fifth sergeant, age 42. James B. Bullock, second corjioral, colors, age 30 ; joined color guard March 2. William H. l^aldwin. sixth corporal, age 2)^ ; severe wound in side ; returned from hospital, New York, March 14. 8o The Fifteenth Xei^ Hampshire I 'olnnteers. Albert K. Barney, drummer, age 2 i . Ahira Barney, age 18. Melvin M. Barney, age 20. George E. Baldwin, age 29. John Caswell, age 41. Joseph E. Follansbee, age 27. Isaac B. Hoyt, age 19. Sewell Hale, age 25. Ora H. Heath, age 21 ; wounded May 27, 1863. Jesse Martin, age 18. Daniel B. Smith, age 24 ; wounded slight, hand. John Taylor, age 40. F'rom Springfield — 14 : Stephen P. Colby, second lieutenant, age 30. George ¥ . Colby, third corporal, age 18. Clinton D. Fowler, age 22. William M. Fowler, age 20 ; discharged for disability at Concord, X. H.. April 14, 1863 ; did not go South. Richard \V. Heath, age 19. Gustavus Levering, age 27. Joseph O. Lovering, age 25. George McDaniel, age 18; returned from Xew York general hospital ]\[arch 14, 1863. Solon Morrill, age 18. James K. Richardson, age 19. John Robie, age 3 i . John 1). Washburn, corj^oral, age 18. James W. Lull, second sergeant, age 40 ; wounded in arm Ma)" 2~ , 1863. Horatio B. Fowler, age 22. From Danbury — 10 : James E. Ford, first corporal, age 18 ; wounded in leg May 2-j, 1863.* Thomas Dunlop, seventh corporal, age i"/ . Ro/l and Sketch of Covipany F. 8 1 George H. Butler, age 19. John Ford, age 27. John Gross, age 25. Lowell S. Hartshorn, age 41.* John A. Jones, wagoner, age 44. Ira \V. Morrison, age 44 ; detailed to F"ourth Massachu- setts Battery, February 27, 1863. John Morrison, age 19 ; detailed to Fourth Massachusetts Battery, February 27, 1863. John Wells, age 21 . From Enfield — 5 : Matthew Button, fourth sergeant, age 28. Cyrus Burnham, age 2}^. Joseph Cross, age 35.* Almon S. Church, age 19. Charles B. Skinner, age 22.* From Dorchester — 4 : Greenough D. Sanborn, third sergeant, age ^^2* John E. Blaisdell, age 18 ; discharged at Marine hospital for disability, Xew Orleans, March 18, 1863 ; was left sick at Xew York four weeks. William P. Ferrin, age 38. Elias H. Hadley, age 22 ; wounded in shoulder fatally June 13, 1863. From Hampstead — 3 : Hazen L. Hoyt, eighth corporal, age ij . D. Lowell X. Hoyt, age 35. Warren A. Kimball, age n. From Alton — 2 : Alfred Garland, age 43. George W. Young, age n ; wounded May 2- . 82 The FifticntJt Xcic HanipsJiiir ]\Tuutccrs. Vxoxvi Hanover — 2 : Calis Tourrigney, age 2 1 . John Marcott, age 22. James O. Bagley, age 24, Thornton.* Alonzo Place, age 25, Bath.* Richard E. Wyman, age 22, Newmarket.* Thomas Wilson, age 27, North Hampton. George W. Place, age 23, Littleton.* Triieworthy L. Moulton, age 41, Rochester; wounded in wrist Jmie 13, 1863.* William B. Cook, age 29, Concord.* George W. Blaisdell, fifth corporal, age 26, Groton. Arial B. Martin, age 23, Orange. Officers and men in all, 84. Of these William B. Cook and Thomas Wilson deserted, the first named at Concord. N. H., November 12, 1862 — this man had previously served in the Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers, and been dis- charged therefrom for disability — and the last named, at Cam]) N. P. ]-5anks, near Brooklyn, N. Y. — Jamaica Union Race Course — on November 25, 1862, taking with him $26.10 worth of Uncle Sam's clothing. Six remained behind sick, George McDaniel. George W. Blaisdell, Alfred Garland, William M. I-^owlcr, Cyrus Burn- ham, and James (). ]^aglc\-, the latter of whom rec(»\ered and subsequent])- ser\ed in tlic bjghteenth New Hampshire. Cyrus Burnham's name will be found among those of the dead, he having succuml^ed to the debihtating effects ot camp life, and which resulted in Ihs death on September 5, 1863. Except these eight, it a])pears that the full company embarked on tlie " Caml)ria." and ai-ri\ed at Carrollton in safety. Ro// and Sketch of Couipany F. 83 The men met at \\'hitnc}-'s hotel, in Canaan, two or tliree times prior to going into camp at Concord, and on one of these occasions chose their captain by \ote. Hiey assembled in camp early in October, and there elected their lieutenants. While at the Concord camp the men were incessantl)' drilled — the officers hiring a West Point drill master at their own expense, for a part of the time. The comixam', while here, entered heartily into the sports and participated in the stirring scenes and usual incidents of camp lite. It is still related how they, on October 23, rode a gambler out of " Camj) Colby" on a rail to the Concord railroad station, a distance of two miles, and left him there unconscious ; he at one of the games had struck a fellow in the face. The}' were followed by hundreds. It appears that Garland, Bagiey, and Fowler did not leave the state, and Fowler was discharged there April 14, 1863. McDaniel, Blaisdell, and Burnham, returned to dut}' at Carrollton, La. In common with the other companies, they were furloughed home for a brief time just before lea\ing for the front. The company lost fifteen by disease. It could not ha\e mustered at Port Hudson over thirty-five officers and men for duty, and of these, five received mortal wounds in action or on the picket line, and at least eight others were seriously injured. It is highly interesting to note that of the very few sur\-i\ors of the company who were not totall}' inca})acitated physically, at least twelve served in other organizations, as indicated by a star on the roll. 84 ^ !i^' Fifteenth Xciv Hampshire I 'olnnteers. JOSEPH GKRRISH AYERS. Born in Canterbury, N. H. Second and first lieutenant in the Fifteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers from November 3, 1862, to August 13, 1863. Acting assistant surgeon, United States Army, from June to October, 1864; acting assistant surgeon, United States Navy, from December 17, 1864, to September 24, 1866. Commissioned in the United States Navy as assistant surgeon Octobers, 1866; as surgeon January 7, 1878, and as medical inspector Feb- ruary 25, 1895 ; fleet surgeon of Asiatic station 1895 to 1897; now in charge of United States Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Mass. Roll and Skc'lcli of Covipauy G. 85 ROLL AND PRKLIMIXARV SKI:TCH ()1< COMPANY (;. Twenty-three men from Barnsteacl : Thomas M. Huse, first lieutenant, age 50 ; honorably dis- charged for disability February 23, icS63, by (General l^anks.* Christopher C. Pickering, first sergeant, age 24 ; appointed second lieutenant.* David S. Huse, corporal, age 18; son of Lieutenant 11 use. Timothy Blake, Jr., fifer, age 29. George W. Blake, drummer, age 32 ; left sick at Buffalo August 7, 1863.* Charles W. Adams, age 38 ; wounded in hand and breast June 14, 1863. Henry H. Buzzell, age 26. John ¥. Chesley, age 25. John Cate, age 44 ; May 27, 1863, shot tlirough shoulder and lungs, fatal. Jeremiah E. Emerson, age 24. George H. P2merson, age 22. William A. Foye, age 27. John Hill, age 44. James M. Jones, age 29.* Jacob Lord, age 43. John C. Mason, age 18. Hazen D. Nutter, age 18. Trueworthy Norris, age 43. Charles J. Roberts, age 35. Albert G. VVingate, age 18. Hanson H. Young, corporal, age 19; appointed March i, 1863 ; wounded. William A. Chesley, age 19. George D. Clark, age 39. I 86 The Fifteenth Xci.' Ilaiiipshiir I'oliiutccrs. Sixteen from Pittsfiekl : Lewis W. Osgood, eaptain, ai;e 27 ; slii^htl}- wounded May 2"] ; wounded in lei; June 12, 1863. James \V. Shaw, fifth sergeant, age 27. Albert F. Berry, first corporal, age 2 1 ; appointed sergeant. Kzra C. Willard, eighth corporal, ag^e 35. Henry L. Robinson, wagoner, age 21.* J(;hn E. Brown, cook, age 26. John L. Drew, age 22.* Philester S. h:ili()tt, age 23. Charles F. French, age 22. John Johnson, age 44. Isaiah Swain, age 21. George W. Snell, age 43. John Young, age 18. Enoch AI. Young, age 20. Frank \Y. Young, age 21.* Edgar L. Carr, hospital steward, age 21.* Thirteen from Loudon : Henry R. Hrown, second sergeant, age 21 ; api)ointed first sergeant March i, 1863. Henry IL Herry, age 27. Jonathan Hrown, age 25. Alfred V.. Chase, age 19. Andrew J. Cross, age 34. King J. C'ross, age 32.* \)\\\ C. Dennett, age 35. Samuel (L Lovering, age 35.* James V . Moses, age 23. Dick Rogers, age 1 8. William H. I'urner, age 44. Roby True, age 44. William v.. W Willev. age 18.* EDGAR I,. CARR— Co. G. CORP. EZRA C. WII,I,ARD-Co. G Roll and Sketch of Couipany G. 87 Thirteen from Canterbury : Aui^ustine R. Ayers, fourth sergeant, age 23 ; wounded. John S. W'hidden, fourth eorjDoral, age 19. Monroe Brown, sixth corporal, age 26 ; winuided in hantl June 14, 1863. Harper S. Allen, age 19 ; severely wounded in calf of leg May 27, and sent to Camp Parapet. Moody J. Boyce, age 19.* Charles H. Glines, age 20. Charles Huntoon, age 23. Oliver Lock, age 39 ; wounded June 14, slight, hand. Henry W. McDaniel, age 19 ; wounded slightly May 27. Erastus O. Nudd, age Tiy. David K. Nudd, age t,t,. Frank O. Picard, age 18. William R. Lake, age 18. Seven from Chichester : John A. West, third sergeant, age 24. Hiram Hook, fifth corporal, color, age 20 ; swiftest runner m the regiment at Long Island ; severe wound in arm May 27, 1863.* Hugh Burns, age 40. Levi Hook, age 18 ; wounded in leg May 27, 1863.* Alfred A. Langmaid, age ^6* Charles J. Roby, age 21. Charles H. Staniels, age 25. Seven from Strafford : John S. Loss, third corporal, age 25 ; wounded in liand May 27, 1863, slight. Paul H. Winkley, seventh corporal, age 26. John W. Avery, age 18. Samuel Perry, age 25. 88 The FiftccutJi Xcic Havipsliirc W^linitccrs. Thomas C. Pitman, age 45. Mark H. Winklcy, age -^-j . Luther C. Critchett. age 27. Three from Windham : John \\. lirown, age 26. James leaker, age 25. George \V. Durant, age 28 ; shot through wrist, higii up, June 14, 1863. Two from Fisherville : George \V. Brown, age 29. John H. Heath, age 23. One from Northfield : Joseph G. Ayers, second Heutenant, age 22 ; appointed first lieutenant March i, 1863, vice Lieutenant Huse re- signed.* One from Alexandria : Sylvester D. Hunt, age 18. One from Nottingham : John H. Moulton, age 18.* One from Concord : Josej^h I{. Sargent, age 21.* One from I^psom : Jose]~)li Saturia)', age 37. I\hd. m. had supper of bread and meat. October 7, beef, ])ork and beans, brown and white l^read, and coffee for breakfast ; ham and ]K)tatoes for dinner. October 8, some Pittsfield bo\s, who went home on the sexenth, returned witli a brace of turkeys, which were ]M-epared for breakfast of the ninth, and no c|uest!ons asked as to their cost or nativity. C^n this day — the ninth — the Canterbury contingent arrixed in camp ; tliex' marched to Concord tor their outfit, and at night tliere was great hilarity initiating these new comers. On the tenth the Harnstead st|uad an-i\ed, and there was some trouble with tlie h'ourtecnth New Hampshire boxs, wlio cam])ed near b_x' and attempted to pass our guard. Roll and Sketch of Company G . 9 1 ( )n tlie eleventh the company was inspected at the state house, and five colored brothers were thrown out. On Monday, October 20, the company was furloui^hed home till Tuesday. On the seventeenth a double guard was placed at night, as the Fourteenth was going in the morning and trouble was anticipated. On the eighteenth the Fourteenth left in great spirits, and were given three rousing cheers at the Concord camp. Reveille at 5.30 ; breakfast, 7 ; squad drill, 9, for two hours ; dinner, 12 ; company drill, 3 ; supper, 6 ; tattoo, 9 ; taps, 9.30. On the twenty-second there was a snow storm in the forenoon. On the twenty-fifth Osgood was unanimously elected captain ; also J. G. Ayers was unanimously chosen second lieutenant, l^'or first lieutenant the vote stood: Huse, 67 ; M. S. Merrill, 5 ; T. Norris, i. Pickering's vote for orderly was also unanimous. Those marked with an asterisk are known to have served in other oruanizations. 92 The Fifteenth Xeio Hampshire l^^hmteers. CAPTAIN SANBORN — Co. H. CAPTAIN SANH()KN-Co. II iKCOND I.IETT. PERKINS — Co. H. Roll and Sketch of Compaiiv H. 93 ROLL AND PRKLIMIXARV SKKTCH OF COMPANY H. The books of this company have been destroyed by fire, but it appears that it was composed of eighty-five officers and men, as the annexed roll will show. It was reduced to eighty by desertion before leaving the Concord camp. Four lost their lives in battle ; eleven died of disease incident to the service ; several were more or less severely wounded ; nineteen were under military age at the breaking out of hostilities. It is known that at least thirteen served in other organizations, several of whom had been injured in the service prior to joining the Fifteenth Regiment. The citizens of Sanbornton presented Captain San]:i()rn with a sword ; and also while at Concord, a committee of townsmen of old Londonderry visited the camp, and presented Lieutenant Perkins an elegant sword, Mr. John Dickey, of blessed memory, making the presentation remarks. It can be truthfully said, and without disparagement to any, that no military organization possessed braver or more faithful officers than the Fifteenth Regiment, and among them none more so than those of Company H. It is ahva}-s fitting and proper to s-peak freely of the merits of those who have gone to their reward, and in these pages it will be seen that Lieutenants Seavey and Perkins were of the bravest of the brave ; they were conspicuous among thousands. I^'or them the last roll-call is answered, the taps have sounded, the lights are out ; and at this late day, in the quiet evening as it were, the attempt to do justice to the memory of such, and to make record of their deeds, is a pleasure and a liigli and sacred duty. A memorandum of Major Aldrich, on the excning of the battle of May 27, shows of Company H two killed, nine wounded, and thirty-eight for duty. A muster roll 94 ^/''^" I^iftcoitJi Xc\<.' Hanipsl/in- ]'oluntccrs. of Lieutenant Seavey before Port Hudson, June 30, 1863, shows only thirty-nine officers and men present for dut\', ahhoui;h this inchides some C()n\-alescents sent up from tlie Carrollton hospital since the date of that battle; thus, so earl}- in the siege, the compan}' is reduced to less than one half its original effective strength. This indicates the havoc that disease and death have already made in the ranks. In this comi:)an}- there were thirty-one from Sanbornton, thirteen from Londonderry, seven from Walpole, six from Gilford, four from Laconia, three from Lebanon, two each from Seabrook, Warren, Northfield, Hano\er, Bristol, and Alexandria, one each from the towns of Langdon and North- wood, one from Concord, and one from Jamaica, N. V. The following is the register of the company, exclusive of the five deserters, copied from muster roll of December 31, 1862 : Jacob B. Sanborn, captain, age 41, Sanbornton. Alfred B. Seavey, first lieutenant, age 33, Gilford. \\^ashington Perkins, second lieutenant, age 40, London- derr\' ; wounded June 14, slight.* Thomas G. Ames, first sergeant, age 21, Northfield. Hiram B. Philbrook, second sergeant, age 23, Sanbornton.* Jason J. Burle}', third sergeant, age 28, Sanbornton. Albert B. Nye, fourth sergeant, age 27, Lebanon ; was taken from the " James S. Green " to hospital in New York. William 11. Philbrook, fifth sergeant, age 21, Sanbornton. John C Coombs, first corporal, age 23, Sanbornton. John L. Hubbard, second corporal, age 23, Walpole. Moses N. Holmes, third corporal, age 28, Londonderr\-.* Charles C. Ckirk, fourth corporal, age }^(S, Sanbornton.* Wesley S. Alaloon, fiftli corjioral, age 28, (iilford ; was wounded sexereh' in thigh AIa\' 27. lohn I), niake, sixth eoriioi-al, ave 18, Sanbornton. Roll ami Sketch of Coiupauy H. 95 John E. Preston, seventh cori^oral, age 35, Gilford ; dis- charged for disabihty May 16, 1863. Charles McGregor, eighth corporal, age 19, LondonderrN . Adoniram J. Sanborn, fifer, age 22, Sanbornton. Brackett J. Baker, drunnner, age 18, Sanbornton.* Major A. Northrup, wagoner, age 24, Hanover.* Arley P. Alexander, age 19, Londonderry.* John M. Bixby, age 23, Walpole. Horace A. Burleigh, age 18, Sanbornton. Thomas Brown, age 21, Lebanon. James H. D. Blaisdell, age 39, Bristol ; wounded fatally in thigh May 27, 1863. Lucratus Y . Brainerd, age 25, Alexandria. George F. Bowers, age 18, Sanbornton. Charles W. Buzzell, age 25, Sanbornton. Edward Carpenter, age 18, Walpole. Noah Chattel, age 22, Laconia ; killed May 27, 1863. Dennis W. Cross, age 19, Lebanon. Charles R. Clark, age 44, Londonderry. Washington L Coburn, age 19, Londonderry.* Irving W. Coombs, age 19, Sanbornton. George Dawson, age 27, Sanbornton ; wounded in foot May 27, 1863. Thomas W. Donald, age 28, Sanbornton.* Moses P2. P^astman, age 2 1 , Sanbornton. William Fife, age 18, Northwood. Robert Finel, age 21, Seabrook, Can.* Aaron Goodwin, age 18, Warren.* Alphonso AL Gordon, age 42, Gilford. Horace D. Gregg, age 20, Londonderry. Daniel S. Gilman, age 27, Sanbornton. Dennis Griffin, age 25, Walpole. Patrick Hyde, age 3 i , Walpole. John Hicks, age ^6, Sanbornton. 96 The Fifteenth Xeiv Hampshire ]'o//niteers. William V. Holmes, a<4e 21, Lonclontlerry. John A. Hines, ai^e 21, Gilford. Samuel H. Jacobs, age 22, Sanbomton ; shot through leg May 27, 1863. Newell A. Kendall, age 31, Laugdon. Sylvester Kenniston, age 27, Laconia. Charles Lawrence, age 32, Walpole ; severe wound in thigh May 27, 1863. Martin L. Moore, age 30, Londonderry ; wounded June 14 in foot. James G. Morrison, age 29, Londonderr)- ; killed Ma}- 27. 1863. Hugh McGuire, age 21, Seabrook.* Albert McDaniels, age 19, Northfiekl* Daniel M. Philbrook, age 18, Sanbornton. John Perkins, age 35, Sanbornton. William J. Pond, age 40, Londonderry. Thomas Philbrook, age 2 1 , Sanbornton. Moses H. Rollins, age 18, Gilford. John Runnells, age "45'" Sanbornton; was 65. Winthrop H. .Smith, age 28, Laconia.* Horace P. Swain, age 2}^, Sanbornton.* John B. Shute, age 20, Sanbornton. Charles H. Sanborn, age 19, Sanbornton. Harlan P. .Sanborn, age 29, Sanbornton. John \'. -Sanborn, age 19, Sanbornton. John H. -Sanborn, age 19, Londonderry; fatallx' wounded May 2j. 1863. loseph J. -Shaw, age 21, Walpole. licniamin -Sweat, age 43, Hristol. John -S. -Sanborn, age 44, -Sanbornton. Samuel T. .Swain, age 20, Sanbornton ; wounded in head May 2j, 1863. Joseph .\. Templeton, age 25, IIano\er. Ro// aiui Skiic/i of Company H. 97 IlL'nr\- 11. 'I'hornton, ai;c 22, Concord; wouiulcd in fore- head May 27, 1S63. John \\'iii;gin, cook, age 35, \\"arren. George \V. Webster, age 19, Lac(Miia. Uavid W. Welton, age 25, Alexandria; severe wound in hand June 14, 1863. iliram Webster, age 40, Londonderry; severe wound in shoulder May 2-j , 1863. James S. Walker, ago 26, Sanbornton. P21ijah Sanborn, age 43, Jamaica, N. V. ; band. Deserters: Kucher l^oisxert, Seabrook ; Theophil Paradis, Seabrook ; I'aul Mignot, Seabrook ; Charles (j rosette. Sea- brook ; k^rank Jones, Concord. All except the deserters reached the enemy's country — - nineteen men and Lieutenant Perkins by the "James S. (jreen," and the others, except Sergeant Nye, by the steamer " Prometheus." Sergeant Nye was conveyed to hospital on account of jaundice, in New York, on December 2, 1862, and the date of his arrnal in Louisiana is unknown. His constituti(jn was not a robust one ; his spirit, however, carried him through the trying ordeal of the siege of Port Hudson without a break. It is well remembered of him how, while lying in the dark wood in the night, and under the enemy's guns, he could repeat with the skill of an actor, long sections from Shakespeare and other of the dramatic poets. Those marked with a star are known to have served in other ortranizations. 98 The Fiftccuth Xcic Havipsliiir ]'oliiutiirs CAPTAIN PIXKHAM — Co. ROLL A\D PRELIMINARY SKKTCH OH COMPAXV I. George E. Pinkham, captain, age 34. Concord. Alvah M. Kimball, first lieutenant, age },2, Concord ; hon- orably discharged January 15, 1863.* James D. Moore, second lieutenant, age },-j , Concord; jiro- moted first lieutenant, \"ice Kimball resigned. John (). W'allingford, age 20, Somcrsworth ; non commis- sioned staff, appointed second lieutenant Januar}- iS. 1863.* C^harles Courtland, first sergeant, age 20. Rochester. Sylvester B. Wallace, second sergeant, age 20, MitUlleton ; fatally wounded June 13, 1863.* Erederick A. ( )rmc. third sergeant, age 25, Rochester. Jeremiah 11. W. Tebbetts, fourth sergeant, age 22, Rochester. David E. Nudd. filth sergeant, age 23, Hampton ; received a shot on his cartridge box June 13, 1863. Roll and S/x'c'tc/i of Company I. 99 George \\\ Tricke}', first corporal, age 25, Rochester; wounded severel}' in arm and hand June 14, 1863.* Daniel C. Husse}-, second corix)ral, age 30, Rochester ; carried the state banner. James B. Stevens, third corj^oral, age 19, Rochester. Enos Rewitzer, fourth corporal, age 33, Rochester ; wounded severely in leg May 27, 1863.* Noah Tebbetts, fifth corporal, age 18, Rochester.* John Beecher, sixth corporal, age 32, Rochester; was in First New Ham})shire and in Nav)-.* John H. Roberts, seventh corporal, age 22, Barnstead. William Dunn, eighth corporal, age 34, Newton ; flesh wound in leg May 27, 1863. Addison, Jonathan W'., age 25, Newton.* Blaisdell, John \\ ., age 18, Rochester; severe flesh wound in left thigh June 14, 1863. Brown, Joseph E., age 28, Rochester ; lost several fingers of left hand June 14,1863. Babb, John W ., age 16, drummer bo)-, Rochester. Brown, Josiah, age 21, Rochester. Bickford, Da\id, age 27, Rochester. Bamford, Joseph, age 27, Rochester ; wounded in hand June 14, 1863.* Brigham, William H. B., age 21, Exeter.* Batchelder, George W., age 23, Exeter. Blake, Arthur B., age 18, Hampton.* Carter, Gideon, age 44, Exeter. Carter, William E., age 18, Exeter. Carter, Frederick \\ ., age 18, Exeter.* Carter, George H., age 18, Newton. Carter, Orrin D., age 23, Newton. Colony, Jacob, age 39, Rochester.* Currier, George M., age 27, Newton. Dunbrack, Thomas, Jr., age 19, Hampton. Life. lOO The Fiftcctith Xci^' Hani/s/iiir I'oluiitccrs. Klkins, Jonathan, a,^e 43. Hampton ; badl}- wounded in leg May 29, 1863. Fowler, Abel K., age 39, Newton.* Farrington, Joseph H., age 26, Rochester.* Foss, Alonzo H., age 37, Rochester. Gowen, Otis F., age }^'j , Rochester. Garland, John E., age 27, Rochester. Gadd, George \V., age 20, Exeter.* Greenleaf, Charles \V., age 18, Exeter. Godfrey, Jeremiah L., age 19, Hampton ; detailed to Fourth Massachusetts Battery, February 2-j , 1863. Godfrey, Charles, age 18, Hampton; slightly wounded in hand June i 3, 1863.* Goodwin, J^enjamin F., age 23, Hampton.* Goodwin, Daniel C, age 28, Newton. Flail, John F., age 28, Exeter. Hurd, John, age 44, Rochester ; all fingers of right hand shot off June 13, 1863.* Hayward, William, age 18, Rochester; detailed to Fourth Massachusetts Hattcrx', I^Y'bruar)- 27, 1863. After his dis- charge he regained his health, re-enlisted in the Nineteenth Massachusetts regiment; was eai^tured in June, 1864; was in Libbey, Belisle, and Andersonxille, then taken to Charleston, then to Florence and jiarolled, 1 )ecember, 1 864 ; captured with whole brigade at W'elden railroad.* Ho\t, Rufus A., age 22, Rochester; was through all the siege of I'ort Hudson, and afterwards ser\ed on the "Colo- rado" and "Winona"; was at l'~ort j-'isher and the .'-^antee Ri\er expetlition.* Hoine\', Charles (i., age 35, Rochester ; band. Hammett, Charles IC, age 19, Rochester. Hoiiie, Lewis V ., age 44, Rochester; was the father of J. 1). Home, who was the fii'st volunteer from Rochester and who serxed in the .Sixth Massachusetts, anil was in the Haiti- more riot April 1 (j, i 86 i .* Roll and Skiicli of Company I . loi Jenniss, Charles, Jr., age 34, Rochester ; wounded.* Lea\itt, George \V., age 18, Hampton. Laird, Robert B., age 32, Hampton. Lamprey, John D., age 19, Hampton ; killed May 27. 1863. McCrillis, John G., age 32, Rochester. Mahoney, John, age 27, Rochester; sexere wound in l)reast and shoulder May 27, 1863. Moulton, Joseph E., age 24, Newton. Morse, John W., age 27, Exeter. Morse, Abner, age 21, Exeter ; killed May 27, 1863. Newlands, Solomon N., age 20, Rochester ; mortally wounded in breast May 2"] , 1863. Nicholson, George H., age 18, Rochester.* Nudd, William, age 44, Exeter. . Peasley, Albert M., age 20, Newton. Peasley, Richard W., age 19, Newton. Parker, Benjamin P., age 44, Exeter.* Pike, John C, age 30, Rochester. Prescott, George A., age 26, Exeter. Place, Warrington D., age 19, Dover. Ouimby, Philip D., age 36, Newton. Richardson. Gilman, age 29, Newton. Shaw, Jackson, age 28, Rochester ; wounded severely in left hand June 13, 1S63.* Sinclair, John A., age 18, Exeter; wounded slightly in head May 27, 1863.* Sinclair, John T., age 44, Exeter ; discharged for dis- ability May 1 5, 1863. Swain, George M., age 23, P2xeter ; severe wound in leg May 27, 1863. Smith, John I., age 18, Exeter. Smith, Jeremiah \\\, age 30, Exeter. Tucker, Albert M., age 44, Newton ; wounded in head May 27, 1863. 102 The Fifteenth \ei^' Hampshire I'oliinteers. Tucker, Lewis G., age i8, Newton. Thurston, George K., age 20, Exeter. Tuttle, James S., age 19, Exeter.* Welch, Hiram, age 40, Xewton ; wounded in arm and shoulder May 27, 1863.* W'illey, Went worth, age 25, Rochester. Wardwell, John II., age 18, Rochester. Whitehouse, Amos W., age 44, Rochester.* Young, George E., age 20, Rochester. Gilman, Erank G., age 20, Rochester. Hatch, Mansfield P., age 28, Xewton. Ninety all told — thirty-eight from Rochester, twent}' from Exeter, sixteen from Newton, ten from Hampton, three from Concord, and one each from Somersworth, iJoxer, and Mid- dleton. Thirty-eight were twenty-two years of age and under ; they averaged twenty-nine years of age. Six deserted, of whom two only returned to duty. One man was left behind sick — John T. Sinclair — in New York, and was discharged for disability at Convalescent Camp, X'irginia, May 5, 1863. This shows eighty-five to have reached the seat of war. They sailed by the "Prometheus." ( )f these, fl\e were killed in acti(;n or mortally wounded, seven died of disease, and thirteen were severely wounded. At least twenty-nine served in other organizations, cither prexioush' or subsec|ucnt to their serxice in the bifteenth Regiment. Company I expended in the siege of Port Hudson, from the morning of May 2j to July 8, 1863, 8,580 ball cartridges. In accounting the dead onl\- those are recorded who died during the term or immediately after their discharge. Mam' must have died of injuries incident to the service, in after \ears, of which we can gi\e no account. Hut one such notable case was that of the intrepid I'jios Rewitzer of this comj)any. Prior to iiis American citizensliip, he liad serxed Roil and Sketch of Company I. 103 ten full years in the liaxarian army. His first enlistment in the L'nitetl States serxiee was in the Third New Hampshire, wherein he ser\-ed for upwards of a year, and was therefrom discharged for injuries received to one of his legs. He never fully reco\ered from this. At Port Hudson, on May 27, as will appear, he was again sexerely wc^unded in the leg by a shell, which necessitated a dual ami^utation. The wound never healed, and after )ears of extreme suffering he suc- cumbed to his multiplied injuries, answering to the last summons of a soldier, at Rochester, N. H., on the ninth day of September, 1889. How many instances of fortitude and heroic suffering, of a kindred nature to this, there may exist, we can never know. L'l^on the organi;^ation of the company a sword was pre- sented to Captain I'inkham, the money for the purchase of the same having been raised by circulating a subscription paper among the bo}'s of his company on October 21. This sword was presented on the evening of the twenty-fifth, in Rochester, during a furlough, with public ceremonies. At the same n-.eeting a sword was j^resented to Lieutenant Kimball, and also to Leonard V. Place, of Company L Third New Hampshire Volunteers, who had been promoted to a lieutenancy. The deserters were Mansfield P. Hatch, musician, deserted December 2, 1862, at Long Island; George M. Currier, deserted October 20, 1862, at Concord ; Josiah l^rown, deserted October 20, 1862, at Concord; James 'Puttie, deserted October 30, 1862, at Concord. He served in the navy afterward, probably returning voluntarily from desertion. George A. Prescott deserted October 20, 1862, at Concord, but returned xoluntaril}- to duty March 14, 1863, under the President's j^iroclamation, and George AP Swain deserted October 25, at Concord, and also returned \-oluntarily under the President's proclamation, March 14, 1863. His name will I04 riic Fiftccutli Xiic IlaviJ-shiir \'oIii]itccrs. be found with the companx's honored dead, he h.axin^^- been mortall}' wounded at Port lludson, AIa\- 2"] , i<'^<")3. One in exer)' sexenteen was killed in battle; a little less than one in ten died of disease ; more than one in eiL;ht were xxounded, and the deaths and easualties all told are txx-enty- four in eighty-fixx' ; thirteen deaths out of ei^^htx-fixe, and at least thirty serx-ed in other or^^-anizations. The killed or mortallx' wounded xx-eix' Ser^t. Sylxester H. W'allace. Solomon X. Xewlands, Abner Morse, John ]). Lamprey, and (ieori;e M. Sxxain. The sexerelx' xvounded xvere Lieut. John (). Wallin^ford. Seri^t. Lnos Rewitzer, Geor-e W. Triekey, Daniel !-'. Xudd. Hiram Weleh, John A. Sinelair, Jackson Shaw, John Mahonex', Joseph Hamford, Joseph L. Brown, John W", Hlaisdell, John MeCrillis, and William Dunn. The Rochester boxs left Rochester on last train October 3 ; arrixed at Concord stead. Davis, William IL, first sergeant, age 25, llampstead. Dolloff, Cyrus V ., age 29, Salem.* Edwards, Albert F. B., eighth corjxtral, age 18, C"hester.* Forsaith, Matthew, age 44, Chester. 1^'oster, James H., age 25, Salem. io6 The Fifteenth .Ve:e Hampshire I'olnnteers. I-"rcnch, Uaxid C, ai^e 39, Chester. I'"i"eneh, Hiram, ai;e 21, Dan\ille. r^rost, Lorenzo, band, ai;e 29, Atkinson.* Frost, Nathaniel, band, ai;e 32, Hampstead. (jeorge, Andrew J., age 21, Sandown. Gordon, George C, second sergeant, age 27, Salem. Gould, Charles \V., age 23, Salem. Griffin, Charles \\\, first corporal, age 27, Danville. Griffin, Moses, age ^^j , Danxille. Hall, Charles H., age 21, .Salem. Hanson, Collis M., age 2^, Salem ; a]:ipointed corporal March i, 1863.* Haseltine, John A., fourth cor}x)ral, age 42, Chester. Hutchins, Leonard, age 42, Hampstead. h-eson, Franklin P., age 2"] , Atkinson. Johnson, Obadiah O., age 20, Danville. Johnson, William LL, age 19, Hampstead. Kelley, Simon C, age 24, Salem. Kelley, Edward H., age 18, Salem; killed June i 1. 1863. Kelley, George L., seventh corporal, age 26, Salem.* Kimball, Charles G., age 20, Salem. Ladd, James J\L, age 21, Danville. Ladtl, Josiah T., age 18, Danxille ; discharged for disability ALiy 3, 1863. Lee, ( )li\-er, age 33, .Salem. ^^^ Lowell, AleKin, age 21, Salem.* Mansfield, William !*'., age 18, Salem. Mai'ston, Daniel, fourth sergeant, age ^2, .Sandown. Matthew, John, age 21, Danxille. 'Mayo, llein-y .\., age 30, .Sandown. McArthur, John C., age :-,- , Salem.* Mead, George .M. !)., age 18, Chester. Merrick, .Arthur L., color sergeant, age },2, .Atkinson ; weighed two hundred and fift}- [jounds ; fifth sergeant ; sexerelv wounded in tliigh .Ma\' 2~ , 1863. Roll and Sketch of Ctutipany K. xq-j Morrison, Iddo K., wagoner, age 35, Salem. Mosher, Edward B., age 44, Salem ; killed June 14, 1863. Nichols, Lucien AI., age 22, Hampstead. Nichols, Osa D., age iaud. i i 3 proper place. Va\ route home, Frost was left at Worcester very sick, antl could not be present at the muster out of the regiment. The last time the band exer played was on May 25, two days before the first battle at Port Hudson, and when its musical career terminated very suddenly and under rather amusing circumstances. After that it was engaged in hard and unremitting work at the front. 14 ^lit-^ Fifteenth Xci^' Hanipshiir \'olu)itccrs. THE FIELD AND STAFF. Col. John W. Kingman, age 40, Durham ; enlisted as private October 2, 1862 ; appointed colonel ( )ctobcr 7, 1862. Lieut. -Col. William Weed, age 48. .Sandwich ; not mus- tered. Lieut. -Col. George ^\^ Frost, age 38, Newmarket ; enlisted October 2, 1862 ; appointed lieutenant-colonel October 7, 1862 ; honorably discharged on surgeon's certificate of dis- ability, by Major-General Banks, February 14, 1863. Lieut. -Col. Henry W. Blair, age 27, Plymouth ; enlisted as private October 2, 1862 ; appointed major October 7, 1S62 ; appointed lieutenant-colonel April 8, 1863. Maj. George W. Frost ; not mustered. Maj. Henry W'. Blair. Maj. John Aldrich, age 38, Gilford ; jiromoted from captain Company A, April 8, 1863, vice Blair ]iromoted to lieutenant- colonel. Adjt. Edward E. Pinkham, age 21, Laconia ; enlisted as private October 6, 1862 ; appointed adjutant October 18, 1862. O. M. h-a A. Moody, age 33, Dover; appointed October 3, 1862. Surg. Jeremiah V. Hall, age 43, Wolieborough ; ai)i)ointed October 2"^, 1862; honorabl}- discharged b)- Major-Ciencral l^anks. Januar}- 19, 1863. .Surg. Carl H. Horsch, age 40. Dox'er ; a]ipoiiited januar_\' 20, 1863; joined regiment March 9, 1863. Asst. Surg, l^enjamin \. Towle, age 33, Xewmarket ; appointed ( )ctol)er 14, 1862. Asst. Surg. Joseph IC. Jaiurin, age 23, lOxeter ; apjiointed October 28, 1862. Chap, Edwin M. Wheelock, age 33, I)o\er ; ap]iointed October 10, 1862. The Field and Staff. i i 5 NOX-COMMISSIOXED StAFF. John O. Wallingford, sergeant-major ; appointed second lieutenant Company I, January iS, 1863, \ice James D. Moore, promoted first lieutenant. Jeremiah H. W. Tebbetts became sergeant-major January 18, 1863 ; promoted from fourth sergeant Company I. vice J. O. Wallingford, promoted second lieutenant Company I. Willard C. Kempton, hospital steward ; appointed October 7, 1862. George \\\ Hobbs, quartermaster-sergeant ; appointed October 3, 1862. Josiah B. Kimball, commissary-sergeant ; appointed October 2, 1862; discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability May 16, 1863. ii6 The Fifteenth Xew Hampshire Vo/unteers. COL. JOHN W. KINGMAN. Col. John W'. Kincmw was Ijorn Januai"\- i, 1821, in tlie town ol" Harrington, N. II. 1 1 is taniil\- connections, on botli the maternal antl jxiternal sides, run hack to the earliest colonial settlement of the state. His i^reat-grandmother, on the mother's side, was L}(lia "Brewster, of Portsmouth, a descendant of i'dder William Brewster, of Mayflower memory. She was the wife of Col. Josejih Hicks, of Dover (afterwards TJtc Field and Stajf. 1 1 7 Madbiirv). Colonel Hicks was a prominent man in liis cla\ , and took part in the militar)' and ci\ic affairs of the colony prior to the Re\-olutionary war. He raised a company of volunteers, in 1745, to join the expedition under General Pepperill for the capture of Louisburg from the French, which was the most notable and important military achievement performed by the New England colonies before the Revolution. On his father's side he was related to the family of Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, of Cambridge, Mass., a professor in Harvard uni\'ersitv, who was the first to introduce vaccination for small po.x into this country ; and also to the Webster family, from which Daniel Webster sprung. His ancestors, on both sides, were earnest participants in the war of the Revolution, and rendered substantial service both civil and military during that terrible struggle. Colonel Kingman spent his early da)'s on the farm in Madbury, which descended to his mother from its first settle- ment by the father of Col. Joseph Hicks, some time in the latter part of 1600. He fitted for college at Phillips Exeter Academy, and graduated at Harvard university in the class of 1843. He studied law in the ofifice of Daniel Webster, in Boston, and commenced practice in Cincinnati, O., but returned to Xew Hampshire in 1847, "^^^^ opened an office in Dover. In 1849 he married a daughter of Hon. Daniel M. Christie, and shortly after formed a co-partnership with him, and continued in the active practice of law until he was commissioned as colonel of the Fifteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, by Goxernor Berr}', in the fall of 1862. He organized and drilled his regiment at Concord, and in November, 1862, was ordered to New York city to join General Banks' expedition to New Orleans. In the spring of 1869, soon after the inauguration of General Grant as president of the United States, Cokniel Kingman was appointed and commissioned as associate justice of the supreme court of the new territory of Wyoming. He ii8 'Flic Fiftccuth Xcw tiaiiipshirc I \)luntccrs. I removed to Wyoming, and ser\ed one term of four }'ears on the bench of that court. He then resumed his law practice in that territory, where he remained until 1S83, when he moved to Cedar Falls, in the state of Iowa, where he engaged in manufacturing, and where he now resides. Colonel Kingman has three sons and two daughters. His oldest son graduated at West Point at the head of his class, and is now a captain in the l^ngineer Corps of the United States army. His second son is engaged with him in manu- facturing at Cedar Falls. His youngest son graduated at the State School of Mines in Colorado, and is settled at Helena, Montana, as a mining engineer. IJKUT.-COL. GKORGF W. FROST. Was born in Salem, Mass., September 14, iiSj4. He was the son of Capt. John b'rost, and Luc\- I'rue l-"rost. His father was for many _\ears a widel_\- known and successful sea ca]-)tain. 'I"he son, when (|uite a young man, migrated to Newmarket, X. H., and found there his futuix' wife and UKNKY \V. lU.AIK. The Field and Staff. 119 permanent home. He was at first employed as a clerk of the Newmarket Manufacturing Company, but rose to be its trusted agent, and ser\ed in that capacity for nearly thirty years. From motives of patriotism he sacrificed this honoral^le and lucratix'c position, in the darkest hour of his country's peril, and sought the tented field. He was appointed majcn' of the h'iftecnth regiment, October 7, 1862, but before being so mustered was advanced to its lieutenant- colonelency, and mustered as such on the eighteenth of the same month. He resigned on account of disability due to climatic fever, on the fourteenth of the following February. He died June 30, 1879, at Coney Island, X. V., and was buried at Newmarket on July 5, with military and civic honors. He was highly esteemed and greatly mourned by all. Business was suspended on the day of the funeral. Company G, of the National Guard, performed escort duty at his funeral obsequies, and was commanded on the occa- sion by their captain, J. J. Hanson, who served under Colonel Frost as sergeant of Company D in the Fifteenth New Hampshire, and afterwards for many )'ears in the mills of which he was the a^ent. LIEUT.-COL. HENRY W. BLAIR. A weighty responsibility falls to all historians, in that the fame and repute of those in whose story he deals rests with him. His pen can raise a reputation above the true charac- ter of the individual in hand, or sink it far below its rightful place and level. However high his purpose, or conscientious, or howe\er honest and impartial his intent, or untiring his industry and research, he may yet well mistrust his ability to do exact justice to all. The utmost to be hoped for is that, with great care, he may avoid express injustice to any, even I 20 The Fifteenth Xei^< Heimpshire J 'olunteers. though he fail to accord them, in all instances, their full and proper dues ; and, besides, it is a delicate task to write of those who still dwell with us in perishable temples of cla}-. lUit what is written of them is an immortal i:)art that shall endure in time while the soul li\cs on in eternitw It were irremediable if that immortal i^art were falsel}' set down. In this \-iew one should tremble to reflect what an idle oi- inad- vertant word may do. And what, now, would seem adulation and flatter}' to the lix-ing, might be highl}' aj^propriate and fitting onl)' a few da)s hence, when death ensues and the}- li\-e only in these annals and the memor}' of the good and brave deeds the}' ha\'e done. One is freer to speak of the departed, especially those who gave their young li\es to a great cause. Their memories are, indeed, precious legacies ; but not more so than that of their living comrades will presently become. It was b}' the mere chance of war that those who survive did not make as great a sacrifice as those who fell. lUit \"er}' man}' of our comrades ha\e alread\' gone from earth, and may be thus freel}- spoken of ; and all who still live in these latter days are in the evening of life, and verge upon the brink of eternit}'. We should, then, write of our dead and of our lix'ing also, in a measu.re as though we wrote in the future, and oni}' for those who coiiie after us to enjo}' the goodl}' heritage established and maintained b}' the heroism of their fathers. It is not our purpose to set forth the ci\il career of our lieutenant-colonel ; this work, properl}', has to do with his military services oiil\'. And \et a brief personal sketch is thought to be admissible here for such of our comrades as have risen to positions of honor and trust iii public life, or become otherwise conspicuous because of theii' high character and abilities. He, though ph}'sicall\' slight in the braxe old days, rose afterwai'ds, not oiil\' in stature, but in other respects, to be a giant among men and stand like the I'hc Field and Staff. 1 2 i princely Saul of Tarsus, head and shoulders al)()\-c his fellows. His life has been a busy one, and his publie work so various, so multitudinous, and so important and far reaching, that it could scarce be mentioned in the brief space allotted to it in these pages. It will ne\er be known to the busy present, nor fully appreciated by the bustling future. Like us, they will accept their blessings, nor pause to ask iroxn whence thev spring, or who bled or died that they might be. In jMivate life he sinks himself from sight and thinks onh- of the good of others ; in public life he was the statesman always, and because of his honesty and incorruptibilit\' remained poor. The very fact of his povert}' is indisputable evidence of his official rectitude, and should be the highest mark and token of his honor. As to his soldiership, the onl)' criticisms e\'er heard were that he was ambitious and exacting in matters of obedience, and drill, and discipline, and brax'C and dashing to a fault in time of battle; all of which, in a soldier, are virtues of the highest character. With him, in those young days, it seemed to some there ne\'er came a time when discretion was the better part of \alor. The orders were "forward" always, and the skulker had better ha\-e fallen on the field than meet him afterwards. But this porti(jn of his career, and that of his comrades in arms, it is the purpose of this work to set forth. His high character in public life is indicated in his reasons for declining an United States district judgeship. A con- temj^orary says of this : " When urged by President Harrison to accept the place, he, realizing his pecuniary embarrassments, made this charac- teristic reply: 'Our hopes of justice depend upon the independence and incorruptibilit}' of the judiciar}'. The constitution requires that the judges be chosen from men as able and impartial as the lot of humanity will admit. While a judge ma\- not be wealth)-, he shoukl be independent, for 122 'f/ic Fifteen t/i Xt'ic Hauipsliirc Vol/iiitccrs. otherwise his own crctlitor may be a party before him ai;"ainst some poor and humble citizen whose right even the best judge might guard less sacredly because of the secret power of the wealth}' suitor o\er the court.' To the self-vuged objection, perhaps ne\er heard before from a })erson iMojiosed to be so greatly benefitted by an appointment, the president could make no reply except to say that Mr. Blair was right." It has been well said that he is not to be turned from the ]nu-suit of an end when il has been concluded uj^on and adjudged right and necessar}-, and for the general weal. No fear could awe nor fa\c)r swer\e him from an high purpose, or his c(;ncci:)tion of ckit\', when once so delilx'ratch' fixed, and one whose eciuanimit)' n(jthing C(nild disturb or ruffle, and whom none could wrong or abuse to an extent that he would e\"cn dream of resentment or rc\cnge ; one who would not think the guilt of wronging another woultl be less because that other had wn.nged him ; who would stej) aside rather than crush the busy ant in his }\athwa}-, and submit without plaint or murnuu" to all ]xdn, inic;uit\', or wrong, rather than himself do injury to the lunublest of (lod's creatures, or in the least degree increase their tribulations and sorrows; one slow to wrath, but once his blooil was stirrctl would bear himself like the Alcides of ancient story. All, friend and flic alike, are regarded as brothers, each with his grievous burden i)ressing blindl)- on in a great and nnsterious race thi'ough an hard world, where an helping hand shoukl alwax's be held out, and where i)il\' should extend to that narrow and inconsiderate one who essax s to do us wrong, in that e\ery e\il woi'd or i\K:c(\ nuist miss its loft\- mark, and in nature's wide econonn- return to plague its inxentor ; and one such because ot his own guilelessness, as would ne\cr suspect e\il in another till shocked at its tlisclosure, and then could scarce belie\e it true; dwelling in a world where naught The I^'icld and Staff. 123 should ever be set down in malice, where all vengeance shotdd be left to heaven, and where i;reat and generous souls mav soar like eagles in the bright realms (jf air, abo\e the sight and comprehension of those who merely grovel on the earth as on a dunghill, seeking selfish and material ends, and from such lofty regions behold the universal cosmos, and \iew the world as one vast plain whereon poor humanity t(jils beneath the hot sun as in an harvest field. No malicious shaft can reach to injure such who are the true philosophers of life and benefactors of their kind ; seeming favors prove abortive and injurious in the end, demanding reparation and pay; and seeming injuries are a discipline from heaven, and prove benefactions to those who jiatiently wait the final great accompt. It is a world wherein one should be the \ictim rather than the author of malice and wrong ; for a deed of blood even, while it must be a thing of lasting terror to the doer thereof, as an usurj^ation of the work of (iod, }'et e\en such an atrocious act ma}- be an occult blessing, and would be speedily forgiven, for it only anticipates b)- a little the designs oi nature, and sends the freed soul prematurely home to the skies and the mighty possibilities of futurit}-. And time's verdict shall be, if ever one lived who was a lion on the field of battle, a lamb in times of peace ; one who sought position solely that he might benefit his fellows, who flung away personal ambition, who loved himself last, who. could cherish the hearts that hated him ; one broad enough to see that corruption wins not more than honesty, who was e\-er just and feared not, and whose ends were all his country's, his (iod's, and truth's, that man was Henry W. Blair. After much solicitation the colonel writes of himself as follows ; 124 The I'iftccnth Xci^' Ilcnnpshirc ]'olu)ittcrs. Fifth .\\i:nik Hiiti;i.. .Madisox Sqiakk. .New ^"okk. June 19. 1899. Friend McGret^or : I never can toucli ;i in-rsdiial sketch. I was \ww\ December 6. 1S34, at Campton, N. H. My lather's name was William Henry Blair, and my mother's name wa.s Lois I5aker. Ijoth natives df that town: my latlier descended from the Blairs of Londonderry. N. H.. and my mother from Moses Baker, of Candia — Revolutionary stock on both sides. My father died from the eflects of an accident. December 8. 1836, leavin^^ my mother with three children, and another was Ijorn the twentv-seventh (lav of Maw 1837. The children were scattered after a while, and mother died of overwork, "rief. and poverty, in the summer of 1846, when I was eleven yeai's old. I lived on a farm in Campton with Richard Bartlett, a good man and a good farmer, the onlv l)ov on the farm, until 1 was twentv-one. getting what I could from the common schools of the town, and two terms at the Holmes Plymouth Academy in the autumn of 1851 and 1852 : the spring term at New Hampshire Conference Seminary: spring term, 1853. the fall term, 1854, and one more term at a select school in Plvmouth. tall of 1855. 1 had taught school in Campton the winter of 1852-53: at Plvmouth village winter of 1854-55, and at Randolph, Mass.. winter of .855-56. .My healtii had failed, and 1 had to give up the idea of a liberal education, and began reading law with William Leverett, Lscp, in Plymouth, Monday, May i, 1856. Was admitted to Crafton Ijar, May term, 1859 : appointed solicitor Crafton count}-, sunimei-of i860 : became partner with William Leverett, firm name of Leveiett l\: IJlair. .Memljer of New llami)shire House of Representatives, 1866; of New Hampshire Senate, 1867 and 1868: Inited States House of Representatives, 1875- 77, Forty-fourth ant! FortN-fit'th Congresses: of Senate from 1879 until 1891 : of I'nited States House of RepresiMitatives, Fit'ty-third Congi'ess, 1893-95. Since tln-n |)racticing law. at home in Manchester. N. IL, where I am still i-esiding. Married to Kli/.a Nelson, daughter of Rev. William Nelson, of Plymouth, Decembei- 20, 1859. One child. llenr}P. Hl.iii-. a piactieing Ia\\\er at Washington, D. C. Over seventv-five millions of dollars — more than half of ;dl the annual expenditure for pensions — are \ym\ out under laws wliich 1 originated. I take some comtoit in that. I ;im the author of •• The Temperance .Moxement. or The Conflict of Man with .Alcohol." and •• F.ssays and .Vddresses upon .Many Subjects " The Field and Stajf. 125 In atklition to the aboxe enumeration ot his pubhc services, it should be mentioned that he was appointed to the Chinese mission, but was rejected as persona uon grata to that great kingdom because of some just strictures of his while in Congress, on the subject of oriental immigration. In a letter to Colonel Kent, afterwards of the Seventeenth Regiment, Colonel Blair says : My own connection with the service came about as follows: I rode with C\)lonel Cross from Concord to Plymouth in 1861, he being on his way to Lancaster, where he was beginning to raise the Fifth, and decided to enlist and go with him. I was not then verv strong, and when I tokl my friends tliey objected, and my family physician with the rest. I went to Concord, and was examinetl liv one of the surgeon.s there, who said that they should reject me. I lost mv mother and a brother by consumption, had broken down in pursuit of an education, and was still enfeebled by a relapse of measles some vears before ; so I gave it up. But in the summer of the next year I volunteered for the Twelfth, again with the same result, however, when I went to the surgeon at Concord. Tlie call for 300.000 nine-months' men was then or imme- diateh' Iiniteers. faith that dwelt within them ; and there were still others who had been disabled in pre\ious service at the front and discharged therefrom, and who had so far recovered as to be accepted here ; and records show that all, apparently, who returned with our broken and shattered rci^iment, and who were not utterly debilitated, re-enlisted and returned to the front, where they endured renewed hardships and dangers, and many suffered wounds and deaths not herein recorded. They were not in any true sense short term men, but were there till the end. All the weak had succumbed to the perils and hardships of a soldier's life, and slept in soldiers' graves or were dropped from the rolls, never more to feel the exuberance of }()uth or enjo)- the blessings of health. But such as did return to the front were trained and hardened \-eterans now, each an host in himself ; could meet a Spartan in equal conflict ; was proof against the unseen pestilence that lurked in tented fields ; capable of all endur- ance and hardship; blackened b)- sun and storm like the Xumidian archer ; silent and grim in demeanor, never mur- muring nor complaining, ne\er surprised nor stampeded ; true and unflinching as the polished steel he bore and constant as the polar star. The\' were there till the last ioe laid down his arms ; they would not sur\-i\e their country's fall ; the}- were in the far South and the Mast ; the_\- marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, and were present on the pi"oud, sad day of Ai)pomatto.\. The history of the regiment, as an organization, dates from No\ember 12, 1S62 — its term beginning on that da)' — when it marched to Concord, and was mustered into the ser\ ice of the L^nited States b\- Capt. Charles Holmes, of the -Sexenteenth I'nited States Infantr)-. The ceremonies were \er\' imposing, and took |)lace in the state house \ard. ( )ur sturdy old war go\enior, Nathaniel S. Heri")', there and then presented the regiment with its colors, the "Hag of our lathers." with its full constellation of stars, and the banner of Historical Sketch. 139 the state, the shield of New Hampshh-e theieon, all in blue and L;()ld and heavily fringed and tasselled ; they were of silk and of the richest d}es, and their staffs were surmounted with golden eagles, like the standards of old Rome. Napo- leon's historic guard nor great Caesar's tenth L-gion never marched in Gaul nor paraded the streets of the eternal city with banners of like artistic worth and beauty. GOV. NATHANIEL S. BERRY. 140 The l-iftccnth Xcic Ilampsliiir I'oliiutccrs. (jovcrnor Berry's words at the presentation were charac- teristic and fiery — all felt the insi^ration of the moment. He enjoined that these fia^s should be carried to the \ery forefront in the da\' of battle, and be there maintained and defended to the last. He doubted not that they were entrusted to bra\e and faithful hands, and that tlu-_\- would be retin-ned with new lustre added to the ,^'lor}' of the old Granite State. He appealed to the men to be true to the standard of the fathers, and dilated upon the hardshijis and suffcrin^:;- that the}', in all probabilit}-, would ha\-e to endure in their defence ; and he cautioned the colonel to look well after the health and comfort of the men placed in his charge so far as it la\- in his power. Colonel Kinunian. on receiv- in<4- the flags from the goxernor's hands, briefl}' responded. He was eloquent and patriotic, but as was customary in those times, a]iproached dangerously near the borders ol grandil()C|uence, pledg- ing himself and the men ot his command to stand b\' these I'dlors foi-e\er, remembering alwaxs tliat the}' were from the land of "old John Stark." "To- morrow," he said, "we go forth to battle for the union of the states, and we swear b_\- the old granite hills that these colors shall ne\er know disgrace;" then turning to the i-egiment, he phu-ed the stars and stripes in the hands of .Sergeant Merrick, of C"om])an\' K, the largest man in the regiment, who had been p;re\iousl\' selected to recei\e it, and the state bamier in the hands of C'orporal Ilussey, of Company I, coi,oNi;i, KI^■G^r.\^^ I Historical Skctc/i. 141 who stood by his side. These men thus became the color bearers of the regiment, and to them was afterwards added a color guard of seven additional corporals, making nine in all. These exercises were quite protracted, during which all stood immovably at attention, and became excessively wearied. The regiment then returned to camp. The weather was very pleasant and the ground dry, although on the eighth there were four inches of snow and sleighing. The coming, eventful Thursday, the thirteenth, proved one of the most beautiful and tranquil of autumn days that God ever vouchsafed to shine on the warring children of men. Orders are received the night before to break camp, and prepare for the march, with a canteen of coffee and rations for the trip, and at daylight all is for a time bustle and seeming confusion. At 7 o'clock the line is formed, and marched off the field by the right fiank in column of fours, with the new banners spread to the still air and bright autumnal sun. The regiment was now in its fullest numbers, and the men in their new uniforms of army blue made a very fine appearance ; the field and staff were mounted on prancing steeds. The band, which had been organized of enlisted men, played along the route ; the music ceased and the step was broken while crossing the long, wooden bridge across the Merrimack. At mpan\- 1, who had been detailed with a sc|uad of men to transpoit and care for the same. it ajipcais that tlic regiment ci-ossed to l^rooklyn b}- the i-'ulton ferr)-, but the baggage came b\- wa\- of Williamsburg. Aniij Life at Long Island. 147 Armv Life at Long Island. It is now Saturday, the fifteenth of November, and cold, with northeast winds heavily laden with moisture from the neighboring ocean. This, our first day here, was a memo- rable one on account of the battle of Long Island, jocularly so called. Our rations are prepared by contract on a whole- sale scale under the steps of the grand stand, and the various organizations march there and file by a hole in the wall, when each receives his portion on his plate and a dipper of coffee or tea. But our lodging place had been these very steps, and our guns were stacked in front. Our boys were just getting their rations when a Massachusetts regiment — the Forty-first, Colonel Chickering — marched up and began to crowd in, and became very boisterous, and mobbed our Colonel Kingman, who stood in their midst like a giant. He tried to preserve the peace, but the Massachusetts blood was up, and man)' were eager for sport. One threw a tin dipper at the colonel, which struck him on the nose, wrecking his gold bowed glasses, and somewhat disturbing his equa- nimity. But now Lieutenant Seavey, being near, handed his sword to the colonel, with the flat side of which he laid about right and left till the intruders fell back and quiet was restored. But there was a very narrow escape from bloodshed. Some of the Massachusetts bo}-s shouted, "put up that sword!" Our men began to take their arms, and were on the point of charging, when the colonel ordered them back, telling them that it was unnecessary. Our brave old Kingman bore himself with great firmness .and ability on this occasion, and averted serious trouble. • We gave him three rousing cheers and a tiger, and so the affair ended, and no permanent hard feelings were engendered between the two regiments. This wrecking of the glasses was the onlv casualtv. Thus began and ended the so called 148 The Fifteenth Xcic Ilauif-shiir \\)liintccrs. m M 1 r w \ m A . \ CAPTAIN STEARNS — Co. E. I'IRST I.IEIT. PARKKR — Co. SKCUM) I.IIUT. WOOD — Co. E. I.lHl'T. T. M. lirSK — Co. G. Arviy Life at Long Island. 149 battle of Long Island, almost on the very spot where, August 22, 1876, Sir Henry Clinton defeated General Putnam, whose home we passed in Connecticut, and compelled General Washington to evacuate the island. The tents now furnished the regiment were of the \-aricty called shelter tents ; they are pitched on the broad lex'el and the camp set in order. There is system in all this, the little white \illage dotting the ground with mathematical precision, each compan}-, according to its place in line, half on each side of a street by itself, and each of the compan}' streets running back transversely to the general regimental front. Such is the plan of all regimental camps. When the regi- ment is called in line for drill or dress parade or other purpose, the orderly falls in each his own company in his own street, and then the ten companies march out from these streets, and swing into the general line on the parade ground in front. After long drilling this movement could be made in an incredibh' short time and with almost absolute exactitude. It is mteresting to note that at this time the regiment was organized b}' compan}' as follows : Left. BCFKEGI DHA Right. ^ ,= p^ =: S '■'I ^ ^ E- ^ Ca[:)tains. 27105839461 Captain's rank. G was the color company, with Captain Stearns of E right in the h^lds of our starry banner. These shelter tents were intended for four occupants each, and were composed of four square .pieces of light canxas that 150 The Inftcciith Xci^' Hampshire ]'oluntccrs. r CAPTAIN GORDON — Co. F. 11, 1 I'. S. 1'. CoI.IiV — C>i. !■■ Anny Life at Long Island. 1 5 i buttoned together in one large sheet, which could be thrown o\er anv improvised ridgepole or be held by two guns at the centre, and the edges be brought down and pinned to the ground. ( )n the march each occupant was supposed to carry one of these pieces, and so with his mates be always ready to pitch his tent in an}- place and at a moment's notice. They were scarcely three and a half feet high under the ridge, and sloped to the ground on either side like the roof of a tiny house without walls. They were a source of merriment to some and of grumbling and discontent to others ; they resembled hay caps, and the boys doxe under them like woodchucks, and slept in unutterable mud and misery on the cold ground. The most buoyant of our bo}s could scarce find comfort or maintain a jocund spirit in such low and close quarters at such an inclement season. The line officers were provided with wall tents and flies — two to each company — and the field and staff were still more commodiously pavilicjned in this field of war. Sunda}', the sixteenth, was bitter cold, with wind and sleet. Snow had fallen hea\ily in the night to the depth of a foot, and drifting in the icy blast, had almost buried the little white city from sight. It grew warmer toward sunset, and changed to rain, which poured down in ceaseless torrents all through the night and all the next day till near night, but without as yet permitting us a glimpse of the Jamaica sun. On this day our regiment was reviewed by General Banks, who pronounced it, as he probably did all the others, " the finest looking body of men he had ever seen." Note. November 16. Extract from letter of Lieutenant Perkins : "It is hitter Cdld, and we can have no fire, and we are alniost frozen. I was so cold I cunld not hold m\' |)encil to write, and went out to a house, where 1 am writing; this.'" •■ Manv are sick with C(.)lds and headaches." 152 The FiftcciitJi Xcik.' Irlampsliirc W^lnutccrs. But now restraint and liartl work bci^in. Tlic fullowin";- order of ealls will indieate the L;encral routine : I'xiox CorusE. .MoxDAV. November 17. 1862. Gknekal Order. Xo. 4. The following- dail_\- details and duties will he observed till further orders : Reveille and roll-call at daybreak. Breakfa.st at 7 o'clock .\. ^\. Guard mounting at 9 o'clock A. .M. Companv drill at 9.30 o'clock A. .m. Dinner at 12 o'clock .M. Battalion drill at 2 o'clock v. ^\. Evening dress parade at 4 o'clock i'. M. Tattoo at 8.30 o'clock v. .m. Tai)s at 9 o'clock i'. M. At taps all lights will be extinguished e.xcept at headquarters, and all enlisted men e.\ce])t the guard will be in their quarters. By command of Col. Joiix \V. 1\IX(,max. Edward E. Pinkiiam. Aiijiitaut. This was a \q.x\ rain\- da\' ; ixun-ed down in torrents in the afternoon ; cleared at nii;ht. Xo drill. Union Cotu'se, Tuesdaw Xoxeniber 18, 1862. .\ \er)" cheerless, windy autumn day. All drill omitted because of the heavy rains. All the land is flooded and well nigh impassable for mud. One's feet sink into the ooze and mire from four to si.\ inches. It i)roves that it was by some mistake that shelter tents were sent us. and to-da\- A tents were recei\-ed. white and new, and the little shelters were hastil}' exchan-ed for these comparatixely luxurious C|uarters. With them came also loads of tdean, brig,ht straw, and the boys evinced theii' jo}- by cheerin- the colonel, and in the e\-enin,n g,'^''k^ '^''^^ -i I'ousin^ serenade, in which the band joined, and the spirits of all rose ai;ain to a hii^h jiitch in spite of their ,L;loom\- cnxironments. Dress jiarade in the mud at 4 I'. M. I i A7-UIV Life at Long- Is laud. i 53 Union course, Wednesday, November 19, icS62. Thoui;-!-! rainy and with the wind still cast, battalion drill was held and dress parade in the mud at the ))rescribed hours. At battalion drill the \vht)le ret;"iment is manouxered b)' the colonel and his staff in full military arra\'. It is obser\"ed that an immense army is assembling here. On Thursday, the twentieth, it was still raining, with the wind from the ocean. There is no dr)- place nor warmth. One's frame trembles and the teeth chatter. Our beds at night on the saturated ground are extremely cold and uncom- fortable. A New York batter)' arrixes, and goes into camp near b}-. It was a peculiar and ai)})arentl}- deadh' affair, consisting of four pairs of heav}- trucks, on the ponderous axles of each of which were mounted twent}'-fi\e barrels of about one inch calibre, that could be elevated, depressed, or spread fan-like by some complicated mechanism, and fired with great rapidit}'. The camp was tidied up in spite of the rain, in expectation of the arrival of General Banks, for it now appears that we are a part of a secret expedition com- mitted to his charge. On Friday, the twenty-first, the wind was still east. It rained hard through the night, and came down in toi rents all day. llie broad land is all afloat. No drill nor dress parade. The fare and all the circumstances are excessively oppressive and disheartening, and now that the no\elty of military life has somewhat worn away, in some bosoms the fires of patriotism are nearly quenched. Man)' of tnu" mem- bers were prosperous farmers and business men, and nearl)' all enlisted from high motives of duty and for the public weal ; and the \'er)' few who did not, deserted at the first opportunit)', and were in general seen no more. But in the case of some who now forsook their colors, it must be admitted that there was well nigh intolerable pro\'ocation thereto in the impenetrable gloom of the situation. It is a source of pride that not one of our men deserted in the face 154 l^f'>-' Fifteenth Xew Hampshire J'oliinteers. of the cncni}- or after reaehini;- the southern land ; but it is l^ainful to record that here on this da)' Ser_L;t. John (J. .A. Hanson, of Company D. cHsappeared, and was seen no more. On the twenty-second it was still raining;- in the forenoon, but the sun burst out in the afternoon, and the boys gave three rousing- cheers for the glorious old ha\-maker. Regi- ments and batteries continually arri\e, and go into camp here, till the)- cover a wide extent of level countr)'. They are thought to number 30,000 men, and at night, when lit up, the vast camp presents a most beautiful sight. The Forty-second, Fiftieth, and ]''ift)'-second Massachusetts come to-day and another New York batter)-. The chief work is drilling, but there is sonic guard and police and fatigue dut)-. Corp. A. 1{. Ambrose is appointetl fifth sergeant of Compan)- D, \-icc the deserter of yesterday. Death of Orrin F. Wheeler, of Compaii)- A. Sunday, the twent)--third, was \-ery cold, antl the wind rose almost to a hurricane, and on Monda\- the weather con- tinued cold, but was otherwise comparati\-el)- pleasant. The hands are extremcl)' cold at drill. Alonda)-, the twent)--fourth, was cool and jileasant. Man)- strangers in the held. Ho)s rallied the cook house, and man)- of theni b;-ought off l)eet anil sugar. The morning of the twent\--hfth was frost)', but the day pro\-etl \-er\- pleasaiit. The full order of dail\- exercises was carried out ; a \-er)- Fine drill. Man)- \isiting strangers in camp. ( )n this da)' the Xorthwood bo)'s of Comjxm)' I) had a \'er)' ]ileasant ami unexix'cted greet iiig from old friends and former neighbors. Mrs. Annie ( Knowlton) Morrison, then of New \'ork city, sister of Mr. Ilemy Knowlton, of Xorth- wood, who made the presentation remai'ks in Xorthwood when Lieutenant I)urgin receixed his sword, hearing of the arrixal of the Xorthwood l)o\'s, dro\e to cam]) with apples and cider from the old home in Xorthwood, froni the farm An/iy Life at Long Island. 155 of her father, Mr. Miles Knowlton. She brought also chickens, pies^ and various other articles of food. Mrs. Morrison, with other ladies, was away from home, engaged in preparing lint for the wounded, when she received word of the presence of her old neighbors on Long Island, and then immediately retiu-ned, where, with her husband, late in the afternoon of the twent}--fourth, she commenced her prepara- tions, and after working all night, at 3 o'clock in the morning of this day she started for camp. Note. Extract tVom letter of Sergt. Luther Stevens, of Company K, dated Xovember 25: "There is the call to battalion drill, and I must stop now. ••After supper, Union Course, Ijy candle light, sitting on my i)illo\v, writing on mv camp stool. We have got our tent fixed up with a tioor and shelves put up for our dishes and to eat on. Those that call in to see us think it ver_\- hantly to what theirs is. Vou know what a curious fellow 1 am to tix up things, and we have quite a snug little home. I should like to have you peep in, and see us and how snug and comfortable we are. Perhaps vou would like to know something about what a large family they have to cook for here. One man takes the contract to teed all the men here, and the\' have a large cook house fitted up, and ha\"e two sets of hands, and work night and dav, and the teams run night and day to haul the provisions. To-night \ve had bread and cheese and coffee, and you can judge something about it when I tell you that we eat a half ton of cheese and a cord and a half of bread, and we drink thirty- two barrels of coffee each time for breakfast and supper. They have eight large kettles that hold four barrels each, and they make them all full, and the quantities of meat I cannot describe." Note. Extracts from a soldier"s letter, dated at Union Course, Xovem- ber 25, 1S62 : •■ Ca.mp N. p. P).a\ks, Xe.\k r>KooKLVN, L. I., Xovember 25, 1862. Dfar I'atlicr : I improve this opportunity for writing you a few lines, and it will prob- ably be the last chance until I am landed .somewhere, it is rumored, t)n the soutliern coast. But this is all guess work. Our stay here has already been much longer than anyone expected. I'erhaps this was owing partly to so much stormy weather. I have hardly seen the sun 156 The l-'iftccnth Xciv Hampshire ]'oI/iutccrs. since I left New Hamijshirc. For nearlv a wci-k after we landed here it rained continually, and \vj\\ 'tis raining again. But it takes a good while to get so many troops together. Here people take no more notice of a whole regiment than thev would of a single squad in Londonderry. I ])resume there are 30.000 soldiers in this vicinity. It is jjretty evident that we shall start soon. The C|uartermaster is packing his stores this night. And I guess no one will l)e sorrv to get out of this place. * * * Last night they had a little row here at the cook house, though the row was not so little after all. for where a riot is started among so many, it is apt to be on a large scale. Hundreds would start, mn the guard, smash through windows oi- doors, and help them- selves to anything they could get hold of. A great manv came out with their caps filled with sugar. One stout fellow carried oft' a whole barrel. Others brought meat and cider, etc. They drill us ])rett\" hard no\\', Init when we are off dut\' we enjov oui"- selves well, especially in the evening. I am well, so are all the London- derry boys, though forty or fifty of the regiment are in the lu)spital. You will please answer this. If we move, it will follow us. Address. Chas. Mac, L'nion Course, Jamaica, N. Y. 15th Regt. X. H. \-." The t\vent}'-si.\th ai^ain was vcr\' rain)-, l)vit the usual order of exercises was carried out. There are daih' rumors that we shall leave Long Island, and all are ready now to welcome the glad day, and hope that a kind pro\idence will vouchsafe that they ma}" ne\er see it more. The mud is now^ interminable ; it is black as ink. A rarnmer can be run down its whole length. The wind and rain is never wear}-, and exen an amphibious animal wouUl starxe and drown where we hax'e to drill and march and parade and splash about da\- in and tla\- out, and then lie down in it all to pass the nights. ( )m' prosi)ect is cut off on one side b\- a wood and on the other b\- a high fence, but were these remoxed, none could see thi-ough the thick and drizzling air. e\en for a ship's length. .Still there are occasional outbreaks of jollit}-. and on one of these nights a numerous part)- raided the surrounding neigiiborhood, and brotight in siioil as though Ai-jiiy Life at Loirr Island. 157 they had sacked a cit)-, among which were more than a hundred ducks and geese. One of the marauders, howexer, was shot through the ear and another in the neck with what was thought to he peas. It seems that on this e\-ening great and quite general prej^arations were made for the morrow, which was Thanksgi\'ing Day. Hoyt, Ora Heath, D. 11 Smith, and another of Compan)- F set out at 10 o'clock in the evening, and went two miles to raid a hen house. They waited in amhush an half hour for the Dutchman to go to hed. When his light went out, the}' pulled open the hen htnise door, rushed in, grahhed two turkeys each, and then broke for camp with the birds squalling sufficient to wal:e the dead. The Dutchman ga\'e chase with a gun, but without avail ; and so Company 1^' had turkey for the festive occasion, and at which feast the jovial Captain Gordon pronounced the following blessing ; "God, be merciful to our unrighteousness; our ini(.|uilies remember no more. Pardon our sins. Bless our souls. Bless this food ; may we expend the strength we receive from it to Thy honor and glory. Amen." The company K boys also made great i)rei)arations for celebrating the coming day ; they proposed a thanksgi\ing breakfast. In the evening si.xteen of them, of whom Bill Tabor seems to have been the leader, removed some boards from the high fence at the back of the park near the railroad, through which they made their exit, and visited a Dutch farm house, where there was a large flock of fowl. There was, however, a w^atch dog tied up there to give the alarm. 158 The Fifteen f It Xe7^' Hampshire J'o/i/uteers. Wwi one returned, and br()Ui;ht to this \var^' sentinel a female companion from camp, which engaged his attention while they cut the rope, and both went frolicking off together, leaving the coast clear. Then work began, and was quickly despatched ; they estimate that they carried to camp about one hundred and twenty-five hens, ducks, and geese. On returning to camp they dug a hole in one of their tents, and sat round it and dressed the lot ; then the hole was filled and the straw replaced. At half past four in the morning of Thanksgiving Day their breakfast was read)-. Late in the afternoon the Dutchman appeared in camp with an officer and a search warrant, but could find no trace of the missing birds. It is said that, in their disappointment, they com- plained to Colonel Kingman, but the colonel could not believe there was a man in his regiment who would molest the Dutchman's property, although it was thought that he himself, but perhaps unknowingly, shared in the feast at his breakfast table. On Thanksgiving Day, the twent}--se\enth. the orders were, no drill but dress ixu'ade, and the da}- for a wonder being pleasant, was passed in various sports, such as }()ung men indulge. There was foot ball and base ball, running. jumping, and wrestling, singing, and such dancing and feast- ing as is related to have occurred on " Cannobie Lee." And thanksgi\-ing bo.xes were recei\'ed from home. ( )ld London- derr\' disjiatched one of her citizens to Com])an}' 11 — Mr. Thomas Holmes, who had two brothers in the com])an_\' — through to our camp with such a feast as few enjoNed at home. During the festivities one of Compan_\- (i's tents took fire fi-om a candle, when it burned low, dropping thnnigh the shank of a baNonet in which it was placed, into Note. Extract from a lettL-r : "They luul a ,<;reat time the other ni^ht stealing; the Dutchmen's poultry. 1 ^uess there were 200 chickens. (hici; Island. i6l seem so are blessin,^s in tlisguisc tliat fulfill some hi^i;h ])ur- pose of Nature to discipline her pupils, and the worst of them all are but the subjects of the morrow's laughter. So each day here has evils sufficient unto itself and entertain- ment also, if only man will be temperate in his desires and patiently seek it out. There is less joy at Jamaica than in any other spot of earth, but philosophically all the world is a paradise, and every poor mortal shall find contentment and home wherever on the globe's great face he makes his nightly couch. The citizens of Brooklyn were very patriotic, and the boys were sometimes led to blush for their own predatory raids. At the race course passing gentlemen have been seen to pur- chase a vendor's stock of apples, and toss them across the line to the boys. But we are about to leave. It is Sunda}-, the last day of November, a quite pleasant and warm day, when Companies A, D, H, and I, having been previously warned to hold themselves in readiness, under command of Lieutenant-colonel Frost and escorted by the band, marched to the Brooklyn wharf, and were there ordered aboard the steamer "Ouinc}'." The distance trav- ersed was se\-en or eight miles, in full, heavy marching order. The march through the cit}- was a perfect ovation. Brooklyn was all ablaze with jiatriotism, and many of her good citizens threw wide open their doors to all who wore the army blue. They broke camp at the race course at 3 p. m., the rest of the regiment falling in to salute, and sending them off with three rousing cheers ; the\' reached the wharf at dark. These four companies now numbered about 340 officers and men. The boat was fitted up and provisioned for their reception, l^ut Lieutenant-colonel Frost, deeming the boat inadequate for the accommodation of his men, refused to embark. Me was threatened with court-martial for disobedi- ence of orders, but persisted in his refusal, and the men. 1 62 The Fifteenth Xeiv Havipshire I'oliiiiteers. when jxirtly al^oarcl. were ordered ashore, in consequence of whicli much confusion arose. Colonel F'rost was immediately placed in temi)(M'ar}' arrest. The men found Iodising for the night in the cit}" and elsewhere, and were \ariousl)- enter- tained. The writer of this well remembers that, with com- rade Gregg", ha\-ing secured the necessar}' passes, he \isited an uncle of Gregg's, who was a resident of ]^rookl}n, and was by him entertained for the night ; and in the e\ening was taken to. the great Plymouth Church to hear the world renowned Beecher, then in the height ot his fame and the most eloquent man of the globe. We sat in a lofty galler}-, and looked down \\\)on him from an eminence and a great sea of humanity. Mr. Beecher, howe\er, in a few remarks simply introduced a colored man, who addressed the people in behalf of his down-trodden race. Mr. Beecher was one of the attractions of the world, and there were man\' of our boys who took ad\antage of this occasion to see him. Captain Aldrich formed his comjiany. and marched them back into the city, where they were quartered in the Armory, and were royally entertained by the loyal citizens of Brooklyn to a supper and breakfast. On the ne.xt day, Monda)', December the first, Com})anies .■\ and I) and their officers and nineteen men of Compan\- H antl Lieutenant Perkins — in all about 200, the whole under l^'rost — were assigned to the little 300-lon jiropeller, "James S. (jreen." On the twenty-fifth Lieutenant Durgin, of Comixan)- D, was detailed as commissar\- of sul:)sistence during the xoyage, and reported to Col. \\. (i. Beckwith, by wliom he was assigned to the "(Juinc}." His duty was to receipt for the stores aboard, delixer them on i"et|uisition to tlie troo])s en route, and at the end of the xoyage tmn tlie bakuice o\er to the post commissary, taking his receipt for the same. After Lieutenant Durgin's company had been transferred to the ^-In/zj' Life at Long L^laiid. i6 IRA A. HILL -Co. A \1-;k i;|.;', axT-Co. D. -» JAMES A. BRYANT -Co. D. A. C. HAIXHS — Co. 0. 164 I liv Fiftccntli Xt'w Hampshire W^liiuiccrs. "James S. Green," instead of proceeding by the " Ouincy," as at first intended b)- the embarking officers, he applied to Colonel Beckwith to be released from the "Ouincy" and assigned to the "James S. Green," so as to make the voyage with his own command. But the change could not be readily effected, and so it chanced that he entered upon this unknown voyage with strangers, there having afterwards been assigned to his boat three companies of the Forty- second Massachusetts and sixteen men of a New York regiment. The voyage of the "Ouincy" was without special incident, except that one of the men died during the passage, and received a sailor's burial. A plank was rested in a level position, with one end on the rail, and the body prepared thereon by being sewn in a canvas with a weight at the feet. The engines were stopped for a brief season while a burial service was read, men inclined the plank, the body shot off into the sea, feet downward, and immediately sank from view. The good ship then proceeded on her way. Aniiv Life at Low:: Island. 165 JOSIAH B. PHILBRICK-CO. D. (Seepage .5.) 1 66 The Fifteenth Xcio Hampshire I'oluntccrs. The Voyage of the "James S. Gkeex." The officers aboard the "James S. Green" were Lieuten- ant-colonel Frost ; Captain Aldrich and Lieutenants Cogswell and Hendley, of Company A ; Captain Johnson and Lieu- tenant Chadwick, of Company D ; Lieutenant Perkins, of Company H, and Assistant Surgeon Towle. Sergeant-major W'allingford was also aboard. They ()ccui)ied a little cabin away aft, about 13 x 10x7 feet, which, in a height of se\en feet, was fitted with three tiers of bunks, tweh'e in all. The officers, with their serxants and an hos})ital nurse — Eben Joy — numbered thirteen, so that one of the number slept on the deck. The "Green" was a frail craft, built for the Delaware & Chesapeake Canal Company, and never designed for the tempestuous \'oyage on which she now entered. At this time there were natural inland waters connected by canals, from the upper Mississippi to the great lakes and there by the Erie to the Hudson, and thence again to the Delaware river and bay and the Chesapeake and Albemarle ; and again b}' narrow sounds and otherwise along the coast, with a few little gaps to fill, across Florida to Appalachee, Fensacola, the Rigolets, and Ponchartrain and New Orleans and the river again — and for these waters she was con- structed. But she could not now navigate these inner and safe waters without falling into the hands of the enem)-. The officers and crew of the "James S. Green" won the love and admiration of all by their unwavering courtesy, skill, and seamanship. The captain of the boat was a dapjK^r little man, of small talk, whose name was John D. Marsham. But our chief mate was, especially, a good naturcd, fat man, whose countenance beamed with benevolence and whose great, kuidly face was lumiuous as the full, rountl moon. Me was one Ca]it. W'a^h Willis, a \ery lo_\al and i)atriotic man, who shortly before had l)een captured b}' a Confederate craft — the " leff Davis" — carried in to St. Augustine, antl The I'oyaj^,.- of t/ic "Jaiiics S. Gncii." \6j CORP. JOHN C. BLAKE — Co. A. 1 68 The Fifteenth Xeic Hampshire W^litnteers. thence escaixxl to the ()i)en ocean in a row boat, whence he was rescued b}' a passing;- \essel. Instead of our own com- missar}-, Lieutenant l)urL;in, we had one luhvaid W. I'hilHps. Our boat was fulh" i)ro\isioned, and at the last moment took on fresh beef and ti\e tons of ice. The "Green" was fitted up between decks, for nearly her whole length on both sides, with berths like shehes in a pantr\-. Two could lie in each of these side b\- side, but could b}' no means sit upright. Tliis left amidships a long, narrow stretch of deck, which was onl\' occujiiecl \)\ a cooking range and its various accompanying utensils and kettles and tubs. This and the upper deck were free to all. It was on the afternoon of Monda}-, December the first, which was cold and rain\-, that this little band embarked at the South ferr_\', and at 3 o'clock the tiny but gallant craft pushed out into the stream and anchored. All chu' of the second, which was \-er\' pleasant, she la\- there with manv other steamers around, and some jiassing out to sea with banners flying and bands ])la_\ing, all laden with tro a great square hole in the ship's side, and the sleepers in the contiguous berths barely escaped sliding into the sea. Some of their belongings were so lost. These men who so narrowly escaped were George H. Page, James Sanborn, A. H. Roberts, Edwin E. Wetherell, and Ed. P. Lane, all of Company D. We pass magnificent steamers and stateh' ships and }-)altimore clippers, with their broad, white wings aslant, scudding along like sea birds. We are now steaming south of the Morida Ke\s, that innvmierable archipelago of little islands. At 7 a. m. of the thirteenth we are in sight of l)r)- Tortugas ; weather fine ; good breeze ; sea rough. It is Saturda)'. Here the captain runs up the pilot fiag. The pilot comes aboard at 10 o'clock. He is a tall, raw-boned, coarse fellow, with a red shirt and broad-brimmed hat, and barefooted. We ha\c now run down the latitudes till we are below the twent}-fifth parallel, and are almost touching the Tropic of Cancer, which is the boundary line of the torrid zone and lies twcnU-threc antl a half degrees abo\e the ec|uator, directh' under the sun when he has reached his most northern altitude in our sunnner time. The sun is now in the fai' south, \erticall\- o\er the Tropic of Capricorn. At such time his slanting ra)s just fringe the Arctic circle, leax'ing that circular domain about the pole in the earth's shadow, hound up in night and ice and all the rigors of a ])olar winter. We, howexer. are now in a region of iK'r])etual sununei', and where the mirage often hangs inxerted ships and cities in the sky. The ]^oyagc of the ''James S. Green." 179 The coral insect here, with the skeletons of its dead of countless generations and during unnumbered ages, has raised the ocean's floor till in many places it comes above the surface in numerous little snow-white islands. Some of them howe\-er are said to have acquired a soil and to flourish in tropical verdure. There is but little tide in these land-locked waters of the gulf and Carribean Sea, else they would be submerged at every flow. 7\:)rtugas is one of these islands and situated far in the middle of a group. Fort Jefferson was being constructed on the largest, of eleven acres, and mounts 298 guns, and covered the whole surface. To reach it the boat pursues a de\'ious passage, winding in and out among a maze of these coral islets on whose submerged edges she often grates harshly. The channel is said to be known only to our government pilots, and so the fort is safe from the approach of an enemy. We came to the wharf at i i , A. M. While a gang of men are wheeling coal aboard from a little mountain which the government has stored here, we explore the island and the fort. The coral of which, the whole group is composed, is snowy in its whiteness and branchy in form. Beautiful specimens can be obtained. Conch shells lie around the margin of the water. Clumps of cocoanut trees grow within the fort on imported soil. As the swell of the ocean never penetrates here, all is hushed, and the scene is calm, restful, and languid. The waters are wonderfully transparent, and all their living creatures and the clean white ocean's floor are clearly seen. The walls of this fort are forty feet thick, and not yet completed, manvmascMis still working on them. I'hey are constructed with massixe outside and inside faces of brick work, the interior filled in with the universal coral. A moat forty feet wide, filled with water, surrounds the whole. There are four or five small islands close by Tortugas, on one of which was a lighthouse ; on another, thirty or forty of the Seventh New Hamj^shire l8o The Fifteenth Xei^^ Hampshire J'ohiiiteers. were buried. A narrow reef runs out a mile, on which are some trees and scores of black hogs. Left at sunset for Ship Island, 450 miles distant. At sunrise of Sunday, the fourteenth, we were in the gulf, 120 miles from Tortugas. F'resh breeze all the night, sea \-ery rough, weather clear, wind northeast. The fifteenth was a very pleasant day, somewhat cloudy, good breeze, sea not so rough as yesterday. At noon we were 350 miles north northwest from Tortugas ; but as night comes down, what a change creeps o\-er the face of nature ! 7^he clouds are wild, the wind wails and shrieks through the rigging ; the ship's officers and crew look busily about. Our good natured mate says, " It's going to be a rough night ! " This that is coming down on us is what they call a " Xorther." Old Xeptune shakes his trident, and the ocean begins to roar, and even now our good ship feels the coming storm, and spanks her stern madly down in the rising sea. Hut the dol|)hins are at their sport. The}' swim with their backs partl_\- out of water, and in their ])lay are continuall}' leaping into the air. A school ot these happy creatures so leaping, catch a glimpse of the ship, and in an incredibh' short space are all around it and di\ing beneath the keel to inspect it on all sides. rhe\' (.nit through the water like an arrow, leaxing a white streak behind them beneath the surface. The stormy jx'trels, Mother Oarex 's chickens — harbingers of the coming storm — are flitting about in \ast numbers oi" sitting on the water, rising and falling with the wa\es or running rapidl\- around on the surface, as do our robins on the land. They look like swallows. .At midnight the wind was blowing a hurricane, (ioing now on deck, what a raging sea we behold and what a deal- ening clanioi" of the elements I The boat labors and groans in e\er\' timber ; she niounts the wa\e with prow high in air, j)oises for an instant, then phingcs downwai'd into the tiough The W^'agc of tJic '■'■ Javics S. Gircii." iSi as though she would dash her nose on the ocean's floor. And in the midst of all this, at 2 o'clock in the morning, the steering gear broke down. The rudder post, of 3-inch round iron, projected through the upper deck, and there, by a yoke, was connected with chains running to the wheel house. An iron spline had dropped out, permitting the yoke to revolve loose, thus detaching the rudder ; but a tiller lay here for such emergencies, and this being put in position, for want of an efficient fastening, also gave out, and the boat was then at the mercy of the storm. In the bewildering din the crew worked like the heroes they were. They could be heard scurrying about the upper deck, and soon had rigged a spanker, which, as the engines worked on, held the ship's head to the wind, and on a course transverse to the ridge of the sea, till the rudder could be repaired. The gale abated in the morning, and the ocean, by some peculiar refraction or optical illusion, appeared to ascend in all directions from our central position, as though the little craft was at the bottom of a vast watery basin, whose margin e\'erywhere was the distant horizon. Nature now calmed her ruffled mien, and the dissipated senses of puny man returned again to their wonted sphere. \\q had been driven far to the southward, but at 4 in the afternoon we passed through the blockading fleet off Mobile. This was Tuesday, the sixteenth, a very quiet da}'. There were seven great, grim warships in sight. One approaches us, whose officers scan us closely with glasses, and soon a trumpet voice came across the water demanding, " What ship is that.'" Our dapper little captain shouts through his hands, "The James S. Green." "Where from.'" "New York." "Where bound.'" "Ship Island." "What have you aboard.'" "United States troops." After scanning us still further they apparently concluded that w^e were all right ; our engines did not stop. But they opened their portholes, guns protruded, and men stood by with the lanyard. Fort I82 The Fiftcoith Xc\^' Ilavipshirc J 'olmitccrs. Morgan was in plain view, H\ini;- the Confederate flag. Near midnight we anchored at Ship Island, and a barren scene it was — low, flat, sandy, with a few trees on the western end, from which the gloomy southern mosses depended in the wind. Three or four thousand soldiers were encamped here. From this point the lughth Xew Hampshire made its way into the enem}'s country by the Rigolets and lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain. We sh^all meet with this regiment later, when to know of its ])resencc was a source of inspiration and comfcjrt. At sunrise of the seventeenth the "James S. Green" w^as boarded by an officer who gave orders for it to proceed to Xew Orleans, and in two hours more the good shij:) was again under way. At Shij) Island, three or four other islands were in sight, one of which was a rounded \\\) heap of sand that looked one hundred feet high, and white as the winter snow. The da\' is a most delightful one, the mercury standing at 60". Reached Pass I'Outre at 8 in the exening, and anchored for the night just outside the bar which the might}- currents from the delta here maintain ; for when its onward floods are checked bv meeting the still waters of the gulf, the sediment with which the}- are freighted dr()})s to the liottom. 'i'hus, debris from the mountains of the far north is poured into the ocean in quantities sufficient almost to build new continents in the .South. These turbid currents proclaim the ri\er long before land appears in sight ; and chopping buckets now into the seeiuing unbroken ocean, the water is found to be fresh and a \ery pleasant draught after a long \o}age with onl}- the nauseating water froni the ship's casks, or that condensed from the boilers. The watei' o\er the bar is xery shoal, and onl\- \essels of light draft can enter. The pilot comes aboard in the morning, takes the helm, and at suni'ise the ship steers foi" the channel. Here and there isolated tufts of coarse grasses appear in a boundless waste of water, but which as we proceed more and more predominate, till The Wyyai^c of the ''James S. Gireii." 183 far up wc find ourselves in a well defined stream. Myriads of great birds are in the air, flapping their broad, glossy black wings, and in such \ast numbers as to almost darken the day. It is one hundred miles up stream to New Orleans. The scene is dismal and oppressive in the extreme. At the head of the pass the shores are lined with cypress trees of stinted gnnvth. Note. Extract from a letter: •• The negroes on the shore seem pleased to see us, and look as though they understood what we were here for: and from what I have seen of them at Fort Jefferson, Ship Island, and along here, I find they appear much more intelligent than I supposed. The plantations, manv of them, appear to be deserted by whites, but what are here appear to be Union. One woman with a dirty dress on, which hung like a shirt on a pole, came out and hurrahed for JetT Davis. The bovs asked her where she got her hoops, and told her to dry up. Some- times wliole tamilies of whites, darkies and all, come out and stand on the bank and cheer us. The orange groves are laid out in rows about twenty feet apart, the trees touching each other in the rows, and some of them contain a number of acres. I think I never saw so fine a sight as one of these loaded with fruit. I should think there were two or three bushels on some of them : they sell for fifty cents per one hundred. We have just passed a plantation of sugar cane nmre than a mile in length and one half mile wide. The negroes who were at work cutting the cane came down to the bank, and took off their hats and bonnets. Someone asked them where their master was. " O, he done gone Norf," was the answer. I think when the war is over, we had better come out here and get one of these places and go to raising sugar. I have got one picked out already. Nine o'clock i". si. We have just arrived at the great cit}-, and dropped our anchor. Once more we are in hopes to get ashore to-morrow, which will make twenty days since I came on board, during which time our feet ha\e touched the shore Init once, and that but a few hours at Tortugas. I am hoping to find letters here from home, as I know you must have written before this. I can hardly realize that I am 2,000 miles away from my dearest earthly treasures. The whole voyage seems like a dream, but a pleasant one. We certainly have not seen much of the stern realities of war }et, but perhaps we shall before long; if so, I trust we shall be ready to meet them, and shall endeavor to do our part toward sustaining the union of the states, the importance of which I am more than ever convinced of."' 1 84 The Fifteenth . Wzi- HavipsJiire ] 'olunteers. \\ 1 I A. M., passed I-'orts Jackson and St. Philip. Further up we reach a land teeniin-^ with foison and j^lenty ; orange groves and rich plantations, witli their mansion houses and villages of negro quarters, white as snow, the whole embowered in grand old trees. It is the season of ripe oranges, and soldiers along the banks make repeated efforts to throw them aboard ; none however succeed, but occa- sionally one strikes the ship's side. The broad plantations of cane look like fields of waving corn, and it being the time of harvest, gangs of negroes are cutting it down and hauling it with mule teams to the sugar mills. Back of the plantations the i)rospect terminates in unbroken forests of cypress, heavily draped in the perennial moss, and stand there api:)ar- ently in eternal silence. We approach the Crescent cit}' after dark, at 8.30 in the e\-ening, and the lights glowing in the wide arc on the lex'ce along the city front are wonderfully beautiful, and rcHect in the tremulous surface of the ri\-er. This was Thursday, December 18, and a most l:)eautiful da}-. Surgeons came aboard at quarantine. At 10 o'clock on the moining of tlie nineteenth, ran u]) to Carrollton, just abo\e New Orleans, and disembarked, haxing been on the boat nineteen da}s near!}-. Went into caniji just outside tlie \-illage, one-haH" mile back from tlie rixcr, on the north side of the famous Sliell Road, wliich leads to New Orleans, peifectl}' sti'aight and lexel and surfaced with ovster shells, which ground down b\- wear, making a surface as white as chalk. The lelief telt on landing can be Ix'ttei" imagined than described, and spirits rose at once to their normal con- dition. All landsmen now ex]-)erienced for the first time a peculiar sensation while their sea legs were still on, tor none could walk without s\\a\'ing, antl the good old solid frame ot the earth itself for sexeral hours seemed to swim with the motion of tlie l)o;it. Oreat clumps of fan ]ialms dotteil the The ]\^'agc of tJic '■'James S. Gtrai." 185 broad fields back of the camp ground. W'e were encamped right on the edge of Carrollton, and when retired to our white tents at night could hear incessant crowing of cocks and barking of innumerable dogs. As the boat drew up to Carrollton, Orderly Pickermg saw on the shore an old neighbor and friend, Matthew Cuher, of the I{ighth New Hampshire, who was laid off because of wounds recei\ed at Labadie\'ille in October pre\ious. 1 86 The Fiftcctith Xc^^' Hampsliirc WTluntccrs. The \'()VA(;e of the "Prometheus." Xow when, because of the protest of Lieutenant-colonel Frost, a change was made b}' the embarkin<; officers whereby on!}- two companies, A and D, and nineteen men and a lieutenant- of Company H, as has been shown, were assigned to the "Green," then Company I and the residue of Company H returned to the old camp at Jamaica. The way on the march back was very muddy. They reached the camp ground at 7 o'clock in the evening, so completely exhausted that they could not pitch their tents, and so passed the night in the open air. On the afternoon of December 3 snow fell, which changed to a fine, drizzling rain, continuing till late into the evening. Just after dinner orders were received to break camp, and in the rain the balance of the regiment dropped the tents, and at 3.30 marched to Brooklyn, where, upon their arri\al, the bo}s were received by the ladies of that opulent borough witli the wildest enthusiasm and every demonstration of patriotism that loyal hearts could devise. Here they were quartered in the Brooklyn City Armor}-, and sle])t nights on the floor. The loyal people fed all most bounteously. r\nv of the names of these good peojile can now be ascer- tained ; but it is remembered that a Doctor Hurd. amid great jollity, presented the boys with a fine dressed hog weighing 208 .V pounds. Among many such a Mrs. Hitchcock and young daughter, on llenr\- street, kept open house, and invited all soldiers to their tables. Lieutenant Moore, Ser- geants Courtland, Wallace, Orme, Corporal Trickc}', and ]\Iusician llornev partook of tlieir hos])italit\' at supper, wlicre, witli many others, tliey feasted on o)sters. steaks, bread and butter, coffee, and apples. After breakfast of the fourth, Comixmies (i, 1^. and I, and the resichie of Company H marclied a mile to the wharf at South ferr)-, whence b}- the tug "May Be" the}' were trans- The \\\vagc of the '' Prometheus!' 187 ferred to the new but small propeller, "Prometheus," which lay some distance out in the stream. This detachment was commanded by Colonel Kingman. It was nearl}' noon when the embarkation was completed. The march to the wharf was exhilarating, the band, which took passage on this boat, playing a quickstep, and the streets being crowded with cheering and enthusiastic citizens. As her suggestive name would indicate, the " Prometheus" was a splendid craft. All her lines were the perfection of utility and the shipwright's art, and she spread a cloud of snowy canvas that was a marvel of grace and beauty. It seems that small boats were selected for this service, as those of heavy draft could not pass the bar at the Mississippi delta. The boys were stowed aboard as were their comrades of the "James S. Green." On this day they had hard bread for dinner, a dish of coffee for supjier, and nothing for the next breakfast — a sudden change from plenty to the soldier's fare. At 2 p. M. of the fifth the boat gave three blasts of her whistle, and started on her voyage in a storm, the band placing "The Girl I Left Behind Me" ; and as the spires of the great city sank gradually below the horizon, all took a last but silent farewell of the mighty and loval Xorth — many of them never to see it more. On passing the forts, a shot was fired from one of their guns, throwing up a great jet when it struck the water. The night was a rough one, but toward morning the sea grew calmer, and the full, round moon shone down most gloriously on the wide expanse. The sixth was very cold, and all the declc and rigging was sheeted with ice. At dark it clouded up, and the wind rose to a gale. There was merriment aboard as the boat skipped o\er the stormy ocean, rolling from beam's end to beam's end and spilling occasional sleepers from their berths. Mighty billows swept the deck and j^oured down the hatches l88 The Fifteenth Xezc Ilainpslnre ]\>Iiiuteers. ill torrents, sometimes threatening; to engulf the sliip. She rolled so that the boats on deck dipped water and her signal lights were lost. About 12 o'clock a kettle containing a little grease, which stood on the furnace, took fire and blazed up furiously, upon which someone caught up a pail of oil, supposing it water, and dashed it upon the seething mass, and instantly the whole ship's galle}- was in flames. The cry of fire was raised, and there was momentar}' i)anic aboard ; but in a moment UKjre the sailors flooded it \\'\\\\ a stream of sea water from a great pumj) near-b)-, and the fire was subdued. 7^he se\-enth was extremely cold and rough, and the decks were strewn with all loose things in inextricable confusion. One man was stabbed b\' being thrown upon his own dagger. In the ofificers' quarters broken furniture, swords, belts, watches and coats, and hats and boots are scattered every- where, and the officers themsehes are the embodiment of despair. About midnight anchored in Hampton Roads under the yery guns of Fortress Monroe, the decks, shrouds, and e\-ery part exposed to the air coated thick with ice, but which soon melted in the morning sun. At 2 ■o'clock in the morning it cleared off, and the moon shone out. On the other hand are the "Rip Raps," and not far off Hampton Court House is a beautiful spectacle in the land. The Sixteenth \ew Ham])shire came in this morning. There is a rumor that a boat went down with a Massachusetts regi- ment aboard, and all were lost. The " Trometheus " here had a \entilating jiipe jnit in. so that the hatches could be closed down and battened, and the prcixuations indicated a mighty struggle ahead with storm and raging billows. All are now reduced to hard bread and raw pork, as cooking is forbicKlen since the lire in the galley. The ninth was a \ery beautiful tlay. Sea birds fly about in countless nunfl)ers, which delight the sokliers nuich. The The Wiycigc of the '' Projiiethens.'" 189 Chesapeake waters are broad and beautiful and animated with shipping. A British man-of-war came in to these waters, and received a sahite from the fort. Eleventh still warm and water smooth as a mirror, except when disturbed by the ever-present dolphins in their wild sports. The antics of these monsters are really laughable as they chase each other and sometimes leaping twenty feet out of the water, and the air about the vicinity of the ship is full of sea birds at their play. Late in the night of the twelfth sighted the lights of Hilton Head, and on the approach of day steamed into the harbor, where we were visited by the provost marshal and other officers, and after some delay ran alongside of a schooner and commenced to coal. About noon of the fourteenth a boat drew up and took off the Company H and I boys for a two hours' visit to the shore, upon whose return the rest were to enjoy a similar treat. Note. Extract from a soldier's diary. Corp. H. C. Paige, of Com- pany E: "Wednesday, the tenth. This is one of the most beautiful mornings that ever dawned upon the earth. The sun shone with all its beauty and splendor upon the Chesapeake. The captain came on board at 9 o'clock from Baltimore, wliere he had been to get a new pilot and some signal lights to replace those lost in the gale. At 10 o'clock the whistle sounded, and we bid farewell to these waters ; at half-past ten we passed Cape Henry lighthouse, and stood directly out to sea, bearing a southeasterly direction." Note. Extract from diary of Corporal Paige, of Company E : •• Passed Cape Hatteras at 6 o'clock and struck into the Culf .Stream, with water at blood heat. It was delicious to wash vour face and hands in its waters. We saw plenty of dolphins to-day playing about the ship. All day on the (_)cean without seeing a single sail or an\- land: the scene is magnificent: sounded at 10. and found no bottom: at 12, no bottom: at 2, forty fathoms: at 4.30, twenty-two fathoms: and leaving the Culf Stream make for land." '• Friday, the twelfth. The weather fair and beautiful: sea calm and everything lovely: passed one sail to-day: a pleasant sun all day." I go The I'iftciiith Xcix.' IlauipsJiii-c ]'oliiiitccrs. Meantime the rest were coalin.i; the shi[). Hut the H and I boys ()\ersta\ecl their time till dark, thus shirking their share of the work and apj^arenti}- overreaching the rest in the matter of their visit to this historic point. But as the coal- ing was not completed, on the next da}', which was Sunda_\-, Companies E and G took their turn at the shore, and were very cordially received and entertained b}- the Third New Hampshire. When they landed the Third was attending service and being addressed b\' their chai')lain, Henry C. Hill, from Proverbs 13:15: "The way of the transgressor is hard." He discoursed on the apocryphal Adam as the great primal transgressor, and alluded to Albert \\\ Lunt, a soldier who had been shot on the first day of the month for crime. Manv found old acquaintances and neighbors in the Third and l^\:)urth. and dined with them on beef, potatoes, soft bread and butter, cabbage, beet ]5ick]es, and coffee, which proved a great treat after the stewed }ieas, and minute and hasty puddings and molasses of the ship. This island ap])ears to ha\e sunk se\eral feet at no \ery remote period of its liistor}-, as there are the remains of tree trunks stantling in the water far out from the shore e\-en at low tide. During the absence of the 1^ and (j boys, the H and 1 boys rebelled against the menial serxice of sho\eling NOTIC. Extract fidiii Corjjoral I'ai^e's diary : " Saturcla}-, Dccfiiiher 13. Tlie weatlier fair and ilcli.^htt'Lil : at S o'clock in si^ht of I'ort Roval : tiie .stars and strijics fjoatiiiii' there look licautit'ul in the sun. Ca.st anchor at 9.15 within a half mile of Fort Walker: two companies went ashore." " Sunday, the fourteenth. Warm, pleasant, and cloudy. We are here takinj.^ in coal. Went ashore at 9 o'clock and stayeil till 5. Saw a number from Manchester I knew, and was i;lad to see them. .Saw H. L. Davis, m\ nephew : he made me a jiresent of a splendid pi|)c. Saw the l)attle-i;round of Commodore I)u|)ont ami Sherman, and the etfects of the hattle tlieie. Attended service of the 'I'hird re-iment. and had a l-^. Camp IMaxsfilli). [Name of Camj) Williams, on shell road, changed to Camp Mans- field by general orders. Deceml)er 27, 1862.] The camp at Carrollton, to which the first continii^ent was assigned, was designated Camp W'ilhams, in honor of (ien. Thomas W'ilhams, who fell in battle at l^aton Rouge, in August of this }'ear ; in the thick of the fight his head was carried away b}' a cannon ball. At the inspection of the twent}'-fourth, b)- Colonel Uudle}', ball-cartridges were ordered, and forty rounds distributetl to each man. In the forenoon there was battalion drill, and in the afternoon skirmish drill ; the line taking spaces, advanc- ing and firing, and then falling to reload. The twent)--fifth was a ver}' fine da)' and a \er}- busy one. for, although a day of general scouring and j^olishing, there was no cessation of the regular duties and drill and another inspection. The twenty-sixth, the date of the " Caml)ria's " arrival, was another most beautiful da}', of which there was a long, unbroken series now, resenibling those matchless da}'s of our New I'^ngland autunin, and which are known tliere as the " Indian summer." Birds sing around us tlie same old tunes of home, and crows and black birds il}' about, and flowers are in bloom. Usual drill, and tlress ixu'ade at sunset. Thei'C was a slight shower in the forenoon of the twenty- seventh, but the da\' was otherwise another peerless one. And now the whole regiment is mobilized in this beautitul land and clime, and the indefatigable HIair a]-»]K'ars on the scene. ( )ur cnlonel, at di'ill and pai'ade, on his fine horse, is tall and stately, and solemn as a Washington. The men are proud of him, aiid would follow hini to tlie cannon's mouth. Lieutenant-colonel h'rost, an othcei- of the highest character. Anny Life at Carroll ton. 201 of approved abilities, a brave man, a true patriot, is but little seen, and appears to be a man of inordinate diffidence and modesty. Major Blair is tall and slij^ht in form, precise in dress and bearing; his horse prances about like a centaur. He is red-haired, nerxous, fiery, tireless — nothing escapes him. The blundering and awkwardness along the line, to him, are seemingly inexcusable. He would drill the boys interminably, but they should do better ; but the colonel is ver}- lenient. None but those who have thus served can realize the extent of the militar)- art and the marx'cllous intricac}' of its mo\-ements, and the prodigious labor in acquir- ing the trade of a soldier. Independent and indixidual effort is utterly futile and amounts to nothing; the whole must act as a unit and drill till they anticipate the order and mo\-e as though by instinct. On this day quantities of lumber are received, and all the tents are raised from the ground and floored. Sunday, the twenty-eighth, was warm and still, and like one of those summer days in the old home, when the clock ticks so loudly and we hear music of birds and insects and the hum of unseen myriads. Inspection in the morning; dress parade at sundown. At i i o'clock, after inspection, the regiment marched quite a distance to a garden in rear of a mansion house, where it formed a hollow square, facing- inward, under a magnificent oak whose broad-spreading arms and pendant .mosses easily sheltered all, and there were addressed by the chaplain. Text, Isaiah 63:16: "Thou, O Lord, art our father." Monda}', the twenty-ninth, continued summer. Many barefooted and bareheaded children are gambolling around ; usual drill and dress })arade at the end of the day. Thirtieth very hea\}' shower in the forenoon ; usual drill and dress parade. 202 The Fifteenth Xei^ Hampshire J 'oluiiteers. Thirl \-hrst, Wetlncsday. Reautiful cki}' ; the last of 1862. Drill ; inspection ; dress ])arade at sundown ; tattoo ; taps ; lights out. The dreadful year is done ; but the morning reveille ushers in another still more dark and bloody, in many respects the most terrible of all America's history. ( )n Sunday, December t\vent)--first, as before stated, the camp was moved just across the shell road, and the new encampment was designated Camp Mansfield, in honor of a distinguished general in this dejDartment. This General Mansfield was a giant, six feet six inches in height and of large frame, weighing well nigh four hundred pounds. He wore a giant's sword, expressly made for him. He rode a horse wliich, with its rich trappings and his own person in full armor, weiged an e\-en ton of two thousand pounds. Here stood some empty hcnises which could be used for officers' quarters. On the twenty-fourth, two days before the " Cambria's " arrival with the last detachment of the regiment — Companies B, C, F, and K — that portion already on the ground, as has been noted, was inspected by a regular army officer, who was terribly se\-ere on tlie officers. The guns and accoutrements, just from seaboard, were rusty and dirty and ill-conditioned to the last degree ; and the men were no better than their belongings, and could hardl\- stand erect and stead)" on solid land. What with making camji and mo\ing same, and other im])erati\e demands of the situation, no moment of time had been given for putting them into that high state of i)erfec- tion re(|uired b)' such exacting serxice. The men were mostly- green boys from the woods of New 1 lampshire, and knew nothing of that immaculate, material condition, nor that abso- lute obedience and demeanor and vuitiring industry and vigilance rec|uired of soldiers in actual milit;u'\' life. More than half of these men liad just arri\ed the da)' before ; but tliere could be no excuse nor ixdliation. Annj' Life at Carrolltou. 203 Personal Mextiox, Private Letters, and Ixcidexts. It seems fitting- here to give place to a few lines of jiersonal mention and incidents. As illustrating something of the amenities and fraternities of a st)ldier's life, it is pleasant to note the meeting of old neighbors and friends and brothers, who are serving in other organizations. While the " Prometheus" awaited orders at New (3rleans, Joseph Horn, a Rochester bo}', but then a member of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts, came aboard, and finding Sergeant Trickey, of Company I, told him his brother, John P. Trickey, a ser- geant of Company G, Eighth Xew Hampshire Volunteers, was somewhere about ; and upon landing at Carrollton he proved to be almost the first man in sight. He pik)ted the way to Camp Alansheld. Sergeant Trickey in his diary says in relation to this: "We took supper together at the band tent with Charles Home}'."' It seems to have been here decided to visit the camp of the Eighth Xew Hampshire at Thibodeaux, some fifty miles away, on the other side of the ri\er. The party consisted of Sergeant Trickey and his brother, who may be considered the host, Captain Pinkham, and Lieutenants Kimball and Huse ; they secured passes for three days. They crossed the river by boat to Algiers, and thence proceeded by rail. This meeting of brothers and old acquaintances was a pleasant one, and very much was to be said about affairs and people at home, as well as matters of war, which was in those times the all-absorbing topic everywhere. The battle of Georgia Landing, or Labadieville, in which the lughth took part and received its first baptism of fire, had been lately fought, and was here discussed at length. Lieutenant Main, of John P. 's company, privately told Sergeant Trickey that John P., his brother, in the said battle exhibited great gallantr)', and was promoted on that account. In walking back to the cars from the camp of the t^ighth, dandelions .204 The Fiftcoith Xc7c Haiii/^s/iiir J 'oluntccrs. were seen in bloom, and frogs were croaking. It is the t\vent\'-si.\th of DecemlDer. The raih-oad was guarded 1d}" negro troops for its entire distance. On reacliing New Orleans, Sergeant Trickey had several hours to spare before his pass expired, which he employed in a visit to the Twenty- sixth Massachusetts at the custom house, and dined with Sergt. Joseph D. Horn, before mentioned ; the)' fared sum}> tuousl)'. Sergeant Horn ne\er returned, dying at New Orleans September 25, 1863. Sergeant Trickey returned to the Carrollton camp at 9 o'clock p. m. with Cai)tain Pinkham and Lieutenant Kimball, and finding two letters awaiting him from home, he violated the rules of the camp by burning a candle to read same after taps. The scenery at the mouth of the Mississippi is serious and gloomy in the extreme ; but as we ascend all changes to life and beauty. Nature is wonderfull}' iirolihc, and the land, though low and on one dead level, is varied by forests and cultivated field, and the sod pranked everywhere in Nature's la\ish hand. The forests are gloomx', and might}- trees are draped in long pendant mosses that hang listlessh' in the calm sunshine or gently swa}' in soft breezes. There are no waters, howc\er, but tlie all-engulfing Mississippi. No biook there e\en the size of the Hudson river would venture to show its head or recei\e a name. Tlie ri\er in its cliaract er- istics stands alone among rixcrs, and is peculiar in man}' respects, i'^or hundreds of miles of its lower course it is coniputecl to run uj) hill. The earth in carh' ages was api)arentl}' a lit|ui(l mass which gradualh' cooled on the surhice and formed a crust wliicli still encloses the central Tu'cs. Had the earth been still it had gia\itated to a perfecti}' giobulai' form ; but on account of its rapid rex'olu- tion on its axis, the centrifugal forces bulged it at the ec|uator to such an extent that the e(|ualorial diameter exceeds the Anny Life at Carrolltou. 205 polar diameter by about twenty-six miles. Up this incre- ment, then, impelled by the same force, the river makes its way. At its best it is a slui^gish stream, and the L;ulf is always full to the ver)' brim, and threatenini;- with every south wind to inundate all the land. Could we increase the speed of the earth's revolution, the waters of the _^■ulf would recede, and thereby broad tracts would be reclaimed from tlie ocean ; and if we could stay the earth's rex'olution then the river would run the other way and drain waters from the gulf into the might)- and teeming basin above. All earth's oceans then would rush to the poles, engulfing every- thing in its course, and finally settle them to a depth of thirteen miles. The river has made the broad land through which it flows by robbing the upper continent, and is still busily engaged in the work, its waters being freighted with the dark soil which it is still jiouring down. On this light alkuial for many a hundred miles, like a serpent it lies writh- ing, and frequently in a single night it changes its mighty folds to right or left. Here it cuts across a bend and deserts a long stretch of old channel, leaving what were river towns, now far inland ; and those deserted bends, their heads filling by some mysterious law of nature, thus form a series of beautiful lakes whose waters settle to be as clear as crystal. Here plantations of cane or cotton or square miles of primeval forests are swallowed \\\), while at the same time broad new acres are added to the ()]:)posite shore. Brief AIentiox. Priv. Daniel Marston, Company K, detailed extra (hity, quartermaster's department, October 30, 1862. Priv. Levi Rlake, Company A, detailed clerk, commissary dei:)artmcnt, October 30, 1862. Priv. William Stearns, Company P2, detailed ordeii)' at general headquarters November 15, 1862. Sergt. Jeremiah H. W. Tebbetts, Company I, detailed for ordnance duty during voyage November 22, 1862. 206 The Fifteenth Xei^ Hampshire J \^Iunteers. Lieut. W. 7\ Larkin, Company K ; Pri\s. William I. Blake, Com]:)an}' A, George W. Tilton, Compan}- IJ, and James Hem"}' W'ardwell, Company I, detailed for the sii^nal service November 22, 1862. Lieut. Alvah M. Kimball, Company I, detailed commissary of subsistence during voyage November 23, 1862. Sergt. L-a A. Hill, Company A, Lieut. W. M. Durgin, Company D, detailed on transport " New Brunswick " \o\em- ber 25, 1862. Sergt. George S. Whitney, Company B, detailed on trans- port " Ouincy " November 25, 1862. Privs. Eben Joy, Company D, Joseph W. Plunmier. Com- pany B, and Mark H. Winkley. Company G, detailed as hospital nurses December 4, 1862. Sergt. Arthur L. Merrick, Comixuiy K, designated color bearer December 4, 1862. Corps. Henr\' W. Howland, Com])an\' (\ John (iraham, Compan)' 1'^, William B. Chadwick, Compan_\' 1), Thomas Dunlap, Compan}' P\ Hiram Hook, Coni))an}- G, Charles McGregor, Company H, and Daniel C. Husse}', Comiwn}' I, designated color guard December 4, 1862. Sergt. James T. Gordon, Compan}' A, designated right general guide Deceniber 4, 1862. Sergt. JM-ederick A. Mitchell, Comixmy B. detailed left general guide December 4, 1862. B. A. Ricker, Company A, William X. Stevens, Company C, lulwin Hatchclder, Compan}' 1), John C. .Smith, Compan} P2, ]()\\\\ Caswell, Compan}' !■', Hcnr}' L. Robinson, Conipan}- G, Major A. Northrup, Company H, Otis V. (jowen, Coni- pany I, l)a\id C. P'rcnch, Compan}' K, detailed teanistcrs, to report to general headquarters December 2~ , 1862. Cyrus l^urbick, Company 1^, detailed for special duty at headquarters l^rigadier-General Sherman as head wagoner December 27, 1862. Army Life at Canvllton. 207 January, 1863. (3ur camp at Carrollton — "Mansfield" — is a little white city on a broad, level green, fronting on the celebrated shell road or Carrollton avenue. It is a hi\'e of industry, where uni\'ersal order reigns and discipline, as with the proverbial bee. It is \'ery beautiful b}' day and especial!}- charming b}- night, when all its lights are trimmed and burning. Its aspect is one of peace, and the land and climate semi-tropical and delightful. Our camp is only one of man}- in the vicinity of New Orleans ; it is just on the margin of Carrollton. The principal street of Carrollton is Levee street. The river front is a busy scene ; mighty fleets are there passing to and fro, l}ing quietl}- at anchor in the stream or moored to the shore, and discharging troops, freights, and munitions of war in prodigious quantities. The ri\er when full rises Xo the \-ery top of the le\ee, which here is an immense and contin- uous bank of earth some twelve (^r fifteen feet above the land. It is a much frequented promenade on its broad top, and at its foot a small stream of leach water runs in a ditch. Looking toward the lake over a broad expanse, in the distance all terminate in swamps, where the cypress trees rear their lofty heads and everywhere draped in the funereal moss. Nearer, the land is studded with clumps of fan }:)alms, with their great, broad, spin}' hands. Among them fat, sleek cattle feed, which occasionally reach up and take a bite out of the succulent palm leaves. Between them and Carrollton are broad levels, where we drill. On excaxating here we shall find that water will rise nearly to the surface. It is exceedingly brackish, and by stagnation becomes dangerously filthy and malarious. The surgeons make dail}- rounds to see that the ground is nowhere broken. Passes were not difficult to obtain, and all who desired, by turns had days off to visit the city and other points of interest ; 208 The Fifticntli Xcx^' Hauipsliirc I'oluntccrs. and all now ha\ini;' become inured to niilitar\' life, were cjuite contented and ha])}")}'. Sickness, however, broke in on the scene, and on the twelfth, death beL;"an his work and jnirsued it remorselessly to the end. The following order of calls and sanitary orders in relation to cleanliness was soon promulgated : Drummers' call at daybreak. Reveille, 15 minutes later. Police call immediatel}- after re\-eille. Surgeon's call, 7.30 a. m. Breakfast, 8 a. m. First call for parade and company inspection, 9.15 a. m. Regimental parade, 9.30 a. m. Drill call, 10 a. m. Recall from drill, 12 m. Dinner call, 12.30 i-. >r. Fatigue call, i v. m. First call for guard mount, 3 v. m. Second call for guard mount. 3.15 v. m. Recall from fatigue one half hour before retreat. Drunuriers' call, 15 minutes before retreat. Retreat ])arade, sundown. Drummers' call, .S.15 i'. m. Tattoo, 8.30 I'. M. Taps, 15 minutes alter tattoo. Sunda\- inspection, first call, 9 A. M. .Sunda\- ins^iection, second call, 9.15 a. m. Sunda}- church call, 1 i A. m. All other necessar}' calls will be sounded under brigade or regimental commanders. This order was issued by Hrig. (ien. T. W. Sherman, Wickham Ilotfman, A. A. (i. It shows what was the gen- eral routine of dut\- durini' the month. It does not show. A nil]' Life at Carrol I ton. 209 howex'er, the menial clrudi;er\- of camp life^ — the cooking, the hewing of wood and drawing of water, the endless scouring of guns and buttons and brasses with emery paper and other polishes, and the blacking of boots, etc., which occupied nearly every spare moment of time. EXTRACT FROM .SANITARY ORDER. "Officers are directed to see (ist) that soldiers wash the whole person at least once a week ; (2d) keep their clothes as clean as possible, and air their blankets e\-ery day in fair w^eather ; (3d) that the grounds about the tents are not broken, and company streets and grounds are kept scrupu- lously clean and neat. (4th) Officers are forbidden to drink any but cistern or river water, and are ad\ised to drink as little as they can do with. (5th) All are advised to eat but one orange daily and at most not over two. (6th) All night air is to be avoided as much as possible, (/th) Abstain from eating except at meals. (8th) None will be allowed to w^ear his hair or beard long, and must wash the head thoroughly every day. (9th) Abstain from cider and whiskey, especially the latter. (loth) Not to be out of the tent after nightfall without the overcoat on." December 27, 1S62, Surg. B. X. Towle was appointed sanitary inspector of camp and grounds of T^ifteenth Regi- ment, to report in writing the condition at 4 o'clock p. m. each day at regimental headquarters. He will carefully inspect the tents, grounds, streets, kitchens, clothes, and persons of the several companies at 4 o'clock p. m. each day, and make a report in writing at these headquarters in the following form : 2IO The Fiftcoith Xcic HanipsJtiir J \ilnntccrs. SANITARY IXSPECTOR-S REPORT. i;th Re-. X. H. \'ols., i86 J £ c3 Officers' tents. Grounds. Soldiers* tents. Grounds. Personal cleanliness. A B C D E F G H I K Remarks. Perfect cleanliness and neatness will be marked . . . i A slight defect in any respect will l)e markeil . . . li And so on up to 5, which will call for a puhlic reprimand and punisiiment. By command of Col. John \V. Ki\(i.\i.\N. Edward E. Pixkham. Aiijiiiant . AiDij' Life at Carrollton. 21 i Events for January, 1863, dv Day and Daii:. January i, Thursday. A bright and beautiful day ; in the morning- a white frost covers all the ground. This is the first frost of the season. The "Mississippi" arrives with the Thirty-eighth Massachusetts aboard. Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Durgin visited New Orleans — there it is a great holiday. Lieutenant Durgin returned to company. Twelve in regimental hospital. Roses in full bloom. January 2, Friday. A very pleasant day ; terrific shower in the night ; incessant flashing and a continuous roll of thunder. Splendid skirmish drill in the afternoon ; Captain Aldrich officer of the day ; Lieutenant \\'3'att ofiicer of the guard. January 3, Saturday. Warm and very pleasant. Splendid regimental drill to-day. Regiment has improved much, and the colonel at i)arade gave it some words of praise. Terrific shower in the night — rained all night ; incessant flashes made it light as day ; the ground shook with the thunder for an hour. Seven companies of the Forty-second Massachusetts left this morning for Galveston, Tex. Roses in bloom and honey clover ; the grass is very fresh and green. Note. Extract from Lieutenant Chadwick's diary: " Tlie location of tlie camp at Camp Mansfield was not pleasant, being low and near the swamp ; the ground very moist, and converted into mud of the most abominable kind as soon as the sod was broken or worn out : very slippery, and when dried by the wind, rough and hard : and from the river, earth, and swamps a poisonous malaria was constantly arising. The nights were cool, with heavy dews : days hot if clear, and much rain fell in frequent and heavy thunder showers, so that the camp ground and tents were often soaked, the water remaining on the surface for hours after the showers, and in low places and ditches always. These, and other causes, affected the health of the legiment unfavorably, many being attacked by fevers incident to the climate, and soon filling the hospital." 2 I 2 The Fifteenth Xeic Hampshire J \)/u/iteers. Januai"\' 4, Suntla}'. Full moon. A very fine day ; com- pany inspection. Forty-secf)ncl Massachusetts returned upon learning that three of the companies were captured by the enemy at Galveston, the place having fallen into Confederate hands with great disaster to the Union arms. Sunday serv- ices ; text, Matt. 7:29 — "He taught them as one having authorit\', and not as the Scribes." Ik^autiful gro\-es of live oak in Carrollton. Rations very good except the fresh beef ; a jiost-mortem examination was held over some of this beef, but it could not be determined whether it died of old age or starvation. The common house fly is very troublesome, the tops of the tents are black with them where they collect at night ; the crickets sing the same familiar tune we knew at home ; and the frogs peep as though it were spring. January 5, Monday. \'ery warm day. Company drills omitted on account of heat. Lieutenant Durgin returned to dut}' with Compan}- 1). Januarv 6, Tuesday. Beautiful warm da)'. Mad dress parade, but no drill. Forenoon sixmt in polishing up in expectation of passing in review, with the rest of the brigade, before (^leneral l^anks. k^)rmed on the shell road at half- past one and -waited till 4 o'clock ; he did not apj^ear, howex'cr, and all marched to c|uarters and broke ranks. Thir- teen guns fired up ri\cr — the general ma}' be at the jiarapet abox'C. Rumored that eiglit thousand Confederates are within fi\-e miles; expect the long roll to be beat to-night. Lieutenant Tcrkins ofticcr of the guard. Corporal Hullock, of Comj)an\' !•', out all night witli others unloading a \esscl. Januar}' 7, W'ednesdaw Clear and cool. The Ik'lgian nniskets, which wei'c brought from Concord, are exchangctl for i'lntield rifles. l'"ort_\- rounds of anununition distributed. NoTK. KxUact fnmi (liar\- : •■ Isccc-ivc'd of T\lcr Lonya many acts of kiiuliiL'SS during; my sickness in the hospital. January 4. 1S63. 1 IoKA( 1; L". I'.Mca-:." Army Life at CaiTollton. 213 Companies B and C detached for provost guard duty in Carrollton. The "Belgians" were old, and converted from flintlocks ; the Enfields were second hand, but good. At parade were jocularly enjoined by Colonel Kingman to think as much of our rifles as of the " girl we left behind us." The One Hundred and Fourteenth and One Hundred and Sixtieth New York regiments left for parts unknown. A. C. Haines, Company D, and others unload commissary stores from the steamer " Illinois." January 8, Thursday. Clear and warm ; very pleasant ; cool nights. Citizens making their gardens in Carrollton ; peas in bloom. Roses bloom all winter. Companies B and C left camp to do patrol duty in Carrollton. January 9, Friday. Very beautiful day, but somewhat cloudy. Lieutenant Durgin officer of the guard. Visited by Inkier Daniel Cilley, chaplain of the Eighth New Hampshire. January 10, Saturday. Slight rain from 3 a. m. till noon. Captain Aldrich officer of the day ; Lieutenant Chadwick officer of the guard. Steamer " Bio Bio" arrives from New York to New Orleans. The boys for pastime make rings and other trinkets from coal and lignum vit^e. January 11, Sunday. Beautiful day. Company inspection. Orange trees in bloom and putting out their leaves. Sermon ; text, Matt. 13:30 — "Let the tares and the wheat grow together." Eighth New Hampshire Regiment encamped at Baton Rouge. January 12, Monday. Very fine day. Charles G. Perkins, of Company B, died to-day of fever in the hospital ; this is the first death in the regiment since leaving Concord. The body of Lieut. Prescott Jones, of the Sixteenth New Hamp- shire, was carried by, to be sent home for burial. Lieutenant Perkins sick and excused from duty. Brown, of Company G, sergeant of the guard. Lieutenant Huse officer of the guard. (J 214 The FiftccjitJi Nciv Hampshire Volunteers. Last night the guard was broken by the grand rounds ; they succeeded in disarming five of them. Lieutenant Parker, officer of the guard, placed under arrest for being thus over- reached ; great stir. Parker was confined to his company street for two days, when he was fully exonerated ; Kelley, of Company \\, was sergeant of the guard. General Weit- zel, with a force of infantry and artillery, aided by the gunboats under Lieutenant-commander Buchanan, crossed Berwick bay and attacked the rebel gunboat " Cotton " in the Bayou Teche ; disabling which, it was burned by the enemy. Weitzel lost six killed and twenty-seven wounded. A number were killed and wounded on our gunboats, among whom was Lieutenant-commander Buchanan. January 13, Tuesday. Warm and pleasant. The funeral of Charles G. Perkins took place to-day, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon ; the first military burial in the regiment. It cast a gloom over the whole camp. The entire regiment was formed with reversed arms while the procession passed. January 14, Wednesday. Warm and cloudy day ; rained in the morning. Companies K and \\ marched to Carrollton. NoTK. Extract from letter of Lieutenant Perkins in relation to the o;rancI rounds breaking through the line : " This is the hardest part of my duty, being lieutenant of the guard; we are obliged to be on twenty-four hours, and are not allowed to sleep, and have to keep on our feet most of the time. They are very strict with the guard, and if anything goes wrong, the blame is all on the lieutenant's shoulders. I have got along first rate so far, and so liave all except Lieutenant Parker, of Company E, who has had some trouble. Tiie officers of the post, who go round nights to look after the guard, found some of them rather slack, and suc- ceeded in getting some of their guns from them. That night Parker was on duty ; the grand rounds went to Colonel Kingman about it. and he came out in a great rage, and took Parker's sword away from him, and ordered him to liis tent to await a court martial. The affair was settled without a court, tiie colonel acknowledging that he liad been too hasty, and it appeared that Parker had done his duly faithfully.'" Aniiy Life at Carroll ton. 215 Captains Hall and Stearns in command. Two men of Com- pany E, two men of Company H, and one of Company I detailed to government bakery. January 15, Thursday. Heavy rain and high wind ; mer- cury at 72". Paid (jff to January i in bright, new greenbacks, worth about forty cents on the dollar, which would make a soldier's pay in good money about five dollars i)er month or sixty dollars per annum, with clothing and blankets deducted from that. Lieutenant Larkin, who was detailed in signal corps, returned to Company K to duty. Captain Aldrich went to New Orleans, and carried $1,000 of the Lake Village boys' money to send home. January 16, Friday. Cold, westerly winds ; slight flurry of snow in New Orleans ; ice formed half an inch thick. Much of yesterday's pay was sent home by Adams' express ; Com- pany D sent $1,090, Company G sent $2,000. Lieutenant Alvah Kimball, Company I, left for home ; talk of making Sergeant Wallace, Company I, second lieutenant, to fill vacancy caused by Kimball's resignation. Colonel Kingman and Major Blair both sick ; Captain Aldrich in command of regiment, and officiated at dress parade. January 17, Saturday. Cold and windy ; ground froze, and ice formed half an inch thick. Captain Aldrich officer of the day. January 18, Sunday. Cold, east wind blowing a gale. Charles B. Ela, Company C, accidentally shot in thigh, and died soon after amputatk)n. Usual Sunday morning inspec- tions ; Company G inspected by Lieutenant Ayers. Captain Johnson sick ; for treatment he went to the private house of a Mrs. Jordan, who was a bitter secessionist, but very kind to him. Ela was the tallest man of Company C, and received his wound at the hand of the shortest man of the company, Leonard M. Eud)-. They were just relieved from guard, and in a playful mood VA^ took on the point of his bayonet a 2l6 The Fifteenth Xeic Hampshire W^binteers. holl(nv soup bone that lay there, which ]{ud}- undertook to knock off in a jocular wa_\', when his ^un discharged its contents into Ela's thigh, completely shattering- the bones. Eudy was called the "bantam"; he afterwards became a physician, and died of small pox, November 29, 1876, at Bartlett, N. H., which disease he contracted in New Hamp- shire from a patient whom he was treating. He was a mere schoolboy at the time of this sad accident, and his sensiti\-e nature was so deeph' shocked that he nexer recovered from its effects. January 19, Monday. \tx\ hea\y rain and mud knee deep ; wind blows at night. All drill and parade omitted. Charles B. l'21a. Company C, died. The sick in the hospital are, many of them, delirious ; the disease is called camp fex'er, swamp fever, (jr climatic fexer. Learn by the papers of the loss of the " Monitor " off Cape Hatteras. The hospital at Carrollton was a mansion house, which had b^-en deserted by a Confederate ; it contained si.\ or eight large beds, with canopy tops and mosquito screens ; besides these there were thirt}' or forty cots. There were screens on the doors and windows, and e\er\'thing was clean and white as snow. It was soon, howe\er, found inadecjuate, and the overflow was, in some instances, \er}- poorly quartered. A man would be stricken sucldenh' with these fevers, and in an half hour his ews would turn \ellow, and x'omiting s])ells would ensue ; the skin would become hot so as to burn the hand like a hot gun barrel. In one hour the temj^erature Would increase to lOcS" under the tongue, and soon the skin would also turn \'ellow, and in main' instances, unless relief was afforded, the \ictim would die within a da\"s time. These diseases lurked unseen in the sununer air and the bright sunshine like a pestilence, and as we shall soon learn, carried \er)- man)- boNs to untimel\- graxes. Januar)' 20. Tuesda\-. Pleasant, but xery muddy. .Ml jiarade and drill omitted. Ca])tain Jolmson sick ; eL'xen Anuy Life at Carrol I ton. 217 men went to hosjiital ; Cajitain Hall sick. Preparing;- for to-morrow's monthl}' inspection. Charles B. Kla, Company C, buried at 4 \\ m. Fiftieth Massachusetts Regiment arrived. January 21, Wednesday. Clear and warm; mud neai]\- dried up. General inspection by United States army officer — a Captain Allen, of the Thirtieth Massachusetts. Captain Aldrich field officer of the day. Corporal Edwards, Company K, went to hospital. January 22, Thursday. Ver}^ warm and pleasant indeed. Corporal Trickey, Company I, appointed fifth sergeant. Dress parade, but no drill to-day. M(n-ed camp across the shell road to new and firmer ground ; the old very muddy by constant tramping. Captain Gordon sick ; \l. C. W'illard watched with him last night. The mud in the company streets had become three to six inches deep. January 23, Friday. Very warm, bright day. After the 9 o'clock parade and battalion drill, with the Forty-second Massachusetts, One Hundred and l^nth New York, and Sixteenth New Hampshire, marched several miles onthe shell road toward Lake Pontchartrain and back, under full arms and accoutrements and with knapsacks slung ; General Dow in command. Captain Sanborn and Lieutenant Seavey, of Company H, both sick ; Lieutenant Perkins in conmiand of Company H. While the regiment was on the march, William H. Hodgman, Company E, died at Camp Mansfield, and was buried without the usual military hon(;rs, probably because his disease was malignant ; he was delirious. Cap- tain Osgood sick ; Sergeant Brown sat up with him at night. While stopping for rest on the march, a carriage j^assed with several women in it smoking cigars. The}' created much merriment. It was thought that all women should be ladies ; and all ladies and true gentlemen, also, are merely angels that still dwell in carthl)' temjiles — such as ha\e not }ct taken 2l8 The I'lftccnth Xc7c Hauipshirc \\)lniitccrs. their flight to ticlcls clysian and paradisos ; and it seemed the heigiit of incongruity that women or ladies or prospective angels should smc^ke or chew tobacco, drink, or indulge in other animal excesses. It were as ridiculous as though the spirits of the unseen world should go unwashed or unkempt of their hair, and dress in overalls and cowhide boots ; however, such incidents enliven the occasion. Saw cows yoked to carts by pieces of joist lashed to their horns. January 24, Saturday. Warm and very fine. Lieutenant Durgin officer of the guard ; Captain Aldrich field officer of the day. Usual Saturday scouring for Sunday inspection ; cleaning of guns and polishing of buttons and brasses. January 25, Sunday. Warm and pleasant. Usual Sunday inspection. Lieutenant Chadwick in command of Company D ; regiment under command of iVLijor Aldrich. Lieutenant Parker, Company E, officer of the day. Battalion drill and passed in review. Big mail received. I^'ire in Carrollton to-night — house and other buildings burned close to our camp ; the guard fired to gi\-e the alarm. P. M. boys excused • from duty. All the peddlers hanging round the camp sent to the guard house. Captain Johnson attacked by fe\-er and remoxed from cam]). January 26, Monday. Very warm and pleasant. At battalion drill and dress parade Captain Hall acted as colonel. January 27, Tuesday. Cold, hea\y rain ; cleared off just before night. All parade and drill omitted. Ortlers receix'ed to mo\e uj) ri\er to the parapet about two miles. January 2(S, Wednesday. Cold morning ; \er_\- pleasant. Struck tents at S a. m., and marched in mud four inches deej:), to the parapet, and encamped on same ground that had been occupied !))• the .Sixteenth New Mampshire ; \er\- hard day's work. I<"orty-second Massachusetts broke camp, and marched to New ( )rleans for j^-ovost dutv. Captain Johnson went to a Mrs. I-'oha's, a ni-i\ate house in Carrollton, tor treatment. A nil)' Life at Camp Parapet. 219 The Sixteenth had just \acated the ground on wliich we encamped, and left cook houses standing, which were utiHzed by us ; our cooking had previously been done in the open air. January 29, Thursday. W-ry pleasant. In the morning the ground was white as snow with frost. Perkins, Com- pany H, lieutenant of brigade guard. January 30, Friday. Very warm and pleasant ; fine, C(jo1 breeze. I^ieutenant Durgin in command of Company D. Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Chadwick both sick. Colonel Kingman rode to camp on horseback — is quite feeble. Large force of negroes working on fortifications near by. Lieutenant Cogswell, Company A, sick to-day. Pickets brought in some rebel •' skedadalers." Prepare for inspec- tion to-morrow. The river has risen up to the levee. The " Iber\'ille " came down ri\'er with seven hundred contrabands. Heavy fogs rise from the ri\'er at night. January 31, Saturday. Very fine day; clouded up and rained a little just at night. General inspection by Major Blair. Wesley P^ife, of Company D, died of fever in general hospital at Carrollton ; the first death in Company D. Captain Johnson, Company D, was sick the last twelve days of the month, and was conveyed to a private house in Carroll- ton on the twenty-fourth. Lieutenant Chadwick, Company D, was sick the first five and last two days of the month. Captain Aldrich officer of the day. Very busy at depot ; government teams loading with commissary stores. Steamer "Continental" arrives with more than one thousand men aboard, including the P^ifty-third Massachusetts ; they marched to our camp and pitched their tents. A. C. Plaines, Com- pany D, detailed to take care of a man sick with fever. Warren Comerford baking custard pies at regimental hospital. 220 TJic Fifteenth Xei^' HanipsJiiir W^lunteers. Company A, mornini;- rej^ort January 31, 5/ privates for duty 5/ D, " E, " " 57 F, " - 49 G, " " 49 H, " " 60 . I, - - 57 K, '' " 58 Companies B and C detached. Details axd Brief Mextiox for January. Priv. Augustus Merrill, Company A, detailed chief wagoner of the regiment January i, 1863. Priv. Everett B. Huse, Company C, detailed extra duty as clerk in division quartermaster's department January- i, 1863. Companies B and C detailed to do provost guard duty in the city of CarroUton January 7, 1863. Priv. William P. Oilman, Company C, detailed as nurse in hospital Jaiiuary 8, 1863. Boards of inquiry were apix)inted to inquire into and report upon the loss of garrison and camj) equipage in transit from Camp N. P. Banks to Camp Mansfield, for each com- pany, January 8, 1863. Sergt. J. H. W. Tebbetts, Company I, detailed on extra duty as mail carrier January 14, 1863. Pri\-. David G. Lee, Company A, detailed as messenger January 15, 1 863. Pri\-. Augustus Merrill, Comjxim- A. detailed as chief wagoner, is returned to his company January 17, 1863. Sergt. J. II. W. Tebbetts having been returned to his company, Charles C. Clark, Comj^any M, is detailed as mail carrier. Priv. Robert Richards, Com]xin\- !•".. detailed on extra dut\' as teamster |anuar\- 20, 1863. Annv Life at Camp Parapet. 221 Priv. John Gowen, Company D, detailed on extra duty as teamster January 20, 1863. Priv. E. J. Morgan, Company I^, detailed as nurse in hospital January 23, 1863. Sergt. J. O. Wallingford assigned to duty as second lieu- tenant Company I, temporarily, January 24, 1863. Sergt. J. H. \V. Tebbetts assigned to duty as sergeant- major. Order issued directing " schools of instruction" for officers January 27, 1863. Sergt. Daniel Marston, Company K, detailed on extra duty in quartermaster's department, having been guilty of using disrespectful and insulting language to his superior officers, is returned to company and reduced to the ranks. January 31, 12 officers, 12 non-commissioned officers, and "jz privates were reported sick ; total, 96. 222 The L'iftccnth Xcic Havipshirc ]\^lnntccrs. Events for Februarv, 1S63, liv Dav and Date. February i finds us located in our new camp, called " Camp Parapet." An army is pa\ilioned here. The camp takes its name from an earthwork, which joins with the levee at the ri\-er front, and thence zii;zai;s awa)' northward for two or three miles, and terminates in an impassable c}-press swamj) toward Lake Pontchartrain. A broad swarth has been cut through the giant cypresses, so as to gi\-e cannon range to the lake. These trees grow up out of the water to a great height, without branches, except a tuft of foliage at the top ; the)" stand there in eternal silence. The parapet faces up river, and is said to ha^•e been constructed b}' the enemy, under the charge of General Beauregard, for the protection of New Orleans from above, they apparently little deeming that it could be reached from below, with their might}^ defences at the forts down the ri\'er ; for there they had, besides the forts, a powerful fleet and a chain stretched from shore to shore. The parapet is a \er}- accurate and scientific affair and a work of great strength, as shown in the accompan\ing map. All its slopes were turfed and the ditch in front filled with water. It mounted at intervals man}- hea\"\- guns. Ascend- ing the inside •~\o\)^ to the four-foot level, here infantr)- could stand to man the works. In front of them rose a neaii}' perpendicular ])ortion, o\er which the}- were to fire, and which was lined for the full length of the parapet with hand- somely braided basket-work. This braided work was con- structed b}' inserting stakes in the ground at regular interxals of about sixteen inches, and interwea\ing withes ; the whole was clean and finished in the nicest manner. Contrabands swarm here, building new fortifications and repairing tlie old. Our camp is pitched back of the parapet about a tjuarter of a mile and a half mile from the river. Three other regiments, with which we are brigaded, under General Dow, are encamped with us, as b\' the following diagram : An/iv Life at Cavip Parapet. 223 Parapet. I I I I I I I rrn r^T^rr" Guns. Guns. Guns and mortars. AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA 50th Mass. 26th Conn. 15th X. H. 1620! X. V. There are 36 guns on parapet. Here we settled into a daily routine of camp life, with seldom anything to break the monotony. Dail}' compan}', regimental, and brigade drills, Neal Dt)w, brigadier-general, commanding. How many and many times has oiu" regiment marched in line and column, formed hollow squares, formed from column into line of battle, and from line back to column ; by fours, by platoons, by companies ; and charged quick and double-quick ; fixed bayonets and unfi.xed bayonets, and fired with blank cartridges under that burning sun and cner a field left all in ridges by former cultivation to cotton or cane, until the whole could move as if by instinct like one vast machine. Note. Extract from a letter: " I have thought that the scene here at CarroHton, stancUng on the levee and looking down the river at the time when the river is full to the top of the levee, some fifteen feet above the surrounding countr\-, was the most charming of anything I ha\-e ever seen in nature. In December the orange trees are loaded with tlieir luscious fruit, and I never saw more beautiful weather, even in our own New England Indian summers ; but later came on a rainy season, when all was mud and gloom, and innumerable crawfish crawled over the ground. But there is alwavs fun in camp and some gay spirits that never flag nor die. The camp was always enclosed by a picket line, patrolled by guards walk- ing prescribed beats, beyond which no one could pass without an order signed by proper authority. Sitting around this line in fine weatiier, many of them brinoing their work, were ladies, young and old. with baskets of 224 I /'^' I'iftiiitth \\\.' Ilaiiif^sltiir I'olnuUcrs. fViiil or ( ;ilves are all lh.it ue.ilth .ind l.isle c.in make them -it seems like geltim; into p.ir.ulise. This pkue t.d.es its n.ime from the loililications which were huilt here h\ the ichels foi' ihe prole(li(m of .\ew Orleans. It consists of .1 ( h.iin of e.iilhwoiks cMendin- from ihe river ahoul three miles lowaid llie l,d.<\ whidi (omes witiiin lour or live miles .it this pl.M I . h i". a hiMiililul woik, .mil must h,i\etdst .111 immense .imoiinl of //■///)' Life at C(iiii/> Parapet. labor. 'I'lu' work was pi.iniu'd li\ ( Iriu-ral as il ^'Mcnils toward thr \aVv |o the w Is l)lc lo an anii\. -l-lu' cinlianknuMit is was supposr.l imiiiL; down tlu' riwi, nip. which is iinpassa- hiil\ r.'cl wi(h> at thr l)ottoni. ten oi liltccii at tlu' lop, and al.oiit ri,-hl tcct lii-h. The upper si(h> has a sleep slope, with a diuli tlnil\ leet wide neailv Inll ot water. On the lower or inside thiav is a sa- or level place about li\vlt-et Ironi the top, where tile men can stand and liic over. ll is laiill in a /\\^-/\v^ form like a X'ii-inia leiice ; the angles of ditleieiil length lr,,ni oiu' lo Ihiee hinidred leet at the liver, which it coniniaiids lor a Ion- dislance as it ca-ooks hei-e towards the west. 'I'here are thirty heavy l;iius nionnted, some of which will tlnow .1 hall loin- miles. ■I'liere are also -mis the whole len-th at inUavals of halt a mile or so. three or lorn- in a place. Our camp is ri-ht und(a- the wall within .1 lew leet of the bank, .ui the very spot where (ieneral l.ovell was with his twenty Ih.nisaiid when the city was taken; ihey destroyed most of the -iins and burned t lu> c,niia-es when Ihev lell, and the ruins of these are Ivin- lieie now. .Some of the -uns are in -ood order and are still m, united. -nie darkies here sa\ the women worked like witches te.irin- up the pl.ill.anis an- H. Februar)- 22, Sunda\'. Cool and jjleasant. Captain Johnson inspects Compan\' D. Washington's birthda)- fittingly cele- brated ; flags float from e\er}- mast. The " Portsmouth " fires twent\'-one guns at noon; the band saluted. liarrison Messer, Compan\' B. detailed on extra dut\" at quartermaster's dej^artment. Hand placed se\eral national airs. Perkins. Compan_\- II, lieutenant of the guard. The following model soldier's letter throws much light on the present situation and surroundings: " Ku- ri i-.xrii I\i:(a.\n'.\r Xi-.w 1 1.\.mi'siiiki-, XOi.cntf.krs. CA.MI' P.XKAIM 1. Cakkoi.i.iox, La.. Fcliruar\ 2 i . 1S63. Dear Mix. /iatc/u-ldcr : Wf WL-rr nutitk'd to-ni^lit that a mail would yo North to-morrow, and as .Mr. llatclK-ldci- was on guai'd. hu wislicd me to write you. \Vc liavc m(ivi'ur Cdin- pan\-. Wesley Fife, of Deerfield, was the tinst to y^o : since which time Edward I'. Lane of Candia. Charles S. Marstim of Chichester, and Charles F. Smith of Deerfield, have died. .Mr. liatchelder was sick a fortnight or so. He did not .i;-o to the hospital: however, he is now well. and has been on duty several davs. He wished me to tell you that he had enough to eat and that which is good, and that he sleeps warm nights. Our rations consist of beet", pork, potatoes, meal, flour, rice, peas, and beans, all of the l)est cjualitv. * * * w^. hake beans Uvice a week, as well as they can be done at home : hasty and minute puddings, with warm bread e\er\' da\', and coflee for breakfast and dinner and tea for supper, with plenty of sugar and molasses. There are thousands of negroes here, who have run away from their masters and who are now at work on the fortilicati(ms. cutting wood antl driving teams, and other similar work. The}- are much more intelligent ar.d capable than 1 e\ei- supposed them to be. There is a battery here of negro soldiers who are well ilrilled and disciplined, anil handle their hea\_\ guns like veterans. * * * N'ours ti'uly. [. I'>1<.\I). I'ini.I'.KICK. .Mrs. i;. 11. liatchelder." Aj-viv Life at Cavip l^arapct. 239 and foliage plants and the brilliant flowers of the tropics, and numerous arches spanned their streets, dis- playing patriotic mottoes. A platform was erected and the whole lighted with five hundred dollars' worth of Chinese lanterns and p}'rotecnics from New York. It made a most beautiful appearance. There was a large delegation from New Orleans. There was music and dancing and speaking, interspersed with songs, and an exhibition b}- the regiment on the field of the bayonet exercise, and a skirmish drill, in which they are very proficient. It was a magnificent spectacle, with the Vv'orld for a stage and an arm}- to behold the scene, and such as can never be gi\-en except in time of war. February 24, Tuesday. Very pleasant. The da}- was spent fixing up the new camp and grounds ; all drill omitted. Captain Johnson officer of the da}-. Captain Sanborn returned to ct)mi)any. Lieutenant Seavey sent to pri\ate house in Carrollton in care of J. Perkins, Company H ; Perkins remained twenty-four hours, when a nurse was sent to take his place. Late in Februar}- tents were elevated two feet and floored. P'ebruary 25, Wednesday. Very pleasant, with warm south wind ; dust flew badly. Lieutenant Durgin in command of Company D at battalion drill. Charles PI Clay, Company A, died in hospital, of diphtheria. Company K built an oven. February 26, Thursday. \"ery warm, with high south wind ; the dust flies ; heavy shower in e\-ening. Captain Note. E.xtract from letter of Lieutenant Perkins : " I received your letter \-e.sterday, just as I was going on guard, where I lia\-e been at the north end of the parapet until 4 o'clock to-day. We have a ])retty hard time up there : have no shelter and nothing to sit or lie on except the bare ground. We kept a roaring fire, however, and there are some l)ad gaps in the fences in the vicinity, in consequence. I will now stow myself awav on mv barrel-stave bunk for a night's rest." 240 The Fiftcoith Xcw Hampshire Wiliintccrs. Aldricli attended the tlieatre in \e\v Orleans. Brigade drill, after parade, uneler (ieneral Dow and Colonel Clark, of the Sixth Michigan ; the first brigade drill. l-\'bru.ar\- 2', Fricla}'. \'er)- waim ; cloudy and showery. Dress i:)arade, but no drill. William A. Ho}t, detailed as orderl}- to (ieneral Dow, returned to (Company D. Private Richards, Compan}' E, volunteered to Fourth Massachusetts Battery for the rest of his term. Six men detailed for dut_\' in F'ourth Massachusetts Battery, to report to same at Shipper's Press. Xew ( )rleans, viz.: Jeremiah (iodfrey. Com- pany 1 ; William Ha}\vood, Company I ; fl. C. Richards, Company \\ ; Ira Morrison. Company F ; John Morrison, Company V ; Otis W. Oilman, Company A. February 28. Saturda\ . \'er\- warm and showery ; cleared at night ; cool wind in the evening. \o drill or ])arade. Mustered for yi^^x in forenoon. Lieutenant Chadwick absent. CompauN A. m< )rnin g report 1^'ebruary 2^ 60 priN ates tor duty. D, 5 I " F. F. Ci, 3 5 49 " H. 53 '' I, 50 " K, 3 5 Com )anies 1 and C detached. The sick for j-'ebruar)- average about twehe to the company Aniiy Life at Camp Parapet. The Sick for February. ?4i Date. Officers. Non-commis- sioned officers. Privates. Totals. February i 12 12 77 lOI 2 12 12 79 103 3 13 10 77 100 4 10 14 94 118 5 II 14 88 113 6 . 1 1 ^5 86 7 10 14 100 124 8 II 15 lOI 1 27 9 II 1 1 104 126 lO 10 9 113 132 II 9 12 1 10 131 12 9 17 118 144 '3 10 14 120 144 14 10 10 119 139 '5 9 10 102 121 i6 II 15 97 123 17 II 14 lOI 126 i8 10 12 95 117 >9 10 iS 97 125 20 10 18 102 130 21 10 15 100 125 22 10 13 90 1 13 23 9 9 95 1 13 24 12 84 103 2 5 12 83 112 26 II 12 79 102 27 •I 12 80 103 28 14 81 106 242 The Fifteenth Xez^' Ilavipshire I'oiiniteeis. Daily Mixl-tks for the Moxrii of March. March i, Sunday. March comes in with Captain Johnson again on duty after a long- ihness. Day very pleasant. Usual Sunda\' morninL;' inspection. After inspection Lieu- tenant Durgin and some others attended a negro meeting and in the evening ; text, Luke i8 : 18. These negro meet- ings were very interesting, not on))' on account of their quaint oratory, but also for the songs they sang. They are natural and spontaneous singers ; they sing from the dej^ths of their emotional hearts as no other people sing, and with a rich melody that is all their own. Music gushes from them like fountains from the smitten rock. Many of our numbers also are very devout, and meetings for prayer and praise are frequent and regular, llie camp, laid out with mathematical precision, makes a very beautiful appearance when lit up in the evening ; the lights shine through the white tents, and from them we often hear many voices joining in " Land Ahead its 1^'ruits Are Waving" and other similar songs. With the negroes the singing is congregational ; all join in, and on such evenings as this, one could hear a whole negro regiment in grand conceit for a mile away. Two men detached to go into batter)-. Air \ery still and t|uiet. Perkins, Com]ian)- 11, lieutenant of special guard — interior guard. One hundred and sixt}' thousand cartridges left on the wharf to-cla}' for us. Compan\- stieets built and rounded up. First Lieutenant Muse, of Compau)- G, having been dis- charged for disability, Second Lieut. Joseph G. Ayers is appointed acting first lieutenant, and assumes that rank and title. l'"irst Sergt. C. C. Pit'kering appointed acting second lieutenant of Com])any G. Aruiv Lift-' nt Camp Parapet. 243 The non-commissioned officers of Company G are promoted in succession, and Priv. William A. Foye appointed eighth corporal. First Lieutenant Cogswell, at his own request, is relieved from duty as acting aide-de-camp on General Dow's staff, and returned to duty in Compan)^ A. March 2, Monday. Very beautiful. Lieutenant Durgin detailed regimental commissary by order of Col. John \V. Kingman. It may well be thought that the men are now becoming very proficient and expert in all the prescribed military evolutions and the manual of arms ; each has become a mere piece of mechanism in a mighty machine. All move- ments are made with wonderful precision and celerity, and the men become so inured to their guns at shoulder that they cannot tell whether they are there or not by the mere sense of feeling. One could hunt for his gun when it was in his hand, like our grandmothers searching for their glasses when they are already on their noses. John Perkins sat up with Lieutenant Seavey, Company H. Corporal Bullock, Company F, joins color guard. Bo}'s anxious to mo\e. Note. Extract from a soldier" .s letter : ■' It is the spring season here now. Plums and peaches are in full bloom ; trees are putting out their fresh leaves and shoots. The air is filled with a delightful fragrance, and the weather is the same as our June. The night dews are very heavy. Last night I lay down under the lee of a gum tree a little while, and when I got up I could wring water out of my blanket where I was on guard. This guard business is the worst part of the service ; it uses up the men more than anything else. The guard in our regiment are furnished a whiskev ration; I ha\'e two quarts to deal out."' Note. Another extract: " I was out on battalion drill this forenoon two hours. Our regiment has got so it can drill pretty well. .Major Blair has command most of the time, and he puts us through, I can tell you. The boys all like the colonel first rate, and would follow him any- where he would lead them, if it was right into Vicksburg; some feel hard toward the major, because he is so strict with them, but 1 like him and think he does just right. "" 244 ^'^^^' I'iftt'i'nth Xcx^' Ilainpshirc J \Tli(ntccrs. There is an interior line of sentinels around each regiment, and another along the parapet and around a wide area inclosing the whole brigade, and guards at headquarters and in numer- ous places, beside picket posts two or three miles out in all directions. These outposts are the eyes of the arm)-, and fall back, giving the alarm on the approach of the enem)- in season for the camp to arouse and get cjn line. March 3, Tuesday. Beautiful day. l^all playing after supper. Isaac Hoyt, Company P", corporal of guard. March 4, Wednesday. Very pleasant indeed ; beautiful moonlight nights. Plum trees in bloom. March 5, Thursday. Very pleasant ; slight frost in the morning ; full moon. Brigade drill and review by General Dow; five regiments out. Orders read to proxide oursel\-es with one hundred rounds ammunition, and be read)' to mo\e at a moment's notice. Sergeant Hill, Company A, returned from hospital. Drill very good. Aldrich highly entertained and amused by attending negro meeting ; something- unearthly and fascinating about their manner of worship, and peculiar language, and contortions, singing and songs. There are wondrous well-meaning, good old souls in some of their black bodies. The brigade to-day on review made a very fine appearance. March 6, Frida)'. W'arni ; rained \-er\- heaxih-, but cleared at night ; splemlid moon. Parade and drill on-iitted. Lieu- tenant Durgin assumes his duties as coniniissar)- of the regiment, l/nder niarching orders. Sixteenth and Pighth New PIanij)shire went up ri\er. Cunboats ami transjiorts loaded with troops constant!)- jxissing up. Aldrich officer of the day. l'"our n-ien and a corporal detailed from Conipan)- K to guard [larolled j)risoners on shell road. NoTi-:. Mxtracl tVoni diary more luiman. Whatever l1s( understands the ch-ill." I?oys .say tlie major is .uettiiii; a little ■\- ma\- sa_\', lie is a good soldiei -. and Army Life at Camp Parapet. 245 March 7, Saturday. Very beautiful, but muddy. No parade or drill. The mud is clayey, and sticks like tar ; it has to be scraped off our boots with a sort of wooden knife before entering our tents. The crawfish, precisel}- like little lobsters, crawl over the wet ground in countless numbers ; millions of their little holes perforate the earth everywhere. Two men of the Sixth Michigan got to throwing mud at each other. Never saw such looking fellows in my life. Carew, Company K, promoted sergeant, and Hanson to cor- poral. Gunboats and transports loaded with troops go up river all day and all night. The mud throwing affair was the great amusement of the day ; the two boys had drawn new suits, and returning to quarters one of them playfully put a dab of mud on the other's coat. It was retaliated, and soon both were plastering each other with double handfuls till it would be impossible to tell whether they were men or beasts. It was piled on a foot thick. The Note. Extract from diary of Sergt. H. R. Brown, Company (". : " Had brigade drill, but not feeling well was excused. Camp life is dull enough, but still we manage to have some fun now and then with the darkies, garbage gatherers, peddlers, and beggars, of which there are any quantity, of all ages, sizes and sexes. During grub hours we hear the never-ceasing cry, ' Got any old bread what _\ou don't want any more?' ' Want any lettuce?' 'Era,' ' True Delta,' 'Picayune." 'Arrival of mail steamer; latest news from Vicksburg,' etc., etc. All this is screamed into our ears day after day. I find from observation that news with these fellows is about as follows : the arrival of a mail steamer does for a week ; a skirmish on Lake Fontchartrain is magnified into the ' capture of Vicksburg.' One day an old white-headed darkey, with a broom on his shoulder, stuck his head into the cook house, but before he could say anything, the cook, who happened to be a jolly fellow, caught up the l)ig butcher knife and nished at him with all imaginary fur\-, when tiie darke\- skedaddled double-quick and frightened till he turned pale ; ' Oh ! oh \ ' he said, ' I aint doing nuffin ; only wanted to sell a broom.' And visits to gardens and plantations, and negro meetings, and weddings, were a never failing source of amusement." 246 TIic Fiftcctith Xcw Hampshire I \)lHntLcrs. affair lasted tor ui^wards of half an hour, and hundreds gathered round to witness the sport. The new suits were completely ruined. Thomas Dunlap, Company F, died at Carrollton. March 8, Sunday. Very })leasant. Inspection. Company D inspected by Sergeant Towle. Thomas Dunlap buried. All troops between us and New Orleans now gone. Lieu- tenant Parker, Company H, walked up to sugar plantation, and went to negro meeting in the afternoon. New surgeon — Horsch — arrives to-day ; German, educated, fine looking. Ironclad " Essex" and several other steamers went up river. Corporal Edwards carried breakfast to guard. Went d(nvn to the river and saw the gunboat " Essex " going up. March 9, Monday. Very warm, with appearances of rain. Three large warships went up rixer in the afternoon. Perkins, Company H, lieutenant of guard. Reported Vicksburg is taken — another "capture of Vicksburg." Mail steamer arrived. Lieutenants Cogswell returned to company to-day, and all the men were highly pleased to see him. George Bowers, Company H, died. March 10, Tuesday. Very warm and showery, with heavy shower in the coming night. \\. M. Br)ant, Compan) D, rejoined company. Brigade drill, Dow in command. Cold nights; glad to get out early and warm us by the camp hre ; playing checkers. Corjioral Pi|)er returned to compan\- from hospital. George Bowers, Comjiany II, buried ; he was only seventeen years of age. The bodies are placed in an ambu- lance, and escorted by eight privates, with arms rexersed, and the band or muftled druiiis, and three xoUcns hred o\'er the grave. This is all the ceremony of bur}ing a soldier. March i i, W'ednesday. T'air ; cool; windw Dress parade omitted ; mud, but usual compau}- and battalion drill. Prac- ticed street firing. Cajjtain .\ldrich, Comix\n\- .A, officer of day. Sergeant Haines, Compan\- I), on guard at lower end Anny Life at Camp Parapet. 247 of parapet — had two brass pieces to watch ; his beat was four hundred paces long. Trees of the swamp have been cut breast high ; full of underbrush. A man would sink in the mire all over. Sergeant Leavitt, Company A, sent to hospital. Sergeant Stevens has peach and orange blossoms on his table, and they are very fragrant. (3fficers have orange blossoms in their tents. March 1 2, Thursday. Warm ; very pleasant. Lieutenant Chadwick, Company D, visited camp. Sixth Michigan struck camp, and went up river in high spirits. Irving Whittemore, Company I{, worked in cook house. R. Potvvine arrived, DESCRIPTION OF A SEK(;E.\XT's QUARTERS. Note. Extract from letter: " The peach and orange trees are in full bloom now. I will send some orange blossoms in my letter, so you can get the fragrance if the flower is dry and faded. The captain has just come in my tent, and is playing checkers on my portfolio with my bed- fellow, Orderly Davis. By the way, I have not given }ou a description of my habitation in the land of lemons and oranges lately. We moved up stairs when we moved our tents to this place, and have our tent set up on stilts like a corn barn, only not so high. I put some standards into the ground and laid the floor on top of them ; then put the tent up, and the air has a chance to draw under and keep the ground dry and the tent much cooler and healthier. Tlie other boys wish they liad done the same. Our bunk is a foot and more from the floor, and plenty wide for two ; then we liave a centre table or bookstand with a newspaper spread, which I brought from New York, with writing materials and stationery, two books of tactics, two diaries, one roll book, one blank book, one ration book, one portfolio, one hair brush, several pens, pencils, picto- rials, newspapers, looking glass, comb, etc., etc.; then we have a cup- board up over the bed with blacking, clothes and blacking brushes, oil for guns, materials for cleaning and brightening brasses, etc., etc.; then at the foot of the bed in front there is a half barrel of sugar under the bed, several boxes containing tea, candles, soap, etc. Now you have a description of our house and its contents. Then our dining room is just across the street in a tent used only to eat in, our mess having a cook, who washes our dishes and takes care of them ; so you see we live like gents. Who would not sell his farm and be a soldier?'' Ser(;eant Stevexs, of Company K. 248 The I'lftcoitli Xci^' Ilainpshirc ]'ohnitccrs. who was left sick in New York. Brigade drill, Dow in com- mand. S. \\ ()s<.,a)od, Compan)' K, arri\ed from New \'ork. Captain I'inkham came up from Xew Orleans with two deserters — Swain and Prescott, Company I. March 13, Friday. Very pleasant indeed. INIajor Aldrich, Captain Johnson, and Lieutenant Chadwick went out huntini;-, but saw no game but snakes and alligators. Priw (i. \\\ Batchelder, Company A, detailed as orderly at the telegraph office. Priv. Charles \i. Hanscomb, Compan}- \\, detailed as orderly at General Dow's headquarters. The " secesh " women are sometimes quite demonstrative ; last night they raised a rebel flag right in front of our two companies at Carrollton doing provost duty. No notice taken of it but to lower it. Brigade drill. lY'ddler girls about cam]). Sixth Michigan marched u]) ri\-er about ten miles to do j^icket dutw March 14, Saturday. Most beautiful day. Usual tlrill and so forth in the forenoon, but the afternoon was spent in cleaning up and preparing for the Sunday morning ins}K'ction. This night, from 9 to 12, was distinctly heard, at Camp Parapet, the terrific cannonading at Port Hudson, as Admiral Farragut ran the rebel batteries at that place, one hundred miles awa}- as tlie crow flies. Captain Johnson, Conuuissary Durgin, and " J^ilh," went to New ()rlcans, and retui'ned by NoTlc. I'"\tract tVoni letter : " All tlie tioops near 1)\- ^one up river and transi)()rt.s pass u]) and down all the time. Farramit has just gone up with the ' Harttord " and ' llrcmklyn ' and one other great man-of- war, with their topmasts all down ; lhe\- look like giants stripped for action. The provost guard is to police the citv of Carrollton. Captain Ela holds a sort of police court; tlie\ are to preserve order and suppress all demonstrations of disloyalty. One man has been tined $25,000 and sent to Tortugas tor two years tor attempting to smuggle goods to the enemy. School maims ha\e been lined tVom $1 to $300 for allow- ing their scholars to hurrah tor Jel'f Daxis and sing secesh songs and t'or flourishing rebel flags. All registered enemiis ot" the government are to take the oath of allegiance, or leave the country tor rebeldom betore the fifteenth of Mav." I Aniiy Life at Camp Parapet. 2z|9 the 8 o'clock cars. Joseph \V. Chase went to the regimental hospital. Rumors of attack on our camp. Captain Aldrich shooting snakes down b\' the railroad ; killed twent}-five or thirty moccasins four to five feet long. Compan}' 1{ had fish hash for dinner. Farragut succeeded in passing with the "Hartford" and "Albatross"; the " Monongahela " and " Richmond " fell back, and the " Mississippi " grounded and was blown up b)' her commander. The flash of the " Mississippi's " explosion was seen by our guard. March 15, Sunday. Beautiful day ; shower at night. Usual inspection. Expect to go up ri\'er to meet the enem}- ; had orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice aboard transport for Baton Rouge ; great enthusiasm. Services in the yard of a fine southern residence, the regiment forming "hollow square" under a large live oak. Men stood at " parade rest " ; birds sang in the branches ; crowds of colored people of all ages stood around outside. Text, Kjih. 4:15. After service marched up river outside the parapet a mile or more, and returned to camp at noon. Lieutenant Stevens, Company K, sergeant of the guard, stationed at the Zouave camp. March 16, Monday. Beautiful day. No drill or i^iarade on account of last night's rain and mud. Orders read that any officer or man caught in New Orleans would be brought before court martial. Rumor that Port Hudson' is taken. Joseph W. Chase sent to hospital. William P. Avery, Com- pany B, died. March 17, Tuesda}'. boggy morning. Wn-}- warm and somewhat showery. Drill omitted. Participated in grand parade of the whole brigade, in which the parajiet was manned and its big guns fired. Grand sham fight, in which the batteries fired shot and shell at targets, and the ship " Ports- mouth " shelled the cypress woods toward Lake Pontchar- train. The Maine bo}s, in charge of the parapet guns. 250 The Fiftcoith Xr.<.' Ilauipshiir ]'o[ii)itccrs. made some good shots. At the sham fight, ten rounds of blanks were fired. A mule in the distance, out front of the parapet, was killed by one of the jwrapet guns. Assistant Surgeon Towle ordered to report to Surgeon General I^axter, at the United States barracks, New Orleans. March 18, Wednesday. Very warm, bright day. Brigade drill, by General Dow; these drills are very hard, especially for the old guard, who are not excused from it, although from all others. Lieutenant Chadwick, Company I), returned to duty after his long illness. Corp. George H. Rand returned fnjm hospital. Abner \\\ Alorse, Company A, died at the marine hospital in New Orleans. Major Blair appointed acting lieutenant-colonel ; Captain Aldrich, Company A, appointed acting major; I^'irst Lieutenant Cogswell, Company A, ai:)pointed acting captain ; Second Lieutenant Hendley, Com- pany A, appointed acting first lieutenant ; acting ]\Lijor Aldrich appointed "regimental court martial." March 19, Thursday. Fair. Perkins, Company H, lieuten- ant of the guard. The Zouave regiment was present at the manou\-ering of the b'rigade, and gave an exhibition of fancy drill and the bayonet exercise, at which they are very pro- ficient. It was witnessed b}- thousands of critical eyes, and pronounced the finest exhibition of the kind ever seen in these fields. Company G had nineteen off duty sick and six others unfit for duty. ( )rficers' drill — Comjxany " (J " — from 4 to 5.30; their awkwardness is highh" amusing to the bo}s. March 20, l^'riday. \'ery warm and jileasant ; brisk wind and dust in the afternoon for a time. After battalion drill the lieutenant-colonel, Blair, dismissed the regiment with "break ranks" in the field, and all returned to camj:) at will. Perkins, Compaii}' II, lieutenant of s])ecial guard up the parapet to the swamp. G. W. Taxlor and I). P. Watson sent to hospital. A. lulmunds returned from hosjMtal, haxing been there se\en weeks. Joseph W. Chase died. The bo}s, with the band, serenade the new major, Aldrich. I W: t Annj> Life at Camp Parapet. 251 March 21, Saturday. \^ery hot, with fine showers and thunder. Joseph \V. Chase buried out back of the parapet. J. (). Langley, Aaron luhnunds, and A. L. Sanborn returned to duty from hospital. Colonel Kingman, who has been sick, resumes command. About six out of each company go on guard duty every day ; most always some of them are stationed down the railroad in the swamp, and when "off" amuse themselves shooting snakes and alligators. Preparing for to-morrow's inspection. Sergeant Stevens, Company K, acted as lieutenant at drill. March 22, Sunday. Warm, with showers at night. Usual Sunday inspection. Lieutenant Chadwick in command of Company D. Very heavy shower in the afternoon. Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Durgin went on horseback to Lake Pontchartrain. Company D boys shot and brought into camp from the picket line an alligator seven feet long. Some of the flesh was cooked ; it was very white and nice looking, but was coarse-grained and had a fishy taste. The lower jaw bone was boiled clean of the flesh and showed a wonder- ful set of teeth. Company D now became known as the alligator company. Mail steamer "Bio Bio" burned at New Orleans just as she reached her wharf. Charles P. Davis, Company A, sent to hospital. Mosquitoes begin their ravages. The boys dragged the big alligator to camp. It was a monster for these regions, and was thought to have devoured a negro child that disappeared recently. March 23, Monday. Rained heavily all day and into the night ; tremendous shower at 8 a. m. ; terrific lightning and thunder. Roby True went to hospital. Stevens, Company K, sergeant of the interior guard. A. C. Haines carried breakfast \o the guard down to the railroad. March 24, Tuesday. Showery forenoon, with hail ; cleared off cold, with high wind, in the afternoon ; high north wind all night ; very muddy. Xo drill or parade. Nathaniel Robinson, Jr., returned to duty from the hospital. Captain 252 The Fiftcciith Xci^ Hampsltiir I'olnntccrs. Johnson antl Lieutenant Dur^in in New Orleans ; returned on the six o'elock cars. Ordered to be prepared for i^eneral inspection at 10 o'clock; worked hard scourini;' brasses and polishing guns, and while waiting for the drum the order was countermanded. leaked beans for l^reakfast. A. C. Haines on guard at the railroad. Wind subsided with the setting of the moon. Wallace, Company I, sergeant of the guard. Charles Goodhue detailed on extra duty as clerk in the ordnance department. March 25, Wednesda)'. \'ery pleasant. " Prei:iare for inspection " ; inspection did not come off. No parade or drill. Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Durgin gunning ; Captain Johnson shot an alligator three feet long. Charles C. Tuttle was sent to regimental hospital. ]^ig guns on j-jarapet hred at target. Mud nearl\' all dried up. Meat hash for dinner, hasty pudding for supper. March 26, Thursday. \ Lift' at Cauip Parapet. 253 send home the body of Foye, and any other, cost what it would. Company G escorted Foye's body to main entrance with reversed arms, band playing the "dead march." Com- pan)- K escorted the body of Mansfield to the main entrance, with reversed arms, the band playing a funeral dirge. Com- pany D turned out the old cooks and put in new ones. Brigade drill. Man accidentally shot in Zouave regiment. New order for " calls " issued. Headquarters U. S. Forces, Carrollton, La., Camp Parapet, March 27, 1863. General Orders \ No. 22. \ The following " list of calls"' will take effect from March 28, 1863, and will be strictly enforced until further orders : Drummers" call, 5 A. m. Reveille, 5.15 A. :\i. Breakfast call, 6.30 a. .m. Surgeon's call, 7 a. .m. First call for parade and company inspection, 8 A. .M. Regimental parade, 8.30 A. m. First call for battalion drill, 9 a. .m. Battalion drill. 9.15 a. m. Recall from drill, 10.45 a. m. Dinner call, 12 m. Fatigue call, i p. .ai. Recall from fatigue, 3.30 p. m. First call for guard mounting, 3.45 p. .m. (iuard mounting and first call for company drill, 4 p. M. Company drill, 4.15 p. m. Recall from company drill, 5.30 i". .m. Drummers" call, 15 minutes before retreat. Retreat parade at sundown. Drummers" call, 8.30 p. .M. Tattoo, 8.45 p. M. Taps, 9 p. .M. First call for Sunday inspection, 7.15 A. M. Sunday inspection, 7.30 a. m. Church call, 11 A. M. 2 54 I^lic FiftcciitJi Nciv Hampshire ]^ol!intccTs. More particular attention must hereafter be given to tliese duties. In a great many cases there has not been a " dnmimers" call" preliminary to roll call. Tlie revised Army Regulations clearly define the course to be pursued by both officers and men in relation to these important duties, and commanding officers of regiments and detachments will be held to a strict accountability for any violation of them. All irregularities that heretofore existed must at once cease. Brigade drills will lie substituted for regimental on Tuesdays and Thursdavs. B\' order of I5KIG. Oex. Dow. [Signed] Olhek M.\tthews, Official: Lt. and A. A. A. Gciil. Edw. E. F^ink.h.a.m, Adjt. March 28, Saturday. \'ery hot. Uress parade, but no drill. Tremendous shower at midni_^ht. Cleaning up for the morning inspection. Roby True, C\)mpany (i, died at Carrollton at 10 o'clock in the evening. So still can hear flies buzz. Roby True's body escorted to main entrance b\' Company G, with reversed arms, and band ; his bod}-, with Foye's and Mansfield's, started for home. (See pages 22, 23. and 30.) Blackberries ripe. iXndrew C. Giles, Company K, handed in his name to go in charge of negro regiment. Perkins, lieutenant of guard, and Trickey, of Compan}' I, sergeant of guard. March 29, .Sunday. Cool and cloud}-, with slight s]irink- ling of rain. I^'ranklin Clay detailed on dail}- dut}- as hospital nurse. Inspection omitted- mud. Gunboat " Mononga- hela " went down rixer. Poor 'Prue had been looking loi-ig for a letter ; it came to-da}-, two da}'s too late. " Free " Dockham on guard to-i-iight. March 30, Monday. \'er}- cold night ; cloud}-; northeast wind. William C. Donovan and Stephen Hilton returned to Company D from desertion. P^xtract from remarks on muster roll of August 13, 1863, relating to Ste])lien Hilton: "Since his return he has been one of our best soldiers." Caxalry landed and c-aniped on shell road. Rounding uj) streets. Aniiy Life at Camp Parapet. 255 March 31, Tuesday. Clear and cool and pleasant; wind northeast. Brigade drill in the forenoon, b}' General Uow, and inspection at night by Lieutenant-colonel Blair, who found fault with some of the men. The " Portsmouth " to-day, while practising with shells, sent one wide of the mark, which, exploding over the Zouave camp, killed one of their corporals ; a piece of shell entered his tent and cut the top of his head completely off. Our guard up to the railroad brought in a piece that fell among them, weighing four pounds. Lieutenant Sea\'ey, Company H, returned to duty from sickness. Stevens, Company K, sergeant of the guard. Company A, morning report March 31, 54 privates for duty. - D, ^ " " 49 " E, " " 51 F, " " 46 G, " " 50 " H, '' " 44 « I, " " 52 K, " - 56 Companies B and C absent on provost dut}- at Carrollton. The sickness in Company D for this month was quite as serious as last month. Lieutenant Chadwick remained on the sick list till the eighteenth, when he returned to duty, and remained on duty only till the twenty-fourth, when he again was reported sick, and remained so reported through the rest of the month. Of non-commissioned ofificers and men of Company D on the sick list, there were reported on the first, 14 ; on the second and third, 16 ; on the fourth, fifth, and sixth, 18 ; on the seventh, 17 ; on the eighth, ninth, and tenth, 18 ; on the eleventh, 20 ; on the twelfth and thirteenth, 21 ; on the fourteenth, 23 ; on the fifteenth, 19; on the sixteenth, 20; on the seventeenth and eighteenth. 256 The Fifteen t/i Xcic Hampshire Volunteers. 24; on the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-hrst, 21 ; on the t\vent_\"-see()ncl, 20; on the t\vent}-third, iS; on the t\vent}-f()urth, 16 ; on the twenty-hfth, 14 ; on the twenty- sixth, 15 ; on the twenty-seventh, 17 ; on the twenty-ei,i;hth, 18 ; on the twenty-ninth, 14 ; on the thirtieth, 16 ; on the thirty-first, 15. This would prohal:)ly show a fair axerage for all the companies. Aniiy Life at Camp Parapet. The Sick for March. ■S7 Non-commis- Date. Officers. sioned officers. Privates. . Totals. March i 8 16 87 1 1 1 2 8 15 72> 96 3 9 15 84 108 4 II 16 91 1 18 5 II 19 93 122 6 10 16 104 130 7 10 14 94 118 8 8 17 99 124 9 9 22 104 .135 lO 8 22 116 146 II 9 21 119 149 12 9 22 119 150 13 8 26 131 .65 14 8 28 129 165 15 7 33 130 170 i6 7 27 III 145 I? 7 28 125 160 iS 7 24 125 156 19 7 24 125 156 20 8 26 118 152 21 8 26 118 152 22 8 24 lOI 133 -3 8 23 91 122 24 9 23 92 124 -5 9 22 89 120 26 9 23 93 I 25 27 9 23 91 ' -3 28 9 22 90 121 29 9 23 90 122 30 7 22 79 118 31 9 23 82 114 258 TJic FiftiCtith Xc-u' HanipsJiiir ]\)Iuntccrs. Events for April, 1863, i;v D.nv and Datk. April I, Wednesday. X^ery pleasant indeed, with cool northeast wind. General inspection of the regiment by Captain Wheeler, of the Sixth Michigan. The regiment never looked better, and the inspecting officer was \ery C()m}ilimentary. " If anything," he said, "the guns are too bright." Got through inspection at 2 p. .m. Colonel King- man sick. After inspection, Comi^an}- (i i)ractiscd the skirmish drill under Captain Osgood, who had now returned to duty, having been sick nearly two months in New Orleans. Boat load of troops went up the rixer. Trees are in bloom; grass, particularly clover, is rank and tall and read}' for the scythe. A detail of Company B went fishing and procured a catfish, of which the compan}' had a chowder for supper. April 2, Thursday, l^eautiful day, clear and cool. Brigade drill, General Dow. Lieutenant Wallingford sick, threatened with a fever. Joseph Farrington, in evening, taken with cramp and colic. Major Aldrich mounted at parade for first time. Major Aldricli in command to-da}'. Sergeant West, Com])any (i, returned from hospital. All the officers and non- commissioned officers met at major's to organize for officers' drill twice a week. Osgood chosen president of meeting. Captain Hall chosen cai:)tain, and Russell. Company 1^, orderly ; drilled an hour. This is the second time Company O, as it is called, has been organized. NoTi:. Extract from a soldier's letter: " The otilicers that inspected us yesterday told General Dow, aiul tlie major told us. that tlie Fifteenth New Hampshire regiment was the best drilled, and their equipments were kept the neatest, of anv nine months" regiment in the department that he had inspected, and he liad licen most through it all. The major told us that if we could not ha\e the honor of going into battle, there was one thing we could have the praise of. ami that was of being the best nine months' regiment in the South. We are in the tirst brigade, second division of the Nineteenth Army Corps, (".en. T. W. Sherman has command of the dixision. He is a steiMi looking old fellow: his hair is turning yrav : he is verv much unlike C.eneral Dow. Dow is a small Annj' Life at Camp Parapet. 259 April 3, Friday. Beautiful, clear and cool. Lieutenants Cogswell and Durj^in went together to New Orleans, where the)' had green peas for dinner. Trickey, sergeant of interior guard. Kingman and Blair both sick. Aldrich took com- mand of battalion drill for the first time. (Officers drill under Hall. Dews so heavy as to wet the tents through like rain. April 4, Saturday. Beautiful, clear and cool ; ver)- heavy dews. No rain for a long time ; ground getting \'ery dry and hard, almost like stone. Lieutenant Durgin visited New Orleans and collected $603.78, company savings ; this was for the whole regiment. Levi Barker sent to hospital. Lieutenant Wallingford taken to Carrollton for better care. Lieutenant Larkin, Sergeants Davis and Stevens, Company K, visited New Orleans ; crossed to Algiers and \isited the Sixteenth. Battalion drill ; Aldrich in command. Colonels Kingman and Blair both sick. Captain Stearns and Lieu- tenant Parker both sick in hospital. Officers drill ; the boys stand around and laugh at them. Perkins on extra guard three hours at night. man, and very pleasant ; he will come round the camp and talk witli the boy.s : he wears his hair long and combs it back behind his ears : it is turning gray. I shall have to stop now and go for my dinnei. We had boiled beef and potatoes for breakfast, and we have fried ])ork and potatoes for dinner. We draw a loaf of bread each every dav, and liave tea or coffee with each meal." Note. Extract from letter: " Tlie inspector-general the other day said we were the best nine months' regiment he had seen in the service, and which pleased the ' old col." so that he drew us up in hohow sciuare and told us of it." Note. A model soldier's letter from Lieutenant Perkins, of Company H : "Camp P.arapet, Carrollton, La., April 4. 1863. Dear Jenny : I have not heard a word from you since yours of March 10. which was received two weeks ago to-morrow. We ha\-e recei\ed no mail here since that time, except a few scattering letters by transports which left New York before the twelfth ultimo. 1 don't know what the trouble is, per- 26o The Fiftccjith Xcic HampsJiiir W^luntccrs. haps some vessels have been lost or captured ; but it is very provoking to be obliged to wait so long when we are all so anxious to hear the particu- lars of the election. The weather is beautiful now, but very cool for this region ; there was some frost this morning on the grass. We have not been paid yet, but are expecting it every day. There is some talk at headquarters of sending a regiment from tliis brigade over to the lake, and there is a slight chance that we may go tliere ; at an\- rate I hope so, for I have got so tired of staying here that I would be willing to go almost anywhere for the sake of a change and a little excitement. The One Hundred and Sixty-fifth New York (Zouave), and Sixth .Michigan, were sent over tliere a week or two since, and have had quite a little brush witli the rebels : tlie}- drove them away from a fort wliich they were building there, probably with the intention of collecting a force there to make a dash on us some time. The\' captured three vessels laden with cotton, and took a good deal of plunder besides. One man was killed, a captain, and three or four wounded, who have been sent back iiere. The Zouaves, one company of which was left here to guard their camp, have been very unfortunate, having lixst three men within a few days. The first was shot dead by the accidental discharge of a ritle, caused h\ a stack being blown over before the guard tent ; the second was a sentinel who was shot on his post by the corporal, who savs that he found iiim asleep and while trying to get his gun from him it went off and killed him, but the general opinion is that tliere was a scufHe and the corporal shot him i)urix)sely, as the ball went straight through his head from ear to ear; the third was by a shell which was fired by the "Portsmouth": they were practising to ascertain the length of fuse required to shell tlie railroad; one of the shells burst in the air directly o\er the parapet wliere the railroad crosses, and a piece of it went into their camp, half a mile distant, pas.sed through the tent where the man was lying and struck him on the forehead; he lived but a few hours. It was very careless firing, many of the pieces came very near hitting tlie guard at the parapet. 1 have not been to tlie cit\' vet. but think of going next week. Our chaplain has left us. having received some ai)])ointment as superintendent of negro laborers on plantations. We have no religious services what- ever, and nobody seems to think or care anything about it. Tliev have given U]) such matters to the darkies, and tiie\- seem to manage them a good deal better than we can. We have a new surgeon. Dr. llorsch, from Dover. I believe: he is liked very nuich. and I think is an excellent surgeon. Holmes (William F.) is still in the hospital and is gaining, but is pretty sick yet. Alexander is getting quite smart. Lieutenant Seavey returned to the company yesterday: he has recovered from his sickness. Annv Life at Cavip Parapet. 261 April 5, Sunday. Very warm, but beautiful, bright day. Usual company inspections. Bushels of blackberries are brought into camp. Members of Company I went three miles over the parapet for blackberries. Major Aldrich in command ; Lieutenant Perkins on extra guard at night. Many visit Lake Pontchartrain by the beautiful shell road ; it is a most pleasant trip, and is six miles from camp. The road is lined with men and officers, many of them mounted and brilliant in gold and army blue. At the lake is a water- ing place where the gay people of New Orleans mcjst did congregate before the war droxe all their }'oung and able- bodied men into the rebel army. The mighty waters stretch away into the dreary distance beyond the reach of human ken. It is still a place of great animation and where tropical trees and plants and flowers thrive and bloom in wondrous profusion. Colonel Kimball, Fifty-third Massachusetts, is met on the way, mounted and with his hands full of strange blossoms. It is well remembered that he reined up to a company of boys who were sauntering along, of whom the writer of this was one, and showed them a flowering spike or plume of a vermillion hue which was dazzling to the eye. He was apparently a great lover of all of nature's handiwork, and but is not strong enough to do duty yet. .We have received moscjuito bars for every man in the regiment ; they came to-da_\-. We ha\'e not tried them yet, but thinlc they will keep ofif the van/iinfs completely. They are furnished without expense to the men, but are to be returned by them, and if lost or destroyed are to be paid for, $3.20 apiece. What do you think of my bringing home a darkey bo_\? I have serious thoughts of it if you think best. " I haven't time to write any more this time, so I must leave the rest of this sheet blank, but you may imagine that it is all filled with i)raise of your goodness, wisdom, virtue, wit and beauty, for it was my intention to devote the rest to that purpose. I want to write to uncle and aunt, but don't know as they are there yet. Yours, Washington. ■■■ 262 The Fifteenth Xei^' Hampshire I'oluiitcers. and this was a masterly stroke of it which he had ne\er seen before. There are infinite varieties at the lake, with bees and humniin_^- birds fiittini; amoni;- them, and such minds as his are lost there and find no words to express their emotions. It is observed that the hues of all flowers here are far more lively and brilliant than at the North, exce])t the white, which are slightly tanned and tawny. I'lants of these white roses grow here and at Carrollton that cover a whole large house, embrac- ing roof and all its parts, and pendent e\-erywhere like a giant grapevine, and all its branches loaded with fragrant roses now in full bloom. The oleanders grow like alders ; and the "pride of China " and the matchless "cape flower." In a corner of a garden, laid out with shaded bowers and shell walks. Lieutenant Perkins and this writer found where some rich owner had brought together every known \ariety of roses from o\'er the whole world's surface. So this day was spent in God's own matchless temples, and in the only way whereby ignorant and puny man can pay his creator any true or fitting worship and homage. April 6, Monday. Very pleasant indeed. Sergt. J. J. Swain, Com])any I), and Priv. C. D. Johnson are sent to hospital ; I). P. Mason, Company D, returns from hospital. Orderly Russell, Company PI, acts as lieutenant of the guard. Heretofore there have been two brigade drills per week, now three are ordered. Ca])tains Hall and (lordon returned from New ( )rleans. Steamer arrived with black scjldiers. Colonels Kingman and Hlair both very sick ; Major Aldrich in com- mand at brigade drill. A. C. Haines goes on guard at 4 I'. .M. Orderl)- Russell as lieutenant of patrol guard; Lieu- tenant Perkins on extra guard at night. Got mosquito bars. Seized some rebel property to-day two miles from camp — thirt}' mules and harnesses and one thousand bushels of corn. April 7. 'i'uesda)-. \'ery pleasant indeed. Colonels King- man and Hlair both still sick. Captain Johnson being sick Army Life at Camp Parapet. 263 and excused from duty, Lieutenant Durgin took command at battalion drill. In the evening Lieutenant Durgin to(jk twelve men, and went outside the lines to a negro meeting. Officers in Company " O " drill after supper. Boys with the band serenade Captain Hall. Lieutenant Perkins on extra guard. All have blackberry sauce and fruit cakes for supper. Sergeant Brown, of Company G, being sick and excused, made sketches of scenes about camp, some of which are repro- duced in this work. On one of these days Colonel Blair was pronounced dead by his attendants, he lying in a comatose condition for a considerable time, but was resuscitated by the surgeons. Note. Although mentioning rehgious services and faithfully recording every appearance of the chaplain, it must not be thought that the historian does in any measure approve or countenance the monstrous doctrines and frauds of any religion based on pecuniary support. The poor, lowly, and susceptible negro, in his new freedom, like all other ignorant and gullil)le peoples, has been approached by crafty and designing men wlio, while making a great pretense of virtue and morality, preach to them a personal devil, which every intelligent man must know is a myth, and that they are born sinners and subject to the wrath of a cruel God, who has prepared for them a hell of fire and brimstone, into which they must be plunged at the end of life, and there live and wail and gnash their gums and writhe forever, for they are instructed that even a worm cannot die therein ; and they prove all this from a book which they tell them was written by God himself. They tlius thoroughly frighten these timid souls, causing them untold misery. They then explain to them that there is a means of escape, but all of which ends in passing of an old hat, with a rehash of the story of the widow and her two mites and the tireless admonition that it is better for others to give than to receive. And by such despicable means these creatures of an all-wise God are practiced upon and deceived and cheated and subjected to a state of mental thraldom worse, if possible, than their old condition of personal bondage. In this age it seems to many that thev who thus deceive and defraud tlie lowly are the most wicked and heartless of all those who scheme to live by the sweat of other brows, and that of all fraudulent means whereby a class filch their living from the toilers of earth, the scheme of salvation, as thus laid down, is the most ridiculous and contemptible; but the scheme must go on, and the pro- 264 TJic FiftccntJi New Haiupsliirc ]\^luntccrs. April 8, Wednesday. \ki\\ pleasant indeed. Colonels Kingman and Blair still botli \i;;uy morning; slight sprinkle of rain in the afternoon, when it came up very dark for an hour or so ; otherwise ver}- pleasant and warm. Colonels King- man and Blair both still sick, but reported gaining slowly. Usual Sunday inspections. Lot of Company E boys go blackberrying. Luther Stevens and George G. Sanborn, oi Company K, visit the sick in the Carrollton hospital. A. C. Haines on guard at General Dow's headquarters. Company E had baked beans for breakfast, ham for dinner, and apple sauce and bread for supper ; in Company A hoe cake, brown bread, and baked beans in the morning. At inspection everything is found in fine shape, and the boys feel tip-top. Lieutenant Perkins and others gone up the railroad through the parapet for cane brake. Half of Company A gone plumming — strawberries and blackberries very large and sick ; he is better now. He is in command of tlie Reggiment now, for tlie Colonol and the Lieut. Colonol ar l>oath sick, and have l^een for a week or more. J. C. Blake and Levi Blake are boath down to New- Orleans to work. Levi is clerk for Lieut. Hanks, and Jack is bossing negers, and likes it tirst rate : he ses he gut this book for me. It was a Rebel Book wonce, but it is not now, and i think it never will be again. Burt Bussell has gut something in his eye, and it is as hot as the deveil hear to day, but there is a good breeze, and it is good weather, bright and pleasant. •• I have just herd that thare has been a fight over the river with the rel)els and a negero regiment, and thay say the negers licked the Rebels, a camp story, I serpose. Augustous Merrill return to the company the 8th of April. The boys ar a running around bair footed hear. •• There are thirty six cannon on the Parapet, big and little, at the present time, and a negro company takes charge of a part of them, and thay handle them first rate. One of them shot at a target the other day a mile, and the fift shot he hit the bull eye in the sentre, and the gim boat that lays in the river shot a shell at a mark, and the shell burst in the air, and one of the pieces went a \ of a mile and hit a man in a New York Regiment that was in his tent, and the man died in a few hours, and the Commander of the gun Ijoat paid for sending him home, which cost him one hundred and twentv five dollars."' 270 The Fifteenth Xe7c Hampshire ]'olunteers. plentiful ; rest are writing letters. Lieutenant Cogswell and several officers have gone over the rixer. Lieutenant Page, of Compan)- B, l:)rcakfastecl with the Company A officers. April 13, Monda}-. I'oggy and hot morning; no air stirring. Company A's morning report shows four in hos- pital and thirteen sick in quarters. Sergt. Fernando Parker sick ; Lieutenant Perkins on extra guard ; Major Aldrich in command. Splendid brigade chill, which jnit General Low in such good humor that he made a speech on discipline at its close, which was very witt)' ; he was highl}- gratified with their good a]5pcarance and beha\ior and the improxement they had made. If the weather continued hue, in a little while it would be the best brigade in the department. He related in h.is humorous way how this morning he caught a sentinel sitting down on his beat, with his gun on the ground two or three rods away. The general came close u}) to him unawares, when he sprang for his gun ; the general ga\e him a talking to, and warned him not to be caught that wax- again. The old general is firm, but at the same time one of the most genial of men, and is greatly liked by all. Com- pany A drilled as skirmishers in the afternoon and Comj^an}" K in sc|uads under .Sergeants Davis, (lordon, Stexens. and Carew. y\]l were out as usual in the afternoon on comixuiv drill. When drill was ox'cr, su])]X'r was read}' of Hapjacks and blackberry sauce. Major .Aldrich went to New Orleans in the afternoon, and returned at 10 o'clock at night. ( )f course ex'er)- dax' begins with rexeille ami roll-call, and ends with retreat or dress j^arade at sunset and tattoo and taps. The full order of exercises is alwaxs carried out, excej^t on some extraordinary occasion. April 14. iuesdaw \'ei'\- showerx' in the morning; pleasant and cool ; wind west ; gi-eat blow at night. Csual order carried out. Major .Aldrich in conuuand. Pattalion (li-ill in the forenoon ; com])any and sc|uad drills in the Ar7;n' Life at Camp Parapet. 271 afternoon. Major Aldrich attended a social mectini; of Masons of the Fifteenth New Hampshire, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New York, and Twenty-sixth Connecticut out front of the parapet. A. C. Haines carries the supper to the guards. Companies A and G go for cane poles, both in the forenoon and afternoon ; saw sla\'es plowing and [:ilanting. Company E had a great feast at supper time — hot biscuit, butter, and apple sauce. Mail steamer "Marion" twelve days overdue, and great fear she is lost. Colonel Kingman reported gaining, but Lieutenant-colonel Blair is very sick, and was taken worse this afternoon. Lieutenant Pickering and others visit a plantation where sugar cane is growing. Corn is a foot high, and potatoes most ready to dig. Li the evening h^a A. Hill was afraid his tent would blow down. April 15, Wednesday. Very pleasant and comfortable. Splendid brigade drill under General Dow, at which fired blank cartridges ; company drill omitted this afternoon. Rumored that the Si.xteenth New Hampshire met the enemy at Berwick Bay, and lost two hundred. Lieutenant Pickering receives a letter from home with a cud of gum in it. Many off all the afternoon getting canes to coxer in the whole camp. Augustus Merrill is out playing with the "niggers," seeing which can throw a cannon ball the farthest. A man attempting to run the guard was shot through the bod}', and died in ten minutes. He proved to be a citizen, and had apparently been fishing. On being challenged b)' the guard, he paid no heed. The method of challenge by the guard at the picket line was this : " Who goes there } Halt — halt — halt ! " If at the third call the challenged party does not come to a stand and account for himself, then the guard is to fire. None can cross the line in the daytime without a written pass or in the night without the countersign. If the challenged part)- is all right, he will present his pass or reply to the guard, " Friend with the countersign," to which the guard replies, "Advance, 2/2 Tlw Fifteenth Xcx^' Hainpshiic Voiimttrrs. friend, and ,L;i\'c the coinitersi^n " ; whereupon the ehallenged ]:)art\' will ai)i)r()ach the ^uard within a eertain prescribed distance, and i;i\-e the countersii^n in a whisper ox'er the i;iiard's gun, held in such a manner as to be ready for instant use in case of treacherw The victim in this instance may have been one who was tired of life, and took this method of suicide. The countersiL;n is a word iixed upon at headquarters and "iven to the guard, and is changed each day. It is generally the name of some distinguished military or na\"al hero or of some historic battle, as for instance, Hannibal, Trafalgar, or Halak- la\a. An}'one going outside of the lines must be proxided with the word, and give it, on being challenged, in the l^-escribed manner, or he cannot enter without being arrested and held by the guard. The guard line is thrown out round the army, inclosing a large tract. It is divided into beats of si.x or eight rods each, which are marked by small stakes. A guard is placed on each of these beats, and he sees to it that no one passes either in or out over his particular beat without properly accounting for himself. The guards con- stantl)- i)ace these beats from end to end, and should all make the turn at the same instant ; the beats are numl)ei-ed. In case of an arrest or any other matter rec|uiring it, the guard will call for the officer in this manner : " ( )fficer of the guard, Xo. lO," or \vhate\"er the number of his beat ma_\- be ; this c-all will be passed down the line from guard to guard until it reaches tfiC ear of the officer, who will immediateh' l^resent himself. The guard is dixided into three reliefs, so that each stands 011 guard two hours and is off four. lie must not fall asL'ep on his beat — the penalt\- is death. In case of hard service and after fatiguing marches or battles, the hours are sometimes greatly increased, so that it is well nigh im])ossible for the guard to remain awake. i-'urther particulars show tliat the cili/en who was shot imdertook to ])ass, anil when halted, saiil he was accustometl to go outside at an\- time. lie was re(|uested to wait till the Aniiv Life at Camp Parapet. 273 officer of the guard arrived, but he, while seeming to acquiesce, sprang for the guard's gun, and after a furious attack, in which he used a knife, made a dash to escape, when a cavalryman, halting him five times, drew his revolver, and fired just as he was crossing a ditch. The first shot missed, but at the second he cried out, " ()h, oh ! " twice, and fell in the ditch. He then crawled up on the bank, and exclaimed, "Oh friends," and expired. He was a stout-built man, and prox'cd to have a wife in New Orleans, who came up and identified the body ; she said that he was subject to spells of insanity. April 16, Thursday. A very bright day ; cold last night and this morning till 10 o'clock, when it became hot, and grew cold again toward night. One of a negro regiment was shot last night for running the guard. Sergeant Trickey, of Company I, sat up last night with John E. Garland and Gideon Carter. Carter died this morning at 5.14 o'clock and Garland died at noon, both of Company L Both were excellent soldiers. Company voted to send their bodies home ; Carter's was sent to-day. Colonel Kingman is still sick and unable to do duty ; Lieutenant-colonel Blair is still very sick, and the surgeon thinks it doubtful if he can recover. Very many of the line officers are also sick, and of the thirty only eight were out to-day on parade or drill, and not a captain amongst them. Great rejoicing over the false news that Charleston is fallen. April 17, Friday. Very warm and pleasant. Brigade and company drills. Major Aldrich went to New Orleans in the afternoon. Fernando Parker recovers and returns to duty. Eight citizens arrested by the picket and held in the guard house for cutting a hole in the levee, as was supposed, to flood our camp ; but they showed that the provost marshal permitted them to do it, and that it was customary in the dry 274 ■^^^^' FiftccutJi Xcio HaiupsJiirc 1 'oluntccrs. season to irrigate their plantations in that way, and were released by General Dow. Great news from Berwick Bay and general rejoicing in camp ; cnem)''s forces there com- pletely destroyed or captuicd. The drill to-da}', especially the brigade drill, was \'ery severe, and with the intense heat of the sun completely exhausted the men ; after breaking- ranks the shaded streets of their camj:) were a grateful and pleasant retreat. Dress i^arade was omitted, probably because of the hard day's work. April 1 8, Saturday. Very warm and pleasant. I'sual order of exercises for the day. Major Aldrich in command. Colonels Kingman and Hlair still sick. Bo)s were o\er a week covering the camp with cane poles. A. C. Haines on guard at General Dow's headquarters. Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Durgin visit New Orleans. John V. Hussey sick. Morrill Weeks (Noah M.) came near being shot by the guard ; he was going for blackberries and was halted, but thinking was someone else \\ho was being halted, he ke]~)t on, and was hred at, the ball whistling close b)' his ears. The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New ^'()rk left for an excursion across the lakes. Our regiment was desig- nated for this excursion, but the One Hundred and Twenty- eighth was sent instead because so many of our officers were sick. This drew from (leneral Sherman the remark that that Fifteenth New Hami:)shire was the damnedest regi- ment for sick officers he ever saw. Ai)ril 19, Sunday. \'ery shower}- till noon and quite warm. Inspection omitted, ^^»ur months since the "James S. (ireen " reached Carrolllon. There are measles in the hospital. Hear of the great success of (ieneral Hanks at Opelonsas and X'ermilhon J^a}'ou. Ai)ril 20, Monday. Very warm and pleasant, with good breeze. Special guard captured two rebel prisoners antl put them in the guard house. " ( )riole " arrixecl with jiaNmaster Anjiv Life at Camp Parapet. 275 and two millions of greenbacks. The Z()ua\'es have gone to New Orleans. Company K receixed orders to move to Carrollton for provost duty. No drill on account of mud. Mail steamer " Continental " arrived. We relieved the Zouave guard. All the saddles of the country are being- seized by the army. An old planter and wife came to camp to secure a runaway slave of theirs, who was acting as a servant for Compan}' H ; but the "colored gentleman" saw them in season and escaped, when they went away in high dudgeon. April 21, Tuesday. Warm and i)leasant. Numerous berry parties are passed out, both soldiers and citizens ; many poor people from the city go for blackberries. The brigade was all in line ready for drill when General Dow dismissed them on account of the mud. The Tw^enty-sixth Connecticut mo\-ed down to the Zouaxes' old camp ground ; this lea\-es us now alone. Company K left Camp Parapet at 7.30 o'clock for })ro\'ost duty at Carrollton, exchanging- places with Company C. Companies B and C both return to the regiment from Carrollton. Company K camped 01-1 Market square, near Levee street, which is the principal street of Carrollton. Company drills in afternoon. April 22, Wednesday. Very warm and pleasant ; \ery heavy thunder shower at night. The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New York returns from its excursion across the lakes. It was a raid on the enemy, which was very successful, capturing- and destroying large amounts of Con- federate property. (General l^ai-iks is freeing all the southern and western parts of the state of enemies, preparatorv to a great movement, in conjunction with General Grant, for opening the Mississippi. Dexter E. Butman, of Company C, died ; body sent to Enfield for burial. Lieutenant-colonel Blair's commission arrixed and also that of Major Aldrich. The band striking up "Hail Colun-ibia" in the New Orleans 276 The Fifteenth Xeiv Hampshire W^littiteers. theatre, the hostile element rose in riot, and declared it should not be played. There being- some Union ofificers there, one of them rose and calmly announced that it would be played or nothing should be ; and the rioters, who had become very turbulent, presently discovered that discretion was the better part of \alor, and subsided. April 23, Thursday. Ver}' hot, hazy morning and wet. No drill on account of mud. Major Aldrich appeared on parade in major's uniform. The cane shades left by the Twenty-sixth Connecticut are being appropriated by our boys. Much talk about the riot in the theatre last night ; the general sent orders in for the band to play " Mail Columbia," '* Yankee Doodle," and the " Star Spangled Banner " before they left the hall, but it appears that the audience was all broken up and dispersed before the order arrived. Grand Union ball announced to take place in New Orleans to-morrow night. Note. A soldier's letter : "CAAn- P.XKAi'ET, La., April 23, 1863. Dear Mother : 1 received your letter dated March 1 last night. About three weeks ago I went down to New Orleans: while I was gone a mail was hrought in. among which was this letter for me, and it has been lying on the orderl\"s shelf ever since, where it was accidentally discovered. "There has nothing worthy of notice taken place in this regiment since mv last letter. We are still in the same place, with no sign of moving till we leave for home. Our mode of living is the same, except that we are constantly improving our houses and bettering our conditions generally, as we learn to economize matters and accommodate ourselves to the circumstances. The last improvement in my tent was made dav before yesterday, by raising it up about two feet and sewing shelter tents round the bottom, thus making it nearly twice as roomy and capable of con- taining, besides its occupants, some rude furniture to sit t)n and a table, which I am writing at and which I made from lumber brought nearly a mile on my back. Things are beginning to look \ery much like house- keeping. If you were here you would see, as y(,)u entered, on the An/iv Life at Camp Parapet. 277 April 24, Friday. Very hot, clear day. These are the bright days that bring forth the adder ; spotted king snakes and moccasins are plenty. (3rdered to prepare to nioxe at a moment's notice, with two days' rations ; all h()])e the order will not be countermanded. Brigade drill and usual daily programme. Company F marches to Carrollton to do provost duty. The brigade drill was very hard and the day right the table bestrewed with writing materials, on the left two hard-tack boxes placed one top of the other; this serves as a cupboard, and is filled with tinware, bottles, papers, and books, among which 1 would mention Hugh Miller's 'Testimony of the Rocks' and four volumes of Macauley's 'History of England." Over this cupboard a little looking- glass is suspended by means of a bent pin. Overhead a pole extends across, on which are hung our coats. At the back side of the tent on the floor the knapsacks lay across in a row, and serve for pillows at night. Over these five rifles are stood upon a shelf, on each of which is hung tlie owner's accoutrements. Above this, on another shelf, two large bottles of blackberry wine are working ' right smart ' in view of coming seasickness. " In regard to going home, if they do keep us a few days after the time is out, I shan't grumble. •• As for fighting our way uj) the river, the thing is nearly completed already. After the fleet run the batteries at Port Hudson, Banks returned with his army to New Orleans, and from there, when the enemy were all in the dark, precipitated it upon them at Berwick Bay, and obtained a complete victor}-. It was there the ' Queen of the West' was destroyed, with nine other vessels. P^rom here there is communication with Red River near its mouth 1)\- means of bayous and streams, which you can find laid down on most anv map. And thus, if the river itself is not open, there is communication clear through, and the rebellion divided into two parts. Banks will probably now operate between Port Hudson and \^icksburg. " News is very scarce, and I have filled this sheet with most anything, but it will have to do. Those two stamps arrived safe, and also Delia's note, which I will answer soon. M. N. Holmes is well: William F. Holmes is getting along finely. The rest are all well also. Ciive my repects to all the folks. Your son, Chas. McCiKecor.'" 2/S The I'iftcciith Xc\^< Hauipsliiir I 'oliuitccrs. very hot ; all sweat like mowers in the ha^■-Helcl. Alter dismissal they enjoy the refreshing shade of the camp. Major Aldrich, Captain Cogswell, Lieutenant Durgin, and others of our ofificers attend the grand Union military ball at the St. Charles hotel in New Orleans. It is held on the anniversary of Commodore I'^arragut's passage (jf the forts down the ri\'er. April 25, Saturday. Wry hot and bright. Stephen Milton returned to Company D. No drill on account of marching orders. Order to move did not come. Lieutenant Parker returned to duty. The " Portsmouth " left her moorings to-day, and passed down the river ; she had laid here a year, and her anchor had sunk into the river bottom so that her cables parted without raising it. llie sun is blazing hot ; Lieutenant Pickering sa}-s in his diary that lie thinks she has got a new fireman. April 26, Sunday. Not very hot ; still and cloud}'. Cap- tain ( )sgood came up from New Orleans, where he has been sick for some time. Trickey sergeant of the picket guard ; Corporal Rewitzer with him. Mosquitoes bit terribly ; night was very warm. Sergeant Stevens, of C()mi)any K, with eight men, went down river two miles and a half to load a steamer with contrabands. \<)TK. A Soulier's letter: •• C.VRROLLTON, La., April 26, 1863. Dear Laura : 1 received vour letter i)t" the twelfth to-day, and now sit down to answer it. We have moved since I last wrote, down to Carrollton, two companies ot'us. K and F: the rest are up to the para|)et. We are encanii)ed in the centre of the cit\- and Init a tew steps from tlie deixit. .Arth. (Color-sergeant Merrick) stopped with the rest of the regiment, hut he is down here to-day. We are all well. We i^uard the bakery, toundr\, and iiuartermaster's stores and the river, ])icket, and patrol guard. We do not drill any since we came down here. 1 have been on corporal of the patrol i^uard ever since we came here. I do not have anythini; to tlo only iVom i; till 12 at night; then I have to take a scjuad of men, and go all over the city to Anny Life at Camp Parapet. 279 April 27, Monday. Cooler and somewhat cloudy, with south wand ; showers at night. Brigade drill ; usual pro- gramme. Guard terribly tormented by mosquitoes. April 28, Tuesday. Very pleasant, with good breeze and thunder showers in the afternoon. Lieutenant Durgin and others went gunning, fishing, and blackberrying ; shot three alligators. Caught garfish in the river. The river is turbid and opaque on account of the soil which it is sweeping on to the ocean, and flows about three miles per hour. All its fish have a pale white color on account of living in the shade ; see if everything is all right. We have to stay round camp all day to be ready to go out if there is any disturbance. I took a squad of men last night and went down to (h-eenville, and arrested some niggers, took them up to the parapet, and put them on board a steamer. Part of the com- pany went down to an old lirickvard this morning, and surrounded a lot of niggers, and put them on a boat. They send them up river to work on plantations ; they are so lazy that they won't do anything here, and will steal everything that they get hold of. They have to drive them to the boat at the point of the bayonet ; when they see you coming tlie_\- nm like a flock of sheep, but draw your gim up to your shoulder and tell them to halt, and they will stop as quick as if they were shot. They are as afraid of a soldier as they are of the devil ; one will drive a hundred of them. But I guess I have written enough about niggers this time, and I will take a little lighter subject. George Durant got here a da}- or two ago, but I have not seen him yet. Arth. says that he is as fat as a hog. I guess that they will not do anything with him. You wrote that you wanted to know what we had to eat. We live well, better than I expected; we have soft bread, baked beans, fresh beef and salt beet, pork, potatoes, brown bread, ham, doughnuts, hasty pudding, tea, coffee, sugar, molasses, hominy, rice, and other things that I do not remember now. We have enough to eat, and it is good enough. The cars mn from here to New Orleans and back every half hour, Sundays not excepted ; they do as much business here on that day as any. I don't know as I can write any more to-day. I shall be at home before a great while to tell all about it. Give my love to mother. Write soon as you get this. From your husband, A. H. Davis." (Corporal Company K.) 28o The fifteenth Xcw Hampshire I'oliniteers. the i;arfish is \-cn' smart and sharky, and two to three feet in leni^th. Major Althicli went lo New Orleans to be mustered as major. Splendid battalion drill to-da\'. Lieu- tenant Pickering says that Company A now has not a man in hospital. " Our company," he says, " is in good health now, and I wash we could have a chance to do something, for the men are all in good condition." A. P. W'adleigh, of Company A, left the cook house, and A. C. Badger was voted into his place. April 29, W'ednesda}'. \'ery pleasant and cool, with good breeze. Brigade drill and usual routine. Major Aldrich mounted at parade. Captain Cogswell and Ira A. Hill mak- ing out the pay-rolls. A. F. Young sent to hospital. Ira A. Hill appointed acting sergeant-major. April 30, Thursday. Cool and cloudy, with a good breeze ; came off glorious in the e\ening ; splendid moonlight. National fast day and all drill omitted. All citizens now must take the oath of allegiance ov leave the Union lines. Lieutenant Hendley appointed acting regimental quarter- master and Quartermaster Moody brigade quartermaster. William X. Ste\ens died at Hano\er, X. II. Luther Stex'cns, sergeant of guard in Carrollton, took ele\en pris- oners at night, among them four secessionists for cheering for Southern Confederac)'. Thus ends the month. It has been a \er\- hue one. It is early summer here. The ri\-er is brimfull to the top of the levee, and the scenery across is like a perfect jiaradise — glimpses of houses in the midst of groxes of magnolia and orange and embowered in oleander and other flowering shrubs. The broad Ijosoni of the ri\er is bus_\- with shi]iping, and is amjile to float all the na\-ies of the world. All the land fairly teems with luxuriance. Hut thou<;h the weather ami surroundings are all so heautil'ul. c-limatic influences and the new mode of life ha\e a deleterious effect on the health of many. Aiiny Life at Camp Parapet. 281 The following shows the Company D sick for April : Lieutenant Chadwick was on the sick list, from and including the third, up to and including the twelfth. Of privates and non-commissioned officers there were on the sick list on the first, 22 ; on the second, 17 ; on the third, 8 ; on the fourth, 19; on the fifth, 18; on the sixth and seventh, 19 ; on the eighth, 18 ; on the ninth and tenth, 22 ; on the eleventh and twelfth, 20 ; on the thirteenth, 18 ; on the fourteenth, 20 ; on the fifteenth, 19 ; on the sixteenth, 23 ; on the se\'enteenth, 19 ; on the eighteenth, 18 ; on the nineteenth, 19 ; on the twentieth, 17 ; on the twenty-first, 19 ; on the twenty-second and twenty-third, 20 ; on the twenty-fourth, 18 ; on the twenty-fifth, 17 ; on the twenty- sixth and twenty-seventh, 1 5 ; on the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth, 14; and on the thirtieth, 12. ipany A, morning report April 30 . 58 priv ates for ■ duty B, " 43 c. " 47 D, " 51 E, " 52 G, " 50 H, " 45 I, " 51 Companies I^' and K on provost duty at Carrollton. 282 The Fifteenth Xeiv Hampshire I 'olunteevs. Tin-: Sick i-or Ai'ril. Date. Officers. Non-commis- sioned officers. Privates. Totals. April . 1 1 26 82 119 2 1 1 -I 97 ^ll> 3 10 -5 97 •32 4 10 24 89 '23 5 II 28 82 121 6 1 1 28 82 I 21 7 II 29 89 129 8 13 30 84 127 9 13 27 95 •35 lO 13 28 99 140 1 1 12 27 97 .36 12 12 27 102 •41 13 13 26 97 •36 14 13 29 107 149 15 13 27 99 •39 16 13 28 105 146 •7 12 22 99 ^r:> 18 13 21 102 ,36 '9 14 25 lOI 140 20 •3 25 97 •35 21 13 26 99 •3S 22 15 27 128 170 23 16 29 i'5 160 24 16 29 121 166 25 14 24 116 '54 26 13 20 no •43 27 1 1 21 lOI '33 28 1 1 21 105 ^n 29 1 1 '9 102 • 32 30 12 20 95 127 Anny Life ^^f Camp raraf-ct. 283 Daily In'ci dents am) Events for May, l'p to the Twentieth Instant. May I, Friday. Warm and very pleasant ; good breeze blowing. General regimental monthly muster and inspection, which took up nearly the whole day ; inspected by Major Aldrich, who is in command. Line formed at 7.30 a. m. ; reviewed by Colonel Kingman at 4 p. m. Captain J(jhnson brigade officer of the day. The boys are feeling well, and are full of rollicking good humor. Company A has the least sick and the fullest numbers on parade of any company in the regiment. General Dow stops all peddling in camp because liquors were thus stealthily introduced to the soldiers, whereby some became intoxicated ; this cuts off the milk supply and newspapers. George R. Wildes and Sidney C. Hill appointed markers for the regiment. Corp. J. C. Blake visited camp from New Orleans, riding up in a covered carriage and mule hitch, with a negro driver ; after an hour's stay Captain Cogswell, Lieutenant Pickering, and John P. Hussey rode with him to Carrollton. On the way back, at 8 o'clock in the evening, the mosquitoes nearly de\'oured Cogs- well and Pickering, but Mussey went with Blake to New Orleans. While at Carrollton they called on Captain Hall, who related that last night his patrol seized four men in a carriage, who were hurrahing for Jeff Davis and singing " sesech songs," and jailed them, and put their horse up at the tavern ; they will appear before Captain l^la, who sits in judgment here. There is a good deal of fiddling and singing going on in camp in the evening, and a battery down to the race course, a mile and a half from our camp, is firing its guns. May 2, Saturday. Very pleasant in the morning ; partially cloudy in the afternoon. Hard battalion drill ; it was hot work. To-day the guard was extended around the band, 284 The luftc-ciit/i Xfic HampsJiirc W^liintccrs. the\' haxini; pla}'ccl at a i;arden party last Sunda\' excnini;- in Carrollton where festivities became excessixe. May 3, Sunday. Very warm morning ; cloud}- before noon ; extremely hot all day. Roast beef and baked beans and coffee and doughnuts. Many go swimming in the Mississippi. Lieutenant Perkins indisposed. Some Com- pany I boys go bee hunting, and bring back fifty pounds of honey. Sergt. Luther Stevens, of Company K, with a party, visits the public gardens. Sergeant Wallace, of Com- pany I, who has been sick, returns to duty. Captain Osgood, Sergeant Brown, and others walked up the rixcr on the levee to the outpost. Singing in Comj^any 1 in tlie evening. Lieutenant Hendley very sick again with pleuris)- in the side. Mail steamer arrives. Ansel F. Young ver\' sick. The boys find endless amusement these days watching tlie negroes drill and attending their dances and religious meetings and weddings. NoTK. A .soldier's leUcr (Corporal McGregor) : "Ca.mp Parapet, La.. .Mav 5. 1863. Dear Mother : I have just received your letter of A|)ril 19, and have seated my.self to rejjly. I am soiry to see bv vour letter that vou worry so much about me, though this is nothing more than I e\i)ected when I let't : but I did not e.x'pect then to be in so sate a place as I am in now. I am in the best of health, a hundred miles from the eni'm\-. and have never seen a rebel soldier nor heard a rebel gun. The R'giment is doing garrison duty, and there is no prospect of e\er nio\ing till it moves for home. 1 ha\'e got tired of lying here, and often wish that we might cross the lake as the New \'()rk regiment has once done, and have a little excitement : Init then we never shall, so we must ])ass the time as best we can. I and another fellow have just got back from a jjleasure expedition across the river. It is now near sunset. The d.iy has been very pleasant, and we had a fnie tiij). "The cam|) is in high s])irits this day. Uanks has been entirely .succe.s.sful in his o|)erations on the other side of the river, and the news is just coming in. lie ga\e the rebels a thorough cleaning out. and it is now su])])osed that his arm\' is on ]\l'<.\ Ki\er. On the day youi' letter An/iv Life at Camp Parapet. 285 May 4, Monday. Extremely hot da}'. Brigade drill at 7 o'clock this morning. Receive the news of the great Grierson cavalry raid, down from the North, through Mississippi to our lines. Greatest cavalry feat ever performed ; great rejoicing. Lieutenant Pickering received his commission by mail from the North. Lieutenant Perkins very weak. Singing in camp in the evening. May 5, Tuesday. Cloudy and more comfortable, with light rain in the forenoon. Battalion drill ; General Dow dismissed us early from drill on account of the rain. Parker, Company E, lieutenant of the guard. Lieutenants Hend- ley and Perkins both very sick. Captain Cogswell goes to New Orleans to be mustered out as lieutenant and in as captain. was written he issued an address to liis army, stating tliat thev had marched 300 miles in twenty days, fought four battles, captured 2,000 prisoners, destroyed a strong naval force collected by the enemy at Ber- wick Bay, and among them the "Queen of the West," and scattered the rebels so that they cannot again reorganize. By this movement tliev are cut otf' from the resources of Texas and from tlieir salt worI