Chapter III: Part 3

It had been intended to carry supplies the whole distance in the attack on Shreveport by water, but the river was so low that not many of the transports could pass and it was found necessary to establish a supply station at Alexandria, and a wagon train to take supplies from the vessels below to vessels above the rapids. To protect this, called for a force of about 3000 men. General Grover was placed in charge of this post and his division left for its defense. The troops on the transport were also unable to pass the rapids and were accordingly recalled to the Mississippi. Consequently, General Banks found himself ready to move out from Alexandria with a force of only about 20,000 men, while he could not expect any coöperation from General Steele. Even at the beginning of April experts foretold the failure of the expedition. The march into the enemy's country began on the 28th of March, and from that time the command was in active service. The Confederates constantly retreated, frequently stopping to skirmish, but offering no serious resistance.

Natchitoches was reached on April 3, the cavalry division camping just outside the town where a halt of a day or two was made. On the 6th the march toward Shreveport was begun at daylight, the battery marching in the center of the division as reserve artillery. In addition to the troops there was a train of 200 wagons carrying ten days' rations for the men, three days' forage, ammunition, and camp equipage. General Lee's orders from General Franklin were "to attack the enemy wherever he could be found but not to bring on a general engagement." No enemy was seen that day. The next morning the march was renewed until on reaching Wilson's Farm, three miles from Pleasant Hill, a considerable Confederate force was found posted in the woods on a hill. An engagement ensued between the enemy and the third brigade with two sections of the Missouri and Illinois batteries. The resistance was so strong that the 1st Brigade was advanced as support, and with this, two sections of Nims' Battery. Owing to the dense woods the battery, although at the front, could not go into action and was ordered into position with the 4th Brigade, Colonel Dudley, in line of battle in the rear. With the aid of the reinforcements the enemy was forced to retreat slowly and Colonel Lee and his forces bivouacked five miles beyond the battlefield.

The next day came the terrible experience of Sabine Cross Roads or Mansfield as it is sometimes called, where the battery met with disaster for the first time.

On that day, April 8, the battery started in the advance--with the 1st Brigade, under Colonel Lucas, and a Brigade of the 4th division of the 13th Army Corps, Colonel Landram commanding, which had been sent forward during the night. Following this came the 4th Brigade Cavalry, Colonel Dudley in command, and then the 5th Brigade, under Colonel Robinson, in charge of the long wagon train and the artillery which was not in the front. By noon an advance had been made of about ten miles, the enemy contesting every foot of the way. The woods on each side of the road were very dense, which made it difficult to move in line and the marching was tedious and tiring to the men. Almost no water was to be found. At this time General Ransom arrived with the 2d Brigade of the 13th Army Corps to relieve the 1st Brigade of its duty.

About four miles from Mansfield the road ran through a clearing in front of a hill of considerable height where the timber was not quite so thick as it had been elsewhere. This point was chosen as the scene of the engagement. A description of the arrangement of troops may be taken from Colonel Lee's report:[14]

Footnote 14:

Off. Rec., Vol. 34 p. 451.

"Two regiments of the 4th Brigade Cavalry, Colonel Dudley, were placed on the flank, deployed in the woods. The Second Illinois Cavalry formed a half mile in rear of the first line. Nims' Battery was placed in position at the crest of the hill, in and to the right and left of the road. A section of the Sixth Missouri Howitzer was placed at its left. A brigade of infantry was placed in the front, one regiment to the left of Nims' Battery, the others to the right. A second brigade was placed on our right flank, facing the enemy who appeared in that direction. The First Brigade Cavalry, Col. T. J. Lucas commanding, was placed on the extreme right of the line and fought dismounted. With this brigade was a section of the 6th Missouri Howitzer Battery and a section of Rawles' Battery. The Third Brigade was in the rear escorting the train which was halted a mile and a half from our front."

About 1 P. M. General Banks and his staff arrived and General Lee reported to him the arrangements of his troops and the apparent position and strength of the enemy and his opinion that the army must either fall back or be reinforced by infantry. General Banks gave orders that the position should be maintained and at the same time sent to General Franklin to hurry forward the infantry.

About 4.30 the enemy, made a general attack in front and right flank, driving infantry and cavalry back to the line where the battery was stationed. The guns of the battery were being fired as rapidly as possible with double charges of canister, and although many of the men were recruits, having had no experience under fire, every one of them stood up to his work as bravely as the veterans.

When, however, the infantry support failed (except for the 23d Wisconsin and 19th Kentucky), orders were given to retire in order that the guns might not fall into the hands of the enemy. Three of the guns had to be left on the field as the horses had been killed. At the foot of the hill a stand was made, but the rout had become so general that the battery could not maintain its position and was almost surrounded by the enemy. Orders were therefore given to retreat.

About a mile from the battlefield was the wagon train of the cavalry division, which had become blocked in the ruts and mud and entirely obstructed the narrow road.

The road was so obstructed at this point and the rush of retreating forces so great that it became necessary to abandon the remaining three guns, together with caissons, baggage-wagons, battery wagon and forges.

To account for the position of the cavalry train we quote from the report[15] of Col. John G. Chandler, acting chief quarter-master.

Footnote 15:

Off. Rec., Vol. 34 p. 238.

"Both General Franklin and General Lee wanted the cavalry train to move in the rear of the infantry force, but they disagreed as to the precedence of position when the trains should be joined. General Lee desired that his train should precede General Franklin's infantry train, and the latter insisted that the infantry trains should move in the rear of the infantry force. Because of this disagreement no change was made on the day of the engagement."

We give here an account of the engagement as taken from the records of C. B. Maxwell and J. S. Knowlton:

"At 6 A. M. we started for the advance, marched three miles and came upon a large force of the enemy under Dick Taylor. Two brigades of the 13th Army Corps were sent to us as reinforcements and formed a line of battle, acting as skirmishers. The enemy commenced slowly falling back but closely contending every inch of ground, and in this way we drove them ten miles. At Sabine Cross Roads the enemy made a stand in the woods before which was a clearing of some 75 acres where our cavalry manoeuvred. The enemy was very strongly reinforced at this point. At the extreme front was a hill 50 yards in diameter upon which our six guns were placed. The 4th Brigade of cavalry was on our left with two of the 6th Missouri Howitzers.

"About three o'clock General Banks and his staff arrived. General Lee, on seeing General Banks dismount, saluted and said: 'I am confident, General, that we have a powerful force in front and if we make the attack I am confident we shall be repulsed.' General Banks made no reply, but it was noticed he looked serious. All the staff officers with those of General Lee were sent hurriedly to right, left and rear. About 4 P. M. General Banks' chief of staff rode along our left to where the third piece stood and said to me (Maxwell), 'Call your men, load your gun and point it down the road. If you see anyone crossing where the road enters the wood, open fire. Don't wait for further orders.' In less than fifteen minutes the enemy were sneaking across the road and the third detachment obeyed orders. The battle was on. We soon discovered men coming out of the woods much nearer than those down the road, so we fired to the front and right until they came to point-blank range and then we fed it to them with double-shotted canister. Although the battle was very severe, we received no reinforcements except the 3d division of the 13th Corps. Owing to the superior force of the enemy, our cavalry and infantry were driven back, leaving the hill on which our six guns were planted with out support of 23d Wisconsin and 19th Kentucky to fight nearly alone.

"Our guns belched forth double-shotted canister and the enemy in front, eight deep in line, suffered terribly at each discharge. Wide gaps were opened in their ranks but were immediately filled up again. Finally, all the horses on three of our guns were killed, making it impossible to remove the guns from the field. The remaining three guns being out of ammunition retired to the foot of the hill where our caisson lay, filled up with ammunition and went into position. By this time infantry and cavalry had become completely routed and were fleeing to the rear. Our officers tried to rally them but in vain. Finding it impossible to save the guns, our officers ordered us to slip our traces and save our lives if possible, which the men did reluctantly. Our wagon train had been pushed forward before the engagement, completely blocking the road, making a retreat impossible. During the night we fell back to Pleasant Hill, a distance of 13 miles, and in the morning our company assembled under Lieutenant Greenleaf. We had lost our guns and everything we possessed except the clothes we had on."

The loss of the battery in this battle was very severe. Lieutenant Snow was shot through the left lung and left on the field. Private Reardon was killed. Lieutenant Slack was wounded, 18 men were wounded, of whom five were taken prisoners, together with seven unwounded men. Besides the loss of guns and caissons, 82 of the battery's horses were either killed or wounded. In spite of the terrible defeat and loss, the battery won great praise for its indomitable courage and for the way it handled its guns, for we read in the report of Col. J. W. Landrum,[16] "It is proper to say that Captain Nims' Battery displayed throughout the whole of the fight an example of coolness and true courage unsurpassed in the annals of history. They are entitled to highest commendation, and although they lost their guns it is due to them to say that they could not have prevented it, and that the damage they inflicted on the enemy was such as to entitle them to the thanks of the whole army."

Footnote 16:

Off. Rec. Vol. 34 p. 293.

Another quotation is from the Lacon, Ill., _Gazette_,[17] "Nims' Battery worked manfully--the veteran battery, hero of seventeen engagements, all successful, but doomed this time to defeat. They double charged their guns with canister and adding a bag of bullets mowed the enemy down only to have their places filled by the advancing hordes." Again, "Nims' splendid battery with its honorable record on every field from Baton Rouge to Port Hudson was taken by Walker's men." _Irwin._

Footnote 17:

Putman's Record of the Rebellion, Vol. 8.

Brig. Gen. W. H. Emery, commanding First Division of the 19th Army Corps, had been notified of the state of affairs and had been ordered to advance as rapidly as possible and form a line of battle in order to support the retreating troops and check the advance of the enemy. He took his position at Pleasant Grove about three miles from Sabine Cross Roads, the First Brigade, General Dwight, being placed across the road upon which the enemy was advancing. Waiting until the enemy was within close range they poured a tremendous volley along the whole front, causing it to fall back. The action lasted for an hour and a half, then darkness coming on there was a cessation of hostilities. During the night the entire army retired to Pleasant Hill, where a battle was fought the next day, but in which the battery naturally took no part. The struggle, however, was desperate and sanguinary. The defeat of the enemy was complete and their loss in officers and men more than double that sustained by the Union forces.

It was a sorry looking company of men that gathered at Pleasant Hill the next morning--the remnant of "the finest battery in the army." Guns, caissons, wagon and supplies lost--nothing left but the clothes the men wore. As for blankets, one rubber and one woolen blanket had to do for five men, while half rations only made one all the more hungry.

The next day the remaining men were assigned to guard the ammunition train on the retreat to Grand Ecore, which was reached on the 10th. Here the Union army gathered its scattered battalions.

As the members of the battery were without equipment, they were ordered to New Orleans, and on the 19th went on board the little steamer _Meteor_, arriving at New Orleans on the 22d, where they remained until the 10th of May. During their stay in New Orleans occurred an event which showed the pleasant relation existing between the members of the battery and its commander. The following quotation is taken from the New Orleans _Era_ of April 26, 1864.

PRESENTATION OF A SWORD TO CAPTAIN ORMAND F. NIMS, 2D MASSACHUSETTS
LIGHT HORSE ARTILLERY

Yesterday afternoon was the occasion of quite a little surprise
party at the quarters of the 2d Massachusetts Light Horse Battery.
Captain Nims was presented with a magnificent sword, sash and belt,
by the non-commissioned officers and men who still represent the
original members of this fine command, and who have long wished for
an opportunity of expressing in some such manner their appreciation
of the constant care and watchfulness for their welfare exhibited at
all times and under all circumstances by Captain Nims, as well as to
present a lasting memento of their respect and affection for their
beloved commander. It was but a well-merited tribute to sterling
worth. This splendid sword was manufactured by Tiffany & Co., of New
York, and is one of the finest ever got up by that firm. The
presentation speech, made by Joshua F. Robertson, was as follows:

"Captain, I have been requested by the members of this command to
say a few words on presenting you this token of our high esteem. It
is now nearly three years since you took command of this battery,
and I am confident, sir, that I express the sentiments of us all
when I say that we have never had cause to regret, but much rather
to rejoice, that you have commanded the 2d Massachusetts Battery.
Your example as a soldier and a gentleman, your example on the
battlefield and in camp, your forbearance and leniency towards us,
your kind attention to many of us during the long and tedious hours
of sickness, have endeared you to us by ties of friendship which we
trust may never be forgotten. Those members of the battery who, in
the first campaign in this Department, fell victims to disease
contracted in the swamps opposite Vicksburg, and who now sleep
beside the honored dead at Baton Rouge and in the cemeteries of this
city--methinks that if our shrill morning reveille could but awake
them, they would reiterate what I now say, that you, by your
constant watchfulness, kindness and attention, did all that lay in
human power to alleviate their sufferings. In asking you to accept
this sword, we know that it will never be drawn but in the cause of
freedom, in which we are all battling, and never will be sheathed in
disgrace. In after years, when this wicked rebellion shall have been
crushed, and should it be our good fortune to return with you to our
fair New England homes, we hope this memento we now present you will
at least serve to remind you of the pleasant associations and the
many trying scenes through which we have passed. In conclusion, let
me say, sir, that you will ever bear with you the best wishes of
every man under your command, and we hope that hereafter, in what
position soever you may be placed--whether in command of the 2d
Massachusetts Battery or in a higher station--the same good feeling
may exist between you and those under your command that has ever
existed between yourself and the members of this battery."

REPLY

"Fellow Soldiers of the 2d Massachusetts Battery--I cannot express
to you the feelings of surprise and astonishment with which the
present occasion had filled me. I need not remind you that I am no
speech maker, for you are well aware that I am a man of but few
words. I fear, however, that you have overrated the little it has
laid in my power to do for your comfort, welfare and efficiency. But
of one thing, I feel conscious, gentlemen, and that is, that I have
endeavored to do my duty by you, by my country, and by myself. Rest
assured that I shall ever look upon the present as one of the
happiest moments of my life, and that your highly prized gift shall
never be drawn but in the cause of freedom and of our common
country. Accept, gentlemen, my sincere and heartfelt thanks."

The boys dispersed to their quarters with six rousing cheers for
Captain Nims, who, truth to say, was almost overpowered by his
feelings, so completely was he taken by surprise.

We also quote the Special Order No. 1 issued April 28, as still
further indicating the honor given to the battery by commander and
other officers.

SPECIAL ORDER NO. 1

"The commandant takes this method of congratulating his command upon
the part which they took in the engagement at Sabine Cross Roads,
La., on the 8th inst., and of thanking them not only for himself,
but also in behalf of the general commanding the division, and the
general commanding in the field, for the gallantry, courage, and
efficiency with which you conducted yourselves in the trying
position in which you were placed. Although it has been your
misfortune to lose your guns, it is gratifying to know that it was
through no dereliction or shortcoming on your part; having done all
that lay in your power as brave men to do. We must submit to the
misfortune with the best grace we may. Your commandant would also
express his satisfaction at the sorrow exhibited on all hands at
your misfortune, by officers of every grade in the service as well
as by civilians, which tends to show in a clearer light the golden
opinions you have won on all hands. Your commandant is proud not
only at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads but in every other battle
in which you have been engaged. He gives the credit all to you, and
hopes you will continue to deserve the high encomiums so universally
bestowed upon you and to maintain in all places, whether in camp or
in the field, your good name untarnished."

Per Order,

CAPTAIN NIMS.

While in New Orleans still another presentation took place. This time a handsome pistol and equipments were presented to Captain Nims by members of the battery who were not included in the first presentation. A few words may be quoted from a paper giving an account of this event: "It is quite refreshing to observe the almost fatherly care and affection for his men exhibited by Captain Nims and the respect,--we had almost said adoration--combined with the most perfect discipline on the part of his men for their beloved commander."

On the 10th of May the battery was transported to Carrollton, where an outfit of light guns and horses was furnished them to be used in defense of New Orleans. All troops quartered in New Orleans were ordered to Carrollton because of the smallpox which was raging in the city. Private Marsh of the 2d Battery died of this disease at the United States Hospital on May 13. On the 18th of June, Lieutenant Snow and the other members of the battery taken at Sabine Cross Roads arrived at New Orleans, having been lately paroled. Two, however, had died of their wounds, Privates Maxwell and Howarth.

During the stay a handsome guidon was presented to the members of the battery by Massachusetts friends then residing in New Orleans. This guidon was presented by Captain Nims to Governor Draper on June 9, 1910, and may be seen at the State House in the Hall of Flags. It is of a golden bronze color, and on it are the crossed cannon of the battery, the words Second Massachusetts over the state shield and the names of twelve battles in which the battery took part: Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Irish Bend, Vermillion Bayou, Port Hudson, Clinton, Carrion Crow Bayou, Grand Coteau, Vermillionville, Indian Bend, Wilson's Farm, Sabine Cross Roads.

As the time of enlistment of the original members was about to expire and as new recruits were coming in, the battery was divided into two divisions known as the Old and the New Companies. The veterans were relieved from nearly all military service while the recruits with new guns and equipments spent much of their time in drill.

While the men were waiting for transportation North, Captain Nims was ordered to Boston on recruiting service, and on July 27 he started North leaving Lieutenant Greenleaf in command of the original battery.

On July 31 they went aboard the United States Mail Steamer _Matanza_ and started down the river, the whole company singing "Home Sweet Home." All along the homeward route the men were greeted with public demonstrations of esteem and appreciation. They arrived in Boston August 9, the company consisting of 78 men and two officers, Second Lieut. J. W. Greenleaf being the only officer present, save Captain Nims. They were met at the station by Captain Nims and Captain Cummings of the Boston Light Artillery, with a detachment of the company, and were taken to the United States Hotel, where a handsome breakfast was served. They were then escorted through the principal streets, arriving at the Armory about one o'clock. Here a grand dinner was had, after which Mayor Lincoln welcomed the veterans home in a few brief and cordial words. Captain Nims responded in an appropriate manner and the men were then furloughed until the 16th.

On that day they met at the Armory, delivered the flags to Captain Nims to be put in the State House, and were mustered out of the United States service August 16, 1864.

While this marks the end of the history of the original Nims' Battery, as 23 of the original number had reënlisted and recruits had been received from time to time, the organization of the 2d Massachusetts was continued. Transportation was taken on the 2d of September for Morganza, where the battery encamped for the winter. The monotony of this encampment was varied by scouting expeditions in which the various sections took part.

Meanwhile, Captain Nims had opened recruiting head-quarters in the North and soon secured enlistments enough to fill existing vacancies, and in December was on his way back to the seat of action. Lieutenant Snow, who had been weakened by his wounds and captivity, was discharged November 30, and on the 7th of January, 1865, Captain Nims resigned his commission. Lieutenant Marland was promoted to fill the vacancy, the other lieutenants were advanced, and the second lieutenancies were filled by the promotion of First Sergeant Louis W. Swan and Sergeant Jacob M. Ellis, both of Boston.

The battery was next ordered to report to General Steele for active service, and accordingly arrived at New Orleans on March 7, where it took transport for Barrancas, Fla., arriving there on the 10th. After waiting about a week it began its march through the woods and swamps of Florida toward Mobile. Rain fell most of the time and the mud was unfathomable. Fighting its way from point to point wherever troops could fight, the battery finally reached Fort Blakely on April 2. It was necessary to take this point before proceeding to Mobile, and after waiting a few days the place was finally taken by assault on April 9, 1865. After the fall of Fort Blakely the battery started with a column of infantry and cavalry toward Claiborne, Ala. Its last serious conflict was at Daniel's Landing on the 11th.

For the next seven weeks the battery was almost constantly on the march until men, horses, and mules were completely worn out. Late in May, Columbus, Miss., was reached. The men were sent to Mobile and then on to Vicksburg, which they reached on June 4. Since landing in Florida they had traveled over 1600 miles.

The company encamped at Vicksburg till July 22, when it turned its equipment over to the United States authorities and set out for home.

Boston was reached on the 4th of August, the men encamping on Galloupes Island till the 11th, when they were paid and discharged.

NIMS' BATTERY ASSOCIATION

After over three years of association in camp and field the ties of comradeship among the members of the battery were too strong to be ignored and the mustering out of the original members had hardly severed the official bond than preparations were begun for the formation of an organization to be known as Nims' Battery Association. On December 10, 1864, a meeting was called at the Webster House, at which time this association was organized and officers elected.

The preamble to the constitution as given in the first secretary's book is as follows:

"Associated as we have been together for the past three years both in camp and on the field of battle, bound together by more than brotherly ties, we should feel grateful for our safe return and proud to know that we once constituted a battery that knew no superior in style or action.

"Therefore we the undersigned do organize an association for our mutual benefit and do hereby adopt the following rules and regulations to secure good order and to determine our rights, duties and privileges as members of said association."

The officers chosen at this time were: President, Henry E. Brown; Vice-President, George E. Ham; Secretary, P. J. Mayer; Treasurer, William D. Butts.

As the vice-president and secretary declined to serve, these offices were filled at a subsequent meeting by the election of C. B. Maxwell, Vice-President; J. S. Knowlton, Secretary.

It was voted that regular meetings should be held monthly and the place of meeting was to be at Evans Hall, Tremont Row.

The early records of the association give only a hint of the life of the organization, but we will indicate a few incidents that may be of interest to the surviving members.

On March 27, 1865, we find that the battery attended as a body the grand mass meeting of the Veterans' Union held in Tremont Temple, while on June 1 at a grand procession in Boston it appeared on parade with badges and drum corps and bearing the colors carried by them during the war. A letter from Captain Nims, who was then in New Orleans, in reply to a request for the colors is incorporated in the records and may well be quoted here.

"Your note dated April 4 came to hand yesterday morning requesting
the loan of the company colors on all important occasions, once the
colors borne by the noble old 2d Massachusetts Battery which I am
ever proud to call mine. In answer I will say that it gives me great
pleasure through the representative of the association to tender the
use of the colors on all important occasions. Knowing well the past
conduct of the members of the association, I have no fear for the
care and protection of the colors while under their charge. Wishing
all prosperity and happiness I subscribe myself

"Respectfully your humble servant,

"O. F. NIMS."

Although few fatalities occurred on the field or in camp among the members of the battery, the first year at home brought death to some of the number, among whom were Comrade J. C. Tate, who died on April 16, 1865, and Comrade Charles W. Green, who died on June 25 of the same year. In both instances the battery paid the last sad honors to its former comrades and in one case gave material aid as well. We also find under the date August 6, 1866 resolutions on the death of A. Barsantee, another one of the boys.

The first social event in the history of the association was a grand ball held about the first of March, 1865. Other balls followed, and indeed they seem to have become annual affairs kept up for some time; for in a newspaper clipping we read: "The seventh annual ball of Nims' Battery Association took place last evening at Boylston Hall. As the members of this association bear an enviable reputation in matters of this kind the hall was filled with a very good humored and sociable company.... These balls always afford a good opportunity for old comrades to meet and enjoy social intercourse and pleasant reminiscences."

As time went on and other duties and interests became more imperative, the monthly meeting at Evans Hall was no longer deemed advisable and Colonel Nims kindly tendered the use of a room at 80 Cambridge Street, where the association property could be kept and meetings held. This offer was accepted and the change made on July 15, 1867.

We have no records as to where and when the first annual banquet took place. We find, however, an interesting account of the fourth annual banquet taken from the Boston _Journal_, undated, which is as follows:

"The fourth annual reunion of the Nims' Battery Association was held last evening in the parlors of the American House. About 40 members were present, most of them men who went out at the first and stayed at the post till the battery was mustered out of service. General William Schouler was the invited guest on this occasion.

"After an hour's social intercourse the meeting was called to order by the President, Col. O. F. Nims.

"The committee appointed to consider the matter of the preparation of the history of the battery reported that little progress had been made. Some material had been collected but more funds were needed. The matter was discussed quite freely, with the prevailing opinion that the work should be completed and published.... After dinner was served, General Schouler was called upon and said he was glad to meet Colonel Nims and his old command and would only say what was said of them when at the front that this battery was one of the best, if not the best, that went from Massachusetts.... The regular toasts were then announced."

Our Country--response by Mr. Thomas Knights who sang America.

Massachusetts--response by Captain Marland.

Nims' Battery--response letter from Col. H. E. Paine, etc.

Another interesting meeting was held on December 12, 1879. "It was the first gathering of the old organization which had occurred for five years and fully 40 members were present accompanied by several of the 13th Battery. The early part of the evening was spent in social intercourse, singing of songs, and the election of officers. The after dinner exercises included speeches, reminiscences of camp life and interesting facts concerning the association since the close of the war. Letters of regret were received from many prominent members of the old battery and from Col. H. E. Paine of the 4th Wisconsin Regiment."

Other notable occasions were the reunion at the home of Comrade John G. Dimick, Worcester, where the hospitality of the host and his wife made the meeting especially delightful, and the 25th anniversary in 1890 when nearly fifty of the boys together with Generals Dudley and Kimball and Past Deputy Commander Billings as guests gathered at the call of the bugler to a feast of good things and an evening of fellowship and army stories.

In 1888 the Nims' Battery Ladies' Social Club was organized and since that date has held its meetings annually at the time of the battery reunion. Its members are the mothers, wives, and daughters or indeed any relative of the men of the battery and its purpose is not solely social but mutually helpful as well. It aims to visit the sick among the members, to give material aid if necessary and in any way possible assist the organization to which it is auxiliary.

The annual reunions were at first held on February 22, but in recent years this date has been changed to April 19.

As the years have passed the grim reaper Death has appeared more and more often and the ranks have gradually thinned until in 1912 only 14 of the regular members were present at the annual reunion.

To those who remain, however, the memories and associations of more than a half century ago are still precious, and form a bond which will be broken only when life itself shall cease.

LIFE OF COL. ORMAND F. NIMS

A history of the 2d Massachusetts Light Artillery will hardly be regarded as complete unless it contains a sketch of the life of its commander, Capt. Ormand F. Nims.[18]

Footnote 18:

The facts concerning the early history of the Nims family have been
taken from addresses given by Rev. J. L. Seward, D.D., Keene, N. H.

From the time of the early settlement of America down to the last war in which the United States has been engaged, the Nims family has participated in the offensive and defensive campaigns of the country save only in the war with Mexico. Indeed it may truly be said that the commander of Nims' Battery came of good fighting stock. The family of Nims is descended from the old Huguenots of France, coming from that part of the country where is situated the city Nismes, from which is derived the family name de Nismes, or as it is now written Nims. Godefroi de Nismes, or as known here, Godfrey Nims came to this country in the 17th century, the first mention of his name being found in the records of Northampton under the date September 4, 1667. He was in Turner's Fight, May 18, 1676 and was a soldier in King Philip's War. He was twice married. His first wife was Mary, daughter of William Miller and widow of Zebadiah Williams. His second wife was Mehitabel, daughter of William Smead and widow of Jeremiah Hall. He had six children by his first wife and five by the second. Rebecca (died young), Rebecca, John, Henry, Thankful, Ebenezer, Thomas, Mehitabel, Mary, Mercy and Abigail. The family of Godfrey Nims were victims of that terrible Indian tragedy which resulted in the destruction of Deerfield, Mass., to which place Mr. Nims had moved in 1686. This calamity occurred February 29, 1704. On that fatal day, Mrs. Nims was captured and was slain on the way to Canada. Her dwelling was destroyed by fire. The eldest surviving daughter, then Mrs. Mattoon, was slain, together with an only child, Henry; the eldest son was captured and slain. Ebenezer, the second son, was captured and carried to Canada. Mehitabel, Mary and Mercy were burned with the house. Abigail, the youngest was captured at the age of four years and carried to Canada, where she married another captive, Josiah Rising, then christened Ignace Raizeune, received a permanent home, and a large domain.

It does not appear that Godfrey Nims was captured at this time. The suggestion has been made that he was with a military company elsewhere. An inventory of his estate was taken at Deerfield, March 12, 1704, or 5, the presumption being that he had died there just previously.

Ebenezer and John were the two surviving sons of Godfrey. John has many descendants in Michigan and other parts of the West. Ebenezer was carried to Canada as was also another captive, Sarah Hoyt. These two were married in Canada and had there one son also named Ebenezer. They were redeemed by Stoddard and Williams with difficulty in 1814 and returned to Deerfield, where four more sons were born, David, Moses, Elisha, Amasa. David, son of Ebenezer, was born at Deerfield, March 30, 1716 and died in Keene, July 21, 1803. He came to Keene while a boy and was appointed scribe by the proprietors July 25, 1737. At the first town meeting after the town was chartered by New Hampshire which was held May 2, 1753, he was elected first town clerk and after that held some town office nearly every year till 1776. In 1740, he was granted 10 acres of upland in Keene, for hazarding his life and estate by living in the place to promote the settlement of the township. Still later he was granted 104 acres in that part of Keene, which is now in the town of Roxbury. This estate is at present occupied by David Brigham Nims, his great great-grandson. He had ten children one of whom Asahel fell at the battle of Bunker Hill. "On the morning when Captain Wyman and his men left Keene for Massachusetts, Asahel came into town from his home on the Sullivan Hills where he was clearing land and getting ready to settle with one whom he hoped soon to marry. He saw the military movement and was fired with that spirit of military and patriotic fervor which has been such a characteristic of the Nims family. One fellow who had enlisted did not have the courage to start. Asahel consented to take that fellow's place and lost his life in his first battle. He was buried on the battlefield and his name is recorded on one of the gates of Bunker Hill Park."

Zadok, another son and the grandfather of Col. Ormand Nims fought at Lake Champlain, and it is a tradition concerning him that at this time he became so exhausted that his commander and comrades believed him dead. They were preparing his body for burial, when to their delighted surprise he came to his senses and afterward fully recovered.

Col. Ormand F. Nims was born in Sullivan, N. H., August 30, 1819, his father, Philander Nims, being a farmer in that vicinity and his mother, the daughter of Col. Solomon White of Uxbridge, Mass.

Colonel White served seven years in the War for Independence and later commanded a Massachusetts regiment at the head of which he marched to Worcester at the time of Shay's Rebellion. An uncle, Frederick Nims, served during the War of 1812 performing creditable military service.

Ormand Nims was twenty-three years old when he left the farm in Sullivan and came to Boston, where in 1854 he bought a drug store on Cambridge Street and set up in business for himself. His first taste of a military career had been when, a boy of fifteen, he had joined the Sullivan Militia commanded by his brother. In 1853 he with his two brothers joined the Lancers and this branch of the militia of Massachusetts had no more ardent members than these three young men from New Hampshire.

It happened that about this time General Sherman's Battery of United States artillery came to Boston from Newport for the purpose of giving an exhibition in encampment, parade, and drill on Boston Common. Young Nims saw the drill and was delighted; after this nothing would do for him but the artillery.

Early in 1854 he enlisted in a new battery raised under command of Capt. Moses G. Cobb, and was made first sergeant on the night of his enlistment. After three years of service, he was made fourth lieutenant and later received command of the battery. During his term of command he made this battery famous for its efficiency and perfect organization.

"I resigned from my command in 1860," said Colonel Nims in an interview some years since, "and my last appearance with it, my last parade in fact, was on the occasion of the review on Boston Common by the Prince of Wales, the late King Edward, who was on a visit to America."

Then came the Civil War. The battery with which Colonel Nims had been connected was among the first to volunteer and although he was not a member he rendered efficient aid in equipping and drilling the men, accompanying them as far as New York when they started on active service. Just as he took the train, a prominent official said to him, "Nims, we will have six guns ready for you when you return."

The organization of the 2d Massachusetts and its service in the field has already been recorded in the pages of this book and this naturally includes the military career of its captain.

A few quotations may serve to show the more personal side of Colonel Nims and the relations existing between the commander and his men.

The following extract is from a letter written by an officer while at Franklin, La. "Captain Nims is the hardest working officer I ever saw, always looking out for the interests of the battery and the men. Hardly ever in his quarters, nothing escapes his observation. He is a man of strict probity and has none of the minor vices, always reliable and reminds one of the hero Garibaldi. Although proud of his battery and its reputation, and pleased at anything written or said in its praise, he thoroughly detests personal flattery and indeed I would not venture to say this much to him for my commission."

A quotation from the Boston _Transcript_ at the close of the war: "It is a remarkable fact that during the three and a half years that Captain Nims commanded the 2d Battery, punishment was to its members almost unknown. Splendid discipline was maintained solely by _esprit de corps_ and by the respect and affection entertained for the commander on one hand and by the fatherly care and solicitude always exhibited by Captain Nims for his men under all circumstances. The slight mortality by disease in this battery is attributed by the members to the efficiency of their leader."

Some years after the war a niece of Colonel Nims was visiting in the South and dined at the home of a former Confederate captain. She was told that at one time during the war, orders were given to the Confederate officers to kill Captain Nims at any cost as his battery was inflicting so much damage upon their forces.

After the discharge of the original Nims' Battery at the end of three years, Captain Nims immediately secured enough enlistments for another battery and at once returned to New Orleans. But an injury to his ankle received while he was at home to muster out his men, and the fact that most of his boys were no longer with him led him to resign his commission and accept a position in the Chief Quarter-Master's department at New Orleans, where he remained till after the close of the war. After peace had been fully restored and the work of reconstruction had been begun, Captain Nims returned to Boston and bought back the little drug store he had left at the beginning of the war, where he remained for nearly a half century until at the age of ninety he retired from business, in 1910. After the return of peace the attention of the government was directed to Captain Nims' services and on March 13, 1865, by special enactment of the Senate he received the titles of "Brevet Major--Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel--and Brevet Colonel, for gallant and meritorious service during the war," thus explaining the title Colonel Nims.

After leaving the army, Colonel Nims took almost no part in military or political affairs--except in connection with Nims' Battery Association and for a short time serving as commander of Post 7, G.A.R. He was also a member of the Loyal Legion. He would never accept a pension. To quote his own words on the subject, "I don't want a pension. It doesn't seem right to me that a man should be paid by the Federal government simply because he was in the army. I served my country to the best of my ability and I don't want any pay for it either. If one were incapacitated for earning a living that would be a different matter."

During the half century that Colonel Nims maintained his drug store at the West End he saw many changes in that neighborhood. Someone has said that he served the poor and needy from his little store as faithfully as he ever served his country in the days of the war. Everyone in that section regarded him as a friend and helper, and he was always ready to give aid to those who needed it. He made it a practice to give away one prescription at least, every day. If the families of any of his men were in need, it was his delight to care for and assist them.

Colonel Nims died at his home, 42 Blossom Street, on May 23, 1911, at the age of 91 years. His funeral was held at Trinity Church on May 25 and was attended by the remaining members of the battery and by members of the Loyal Legion together with many friends who honored and loved him. He was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.

A Christian patriot and soldier.

ROSTER OF SECOND MASSACHUSETTS BATTERY

SECOND BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY, M. V.--(THREE YEARS.) (From Record of Massachusetts Volunteers.)

_Name and Rank._ _Age._ _Residence _Date of _Termination
or Place Muster._ of Service._
Credited
To._

Nims, Ormand F., Capt. .. Boston July 31, Jan. 7, 1865,
'61 resigned.

Marland, William, Capt. 29 Andover Jan. 8, '65 Aug. 11, 1865,
exp. of
service, B'vt
Maj.

Walcott, John W., 1st 39 Roxbury July 31, Dec. 18, 1861, Lieut. '61 resigned.

Bigelow, John, 1st 21 Cambridge July 31, Dec. 18, 1861, Lieut. '61 resigned.

Trull, George G., 1st 30 Boston Dec. 18, Oct. 21, 1862, Lieut. '61 Captain 4th Battery.

Hall, Richard B., 1st 23 Boston Dec. 18, July 29, 1863, Lieut. '61 resigned.

Marland, William, 1st 27 Andover Oct. 22, Captain Jan. Lieut. '62 8, 1865.

Snow, Warren K., 1st 29 Boston July 30, Nov. 30, 1864, Lieut. '63 disability.

Greenleaf, Joseph W., 34 Boston Dec. 1, '64 Aug. 11, 1865, 1st Lieut. expiration of service.

Hodgdon, Lucian A., 1st 33 Somerville Jan. 8, '65 Aug. 11, 1865, Lieut. expiration of service.

Trull, George G., 2d 29 Boston July 31, First Lieut., Lieut. '61 Dec. 18, 1861.

Hall, Richard B., 2d 22 Boston July 31, First Lieut., Lieut. '61 Dec. 18, 1861.

Marland, William, 2d 26 Andover Dec. 18, First Lieut., Lieut. '61 Oct. 22, 1862.

Snow, Warren K., 2d 27 Boston Feb. 21, First Lieut., Lieut. '62 July 30, 1863.

Russell, Edward K., 2d 30 Chelsea Oct. 22, Oct. 3, 1863, Lieut. '62 First Lieut., 6th Battery.

Greenleaf, Joseph W., 2d 32 Boston July 30, First Lieut., Lieut. '63 Dec. 1, 1864.

Hodgdon, Lucian A., 2d 31 Somerville Oct. 3, '63 First Lieut., Lieut. Jan. 8, 1865.

Swan, Louis W., 2d 30 Chelsea Dec. 1, '64 Aug. 11, 1865, Lieut. expiration of service.

Ellis, Jacob M., 2d 26 Melrose Jan. 8, '65 Aug. 11, 1865, Lieut. expiration of service.

Jackman, Henry A., Q. M. 34 Boston Jan. 6, '64 Aug. 11, 1865, Sergt. expiration of service.

Norcross, Alden N., Q. 32 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, M. Sergt. '61 expiration of service.

Burwell, Augustus B., 26 Chelsea July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, 1st Sergt. '61 expiration of service.

Chamberlain, Lowell A., 22 Maiden July 31, Dec. 16, 1861, 1st Sergt. '61 promotion.

Cheever, Henry P., 1st 34 Boston July 31, 1862, Sergt. '61 disability.

Downing, Matthias, 1st 30 Boston Feb. 16, Aug. 11, 1865, Sergt. '64 expiration of service.

Greenleaf, Joseph W., 32 Boston July 31, Second Lieut., 1st Sergt. '61 July 30, 1863.

Hodgdon, Lucian A., 1st 31 Somerville July 31, Feb. 15, 1864, Sergt. '61 re-enlistment.

Hodgdon, Lucian A., 1st 33 Boston Feb. 16, Second Lieut., Sergt. '64 May 21, 1864.

Jordon, William W., 1st 31 Boston Jan. 6, '64 Sept. 30,
Sergt. 1864, 1st
Lieut. 3d Un.
Co. H. Art.

Russell, Edward K., 1st 30 Chelsea July 31, Second Lieut., Sergt. '61 Oct. 22, 1862.

Snow, Warren K., 1st 27 Boston July 31, Second Lieut., Sergt. '61 Feb. 21, 1862.

Swan, Louis W., 1st 32 Boston Feb. 16, Second Lieut., Sergt. '64 Dec. 1, 1864.

Allen, John W., Sergt. 24 Boston Feb. 16. Aug. 11, 1865,
'64 expiration of
service.

Ellis, Jacob M., Sergt. 28 Boston Feb. 16, Second Lieut.,
'64 Jan. 8, 1965.

Fisk, John D., Sergt. 28 Boston Feb. 16, Aug. 11, 1865,
'64 expiration of
service.

Harvey, Orlando C., 24 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, Sergt. '61 expiration of service.

Hodgkins, John P., 27 Gloucester Dec. 7, '63 Aug. 11, 1865, Sergt. expiration of service.

Jordan, William W., 29 Boston July 31, Jan. 5, 1864, Sergt. '61 re-enlistment.

Kane, William, Sergt. 20 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Lincoln, Silas S., 35 Maiden July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, Sergt. '61 expiration of service.

Livermore, Converse F., 26 Watertown July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, Sergt. '61 expiration of service.

Partridge, Samuel, 29 Boston Jan. 6, '64 Aug. 11, 1865, Sergt. expiration of service.

Swan, Louis W., Sergt. 30 Chelsea July 31, Feb. 15, 1864,
'61 re-enlistment.

Ward, John B., Sergt. 27 Boston Dec. 1, '63 Aug. 11, 1865,
expiration of
service.

Whitcher, Frank J., 21 Boston July 31, Dec. 17, 1861, Sergt. '61 Sec. Lieut. 1st Md. Bat'y.

Wilkins, Robert J. 27 Boston Feb. 16, Aug. 11, 1865,
'64 expiration of
service.

Ackerman, Joseph R., 32 Boston July 31, Deserted Jan. Corp. '61 1, 1862.

Andrews, Erastus E., 28 Sunderland Dec. 2, '63 Aug. 11, 1865, Corp. expiration of service.

Bellows, Frederick A., 44 Charlestown July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, Corp. '61 expiration of service.

Butts, William D., Corp. 27 Charlestown July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Dickenson, Daniel O., 18 Hadley Jan. 4, '64 Aug. 11, 1865, Corp. expiration of service.

Downing, Matthias, Corp. 28 Boston July 31, Feb. 15, 1864,
'61 re-enlistment.

Ellis, Jacob M., Corp. 26 Melrose July 31, Feb. 15, 1864,
'61 re-enlistment.

Evans, Elbridge, Corp. 29 Boston Feb. 16, Aug. 11, 1865,
'64 expiration of
service.

Foster, Thomas B., Corp. 22 Boston Feb. 16, Died June 6,
'64 1865, New
Orleans, La.

Green, Charles W., Corp. 26 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Ham, George E., Corp. 26 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Hodgkins, Frederick T., 21 Gloucester Dec. 7, '63 Aug. 11, 1865, Corp. expiration of service.

Hodgkins, Morris, Jr., 40 Gloucester Dec. 7, '63 Aug. 11, 1865, Corp. expiration of service.

Howe, Francis E., Corp. 27 Melrose July 31, Jan. 8, 1863,
'61 disability.

Kane, James H., Corp. 23 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Knowlton, Joseph S., 25 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, Corp. '61 expiration of service.

Knowles, Osgood W., 25 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1804, Corp. '61 expiration of service.

Leavitt, Edwin L., Corp. 29 Boston Oct. 10, Died Aug. 5,
'61 1862, Baton
Rouge, La.

Maxwell, Charles B., 29 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864, Corp. '61 expiration of service.

Merrill, Charles, Corp. 28 Chelsea Mar. 4, '64 Aug. 11, 1865,
expiration of
service.

Oliver, Charles E., 22 Lunenburg Jan. 4, '64 Aug. 11, 1865, Corp. expiration of service.

Sherman, Charles F. 20 Watertown July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Short, John F., Corp. 28 Lowell Aug. 10, Aug. 11, 1865,
'64 expiration of
service.

Smith, John R., Corp. 26 Boston July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Sylvester, Charles S., 18 Gloucester Dec. 7, '63 Aug. 11, 1865, Corp. expiration of service.

Swart, John W., Corp. 22 Pittsfield Jan. 5, '64 Aug. 11, 1865,
expiration of
service.

Tyler, Thomas R., Corp. 24 Charlestown July 31, Aug. 16, 1864,
'61 expiration of
service.

Wadsworth, George W., .. Quincy July 31, Sept. .., Corp. '61 1861, disability.

Wadsworth, Henry M., 23 Boston July 31, Sept. 30, Corp. '61 1861, disability.

Welch, Henry, Corp. 21 Pittsfield Jan. 4, '64 Aug. 11, 1865,
expiration of
service.

Whitmore, Benjamin F., 26 Boston Feb. 16, Aug. 11, 1865, Corp. '64 expiration of service.