Chapter X (1)

RETURN TO CITY POINT—MARCH TO RICHMOND—FROM THENCE TO
WASHINGTON—RETURNING HOMEWARD—MUSTER-OUT.

Now that the two principal armies of the Confederacy had surrendered to the Union forces, the ultimate end of the Rebellion was a foregone conclusion, and the thoughts of muster-out and return home became uppermost in all our minds. We enjoyed several days’ rest at Danville before a retrograde movement was made.

On the morning of the 2d of May, in conjunction with the First Brigade of the First Division of the Sixth Corps, we started on our return march, camping at night at Laurel Hill. The next day (3d) we marched twenty-one miles, crossing Banister River at nightfall and went into camp. On the 4th we marched as far as Staunton, and camped for the night on the banks of the river near the railroad. Here we observed an extensive line of rifle-pits which had been constructed by the Confederates to defend the bridge and the railway at this point. On the 5th crossed the Staunton River on pontoons, and moved to Keyes’s Station, arriving there about three o’clock in the afternoon. After a short stay here we marched a few miles further on, to obtain good water, and encamped about six P. M.

May 6th, we broke camp at 7.30 A. M., and arrived at Burkeville Station at two o’clock in the afternoon. After a brief halt we moved two miles beyond and encamped. We were informed that the War Department had ordered the discharge of all men in the army as soon as possible, with the exception of regular troops. We remained here several days.

On the morning of the 15th we were ordered to hitch up, marched to the station, and loaded our battery, comprising the pieces and limber chests on the train for City Point. On the 20th of May we left Burkeville Station at seven A. M., and marched toward City Point. On the 22d, the battery, with the Sixth Corps, arrived at City Point at three o’clock in the afternoon.

On the 23d of May the Army of the Potomac under Meade, with the exception of the Sixth Corps, passed in review before President Johnson and his cabinet in Washington. It was witnessed by thousands of spectators, and is said to have been grand and impressive. It occupied over six hours in passing the grand stand which had been erected in front of the President’s house.

On the morning of the 24th, Sherman’s army commenced at ten o’clock to pass in review. The appearance of this army was in striking contrast to that of the Army of the Potomac the day before. The latter troops had been operating where full supplies of food and clothing had been regularly received from the North, while Sherman’s army, being far from its base of supplies, were not so well dressed as their comrades of the Army of the Potomac, and were to a great extent compelled to obtain their food from the country through which they passed. Perhaps they did not keep the perfect alignment of the well drilled troops of the Army of the Potomac, but nevertheless the marching of the Western army could not be excelled, and it was thoroughly drilled to endure hardships, either by long and continuous marches or through exposure to any climate without the ordinary shelter of a camp.

On the 25th of May, we painted the battery preparatory to going on review with the Sixth Corps in Washington. May 27th, we marched from City Point at seven A. M., and camped for the night near the outskirts of the town of Manchester.

On the 28th, we marched through Manchester, crossing the James River on pontoons, and marching up the main street of Richmond which had been the objective point of the Army of the Potomac for so many long years, we passed through and encamped outside the city.

We observed in Richmond the devastation made by the recent conflagration. It was said by an eye witness that on the evacuation of the place by the rebel army that an order was issued from General Ewell’s headquarters to fire the four principal tobacco warehouses of the city. The mayor dispatched by a committee of citizens a remonstrance against this reckless military order, but it was not heeded, and nothing was left but to submit to the destruction of their property. The authorities had taken the precaution to empty all the liquor into the streets, and to throw out the provisions which the Confederate government had left for the people to gather up. Some of the retreating rebel soldiers managed to get hold of a quantity of liquor, and from that moment law and order ceased to exist. Many of the stores were pillaged, and the sidewalks were encumbered with broken glass where the thieves had smashed the windows in their reckless haste to lay hands on the plunder within. The air was filled with the wild cries of distress, or the yells of roving pillagers. When our forces entered the city on the morning of the 3rd of April, it was found to have been fired in two places, and the place was in the most utter confusion. Our troops immediately set to work to extinguish the flames, which they finally succeeded in accomplishing.

May 29th, we moved to Hanover Court House and encamped.

On the 30th, we left Hanover Court House at seven o’clock in the morning, crossed the Pamunkey River on pontoons, marched a short distance, and encamped for the night. At eight o’clock the next morning (31st) we crossed the Mattapony River, directed our march toward Bowling Green, and camped there for the night.

June 1st, found the battery marching toward Fredericksburg; on the 2d, we were at Dumfries; on the 3d, at Fairfax Court House; on the 4th, at Hall’s Hill. On the 7th, we reached Long Bridge at Washington, where we went into camp. On the 8th, the Sixth Corps, which was necessarily absent on the occasion of the great review of the Army of the Potomac on the 23d of May, now passed in review before the President. The troops made a fine appearance, and their marching and perfect alignment received favorable comments from the spectators along the route of march. Our battery was excused from participation in the review.

At ten o’clock on the morning of the 9th, an order came directing Captain Allen to march his battery to the Arsenal at Washington, and turn the guns and equipage over to the commanding officer there, and the horses were turned into the general corral. We returned to camp about four P. M. Private Franklin P. Burlingame came out to visit us, he having been on detached service in the adjutant-general’s office in the War Department since the fall of 1863, when our battery lay at Fort Scott.

June 12th still found our battery in camp near Long-Bridge. Private Earl Fenner, who was orderly at headquarters, imparted the joyful information to us about nightfall that our battery had been ordered to proceed to Washington on the following day, at noon, and take the cars for Providence, R. I. These glad tidings induced the men to strike up the familiar song:

“When Johnnie comes Marching Home!”

On the morning of the 13th, there was hurry and bustle in the various camps in our neighborhood. Preparations were being made to cross over Long Bridge into Washington, and from thence the different organizations would proceed on their homeward journey. At 12.30 we received orders to pack knapsacks, strike tents, and turn over all property belonging to the government to Quartermaster Sergeant Allen, and be ready to fall in at a moment’s notice. At two o’clock we bade adieu to old Virginia, and, marching into Washington, proceeded to the depot, and, at six P. M., boarded the train, with our faces toward the north, and our destination Rhode Island. While crossing the switch just out of Washington, a passenger train on the switch approached us from the opposite direction. There being but one track it should have waited on the upper end of the switch until our train had passed. The danger signal was up and could be seen a long distance, but instead of heeding the signal the passenger train from Baltimore came thundering along, and a frightful collision ensued. The locomotive of the passenger train struck our train in the centre, demolishing three cars, and resulted in the loss of thirty-four men killed and wounded. Ambulances from Washington were immediately dispatched to the scene, and removed the wounded.

Although none of Battery H were injured it was a sad sight to see our comrades of other commands after passing through all the dangers and vicissitudes of war, killed and mutilated in a railroad accident while returning to their homes. Comrade George F. Woodley, for many years since the war an honored citizen of Providence, was on board this train, and his escape from immediate death was almost miraculous. He was a member of Battery A, First New Jersey Artillery. He was sitting with a comrade on the top of a freight car, with a rubber blanket thrown over both of them as a protection from the rain. When the collision occurred his companion was instantly killed, while Comrade Woodley sustained a dislocation of the shoulder, besides receiving severe bruises. Just after midnight the track was cleared and we started on our way again.

At sunrise on the 14th, we arrived in Baltimore, marched, through the city, and embarked on the cars for Philadelphia. We arrived in that city about eleven A. M. After disembarking from the cars we received a royal welcome from the good people of this city while on our way to the famous Cooper Shop, so well known to every Union soldier who passed through Philadelphia on his way to and from the seat of war. Here we found a bountiful collation awaiting us. After partaking of this welcome repast we continued on our way, and about four o’clock in the afternoon took the train for New York, arriving there about dark, and quartered for the night in the barracks at Castle Garden.

At three o’clock on the afternoon of the 15th, we left Castle Garden and marched to the wharf of the Neptune line of steamers, and embarked on the propeller _Galatea_ for Providence. We were accompanied by Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. We left New York at five P. M., and arrived in Providence Friday morning, June 16th. A salute was fired in honor of our arrival, and, under escort of the Burnside Zouaves we marched to Washington Hall, where an elegant collation had been provided under the direction of the Commissary-General of the State. We were welcomed by Adjutant-General Edward C. Mauran, and then partook of the refreshments before us, after which we marched to the Silvey Barracks on the Cove lands, and were dismissed until the 28th of June, when we were ordered to report at the same place for final muster out. We were subsequently ordered to report on South Main Street, July 3d, where we received our discharge papers, and were paid off and mustered out of service.

The following officers and men returned to Rhode Island with the battery:

Captain.

CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR.

First Lieutenants.

WALTER M. KNIGHT,
ALLEN HOAR.

Second Lieutenant.

ANTHONY B. HORTON.

First Sergeant.

JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 1ST.

Quartermaster Sergeant.

ALBERT F. ALLEN.

Sergeants.

First Duty Sergeant, THOMAS SMITH.
Second Duty Sergeant, BENJAMIN CARTER.
Third Duty Sergeant, ESEK S. OWEN.
Fourth Duty Sergeant, GARDNER L. BENNETT.
Fifth Duty Sergeant, APOLLOS SEEKELL.

Corporals.

WILLIAM H. SPRINGER,
JOB RANDALL,
HURBERT OCHEE,
MICHAEL CROGAN,
HIRAM A. CASEY,
MARVIN RYAN.
JAMES H. RHODES,
FRANKLIN E. PAUL,
ALEXANDER GILLELAND,
EARL FENNER,
ISAAC BRIGGS,
JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 2D.

Buglers.

FRANK DAWSON,
CHARLES S. STRINGER.

Artificers.

SAMUEL T. ALLEN,
LEON ALLISON.

Privates.

ADAMS, GEORGE A.
ALDEN, WARNER
ALDERWICK, GEORGE
ARNOLD, GIDEON W.
ARNOLD, HENRY O.
BALCOM, ORVILLE
BARRY, JOHN
BARRY, MICHAEL
BARRY, WILLIAM
BEAN, ASA S.
BEGLEY, MICHAEL
BISHOP, JOHN
BLABON, GEORGE R.
BRIGGS, HORACE C.
BROWN, FRANCIS A.
BROWN, WILLIAM S.
BUTTERFIELD, FRANCIS H.
BUTTS, HORACE R.
BYRNS, BERNARD
CASWELL, JOSEPH
CHAPMAN, CORNELIUS
CHEEVER, EMOLUS A.
CHENEY, MOSES B.
CLOSE, SOLOMON
COFFEE, DANIEL
CONNER, STEPHEN H.
CROSS, GEORGE G.
CUTTING, ERASTUS
DAILEY, PATRICK
DAWLEY, FRANKLIN W.
DOUGHERTY, CHARLES
DUNN, ROBERT
EASTERDAY, CHRISTIAN
ELLISON, CHARLES J.
EVANS, JOHN
FARRELL, PATRICK
FOX, MICHAEL
FOX, PETER
FLOYD, HORACE F.
FREEBORN, GEORGE W.
GARDNER, PETER
GILBERT, WILLIAM G.
GLADDING, JAMES M.
GOODRICH, SYDNEY A.
GRAHAM, MICHAEL
GREY, JOHN A.
HARADON, GEORGE W.
HARDON, RUFUS P.
HART, THOMAS
HASKINS, AMOS H.
HAYFIELD, ISAAC F.
HAYFIELD, JAMES F.
HAZELTON, ANDREW
HECKMAN, DAVID
HIGGINS, JOHN
HIXON, WILLIAM M.
HOWARD, HENRY I.
HOWARD, WILLIAM E.
HOWE, CHARLES W.
JACK, ROBERT
JACKSON, ROWLAND
JOHNSON, EDWIN C.
KENNEDY, JOHN
KETTELLE, JOHN B. F.
KNOWLES, HENRY L.
LAUGHERTY, ROBERT
LAWTON, EDWARD N.
LEONARD, JOHN
LEWIS, JOHN
LILLIBRIDGE, JACOB L.
LUCAS, ALBERT B.
MAHON, THOMAS
MARTIN, THOMAS H.
MCCOMB, WILLIAM
MCGUIRE, BERNARD
MERRILLS, HENRY
MESSINGER, GEORGE
MILLARD, CHARLES E.
MURPHY, DANIEL
NEWMAN, JOHN C.
NORTHROP, EDWIN
NOYES, ISAAC P.
O’CONNERS, THOMAS
PACKARD, GEORGE W.
PEARSONS, JOHN
PHILLIPS, LUTHER A.
PITTS, GEORGE H.
PRICE, ELLERY W.
REAREY, JAMES
REED, WILLIAM
RYAN, CORNELIUS
SAMPSON, JOHN A.
SCHANCK, AARON B.
SHEFFIELD, JOSIAH
SMITH, FREDERICK A.
SMITH, GEORGE H.
SNELL, OTIS
SPRAGUE, CHARLES
STAFFORD, LEVI
STONE, WILLIAM H.
TABER, OTIS
TASKER, WILLIAM H.
TAFT, JOHN
THORNLEY, WILLIAM H.
TOOD, JAMES W.
TONGUE, EBEN
TWEEDALE, CHARLES
TWEEDLE, WILLIAM B.
VALLETTE, GILBERT P.
VAUGHN, ALBERT A.
VAUGHN, CHARLES D.
VENNER, JOHN F.
VINCENT, CHARLES
WADE, JAMES
WALDEN, JOSEPH, JR.
WARD, JOHN
WELLS, ALBERT
WHITE, WILLIAM H.
WOOD, JAMES
WOODWARD, ALDEN H.

As has already been mentioned Battery H was the last battery sent out from Rhode Island, and it labored under many disadvantages. It suffered severely by the desertion of men who enlisted solely for the bounty obtained, and many incurred physical disability incident to the service, causing their transfer to the Veteran Reserve Corps. All these circumstances contributed to weaken the battery for effective work, and we were unable to show such a long and honorable record as the majority of our Rhode Island batteries won on many hotly contested fields, yet every true soldier of our battery may take pride in the consciousness that he faithfully performed every duty and task assigned him, and that his name is recorded on the rolls as among those who risked their lives in the defense of constitutional liberty in the dark hours of the nation’s peril, and although ours may have been the humbler service, yet we stood ready to offer our all for home and fatherland.

MEMOIRS.

[We have inserted sketches of the officers and men of the battery so far
as obtainable.]

JEFFREY HAZARD.

CAPT. JEFFREY HAZARD, son of John Hazard, and grandson of Governor Jeffrey Hazard, was born in the town of Exeter, R. I., on the 23d day of September, 1835. His elder brother, John G. Hazard, served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion, rising from the rank of first lieutenant to brevet brigadier-general of volunteers. The subject of our sketch obtained his education at the Providence High School, and, previous to the war, was a teller in the Manufacturers’ Bank.

He received a commission as second lieutenant in Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 5, 1861, and was subsequently appointed regimental adjutant. He participated with his battery in many engagements. Among these may be mentioned Balls Bluff, Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, and Antietam. At the latter battle the battery won for itself great renown, holding an advanced position under a heavy fire from the enemy. It fought nearly four hours within three hundred yards of the enemy’s line of battle, losing four men killed and fifteen wounded. The only officers of the battery present with Captain Tompkins were lieutenants Hazard and Mason, who bravely worked the guns for want of men.

On the 1st of October, 1862, Lieutenant Hazard was promoted to the captaincy of Battery H, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Capt. C. H. J. Hamlin. Captain Hazard immediately proceeded to Rhode Island, joined the battery at Camp Mauran, and assumed command. Shortly after his arrival he was ordered by the governor to proceed with his battery to the Dexter Training Ground, where the Twelfth Rhode Island Infantry was encamped. Trouble was anticipated in regard to bounties, which had been promised the men before leaving the State. Four guns of the battery were placed at the corners of the grounds ready to repel any mutiny that might arise. Happily no blood was shed, and Captain Hazard returned with his command to Camp Mauran.

Oct. 23, 1862, Captain Hazard’s battery left Providence for Washington, D. C, and proceeded to the artillery camp of instruction, Camp Barry. While stationed here the battery attained great efficiency in drill and discipline, due in great measure to the indefatigable efforts of its commander.

At the time of the battle of Chancellorsville Captain Hazard, with one section of his battery, was ordered to Rappahannock Station, where it remained nine days with the Twelfth Vermont Infantry, for the purpose of guarding the river at that point.

On the 29th of June, we find Captain Hazard with his battery on Little River Turnpike in the vicinity of Forts Worth and Ward, where it was engaged in supporting the picket line, as it was apprehended that the enemy, who were reconnoitering on the turnpike, might be seeking to force an entrance within our lines at that point. Commendable mention is made of the services rendered by Battery H at this time by Colonel Abbott, commanding the brigade to which the battery was attached.

On the 17th of August, Captain Hazard resigned his commission and took his departure on the evening of that date. The battery deplored the loss of its commander, for by his energy and ability he had labored to bring it to a high state of proficiency, and he had the satisfaction of knowing that it was unsurpassed by any of the volunteer batteries stationed around Washington.

On his retirement from the army Captain Hazard engaged in mercantile pursuits, and is now the senior member of the well known firm of the Hazard Cotton Company, cotton merchants, in the city of Providence.

He is connected with the Massachusetts Commandery Loyal Legion of the United States, and is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, Department of Rhode Island, Grand Army of the Republic.

He is a member of the Providence Board of Trade, and held the office of president in 1887–8.

CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR.

LIEUT.-COL. CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR., was born in Providence, R. I., April 2, 1840. He is the son of Crawford and Sarah S. Allen, and grandson of the late Rev. Nathan B. Crocker. He received his education at Brown University, and, upon leaving that institution, he traveled in Europe, and subsequently made a voyage to China, visiting various islands in the East Indies. He afterwards went to California, and was in the city of San Francisco upon the breaking out of the Rebellion. He immediately returned to Rhode Island, and received a commission as second lieutenant in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Nov. 7, 1861. This battery proceeded to Washington Dec. 7, 1861. It took part with the Army of the Potomac in the campaign on the Peninsula. It withdrew from the Peninsula, marching by way of Yorktown to Hampton, where it embarked for Alexandria. The guns were sent forward by transports, in charge of Lieutenant Allen. At the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, the battery under Captain Owen fought with great bravery. This battery also performed good service at the second battle of Fredericksburg, May 2d and 3d, 1863, when Lieutenant Allen received a slight wound.

Shortly after this battle Lieutenant Allen was made adjutant of the regiment, and acting adjutant-general of the Artillery Brigade Sixth Army Corps, which positions he continued to hold until Sept. 30, 1863, when he was promoted to the captaincy of Battery H, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Captain Hazard. Captain Allen was mustered into Battery H Oct. 1, 1863. Captain Allen commanded Fort Richardson, near the falls of the Potomac, for several months.

A correspondent of the Providence _Press_, writing from Camp Barry, under date of November 30th, says:

“Captain Allen, in the time he has been with us, has shown himself quite efficient as a commander, as well as exceedingly popular with the men.”

In the battle before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, Captain Allen with his battery bore an honorable part. The battery went into action at four A. M., with one section under the immediate command of Captain Allen. It moved forward with the division, and, after crossing the rifle-pits, opened upon a section of rebel artillery which had a flank fire on the Federal infantry. It was soon driven off, when the battery ceased firing, moved to the left, towards Hatcher’s Run, bringing up the caissons and awaited orders. It then moved forward again with the skirmish line and engaged with a rebel battery, which soon had to leave its position. It was followed up until arriving at the Whitworth House, where the battery went into position, near the house which General Lee (Confederate) had occupied as his headquarters. The enemy had placed a rifle battery in position on the left, and obtained an enfilading fire at one thousand seven hundred yards. As the rebel battery was beyond the extreme range of our guns, Captain Allen went to Captain Adams of Battery G, of our regiment, and requested him to open fire upon the enemy. Captain Adams immediately opened on the rebel battery and soon silenced its fire.

Captain Allen was then ordered by Major Cowan to withdraw his guns, which he did, and went into park in rear of his First Division headquarters for the night. In this day’s action four men and ten horses were killed, and six men wounded.

General Wheaton, commanding the First Division of the Sixth Corps, in his report to Major Whittlesey, under date of the 15th of April, says:

“During our advance towards Petersburg Capt. Crawford Allen Jr.’s Battery H, of the First Rhode Island Artillery, was admirably handled, and his losses were severe. His guns were always in front, frequently in advance of the skirmishers; and as our lines moved forward he invariably forced the enemy’s batteries to retire, and followed them closely. Earlier in the day, when the assault commenced, Captain Allen very handsomely compelled a section of the enemy’s artillery to retire. If these guns, occupying one of their intrenched works and thoroughly enfilading our lines, had not been silenced, they might have materially retarded our advance.”

Captain Allen was promoted major for gallantry and meritorious services before Petersburg. He subsequently received the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel.

At the surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox Court House, to Captain Allen with his battery was accorded the honor of firing the first salute in honor of the victory.

CLEMENT WEBSTER.

FIRST LIEUT. CLEMENT WEBSTER, son of Stephen and Lydia (Kimball) Webster, was born in Kennebunk, Me., Oct. 16, 1817. He attended the public schools of Kennebunk in his youth, and later, a seminary at Leamington, Me. He learned the trade of printer in Saco, Me., where he and his brother Stephen started the _York County Herald_, a weekly paper. About the year 1841 or 1842, he removed to Providence, R. I., where he worked at his trade as a printer, and was also for a time employed in the Providence post-office. He started the _Providence Daily Post_ as editor, and was with the exception of brief intervals, its editor until his death.

In the early period of the war he received a commission in the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, but Governor Sprague insisted that he should remain in Rhode Island, where he considered that he could be of greater service with his voice and pen, than in the field. Nevertheless later on he was desirous of taking a more active part in the Union cause, and accordingly was commissioned a first lieutenant in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was mustered into the service Oct. 14, 1862, but did not enter the field, and resigned his commission Feb. 7, 1863, in consequence of ill health. He died at Providence, R. I., Oct. 16, 1864.

He married Catherine P. Littlefield, of New Shoreham, R. I., May 15, 1839, by whom he had two sons. The elder son, Benjamin F., died at Providence in 1861. The other son, George E., after the death of his father became private secretary to Governor (then Senator) William Sprague, and was clerk of the Senate Committee of which the Senator was chairman during the session of 1864–65. He afterwards entered the Pension Bureau, where (interrupted by secret service work) he remained until the winter of 1871–72. He is at the present time (1894) clerk of the Common Pleas Division of the Supreme Court of this State.

Lieutenant Webster remarried Oct. 21, 1858, and of this marriage one child, Arthur M., was born. He died while a member of the Junior Class in Brown University.

CHARLES F. MASON.

FIRST LIEUT. CHARLES F. MASON, son of Earl P. and Ann (Larcher) Mason, was born in Providence, R. I., March 30, 1842. He is descended from good stock, his ancestor, Sampson Mason, being a dragoon in Cromwell’s army, the famous “Ironsides.” He came to this country in 1649, and settled in Dorchester, Mass., and afterwards removed to Seekonk, and thence to Rehoboth. The father of Lieutenant Mason was a prominent business man in Providence, being intimately identified with various railroad, steamship, and commercial interests, besides being connected with the celebrated firm of Mason, Chapin & Co., a house which still controls an immense trade in drugs, dye-stuffs, and chemicals.

The subject of our sketch was educated at Merrick and Emory Lyon’s University Grammar School, in this city, and subsequently entered Brown University, graduating in the class of ’61.

Lieutenant Mason entered the service as second lieutenant of Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Dec. 24, 1861. He was present with his battery in the Peninsular campaign, and distinguished himself by his gallantry at the battle of Antietam, Md., where he personally assisted in working the guns, rendered necessary by the want of men. He was promoted to first lieutenant Oct. 1, 1862, and was subsequently transferred to Battery H, and mustered in Oct. 15, 1862.

Upon the resignation of Captain Hazard, Lieutenant Mason assumed command of the battery until the arrival of Capt. Crawford Allen, Jr., who had been appointed to succeed Captain Hazard.

In November, 1863, he was appointed on the staff of Col. Charles H. Tompkins, Chief of the Artillery Brigade, Sixth Army Corps, where he served with honor until he resigned his commission, April 21, 1864.

Lieutenant Mason is now prominently engaged in business in Providence, R. I. He is President of the Rhode Island Locomotive Works, and Treasurer of the Bolton Manufacturing Company. He is also connected with various commercial and mercantile enterprises. He is a member of the Providence Board of Trade.

GEORGE W. BLAIR.

FIRST LIEUT. GEORGE W. BLAIR, son of William and Zilphia (Ross) Blair, was born in Woolwich, Me., May 28, 1835. His grandfather, James Blair, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. On his mother’s side, his grandfather, Ebenezer Ross, served in the War of 1812.

His parents removed to Bath, Me., when George was about four years of age, where he received a common school education. His father was a sea captain, and was lost at sea on a voyage from Bath to Baltimore. At the age of seventeen he learned the trade of blacksmithing, of Duncan & Davenport, of Bath, manufacturers of shipping supplies. He removed to Boston in 1856, and worked in the repair shop of the Eastern Railroad Company, East Boston. The following year he went to Providence, R. I., and was employed in the blacksmithing department of Thomas J. Hill’s machine shop. He remained here until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted as a private in the First Rhode Island Light Battery, April 17, 1861. The battery was mustered into service May 2, 1861, at the Patent Office, at Washington, D. C. At the expiration of its term of service (Aug. 6, 1861), it was mustered out. Soon after his return to Rhode Island, he enlisted for three years as sergeant in Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861. While he was with this battery he participated in every engagement in which it took part. At the battle of Ball’s Bluff, the battery received its first baptism of fire. In the Peninsular campaign it took part in the Siege of Yorktown, battles of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Peach Orchard, Savage’s Station, White Oak Bridge, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. It also distinguished itself at the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.

On the 2d of December, 1862, Sergeant Blair was promoted to first sergeant, which position he held until discharged to accept an appointment as first lieutenant in Battery I, of the same regiment, to date from Feb. 2, 1863. This battery was never organized, and he was subsequently transferred to Battery H, April 23, 1863. He served with credit in this battery, participating in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. He resigned his commission April 29, 1864.

Shortly after his return north he was employed by the Fairbanks Scales Company, of Boston. He was afterwards appointed to the police force of that city, and served four years in that capacity. He then returned to his old position in the Fairbanks Scales Company. He was subsequently appointed special officer of the property connected with the Old South Church, of Boston.

About the year 1875, he removed to Providence and entered the employ of the Barstow Stove Company, remaining there several years, when he went to Sing Sing, N. Y., and was appointed inspector of stove mountings in the prison, and in the employ of the Perry Stove Company, formerly of Albany, N. Y. He remained with this company two years, but in consequence of ill health he was compelled to relinquish this position and returned to Providence, and entered the employ of the Providence Furniture Company, and had charge of the Stove Department for several years. Since that time he has been employed as night watchman at the Weybosset Mills, Olneyville, R. I.

Lieutenant Blair was at one time a member of Slocum Post, in Providence, but soon after the organization of Arnold Post, he was transferred to the latter post, where he has ever since retained his membership. He has held the several positions of adjutant, junior and senior vice commanders, and commander. He has also been president of Battery B Veteran Association.

ELMER L. CORTHELL.

CAPT. ELMER L. CORTHELL enlisted as private in Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861. He was promoted to corporal soon after the first battle of Bull Run, and was transferred to Battery F, of the same regiment, Oct. 31, 1861, and appointed sergeant the same date. He was promoted to second lieutenant Oct. 11, 1862, and assigned to Battery H; first lieutenant Nov. 6, 1863, and transferred to Battery G. He having established an excellent military reputation by long service in the field, was promoted to captain of Battery D, Oct. 21, 1864, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Captain Buckley. He was mustered out of service July 17, 1865. After the war he engaged in the business of civil engineering, and located at Chicago, Ill.

BENJAMIN H. CHILD.

SECOND LIEUT. BENJAMIN H. CHILD, son of John G. and Mary A. Child, was born in Providence, R. I., May 8, 1843. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. When he was fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to Grenville Greenleaf, to learn the wire working business.

At the age of eighteen he enlisted as a private in the Second Rhode Island Battery, afterwards known as Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861. The battery was hotly engaged at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. It was the only six-gun volunteer battery taking all of its pieces from the field, two of them being in a disabled condition. Private Child was slightly wounded in this action. Battery A was connected with the Sixth, Ninth and Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. It was engaged in every battle in which the Second Corps participated. Private Child was present with his battery in the fight at Bolivar Heights, Sept. 16, 1861, and subsequently in the campaign on the Peninsula. On the 16th of July, 1862, he was promoted to corporal, and Sept. 12, 1862, he was made a sergeant. At the battle of Antietam he was again wounded, this time severely by a bullet in the head.

In the severe struggle at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., Battery A fought with distinguished bravery, losing five men killed and twenty-three wounded. Here Sergeant Child was severely wounded in the shoulder, at the time of Pickett’s charge on Cemetery Ridge. He was sent to Satalee Hospital, at West Philadelphia. When sufficiently recovered to be removed he started for Rhode Island. While on his way home he passed through New York City, at the time of the draft riots. Sergeant Child witnessed the fearful scenes in the streets while he was being conveyed in a carriage through the city to the Fall River steamer where he was to embark for Rhode Island. It appeared as if the rabble might attempt to attack the wounded Union soldier, and he remarked that it would be “rather humiliating to be slaughtered by a mob after passing through the charge of Gettysburg.” But the driver of the carriage kept as far as possible from the centre of disturbance, and Sergeant Child was soon safely aboard the steamer. He was hurried aboard in such haste and in such rude fashion that, his wound, but imperfectly healed, had to be opened again, and the result is that he is troubled with a stiff shoulder to this day.

In recognition of his services in the field Governor Smith commissioned him a second lieutenant in Battery A. He was afterwards transferred to Battery H, his commission dating from Nov. 6, 1865. Owing to his wound he was unable to report for duty until after Christmas. He then proceeded to Brandy Station, where Battery A was at the front, and received his discharge from that battery. The mustering officer at General Sumner’s headquarters had hardly signed the papers when a shell burst through the tent, and seriously wounded that officer. Lieutenant Child then returned to Washington, and reported for duty to Captain Allen commanding Battery H, which was then stationed at Camp Barry, in the defenses of Washington. He was mustered into this battery Jan. 8, 1864. He served with credit in his new position until he was compelled in consequence of his wounds to resign his commission, Nov. 23, 1864. For about eighteen months he was employed in the quartermaster’s department at Washington.

On his return to Providence he was employed with Greenleaf & Company, on Westminster Street, for about two years. He was subsequently appointed watchman at the Rhode Island State Prison.

On the 1st of May, 1868, he was appointed by the late Mayor Thomas A. Doyle a patrolman on the police force of the City of Providence, and he was promoted to doorman, Station 1, June 4, 1874; sergeant, Aug. 16, 1877; captain, Aug. 8, 1879. Elected chief Jan. 5, 1881. Re-elected every year since.

He joined Prescott Post, No. 1, June 7, 1867. He was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Department Commander in 1887–8; he was elected a delegate at large to the National Encampment in 1888; and elected a member of the Council of Administration of the Department of Rhode Island in 1889. In 1890 he was elected to the position of Senior Vice Department Commander, and in the following year (1891) to that of Department Commander. He is a member of the Massachusetts Commandery, Loyal Legion of the United States. He is one of the committee on the publication of the _History of Battery H_.

It may not be out of place here to mention the fact that Lieutenant Child’s twin brother, William D. Child, served with distinction in Battery A, entering the service as private and rising successively to the rank of first sergeant. After this battery was consolidated with Battery B, it took part in the fierce battle of Reams’s Station, Aug. 25, 1864, when the combined battery was nearly annihilated. The total of killed, wounded and missing numbered fifty-two, with a loss of all the guns and fifty horses. Lieut. William S. Perrin, who was in command of the battery, had his leg shattered and was taken prisoner. Lieutenants Chace and Spencer were also made prisoners. This disaster reduced the battery to seventy-two men. Captain Brown being on duty in Rhode Island, and the other officers in the hands of the enemy, the command devolved on First Sergeant Child, who continued to serve in that capacity until the arrival of Captain Brown.

On the fiftieth anniversary of his birth, which occurred May 8, 1893, the friends of Chief Child (and they are legion), in recognition of his long and faithful service on the police force of the city, determined to show their affection and esteem for him in a substantial manner. On the evening of the above date, at his own home, with a large assembly present, he was made the recipient of an elegant solid silver tea service, the gift of the officers and members of the Police Department; also a handsome remembrance from the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Providence. One of the gifts which he prizes highly is a beautiful picture presented to him by his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic. His estimable wife was also pleasantly remembered by several appropriate gifts from many friends and acquaintances.

ANTHONY B. HORTON.

SECOND LIEUT. ANTHONY B. HORTON, the son of John W. and Mary A. Horton, was born in the city of Providence, R. I., on the 22d of January, 1836. He attended the Fountain Street School in that city until his tenth year, when his parents removed to Rehoboth, Mass. He assisted his father on the farm during the spring, summer and fall months of the year, and attended the district school in the winter.

At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted as private in Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. Aug. 13, 1861. On the 25th of March, 1862, he was promoted to corporal, and on the 1st of December of the same year he was advanced to sergeant. He re-enlisted Feb. 8, 1864, and was appointed first sergeant Oct. 3, 1864. He was discharged Dec. 19, 1864, to receive promotion as second lieutenant in Battery H, to date from Nov. 29, 1864. He was mustered into that battery Dec. 20, 1864. He was a very brave and gallant officer, cool and collected in the hour of battle. He was promoted to brevet first lieutenant April 2, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services before Petersburg, Va., to date from Nov. 29, 1864. He was mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

WILLIAM B. WESTCOTT.

FIRST LIEUT. WILLIAM B. WESTCOTT, son of Harley and Laura Westcott, was born in Pawtuxet, R. I., March 16, 1841. He received his education in the public schools of his native village. In 1857 he went to Providence and was employed as a clerk in the grocery store of Thomas Merewether, and was thus engaged when the War of the Rebellion began.

On Dec. 2, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was promoted to sergeant Dec. 15, 1861, and quartermaster sergeant, June 9, 1862. On the 26th of April, 1864, he was promoted to second lieutenant of Battery H, and was mustered in May 1, 1864. He was promoted to first lieutenant March 2, 1865, and transferred to Battery B. He was mustered out with his battery June 12, 1865, and returned with it to Rhode Island.

Oct. 14, 1865, he entered the wholesale drug store of Oliver Johnson & Co., as a clerk, and has remained in the service of that company ever since. He is at the present time (1894) head clerk in that establishment.

Comrade Westcott joined Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R., of Providence, about December, 1867. He served as officer of the day for two years. He was department inspector in 1870–71, and assistant quartermaster-general of the department in 1874.

Comrade Westcott is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and is also connected with Providence Council, No. 566, American Legion of Honor, having held the office of Commander in that order.

His brother, Gilbert O. Westcott, also served honorably for three years in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R. Another brother, George H. Westcott, served as a corporal in Company D, First Rhode Island Detached Militia. He died in 1875.

GEORGE LEWIS.

SECOND LIEUT. GEORGE LEWIS was born near Summit, in the town of Coventry, R. I., Nov. 1, 1831. His father, Benoni E. Lewis, in early life was a farmer, but afterwards became a carpenter and builder, doing business mainly in the villages of Harrisville, Quidnick, and Anthony. Sarah Lewis, the mother of Lieutenant Lewis, was the only daughter of the Hon. George and Martha (Stone) Hawkins, and a niece of the late venerable Rev. Richard C. Stone, “who with each of his nine children,” says the Bunker Hill (Ill.) _Gazette_, “have taught yearly in high schools, colleges and universities, from two to thirty-one years each.” His grandfather Hawkins in early life passed through the subordinate military ranks till he held a major’s commission. He was a representative in the General Assembly from 1819 to 1829, and senator from May, 1829, to 1831. For over forty years he was deacon in the Rice City Christian Church, of Coventry, R. I.

In early youth Mr. Lewis attended the public schools at Rice City, in Coventry, and at Sterling, Conn. In March, 1841, his parents moved to the Crompton Mills, in Warwick, R. I. Here George was employed in the cotton mill as a back-piecer in the mule room. He afterwards went to live with his uncle in Coventry, working in the shingle mill and on the farm, except in the winter months, when he attended the public school.

About the first of April, 1848, at the age of sixteen, George was apprenticed for three years to his uncle, Jason Lewis, then of Phenix, to learn the carpenter’s trade. He afterwards left his uncle’s employ, and worked for his father, who had commenced the same business, continuing with him most of the time until the summer of 1852. In September of that year he moved to Providence, R. I., and worked for several firms until the spring of 1854. He was then employed by Cyrus T. Eddy & Company, with whom he continued the greater portion of the time until September, 1861, when he entered the service of his country as a private in Battery E, First Rhode Island Light Artillery.

He was mustered into the service Sept. 30, 1861, and participated in all the battles in which his battery was engaged. He was wounded slightly May 3, 1863, at the battle of Chancellorsville. He was promoted to lance corporal May 29, 1863; corporal Sept. 4, 1863; re-enlisted Feb. 1, 1864; lance sergeant April 9, 1864; sergeant Oct. 20, 1864, to date from October 4th; second lieutenant March 31, 1865; assigned to Battery H, May 29, 1865; never reported or mustered as such; mustered out of service June 14, 1865.

After the close of the war Lieutenant Lewis resumed work for the same firm with whom he was employed before entering the army. He continued with them until February, 1866. He then went to Worcester, Mass., where he was employed as foreman in the carpenter shop of the “Earle Stove Company.” That company not succeeding in business closed their works in June, 1869. In July of that year Mr. Lewis entered the employ of Spicers & Peckham (now the Spicer Stove Company), the well-known and successful stove founders of Providence, R. I., with whom he is still (1894) employed, having had charge of their carpenter shop for over twenty-four years.

Mr. Lewis is a member of Slocum Post, No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic, and is also connected with the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Historical Society. He has served as a vice-president of the First Rhode Island Light Artillery Veteran Association.

He was chosen historian by his comrades to write the history of Battery E, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery. He labored with untiring zeal and ability to further this object, and the imperishable record he has been instrumental in preserving to the archives of the State will ever redound to his honor as a soldier and patriot.

GEORGE MESSINGER.

FIRST SERGT. GEORGE MESSINGER, the son of Eli and Ann J. (Roberts) Messinger, was born in the city of Providence, R. I., March 27, 1842. At the commencement of the Civil War, he was attending a private school in that city, preparatory to entering Brown University. With all the ardor and patriotism of youth, and imbued with a strong desire to serve his country in her hour of peril, he offered his services and was mustered into service as a private in Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861. He participated with his battery in the first battle of Bull Run.

The battery was subsequently ordered to the Upper Potomac, and was stationed at different points between Harper’s Ferry and Washington. At the time of the battle of Ball’s Bluff one section of the battery to which Private Messinger had been assigned was stationed near Poolesville, Md. It was dismounted and crossed the Potomac on a scow, but took no active part in the engagement, and the next day recrossed the river and returned to its old camping ground.

About this time Private Messinger was seriously attacked with typhoid fever and pneumonia. His father, who had enlisted in the same battery, was detailed to attend him during his illness. His mother also came on from Providence, R. I., to render her assistance. He was removed to the house of Mrs. White, the mother of the well known (Confederate) Gen. Harry White. Private Messinger after becoming convalescent was granted a furlough, and returned to Rhode Island. On regaining his health he was detailed on recruiting service in Providence.

Battery H was then organizing in that city, and Private Messinger was transferred from Battery A and promoted to first sergeant of Battery H. The battery was subsequently ordered into camp near Mashapaug Bond, in Cranston, R. I. At this time frequent drafts were made upon the battery for recruits to serve in the batteries already in the field. Sergeant Messenger combined with his other duties that of drill master, and was kept constantly employed in that capacity until the battery left its camp and proceeded to Washington in October, 1862.

His career from that period until the termination of the war was closely identified with the history of the battery. In October, 1863, while the battery was stationed at Fairfax Court House, Sergeant Messinger was wounded by the accidental discharge of his revolver, the ball passing down his leg on the inside of his boot, entered his heel, and went through and lodged in the heel of his boot. It being in a vulnerable spot, he suffered considerable inconvenience from his wound.

Soon afterward, entirely unsolicited on his part, an application was made for him for a commission, which was signed by all of the officers of his battery and by the colonel and major of his regiment. The application was supposed to have been forwarded to the governor of Rhode Island, but nothing was ever heard from it, and in January, 1864, Sergeant Messinger re-enlisted as a veteran and received the customary furlough of thirty days.

While at home on his furlough he had strong hopes that he might receive a commission from the governor. One day while reading a newspaper he was astounded to learn that a commission had been granted to a personal friend of his, but whose service as a non-commissioned officer was of a very recent date. Feeling aggrieved at this treatment he had received he went to the governor and requested that his application for a commission might be returned to him. He was greatly astonished to find that no application or recommendation had ever been received, and it was not until sixteen years later that he learned what had become of the papers that had been forwarded to the governor.

It may be well to state here that his friend who received the appointment was assigned to Battery E, in the very position which Sergeant Messinger had anticipated might be allotted to himself. In the very first battle in which this officer took part after he had joined his battery he was killed, so that Sergeant Messinger has good reason to congratulate himself that he did not receive the coveted commission at that time.

And now we are able to inform our readers what became of those papers. It seems there was a soldier well known in the battery (now deceased) whose name we do not desire to make public, who cherished an enmity against Sergeant Messinger because he had appointed him a corporal at Camp Mauran against his wishes. He only held the position a short time, then returned to the ranks, and was appointed mail carrier for the battery. He was present in the officers’ quarters to take the mail the morning the captain sent the papers to Rhode Island, and heard the captain express the desire that the papers might soon bring Sergeant Messinger his commission.

The mail carrier afterward said to Sergeant Messinger that he determined at that time that he (Messinger) should not have the commission if he could prevent it. He took the papers from the mail bag and destroyed them. No wonder they could not be found in the governor’s office, and that Sergeant Messinger did not receive appointment to the position which he was so well qualified to adorn.

After Captain Allen took command of the battery, Sergeant Messinger was appointed company clerk, and served in that capacity until the muster out of the battery. He settled all the affairs of the battery for Captain Allen in a manner creditable to himself and to all concerned. Even to this day there is no member of the battery who is more highly esteemed and respected than he, and no one who takes a livelier interest in the welfare of his comrades. He has had the opportunity and privilege of visiting many of the members who are scattered over the country, and they always find him ready to extend a hearty welcome to all; and no deserving comrade ever found him turning a deaf ear to his plea for help in time of need.

He is at present engaged in the manufacture of pottery at East Brookfield, Mass. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic in his town, and is an honored citizen of the community in which he lives. He is one of the committee on the publication of the _History of Battery H_.

HEZEKIAH POTTER.

LIEUT. HEZEKIAH POTTER, son of Christy and Lucius (Smith) Potter, was born in Pawtucket, R. I., on the 1st day of July, 1834. His parents subsequently removed to Providence, R. I., where he received his education in the public schools of that city.

Previous to the War for the Union he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business, first with his brother in the city of Syracuse, N. Y., and afterwards managed the same business for A. & W. Sprague with marked success for about five years. He was subsequently connected with William Sheldon in the same capacity.

In August, 1862, he was enrolled as private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of quartermaster-sergeant in this battery March 28, 1864. On the 21st of October, 1864, he received a commission as second lieutenant, and was assigned to Battery E. He was mustered into the battery on the same day of his arrival, Nov. 11, 1864. Although a man of few words he won the respect and esteem of all the members of the battery. He was cool and self-possessed under fire, and was always found reliable in every position he was placed. He participated with the battery in the almost daily conflicts with the enemy in the intrenchments before Petersburg, and was present at the final and successful assaults on the enemy’s lines, April 2, 1865. He was mustered out of service June 4, 1865.

After the close of the war he was employed for several years with Hubbard & Aldrich, wholesale grocers, in Providence, R. I. He has since been employed in various kinds of business.

JOHN P. CAMPBELL.