Chapter X (2)

FIRST SERGT. JOHN P. CAMPBELL, son of James S. and Ann Campbell, was born in Treat’s Village, in the town of Voluntown, Conn., March 29, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of that place. During the Civil War he enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 24, 1862. He was mustered into service with his battery Oct. 14, 1862. By good conduct, gentlemanly bearing and kind consideration of all with whom he came in contact, he won the love and confidence of his comrades, and the approbation and esteem of his superior officers, and was successively promoted to corporal, sergeant, and in December, 1864, first sergeant, retaining that position on his muster out of service with the battery, June 28, 1865.

Comrade Campbell is at the present time (1894) a respected citizen of the village of Lafayette, in the town of North Kingstown, R. I. He holds the position of head overseer in the Rodman Mill, and is greatly beloved by all for his sterling worth, and especially by those employed under him for his many acts of kindness toward them.

ESEK S. OWEN.

SERGT. ESEK S. OWEN, son of Thomas J. and Dorcas (Sayles) Owen, was born in Smithfield, R. I., Aug. 21, 1839. His parents subsequently removed to Central Falls, R. I., where Esek attended school. His parents afterwards moved to Connecticut, and he attended school there for three years. He also pursued a course of study at the East Greenwich Academy.

He enrolled as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, May 19, 1862, and was mustered into service with his battery Oct. 14, 1862. In the battle before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, he commanded the left piece of the right section. In this engagement he was slightly wounded. He also commanded the left piece of the right section in the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, Va. He was always cool and self-possessed under fire, winning the respect and confidence of the men under his command. He was mustered out of service with his battery June 28, 1865. He is at the present time (1894) an esteemed citizen of Pueblo, Colorado.

EMULOUS A. CHEEVER.

SERGT. EMULOUS A. CHEEVER, son of Amos and Abigail (Keech) Cheever, was born in Attleboro, Mass., Aug. 27, 1841. Sergeant Cheever’s parents formerly resided in Wrentham, Mass., but subsequently removed to Attleboro, Mass., where the subject of our sketch was born. He received his education in the public schools of the town.

He enlisted in the service of his country Aug. 4, 1862, and was mustered in with his battery Oct. 14, 1862. He was promoted to corporal in 1862; and November 6th of that year was made a sergeant. He endeared himself to his comrades by his manly and upright character, and by many sterling qualities. He was mustered out of service with his battery June 28, 1865.

EARL FENNER.

CORP. EARL FENNER was born in Providence, R. I., on the 20th day of April, 1841. He is the second son of James M. and Sarah A. Fenner. His mother was the daughter of Gould and Alary Brown, of North Kingstown, R. I. His ancestor, Capt. Arthur Fenner, erected in Johnston, R. I., (then a portion of the town of Providence) what was known as the “Old Fenner Castle,” a strongly constructed log house, built for the purpose of resisting the assaults of the Indians. The old “Castle” and the lands adjacent thereto descended in direct succession to James, son of Capt. Arthur Fenner; then to his son Thomas Fenner; then to James M. Fenner, the father of Comrade Earl Fenner.

The subject of our sketch attended the public schools of Providence in his youth.

When the War for the Union began Comrade Fenner became imbued with the martial spirit of the times, and was desirous of taking part in the great struggle for national existence. On the 25th day of August, 1861, he enrolled as a private in Battery C, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. This battery left Providence on the 31st of August, and proceeded to Washington. It remained at Camp Sprague engaged in daily drill until October, when it crossed the Potomac and encamped near Fort Corcoran, giving to its encampment the name of “Camp Randolph.” From thence it removed to Hall’s Hill, and again to Miner’s Hill, Va., and became identified with Porter’s division of the Army of the Potomac. While the battery was stationed here the privations and hardships of a soldier’s life greatly impaired the health of Comrade Fenner, and eventually caused his discharge from the service Dec. 9, 1861.

Regaining his health the following year he again yearned to serve his country in her hour of peril, and enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 24, 1862. From this time on until its final muster out Comrade Fenner became closely identified with its history. During his term of service he served as private, bugler and non-commissioned officer.

When the Army of the Potomac was moving towards Gettysburg, Pa., in June, 1863, Comrade Fenner was detailed to headquarters of the Third Brigade, of the Twenty-second Army Corps, and was ordered on special duty as a bearer of dispatches to the commanding general of the Army of the Potomac. As that army was on the march against the enemy his instructions were very explicit to deliver the dispatches entrusted to him to the general commanding wherever he might be found. On one occasion while returning from one of these journeys he narrowly escaped capture by Mosby’s guerillas near Germantown, Va.

In the battles before Petersburg, the engagement at Sailor’s Creek, and the closing scenes at Appomattox, where the surrender of the Confederate army occurred, Comrade Fenner was an active participant with his battery, and at the termination of the war returned to Rhode Island, where the battery was mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

Comrade Fenner is a member of the First Rhode Island Light Artillery Veteran Association, and served as Executive Committee of Battery H in the regimental association a number of years. In 1891 he was chosen first-vice president of the association, and in 1892 president.

On the 27th of June, 1891, he called a meeting of the old members of Battery H, for the purpose of forming a veteran association of the battery. Starting with only four members, through his untiring efforts as secretary and treasurer, the association now numbers on its roll fifty members. He was unanimously chosen historian by his comrades of the battery. Having in his possession a very valuable war diary that he kept while in service it has formed the nucleus from which a large portion of the facts and incidents relating to the history of the battery have been gathered. This diary has also been the means of aiding many of his comrades and their widows in obtaining pensions, and likewise been of great service to the pension office in settling disputed cases.

Comrade Fenner is connected with various societies. He is a past chief patriarch of Narragansett Encampment, No. 1, I. O. O. F., and has held the office of recording secretary in Hope Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F. He is a past great sachem and past great prophet of the Great Council of the Improved Order of Red Men of Rhode Island, also holding the position of great mishewina in the Great Council for two years.

Comrade Fenner has been for several years in the employ of his brother, James M. Fenner, druggist, in the city of Providence.

FRANKLIN E. PAUL.

CORP. FRANKLIN E. PAUL, son of Captain Clark and May (Young) Paul, was born in Dover, N. H., Sept. 14, 1829. He received his education in the public schools of his native town. His father was a sea captain, and followed the sea for over forty years. At the age of fifteen he went to North Bridgewater, now Brockton, Mass., and lived on a farm for about a year, and then learned the trade of boot and shoemaking. After serving faithfully three years as an apprentice, he started out for himself, working in different towns in Massachusetts.

In 1858 he removed to Mansfield, Mass., and in September of that year he married Almira Alger, daughter of Edmund Alger, Esq., of that town. While busy in his calling, the tocsin of war resounded throughout the land, and aroused within him a spirit of loyalty and devotion to country, and he determined to enroll himself among his country’s defenders, and do all in his power to maintain the honor and integrity of free institutions and good government.

On the 29th of September, 1862, he enlisted with five others from Mansfield, in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and was mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. Leaving a good home, a devoted wife, and a little daughter, he offered all upon his country’s altar, and served loyally and faithfully with his battery until the termination of the war. He was promoted to corporal in 1865. He was mustered out with the battery June 28, 1865.

On returning to his home in Mansfield, Mass., he worked at his trade for two years, and then removed to Boston to take charge of a large shoe manufactory on Pearl Street, in that city. He continued in this position until May 27, 1877, when he received an appointment as clerk in the Boston post-office, in which capacity he still remains.

In the year 1892 he was unanimously chosen first vice-president of Battery H Veteran Association, and in August, 1893, was elected to the office of president. On assuming the chair he delivered an excellent address appropriate to the occasion, which was listened to with marked interest and attention. He is also a member of the publication committee on the _History of Battery H_. He is held in high esteem by his comrades of Battery H, his associates in the Boston post-office, and by his fellow townsmen of Chelsea, Mass., where he now resides.

JOHN P. CAMPBELL.

CORP. JOHN P. CAMPBELL, son of John and Nancy J. (Malin) Campbell, was born in Boston, Mass., on the 8th day of April, 1846. His parents were of Scotch descent. On his father’s side he is descended from the Campbells of Clyde, having an ancestry of rank in the Scottish Highlands. On his mother’s side also his ancestors attained high distinction.

The subject of our sketch in his youth was brought up in the family of Jeremiah Russell Smith, father of William Russell Smith, a noted musician in South Medfield, Mass. He attended the South Medfield and Walpole schools, previously going to schools in Boston.

In the War of the Rebellion he enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 19, 1862, and was mustered in Oct. 14, 1862. He was subsequently promoted to corporal. That he served with credit and honor in his battery is attested by his being wounded severely in hand, shoulder, and foot, in action near Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865. He was corporal of the right piece, of the right section of his battery in that engagement. He was mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

Immediately upon his return from the army he went West, and was engaged in teaching in schools, holding some important positions in high schools, etc. He received his college education in Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. After leaving college he read law under Judge Alonzo Converse, and was admitted to the bar in Iowa. He went to Abilene, Kansas, in the year 1876, where he located in the practice of law, and where he has since resided. He there established the “J. P. Campbell Collection Agency,” at the head of which he has continued since its formation. His practice has been in all courts, and has been a successful and profitable one. He is the author of several literary publications, brought out by some of the best known publishing houses in the country.

He is also well known as a lecturer, and has met with much success in that direction. His lectures on “What is Life?” “Courtship, Marriage, Divorce,” “A View of Heaven, from the Poet’s Standpoint,” and “The Soldier,” have been spoken of in the highest terms, and been received with universal favor. Of the author of these lectures this has been said:

“John Preston Campbell has, perhaps, the most complete and choicely selected law and literary library in the State of Kansas, and being greatly attached to books, of his more matured and written deliberations much that is entertaining, ennobling and beneficial may be expected. An hour was spent in his rooms examining his books and chatting with one of the most genial conversationalists we had ever met.”

He has always been in warm sympathy with his comrades-in-arms, the “boys who wore the blue” in the trying days of the Rebellion, and is an honored member of Post No. 63, Department of Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic.

LEON ALLISON.

ARTIFICER LEON ALLISON, son of James and Josephine Allison, was born in Three Rivers, Canada, May 1, 1820. He worked on a farm until his eighteenth year, when he went to Spencer, Mass., where he learned the shoemaker’s trade. From there he removed to Providence and worked at his trade for awhile and then enlisted in the navy about the year 1841, serving on board the United States man-of-war _Delaware_ for three years, when he was honorably discharged, returned to Providence, and resumed his former occupation, the shoemaking business, and was thus engaged when he entered the army in the War of the Rebellion.

He enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 9, 1862, and was mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. He was subsequently promoted to artificer. While the battery was stationed at Fort Smith on the Potomac River, near Aqueduct Bridge, Comrade Allison was sent into Washington on official business. On his return he was brutally assaulted and all his valuables taken from him, even to the shoes on his feet. Upon his arrival at the fort he was sent to the hospital, where the surgeon found that his jaw was broken. After he had recovered from his injuries he resumed his duties in the battery, and served with credit until his muster out June 28, 1865.

On returning to Providence he again followed his accustomed avocation, and has been engaged in the shoemaking business ever since. Although a veteran in years as well as of the war, he is still active and strong for a man of his age, and is highly respected in the community.

He is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R., of Providence, and also of Battery H Veteran Association.

HORACE F. FLOYD.

GUIDON HORACE F. FLOYD was but a stripling of fifteen years of age when he entered the service of his country. He became so imbued with martial ardor that he walked from Webster, Mass., to Providence, R. I., and from thence to Camp Mauran, where he enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and was mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. He was subsequently promoted to battery guidon.

In January, 1863, while the battery was encamped near Fairfax Station, Va., Comrade Floyd was taken sick with typhoid and rheumatic fever, and was sent to the hospital at Fairfax Seminary, returning to the battery at Chantilly, Va., in May or June of that year. While stationed at Fort Scott in the fall of 1863, he was sick with rheumatism and malaria.

In the battle before Petersburg, Va., on the 2d of April, 1865, he won special commendation from his superior officers for his gallant conduct. He carried the battery guidon at the head of the battery throughout the entire action. In the seventh and last position which the battery occupied on that eventful day in rear of the Whitworth House, while the battery was under a very severe cross fire from the enemy he was ordered by Captain Allen to deliver a message to Colonel Cowan, commanding the Artillery Brigade of the Sixth Corps, requesting assistance. In compliance with this request the Colonel sent his New York battery to our support. Comrade Floyd on returning to the battery after delivering his message, while riding down our line of battle his horse was struck by a shell, killing him instantly. Our comrade was prostrated by the concussion of the shell, and his horse also falling upon him, injured his leg severely and caused a severe strain upon his bodily powers, producing nervous prostration, with which he suffered for some time afterwards. Colonel Cowan in referring to this affair said: “I received a dispatch from Captain Allen by the boy guidon of Battery H, and could not help admiring the courage and patriotism displayed by this lad on that occasion.” Comrade Floyd subsequently recovered from his injuries, and was mustered out with the battery, June 28, 1865.

Comrade Floyd now (in 1894) resides in Buffalo, N. Y. He is a member of Chapin Post, No. 2, Department of New York, and has held the office of adjutant in the post, and is also a past president of the Army and Navy Union of Buffalo. For over nineteen years he has been connected with the Seventy-fourth Regiment New York National Guard, rising from the ranks as private to the position of first lieutenant. He resigned this office several years ago to accept the position of armorer in the regiment. He is a member of DeMolay Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and has held the office of marshal. He is also an active member of the Royal Arcanum.

Comrade Floyd is held in high esteem by his military associates, his brethren in the various societies with which he is connected, and by his fellow citizens generally. In the opinion of the writer Comrade Floyd deserves a medal from Congress for the bravery he displayed in front of Petersburg.

WARNER ALDEN.

WARNER ALDEN, son of Oliver and Lucinda (Cobb) Alden, was born in North Middleboro, Mass., Feb. 3, 1830. He is a lineal descendant of John Alden, who came over in the _Mayflower_, and was one of the founders of the Plymouth Colony. His father, Oliver Alden, served in the War of 1812. His mother, Lucinda (Cobb) Alden, was the daughter of Ansel and Cynthia (Howard) Cobb. Comrade Alden’s parents had three children, Abner, William C., and Warner. Abner served at the age of nineteen in the Florida War, and was discharged as a first lieutenant. He died in 1883, in Iowa. William C. enlisted in the Third Massachusetts Infantry, during the War of the Rebellion, and went to Fortress Monroe, and served three months. Upon the expiration of his term of service he returned home with his regiment, re-enlisted and served three years in the Fortieth Massachusetts Infantry, and is now living in Boston.

In his youth Comrade Warner Alden received a common school education in the public schools of his native town. After leaving school he learned the trade of mason, which calling he still follows.

Comrade Alden enlisted Oct. 1, 1862, in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and was mustered into service with his battery Oct. 14, 1862. He served faithfully and continuously with his battery until he was mustered out of service June 28, 1865, at the termination of the war.

He married Matilda White. They have four children: Mabel J., May F., Lizzie N., and Gordon Brooks.

Comrade Alden is a worthy member of Prescott Post, No. 1, Department of Rhode Island, Grand Army of the Republic, having joined that Post Sept. 2, 1892. He is also a member of Battery H Veteran Association, First Rhode Island Light Artillery.

SOLOMON CLOSE.

SOLOMON CLOSE, son of Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Close, was born in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, Oct. 19, 1845. His ancestor, Thomas Close, came from England about the year 1661, and settled in Greenwich, Conn. He had four sons, Thomas, Joseph, Benjamin, and John. Comrade Close is a direct descendant from Joseph. The names of Thomas Close and Thomas Close, Jr., appear on the list of seventy-two proprietors who purchased a large tract of land in West Greenwich, Conn., in 1762.

The grandfather of Comrade Close (Solomon Close) was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. At the time of the attack made by the British upon West Greenwich, under Governor Tryon, Feb. 26, 1776, he was an eye witness of the escape of General Putnam down the precipice as he was being pursued by the British soldiers. Putnam afterwards said he could hear the enemy’s bullets strike in the trees as they fired at and overshot him as he rode down the steep declivity.

It is also related of Comrade Close’s grandfather that two other soldiers and himself were concealed for twenty-four hours in an old stone wall at Throg’s Neck, then occupied by the British. They were there for the purpose of capturing a British officer. They failed in the accomplishment of this object, however, as the enemy obtained information of their designs and instituted a search for the Yankee soldiers, who were hiding in an arch in the old stone wall, which was covered over with salt grass by a friend of the Yankee soldiers. While lying there the British walked over the very spot where they were concealed, and our comrade’s grandfather says he could have struck the blade of his knife into their feet as they walked over him. They halted near the spot for quite a while, as the grass was considerably trampled down at that point. One of the British soldiers remarked that the “d——d rebels” must have lain there the night before. They were subsequently released from their perilous position by the aid of their friend already alluded to, and made good their escape. It is stated that Solomon Close was present at the storming of Stony Point, by the Continental forces under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne. Our comrade’s grandfather died Jan. 28, 1840, before his grandson was born, and for whom he was undoubtedly named. Other members of the Close family served with distinction in the War of the Revolution, and one particularly, Elnathan Close, was engaged in privateering. His exploits in connection with others like himself have formed the basis of many exciting tales.

Captain Andrew Meade and Elnathan Close, of Greenwich, with other daring spirits were engaged in privateering to the great annoyance of the enemy. They sallied out on their expeditions provided with large whaleboats, which were easily hidden from view in the day time in the small bays along the coast. On one occasion they proceeded by night to Ferry Point and seized upon a small store vessel, and secured her as a prize. The vessel was anchored in a small inlet known as Chimney Corner. The prize was so valuable that the enemy pursued them with one of their war vessels. They anchored off Chimney Corner, and began making dispositions to retake their vessel. But the people on shore who had assembled for the purpose of defending the prize, determined if possible to prevent its falling into the hands of the British. With a six-pounder, which was the only large gun in the town, they fired upon the British vessel. The first shot struck the deck of the vessel. The enemy returned the fire, but finding it impracticable to retake the vessel or inflict injury to the people on shore they relinquished their efforts in that direction and hastily withdrew.

The attack on the British vessel at Ferry Point had been made in two divisions. One division was commanded by Captain Meade and the other by Elnathan Close. Captain Meade while leaving the vessel with his division was wounded in both arms from shots fired by two marines on guard. Elnathan Close with his division at the same time boarded the vessel on the opposite side, soon had possession of the decks, and the forces below quickly surrendered with but little resistance.

Thus it will be seen that Comrade Close came of good military stock. On his mother’s side his ancestor, Thomas Brown, of Sussex, England, emigrated to this country in 1632. Comrade Close’s father, Joseph, was at one time captain of a company of militia at White Plains, N. Y., where he then resided. He subsequently removed to Greenwich, Conn., and purchased a farm of about one hundred acres, and pursued there his occupation of farmer and drover, dealing largely in cattle, which he bought mostly in the middle and western states.

Joseph Close’s family consisted of six children, four boys and two girls. One of these boys, Solomon, the subject of our sketch, was attending school when the War of the Rebellion began. He became imbued with martial ardor and had a strong desire to enter the army. But his parents opposed it. Not because they were not loyal to the Union cause, but they deemed it advisable that Solomon should remain at school a while longer.

In February, 1865, while his father was away buying cattle, our comrade decided that if he could not enter the service of his country as a soldier, he would go on a whaling voyage. To this proposition his mother reluctantly gave her consent. He proceeded to New York city and shipped for a voyage. From that city he was sent to New Bedford, from which port the ship was to depart. While waiting for the vessel to sail Comrade Close observed the arrival of a whaler from a long voyage in the Arctic regions. The appearance of the vessel and the crew and the rough usage to which they had been subjected cooled the ardor of our friend for a cruise in the northern seas, and he sought the shipping agent and requested that he might be allowed to enter the army instead. To this arrangement the agent consented, and, as there was no recruiting office in New Bedford, our comrade proceeded to Providence, R. I., and enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, March 7, 1865, and joined the battery at Burkeville Junction, Va., April 22, 1865, the day before the battery left that place for the long march to Danville, Va. Although not permitted to share in the more stirring scenes of the battery’s history, yet he cheerfully performed every duty incumbent upon him during his brief term of service, and was mustered out with the battery June 28, 1865.

On the 11th of June, 1866, he enlisted in the city of New York in Troop K, Fourth United States Cavalry, and served three years on the Texas frontier. In August, 1866, that dread scourge, cholera, made its appearance, and several men of his company were taken sick and died. Two of his tent-mates were among the victims. Comrade Close was detailed to regimental hospital to care for the sick, and remained there until the epidemic abated. His regiment was at that time stationed a few miles outside of the city of San Antonio, Texas. After the cholera had disappeared the several companies of the regiment were scattered for a time, some of them being sent to different posts on the frontier, his company being assigned to Fort Inge, about ninety-five miles west of San Antonio. His company scouted the country in the vicinity of the post for two years, having several sharp engagements with the Comanche Indians. In this capacity the company continued the larger portion of its stay in Texas, hunting Indians, Mexican bandits, and outlaws. It was subsequently relieved by the Ninth United States Cavalry, and the company was ordered to Fort Brown, Texas, where Comrade Close was honorably discharged, June 11, 1869, his term of service having expired. He arrived home July 4, 1869.

On the 22d of October, 1869, he was employed as locomotive fireman on the New York and New Haven Railroad. May 28, 1873, he was promoted to locomotive engineer, and still retains that position. Although our comrade has seen twenty-four years of railroad service, yet he has never had a collision, nor has a passenger been injured on any of the trains he has run. It is a singular coincidence that three of his brothers have also been locomotive engineers.

Comrade Close married Cornelia J. Husted Sept. 25, 1872. She died Oct. 29, 1873. He married Mary F. Knapp Sept. 26, 1876. They have two children, Joseph, born Feb. 25, 1878, and Mary F., born Dec. 11, 1879.

Comrade Close is a resident of Stamford, Conn., and is an honored member of Hobbie Post, No. 23, Department of Connecticut. As indicative of the esteem in which Comrade Close is held we will state that on the 11th of April, 1893, he was made the recipient of a handsome gold badge of the Grand Army regulation pattern, studded with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, and presented to him by a number of his comrades and friends. He was elected Junior Vice Commander of Hobbie Post, Dec. 7, 1893. He is also a member of Battery H Veteran Association.

GEORGE W. FREEBORN.

GEORGE W. FREEBORN, son of Samuel and Eliza P. Freeborn, was born in Newport, R. I., on the 18th day of May, 1845. He received his education in the public schools of his native city. He enlisted as a recruit for Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Feb. 25, 1865, and reported to the battery at Fort Tracy, in front of Petersburg, Va., March 1, 1865. In the battle before Petersburg, April 2, 1865, he proved to be a man of courage and thoroughly reliable in every emergency. He was mustered out of service with the battery June 28, 1865. He returned to Newport, R. I., and in 1867 married Martha A. Goslin, the daughter of John and Jane Goslin. They have five children.

Comrade Freeborn is now residing in Fall River, Mass., and is foreman of the packing house of David M. Anthony. He is a member of Richard Borden Post, of Fall River, and is also a member of the Veteran Firemen’s Association, and the Firemen’s Relief Association. He is connected with the American Order of Druids, and a member of Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery Veteran Association.

SYDNEY A. GOODRICH.

SYDNEY A. GOODRICH, son of Jacob M. and Hannah Goodrich, was born in Shapleigh, Maine, March 1848. In his youth his parents removed to Providence, R. I., where he attended the Transit and Arnold Street schools, until his enlistment in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 12, 1863. He reported to the battery at Camp Barry, Washington, D. C., about Oct. 17, 1863. He served with credit in his battery until his muster out of service June 28, 1865.

Comrade Goodrich is a member of Gen. Lander Post, No. 5, of Lynn, Mass., where he now resides. He is also a member of Battery H Veteran Association.

JOHN A. GRAY.

JOHN A. GRAY, son of Lawson D. and Harriet E. Gray, was born in the town of Walpole, Mass., Jan. 17, 1839. He attended the schools of that town in his youth. In the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 22, 1862, and was mustered into service with his battery Oct. 14, 1862. He served with credit during his entire service, and was mustered out June 25, 1865.

Returning to Walpole on the completion of his army service, he has ever since been an honored resident of that town. He is a member of Post No. 157, Department of Massachusetts, a member of Lodge No. 39, United Workmen, and is also connected with Battery H Veteran Association, and with the First Rhode Island Light Artillery Veteran Association.

GEORGE W. HARADON.

GEORGE W. HARADON, son of Elisha and Sarah M. Haradon, was born in the town of Sharon, Mass., June 14, 1842. He attended the district school of the town in his youth, and later he attended the Bristol Academy at Taunton, Mass. After graduation he learned the carpenter’s trade. He enlisted as a recruit in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, March 2, 1865. He reported to the battery at Fort Tracy, in front of Petersburg, Va. He participated with his battery in the battle before Petersburg, April 2, 1865, where he displayed all the qualities that are requisite to make a good soldier. He was mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

He is now located in Manchester, N. H. He is a member of Passaconnaway Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, attaining the rank of a chief in the tribe. He is regarded by his fellow townsmen as a man of sterling character and a good citizen.

EDWARD N. LAWTON.

EDWARD N. LAWTON, son of Isaac and Mary Ann Lawton, was born in Newport, R. I., Jan. 15, 1847. He attended the public schools of that city in his youth. He enlisted as a recruit and was assigned to Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Feb. 27, 1865. He reported to the battery at Fort Tracy, Va., in front of Petersburg, Va., and was present with his battery at the battle before that place April 2, 1865, where he exemplified all the attributes that constitute a good soldier. He was mustered out with the battery June 28, 1865.

He is a member of Charles E. Lawton Post, No. 5, of Newport, R. I. He served two years as junior vice commander, and declined further advancement. He is also a member of Battery H First Rhode Island Light Artillery Veteran Association. He was a brave soldier, and, consequently, is a good citizen.

EDWIN NORTHROP.

EDWIN NORTHROP was born in Fishkill, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1838, his father being Jonas Northrop, of Bradford, Yorkshire County, England, who came to this country in the year 1830, at the age of nineteen. His mother, Ann Gaunt, was a native of Leeds, England.

Comrade Northrop received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen was apprenticed to learn wool sorting, and continued in this calling until his entrance into the service.

Comrade Northrop married Sarah Kyle, daughter of John Ballantine, of Blackstone, Mass., and four children were the fruit of this union.

At the commencement of the War of the Rebellion he made an ineffectual attempt to enlist in a company then forming in Woonsocket for the Second Rhode Island Infantry, afterwards designated as Company I, but so eager at that time were the young men of that town to enroll themselves among the defenders of the Union, that before Comrade Northrop’s turn came to enter the armory, it was announced that the roll was complete, and he was debarred the honor of enrolling his name with a company that won fame and renown in the annals of the history of the State.

Aug. 25, 1862, after making careful provision for his little family, he enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was mustered into service with his battery Oct. 14, 1862, and served faithfully and continuously with it until its final muster out June 28, 1865.

Soon after his return from the army he learned the dyer’s art, which calling he has since followed. He worked at his trade in Blackstone, Mass., leaving there in 1867, and settling in Norwalk, Conn. While here he became intensely interested in the principles of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was largely instrumental in the organization of Buckingham Post, No. 12, at that place. He was adjutant of the post from 1881 to 1883, and again in 1885, and its commander in 1884. He was aide-de-camp on the staff of Department Commander Ira E. Hicks, in 1882, and served the department as assistant mustering and inspecting officer.

In 1886 he removed with his family to Dalton, Mass., and here again took up the work of the Grand Army. He took an active part in organizing Hancock Post, No. 187, Department of Massachusetts. He was elected junior vice commander in 1887–8, senior vice commander 1889, commander 1890, and was also appointed post historian. His wife is an earnest working member of Hancock Woman’s Relief Corps, No. 133, of the Department of Massachusetts.

He was aide-de-camp to Department Commander Myron P. Walker; served as inspector and mustering officer, and was elected an alternate to the National Encampment in 1888.

On his removal to Kenyon, R. I., 1892, where he is employed by E. Kenyon & Sons, he became interested with the comrades of Burnside Post, No. 2, of Shannock, and before joining the post was, for services rendered, voted an honorary member. He is now (in 1894) commander of the post. He has received many testimonials of the esteem in which he is held by his comrades of Buckingham and Hancock posts, which he values very highly.

He is also a Free Mason, having joined the order in 1868, at Norwalk, Conn.

ORVILLE BALCOM.

[This sketch was received too late to be placed in the list of
sergeants.]

SERGT. ORVILLE BALCOM, son of William and Eliza Doty (Thomas) Balcom, was born in the town of Cumberland, R. I., in 1841. His parents removed to Attleboro, Mass., when he was six years of age. During his youth he attended the public schools of Attleboro. He was mustered as a private into Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 14, 1862. He was subsequently promoted to corporal and sergeant. In the battles before Petersburg and at Sailor’s Creek he performed every service incumbent upon him with credit to himself and likewise to the battery. He was mustered out of service June 28, 1865. He is a member of Battery H Veteran Association, and is connected with various societies in Attleboro, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the citizens of that town.

OTIS P. SNELL.

OTIS P. SNELL, son of Barney and Rebecca Snell, was born in Cranston, R. I., in the year 1832. After he became a lad his parents removed to Smithfield, R. I., where Otis attended the district school in the fall and winter months, and assisted his father on the farm during the remainder of the year. He subsequently worked in a cotton mill for a time.

In the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 6, 1862, and was mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. He participated with his battery in all the battles in which it was engaged, and proved himself a good soldier.

Since his return from the army Comrade Snell has worked in a cotton mill, but is now (1894) employed on a farm near Georgiaville, R. I. He is a member of Battery H Veteran Association. He is held in high esteem by his old comrades and his fellow townsmen.

JOHN TAFT.

JOHN TAFT, son of John and Jane (Moore) Taft, was born in Ireland June 5, 1832. He attended a private school in his youth. He afterwards emigrated to the United States, and located in Natick, R. I.

On the 20th of February, 1865, he enlisted as a recruit and was assigned to Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He reported to the battery at Patrick’s Station, Va., Feb. 24, 1865. In the battles before Petersburg and at Sailor’s Creek he evinced great courage and proved to be reliable in every emergency. He was mustered out with the battery at Providence, R. I., June 28, 1865.

Comrade Taft married Jane Rafferty, daughter of John and Mary Rafferty. Two children have been born to them, namely, Thomas and Joseph P. Taft. Our comrade is an esteemed member of Reno Post No. 6, of East Greenwich, R. I., where he now resides, and is honored and respected by his fellow townsmen.

WILLIAM H. TASKER.

WILLIAM H. TASKER, son of William and Annie (Carroll) Tasker, was born in Providence, R. I., Nov. 12, 1842. His father served as a soldier in the Mexican War, and was especially commended by his superior officer for bravery in battle. The subject of our sketch attended school in his youth in the city of Providence and also in the town of Johnston, R. I. In the Fall of 1862 he enlisted in the navy as an able seaman, and was assigned to the United States gunboat _Iris_. He was subsequently promoted to signal quartermaster for good conduct, and afterwards to quartermaster. After serving his time in the navy he was mustered out, and shortly afterwards enlisted as a private in Battery H, when it was stationed near Fort Tracy at Petersburg, March 7, 1865. In the battles before Petersburg, and also at Sailor’s Creek, he displayed good conduct in action, and was finally mustered out with his battery June 28, 1865.

Comrade Tasker is a member of Slocum Post, No. 10, of Providence, and is also a member of Farragut Naval Association, having served as lieutenant, lieutenant-commander, and commander in that association. He is connected with Battery H Veteran Association. He is now a resident of Rehoboth, Mass., having purchased the Bowen farm, and is therefore a respected tiller of the soil, honored and respected in the community.

CHARLES D. VAUGHN.

CHARLES D. VAUGHN, son of John and Catherine (Danforth) Vaughn, was born in Providence, R. I., July 17, 1836. He attended the public schools of that city in his youth. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted as a private in Company C, First Rhode Island Detached Militia, May 2, 1861. He participated with his regiment in the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, Aug. 2, 1861. He enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Feb. 23, 1864, and served with credit in the battery until its muster out of service, June 28, 1865.

ALBERT WELLS.

ALBERT WELLS, son of Silas and Mary (Bowen) Wells, was born in Exeter, R. I., March 21, 1830. He attended the public schools of this place in his youth, also those in River Point and West Greenwich, R. I. His parents removing to Sterling, Conn., he attended school there, working a portion of the time in the Valentine mill in that town. His parents subsequently removed to Central Village, Plainfield, Conn., in 1847, and afterwards, in 1848, to Griswold, Conn., where he worked in Doane’s mill.

In 1849 Albert left home and went to Crompton to work in the machine shop in that place. In 1851 he married Almira O. Johnson, and subsequently went to West Greenwich where he worked on a farm, and afterwards engaged as a contractor for ship timber for Dexter Irons. In 1855 he took a contract for supplying ties for the Providence, Hartford and Fishkill Railroad Company. In 1857 he was a contractor for ship timber with the United States government.

Comrade Wells enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 5, 1862, and served honorably with the battery until its muster out of service June 28, 1865.

Shortly after his return to Rhode Island he worked for a while in the Liberty factory in West Greenwich, R. I. In 1866 he built a small shingle mill in that place, and was afterwards engaged in furnishing wood supplies for woolen mills. In 1877 he built a large mill farther up the stream for the same purpose. In 1882 he removed to Providence, R. I., and was employed in the Rhode Island Locomotive Works, remaining there until 1889, when he engaged in the carriage business for himself for one year, and then went to work in the repair shop of the Union Railroad Company, where he has remained until the present time (1894).

Comrade Wells is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, of Providence, and is also connected with Battery H Veteran Association.

HENRY A. ALEXANDER.

HENRY A. ALEXANDER, son of James A. and Jerusha M. (Skinner) Alexander, was born in Foxboro, Mass., on the 20th day of January, 1824. He attended the district school of that town in his youth, and subsequently attended school in Natick, Mass. He afterwards learned the business of a rubber worker, which calling he still follows.

He enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 25, 1862, and was mustered into service Oct. 14, 1862. Owing to failing health he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps Sept. 30, 1863. On his return from the army he located in his native town (Foxboro), and is an honored member of E. P. Carpenter Post, No. 91, of the Department of Massachusetts, Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member of Fair Oaks Commandery No. 20, of Natick, Mass. He is also connected with Battery H Veteran Association.

HORACE C. BRIGGS.

HORACE C. BRIGGS, son of Silas and Robey Briggs, was born in the town of Pittsfield, Oswego County, State of New York, on the 12th day of May, 1829. His grandfather, Joseph Briggs, served in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. During his youth the subject of our sketch attended the district school in his native town.

Comrade Briggs enlisted in Battery H, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Sept. 9, 1862. During a portion of his term of service he was on detached duty as an orderly for Lieut.-Col. J. Albert Monroe, of the First Rhode Island Light Artillery, who was chief of artillery of the Second Army Corps. He was mustered out of service with his battery at Providence, R. I., June 28, 1865.

Comrade Briggs is a member of E. B. Piper Post, No. 157, Department of Massachusetts. He has served as junior and senior vice commander of his post, and is held in high esteem by his fellow townsmen of Walpole, Mass., where he now resides. He is also a member of Battery H Veteran Association.

ROSTER.

Captains.

CHARLES H. J. HAMLIN. First lieutenant and quartermaster, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery, Oct. 3, 1861; promoted to captain, Battery
H, May 16, 1862; never mustered; resigned, Sept. 27, 1862.

JEFFREY HAZARD. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; second lieutenant, Battery A,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 5, 1861; promoted to
first lieutenant and regimental adjutant; captain, Battery H, Oct.
1, 1862; resigned, Aug. 17, 1863.

CRAWFORD ALLEN, JR. Mustered Oct. 1, 1863; second lieutenant, Battery
G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Nov. 7, 1861; first
lieutenant, Nov. 18, 1862; wounded May 3, 1863, at Fredericksburg;
appointed regimental adjutant; acting adjutant-general, Artillery
Brigade, Sixth Corps; captain, Battery H, Sept. 30, 1863; brevet
major, April 2, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service before
Petersburg, Va.; brevet lieutenant-colonel, June 12, 1865;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

First Lieutenants.

CLEMENT WEBSTER. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; resigned Feb. 7, 1863.

CHARLES F. MASON. Mustered Oct. 15, 1862; second lieutenant, Battery
A, First R. I. Light Artillery, Dec. 24, 1861; first lieutenant,
Oct. 1, 1862; transferred to Battery H, Oct. 15, 1862;
subsequently appointed aide on Colonel Tompkins’s staff; resigned
April 21, 1864.

GEORGE W. BLAIR. Mustered Feb. 6, 1863; private, First Rhode Island
Light Battery, May 2, 1861; discharged Aug. 6, 1861; sergeant,
Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861;
first sergeant, Dec. 2, 1861; discharged Feb. 6, 1863; first
lieutenant, Battery I, to date from Feb. 2, 1863; battery never
organized; first lieutenant, Battery H, April 23, 1863; resigned
April 29, 1864.

WALTER M. KNIGHT. Mustered April 8, 1863; quartermaster-sergeant,
Battery F, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 29, 1861;
second lieutenant, Battery H, March 11, 1863; first lieutenant,
April 22, 1864; brevet captain, April 2, 1865, for gallant and
meritorious services before Petersburg, Va.; mustered out of
service, June 28, 1865.

ALLEN HOAR. Mustered Aug. 24, 1864; private, Battery G, First Rhode
Island Light Artillery, Dec. 2, 1861; sergeant, June 9, 1862;
wounded slightly Sept. 17, 1862, at battle of Antietam, Va.;
second lieutenant, May 14, 1863; first lieutenant, Battery H, Aug.
17, 1864; mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.

KIRBY STEINHAUER. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant, Battery G, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Dec. 2, 1861; second lieutenant,
Battery H, June 4, 1862; first lieutenant, Battery D, Feb. 8,
1863; resigned April 19, 1864, on account of disability.

ELMER L. CORTHELL. Mustered about Oct. 30, 1862; private, Battery A,
First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; transferred to
Battery F, Oct. 31, 1861; sergeant, Oct. 31, 1861; second
lieutenant, Battery H, Oct. 11, 1862; first lieutenant, Battery G,
Nov. 6, 1863; captain, Battery D, Oct. 21, 1864; mustered out of
service July 17, 1865.

WALTER M. KNIGHT. See first lieutenant.

BENJAMIN H. CHILD. Mustered Jan. 8, 1864; private, Battery A, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; slightly wounded July
21, 1861, at battle of Bull Run; corporal, July 16, 1863; wounded
slightly in head at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; sergeant,
Sept. 12, 1862; wounded severely in shoulder at battle of
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; second lieutenant, Battery H, Nov. 6,
1863; mustered Jan. 8, 1864; resigned Nov. 23, 1864, on account of
wounds.

SAMUEL G. COLWELL. Mustered Nov. 11, 1863; sergeant, Battery H, Oct.
14, 1862; second lieutenant, Nov. 6, 1863; transferred to Battery
A, Nov. 14, 1863; resigned April 15, 1864, for physical
disability.

ANTHONY B. HORTON. Mustered Dec. 20, 1864; private, Battery B, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861; corporal, March 25,
1862; sergeant, Dec. 1, 1862; re-enlisted, Feb. 8, 1864; first
sergeant, Oct. 3, 1864; discharged, Dec. 19, 1864; second
lieutenant, Battery H, to date from Nov. 29, 1864; mustered, Dec.
20, 1864; brevet first lieutenant, April 2, 1865, for gallant and
meritorious services before Petersburg, Va.; mustered out of
service June 28, 1865.

WILLIAM B. WESTCOTT. Mustered May 1, 1864; private, Battery G, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, Dec. 2, 1861; sergeant, Dec. 2,
1861; quartermaster-sergeant, June 9, 1862; second-lieutenant,
Battery H, April 26, 1864; first lieutenant, Battery B, March 2,
1865; mustered out of service June 12, 1865.

GEORGE LEWIS. Enlisted as private in Battery E, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, Sept. 24, 1861; mustered Sept. 30, 1861; wounded
slightly May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.; 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 Oct. 4; second lieutenant, March 31, 1865; assigned to
Battery H, May 29, 1865; never reported or mustered as such;
mustered out June 14, 1865.

First Sergeants.

GEORGE MESSINGER. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; private, Battery A, First
Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; transferred and
promoted to first sergeant, Battery H, July 8, 1862; appointed
company clerk; reënlisted Jan. 4, 1864; mustered out of service
June 28, 1865.

JACOB B. LEWIS. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant, Battery
B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861; discharged
Dec. 11, 1861; first sergeant, Battery H, Oct. 14, 1862; mustered
out, June 28, 1865.

CHARLES E. BONN. Mustered as corporal, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant; first
sergeant; second lieutenant, Battery D, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, April 26, 1864; first lieutenant, April 3, 1865;
breveted captain; mustered out of service July 17, 1865.

JOHN EVANS. Mustered as private, Jan. 6, 1863; first sergeant;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

JOHN P. CAMPBELL, 1ST. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal;
sergeant; first sergeant in December, 1864; mustered out as such
June 28, 1865.

Quartermaster-Sergeants.

JENCKES B. STEVENS. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; mustered out of service
June 28, 1865.

HEZEKIAH POTTER. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862;
quartermaster-sergeant, March 28, 1864; second lieutenant, Battery
E, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Oct. 21, 1864; mustered
Nov. 11, 1864; first lieutenant, June 12, 1865; mustered out of
service June 14, 1865.

ALBERT F. ALLEN. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862;
quartermaster-sergeant, Oct. 21, 1864; mustered out of service
June 28, 1865.

Sergeants.

THOMAS W. SAYLES. Mustered as private, Battery A, First Rhode Island
Light Artillery, June 6, 1861; transferred to Battery H and
appointed sergeant, Aug. 21, 1862; first lieutenant, Troop D,
Third Rhode Island Cavalry, Dec. 16, 1863; captain, Troop H, Dec.
26, 1864; mustered out of service Nov. 29, 1865.

SAMUEL G. COLWELL. See second lieutenant.

GEORGE P. CARPENTER. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862; died in
hospital at camp near Fairfax Station, Va., March 1, 1863.

FRANKLIN P. BURLINGAME. Mustered as sergeant, Oct. 14, 1862;
subsequently ordered on detached service in adjutant-general’s
office, war department, Washington, D. C., remaining there until
June 28, 1865, when he was appointed to a clerkship in
adjutant-general’s office.

CHARLES DE WOLF GIBSON. Mustered Oct. 14, 1862; promoted to sergeant
in November, 1862; discharged from battery Nov. 2, 1863, to
receive promotion as second lieutenant, Fourteenth Rhode Island
Heavy Artillery (colored). Never mustered as such.

ALFRED M. TAYLOR. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant; first
lieutenant, Company I, Fourteenth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery
(colored), March 9, 1864; dismissed the service, Dec. 29, 1864.

ESEK S. OWEN. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; corporal, August,
1862; sergeant in 1864; wounded slightly in action near
Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865; mustered out of service June 28,
1865.

BENJAMIN CARTER. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

THOMAS SMITH. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant; mustered
out of service June 28, 1865.

GARDNER L. BENNETT. Mustered as private, Oct. 14, 1862; sergeant;
mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

APOLLOS SEEKELL. Veteran; mustered as private in Battery H, Feb. 9,
1864; sergeant; mustered out of service June 28, 1865.