[Written by James B. Smith, Member of the Company.]

The raising of Company C was unique, and in a sense highly sensational and dramatic. The President’s call for three hundred thousand men made it necessary for Fall River to furnish two hundred recruits; this in a manufacturing city of fifteen thousand with the cotton business booming was not an easy task. The question was asked, “How are we to persuade men to leave their lucrative employment and become soldiers?” But the “Fathers of the City,” rising to the occasion, called a mass meeting in City Hall, Aug. 13, 1862, where inspiring and patriotic speeches were made by several of the leading men of the city, among whom was Elihu Grant.

After the speech-making a call was made for volunteers. A great silence pervaded the meeting, and no one moved until a young man ascended the platform, and throwing his hat vehemently upon the floor shouted, “I will volunteer to go to war.” This so electrified the people that before the close of the meeting more than enough for one company had put their names on the roll of volunteers. The young man who said “I will volunteer to go to war” (according to the best authority at hand) was William Deplitch, the first man wounded in battle. So high ran the fever of enlistment that another company was started and raised in a few days. These two companies are known in local and military history as Companies C and D, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Nine Months’ Men. They were attached to the Third Regiment, and served with the same in North Carolina during its campaign.

At the election of officers for Company C (as was anticipated) Elihu Grant was elected captain, and, being a West Point graduate, he was eminently fitted for that position. Benjamin A. Shaw was elected first lieutenant, and Charles D. Copeland second lieutenant. The choice of officers was well made, and the company were pleased with their selection. Be it remembered that at this time the Governor of Massachusetts, John A. Andrews, instead of appointing the officers left it to the company to elect their own officers. Captain Grant was a kind-hearted, considerate man, with high ideas of military discipline; those men who obeyed the letter and spirit of the law were treated accordingly, and those who disobeyed were punished according to military law and usages. Captain Grant could not look with any degree of leniency on disobedience to orders. He was the pronounced enemy of liquor drinking in any form or by any one; so the transgressors on these lines received condign punishment. No doubt that the captain’s zeal like David of old, sometimes “eat him up;” but he was a true friend to every man in his company and sought their well being. No man of Company C could say that he did not have his full share of rations in food and clothing.

Lieutenants Shaw and Copeland were God’s noblemen. They were true and kind to the men, and were greatly beloved by both officers and men in the regiment. They were always in their places with the company on the march and in battle. They took a great interest in the company, visiting the sick in tent and hospital.

The non-commissioned officers were a good set of fellows from the orderly sergeant to the eighth corporal. Indeed, the whole company was made up of good men who were ever ready to obey orders, to go anywhere and to do anything reasonable; but, like all other men, they liked a little fun when not on duty. I never knew one of them to shirk duty, or fall out just before going into battle.

At a meeting for drill in Fall River on the 17th of September, 1862, an order was read for Company C to report for duty at Camp Joe Hooker, and the following day the company went into camp at Lakeville, Mass., as a part of the Third Regiment. The company was assigned to a barrack on the extreme right of the regiment, and, like all the other companies coming into camp, they did their part to make the first night in camp memorable by songs and speech-making until early the next morning, when tired nature asserted her right and there was silence until reveille.

September 23d, Company C with the other companies of the regiment, were mustered into the service of the United States for nine months. On Saturday, the 27th, the whole company was given a furlough until the following Monday, when it returned to camp. The men were then uniformed and at once commenced the various duties of camp life to prepare themselves for the more serious duties of soldiers on Southern soil.

Company C, like all the other companies, was from time to time on special detached service; with these exceptions the history of the company is the history of the regiment.

At the expiration of the service Company C, with Company D, returned to Fall River, where they received an ovation, and all were glad that they had served their country in her time of need and were at home again with their friends. As the corrected history will indicate, quite a number re-enlisted for the second, and some for the third time.

Corrected Roster of Company C.

Elihu Grant, Captain; 42; Fall River. The preacher; the soldier; the man of affairs. A Westerner by birth, an Easterner by practice. He was first known in Fall River as a popular preacher, where he ably served several churches. Later he became one of the firm of Flint, Grant & Nichols. Tin, Crockery and Furniture Dealers. He graduated from West Point and also from one of the Western colleges. He was a bookkeeper, agent for soldiers and sailors, probation officer for the Second District Court, a member of the School Board, and a member of the G. A. R. He was a Free Mason and belonged to several other mystic orders. He married Amanda Gifford, of Westport, for his first wife, and Mary Read, of the same town, for his second wife. His death occurred at New Bedford, March 13, 1897, at the ripe age of seventy-five years, and was caused by his being thrown from his carriage at Westport Harbor, Mass. One daughter and three sons, fifteen grand and eight great grandchildren survive him.

Benjamin A. Shaw, First Lieutenant; 30; Fall River. He served his full term of enlistment and was mustered out with the regiment. He was commissioned in the Second Heavy Artillery, went with the company to Portsmouth, Va., and died there July 26, 1864. His grandfather was in the Revolutionary War, and his father was a soldier in the War of 1812.

Charles D. Copeland, Second Lieutenant; 33; Fall River. A patriotic soldier; a model officer. His son is a doctor of medicine and resides in Bridgewater, Mass. He has one son and two daughters living.

Alphonso Borden, First Sergeant; 30; Fall River. He was discharged for disability March 27, 1863. He died in Fall River, being run over by a fire engine. A widow survives him, living on Rock Street, Fall River.

Charles G. Remington, Sergeant; 25; Fall River. He was mustered out with the regiment, came home, and after a while went West. Nothing can be learned of his present residence. He is supposed to be living in the West.

Isaac L. Hart, Sergeant; 41; Fall River. He was for years a prominent manufacturer. He was superintendent of Seaconnet Mills for many years. He died Dec. 20, 1886. Two sons survive him.

J. E. Cunneene, Sergeant; 30; Fall River. A prominent manufacturer; superintendent of cotton mills in Fall River; a good soldier; a good citizen, and a good friend.

Lester Lamson, Sergeant; 22; Fall River. He resides in Paris, France, where he acts as an artist in portrait painting and practices medicine as occasion may require.

E. F. Manchester, Sergeant; 20; Westport. A soldier, a patriot, a true man in everything and everywhere. He was engaged in business in Fall River several years. He moved to Portsmouth, R. I., where he died after a lingering sickness. A widow and several children survive him.

Thomas Wiseman, Corporal; 25; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Fifth Unattached Company, Heavy Artillery. He resides in Fall River and is janitor of the post office and custom house in that city.

Nathaniel Ford, Corporal; 23; Fall River. A contractor and builder. Resides in Fall River.

Robert C. Negus, Corporal; 32; Fall River. Both before the War and after he followed a seafaring life in a whaling ship. He died in Fall River several years ago.

Robert Fielden, Corporal; 26; Fall River. For several years he was engaged in the mill business. He retired from active business and lives in Swansea.

Frederick A. Norton, Corporal; 18; Fall River. He resides in Fall River and is clerk in the city office, street department.

Samuel F. Durfee, Corporal; 28; Fall River. He resides in Fall River. He carries on the teaming business and is janitor of the G. A. R. Hall.

James McGuire, Corporal; 31; Fall River. Died several years ago.

George G. Grush, Corporal; 20; Fall River. In the employ of the Bell Telephone Company (long distance). A very busy man when on duty; a genial companion when off duty. He resides in Fall River.

Charles S. Weaver, Wagoner; 20; Fall River. He went West; since then nothing has been heard of him.

Privates.

Althan, George; 18; Fall River. Dead.

Andrews, Thomas; 44; Westport. Dead.

Austin, Francis S.; 30; Fall River. He resides in Fall River, where for many years he was boss machinist. He retired from business in good circumstances. He has two sons and three daughters living.

Borden, Stephen B.; 23; Fall River. Dead.

Butler, James; 32; Fall River. Died at Soldiers Home, Togus, Maine, July 10, 1904.

Baker, Abram H.; 18; Westport. He went to California and is supposed to be living.

Bucklin, George W.; 37; Fall River. Dead.

Brayton, Stephen F.; 21; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Bowers, Joseph; 21; Fall River. A machinist for M. C. D. Borden.

Bohan, James; 22; Fall River. Resides in Providence, R. I.

Borden, John A.; 21; Fall River. Nothing known of him since the war.

Bradbury, William; 18; Fall River. Resides in Providence, R. I. He is an efficient member of the police force of that city. Is a comrade of Slocum Post, No. 10, G. A. R., and past grand of Westminster Lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F. A fluent speaker and earnest worker in the Order.

Brow, Frank E.; 16; Fall River. He went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he is supposed to be living.

Clark, Henry; 36; Fall River. Died a long time ago.

Clarkson, Edwin; 18; Fall River. Resides in Central Falls, R. I.

Coggeshall, Edward D.; 25; Fall River. A blacksmith, Jamestown, N. Y.

Caswell, Thomas N.; 32; Fall River. Dead.

Cook, Charles H.; 25; Fall River. He resides in Fall River and is janitor of the Veteran Firemen’s Building.

Chase, George N.; 23; Fall River. Dead.

Crapo, Francis H.; 22; Fall River. Died in Chicago years ago.

Caldwell, William; 30; Fall River. A farmer, living just out of Fall River.

Cameron, John A.; 18; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Cash, William; 35; Fall River. Resides in Fall River. He was company bugler.

Crowley, Patrick; 40; Westport. Resides in Fall River.

Crighton, Thomas J.; 18. He re-enlisted Aug. 17, 1864, and was discharged July 27, 1865. He was on detached service as aid to surgeon-general. He resides in Fall River and is foreman of a brass foundry there.

Davol, John; 40; Fall River. Fife major of regiment. Died in Taunton, April 20, 1904.

Davol, John N.; 18; Fall River. Drum major of regiment. John N. was the son of John Davol. There is a story current that one day there was a little difference between father and son, the son saying that being drum major, he outranked him (the father), whereupon the father retorted that he was his father and would give him (the son) a sound licking, which he did, after which harmony reigned between father and son.

For many years after the war John Davol was in the clothing business in Fall River and John N., his son, was in company with him. The last named died in the Soldiers Home, Togus, Maine, Oct. 24, 1904.

Delmage, James L.; 29; Fall River. He lives on a farm in Swansea, where he is spending his remaining days in the quiet of a well-earned rest.

Dixon, James; 30; Fall River. Dead.

Dolman, Joseph; 43; Fall River. Dead.

Darling, John A.; 29; Fall River. He was for years a sailor on a coasting vessel, then a carpenter, and later a grocer. He was a member of the G. A. R. He died in January, 1896, leaving a widow, one daughter and three sons.

Davis, John R.; 19; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Deplitch, William; 35; Fall River. He was discharged May 27, 1863, on account of wounds received in the Battle of Goldsboro, N. C., Dec. 17, 1862. For years he held a good position in Washington in one of the Government Buildings, receiving a good salary. He died in Fall River, Nov. 14, 1882.

Eaton, Josiah J.; 24; Westport. He died in 1902 or 3, leaving a widow and one daughter.

Fiske, Benjamin S.; 21; Fall River. Nothing known of him since he was mustered out.

Fitzgibbons, Thomas; 43; Fall River. Dead.

Graham, William; 26; Fall River. Dead.

Gilbert, Thomas; 26; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Twenty-first Unattached Company. He died Oct. 7, 1904.

Grant, George A.; 20; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Company D, Sixtieth Massachusetts. He resides in Brockton, a prominent man of the city, chairman of the board of assessors for several years, a man of affairs with an honorable record.

Green, Dennis; 18; Westport. Dead.

Horsman, John; 22; Fall River. Dead.

Horsman, Francis; 44; Fall River. He was for many years a gardener and a mill hand. He resides in Fall River and is hale and hearty at the age of eighty-seven.

Hill, Joseph; 38; Fall River. Died in Bristol, R. I.

Irving, Eli; 22; Fall River. A painter. Resides in Fall River.

Jennings, Thomas J.; 21; Fall River. Dead.

Jennings, Cornelius D.; 35; Fall River. Supposed to be dead.

Kenney, Thomas; 27; Fall River. For many years a mill hand; now retired.

Lawrence, James; 27; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Twenty-first Unattached Company Heavy Artillery. He resides in Fall River and is a collector for the Singer Sewing Machine Company.

Lawton, David; 26; Fall River. Agent for the Providence Steamboat Company for many years. Dead.

Lewis, William H.; 34; Fall River. Dead.

Lord, George; 27; Fall River. Dead.

Lock, John B.; 18; Fall River. Supposed to be living out West.

Monroe, Albert F.; 18; Fall River. A popular artist of Fall River. Residence, 181 Elm St.

McKinnon, Thomas; 28; Fall River. Dead.

Murphy, Dennis B.; 36; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Malone, Henry; 21; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Mallison, John; 30; Fall River. Unknown.

Martin, George; 40; Fall River. Dead.

Martin, Peter; 26; Westport. Resides in Fall River.

Mars, Reuben; 19; Fall River. Fell from a team in New York and was killed.

Nary, James; 28; Fall River. Dead.

Newman, William; 28; Fall River. Dead.

Peckham, William W.; 22; Fall River. Re-enlisted and was killed in the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia.

Peckham, Peleg H.; 29; Fall River. Boss painter in Fall River.

Phelan, John; 25; Fall River. Dead.

Pell, Jabish; 25; Fall River. Died in New Bedford, 1903.

Packard, William H.; 26; Fall River. He carried on the blacksmithing business in Fall River for many years. Dead.

Platt, Edward; 35; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Read, John P.; 19; Fall River. Died of typhoid fever in 1863.

Regan, Timothy; 18; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Regan, Morty; 23; Fall River. Dead.

Smithson, John; 18; Fall River. Resides in Fall River.

Smith, Lafayette; 27; Fall River. Dead.

Sharples, Lawrence; 20; Fall River. Dead.

Sidley, John P.; 25; Fall River. Re-enlisted in Fifty-eighth Regiment. Resides in Fall River.

Smith, James B.; 23; Fall River. A stirring business man; writer of history of Company C. Resides in Providence, R. I.

Terry, Edward P.; 21; Fall River. Resides in Somerset, Mass.

Thackray, William; 38; Fall River. Re-enlisted in Fifth Unattached Company, Heavy Artillery. Retired from all business and resides in Fall River.

Tracy, William; 38; Fall River. Resides in Fall River. He believes he can outrun any boy of his age. He is now 82 years old.

Taylor, John; 36; Fall River. Discharged for disability, March 2, 1863. Died in Fall River.

Walker, James; 18; Fall River. Driver for Fire Engine, No. 7. Resides in Fall River.

Wallace, Richard D.; 28; Fall River. Dead.

Waite, Ishmael; 36; Fall River. Painter. Resides in Fall River.