Company D, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. [The following historical sketch of Company D, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (a nine months’ campaign during the War of the Rebellion), was prepared by Capt. Andrew R. Wright, and read by him at the reunion of the Third Regiment, held at Lincoln Park, Mass.] In the month of August, 1862, a call was made by the President of the United States for three hundred thousand troops to aid in suppressing the rebellion then still existing, and to serve for a term of nine months, or during the war. In compliance with that call the Commonwealth of Massachusetts proceeded to mobilize the militia of the State, by reorganizing the old regiments not then in the field, and by forming a number of new regiments for service under that call. Among the old regiments included in that call was the Third, which was located in the Old Colony district. Company D of this regiment was recruited up to the maximum, one hundred and one men, as required at that time by the laws of the United States governing the service in time of war. The company was composed of Capt. ANDREW R. WRIGHT. On the 23d of September, 1862, the company was mustered into the United States service by a regular army officer; the company was paraded in two ranks, the ranks were opened and the front rank faced the rear; the mustering officer, having the muster roll, passed between the ranks from left to right critically examining each man as he came be Sergeants: Samuel B. Hinckley, First; Francis McGraw, Almanzor S. Elsbree, James Holt, Thomas A. Austin. Corporals: Ashael M. Borden, Cornelius Kelley, Jr., Philip Chase, Charles E. Slade, William H. Wright, William H. Monroe, Sierra L. Braley, Charles F. Tripp. After the muster the company was furloughed for one week that they might make a last visit to friends before leaving for the front. At the expiration of the furlough all returned to camp except two; one of whom deserted the service, the other was returned to the company by the provost guard after they reached Newbern. After all preparations had been made the company had orders to break camp and proceed to Newbern, N. C., via Bos From this time forward until early in the month of December, 1862, the company was engaged in the regular camp and garrison duty, among which were company, battalion, and brigade drills. To vary the monotony of camp life somewhat, the company with Company C were detailed for picket duty on the railroad between Newbern and Beaufort, occupying a deserted rebel cavalry camp. The company remained there two weeks and then returned to Newbern. On the evening of December 10, 1862, after dress parade, the colonel commanding gave orders to prepare three days’ cooked rations, and, upon the following day, to issue the same to the men, and also to see that they were provided with serviceable shoes and two pairs of new socks for each man, that forty rounds of ammunition be supplied each cartridge box, that the trunks of all officers and the knapsacks of enlisted men be packed with all necessary articles and made ready for the wagoners who would take them on the following afternoon. All these unusual orders could mean but one thing, and On the 14th occurred the battle of Kinston, and the company being in line of battle for the first time, it was attached to the brigade commanded by Colonel Lee of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment, and was on the extreme left of the line, it being in close proximity to a field hospital. The The next morning the company with the rest of the troops evacuated the town and took up the line of march toward Whitehall, which was reached the following day in the afternoon. Here a fierce ar The brigade to which the Third Massachusetts Regiment and Company D was attached, passed around the base of a hill in the rear of the line of battle (but well within range of the enemy’s sharpshooters, as the singing of their rifle bullets passing just above the heads of the company so eloquently testified) to the right of the position held by the enemy, and which they evacuated that night. The company bivouacked the same night upon a sandy plain on the edge of a forest, with hungry stomachs and empty haversacks; but they were very fortunate in finding the commissary wagons that night and securing a fifty-pound box of hardtack and a few pounds of mixed coffee and sugar, which proved a very welcome supper. On the next day, the 17th of December, the company met the enemy; the brigade to which the regiment was attached being upon the right of the column, found itself in the immediate vicinity of the enemy early in the forenoon, the skirmishers driving in their pickets and developing their position near a bridge on the Wilmington and Welden Rail When preparing to leave the field an alarm was made that the enemy had rallied, reformed their lines, and were about to make an attack. The alarm proved to be correct, our lines were hastily reformed to resist such attack. It was at this time that the company first met the enemy face to face, as they came down the railroad embankment like a swarm of immense gray ants. They formed line of battle in the open fields as on parade, and started with a yell to make a charge upon the Union lines some three hundred yards in their front. These lines were composed of troops of which Company D Sections of the New York Artillery and Belger’s Rhode Island battery of Parrott guns were rapidly placed in position in the immediate front of the infantry lines formed to resist the charge of the enemy, and hurled such terrible charges of grape and canister into the faces of the enemy that no human courage could withstand, and, before more than half the distance that separated the contending lines had been traversed, the enemy’s lines were broken, and those of the enemy who were able to do so sought shelter in the thick woods on their left, followed by showers of bullets from the rifles of the infantry. While this scene was terribly exciting, so far as known not a man left the ranks of Company D, with the exception of one man slightly wounded by a fragment of an exploded shell. This action ended the active hostilities of this expedition of the Eighteenth Army Corps into the enemy’s country. It failed of its co-operative purpose, as the Army of the Potomac had been disastrously defeated at Fredericksburg a short time previous, thus enabling the commander of the Confederate forces to reinforce at any point. The expe An inspiring sight gladdened the hearts of the company when approaching Newbern on the return from the expedition, in the appearance of the Stars and Stripes floating in the air from the flagstaff on Fort Totten; it seemed to welcome the column home from the dangers and hardships it had endured in its defence. The company went into its old quarters at Camp Richmond, and the regular routine of camp duty commenced. The trunks and knapsacks were again returned by the wagoners, and the company were housekeeping comfortably once more. Nothing of great interest occurred until early in the year of 1863, the company in the meantime participating with the regiment in two or three marches into the enemy’s country, but with no apparent results. In the late winter or early spring of 1863 the enemy made a reconnoissance in force along the whole line of the department, and seemed determined to make an assault upon Newbern from the left flank of the About this time a number of regiments returned to the department from South Carolina, where they had been sent some months before to re-enforce General Hunter in his operations against the rebel position in and about Fort Sumter and the approaches to Charleston. About the time that these troops returned to the department General Foster bravely succeeded in running the blockade at Little Washington, and suddenly appeared at Newbern. Affairs quickly assumed a different aspect. He immediately organized two expeditions, one to reach the rear of the rebel position that was besieging Little Washington, the other to make a demonstration on Kinston. Company D was attached to the latter column, and with the rest of the troops was transported by train to Batchelder’s Creek, the ex In the early spring an order was received by the commanding officer of Company D from regimental headquarters to report to General Wessels, then in temporary command of the department, for instruction in some special duty. The officer so ordered immediately reported, and, in the interview with the general, the officer was told that information had been received that the enemy were preparing to erect fortifications at a locality some twelve or fourteen miles below Newbern, on the northerly bank of the Neuse river, and known as Wilkinson’s Point, for the purpose of blockading the river, thus closing this very important line of water communication by which the department received a very large part of its supplies of all kinds. He then gave the following order, “You will take with your The officer, after receiving these instructions, was dismissed by the general with the significant remark that “this duty may be a pleasant excursion, or it may prove to be a very serious matter. Let us hope that it will turn out to be the former.” The captain immediately returned to the regimental camp and the detachment was fully prepared that night. It was off bright and early the next morning; the point was reached in due time, but no signs of the enemy were seen. A detail of twenty-five men and sergeants, under the command of Lieutenant McFarland, was landed from the steamer and spent several hours seeking for knowledge of the enemy, but none was obtained and the detail was re-embarked and the steamer and detachment returned to Newbern the same day, the detail Sometime in the month of May Company D with E and F companies was detailed for a tour of two weeks’ picket duty at Deep Gully, at the extreme front of this department. Nothing of moment occurred during the time occupied in this duty. At the expiration of two weeks the detail returned to camp at Newbern. The term of service was now drawing near its close. Quite naturally the members of the company were impatient to return to the dear friends at home. In due time the order came to break camp and proceed to Boston. All camp and garrison equipage was collected and turned over to an officer detailed from general headquarters to receive it. All articles belonging to the company not otherwise needed was distributed to the comrades of other regiments in the department. Early in June the regiment paraded in heavy marching order and marched out of the camp, where, upon the whole, so many pleasant days had been passed, and lasting friendships had been formed. The regiment marched through the town and gayly gave a marching salute to the brigade Corrected Roster of Company D.[Written by Comrade Vernon Wade.] [The first figures indicate age at enlistment: the city and town, the place of enlistment.] Andrew R. Wright, Captain; 30; Fall River. Attended Fall River schools. Learned the trade of a machinist. In 1853 went to California, where he remained four years. On his return to Fall River worked at his trade. A man of staunch character. Organized Company D, which was attached to Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and was with his company during the North Carolina campaign; participated in all the battles of the regiment and was mustered out of the same. Returned to Fall River. Worked four years at his trade in Providence, again returned to Fall River, and was associated with A. G. Thurston in mechanical business. Was City Marshal of Fall River nine years. Was elected high sheriff of Bristol County, which office he held eighteen years. Keeper also of Taunton jail. Died in Fall River, July 3, 1899, leaving a widow and two children. Was a member of Mount Hope Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Richard Borden Thomas McFarland, First Lieutenant; 36; Fall River. Born in Scotland, 1826. Came to Fall River and worked in one of the cotton mills. Enlisted in Company D, and was elected first lieutenant in same, served with his company through the nine months’ campaign. Re-enlisted and was promoted captain of Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. Killed at battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, leaving a widow and two children. George Reynolds, Jr., Second Lieutenant; 24; Fall River. He was a faithful officer and a true friend to every man in the Company. He is engaged in the wholesale fish business in Fall River and lives in Tiverton, R. I. He is a great admirer of horses and but few can tell all the points of a good blooded horse better than George. Samuel B. Hinckly, First Sergeant; 30; Fall River. He re-enlisted and was promoted captain of Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment, where he proved himself a brave, discreet officer, who won the con Almanza S. Elsbree, Sergeant; 28; Fall River. For many years after the war he had charge of a stationary engine. He died Dec. 26, 1893, respected by a large circle of friends, leaving a widow and two children. Frank McGraw, Sergeant; 30; Fall River. He was born in Ireland and came to America a strong, vigorous youth. He enlisted in Company D, Sept. 23, 1862; served in the nine months’ campaign, and was mustered out with the regiment. He re-enlisted in 1864 and was detailed in the signal corps with Sherman, marching with him to the sea. After the war for many years he was in business in Fall River, where he was highly respected. He was appointed inspector of the Fall River police force. He died in Fall River, May 26, 1892, leaving three children. By request Rev. J. G. Gammons conducted James Holt, Sergeant; 24; Fall River. He was taken sick with typhoid fever in Newbern and carried to the hospital, from which he was discharged and returned to the company. He died April 30, 1869. A widow and two sons survive him. Thomas Austin; age, 26; Fall River. Unknown. Ashiel M. Borden, Corporal; 24; Fall River. He was a good, true soldier, served his time of enlistment, and was discharged with the regiment. He died Aug. 9, 1871, leaving a widow and four children. The widow was burned to death several years ago; two children are now living. Cornelius Kelley, Jr., Corporal; 31; Fall River. Died several years ago. Philip Chase, Corporal; 28; Fall River. He was a member of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment Charles E. Slade, Corporal; 26; Fall River. He was taken sick and sent to the Stanley Hospital, Newbern, soon after he arrived there. When sufficiently recovered he was detailed as nurse. He returned home with the regiment and mustered out with the same. After the war he went into business. He was elected superintendent of Grant Mill in Fall River, a position which he filled to the satisfaction of the corporation. He died Feb. 8, 1895. He left a son who resides in Providence, R. I., and a daughter who is the wife of George W. Bliss, a grocer in Fall River. William H. Wright, Corporal; 26; Westport. He re-enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteers. He wore a medal which had been presented to him by Queen Victoria. He was a prisoner of war and was confined in Salisbury Prison, North Carolina, Jan. 23, 1865. William H. Monroe, Corporal; 22; Fall River. He was also lieutenant in the Sixtieth Massachu Sierra L. Braley, Corporal; 19; Fall River. He re-enlisted Dec. 11, 1863, as sergeant, Battery L, Heavy Artillery. He was promoted to second lieutenant, April 16, 1865. He was lieutenant United States Colored Troops, June 3, 1865. He was first lieutenant of Company D, State Militia in 1866, and captain in 1868. He was quartermaster of the Third Battery, Sept. 1, 1876. He was captain of Company M, Dec. 17, 1878, and resigned Jan. 1, 1879. He was bookkeeper for George E. Hoar until his death, which occurred Feb. 27, 1901, in Fall River. A widow and one daughter survive him, living in Fall River. Charles P. Tripp, Corporal; 21; Westport. He is by trade a carpenter. He served during the nine months’ campaign. He was badly injured while tearing up the railroad track at the battle of Goldsboro. He came home and was mustered out with the regiment. He was a contractor and builder for many years in Fall River. He served five terms as Edwin J. Dyer, Musician; 18; Fall River. He re-enlisted twice and was for a time in the commissary department. After muster out he went into the machinery business. He was a clothier, a mercantile agent, and is now president of a life insurance company. He is a member of Post No. 2, G. A. R., Boston. He resides in Dorchester, Mass. Charles C. Borden, Musician; 17; Fall River. Unknown. Valentine Perry, Wagoner; 39; Fall River. Died Jan. 19, 1901. Privates. Ash, Thomas; 20; Fall River. Unknown. Baker, Jeremiah D.; 40; Fall River. At the time of enlistment he was a nailer. He re-enlisted in Company G, Corporal, Fifty-eighth Regiment, March 26th and was mustered out July 14, 1865. He went into the quarry business. He died leaving a widow, now eighty-five years old, and three children. Brightman, William B.; 21; Fall River. A fisherman in Alaskan waters. Brightman, James; 20; Fall River. Re-enlisted in Company I, Second Regiment Heavy Artillery as Corporal, Sept. 3, 1865. Brown, Samuel; 22; Westport. He re-enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts. He died of wounds May 12, 1864. Borden, Isaac S.; 23; Westport. He re-enlisted in Fifty-eighth Regiment, March 12, 1864. He was wounded in battle and discharged July 14, 1865. He is a grocer. Bradbury, Robert; 37; Westport. Discharged May 12, 1863. Dead. Coogan, James; 40; Fall River. Dead. Clarkson, Thomas; 27; Fall River. Wounded in the battle of Goldsboro. Died Jan. 6, 1897. Cannady, William J.; 18; Fall River; Moulder. Resides in Fall River. Curren, James; 19; Westport. Dead. Casey, Michael; 23; Westport. Re-enlisted in Company F, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment. Mustered out July 16, 1865. Cordingly, Thomas R.; 36; Westport. Dead. Cutler, Israel; 26; Westport. Unknown. Davis, John P.; 44; Fall River. Known as company’s poet. Dead. Dacy, Timothy; 40; Fall River. Dead. Demaranville, Stephen E.; 21; Westport. Supposed to be living in New Bedford. Donovan, Edward M.; 25; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment. He was wounded and taken prisoner Sept. 31, 1864. He died in Petersburg. Daval, Henry S.; 23; Westport. Dead. Dwyer, William; 27; Westport. He re-enlisted in Company G, Fifty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers. He was wounded June 18, 1864. Dead. Dolan, Andrew; 36; Westport. Dead. Dillon, John; 22; Westport. Deserted Sept. 25, 1862. Dyer, Stephen K.; 18; Westport. Died in Newbern, June 6, 1863. Earl, Andrew R.; 23; Westport. Known as the “large man” (265 pounds), had his suits made to order—“the baby of Company D.” A brave and fearless soldier, who was faithful to every duty and was never scared. Resides at Soldiers Home, Santa Monica, Cal. Fell down an elevator well and broke his legs while at work in San Francisco. Folger, David J.; 23; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Company M, Second Massachusetts Cavalry. He was a prisoner in Libby and Andersonville nine months with twenty of his comrades who were taken at the same time, and was the only one to survive the hardships of prison life. He was a carriage manufacturer and continued in that business until his death, June 4, 1901. A widow and one daughter living in Amesbury, Mass., survive him. Francis, William; 19; Fall River. Died in Fall River. Frawley, Patrick; 32; Fall River. Unknown. Freelove, Richmond D.; 24; Fall River. Died in Fall River. Fay, Edward; 23; Westport. Farmer, grocer, business man; lives with his son in Bolton, Mass. Flaherty, John; 33; Fall River. Died in Fall River, Dec. 15, 1893. Grush, Frederick A.; 22; Fall River. He re-enlisted as First Sergeant in Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Crater July 30th, and died at Annapolis, Md., October, 1864. Hackley, John; 40; Westport. Died in 1863. Hayston, Thomas; 31; Fall River. Dead. Hanson, George; 18; Fall River. Re-enlisted July 21, 1864, in Sixtieth Unattached Company, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Oil merchant. Harrington, Timothy; 23; Westport. Dead. Harrington, Daniel; 19; Westport. Lives in Fall River. Harrington, John; 18; Westport. Dead. Hoolhen, Michael; 21; Westport. Unknown. Jorden, James; 18; Fall River. Discharged June 10, 1863. Transferred; did not return with the regiment. Kidd, Thomas; 40; Fall River. Resides in Fall River. Clerk. Kaylor, William; 24; Westport. Known as “Lawyer Kaylor;” very active in learning and expounding army regulations, services to be rendered and rations due each man. Died Feb. 8, 1898. Leadwith, James; 20; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Company H, Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment. He was discharged at the end of the war. He is a painter and lives in Fall River. Levally, Benjamin W.; 18; Fall River. He re-enlisted Leary, James; 18; Fall River. He re-enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry. He was wounded May 12th and taken prisoner Sept. 30, 1864. He was killed on railroad crossing at Fall River, Mass. Manchester, Gilbert; 19; Westport. Unknown. Murphy, Jeremiah E.; 21; Fall River. Unknown. Miller, George; 34; Westport. Supposed to be dead. Marshall, John; 24; Westport. Unknown. Murphy, Timothy; 32; Fall River. Dead. Morton, Charles H.; 21; Fall River. Commissioned second lieutenant, October, 1863; assigned to duty as adjutant of recruiting, and was on duty at Readville, Mass. Mustered first lieutenant of Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment and was with the regiment through the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and in the march across the James; in engagements June 16th, 17th, 18th, in front of Petersburg and the Battles of the Mine, July 30th; taken prisoner September 30th at Mowry, William I.; 18; Fall River. Re-enlisted in Fourth Cavalry, Aug. 20, 1863. Discharged at Richmond, Va., Nov. 14, 1865. Boss carpenter at Tecumseh Mills. Lives in Fall River. Millerick, John; 25; Fall River. Re-enlisted in Company F, Fifty-eighth Regiment, and was in all the battles of the regiment; wounded in battle; captured and had his arm amputated in a Rebel prison; paroled Aug. 10, 1864, and mustered out July 13, 1865. Night watchman for several years. Died Mar. 31, 1878, leaving a widow and seven children. Mellor, Charles H.; 18; Fall River. Unknown. McKenny, Felix. Jr.; 21; Fall River. He was wounded at Blount’s Creek by the falling of the limb of a tree, which was cut off by a Rebel shell. A barber in Fall River. McDermott, Thomas; 28; Fall River. Re-enlisted March 12, 1864. Died of wounds July 5, 1864. McPhee, Thomas; 40; Fall River. Dead. McDonald, Daniel; 28; Fall River. Unknown. McNaughton, Charles; 38; Westport. Died Feb. 11, 1894. McGuinness, Edward; 37; Fall River. Died Jan. 3, 1900. A widow and several children survive him. McGowan, John; 30; Westport. Unknown. Ogden, Henry; 25; Fall River. Died in 1893. Page, Hathaway B.; 20; Fall River. Re-enlisted in Sixtieth Infantry. Dead. Pool, John; 44; Fall River. Dead. Peters, John; 29; Fall River. Re-enlisted March 12, 1864, in Company F, Fifty-eighth Regiment. Died in Salisbury prison, North Carolina, Jan. 15, 1865. Platt, Charles; 19; Fall River. Unknown. Petty, Hiram S.; 30; Westport. Re-enlisted in Second Heavy Artillery, Company I. Mustered out Sept. 3, 1865, at the expiration of his term of service. Dead. Pickles, James; 26; Westport. Unknown. Ryan, Jeremiah; 44; Westport. Believed to be dead. Robotham, James; 18; Westport. Dead. Shehan, Daniel; 25; Fall River. Dead. Sherman, William H.; 25; Fall River. Lives at the Soldiers Home, Togus, Maine, and has charge of the steam in connection with the Home. Shay, Michael W.; 19; Fall River. Dead. Sargent, John; 23; Fall River. Dead. Sanford, Sylvester; 22; Fall River. Re-enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Regiment. Works at carpentering and stone work in South Westport, Mass., where he resides. Soule, Robert F.; 18; Westport. Lives in Bakerville, Dartmouth. Farmer. Shaw, Charles; 42; Westport. Dead. Smith, Robert; 35; Westport. Supposed to be dead. Tripp, Allen H.; 25; Westport. Died in Providence, R. I. Wise, Whitlock; 27; Westport. Unknown. Wade, Vernon; 28; Fall River. Re-enlisted, sergeant in Sixtieth Massachusetts Regiment. A faithful soldier, a true patriot, a successful business man, trusted and respected by all. Resides in Fall River, where he carries on a grocery business. Woodcock, Jonas; 36; Fall River. Dead. |