Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 69, 1883

Chapter 69

Taunton in the War of the Revolution. - It has always been known that one of the "signers of the Declaration of Independence" was a Taunton man, Robert Treat Paine ; but long before that " Declaration" Taunton had a record which is highly creditable to her patriotism and valor, and more than one man was ready to sign that " Declaration" and stand to it. Fortunately, "the attic of Samuel Godfrey," grandson of Brig.-Gen. George Godfrey, was a safe repository of valuable papers, which came into possession of Mr. Edgar H. Reed, from which we are permitted to draw information concerning a portion of Taunton's share in the work of the Revolution.

" At a meeting of the commissioned officers of the East division of the militia of Bristol County held in Norton, Nov. 9, 1774, George Godfrey of Taunton was chosen Colonel - George Williams, Lieutenant Colonel - Nathaniel Leonard, 1st major, Zephaniah Keith, 2d major. This Division contained the companies from Taunton, Raynham and Easton. The captains of the various companies were as follows: Taunton, Capt. Nathaniel Leonard, Capt. Simeon Williams, Capt. John Reed, Capt. Cornelius White, Capt. James Leonard, Capt. Israel Dean, 2d, Capt. Ebenezer Dean."

" On monday, ye 21st day of Nov. 1774, the East Division of the third Regiment in ye county of Bristol, met at Taunton and drawed up in a Battalion in Capt. Thomas Cobb's shed Lot so called, by ye Adjutant Major Abijah Hodges, in manner hereafter described, vis : Ye field officers came in on the right wing, vis, George Godfrey next to the Battalion and George Williams on ye right, N. Leonard on ye left and Z. Keith on ye right and so marchd round sd Battalion until we came to ye centre - 3 of sd Field officers with their hats under ye arm and G. Godfrey, his hat on and paid his compliments to each captain."

The citizens of Taunton appointed an important committee, called " a Committee of Inspection and Correspondence," July 3, 1775, whose duty it was to promote the general safety, and that of Taunton in particular, and, fortunately, when the fire of 1838 consumed almost everything else in the town clerk's custody the records of this committee escaped. From these records we make liberal extracts.

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town ot Taunton on Monday, July 3, 1775, said town made choice of George Godfrey, Esq., Capt. Henry Hodges, Lieut. Solomon Dean, Maj. Richard Godfrey, Capt. Simeon Williams, Insign Ichabod Leonard, James Williams, Jr., Lieut. Elisha Barney, Lieut. William Thayer, Lieut. Ebenezer Cobb, Mr. Elijah Lincoln, Lieut. Benjamin Dean, Jr., Dr. David Cobb, Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Mr. John Adam, Benjamin Williams, Esq., Mr. Josiah Crocker, Col. George Williams, Robert Luscomb, Esq., Lieut. Edward Blake, and Mr. John Keene as a committee of inspection and correspondence for said town, and any seven to make a quorum.

"This committee met on Monday, July 10, 1775, and made choice of James Williams, Jr., for their clerk. Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Col. George Williams, and Capt. John Reed were chosen a committee to take into their care the effects and estate of Daniel Leonard, Esq., lying in Taunton, who has fled for protection to Boston, said committee to improve or let the same to the best advantage, and render a true account of the profits arising therefrom to this committee, or any other committee of correspondence of this town that shall be chosen for that purpose.

" Voted, that George Godfrey, Esq., Capt. Simeon Williams, and Col. George Williams be a committee to take into their custody the pork and grain now in the store of Dr: McKinstry, and send the same to the army as soon as may be, and take an account of the same and keep an account of the cost of transportation."

Daniel Leonard and Dr. McKinstry were such notorious Tories that Taunton was not considered a safe place for them, and they took refuge in Boston. Thomas Gilbert was another, or, as Gen. George Godfrey styles him, " the notorious Torie Gilbert." He considered it prudent to leave Taunton.

The Committee of Inspection and Correspondence held frequent meetings, and had much business on hand. " March 18, 1776, the committee met and proceeded as follows, viz. :

" In committee, March 8, 1776, Nathaniel Bird, a shop-keeper in this town, being convicted for refusing paper currency in his payments, the committee resolved to publish him to the world agreeable to the order of the Continental Congress, but said Bird soon after applied to the committee, desiring their pardon for his crime, and promising reformation for the future. They therefore have stopped all proceedings against him, and recommend him for the future to the good opinion of the Continental Congress on the signing the following paper." Which paper is given at length and embodied Nathaniel Bird's contrition for his offense and promise of amendment.

The report that eight hundred British soldiers had marched from Boston on the night of April 18, 1775, by, order of Gen. Gage, under Maj. Pitcairn, to Concord, to destroy the military stores deposited there, and the firing upon a company of American soldiers at Lexington on their way, on the morning of the 19th, and killing eight men, spread rapidly over Massachusetts by couriers (they had no telegraphs or telephones in those days). It was the first blood shed in the Revolution, and it aroused the people to arm fully for their defense. The news arrived in Taunton on the evening of the 19th, and Capt. James Williams rallied a company and was on the march in a few hours, arriving at Roxbury on the morning of the 20th, and reported for duty. His lieutenant was Josiah King; Abial Macomber, ensign; John Shaw, John Hall, Abiathar Hathaway, and Daniel Briggs, sergeants; Eben Sumner, drummer; Eben Pitts, fifer. \ Privates Thomas Andrews, George Andrews, Jacob Burt, Richard Cobb, Richard Caswell, Job Caswell, John Caswell, Asahel Crossman, Job Dean, Nathan Dean, Ebenezer Dean, Micah Dean, Abijah Dean, Ebenezer Dean, Joseph Eliot, George Eliot, John Godfrey, Seth Godfrey, Peter Haskins, George King,

An interesting paper, which may be called a response to the " Declaration of Independence," was recently discovered in the attic of the late Henry Hodges Fox, among the relics left by his ancestor, Capt. Henry Hodges, a prominent officer here a hundred years ago. It 'is called a "covenant," and evinces the spirit of '76 in Taunton, as follows:

" We, the subscribers, do each of us severally for ourselves profess, testify, and declare, before God and the world, that we verily believe that the war, resistance, and opposition in which the United American Colonies are now engaged against the fleets and armies of Great Britain, is on the part of the said Colonies just and necessary. And we do hereby severally promise, covenant, and engage to, and with every person of this colony who has or shall subscribe this declaration or another of the same tenor or words, that we will not during the said war, directly or indirectly, in any way, aid, abet, or assist any of the naval or land forces of the king of Great Britain, or any employ'd by him, or supply them with any kind of provisions, military or naval stores, or hold any correspondence with or communicate any intelligence to any of the officers, soldiers, or marines belonging to the said army or navy, or inlist or procure any others to inlist into the land or sea service of Great Britain, or take up or bear arms against this or either of the United Colonies, or undertake to pilot any of the vessels belonging to the said navy, or in any other way aid or assist them. But on the contrary, according to our best power and abilities, will defend by arms the United American Colonies and every part thereof against every hostile attempt of the fleets and armies in the service of Great Britain, or any of them, according to the requirements and directions of the laws of this colony that now are or may hereafter be provided for the regulation of the militia thereof."

This document committed those who signed it in the "colony of Massachusetts Bay" to the Declaration of Independence, and to it are attached in their own handwriting the signatures of Taunton men, as follows : John Godfrey, John Thayer, Henry Hodges, Jr., Abiathar Hodges, James Hodges, Jonathan Thayer, Stephen Haskins, Jr., Luther Haskins, John Holmes, Nathaniel Briggs, Abel Burt, Nedaliah Lincoln, Aaron Pratt, Ben Washburn, Timothy Hodges, Nehemiah Haskins, Jr., William Haskins (3d), Samuel Haskins, James Woodward, Daniel Briggs, David Stacey, Seth Hodges, Silas Axtell, Thomas Hodges, Morgan Cobb, William Hodges, Samuel Torrey, Nathaniel Briggs (2d), Jacob Burt, Abraham Burt, John Hodges, Simeon Cobb, David Burt, Peter Haskins, Isaac Burt, Isaac Burt, Jr., Ebenezer Cobb, Levi Harlow, James Codding, Aaron Knap, Gideon Hicks, Moses Knap, Edward Knap, Abiathar Knap, Ephraim Knap, James Tisdale, Daniel Short, Henry Briant, Nathaniel Dean, Abel Burt, Loren Tisdale, Benoni Tisdale, Simeon Cobb, Timothy Haskins, Pelatiah Estey, Samuel Hay ward, Jonathan Harvey, Stephen Haskins, Philip Mason, Samuel Stacey, Samuel Stacey (2d), Job Stacey, Job Stacey, Jr., George Woodward, John Briggs, Amos Stacey, James Harvey, Ebenezer AVillis, John Willis, Levi Torrey, Nathan Dean, Isaiah Reed, Zephaniah Hodges, Jonathan Barney, Jacob Barney, Nehemiah Dean, Samuel Gardner, Benjamin Williams, James Leonard, Zephaniah Gary, Seth Pollard,- Joseph Harvey, Rufus Leonard, Oliver Dean, Enos Dean, George Reed, Jr., Frye Torrey, - eighty-seven names in all. Some names also appear to have been erased. Whether their courage failed them when came the tug of war or what was the reason we know not. Probably this was only one of several papers for signatures which has survived the wreck of time.

Immediately after the action at Concord and Lexington, April 19, 1775, the men of Massachusetts were put under a thorough military organization. A brigade was formed in Bristol County, consisting of four regiments, and placed under the command of Brig.- Gen. George Godfrey, of Taunton. The Third Regiment of this brigade was raised mainly in Taunton and vicinity, under command of Col. George Williams, of Taunton ; Lieut.-Col. Zephaniah Keith, of Easton ; 1st Maj. Abel Mitchell, of Easton; 2d Maj. James Williams, Jr., of Taunton; Adjt. William Seaver, of Taunton. The organization was perfected during March, 1776. On the 12th of September of that year the General Court, in compliance with a recommendation of the Continental Congress, had ordered one-fifth of the militia to be drafted, except in the remote counties and seaport towns, and when organized to be marched to New York.

The command of the Massachusetts troops was given to Benjamin Lincoln, who had been appointed majorgeneral May preceding, and in less than three weeks, October, 1776, Gen. Lincoln arrived in camp, Westchester County, with the Massachusetts troops, in which Taunton was represented.

Adjt. Seaver was detached from Col. Williams' regiment in a short time, and assigned to the position of aide-de-camp upon the staff of Gen. Heath, whom he had known in Roxbury prior to the war. While on duty at Westchester County Maj. Seaver was present at the battles of White Plains and Chatterton's Hill, Oct. 28, 1776. A diary kept by him a century ago has recently been published, giving interesting details of his camp-life. He was next transferred to Warren, R. I., as brigade inspector upon the staff of Brig.-Gen. Godfrey. He was promoted Aug. 3, 1779, brigade major. His reports on file at the State-House, Boston, show that service was performed by Taunton troops in Bristol County brigade in that vicinity.

Returning from that expedition, Maj. Seaver was detailed for special duty in different localities, one of which was under Count De Rochambeau at Newport, in August, 1780.

After the close of the Revolution, Maj. Seaver continued his connection with the State military, and for nearly thirty years was brigade inspector of Bristol and Plymouth Counties, serving in that capacity under Brig.-Gen. Godfrey, from 1776 to 1781 ; Gen. James Williams, 1781 to 1792; Gen. Silas Cobb, 1792 to 1802 ; and Gen. Thomas Lincoln, from 1802 to 1815. He was the oldest son of William Seaver, of Dorchester, born May 8, 1748, at the homestead of his great-grandfather, Robert Seaver, of Roxbury, and resided in Dorchester till 1772, when he came to Taunton.

Among the Godfrey papers referred to is the following: "Aug. 8, 1776, a list of the soldiers under my command, enlisted by order of the Council to march to Dorchester Heights, from Col. Williams' regiment, in the county of Bristol. Edmund Rich-

Gen. Godfrey's papers show that another call was made upon him by the Council, Nov. 29, 1776, for one-fourth part of his men, who were to march immediately to the town of Fairfield, Conn., to reinforce the Continental army at or near the State of New York, for the term of three months.

It appears from a memorandum-book kept by Gen. Godfrey that he and his whole brigade, on account of what he styles " the alarm at the State of Rhode Island," marched to Warren, Dec. 8, 1776, and were discharged the 31st of the same month.

The Godfrey papers give a " return of the names of the men enlisted from Capt. Joshua Wilbore's Company in Col. George Williams' Regiment, with the names of the colonel and captain enlisted under to the Continental service," dated Sept. 2, 1777. In the spring of 1778, Taunton contributed toward " raising troops to be sent to Fishkill, N. Y., to serve for the period of nine months."

A company was enlisted into the service of the United States by Capt. Jacob Haskins, for Col. John Jacobs' regiment on duty in New York for one year from Jan. 1, 1778, as follows: Jacob Haskins, of Taunton, captain ; Lieutenants, Noah Pratt, Jacob French, Matthias McFornan, Jonathan Fletcher ; Sergeants, Aaron Turner, John Lawrence, Jesse Ellis, Peter Smith, Benjamin Fuller, Elijah Fuller; Corporals, Jonas Humphrey, Daniel Chickering, Parker Earle, Increase Pond, Samuel Cushing, Daniel Cook ; Privates, John Smith, Christopher Smith, Asa Holbrook, Zach. Bimbo, Samuel Williams, Enoch Darling, Jeremiah Crocker, William Fuller, Joseph , Titus

Capt. Haskins raised another company after the above for Col. John Hathaway's regiment, to serve from the 13th of March to April 15, 1779, as follows: Jacob Haskins, of Taunton, captain ; Abiel Macom-

Sept. 6, 1778, the Council being informed New Bedford was threatened by the enemy's ships, Gen. Godfrey was called upon to go to its assistance.

In the spring of 1779 a regiment of nine hundred men from the Bristol County brigade was sent to the assistance of Gen. Sullivan in the operations on Rhode Island.

" Sir, - It being immediately necessary that there should be a training of the militia of the county of Bristol that the exact state of their arms, ammunition, and accoutrements may be known, you will please to send each colonel one of the printed orders herewith transmitted to you. Upon the back thereof I request you will send such particular commands from yourself as you think requisite. When the reyiew is finished, I desire to be favored with your company at Providence with a report of each regiment. The bearer has my direction to attend you to carry this order to each colonel. His expenses I shall order to be paid. I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

"Sir, - Agreeable to the request of the General Court, I herewith send you their resolutions for detaching a number of men from your Brigade to reinforce the Continental army. You are hereby required to detach without loss of time the proportion of men set upon the several towns in the County of Bristol, with a suitable number of officers to command the companies and order their march to join the army at West Point or such place as His Excellency, Gen. Washington, shall direct. The absolute necessity of complying with this order immediately I need not urge, as it will tend to carry on the important operations of the present campaign, under Providence, with success. Your men are to be joined with the men raised in the Counties of Worcester and Barnstable, which will form a Regiment, and you will detach a Major for the same.

Taunton was one of the first towns in the State to pass resolutions cond'emnatory of the course of the British government towards the colonies, and there was no backwardness in furnishing men and material aid in carrying on and consummating the Revolutionary struggle.

The War of 1812-15. - The following is a record of the companies from Taunton and vicinity performing sentinel coast-guard duty at New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Dartmouth during the war of 181i'- 15, copied from the late Gen. Benjamin Lincoln's rolls :

Taunton Companies And Men In The Rebellion

Company G, Fourth Regiment M. V. M. (Taunton Light Guard). - This company was organized in 1855, and attached to the Fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Its first commander was Timothy Gordon, who continued from its organization until the close of the three months' campaign in Virginia.

On the morning of April 16, 1861, the members were notified to report at their armory for immediate service in response to the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand men, and on the same day left Taunton and arrived in Boston and rendezvoused in Faneuil Hall, awaiting with other companies of the Fourth Regiment further orders. On the 17th the regimental column was ordered to Fortress Monroe, Va., and departed that day via the Old Colony Railroad and steamer " State of Maine" from Fall River for that post, where it arrived on the morning of April 20th, and at day dawn disembarked with the Taunton Light Guard on the right of the line, Capt. Gordon being the senior officer, whereby this company acquired the honor of being the first from the North to enter Virginia in the war of the Rebellion.

The company participated in the duties and fortunes of the regiment, and on the 27th of May embarked for Newport News, where earthworks were thrown up and an intrenched camp established. Here the company remained until June 9th, when a detachment, of which Company G was a part, marched toward " Big Bethel," and on the 10th occurred the engagement known as the " battle of Big Bethel."

On the 2d of July the Fourth Regiment embarked for Hampton, where it remained until July 17th, when it departed for home at expiration of service, arriving at Boston on the 19th, and encamped at Long Island. It was mustered out July 22d. On the 24th it marched to Boston Common, and was dismissed, arriving in Taunton the same day. The people turned out en masse, and the company was ac- corded a hearty welcome home. On the 25th they were given a more formal reception. Forming in their armory, they marched to the Green, and were welcomed in an address by ex-Governor Marcus Morton, Hon. Samuel L. Crocker presiding. The company, with invited guests, then proceeded to Central Hall, where dinner was served and brief addresses were made by citizens and members in response to sentiments, and poems, by Hon. A. M. Ide, Messrs. Hodges Reed and B. F. Presbrey, were read.

Company G subsequently se(rved with the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment for nine months in Louisiana. It furnished for different organizations twenty-three commissioned officers, viz. : one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, nine captains, and eleven lieutenants.

Company

John C. Briggs, must, in April 22, 1861 ; must, out July 16, 1861 ; served as foreman of the government machine-shop at Fortress Monroe during his time as above, and remained for several years afterwards in that position.

Elijah D. Goddard, must, in April 22, 1861; must, out July 22, 1861; re-entered the service in Co. G, 4th Regt. Mass. (nine months) ; died at Taunton April 26, 1S82.

William D. Hatch, must, in May 6, 1861; must, out July 22, 1861; reentered the service as 1st sergt. Co. C, 22d Mass. Regt., and was pro. lieut. and capt. same regiment.

Thomas H. Husband, must, in May 0, 1861 ; must, out July 22, 1801 ; reentered the service as lieutenant Co. F, 29th Mass. Regt. ; died in Taunton Jan. 31, 1SS3.

Charles H. Jones, must, in April 22, 1801; must, out July 22, 1801; reentered the service as sergeant Co. C, 22d Mass. Regt., and pro. to first sergeant.

Peter McNeill, must, in April 22, 1861; must, out July 22, 1861 ; re-entered the service in a New York regiment, and died at David's Island Hospital.

John Rock, must, in April 22, 1861; must, out July 22, 1861 ; re-entered the service as sergeant of Co. C, 22d Mass. Regt,; was pro. to first lieutenant and captain ; at exp. of service in the 22d Regt. he was commissioned in a New York regiment.

Charles S. Thomas, must, in April 22, 1801 ; must, out July 22, 1801 ; reentered the service in Co. F, 39th Mass. Regt., and served three years.

Daniel F. Wood, must. In April 22, 1861 ; must, out July 22, 1861 ; reentered the service as 1st lieutenant of Co. C, 4th Mass. Regt. (9th Mass.)

David Wood, must, in April 22, 1861; must, out July 22, 1861; re-entered the service in Co. F, 39th Mass. Regt., and was discharged as first sergeant.

Company G (Taunton Light Guard), Capt. Paull, and Company K, Capt. William H. Bartlett, went into camp (Joe Hooker) at Lakeville Sept. 15, 1862, and were mustered into the United States service on the 23d, in the Fourth Regiment, Col. Walker in command, for nine months' duty. The regiment left for New York September 27th, and on their arrival there embarked on board the ship "George Peabody" for New Orleans, as a portion of the " Banks expedition." One death occurred on their passage, William B. Pratt, at Fortress Monroe, and another at the quarantine hospital on their arrival at New Orleans, viz., Oscar A. Harvey. After a passage of forty-seven days, the regiment disembarked at Carrollton, and left March 1st for Baton Rouge by steamer, on their arrival taking part in the demonstration against Port Hudson in aid of Commodore Farragut's exploit of passing the rebel batteries. Left April 3d, by steamer, for Algiers, thence (8th) to Brashear City, and on the 13th and 14th were in the battle at Bisland ; no casualties. Returned to Brashear City, acting as a garrison for that place, which was of some importance as the base of supplies for Gen. Banks' army corps, then on a circuitous route for the investment of Port Hudson. Company G was detailed for duty under the provost-marshal, and charged with preserving peace and good order, as about two thousand rebel prisoners were received and forwarded thence to New Orleans. Capt. Paull acted as deputy provost-marshal, with a portion of his company, at a station sixteen miles below on the line of the railroad, whose delicate duty it was to persuade the contrabands to remain on the plantations, instead of following the army, as they were inclined, that section of Louisiana being excepted in the Emancipation Proclamation ; at the same time the law of Congress made it a punishable offense for an officer to assist in the rendition of a slave to his master.

On the 30th of May the regiment (with Companies G and K) left for Port Hudson, where they had a full share in the siege of that place. On the 14th of June followed the hand-grenade slaughter of the brave men under Capt. Bartlett, whose death has been duly noticed, in the attempt to take that fort. It was one of the deplorable mistakes of the Banks campaign, as a few days' time must have compelled a surrender of the rebels without the reckless loss of valuable lives, accomplishing nothing. Capt. Paull, the senior captain in the regiment, was frequently acting major commandant in the absence of the regimental officers on detached duty or from illness. The command of Company K devolved upon Lieut. John H. Church after the death of the lamented Capt. Bartlett. Lieut. Philander Williams was quartermaster, after the promotion of Lieut. T. J. Lothrop to the brigade quarters. Companies G and K had the confidence of the officers of the regiment, as they were detailed to serve on all difficult and dangerous occasions during the campaign. The regiment returned home in August, and Companies G and K were received in Taunton with hearty demonstrations of " welcome home."

Taunton Company K, Fourth Regiment Infantry M. V. M.

William H. Bartlett, capt. ; killed June 14, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. John H. Church, 1st lieut. commandant; disch. at exp. of service Aug.

Haynes C. Aldrich, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Zepbauiah G. P. Andrews, died May 7, 1S63, at New Orleans, La. David I). Babbitt, disch. at exp of service Aug. 28, 1863. Charles H. Barrows, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Oren L. Bassett, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Nelson Billington, died at Tauutou. Reinhold Bubser, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1S63. Charles H. Burt, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. William Carr, died at Taunton.

John Cassidy, died July 18, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Charles H. Caswell, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Otis Caswell, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863; since died. Ezekiel W. Chamberlain, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Alvin R. Dean, died of wounds July 22,1863, at Port Hudson, La. Charles E. Deau, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863.

River. Reuben Ellis, disch. Nov. 21, 1S62, disability. George W. Field, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Lewis B. Field, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Michael Gaffney, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. James Galligan, died at Taunton Jan. 20, 1864. Thomas Gibbons, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. William J. Gilbert, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Oliver C. Guruey, died at Taunton Oct. 1, 1863. Charles H. Hamilton, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. George H. Handy, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. James B. Hathaway, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Charles H. Hewitt, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Thomas Larkin, wounded at Brasbear City, La. ; lost a leg; disch. at

William II. Rothwell, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Hanson L. Smart, died Aug. 4, 1S63, at Port Hudson, La. George W. Standish, died of wounds June 29, 1863, at New Orleans, La. Charles E. Strange, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. William E. Tisdale, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Edwin R. Townsend, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 2S, 1863. Joseph F. Tripp, disch. at exp. of service Aug. 28, 1863. Patrick Ward, died at Taunton. ,

Taunton Companies in the Seventh Regiment. - The following companies, C, D, and F, were in Col. Couch's regiment, which left Taunton in June, 1861, an account of which regiment is given elsewhere :

Church, Ya. David Ross, corp. ; disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Charles Sckhean, Corp.; disch. by President's proclamation. Charles E. Staples, corp.; trans. June 24, 1864, to 37th Inf. Thomas Dolan, musician ; disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. George M. Mars, musician ; disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Harrison A. Wade, musician ; disch. for disability Jan. 3, 1863. Roger C. Guthrie, wagoner ; disch. by President's proclamation.

Dean Melville, disch. for disability April 30, 1862. Patrick Monaghan, disch. by President's proclamation. Robert Moore, disch. by President's proclamation. Ezra Morse, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Patrick Murray, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. James Nixon, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. George O'Neil, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Alpheus S. Orcutt, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Henry Phillips, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Isaac 0. Pierce, disch. for disability March 26, 1862. Cornelius Powers, disch. by President's proclamation. John Powers, disch. for disability Feb. 18, 1863. William Powers, disch. for disability Feb. 18, 1863. James E. Rawson, disch. by President's proclamation. Lewis T. Sanders, disch. for disability Oct. 22, 1862. James Scandlan, died at Newport News Sept. 7, 1S62. James E. Smith, died at Newport News. James Smith, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Thomas J. Smith, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864. Henry C. Talbot, disch. by President's proclamation. Thomas A. Tracy, disch. by President's proclamation. George A. Warren, killed May 5, 1864, in the Wilderness. Thomas A. Welch, disch. by President's proclamation. George Whittemore, disch. for disability Feb. 25, 1862. Silas C. Williams, disch. at exp. of service June 27, 1864.

Enlisted in service June 15, 1861. Rollin H. Babbitt, sergt. ; disch. at exp. of service, 1864. Samuel 0. Blake, sergt. ; wounded at Wilderness, 1864; disch. at exp. of

8 to navy. James B. Allen, Corp.; died of wounds May, 1864. Matthew Bliss, corp. ; disch. for disability Jan. 5, 1864. James H. Luther, corp. ; disch. at exp. of service June, 1864. George G. Peck, corp.; trans., 1863, to Vet. Res. Corps. Benjamin F. Williams, corp. ; died of wounds at Wilderness, 1864.

at exp. of service. James Conlin, died June 4, 1864. James Cornes, disch. by President's proclamation. William H. Craig, died at Hagerstown, Md., 1862. Nelson Dary, disch. for disability, 1862. Thomas Davis, died of wounds May, 1864. James A. Dean, disch. at exp. of service, 1864. James J. Dean, disch. for disability, 1862. John Dewsnap, died on government transport, 1862. Jeremiah Dorgan, died of wounds, 1864. John F. Eddy, disch. for disability, 1863. Jeremiah Eldredge, trans, to 37th Inf. June, 1864. Benjamin Farrell, died at Harrison's Landing, 1862. Edward Feneu, disch. by President's proclamation.

Company F, Seventh Regiment Infantry Mass. Vols

8. Theodore N. Aldrich, pro. to sergt.; must, out July 5, 1864. James E. Dickens, drummer; must, out July 5, 1864. Greenleaf Bassett, fifer; disch. Aug. 15, 1861, for disability. Henry D. Moulton, wagoner; must, out July 5, 1864.

Privates. Levi Adshead, disch. by President's proclamation. William H. McAvoy, disch. Aug. 10, 1862, for disability. John W. Bartlett, must, out July 5, 1864. James M. Barton, must, out July 5, 1864. George B. Burt, pro. to Corp.; wounded at Fredericksburg May 3, 1863 ; must, out July 5, 1864. John Brown, killed at Fredericksburg May 3, 1863. John Buckley, died at Fortress Monroe, Va., Oct. 16, 1862. James Burns, wounded at Wilderness May 5,1864; re-enlisted; trans.

to 37th Mass. June 14, 1864. James Boyle, disch. by President's proclamation. Wesley Bridges, wounded at Fredericksburg May 3, 1863 ; died May,

1862, at Philadelphia. Henry W. Francis, disch. for disability, Feb. 15, 1863. Albert Field, must, out July 5, 1864. William H. Foulds, disch. Aug. 15, 1863. Elijah A. Godfrey, disch. by President's proclamation. John F. Godfrey, disch. Nov. 26, 1862, for disability. Henry T. Gifford, disch. Aug. 26, 1862, for disability. Joseph G. Gregory, disch. Aug. 8, 1862, for disability. Joseph M. Gardner, wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864 ; died in 1866. James Groves, died of wounds received at Fredericksburg May 3, 1863. Thomas Hunt, disch. by President's proclamation. Edward W. Hall, died Aug. 16, 1862. James Holden, wounded May 3, 1863 ; must, out July 5, 1S64.

July 5, 1864. Erastus T. Williams, disch. Nov. 16, 1861. James Ward, disch. by President's proclamation. Philo B. Wilbur, died March 18, 1862. William V. Whitcomb, died March 20, 1863. Everett Washburn, disch. by President's proclamation.

The above companies were engaged in battles at Yorktown, Va., April 3, 1862; at Williamsburg, May 5th; at Fair Oaks, May 31st ; at Seven Pines, June 1st; again at Fair Oaks, June 25th; at Charles City Cross-Roads, June 20th; at Malvern Hill, July 1st; at Antietam, September 17th ; at Williamsport, September 19th ; at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13 and 15, 1862; at Marye's Heights, Va., May 3, 1863; at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3d; at Eappahannock Station, November 7th ; at Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863 ; in Wilderness, May 5th and 6th ; at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864 ; at North Anna River, Hanover Court-House, and Cold Harbor in May and June, 1864.

These companies, with the regiment, under Col. Johns, returned home at the expiration of service, arriving in Taunton June 20, 1864, and on the Fourth of July were given a grand reception on the Agricultural Grounds, where they formed, drilled, and whence they departed three years before.

Hon. Harrison Tweed presided, making an eloquent speech of welcome to the veterans of twenty battles, followed by addresses by Hon. S. L. Crocker and by Maj. Brown, and a poem was read by Hon. A. M. Ide.

Company C, Twenty-Second Regiment Mass. Vols

This company was recruited in Taunton in the summer of 1861, and its officers and non-commissioned officers had seen service in Company G, Fourth Regiment, in the three months' campaign then just ended. It was named the " Gordon Guard," after Capt. Timothy Gordon, and was attached to the Twenty-second Massachusetts Regiment, Col. Henry Wilson, and served for three years in the Army of the Potomac. Hon. Henry Williams, Hon. S. L. Crocker, Capt. Timothy Gordon, Messrs. S. N. Staples and William H. Phillips, with many others, contributed money and aided in other ways in raising this company, and it cost the town of Taunton nothing, neither bounty nor recruiting expenses. The roster includes only those men who resided in Taunton.

This company was in the battles before Richmond, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellors ville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Jericho Ford, Little River, Shady Grove Church, and other places.

Company F, Thirty-Ninth Regiment Mass. Vols

1865, at Hatcher's Run; disch. June 2, 1865. Charles A. Pierce, appointed Corp. ; disch. Oct. 22, 1864. States Packer, wounded May 8, 1864, at Spottsylvania; captured Aug.

Fernando C. Skinner, wounded May 8, 1864, at Spottsylvania, Va. ; captured Aug. 18, 1864. at Weldon Railroad; disch. June 2, 1865; drowned at sea.

Aug. 19, 1864, at Weldon Railroad ; disch. June 2, 1865. Henry F. Thayer, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1864. Terrence Teigh, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Sept. 25, 1863. Samuel L. Tisdale, trans, to United States Navy, April 1, 1S64. Charles Thomas, captured May 21, 1864, near Guinea Station, Va. ; died

This company participated in the battles at Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Tolopotomy Creek, Bethesda Church, North Anna, Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Bellfield, Hatcher's Run, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, Lee's Surrender.

Volunteer Recruits And Drafted Men

Lucien E. Francis, Cavalry frontier defense; enl. Dec. 29, 1864. John Keys, rep. recruit for Edmund Baylies ; enl. Aug. 1, 1864. Edward Hickey, 13th Light Art. rep. recruit for Mr. Ed. Baylies; enl.

The following table exhibits the number of men furnished by Taunton as her quota under specific calls. It does not include those who enlisted out of the State, or to the credit of other towns. The cost was, -

The close of the war found the (now) city of Taunton indebted in the sum of $112,000. $102,000 has been paid and $10,000 has become merged in the existing municipal debt of the city.

| In addition to this number (236), 159% men, who had enlisted in the navy in the beginning of the war and never credited, were assigned to Taunton. I Of this sum, $35,878 was contributed by citizens.