Plymouth County, Massachusetts - Chapter 10, 1884

The Rebellion of ISCl - Election of 1860 - State of tlie Country at the Commencement of the Rebellion - Stenuier " Star of the West" - Secession of South Carolina - Firing upon Fort Sumter - Call for Sevcnty-Bve Thousand Voluntiers for Three Months - Company F, Twelfth JIassuchusctts Ueijiineut - CuBualties and Changes in the Twelfth Rcgiuicnt - Nar- Jliirtlands Brass Band - ralive of the Twelfth Regiment - Call for more Troops - Company I, First Massachusetts Cavalry - List of Changes and Casualties in the Same - Companies and Regiments in which Soldiers have been in the Service-One Hundred Days' Men - List of Changes, Prisoners, Promotions, Deaths, etc., during the Rebellion.

It is well known that there had existed for a long time a bitter antagonism between the Northern auj Southern portions of the United States upon the great subject of slavery. Fierce party contentions had long existed, and ever will continue under a free elective government.

Till the election of November, 18C0, however, there never was a Southern Presidential candidate that did not receive electoral votes at the North, nor a Northern candidate who did not receive electoral votes at the South. The country at this time was in a state of unexampled prosperity. Agriculture, commerce, and manufactures - East, West, North, and South - had just recovered from the great financial crisis of 1857, and our country was spoken of and regarded by the rest of the civilized world as among the most prosperous nations of the world. We had been chusscd (with England, France, and Russia) as one of tlie four leading powers of the age. No sooner had the results of the election of November 6th been made known than it appeared on the part of one of the Southern States - and whose example was soon after followed by others - that it had been the firm intention of those States not to abide the result of the election unless it resulted in giving them their candidate. They were not satisfied with having had their own choice for sixty years, and now they had agreed not to abide by the decisions of the majority, in the event of the election of Abraham Lincoln, and in consequence of this the greatest conspiracy of tlie nineteenth century came to light, and the nation at once became involved in a civil war.

The first overt act of war committed in pursuance of this treasonable conspiracy, alter the formal act of South Carolina passing its secession ordinance, was the firing upon a national transport, laden with men and supplies for the garrison in Charleston harbor. The date of the ordinance was Dec. 20, 18G0. The firing upon the steamer " Star of the \V est" was Jan.

9, 1861. The commencement of the Rebellion is dated from April 12, 1861, when the rebels, who numbered by hundreds, commenced firing upon Fort Sumter from every direction.

It was then the intention of the rebels to follow up this first blow by seizing the capital at Washington. In this they were frustrated ; for on the 15th of April the War Department called for seventy-five thousand troops from the militia of the several States for three months' service, who hastened to Washington, and thus saved the capital of the nation. In no portion of the world was ever an army gathered so quickly ; in less than two months over two hundred thousand men were in the army, ready for action. The response to the President's calls was truly wonderful, both in men and money.

On the 16th the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment was on its way to the seat of government by railroad, and the Third and Fourth Regiments moved by steamers; on the 18th the Eighth Regiment marched under Gen. Butler; on the 20tli the Third Battalion of Rifles, under Maj. Devens ; and the Fifth Infantry, with Cook's battery of light artillery, on the morning of the 21st. The number of troops furnished by Massachusetts under these calls for three months' service were three thousand seven hundred and thirty-six.

Tlie call for volunteers in the month of April, 1861, was met io the spirit of '76. Frequent meetings were held, patriotic speeches were made, and Volunteers came up uobly to fill the ranks.

On Saturday evening, April 20, 1861, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held in the vestry of the New Jerusalem Church for the purpose of forming a new military company. Dr. Alexander Hichboin was chairman of the meeting, Jonas R. Perkins, Esq., secretary. There were about one thousand persons present. Spirited and patriotic addresses were made, and over one hundred came forward and enlisted in the service of their country.

Roll of Company F, Twelfth Regiment, Capt. Alexander Plichborn, as corrected at Fort Warren, July 13, 1861, under command of Col. Fletcher Webster : married. Francis P. Ilolmea, 31, 4th sergt., North Bridgewater, awlforger, married. Jame:j B. Sampson, 24, 5th sergt., North Bridgewater, merchaut, single. James S. Tennet, 30, corp., North Bridgewater, wood-turner, manufacturer, fingle. Walter D. Packard, 2U, corp., North Bridgewater, clerk, single. Edwin T. Cowell, I'J, corp., North Bridgewater, baggagemuster, siugle. James Sullivan, 12, musician, Boston, single. Joseph Lynch, 22, wagoner, East Stoughton, teamster, single. James A. Allen, 23, private, North Bridgewater, machinist, married. James F. Andrews, 35, private, North Bridgewater, cabinetmaker, married. Leander B. Andrews, 30, private. North Bridgewater, painter, married. Lawrence Burke, I'J, private, North Bridgewater, cooper, single. John Barry, 19, private. North Andover, machinist, single. Isa.ic W. Blancburd, 25, private. North Bridgewater, butcher, iiingte. Joliu Croighton, 21, private, Boston, laborer, single. Malcolm D. Ilalberg, 30, private, North Bridgewater, shoemaker, single. Thomas Doyle, 30, private, North Bridgewater, shoemaker, married. Sargent Daniels, 37, private, North Bridgewater, butcher. Soth Edsun, 33, private, North Bridgewater, carpenter, married. Aaron B. Frost, 23, private, Lowell, shoemaker, single. Joseph W. Freumun, 22, private, North Bridgewater, needlemaker, single.

single. Uufus F. Hull, 23, private, Georgetown, manufacturer, married. Albert P. Hovey, 32, private. Boxford, wheelwright, married. Nathaniel H. Hall, 30, private. North Bridgewater, stitcher, married. Christopher T. Harris, 21, private, Plymouth, tin-worker, single. Volney Howard, 21, private, Randolph, bootmaker, single. Clarence E. Hartwell, 25, private, North Bridgewater, bootmaker, married. John S. Hamilton, 25, private. North Bridgewater, bootmaker, single. William W. Newaon, 28, private, Boston, mechanic, single. Arthur J. F. O'Koefe, 18, private, Boston, printer, single. Isaac S. Porter, 19, private, Stoughton, farmer, single. James A. Packard, 25, private. North Bridgewater, shoe-cutter, married. Anthony P. Phillips, 19, private, North Bridgewater, shoemaker, single. Herbert A. Phillips, 24, private, North Bridgewater, bootmaker,

The Twelfth llegiuient, of which Coiupany F, of North Bridgewater, formed a part, was orgaoized at Fort Warren by Col. Fletcher Webster (son of the late lamented and illustrious Hon. Daniel Webster, of Marshtield, Mass.), " a brave and generous gentleman," who fell in the battle of Bull Ilun Aujr. 30, 1SG2. The regiment, when mustered into service on the "^Gth day of June, 1S61, numbered one thousand and fortj' men. Company F was recruited at North Bridgewater, and left that town April 29, 18G1, at nine o'clock A.il. The event of leaving the town was the occasion of a grand demonstration by the people of the town, thousands of whom had turned out to bid them farewell. The company assembled in their armory, which they left under the escort of the North Bridgewater Light Dragoons, Capt. Lucius i

Bichmond, with the engine companies Nos. 2, 3, 5, and C, and a large body of citizens, marching to the music of the North Bridgewater braas band, through the village to the railroad depot. The gathering was very numerous, probably never exceeded upon any occasion in that town. A sober feeling pervaded tlie concourse in view of the peril to be ericuuutered by our townsmen, and sympathy for those who were parting with husbands, brothers, and sons, and perhaps forever. A large company of citizens with tlie band accompanied the soldiers in the train to Boston, and when arriving in Boston, marched in proeessiuii to Faneuil Hall, and from thence to their temporary quarters, at 71 Clinton Street. The company numbered eighty, rank and tile, when they left the town for Boston, to which there were large additions made soon after.

Alphous K. Harmon, Ist lieut. Juno 2ll, ISIil ; capt. May 10, 1862; wounded at the battle of Bull Run; diich. July 8, 18C4, at the expiration of three years' service ; ])ro. acting provost-marshal of the Ninth Massachusetts l>ialrict June, 1864.

John S. Stoddard, enlisted in Co. F, of the 12th Itugt. uf .Massachusetts Volunteers as a private, and iuimediately upon the organization of the company was appointed orderly sergeant; afterwards commissioned as second lieutenant May 13, 1862; promoted first lieutenant i)cc. 14, 1862. He was iu the battle of Gettysburg, and narrowly iscaped being taken prisoner; but by his native shiewdness and strategy he succeeded in getting back to bis regiment; iuimediately after Ibis he received a captain's commission, dated July 23, 1862; be fell, while leading lii= men on in the very face of the enemy, pierced by a bullet, killing him iii:^(uutly, May 10, 13C4, in the battle of Spottsylvuiiia. Vu. In all iho positions that bo wus callcii to bll be proveii biuiaell' ruitbful, un<l anotbcerof unusual eapucity, while bis kind and considerate regard for hia men, and bis ever genial disposition, made hiin a favorite with all, wherever he wa^i known, and the couimunity in which he liveii have ruason todeplurc the loss of one whose soldierly (jualiiies couiiaanded the respect of his associates, lie wua buried on the battle-Held by his tuen.

Charles L. Sproul, ser^^t., disch. by order from War Department Aui;. I» 1863; afterwards attached to the navy on the Mi:-sis:)ippi River; com. as l^it lieut. in Co. C, 60tb Massachusetts Regt. for one hundred days' service, July 11, ISIU: capl. July :1U.

James B. Sampson, sergt., pro. 2d lieut. Sept. IS, 1862, and assigned to Co. A Jan. 1H, 1863; takeu prisoner at the battle of (leltysburg, Pa, and was an inmate of Libby Prison, Riubmoud, Va. ; was a prisoner at Columbia, S. C, where he ran past the guard with two other fellow-captives, and reached the Union lines in safety, after a perilous journey of tlirce hundred miles.

Uriali Macoy, corp., afterwanls lat sergt., taken prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg, and was a resident of Belle Isle Prison, Richmond, Va., till Mitrcb, 1864; com. as capC. of Co. C, GOth Massachusetts Regt., in one hundred days* service, July 1 Ich ; pro. maj. July 30, 1864 ; must, out of service Nov. ;iU, 1864.

Galen Edson, corp., pro. sergt.; died Feb. 20, 1S64, at Culpejier Court-House, Va. He was engaged in the battles at Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam, and Gettysburg. He was spoken of by his superior officers as a brave and faithful soldier, always at bis post, never shrinking from duty or dangei'.

James P. .Vudrcws, private, must, out at the expiration of service July 8, 1864 ; wounded at battle of Bull Run ; released fri)m Libby Prison, January, 1884.

Eli Bunker, private, slightly wounded at the battle of Antietam September, 1862; trans, to the Invalid Corps Jan. IG, 1^6-1. Henry L. Bunker, private, slightly wounded at the battle of Antietam, September, 1862; must, out of service July 8, 1864. William H. Bennie. private, disob. on account of wounds received at Bull Run Feb. 12, 1864. George W. Childs, corp., killed in action at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 18, 1862. John D. Creighton, private, disch. on account of wounds received at Bull Run, June 11, 1863. Malcolm F. Dbalberg, private, severely wounded at the battle

Hun ; discb. on account of wouuds Dec. 15, 1862. Albert S. Dean, private, disch. for disability June 4, 1S62. Aaron B. Dodge, private, discb. for disability Jan. U, 1803. Joseph P. Davis, private, must, out of service .Fuly 8, 1S64. Sargent Daniels, private, trans, to the U.S. Cav. Oct. 13, 1861. Setb Edson, private, diech. for disability Dec. 19, 1862. Aaron B. Frost, private, died in battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862. Joseph W. Freeman, private, disch. for disability Deo. 12, 1862. Henry W. Freeman, private, must, out of service July 8, 1864. Robert F. Fuller, private, trans, to the Vet. Res. Corps Jan. 16,

Run Aug. 30, 1862. Ilufus F. Hull, private, disch. for disability October, 1862. Albert P. Hovey, private, must, out of service July 8, 1864. Nathaniel H. Hall, private, trans, to division headquarters;

December, 1862. John Hallihau, private, disch. for disability Juno II, 1863. Charles Howard (2d), private, wounded at the battle of Bull Hun; di&>ah. for disability on account of wounds Oct. 10, 1862. William W. Hayden, minor, private, discb. June 28, 1862. Andrew Jackson, sergt., slightly wounded in tbo eye at the battle of the Wilderness ; must, out of service July 8, 1864. Laban Jackson, private, wounded in the sido at the battle of the Wilderness; must, out of service July 8, 1864. Thaddeus Keith, Ist sergt., killed at the battle of the Wilderness May 6, 1864. At the time of his death he was at the fore-front of the battle, where he gallantly and bravely resisted several onsets of the enemy. His frank aud generous nature made bim a favorito in the company. Benjamin J. Keith, private, disch. for disability Dec. 28, 1361. Dexter D. Keith, )>rivate, disch. for disability Jan. 2'J, IH63; afterwards re-enlisted; lost his right hand in the battle of Plymouth, N. C, April, 1864, and taken prisoner. Martin M. Keith, private, severely woundcil at the battle of out of service July 8, 18G4. Francis A. Jluncliester, private, slightly wounded at Antictam. Francia N. Maruni, corp., l<illcd in action at second battle of

June 25, 1SG4. William H. Rugg, corp., must, out of service July 8, 1864. Herbert Phillips, private, must, out of service July 8, 1864. William F. Robinson, private, must, out of service July 8, of Bull Run; disch. for disability March 13, 1S63. Frank M. Stoddard, sergt., wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg; killed at the battle of Spottsylvania, Va., to tho Vet. Res. Corps March 15, 1862. Nathan M. Tripp, private, must, out of service July 8, 1864. Joseph J. Vincent, private, pro. hosp. steward March 20, 1863. George B. \V'alker, private, severely wounded ut the second as provost-marshal; must, out of service July 8, 1864. Herbert 0. Moore, jirivatc; no report. Webster Ilovvard, private, detached to provost-guard; disch.

re-enl. in the 33d Regt. ; must, out of servioo July 8, 1864. Richard Packard, private, killed in the battle of Fredericksburg Dec. 13, 1862. Samuel E. Chandler, private, pro. to 4. m. -sergt. Jan. 25, 1863. Freeman R. Ranney, private, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps Sept. 17,

Lyman Allen, private, was drafted in North Bridgewater July 15, 1803, and was detailed to do guard duty at Lung [aland, where, by strict integrity of character, ho won the conlidence of all with whom he had to do. With others be was sent to the front and attached to the 12th Regt., and wiis killed in the first battle that ho was engaged in, near Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864.

Bull Run. Charles E. Reed, private, March 16, 1803, at Winchester, Va. John E. Ford, private, July 22, ISOl, from Fort Warren, Bostuu harbor. Arthur J. O'Koefe, private, Aug. 30, 1802, at the second battle

NAnnATivE OF THE Twelfth MissAcitusETTs Recime.nt. - "On the 23d of July, 1861, this regiment left Boston, and arrived at Sandy Hook, ^Id., on the 27tb inst., and ^vcnt into camp. They marched twenty-one miles to the Monoeaey River, and encamped, remaining there several days; from that place they marched to Hyattstown, adistanee of six miles; 10 Damestown, eighteen miles; to Muddy Branch, seven miles; to Edward's P>rry, fifteen miles; and to Seneca Mills, by the way of Poolesville, fifteen miles. They went into winter quarters at Frederick, Md., having arrived through Darnestown Jnd Barncstown, a disUmce of thirty miles. Upon tho 27th of February, 1862, they broke camp at Frederick, and wout into camp at Shenandoah City, Va., distant twenty-live miles from Frederick. March 1st they went to Charkstown, Va., by the way of Bolivar Heights, a distance of seven miles; tliey left Cbarlestown, March 10th, for Winchester, Va., by the way of Berryville, twenty-four miles; marched from AVineliester to Snicker's <Jap, by the way of Berryville, ou the 21st of March, eighteen miles; March 23d went to Aldle, distant eiglitccn miles; they returned to Snicker's Gap on the 2Uli, from whence they marched to Goose Creek, distant eleven miles; on the 2Stli they left for Cub Run, and on the 2ytb marched to Bull Run, live miles. They were uluiost continually on tho march from place to place through the Sbenunduah Valley between the 1st of April and August lat, seldom remaining long in ono camp; August Uth they were engaged in the battle of Cedar Mountain, in which they lost Capt. N. B. Sliurtleff, Jr., and ten men wounded ; after this they made several marches and countermarches, and on the 20th of August were engaged in the battle of tho Rappahannock, in which they ."utleied no loss; fioiu this to tho 30th they were almost constantly on the march, and on the day last mentioned, in an engagement at (liovctown, near Bull Run, Col. Webster, Cupt. Kimball, and ten men were killed, and ono hundred and tliirty-livo men were wounded and missing. After this battle, the regiment retreated to Cenlrcville, arriving there the next day; on tho 14th of September, they marched to South Mountain, and were engaged in that battle, in which one man was killed and live wounded; from that place tbey went to Keedysville, and on the afternoon of tho lOtli, formed in line of battle and bivouacked for the night: they engaged the enemy at live o'clock in the morning, but were ordered to leu7e the field at nine a.u., and withdrew in good order. They went iuto this tight with three liundrcd aod twent>-tive men, and loot I'orty-sovcn killed and une liundred iLud aixty-six wnunded, aeverul uf wbuiii Hub^equently died of their wuuiidd. On leaving the lield, bringing ort their regimental colors, four officers, and thirty-two men, they volunteured to support a battery; after which they rejoined their brigade, and participated in ttie pursuit of the tlyiog enemy, who witbdievv acrois the river.

" The regiment wad at thi:i time under the commuod of Capt. B. F. Cook, of Company E. On the 2lld of Soplembor, Col, James L. Uates took command of this regiment. From this time until November lOth they were mostly on the march in Maryland and \'^irgiuta, and arrived at the Rappahannock Station November Sth, near which they encamped.

"At the battle of Fredericki^burg, fouglit on iho I3th of December, lSt>2, the Twelfth Regiment was in Gen. Gibbons' diviijion. The division wa^ formed in three brigade lines, and the third, commanded by Qen. Taylor, had the advunce, tiie Thirteenth Massachu:)etts Regimeut acting ad ^kirmi.ihers for the division. Col. Lyiu's brigade, composed of tho Twelfth Massachusetts, the Twenty-sixth New York, and the Nineteenth and One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiments of Pennsylvania Volunteers, formed the second liuc, this regiment having the right. The third Hue was Col. Root's brigade, the Sixteenth Maine Regimeot having the right. The position of the Twelfth Regiment wad taken at nine o'clock a.m. ; the enemy were hidden from view by a thick wood. Our men remained lying down until one o'clock p.m. under ii brisk tire of shot and ^hell, the skirmi.sbers being hotly engaged, and the balls of the enemy passing over us. During these four liours there was but one man of this regiment injured. At one o'clock the signal to advance was given to the whole division and immediately obeyed. A heavy tire of musketry broke from the whole line of woods in our front. Gen. Tuylor'a brigade stootl the tiresome thirty minutes, when the brigade in which was this regiment was ordered to relieve them. As they advanced they became separated from the brigade by the retiring regiments of the Third Brigade, and continued to advance independently, taking a position and tiring until their ammunition began to fail. Their brigade bad fallen to the rear, and they were alone until the third line came forward; their solid ranks broke the right of this line, which openeil to the right and left to get to the front, where it waa quickly formed. The Twelfth P».cgimcnt followed the one in their frtmt, the Sixteenth Maine, a short distance, aitd being out of ammunition, wore about to join their brigade in the rear, wlien they were ordered by Gen. Taylor to prepare for a charge. Tho colonel thereupon gave the command to fi-\ bayonets, and filed to the right of the brigade and charged with them into the woods in their front. About two hundred of the enemy rushed through our lines and gave themselves up aa prisoner^ of war. We carried the position and remained some twenty minutes expecting support, hut none waji in sight and the men were constantly falling before the fatal lire of an unseen encn»y. Captains Ripley, Reed, Packard, and Clark, and a hundred uf the men had fallen. After consulting with the olficers the colonel gave orders to about face, and they fell back slowly and reluctantly and in very good order, bearing their tattered banners witii them to their brigade. After reaching the place, they were ordered to fall back to where they were supplied with ammunition and rations. They remained under arms all night, and early on the morning of the I4th they were ordered to another position, where they remained till the night of the loth, when they rccrosaed the river to Falmouth with their corps. During the battle the Twelfth was under tire six hours, and their loss was chietly sustained during the last two hours. During that time they had 6ve officers wounded and lifteen men killed, eighty-seven wounded, and three missing, making an aggregate of one hundred and Bve out of two hundred and tifly-eight, with which they wont into tho tight."

On the 3d of May, 1861, the President called for forty-two thousand und thirty-four volunteers to serve for three years, unless sooner discharged, to be mustered into infantry and cavalry service; also for an increase of the regular army of twenty-two thousand seven hundred and fourteen, making nearly sixty-tive thousand.

The number required of Massachusetts was three regiments; this number was afterwards increased to six, and again, by the persuasion of Col. Fletcher Webster, to seven regiments.

On the 17th of June, Massachusetts offered ten more regiments to the United States for three years, which were accepted. Under these calls regimeuta were filled and sent to camp or to the field to til! up old regiments, as they were needed.

This company was recruited iu North Brid^ewater by Capt. Lucius Iliciimond. Iu 1853 a drat;oun company was chartered in the town, and when the call was made for men, he enlisted aa many of that company as he could, and offered their services to the y;overument, and was accepted.

The company left North Bridgewater in the morning train for Camp Brigham, Readville, on the 11th of September, 1861. Before leaving the town the company partook of a collation at their armory, and then marched tlirough the principal streets in the village to the music of drum and fife, escorted by a large concourse of citizens, with Engine Companies Nos. 2, 3, and 5. Tiie streets were filled with an eager crowd to witness their departure and bid them farewell.

The regiment left the State in battalions. The First Battalion left on the 25th, the Second on the 27th, the Third on the 29th of December, 1861. The Third Battalion - consisting of Company I, of North Bridgewater, Capt. Lucius Richmond; Company K, Capt. James H. Case, of Middleboro' ; Company L, Capt. William Gibbs, of Waltliaiu ; Company M, Capt. Jlarcus A. Moore, of VValtham - left Camp Brigham Dec. 29, 1861, by the way of the "Shore Route" to New Haven and New York.

Upon their arrival in New York lliey had a collation [iruvided for tiiem at Park Barracks, where they remained for fourteen days. Left New York for Port Royal in steamer "Marion," Jan. 11, 1862, where they arrived after a passage of seventy -two hours. Camped at Hilton Head till about the 1st of August. From thence removed to Beaufort, S. C. ; was engaged iu the battle of Pocotaligo, S. C, during which three men were slightly wounded in Company I. Afterwards remained in camp till April 1, 1863, when twenty-five men were detached for courier duty on Morris and Folly Islands. On the last of May the remainder of the company was ordered from Beaufort to Hilton Head, and again, on the 7th of June, fifteeu were ordered to James Island, under Gen. Terry.

On the 7th of July, Capt. Richmond was placed in command of fourteen infantry companies, forming the picket-line from Hilton Head to Cariboque Sound, near Fort Pulaski; removed to headijuarters at Hilton Head, Jan. 4, 1864. Ordered to Jacksonville, Fla., February 5th, whore tliey arrived on the Stli of February. Here they joined Capt. Elder's First United States Battery of four guns, and the Fortieth Massachusetts Regiment Mounted Infantry, under command of Col. Guy V. Henry. These companies were brigaded and placed under the command of Col. Henry, as acting brigadier-geueral.

These forces started on an expedition of one hundred and fifty miles into the country on the day of their arrival, and duriug the first night surprised and captured four picket-posts of five men each, and capiured an artillery camp of eight guns, called Camp Finnegan, after which they proceeded on to Baldwin Station, on the Jacksonville and Tallahassee R.iilroad, where they arrived at sunrise, Feb. 9, 1S64, and captured four cars loaded with ammunition, cannon, and forage, and also a C|uantity of turpentine, rosin, and cotton. On the 10th, uriived at Barber's Ford, on the South Fork of St. Mary's River. Here the forces engaged in tight about noon. During this engagement, Thomas F. C. Dean, of Stoughton, was killed. He was a member of Company I, from North Bridgewater. Four men were slightly wounded. The Union forces captured fortyfive prisoners. The next night they biv(maLked at Sandersonville, alter driving Finnegan's forces from there, which was his headquarters at that time.

After destroying distillerie.s, corn, etc., started for Lake City, and arrived within one and a half miles of tbat place, when they engaged Gen. Finncgtin's force, in sight of the city. After a .severe fight of about two hours, ammunition becoming short, and having no supply-traiu, they fell back to Barber's Ford, by order of Gen. Seymour.

On the 15lh of February, went to Callihaii Station, on the Gainesville and Fernandina Railroad. At St. Mary's River, destroyed three ferries, and returned to Barber's Ford on the 19th of Feljruary. On the tbilowing day, Gen. Seymour engaged the rebels at Olustee with five thousand men, the enciuy having thirteen tliousiiiid men. After a severe fight, both siJes fell hack. On their retreat, the Union forees de.stroyeJ Baldwin village. Fou;.'lit at Camp Finncgan February 2Hd, Mile Run, February liTuh.

On the 3(ltli of March the battalion was ordered to Pilatk.i, Fla., where they remained fourteen days. While there they lu^t four men while on picket duty, - Matthew Lincoln, of Abiii<;ton ; H. F. Poole, of Eastun ; John Sylvester, of East Bridy;ewater ; Roscoe Tucker, - who were carried to Audersonville Prison; the last three have since died. On the 14th of iMarch the battalion evacuated Pilatka. At this time, part of the company having re-enlisted and gone on a furlough to the North, Capt. Richmond was ordered to St. Augustine, Fla., with the remainder of the company ; stopped there three days; from thence removed to Jacksonville, Fla. On the 22d of April was ordered to Viiginia; embarked for Hilton Head, and arrived there next day. May 1st, started for Yorktown, Va. ; arrived May 3d; joined Gen. Gillmore, May 8th, at Bermuda Hundred. The company was engaged in fights on the 8th and 9th of May at Swift Creek ; was engaged in front of Fort Darling from the 11th to the 16th of May, and fell back to Bermuda Hundred the same day. On the 9th of June was engaged in front of Petersburg, Va. ; on the 2Stli of September was in front of Richmond, and froiu that time to the middle of November was in several fights. About the 15th of November, was ordered to the headf|uarters of the Army of the James, under Gen. Butler, and was employed on escort and courier duty. Capt. Richmond was honorably discharged Dec. 17, 1864, after thirty-nine months' service, in which he proved himself a brave and good officer. In the advance from Jacksonville to Lake City it was Capt. Richmond's company that led the advance, capturing and first engaging the forces of the enemy in front, and was in almost every instance successful.

In 18U4 this company was consolidated into the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, so that the history of those from North Bridgewater, or belonging to Company I, may be found in that regiment.

Deaths, Casualties, etc. - List of changes, casualties, deaths, etc., that have occurred in Company I, of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, under Capt. Lucius Richmond :

May 7, 1804. Uicbard Adauis, private, diseh. for disability April 2U, 1862. Virgil S. BlaisUell, private, discb. for disability April S, 1864. Caleb Badger, private, disoh. for disability July U, 1863, al during the siege of Fort Wagner and Pocutaligo, S. C. Tolman French, private, discb. for ilisability May 4, 1864. James Fitzpatrick, private, trans, to the Invalid Corps July 9,

April 9, 1862; discb. Deo. 10, 1862. Francis A. Kiubardson, q.m. -sergt., discli. for disability at Hilton Head December, 1863. Gilbert R. Uicbardson, private, discb. Feb. 7, 1862. W. A. Smith, private, disch. for disability at Hilton Head April

List of men in Ciipt. Francis H. Tucicer's company, Company H, of the Second Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteei-s, uodur command of Col. Georp;e H. Gordon, for three years' service, as mustered May 25, 1861, from North Bridgewater :

List of men in Capt. Ward L. Foster's company. Company G, of tlie Seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Col. Darius N. Couch, as mustered into three years' service June 11, 1861, from North Bridgewater :

List of men in Company K, Capt. George W. Dutton's company, of the Ninth Regiment of JLissachusetts Voluutcers, Col. Thomas Cass, as mustered into three years' service June 15, 1861, IVom North Bridgewater :

The muster-rolls of the Eighteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. James Barnes, contain the following names, mustered in July and August, 1861 :

Again the President, at the request of the various Governor.s of the loyal States, issued a proclamation July 1, 1862, calling for three hundred thousand more volunteers to serve for three years, or during tlie war. The number of regiments sent from the State up to this date was twenty-seven, besides thirteen unattached companies, making in all thirty-one thousand three hundred and seventy-seven men.

The quota for Massachusetts was fifteen thousand ; the nuiiiber called for from North Bridgewater was fifty-two. In response to the above call, a legal meeting of the town was held at the new church vestry July 19, 1862, at which it was " voted to borrow five thousand two hundred dollars for a term of years ; and to pay one hundred dollars each to any person that should volunteer into the service of the United States, under the lute call of the President."

" lienolnetl. That earth has never seen a holier war than that now wajjcd by the Government of the United States to put down rebellion; and that we should be derelict and criminal in the bijjheit degree, if we failed to make every needful sacrifice, in order to transmit to our posterity the glorious heritage of popular government.

" lieiulceil, That we hail with satisfaction the recent legislation in Congress, as an evidence on the part of the government that treason and rebellion shall be promptly and effectually crushed.

'* HeHotvett, Thot while the citizens of this town will endeavor to do, and will do, their duty, and their whole duty, they have a right to expect that those in authority, whether in Congress, the c.-Lbiuet, or the field, will pursue a vigorous policy, and make war in earnest, until the last rebel has laid down his arms, and acknowledge paramount allegiance to the United States.

" litholued, That justice, which is the only sound policy and the best economy, demands that the government should call upon every loyal person without distinction of complexion or race, within the rebel States, to rally around the Uag of the Union, and should give freedom and protection to all who obey the call, and that the neglect in the future so to do wilt be a stupendous blunder, unparalleled in the history of the world."

Immediately after the above meeting, the business of recruiting and filling the town's quota was brisk, resulting in the following persons enlisting for the term of three years, or during the war.

The followiiii; men enlisted in the Ninth Massachusetts Liglit Battery in July and Aujiust, 18U2, for three years' service, under the command of Capt. Achille De Vecchi :

List of men in Tenth Massacliusetts Battery, under the command of Capt. J. Henry Sleeper, for three years' service, mustered Sept. 9, 186- :

In the early part of the year 18G2, permission was given to raise a company of heavy anillery fur garrison duty at Fort Warren, Bostim harbor. This company was raised by Stephen Cabot, of Boston.

'* Ordered, First, that a draft of three hundred thousand militia he imuiediiitcly called into the service of the United States, to servo nine months, unless sooner discharged,

*' Ordtied, Second, that if any State shall not, hy the 1 5th of August, furnish its quota of the tulditiunal three hundred thousand authorized by law, the delicieucy of volunteers for that State shall be made up by a special draft from the militia.

The quota for Massachusetts, under this call, was nineteen thousand and eighty. In response to this call the people were, as in the previous calls, " wide awake." Early on Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 1862, a large handbill was circulated, with the following announcement; " War vieeting ! G-rdud Tully ! Volunteering vs. drafting .' Rally to your coxuitry's call!" etc. The meeting whicli this bill called together was held on the afternoon of Thursday, the 21st, at two o'clock, in the new church vestry. Patriotic speeches were made by Hon. B. W. Harris, of East Bridgewater, J. C. Cluer, of Boston, and others of the town, the sentiment of the meeting being decidedly iu favor of crushing the Rebellion.

This meeting closed at five o'clock p.m., to give way for a legal town-meeting to be held iu the same place. At the close of this meeting, which had been adjourned to the Saturday following, after remarks by several persons present, the following resolutimis were offered by David L. Cowell, whiuh were adupted by the meeting :

" Jietoti'edf That the citizens of North Bridguwatci-, in I'urnisiiing their quota of the three hundred thou-and volunteers for three i/eiim, and the additional quota fitr innr imtutli-i, have neither e.vhausted their means nor their patrioii>m, but tlitit they are ready to respond to another call, and still another, if necessary, to put down Ireueun and rthtUit-n.

*^ ReHutut'd, That the present rebellion is an insurrection nf political slaveholders against republiciin iu.^titutions. and ihercfore the power of slavery should henceforth be turned to the use of freedom ; that the slaves of rebels should be tiberaleil, and as many of them as are willing armed; and, while we have uti^vavering eonlidenco iu the honesty and patriotism of the President, we earnestly implore him to have faith in the people, and yu utiead.

" JieHulved, That, without detracting from the inciit of those who have gone before, the alacrity with which our young men come forward in response to the call fur nine months' men eminently entitles them, under the peculiar circutn^lauces of the case, to be called volunteers."

The number that had enlisted up to the close of the meeting was seventy, each of whom generously offered to relinquish fifty dollars of their bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars, its voted by the town to be paid to each volunteer.

From Aug. 25 to Dec. 9, 18G2, the following persons enlisted in the nine months' service, as appears on the rolls of the various companies from North Bridgewater:

List of men in Company K, from North Bridgewater, in the Third Massachusetts Regiimnt of Volunteers, for nine months' service, under Cul. Silas P. Richmond, from Sept. 23, 1862 :

The above regiment served iu the cummencement of the war as three months' volunteers from the old militia organization. After their term of service at Fortress Monroe had expired it returned to its old place in the militia of Massachusetts. When the call was made for a draft of nine months' men, the Third Regiment, Col. Silas P. Richmond, volunteered at once, and was sent to Camp Joe Hooker, at Lakeville, where it filled up its ranks to the full reijuiremcnt. The above company embarked on board the steamers " Merrimac" and " Mississippi, " at Boston,

List of men in Company C, Forty-second Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under Col. Isaac S. Burrill, fur nine months' service, mustered in October, 1862:

This regiment was recruited at Camp Meigs, Readville, the nucleus of which was the Second Regiment, afterwards changed to the Forty-second. It was ordered to Gen. Banks' department, in the Gulf, and was on duty at New Orleans, Galveston, and Carrollton, La.

List of men in Company K, Forty-third Regiment of Massacliusetts Volunteers, under Col. Charles L. Holbrook, mustered Sept. 16, 1862, for nine months' service :

This regiment was recruited through the influence of the Second Battalion, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, First Brigade, First Division, otherwise known as the " Tiger Regiment ;" was in camp at Readville ; left camp, and embarked on board transport, Oct. 24, 1862, and sailed for Newberne, N. C, where it was in service in Gen. Foster's division.

List of men in the Forty-fifth Regiment of Volunteers, for nine months' service, under Col. Charles R. Codman, Company G, Capt. Jo.seph Murdoek :

This regiment was well known as the " Cadet Regiment," from the fact that many of the ofBcers belong to that organization ; embarked on board steamer for Newberne, N. C, Oct. 24, 1862, where it joined Gen. Foster's forces. They were engaged in the battles of Whitehall and Kinston.

In the Forty-eighth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, for nine months' service. Col. Ebeu F. Stone, Company K, Capt. J. S. Todd, we find, -

This completes the lists of those who were from North Bridgewater in the nine months' service. The foregoing exhibits all the regular enlistments in the various companies in Massachusetts regiments. We next find the scattering enlistments as follows :

A proclamation w;i3 issued Oct. 17, 1863, calling for three hundred thousand more soldiers for three years or during tiie war, and " in all places where the quotas are not filled on or before Jan. 5, 1864, on that day a draft will be enforced." In the enlistments under this call, they were for one, two, or tltree years, and in any company that was not full, and hailing from the same State that the recruit resided in.

List of persons from North Bridgewater in the Second Heavy Artillery, mustered into three years' service in August, October, and December, 1863:

March 14, 1864, an order was given to the various provost-marshals throughout the State, by order of President Lincoln, to draft two iiundied thousand men as a reserve force, in addition to the Cve hundred thousand called for in February, 1864, to be used in the army, navy, and marine corps of the United States.

One Hundred Days' Men. - Again in July, 186-t, the enemy having marched to within a few miles of the capital, and the Governors of several States feeling desirous to aid in the defense of the same, at their earnest solicitation, they were permitted to call for troops to serve for one hundred days. An order was issued by Gen. William Schouler, from the headquarters at Boston, July 8, 1864, calling for four thousand men to do garrison duty in the forts in and around Washington, to be raised immediately. In response to the above call, fortytwo companies were in camp at Readville in less than ten days after the order was issued. Again did North Bridgewater come up nobly to the work of filling up tlie ranks. A company of a hundred and one, rank and file, was recruited, and left the town under the command of Capt. Uriah Macoy, July 13, 1864. The company left town in the morning train of cars for Readville. A large concourse of the friends of the company assembled at the depot to witness their departure, and to bestow their parting good wishes.

July 3»th. Boriah T. Ilillman, pro. 2d Iieut. July 30th. D. Perltins Reynolds, pro. Ist sergt. July 3Ut. John Ryan, pro. 2d sergt. July 3lst. Daniel L. Weymouth, pro. 3d sergt. July 3l3t. Peter Daltou, pro. 5th sergt. July Slst. llurun Wadu, pro. 3d corp. July 31st.

Emory Z. Stevens, pro. 5th oorp. July 31st. Alfred W. Jones, pro. 6tb corp. July 31st. Amos S. Porkiss, pro. 7th corp. July Slst. Scth L. French, pro. 8th oorp. July Slst.

This company was located at Indianapolis, Ind., and, although not actively engaged in any battle, did valuable service in doing guard duty, and received the thanks of the commanding general.

List of men in Company B, Cupt. Robert Crossman ('id), Fifty-eighth MaiisachusL'tt.s Regiment, under commuud of Col. John C. Whitou, fur three years' .service :

In the call of July, 1864, for five hundred thousand troops a draft was to be made in all districts that were not filled within sixty days. To avoid a draft and the liability of serving, the following persons furnished substitutes :

Spottsylvania May 10, 1864. Walter D. Allen, 3d Maes. Cav. ; died at the Philadctphia Hospital Oct. 29, 1864, from the effect of wounds received in formerly maj. of the 87th N. Y. Regt. Horace Baker, lost an arm in one of the battles of May 12, 1864. John A. Holmes, 29th Mass. Regt.; severely wounded in both in battle June 3, 1364. Andrew C. Gibbs, wounded in leg June 1, 1864. Daniel C. Bird, stunned by a shell in the head May 12, 1864. Frederic C. Blanchard, Co. C, 42d Moss. Regt.; appointed one where he remained one month ; paroled, and arrived at Annapolis, Md., Sept. 3, 1864. Samuel F. Howard, Co. G, 7th Mass. Regt.; was shot in the com. as capt. of Co. C, 26tli Regt. Mass. Vols,, Si'pt. 25, ISfil; he sailed with the regiiucut from Boston, Nov. 21, 1861, on the steamer "Constitution," and arrived at Ship Island Decemher 3d, where tliey remained till May JO, 1S62 ; was in the attack on Sabine Pass ; also in the battle of Wiucbester, where he fell, wounded in a eharge upon the rebels September lUtU ; he was a prisoner within the rebel lines five hours, when the Union cavalry made a charge and rescued hiiu. Ho died October 10th, at Winchester hospital ; his remains were buried at Manslicid, Mass., with military honors Nov. 11, 1S04. He was much respected as an oliicer by his superiors, and w;ib a brave, noble, and ;;eoerous man. Albert M. Smith, son of Albert Smith, of Charlestown, Mass., formerly uf North Bridgowater, was a member of Co. C, 42d Mass. Ke^t. ; was in the " Banks Expedition" at New Orleans, La., 1SG2-C3. At the e.xpiration of that service reenlisted, and was eugajjcd in the battle of Cold Harbor, siuce clerk in the hospital department. Joseph Scott Packard, Jr., formerly of North Bridgewater, was color-bearer in the 2d Mass. Regt. ; wounded at Gettysburg, Pa. Acting Master Frederic Crocker, pro. to lieut. for bravery at Sabine Pass; afterwards commanded an uxpedition that captured ono thousand prisoners, with their arms and ammunition ; he was attached to the gunboat " Kensington," on the Florida coast, uuder the command of Commodore Farragut; his promotion is said to have been richly deserved. Lucius F. Kingman, son of Davis Kinguian, formerly of North Bridgewater, lately of Northboro', Mass., was killed in battle, 1.S6:J. George H. Thompson, Co. F, 5Sth Mass. Regt., taken prisoner

Mississippi River. Edwin K. Faunce was in the 75th Illinois Regt. Ambrose Henry llayward was in Co. D, 2Sth Peuna. Regt. of Veterans; he enlisted May 21, ISGIl, and died in the hospital at Chattanooga, Tenu., Juno 15, lSG4,from the cQ'ccts of wounds received at the battle of Pine Knob, Ga. He was a noble, true-hearted soldier. At the time of his being wounded bo was in command of bis company, and had been in several engagements. He was endeared to all his companions by his courteous and manly deportment. Charles N. P;iekard, eorp., was in the 35th Mass. Regt. Mr. Packurd was one of the one thousand that wero inspected by the regimenLil, brigade, and division commanders, and pronounced in every respect the most etUcient soldier. He has participated in no less than hfteen battles; was at the siege of \'ickshurg, and umrehed through Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, with great credit to himself, and uiucb respected by his comrades. Austin Packard, enl. July, ISI>2, in the 9th Mass. Batt.; wounded in tbe arm at the battle of Gettysburg; he was conveyed to Philadelphia in tho cars, where his arm was amputated. A prontrating fever was caused by the operation, in consequence of which he died Sept. 21, 1S64. Funeral hunoi-s were paid to his remains at the grave by a detachment under Capt. A. K. llanuon. Qcorgo W. Colo, William Mackoy, Fernando Skinner, .and Ellis Howard, were rclexsed from rebel prisons in March, lStJ5. Samuel Kimball, enl. in Co. E, ISlh Moss. Regt., Aug. 26, 1801, and was killed at the b.atle of Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862. William Fluunagan, enl. June 26, IbOl ; killed at the battle of Bull Run Aug. 30, 1S61.

Orrin D. Holmes, son of Nathan Holmes, of North Bridgewater, eul. from Plymouth ; fell in the battle before Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1864.

We have now brought the chapter of the great Rebellion of 1861 down to the clo.se of enlistment of troopa in September, 1864. From this time to the close of the war there was one continuous line of successful victories over the Confederates.

The year 1865 opened with bright prospects before us, by the capture of Fort Fisher, January 15th ; of Columbia, S. C, February 17th ; Charleston, S. C, February 18th; Wilmington, N. C, February 21st; of Richmond, April 3d ; flight of the ConfeJcrato officers of State from Richmond, April -Ith ; surrender of Lee's army April 9th ; surrender of Johnston's army, April 26th; capture of Jefi'. Davis, May 10th. But that which gave the greatest joy to the Union people was the surrender of Lee. Then we began to see through the clouds that had been so long over us, and in the middle of May, 1SU5, the greatest armed rebellion of the world was at an end, so far as fighting was concerned, and the nation now appears to be as prosperous as ever. Business is good, mechanics have returned to tiieir occupations, the farmers to their long-neglected fields, and eveiything wears the appearance of a peaceful and prosperous hereafter. We are, as a people, stronger than before the war. We have stood up against everything that any people has ever been called to boar, and now the . " star-spangled banner in triumph still \v;ives over the land of the free and the home of the brave."