CHAPTER XXIII. MUSTERED OUT. "Through the blood sweat and pain of war Shall shine the red, the white, the blue." Thus the men of the Seventeenth, who were mustered in the Second Regiment, served in that command all through the hardest fought and most decisive campaign of the entire war. From the outset they behaved like veterans, well-mated with the old campaigners of the adopted organization, equally capable and willing to perform any service required or hold their own on the battlefield. It has ever been the pride of their officers and companions. in the Seventeenth to point to the record they made; it has ever been an honor to the men to have that record exhibited. Gettysburg raised up many heroes; many regiments won renown on that decisive field; but among them all, none surpassed the Second New Hampshire in courage and valor and no men in the Second sustained their part better than the gallant contingent from the Third Congressional District, which came through the Seventeenth. These men were mustered November 13, 1862, for nine months, and were entitled to a discharge August 13, 1863; but the "exigencies of the service" appeared to require their detention, and it was not until October 9 that they were finally mustered out. Upon bidding them farewell, Colonel Bailey issued the following order: General Order No. 14. HEADQUARTERS SECOND N. H. V., DIST. ST. MARY'S, POINT LOOKOUT, MD., September 22, 1863. SOLDIERS OF THE SEVENTEENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS: You are about to part with your comrades of the Second for the more peaceful and happier atmosphere of your domestic firesides. Aroused by the necessity of your country, you assembled under a gallant and accomplished leader, with justly high hopes to lead with him a brilliant career, carving bright honors from the field of battle with which to wreathe the proud banners of your regiment; but these cherished anticipations were not to be realized. After months of uncertainty, in obedience to orders from the Honorable Secretary of War, the Seventeenth and Second New Hampshire Regiments were consolidated on the sixteenth day of April, since which time you have labored patiently and harmoniously. You had no choice in your disposition—you were not the electors of place. Yet though not sent to battle under the most favorable circumstances, you have comported yourselves as men should, and have secured the respect and friendship of your companions and officers. Your term of service, though short, has been eventful. You will return to the quiet of your pleasant homes with the proud satisfaction that your career embraced participation in one of the most arduous campaigns and the hardest fought and most glorious battle in its results of any of this war. Called to sustain a part which tested your patriotism and valor, the ordeal prepared for you was the occupancy of the most exposed position. During that terrible contest you stood firmly, shoulder to shoulder, with the familiars of fifteen battles, fighting as valiantly. Ten of your comrades sleep where no sound shall awaken them till the reveille of the angel band summons them to join the ranks of that host of hosts whose enlistment is forever and ever. I would thank you for your prompt, brave, and efficient performance of your duty; your respect and cheerful obedience of all orders, which has been your conduct uniformly during the period I have had the honor to be connected with you in the capacity of commander. You return to your homes with some pleasant reminiscences mingled with your recollection of toil, hardship, and danger, ere long to be followed by your remaining comrades, who, I trust, are soon to witness the death of that hydra-rebellion—and be permitted to assume the garb of peace. JOHN D. COOPER, Adjutant. ED. L. BAILEY, Col. 2d N. H. V. In drawing to a close this all too imperfect record of some events connected with the great Civil War, it may be of interest to record for future reference the name of the colonel, first in command of each New Hampshire regimental organization. The list is as follows: (Those still living are indicated by a star prefixed to the name.) First Regiment, MASON W. TAPPAN. Died October 24, Fourth Regiment, THOMAS J. WHIPPLE. Died December 21, 1889. Fifth Regiment, EDWARD E. CROSS. Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Sixth Regiment, NELSON CONVERSE. 1894. Killed in the Died April 27, Seventh Regiment, HALDIMAN S. PUTNAM. Killed at Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863. Eighth Regiment, * HAWKES FEARING, JR. Ninth Regiment, ENOCH Q. FELLOWS, from June 14 to November 21, 1862, *HERBERT B. TITUS. Tenth Regiment, MICHAEL T. DONOHOE. 26, 1895. Died May Eleventh Regiment, WALTER HARRIMAN. Died July 25, 1884. Twelfth Regiment, JOSEPH H. POTTER. Died Decem ber 1, 1892. Thirteenth Regiment, AARON F. STEVENS. Died May 10, 1887. Fourteenth Regiment, ROBERT WILSON. Died April 8, Fifteenth Regiment, * JOHN W. KINGMAN. Sixteenth Regiment, JAMES PIKE. Died July 26, 1895. Seventeenth Regiment, HENRY O. KENT. * Eighteenth Regiment, * THOMAS L. LIVERMORE. First Regiment Heavy Artillery, * CHARLES H. LONG. First Regiment Volunteer Cavalry, JOHN L. THOMPDied January 1, 1888. SON. |