Vernon, was an undergraduate at Dartmouth, from which he later received the degree of A. M., was admitted to the Bar, and was for a long time clerk of the courts for Hillsborough county. After his retirement from this responsible position in which he often acted with great approval as a trier of cases, he was tendered a seat upon the Supreme Bench by Governor John B. Smith.

He has for years been identified with the development and progress of Nashua, his adopted city, being prominent in all good works; serving upon the board of education, as trustee of the public library, member of the legislature, of the constitutional convention of 1876, as president of the trustees of the State Industrial school, and as a member of the Executive Council of the Governor. He has long been a director in railroads, manufacturing enterprises, and bank president and treasurer.

His position and influence in moral affairs has always been potential on the right side; as a consistent member of the Congregational church, a practical and pronounced temperance man, a just and worthy Mason, having attained to the Thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. In his pleasant home on Concord street he enjoys the just reward and rest of an honorable and busy life. Thus equipped, he was in November, 1896, elected Governor of his state, serving with conscientious singleness of purpose and excellent results.

Governor Ramsdell is careful, considerate, conservative, and yet a quick observer of public events, ready to meet the exigencies of state as they arise with wise deliberation.

It must stand as a great credit to the state and its chief magistrate, that in the spring of the present year he raised so speedily and equipped so thoroughly, the admirable regiment now sustaining the honor of New Hampshire in the field, a regiment that we of the "old regime" gladly

welcome to comradeship, and the New Hampshire roll of honor begun at Louisburg and Bunker Hill and lengthened in every recurring war.

The expedition, wise forethought, and experienced care exercised by Governor Ramsdell in organizing and forwarding the First New Hampshire Infantry in May, 1898, is well set forth in the following telegram sent the governor and given to the press, by Senator Chandler:

“WASHINGTON, May 23, 1898.

The president, secretary of war, and adjutant-general express themselves as highly gratified that the New Hampshire regiment—250 more than our quota-has come so promptly into the field, completely equipped in all particulars for immediate service.

66

The people of New Hampshire may well be proud of the good and quick work done by their governor and council, adjutant-general, and other military authorities, and may feel sure that their first Cuban regiment will continue to do honor to the state.

66

Accept my personal thanks and gratitude for the good judgment, rapidity, and success with which you have in behalf of the state met the first demands of the war for Cuban freedom."

CHAPTER VII.

FIELD AND STAFF OF THE SEVENTEENTH.

The riches of the Commonwealth

Are free, strong minds, and hearts of health:
And more to her than gold or grain,

The cunning hand and cultured brain.

Whittier.

All were

The field and staff officers of the Seventeenth New Hampshire Infantry were: Colonel, Henry O. Kent of Lancaster; lieutenant-colonel, Charles H. Long of Claremont; major, George H. Bellows of Walpole; adjutant, George A. Wainwright of Hanover; quartermaster, Edward N. Cummings of Colebrook; surgeon, James D. Folsom, M. D., of Lancaster; assistant surgeons, Luther C. Bean, M. D., of Lebanon, and Horatio N. Small, M. D., of Lancaster; chaplain, Rev. George S. Barnes of Seabrook. selected upon the plan that had been agreed to for recruiting the regimental quota in the third congressional district, save the chaplain, who was appointed as a personal selection of the governor's. It is noticeable, also, that the four counties in this district were represented by the four officers first named: Colonel Kent was from Coös; Lieutenant-Colonel Long from Sullivan; Major Bellows from Cheshire, and Adjutant Wainwright from Grafton.

Colonel Kent's appointment as commander of the regiment to be raised in the Third Congressional District, was preeminently wise, judicious, and deserving. It elicited unexpected enthusiasm throughout the district, and resulted in more speedy and general enlistments than had been thought possible. Although a comparatively young man,