Col. Edward L. Bailey, commanding, on the part of the Second Regi

ment.

Capt. Charles Holmes, U. S. mustering officer, will muster out and discharge by arrangement with Colonel Kent, the commissioned and non-commissioned officers designated in this order.

In carrying into effect this order the governor regrets the necessity that disbands the Seventeenth Regiment, the more, that during its long and uncertain delay in camp, its conduct has been such as to reflect credit upon its officers and men. The discipline, neatness, and general behaviour of its members, fully warranting the belief of its efficiency, could its ranks have been filled. In joining the Second Regiment, however, its members will become affiliated in one of the best regiments of the service.

By order of His Excellency,

NATHANIEL S. BERRY, Governor and Commander-in-chief.

ANTHONY COLBY,

Adjutant-General.

CHAPTER XVII.

CONSOLIDATED WITH THE SECOND NEW HAMPSHIRE.

In

"It's a blessed sort of feeling

Whether you live or die

To know you I've helped your country

And fought right loyally."

accordance with General Canby's instructions, enforced by Governor Berry, the consolidation was effected April 16th and 17th and the following additional order issued:

HEADQUARTERS 17TH N. H. VOLUNTEERS,

General Order No. 11.

CONCORD, April 16th, 1863.

In compliance with an order from his excellency, the commander-inchief, it is hereby ordered as follows:

I. All camp and garrison equipage, and all arms or any public property of whatever description, shall be turned over to the quartermaster, who will receipt for them. The quartermaster will compare the invoice of articles delivered, with the invoice of articles received, accounting for the difference as accounted for on the company returns. Articles missing from his original invoice will be accounted for in a satisfactory

manner.

II. The surgeon will take an invoice of all hospital stores originally received, and an invoice of stores on hand, turning over with the invoice of stores expended the hospital stores on hand to Captain Charles S. Holmes, U. S. A., acting quartermaster, who will give receipts for them.

III. Commanders of companies will, at the proper time, transfer all rolls, etc., necessary for the guidance of the officers to whom the men are transferred, in order that each and every man may have justice done him. Commanders of companies shall, after the muster out of non

commissioned officers, prepare a roll of men remaining, transferred to the Second Regiment, and deliver the same to these headquarters.

GEO. A. WAINWRIGHT,

Adjutant.

By order,

HENRY O. KENT,

Colonel Commanding 17th N. H. V.

The last dress parade of the Seventeenth New Hampshire Infantry was held on the 16th of April, 1863, and it was a sad and affecting occasion. "It made me cry," said a lieutenant afterwards, and indeed there were few dry eyes either in the ranks or among the officers. The general orders were read by the adjutant. The men so designated were honorably discharged and all others transferred to the Second Regiment. Then came the final leavetaking between the officers, their men, and each other, and all was over! The final entry in the regimental order book should be preserved. It is as follows:

HEADQUARTERS 17TH N. H. VOLS. CAMP ETHAN COLBY, CONCORD, N. H. April 17th, 1863.

In obedience to orders from the war department, bearing date April 1, 1863, as promulgated by the governor of New Hampshire, recorded on pages 20 and 21 of this book, and of General Order No. II of these headquarters of April 16th, 1863, recorded on page 19 of this book: The consolidation of this regiment with the Second Regiment N. H. Volunteers was effected April 16th and 17th.

The commissioned and non-commissioned officers and all warrant officers of the Seventeenth Regiment were mustered out of the service April 16th (for non-commissioned and warrant officers, and April 17th for commissioned officers), by Captain Charles Holmes, U. S. Mustering Officer.

The enlisted men were turned over by me, on parade, to Colonel Edward L. Bailey, commanding the Second N. H. Volunteers, and transfer rolls were prepared on the 16th day of April, 1863.

For a record of these officers and men reference is made to the Regimental Descriptive Book.

HENRY O. KENT,

Colonel 17th Regt. N. H. Vols.

A record of the officers mustered out will be found in Adjutant-General's Report, Vol. 1 for 1865, under title "Seventeenth Regiment," and a record of the enlisted men transferred will be found in Adjutant-General's Report, Vol. 1 for 1866, under title, "Second Regiment."

It is proper to repeat here in substance a statement already made in the earlier part of this history, that His Excellency, Governor Berry, and the gentlemen who composed his council acted in every emergency as it arose from an honest sense of duty, and should not be held responsible for the existence of those facts which overruled and crushed

the regiment. They exhibited a hearty interest in the welfare of the command and deeply regretted the necessity for consolidation. Manifestations of sympathy were general among state officials and prominent citizens of Concord; and it was a common remark that no other regiment had acquitted itself so well in camp, or deserved so largely the respect of the people, for its soldierly behaviour under most adverse circumstances.

Of the immediate causes which brought about the disintegration of one of the best regiments organized during the war, it would be useless to speculate. The facts are as we have stated them, the result was deplorable; but further discussion would only prove the truth of Pyrrho's maxim: "And no man knows distinctly anything And no man ever will."

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICIAL REPORT CONCERNING THE SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.

Indissolubly connected with the history of the regiment are the official documents concerning it and the conclusions drawn from them. It seems proper, therefore, to print in this place the report of Adjutant-General Natt Head, as made to the governor and council, in the official volume issued for the year 1866. It is as follows:

"SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.

"The circumstances attending this regiment up to the time of its consolidation with the Second Infantry, were such as to make a brief statement in this place concerning it, compiled from official records an act of the simplest justice to its commander, Colonel Henry O. Kent, his officers, and the enlisted men.

"Although the Seventeenth was neither filled nor ordered to the front, the officers and men upon its rolls were commissioned, and enlisted in full expectation of immediate service, and as well as those at the front evinced their patriotism by responding to the call of the country for volunteers.

"In the summer or early autumn of 1862 a call was received by the governor for men sufficient to fill three regiments of infantry. Upon consultation it was determined to apportion this levy between the three congres