SUVCW

SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR



S. G. Griffin Camp #10
Keene, NH



Keene and the 
First NH Regiment


 
 
 

FIRST REGIMENT
Extracted from “A History of the Town of Keene” 
   by S. G. Griffin, Keene NH 
Sentinel Printing Company 1904

The First regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers was organized by the appointment of Hon. Mason W. Tappan of Bradford, ex-member of congress, colonel; Thomas Whipple, Esq. of Laconia, a veteran of the Mexican war, lieutenant colonel; and Aaron F. Stevens, Esq., of Nashua, major.  Rev.  Stephen G. Abbott of Bradford, after the war a citizen of Keene, was appointed chaplain.  The volunteers from Keene were all in Company G, of which Horace T. H. Pierce was first lieutenant.  Leaving Concord on the 27th of May, by the Worcester and Norwich route, the regiment reached New York on Sunday morning, where it was given a hearty reception, and proceeded thence through Baltimore to Washington.  It was Generously and even lavishly furnished with impedimenta by the state provided with a military band of twenty-five enlisted musicians; sixteen four-horse baggage wagons, all new, with selected horses and harnesses made specially for military service, each company having one wagon to carry its ponderous cooking range and other baggage.  A New York paper in giving an account of the passage of this regiment through the city said: " Accompanying the troops were one hundred and sixteen horses, sixteen baggage wagons, containing tents and provisions for thirty days, and one hospital wagon.  There were also in attendance sixteen nurses, who took dinner at the Astor House." On its arrival in Washington it was reviewed by President Lincoln, who complimented it as the best appointed regiment that had yet appeared at the capital.  Its uniform, however, furnished by the state, was of grey satinet of poor quality.  After encamping for a few days near Washington the regiment joined the forces under Col.  Charles P. Stone of the regular army, marched to Rockville, Md., and thence to Poolsville and was employed in guarding the crossings of the Potomac river.  On the 7th of July, 1861, it marched via Sharpsburg to Williamsport, forded the river into Virginia, and joined Gen.  Patterson's division.  After a movement towards Winchester and a retreat to Charlestown, the division marched to Harper's Ferry, and the First New Hampshire recrossed the river and encamped at Sandy Hook.  On the 2d of August its term expired, and the regiment returned to New Hampshire and was mustered out of service.  Many of its officers and men afterwards joined other organizations and did good service in the war.

The names of the men from Keene are given below, with a brief record of their service.  All were members of Company G. It is to be understood that they were privates and residents of Keene unless otherwise stated.

Austin, Charles F. Age 21; enl.  April 21; must. out Aug. 9. See Second N. H. V.

Bradford, Alonzo B. Age 21; enl.  June 12; must. out Aug. 9. (Alonzo S. Brentford of Ayling's Register is doubtless the same person.)

Colburn, Eleazer.  Age 21; enl.  April 21; must. out Aug. 9. See Ninth N. H. V.

Cross, Charles R. Age 23; enl.  April 19; must. out Aug. 9. See miscel. org.

Dinonie, Octave.  Age 22; enl.  April 23; must. out Aug. 9.

Drummer, Charles H. Age 22; enl.  April 19; app. 2d lieut.  April 30; must. out Aug. 9. See Fourth N. H. V. and U. S. Navy.

Farwell, Artemas.  Age 25; enl.  April 22; app. sergt.  Julv 12; must. Out Aug. 9.

Gorman, Michael.  Age 25; enl.  April 19; must. out Aug. 9. See Fourteenth N. H. V.

Joslin, Horace.  Age 25; enl.  April 24; app. corp.  July 12; must. out Aug. 9. See Third N. H. V.

Marsh, George W. Age 26; enl.  April 19; must. out Aug. 9. See Sixth N. H. V.

Pierce, Horace T. H. Age 37; enl.  April 22; app.  Ist lieut.  April 30; must. out Aug. 9. See Fifth N. H. V.

Quinn, Samuel S. A-e 21; res.  Swanzey after the war, Keene; enl.  April 21; app. sergt.  May 1; must. out Aug. 9. See Fifth N. H. V.

Ruffle, Josiah.  Age 19; enl.  April 24; deserted.  See Second N. H. V.

Ruffle, Samuel H. Age 32; enl.  April 24; must. out Aug. 9. See Second N. H. V.

Rines, George W. Age 23; enl.  April 22; must. out Aug. 9. See miscel. org.

Ross, Washington B. Age 20; enl.  April 24; must. out Aug. 9.

Russell, Alonzo B. Age 24; enl.  April 22; must. out Aug. 9.

Russell, George F. Age 27; enl.  April 19; must. out Aug. 9.

Slyfield, Andrew.  Age 23; enl.  April 23; must. out Aug. 9.

Stay, Charles.  Age 21; res.  Alstead, after the war, Keene; enl.  April 22; must. out Aug. 9.

Steck, Friedrick.  Age 29; enl.  April 23; must. out Aug. 9. See Fourteenth N. H. V.

Streeter, Charles H. A 18; eni.  April 20; must. out Aug. 9. See Second N. H. V.; res. Troy, after the war, Keene.

Towns, Charles E. Age 22; enl.  April 22; must. out Aug. 9. See Ninth N. H. V.

Waite, John H. Age 21; enl.  April 22; must. out Aug. 9. See Fifth N. H. V.