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

The Third New Hampshire Volunteers were organized during the month of August and started for the front, 1,035 strong, on the 3d of September; and the Fourth also left the state two weeks later.  After spending a few weeks at Washington, the Third joined the expedition of Gen.  Thomas W. Sherman to Port Royal, S. C., embarked at Annapolis and landed on the island of Hilton Head early in November and remained there until April.  In June, 1862, it was sent to James Island, and on the 16th was sharply engaged at Secessionville, losing 105 men killed, wounded and missing.  Among the wounded was Lieut.  Henry C. Handerson of Keene.  Returning to Hilton Head the regiment remained there until April, 1863, when it assisted in capturing Morris Island.  It was also engaged in the siege of Fort Wagner, and lost heavily in the charge made on the 18th of July.  In February, 1864, the regiment was again sent to Hilton Head and mounted.  It took the name of Third New Hampshire Mounted Infantry, and was sent to Florida and encamped near Jacksonville; but in April it was dismounted and ordered to Virginia.  In the meantime many of the men had reenlisted and received furloughs and had visited their homes. 

Arriving in Virginia about the lst of May, the regiment was joined by the reenlisted men and took part in the actions of May 13, 14, 15 and 16 at Drewry's Bluff, losing many officers and men.  Again on May 18, and June 2 and 16, it was engaged and suffered severe loss; and on the 16th of August "the regiment was well-nigh annihilated." The three years' term of enlistment of the original members expired on the 23d of August, and those who bad not reenlisted were sent home and mustered out.  Those who remained-a small battalion-joined in the siege of Petersburg.  In November the battalion was sent to New York to aid in guarding the election against the interference of rioters, but soon returned to its camp at Laurel Hill, Va.  In January, 1865, it formed a part of the infantry force engaged in the capture of Fort Fisher, and was sent thence to Wilmington, and afterwards to Goldborough, where it was mustered out, July 20, 1865.  Twelve men from Keene served in that regiment, found below.  It is to be understood that they were privates and residents of Keene unless otherwise Stated. 
 

Brainard, Charles P. Non-com. staff; age 33; enl.  Aug. 26, '61; must. as Q. M. sergt; app. 2d lieut.  Co. E, Nov. 17, '62; lst lieut.  Co. K, May 13, '63; disch. disab.  Aug. 10, '63. 

Corker, Henry.  Co. 1; age 18; enl.  July 25, '61; reenl.  Feb. 25, '64; deserted. 

Davis, George H. Co. 1; age 29; enl.  Aug. 1,-'61; wd.  June 16, '62, Secessionville, S. C.; app. corp.  June 4, '63; reenl. Jan. 1, '64; app. sergt.  May 1, '64; wd.  May 13, 'd-4, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; wd.  May 18, '64, Bermuda Hundred, Va.; must. out July 20, '65.  Received Gillmore medal. 

Davis, Oliver 0. Co. B; age 34; enl.  Feb. 10, '62; wd.  May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; died, wds., May 22, '64, Hampton, Va. 

Emerson, George W. Co. F; age 44; b. Keene, res.  Claremont; enl.  July 29, '61; disch.  Oct. 25, '64, term exp. 

Fiske, William A. Co. 1; age 21; enl.  Aug. 20, '61; reenl.  Jan. 1, '64; must. out July 20, '65. 

Handerson, Henry C. Co. G; age 33; app. 2d lieut.  Aug. 22, 161; lst lieut., April 2, '62; wd., sev.  June 16, '62, Secessionville, S. C.; app. capt.  Co. K, March 7, '63; resigned Sept. 18, '63. 

Holt, Edward B. Co. B; age 16; res.  Nelson; cred.  Keene; enl.  Dec. 23, '63; wd., sev., May 13, 64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; disch. disab.  May 25, '65, Wilmington, N. C. 

Joslin, Horace.  Co. G; age 25; enl.  Feb. 18, '62; app. wagoner; reenl. Feb. 18, '64; must. out July 20, '65. 

Kavan., Tames.  Co. C; age 29; enl.  March 25, '62; disch. disab.  May 9, ’63; Hilton Head, S. C. 

Smith, Samuel M. Co. I; ag4; 26; enl.  July 25, '61; app. 2d lieut.  Aug. 22, '61; lst lieut.  Co. K, June 22, '62; resigned June 13, '63.  See Fourteenth N. H. V. and U. S. colored troops. 

Wyman, Emery R. Co. I; age 34; enl.  Aug. 1-9,'61; wd., sev., May 13, '61, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; died, wds.  May 16, '64.