On May
30th 1861, I first entered the service as private with Company B,
Second Regiment Infantry at Camp Andrew, West Roxbury and at the
close of the war, my rank was that of a private.
As my term
of service had expired, I was first discharged on May 30, 1864 at
Washington, D. C.
On the
first of September 1863 I was transferred to the Veteran Reserve.
I was finally discharged on May 30, 1864 at Washington D. C. for
my term of service had expired.
The first
battle I took part in was at Winchester and it was at that time
when General Banks retreated.
I also
participated in the battles at Ball Bluff, Antietam Newton, Va.,
Chancellorsville and also at Winchester when General Shields whipped
Stonewall Jackson.
I was wounded
at Winchester and the wound was in my head. I was on May 4, 1863
confined in the Lincoln General Hospital.
Among my
most intimate comrades, while in service were Samuel F. Keyes, who
is now a lawyer and has an office on School St., Boston, and Frank
Dougherty, who also resides in Boston
Comrade
Keyes told me that the bullet that struck me was intended for him.
What I
deem the most important events during my services are as follows.
On the third of May 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville I was
wounded in the left shoulder.
The bullet
went in front and was cut out of my back. I took part in a good
many skirmishes and it was at Newtown in the Shenandoah Valley we
had a very hard one.
This skirmish
cost us a good many men and this one was before Banks took retreat.
At Round Harper's Ferry we fronted the Rebels there in 1861.
The Second
Mass. was the first Regiment to go in Harper's Ferry, Aug. 1, 1861. |
