•. -^^0^ » O > ^ A^ • rfvV B8 A *Nn 0^ »LV,L% ^ '^ V . «• 1 \ O > \ -n^^^ o ^•^.>%*' ^^'\ ^:^^' .^^\ • * * A^ ^ h' v^ ^ "^ ,0' , -f^ o « ' ^-^^ v-.y^-/'^ %.'^.''jp %''^'\^ :m^^\ ^-^^S o PBNA.COOK /47 Whr for the Union. \>^ By HON. JOHN C. LINEHAN. Read before W. I. Brown Post G. A. R., May 30, iJ Republican Press Association, 22 North Main Street. 1889. zm PENACOOK IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION. At a meeting of the Post, in Octo- ber, 1888, I was requested to write a paper on the men who went from Penacoolf, — or, as it was known in 1861, Fisherville,— to the War of the Rebellion, and who lost their lives in battle, or from the effects of wounds or disease. The object of the Post in making this I'equest was two-fold, — (1) to pre- serve from oblivion the memory of those whose loss brought honor and mourning to our community, and (2) to close the observance of Memorial Day in a manner befitting the sacred- ness of such an occasion. This could not help being a sad duty for me, as it recalled to remembrance the features of many with whom I was associated in the school-room, mill, or shop ; but it was also a pleasure, in a certain sense, as I was thus enabled to pay this tribute to their patriotism. When the news of the attack on Sumter, in April, 1861, reached Pen- acook, quickly followed by the attack in Baltimore of the secession mob on the 6th Massachusetts, the feeling in our village was similar to that in all manufacturing communities. The most intense loyalty to the Union manifested itself, first, in the hanging out of the stars and stripes, and again, when the government called for troops, in being among the first to furnish volunteers. At that time the Washington House was kept by Major J. S. Durgin. He had two sons at work in Boston. The youngest, Hiram, was well known to the old residents as a stout, good- natured boy, full of life, and a great lover of the sports common in those days, especially the old-fashioned game of base-ball as it was played then. He enlisted when the first three-months regiment was organiz- ed, but with his brother Abner was transferred to the company command- ed by Capt. Leonard Drown, in the second three years regiment. In this command he served up to the second Bull Run, fought in July, 1862 ; and here, not far from where he first met the enemy on the same field but one year before, he met a soldier's death, falling with a sergeant's stripes on his arm, and lies buried in an unknown grave. His company commander, Captain Leonard Drown, was one of the best known men in Penacook for ten years before the war began. He was foreman of the Pioneer Fire Company for some years — a man of striking appearance, and one of the best line officers in a regiment second to none in the service. I saw him last at Bladensburgh, Md., in Octo- ber, 1861, during a visit made to his quarters by some of the Third New Hampshire, to which I was attached. At the severely contested battle of Williamsburgh, Va., during the for- ward movement of McClellan's army in March, 1862, he fell at the head of his company, shot through the head. He was the first commissioned officer from New Hampshire killed in that Penacook in the War. war. His remains rest in our ceme- tery, and bis grave was decorated to- day by the loving iiands of comrades, many of whom never knew him, but closely connected by ties stronger than blood. He left a widow, one son, and two daughters. The son died ; his widow and older daughter reside in Boston ; the other daughter is married to Mr. B. F. Drake, of Lake Village. John Muzzey was an employe at the Axle works — a young man of a quiet, retiring disposition, and a rela- tive, I think a brother, of those of the same name in the village. He was a recruit for the Second regiment, and was killed at the first Bull Run, where his ashes, like those of his com- rade Hiram Durgin, repose in an un- known grave. Stephen Cooney was the youngest son of the widow Cooney, who died about three years ago. When only seventeen years old he enlisted in the first three-months regiment, and on his discharge reeulisted in the third N. H. Volunteers for three years. With that regiment he served up to Febru- ary, 1864, when he was severely wounded at Drury's Bluff, Va., dying shortly afterwards. He is buried in the National Cemetery at Hampton, Va. He was a brave soldier. He re- ceived a painful wound in the first engagement in which his regiment participated, at Secessionville, on James Island, June 16, 1862. He was born in Ireland. George Damon was a spinner in Harris's Woollen Mill — a bright, genial young man, and a general fa- vorite. He was one of the best looking and neatest dressed men in the village. He enlisted in com- pany B, Second regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, and met his death at the battle of Fair Oaks, in June, 1862. Like so many others, he lies in an unknown grave. He left no relatives here to my knowledge, being unmarried. Francis Keenan was a brother of Andrew Keenan, and for some years before the war was in the employ of the Rolfe Brothers. He enlisted in Captain Sturtevant's company of the Fifth N. H., and was severely wound- ed at the battle of Fair Oaks, dying the same night. Like the others mentioned, his last resting-place is unknown. He was a brave soldier, a good type of his race, witty and energetic. He was a native of Ire- land, and came here about five years before the war. He was unmarried. Lucius Feeny was also an employe of the Rolfe Brothers, and enlisted in the same company as Keenan in the Fifth N. H. He met his death at Gettysburg, where he was killed by a solid shot, in July, 1863. His remains are interred in the New Hampshire lot in the National Cemetery on that renowned battlefield, but marked unknown. The identity of most of the men killed in that engagement was lost, no mark to designate who they were being found, — simply the letters N. H. on their caps, or their position in line where they fell. He left a widow, sister of Mr. Thomas Igo, a former resident of Penacook, and two children. One of the latter. Rev. G. H. Feeny, is a Catholic clergyman in Walpole, N. H. ; the other, a daugh- ter, is married and lives in Florida. He was also a native of Ireland. Curtis Flanders was a brother of Mr. Winthrop Flanders. He was one of the best known men in the village Penacook in the War. in his day, of an easy, jovial disposi- tion, with not an enemy in the world. He served in the first three-months regiment, afterwards reenlisted in the Sixth N. H., and was killed by a solid shot at Camden, N. C, the first to meet a violent death in his regiment, in the spring of 1862. He was un- married, and quite a young man. Joseph Farrand was a brother of Robert Farrand, our well known blind comrade. He was an operative in the Penacook Mill when the war broke out, and enlisted with his brother Robert in Captain Durgin's company of the Seventh N. H. He was killed at Olustee, Florida, in the spring of 1864, and in the same engagement his brother received the wound that rendered him sightless forever. Ed- mund, another brother, enlisted in the third N. H., and died from the effect of his service shortly after his discharge. His body rests in Wood- lawn. The family came here from England. Alexander L. Stevens was an em- ploye of the Axle works, I believe, and was orderly-sergeant of Captain Durgin's company of the Seventh N. H. He entered Wagner in that awful charge where his gallant Colonel met his death, and was never seen after- wards. No relatives here. Sergeant Eben Daggett came here from Attleboro', Mass. He enlisted in Captain Durgin's company, and like sergeant Stevens was killed in the terrible charge on Wagner. He was a brother of the late Mrs. David A. Brown, and a fine type of the New England soldier. God-fearing and brave. I saw him at Hilton Head in July, 1862, and there is no question, if his life had been spared, but what his abilities would have secured him high rank. Johnnie Clancy was a little doffer in the Penacook Mill. He was the son of a Mrs. Clancy, well known to some of our oldest residents. He enlisted in Captain Durgin's company of the Seventh, went into that fatal charge on Wagner, and of him the same story can be told. He was never seen again. He was a bright-faced boy, with laughing eyes, and was beloved by all his associates, who grieved over his early death, for he was hardly 17 years old. Patrick Clancy, John's brother, two years younger, enlisted in the Ninth N. H., but was taken sick, and died in the hospital in New York city. They were their mother's only sons, and a desolate home was the consequence. Richard Nolan was also an opera- tive in the Penacook Mill, of about the same age as John Clancy, and a half brother to Mrs. James Kelly. He enlisted in Captain Durgin's company in the fall of 1861, and like a hero met his fate at Wagner where his laughing face disappeared forever. Captain Henry H. Ayer recruited a part of the men in Captain Plymp- ton's company E of the Third N. H. He was appointed First Lieutenant, and promoted to Captain. He had the reputation of being one of the bravest men in that gallant regiment, as he was one of the most daring. He was severely wounded on Morris Island during the siege of Charleston, but recovered, and returning to his command was killed at Drury's Bluff in 1864. His body was brought to Penacook, and his ashes rest in Wood- lawn cemetery. A married daughter survives him, in Somerville, Mass. Pcnacook in the War. He was a man quick and energetic, but genial and happy in his disposi- tion. He was well known to many of us who served with hira in the Third. Lieut. Charles H. Emery was a brother of Mrs. Timothy C. Rolfe, an employ^ of the Rolfe Brothers, and well known in Penacook. He enlist- ed in the Twelfth N. H. in the sum- mer of 18G2, and was severely wound- ed at Cold Harbor, dying of his wounds shortly after. His body lies in our cemetery. He was a man of a gentle, retiring nature, and greatly esteemed by all who knew him. He left a widow who resides in Canter- bury. William Haley, one of the first to enlist in Captain Drovvn's company of the Second N. H., was in the employ of the Rolfe Brothers when the war broke out. He served with his com- pany and regiment up to March, 1863, when he returned with the regiment on furlough, and, while staying here on a visit with his uncle, died sudden- ly of heart disease, and was buried in Woodlawn cemetery. He was a native of Ireland, and for some years before coming to this country was a member of the celebrated Dublin police force. No relatives of his re- side here now. Mrs. Luke Garvey, a former resident of Penacook, widow of a soldier of the Fifth N. H., who was killed at Mine Run, Va., in 1864, was his sister. She now lives in Lowell, Mass., with her family. Thomas Haley was a weaver in the Penacook Mill for some years before the war, and a brother of William Haley. He enlisted in Captain Dur- giu's company of the Seventh N. H., which was mainly made up of Pena- cook men, or of those recruited in its immediate vicinity. He participated in the battles in which his regiment was engaged during the siege of Charleston, and was one of the few who came out of the charge on Wag- ner unhurt, only to meet his fate at Olustee, where he was killed beside his former room-mate in the mill, Joseph Farraud. His widow and two daughters resided here until 1879, when they removed to Manchester, where they still live. A little son of his was drowned in the canal back of the store of W. H. Bell, in the sum- mer of 1864. Like so many of his comrades, his last resting-place is un- known. He was born in Ireland. I was lately told by comrade George W. Abbott that just as the recall was sounded and the brigade ordered to fall back, he heard his name called, and looking back towards the direc- tion of the voice, saw poor Haley half lying half sitting at the base of a tree. A piece of shell had struck him in the middle, literally disembowelling him, and presenting a most horrifying spectacle. In piteous tones he beg- ged for a drink of water. Comrade Abbott, with a bullet in his shoulder, and at the risk of capture, as the regi- ment was rapidly disappearing, stoop- ed and gave him all there was in his canteen. He drank every drop ; whereupon Abbott said, — "Tom, I will try and fill my canteen and leave it with you." " It is no use, George," said Haley, " you will only be made a prisoner, and it will do me no good, as an hour will finish me. God bless you !" — and so they parted forever. Hubert McEvilly was an employe of H. II. & J. S. Brown, and a resi- dent of Penacook since 1853. He was Penacook in the War. the son of a widow who lived for a good many years in the house now occupied by Cornelius O'Brien, near the Axle works. While visiting friends in the Green Mountain state in the spring of 1862, he enlisted in the Tenth Vermont. He was severely wounded at the battle of the Wilder- ness, in 1864, being shot through the breast, the ball barely grazing his heart. He was home on furlough the greater part of the fall and winter of 1864, and was offered his discharge but would not accept it. He return- ed to his regiment, and at the battle of Five Forks, five days after his time was out, he was shot dead while act- ing as one of the color guard. A more touching tribute was never paid the memory of a brave man than when his Captain wrote to his afflicted mother of the death of her only son. He was buried where he fell. His mother and two sisters live in Illinois. He was a native of Ireland. Louis B. Elliott was the oldest son of Theodore Elliott, the well known wheelwright at the Borough. He en- listed in Company E, Sixteenth N.H., in the winter of 1862. Although this regiment was not engaged in any battles of note, the loss of life was terrible on account of being located in the swamps and bayous of Louisi- ana, where malarial fevers and dysen- tery almost decimated its ranks. He was among the many who lost their lives in this manner. He left a widow, Mrs. Roxanna Elliott, and two daugh- ters, Mrs. Edward Prescott and Mrs. Mary Clark, all of whom reside here still. Major William I. Brown was the oldest son of Mr. John S. Brown. He had but just graduated from Brown University, and was on the point of being ordained when the war broke out. He enlisted in the Ninth N. H., in July, 1862, and was commissioned first lieutenant, and appointed adjutant. With the Ninth he participated in many bloody bat- tles, and in the fall of 1864 was pro- moted to major, and transferred to the Eighteenth N. H., in which regi- ment he served until March, 1865, when he was killed at Fort Steadman just on the eve of the dissolution of the Southern Confederacy and the close of the war. His remains were buried in our cemetery. He was the last commissioned officer killed in action in that war from our state, as his uncle. Captain Drown of the Second, was the first, and their bodies rest side by side in Woodlawn cem- etery. He was small in stature, and, as I remember him, had a kindly eye, a gentle disposition, and a res- olute will. Among the many in both regiments who lost their lives for their country, none were lamented by their comrades more than Major Brown, as he was looked upon as one of the most reliable as he was one of the bravest men in the service. When our Grand Army Post was instituted, in the winter of 1874, his name was the one selected, and I am sure my comrades will agree with me when I say that in showing this respect for his memory we honored ourselves and paid a deserved tribute to his worth. Nathan Hardy was a son of the late Josiah Hardy. He enlisted in the Thirteenth New Hampshire, lived to return, and died soon after» His body lies in the family cemetery, near his late home. William Maher, well known to the 8 Penacook tn the War. boys of 1861, is a son of John Maher, of Boscawen. He enlisted in Captain Durgin's company of the Seventh, served his time out, and returned. He is now in Washington, D. C. John Maher, a brother of William, was a member of the same company and regiment as his brother. He also came out of the struggle safely, and is now a resident of Boston. James K. Brickett was a well known business man here for some years before the war, being engaged in the manufacture of shoes, in the building formerly occupied as a store by H. H. & J. 8. Brown. He enlist- ed in Captain Durgin's Company of the Seventh, and died of yellow-fever while on the way from Florida to New York. His body found a rest- ing-place in the ocean. He left a wid- ow, who now resides in East Con- cord, and a son and daughter. The former was an assistant surgeon dur- ing the war, in the navy. The daugh- ter was the wife of a well known law- yer here, before the war. Mr. Brick- ett was advanced in years when he enlisted, and was unable to endure the hardships of the campaign along the malarial coast of the Carolinas and Floridas. John Savage was an employ^ of Rolfe Brothers, and when the war broke out went to New York and enlisted in Corcoran's 69th Volun- teers. He was killed at the first bat- tle of Bull Run. He left no relatives here, as he came on a visit, in 1857, and, liking the place, remained until 1861, when he went, as stated, to New York to enlist in an Irish reg- iment, some of the officers of which he knew. He was a native of Ireland. John K. Flanders was another, well known in Penacook before the war, as he lived there, boy and man, up to the time he enlisted. His fa- ther owned and lived in the house on Canal street, opposite the bulkhead. He was bright and active, and promi- nent in amateur theatricals and lyce- ums. He enlisted in the Third N. H., Co. A, with his brother William, and died of yellow-fever, at Hilton Head, S. C, in 1863. He left a widow, who afterwards married Mr. Freeman Tucker of this place. No relatives now live here. His brother, who served through the war, now lives in Illinois, and another is a resident of Franklin Falls. George W. Gage was the sou of Mr. Jacob Gage, whom some of the older people will remember as a clerk for Mr. Luther Gage when in the old store, near the hotel on the Boscawen side. He enlisted in the Ninth New Hampshire, Co. K, and was killed at Bolivar, Kentucky, in 1863. I think no relatives now reside here. Like so many others, his bones lie far from where he was born. Moses Jones was one of three brothers, who volunteered in response to the president's call for troops in 1861. He enlisted in the Fourteenth Infantry of the regular army, and served faithfully with his regiment up to the time of the terrible campaign of the Wilderness, where he received his death wound, dying shortly after- wards in the hospital in Philadelphia, in which city his body was buried. Daniel Jones enlisted in Captain Durgin's company of the Seventh regi- ment in the fall of 1861, and, with the comrades of that noble regiment, took part in the long siege of Charles- ton. He was spared in the charge at Penacook in the War. Wagnei', but, like so many of his com- rades, fell at Olustee, Florida, his body falling into the possession of the enemy, and receiving burial at their hands. Both were brothers of our present post commander, David E. Jones, and were but boys when they received their death wounds. They were true types of the thousands who went to the front in 1861, with no incentive to enlist but a love of country and a desire to save the Union, for it was before bounties were offered as an inducement to enlist. It is difficult to realize, thinking of these things, that there are those who say that men enlisted for the pittance of $11 per month, and who grumble at the pension paid the mother, who contributed three sons in the war to save the Union, two of whom she never saw again. Samuel Wooley was an operative in the Penacook Mill. He enlisted in Capt. Sturtevant's company of the Fifth New Hampshire, in September, 1861, and died of disease. He was unmarried. Mathew Wooley was a brother of Samuel, and was also an operative in the Penacook mill. He enlisted in Capt. Durgin's company of the Seventh New Hampshire, and died of yellow-fever, at Fort Jefferson, Flori- da. He left one son, James Wooley, who resides here at the present time. Both were natives of England. Thomas Ward was in the employ of John A. Coburn when he enlisted, joining the first company of sharp- shooters of Berdan's regiment. He was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, in June, 1862. He left a widow and one daughter. The latter married John Rand, who for some years worked in the cabinet shop. Both mother and daughter are dead. Mr. Ward was a native of England. William Simpson was a native of Scotland, and was in the employ of Amsden & Merriam, in the tin busi- ness, some years before the war. He went to New York and enlisted in the Sevent^'-ninth Highlanders, and was killed in one of the many battles in which the regiment took part. While here he vras a general favorite, a member of the lyceum, and a fine am- ateur actor, as some of the older resi- dents of Penacook may recollect. Reuben Eastman was a son of the widow Judith Eastman, who died last year. He was drafted in 1864, as- signed to the Fifth New Hampshire, and killed in the first battle engaged, Cold Harbor, Va. His only relative here at the present time is his broth- er, William Eastman. Luke Garvey was an employ^ of Rolfe Bros., and a resident of Pena- cook for some eight years before the war. He was drafted at the same time as Eastman, assigned to the same regiment, and killed in the same battle. I believe they were the only drafted men who went to the front from Penacook, substitutes being sent by other parties. He left a widow and quite a family of young children, who now reside in Lowell, Mass. James Garvey is a brother, a veteran of the navy himself. Cyrus Holmes was an employe of Caldwell, Amsden & Co., and a resi- dent of Penacook for some years be- fore the war. He was one of those genial boys whom all liked, with a pleasant word ' for every one whom he met. He enlisted in the 1st Mass. Cavalry, and died during the war, of lO Penacook in the War. disease, at Hilton Head. It was ray fortune to meet him there in 1862. He was a sou of the late True Holmes. Two of his brothers and two sisters now reside here. Walter Roby was a son of S. C. Roby, well known here. He served in the Third N. H., Co. E, and died at Hilton Head during the war. Roland Taylor, a mule-spiuuer, was an employe of H. H. & J. S. Brown, He enlisted in the Fifth New Hamp- shire, Co. A, was severely wounded during the seven days' fighting before Richmond in 1862, and died June 4 of that year. He left no relatives here. He was a native of England. Lorenzo F. Connor was a tinsmith, who lived here as boy and man, working for some time in the store of Amsden & Merriam, now occupied by J. F. Hastings. He enlisted in the Seventh New Hampshire, Durgin's company, and was killed in the charge on Wagner, July 18, 1863. He left a sister, wife of Henry Abbott, now a resident of Concord. James C. Elliott was a brother of George B. Elliott, a member of our Post. He enlisted in the Sixteenth New Hampshire, Co. E, and died at Port Hudson, La., July 27, 1863. His brother served in the same regiment. Loveland C. French enlisted as a drummer in the Third New Hamp- shire, and died of disease. His father resides here still. Daniel Abbott was a brother of Dea. Frank A. Abbott. He enlisted in Capt. Durgin's company, of the Seventh, and participated in the long siege of Wagner, where his life was spared only to meet his destiny at Olustee, Florida. Here he was capt- ured, and died in Andersonville prison, which so many entered never again to leave alive. Freeman Ferrin was the father of Lyman Ferrin. He enlisted in the Seventh, in Durgin's company of that regiment, and was killed in the charge on Wagner. He was of tlie West Concord family of that name. James Martin, Jr., was the son of James Martin, and served in tlie same company and regiment with his father and brother, Michael C, Eightli New Hampshire, He was killed at Port Hudson on the same day Lieutenant- Colonel Lull lost his life. The family lived here before the war, the two boys working in the mill and the father on the railroad. They did not return here at the close of the war. Captain Nathaniel French was a son of the late Richard J. F'rench, and a brother of Thomas C. French. He was appointed assistant-surgeon of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, and died at Port Hudson. His brother re- sides here still on Canal street. John Price was born in England. He was an employe of H. H. & J. S. Brown. He enlisted in Capt. Dur- gin's company, of the Seventh, and died in the service, of disease. L. S. Raymond was of the Bos- cawen family of that name. He worked in the Penacook Mill as a boy. He enlisted in Durgin's com- pany, and fell at Wagner. Joseph Morrill was the son of Eben Morrill, of the Borough. He enlisted in the Seventh, and was killed at Wagner. Selwin Reed was son of Deacon Reed, for many years the well known miller. He died at Beaufort, S. C, in 1863, while serving in Capt. Dur- gin's company of the Seventh. Penacook in the War. II Jefferson Searle was a resident of Penacook, towards the Mast Yard. He enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Capt. Durgin's company, of the Seventh, and was killed at Olustee, a battle in which so many of the Seventh met their death. His widow married Joseph Thurber, and resides at Mast Yard. Samuel P. Reed was son of Deacon Reed, and a brother of Selwyn. He enlisted in Captain Durgin's company of the Seventh, and was killed in action at Laurel Hill, Va., in 1864. James M. Dwinnells was a recruit for Capt. Durgin's company. Seventh, and was killed at Olustee, in 1864. Alfred A. Clough was well known among the Fisherville boys before the war, his father living in the house on Summer street long occupied by the late C. C. Topliff, M. D. He en- listed in the Tenth N. H., Co. A, was captured at Five Oaks in 1864, ex- changed, and died shortly after from the hard usage in prison. Horace Clough was a brother of Alfred, and when he enlisted was at work in the cabinet-shop. He was a bright, happy boy, and a general favorite. He served in Co. E, First Heavy Artillery, and died on his re- turn. Both brothers were buried in Woodlawn cemetery. George M. Whidden was the son of a Mr. Whidden who owned the bouse on Summer street now occu- pied by John A. Coburn. He en- listed in Capt. Durgin's company of the Seventh, and died of wounds on June 25, 1864. In thus presenting a list of the men who went to the war from Pena- cook, and who lost their lives during the struggle, while a momentary thought of regret may pass through our minds, how little do we think of the terrible agony endured by many of them, as, torn by shot or shell, they lay on the battlefield, praying for death to end their sufferings : of many more dying a lingering death amid the malarial swamps of Louisi- ana, some of them but mere boys, far from a mother's loving care ; and of the thousands literally starved to death in the prison pens of the South, where, tortured by hunger, swarming with vermin, and covered with sores, they died rather than accept freedom on condition of enlistment in the rebel army. Native and foreign alike — Americans, Englishmen, Irishmen, and Canadians — they volunteered, before bounty or inducement was offered, in response to the call of Abraham Lincoln to save the Union of the states ; and whether in camp, on the march, in the trench, on the battlefield, or in the hospital, they freely divided their last crust, or shared alike in the contents of their canteens to the last drop, thus laying the foundation among those who sur- vived for a fraternity so broad and deep that neither the fierce parti- sanship of a political contest, nor the hateful quarrels of religious sects, can shatter it. Pessimists may deplore the ten- dency of the times from their stand- point, and look back with longing eyes to an imaginary period when there was more purity and integrity among our public men, and more of the love of country among our citi- zens ; but there never was a time in the history of this nation when better, purer, or abler men managed its aft'airs than duriner that eventful 12 Penacook in the War ■|i epoch in our existence, between 1861 and 1865, when Abraham Lincoln, Edwin M. Stanton, Salmon P. Chase, William H. Seward, and their asso- ciates ruled the destinies of the re- public, or more patriotism and true love of country manifested than by the men who were taught the science of- war under McClellan, and con- quered the Confederacy under Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan. The best illustration of the effects of Christian civilization on this con- tinent, after nearly a century of sep- aration from the corrupt, demoral- izing, aristocratic governments of Europe, was the character of that war ; — for, if there is one fact more than another made clear by history, it is that describing the atrocious out- rages committed on the old and the young, the weak and the helpless, and especially on the women and children, by the victorious soldiers of former wars. The War of the Revo- lution was not exempt from this stain ; and the burning of Washing- ton in the War of 1812 — brutal and needless — proved that that phase of barbarism still existed among the armies of a nation claiming to be in the fore front of civilization. Beauty and booty were the words in the mouths of Packenham's soldiers at New Orleans, and this fact nerved the troops of Jackson, and enabled them to achieve a glorious victory, and con- quer a peace that has existed up to the present time. But it remained for the soldiers of the civil war. South as well as North, to set an example such as the world had heretofore not seen in its great conflicts, — for from the begin- ning to the end of that struggle wil- ful destruction of property was the exception, not the rule, and acts of violence towards women were looked upon with so much horror that offences of that nature, when occurring, which was very rare, were sure to meet with a just and speedy punishment. The character of the great body of volun- teers in the Union Army was similar to that of the men and boys who left our village. They were, in the greater part, the sons of God-fearing parents, and it was not surprising that the lessons taught them at their mothers* knees bore such fruit, for never in the history of any nation were there found better husbands, more faithful sons, or braver soldiers than in that army towards which Penacook fur- nished her full proportion ; and when an occasion like the observance of to-day recalls to mind the forms of those who never came back, one is tempted to say of them what Pericles said of his comrades who fell in the Samian War more than two thousand years ago, — "• They are become immor- tal like the gods, for the gods them- selves are not visible to us, but, from the honors they receive and the happiness they enjoy, we conclude they are immortal ; and such should these brave men be who die for their country." Of that fierce struggle, which lasted four years, it has been truly said, — " It was the greatest war of the cen- tury. On the Union side alone, 1 10,070 men were killed in battle ; while 249,458 more died from disease, by accidents, in military prisons, or from other causes. Including both sides, over half a million lives were lost." It is hard to realize the meaning of the figures " 110,070 men killed," and Penacnok in the War. 13 that on one side only. But on this occasion I will dwell only on our own state and village. New Hampshire sent to the civil war one regiment of cavalry, one of heavy artillery, one light battery, one battalion of sharp- shooters, one three-months infantry regiment, two-nine months, thirteen three-years, and one, — organized in September, 1864, the Eighteenth, — served to the close of the war, about ten months. The total number of men who went from New Hampshire was a trifle above 35,000. Of that number 2,004 were killed or died of wounds, and 2,928 died of disease in prison, by accident, or otherwise. Adding the loss in killed, and who died of wounds and disease, of the battalion of sharp- shooters, which is not included in the above figures, and New Hampshire's loss foots up in round numbers to 5,000 men ; or, in other words, one man in seven who went to the front from this state, between April, 1861, and April, 1865, never returned, be- ing killed in battle, or dying of disease or wounds. An estimate can be formed from these figures of the number of desolate homes, and the thousands of widows, orphans, and mourning relatives, found in our state, when the surrender of Lee's army ended the war. Small as our village was at that time, it furnished volunteers for the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and l8th Infantry Regiments; 1st Cavalry, Light Battery; 1st Heavy Artillery ; 1st New England Cavalry ; Regular Army ; Navy and Marine Corps; 69th, 79th, and Fire Zouaves of New York, and the 10th Vermont. The following is a roll of the men who left Peuacook, and who survived to the end of the war. It is made up from memory, largely, and must be imperfect. The names en- rolled are of men who lived in the village, or in its immediate vicinity, for it must be remembered that in the report of the Adjutant General, the majority are credited to Concord, Boscawen, and Canterbury, the vil- lage being located on the borders of those three towns, having no identity of its own as a town, Penacook being merely a post-office address. SECOND RKGIMENT. Lieut. Isaac N. Vesper, now of Blackstone, Mass., resident of Pena- cook many years before the war. Lieut. Abner F. Durgiu, quarter- master of the regiment ; one of a family of four, who served through the war, all dead but him, and his intellect is gone. Lieut. Joseph H. Wilkinson, a native of England, present resi- dence unknown.' Corporal Joseph C. Sweatt, son of the late Ira Sweatt, died since the war, and fs buried in Woodlawn cemetery. James Thompson, unknown. Daniel Desmond, a native of Ire- land, well known before the war, died at Togus, Me., in the Soldiers' Home, about five years ago. Nicholas Duffy, well known before the war, resides in Penacook now. He is a native of Ireland. Philip C. Eastman, an old resident, well known, lives in Concord. Hiram S. Goodwin, an old resi- dent, now resides in Denver, Colo rado. H Penacook in the War. THIRD RKGIMENT. Adna S. Currier was a son of Bar- ney Currier, nephew of Dr. Steve Cur- rier ; died some years since tlie war. James M. Chase was an employe of Caldwell & Amsden when he en- listed ; now lives in Manchester. Joel A, Cushion was in his day one of the best known men in Pena- cook, keen and witty. He now lives in Webster. Joseph H. Currier was a brother of Dr. Steve Currier, and died some two years ago in Concord. Fred H. Favor was one of those well known, and as well liked, before the war ; present residence unknown. Edwin Farrand was a brother of Robert. He died shortly after the war, and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Hiram Gage was a brother of the late Calvin Gage, and now resides in Kansas. William W. H. Gage is a son of Hiram, and also resides in Kansas. Thomas Minnehan was a son of Jerry Minnehan, a native of Ireland. They could neither kill nor drown him during the war, as some of the Third boys will remember. Martin Spellman is a native of Ireland, and employed on the rail- road; residence unknown. Jeremiah Sheehan is a native of Ireland ; resides in Manchester. He also served in the Tenth. D. Arthur Brown was the son of the late Deacon Henry H. Brown, and is at present manager of the Concord Axle Works. Henry F. Brown is a brother of D. Arthur Brown, and at the present time treasurer of the Contoocook Manufacturing Co. Samuel F. Brown is a brother of John S. Brown, for many years superintendent of the weaving de- partment in the cotton mills, and re- sides here at the present time. Geo. E. Flanders was, before and since the war, overseer of the carding department in the Harris Woollen Mill, and later in the Contoocook Cotton Mill. He still lives in Pena- cook. Carl Krebs was a native of Ger- many, and a noted clarinet player. On his return from the war he settled in Boston until his health broke down, when he went to the celebrated water cure at Danville, New York, where he died about five years ago. John C. Linehan was born in Ire- land. Came to Penacook in 1852, and still resides here. William W. Flanders was a brother of John K. Flanders, and served in Company A. He returned here at the close of the war, but went to the state of Illinois, where he now resides. Jason R. C. Hoyt was born in the Borough, and now resides in Web- ster. Loveland W. French was quite a small boy when he enlisted as a drummer, and died in camp in Concord. His father still resides here. John C. Mitchell was a son of Philip Mitchell, and was well known. He died shortly after the close of the war. No relatives of his now reside here. John Curran was in the employ of C. W. Webster, but made his home in Penacook. He is a native of Ireland. He enlisted in Co. C, Capt. Donahoe. He now resides in Bos- ton . Penaccok in the War. 15 FOURTH REGIMENT. Sergeant Samuel H. Runnells was one of the color sergeants of his regiment. He was known to all of his comrades as " Lady Washington," and as such was known all over the state, and tliose who once heard his voice when cheering will never forget it. He was accidentally killed in Manchester a few years ago. Michael Cuddy is a native of Ire- land, and was well known here before the war. When last heard from he was in Manchester. William Brannan was an employ^ in the Axle works before the war, living in the Halloran house in "■ Cali- fornia." He enlisted in the Fourth, served out his time, then reenlisted, returned here, and with his family removed to Nashua, where he died some ten years ago. He was born in Ireland. FIFTH REGIMENT. Sergeant Daniel Gibson was well known here before the war ; now re- sides in Nashua. Corporal Walter W. Eastman was an overseer in the Penacook Mill when he enlisted. He still resides here. Orris T. Blinn was well known to the older residents. He died some eight years ago. Patiick Brannan is a native of Ireland, and now resides in Charles- town. Mass. Calvin P. Couch, unknown to me. Nathan C. Dauforth was one of our oldest residents. He died last year. He had two sons in the service also. Luther C. Copp now lives in Low- ell. Svlvanus Danforth was a son of Nathan C. Danforth. He now lives in West Concord. Edwin C. Gilmore was a nephew of John A. Coburn. He died just after the war, and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Thomas Gahagan was a son of John Gahagan, who was the first Irishman to locate in Penacook. He is at the soldiers' home in Togus, Maine. He was half brother to Rich- ard Nolan, who was killed at Wag- ner. Anthony Gahagan was in his day one of the best known men in the vil- lage. He was a native of Ireland, and accidentally killed in California since the war. Albert Hunt was an uncle of New- ell C. Hunt. He died shortly after the war. Benjamin F. Morse, the well known barber, has been one of our best known citizens for the past thir- ty-six years. He is known to smile occasionally when he hears a good thing. He left one of his legs at An- tietara, but works as hard as a man with two. As he is very comfortably located in this world, he is in no hurry to start for the other, and while we remain here we want him to stay with us. Sergeant Charles Riley was a long- time resident of Penacook. He was a native of Ireland. He died about five years ago, and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery. He was a mem- ber of Wm. I. Brown Post 31, G. A. R. Bernard Thornton was one of the old residents. He was born in Ire- land. He belonged to W. I. Brown Post G. A. R. He died about three years ago, and is buried in Woodlawn ceraeterv. i6 Penacook in the War. SIXTH REGIMENT. Andrew J. Simonds, one of our old residents, died about two years ago, and is buried in Woodlawu cemetery. SEVENTH REGIMENT. Major J. S. Durgiu was for many years the landlord of the Washing- ton House, and the father of Abner, Hiram, and Scot Durgin, who were all in the war. He represented Pena- cook in the board of aldermen, Con- cord ; was also in the legislature. He died shortly after the war, and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery. He raised a company here for the Seventh regiment. Rev. J. C. Emerson was chaplain. He located in Florida after the war, and was drowned there while sailing on the St. John's river. He was pas- tor of the Methodist church here for a time. Lieut. Robert Burt worked for John A. Coburu when he enlisted. He now resides in San Jose, California, where I had the pleasure of meeting him two years ago. Lieut. Charles B. Wallace was well known here before the war. He left here on his return, and his present residence is unknown. Sergeant Charles D. Rowell was overseer of the spinning room in Pen- acook Mill, for many years before the war. On his return, he went to Shirley, Mass., I think, where he still resides. He was a noted rifle shot. Corporal Jonas Foster is a native of England. He still resides here, and is well known. George A. Hoyt lives at Horse Hill. Joseph S. Hoyt, brother of George, returned, but died shortly after. Robert O. Farraud had both eyes shot out at the battle of Olustee. He still lives here, and, like Comrade Morse, is one of the most industrious men in the village. He was born in England. Geo. W. Abbott is one of our well known citizens and business men. He also proposes to stay in Penacook. Oliver B. Abbott was one of the old-time boys. He returned from the war, but died a few years after, and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Fisher Ames is one of our oldest residents, and still resides here. James Chadwick was born in Eng- land. He still resides in Penacook, and is in the employ of the Contoo- cook Manufacturing Company. Samuel Chandler is a veteran of the Mexican as well as of the civil war. He is still in Penacook. Lyman Cheney was one of our best known citizens. He died about ten years ago. Wm. Duckworth was born in Eng- land. He still resides here. Edson A. Eastman belonged at Horse Hill. He died some years af- ter his return. Lucian O. Holmes belonged at Horse Hill. His present residence is unknown. David E. Jones is the present Com- mander of Wm. I. Brown Post 31, G. A. R., and the sole survivor of three brothers who went to the war. Daniel W. Martin was a son of Deacon J. C. Martin. He now re- sides at Leominster Mass. Thomas Sawyer enlisted in Capt. Durgiu's company. He married a sister of W. W. Whittier. He re- turned here after the war, but removed elsewhere shortly after. He lost a leo; at Wagner. Penacook in the War. 17 George W. Gilnian was a son of Lieut. John Oilman. He enlisted in the company of Capt. J. S. Durgin. He returned here at the close of the war, but left a few years later. James Hatton was a native of Eng- land, an operative in the Penacook Mill, and a brother-in-law of James Weir. He returned here at the close of the war, but moved away shortly afterwards. Samuel W. Holt was well known here before the war. He returned here, making it his home until his death some years ago. He is buried in Woodlawn. Peter Howarth was born in Eng- land, and was an operative in the Penacook Mill. He enlisted in Capt. Durgin's company. He returned at the close of the war, but moved to New Bedford, where he died some years ago. His daughter is the wife of John McNiel. William S. Roach was a well known man before the war, in the merchant tailor business. He enlisted in Capt. Durgin's company, returning at the close of the war. He now resides in Newmarket. Samuel McElroy, a native of Scot- land, was an operative in the Pena- cook Mill before the war. He enlist- ed in Capt. Durgin's company, served out his time, and returned safely. He is now a resident of Manchester. Samuel Cheney was a veteran of the Mexican War. He enlisted in Co. E. His present whereabouts are unknown. William S. Hutchinson enlisted in Co. E, and returned here, where he still resides. William R. Wadleigh was a son of the well known George W. Wadleigh, now of Concord. He enlisted in Capt. Durgin's Co., returned here, and died about twelve 3'ears ago. His body is in Woodlawn. EIGHTH REGIMENT. Michael Griffin was born in Ire- land. He has made his home here since his return. James Martin was born in Ireland. He did not return here when the war closed. Michael Martin was also born in Ireland, and has not been here since the war. He was the son of James Martin. NINTH REGIMENT. John H. Brown was a son of John F. Brown. He died shortly after his return. Patrick McQuade returned, reen- listed in the regular service, and was killed in one of the battles with the Indians on the plains. He was born in Ireland. William Kidder, unknown to the writer. He served in Co. E. TVeELFTH REGIMENT. Edward C. Jameson was a son of the late Josiah Jameson. He enlisted as a drummer, and died shortly after his return from the war. Charlie K. Manning was a son of Elisha R. Manning, a bright-faced, handsome boy. He returned here at the close of the war, but his present residence is unknown. Ross C. Goodwin was a grandson of the late Reuben Goodwin. He died some years after the war, and his body lies in the West Concord cemetery. FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. William H. Moody is one of our well known residents, having lived here since the close of the war. i8 Penacook in the War. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. Moody J. Boyce was the son of Milton Boyce, wlio resides on the Can- terbury side of the Merrimack river. He was an employe of Rolfe Brothers, and enlisted in Co. G. He now lives in the northern part of the state. SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. Lt. Albert H. Drown, quartermas- ter, was a brother of Capt. Leonard Drown of the Second. He was prom- inent in village affairs for years before the war, but since his return has made his home in Massachusetts. Sergt. David D. Smith was com- missary sergeant of the Sixteenth. His present residence is in Philadel- phia, where he is a professor in the dental college. Samuel N. Brown was a sou of John S. Brown, and a brother of Major W. I. Brown of the Eighteenth regiment. He has made his home here since the close of the war, and is at the present time superintendent of the Contoocook Mfg. Co. He also served in the Eighteenth as quarter- master-sergeant. George H. Cushion was a son of Joel A. Cushion. He returned here after the war, but went away shortly after. Hall F. Elliott returned with the regiment, but died shortly afterward. He was of the Borough family of that name, and was the father of Alonzo Elliott, the carriage manufacturer. John H. Elliott was the son of Hall Elliott. He returned with and died about the same time as his father. Both were buried in Wood- lawn cemetery. Alfred Elliott has lived here since the war, and at present is in the em- ploy of the Contoocook Co. Hanson D. Emerson returned here after the war, but later on removed to Hopkinton where he now lives. Asa Emery was a son of William Emery. He also served some years in the navy. He has made his home here since the war, but is out of the state at present. Geo. B. Elliott, brother of James, who died at Port Hudson, lives in Penacook. Isaac C. Evans lived here for a time after his return, but for a num- ber of years resided in Boston, where he died about two years ago. Peter O. Shepard returned at the close of the war, but died a few years later. The two latter are buried in Woodlawn. John Heath now lives in West Par- ish. EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT. Corp. J. Scott Durgin was the youngest sou of Major J. S. Durgin- He died a few years after his return. He was buried in Woodlawn. William E. Jameson was for years a resident of Penacook before the war. Since his return he has lived in Haverhill, Mass. James M. Shepard, since his return, lived here until about three years ago, when he moved to Haverhill, N. H., where he now resides. George H. Gleason enlisted in Co. A. He returned here, and for some years resided on the Boscawen side, near the place of David E. Jones. Frank Stevens was an employ^ of Caldwell & Amsden. He came here from Salisbury, and returned there after the war. Penacook in the War. 19 William Baruett was a son of Geo. Barnett. He left here some years after his return. He is now in New Bedford, Mass. Nathaniel E. Baker was unknown to the writer. Frank S. Hunt was a son of Albert Hunt, of the Fifth. He died shortly after his return. Nathaniel O. Kimball and William F. Wallace were unknown to the writer. FIRST NEW HAMPSHIRE CAVALRY. Henry Pearson was a native of England. He returned here at the close of the war, but shortly after moved away. Henry A. Flint — unknown. FIRST NEW ENGLAND CAVALRY. William H. Caldwell was a son of the late B. F. Caldwell. He was in Andersonville. He is now in Califor- nia. Horace H. Danforth was a son of Nathan C. Danforth, who served in the Fifth. He returned here at the close of the war, and died about fif- teen years ago. FIRST REGIMENT U. S. SHARPSHOOTERS. Lieut. Isaac Davis served in Com- pany E of this regiment. Lieut. John H. Gilman enlisted in the Sharpshooters. He returned here at the close of the war, and was acci- dentally killed by the premature ex- plosion of a charge of powder while at work in a quarry. Elisha R. Manning returned here after the war, and built the house now occupied by W. W. Eastman. He moved away shortly after. Benjamin Morrison is a brother of John C. Morrison. He now resides in Lowell, Mass. Joseph H. Rolfe is a son of Captain Nathaniel Rolfe. He has lived in Minneapolis since the war. Joseph E. Sanders returned here, and made Penacook his home up to the time of his death about three years ago. Charles P. Shepard returned here after the war, and for some years was a caterer in Manchester and Concord. He lives on his farm at present. James F. Tyler was in the employ of J. A. Coburn, He came back here after the war, but did not remain. FIRST HEAVY ARTILLERY. Henry J. Brackett worked in the cabinet shop when he enlisted, and after his return, but for some years has lived in Webster. Mark Chase also worked before and after his enlistment in the cabinet shop, but left shortly after his return. Fred W. Durgin was unknown to the writer. He served in Co. E. William H. French was a son of O. N. French, one of our well known citizens. He made his home in Pen- acook until his death, about ten years ago. He is buried in Woodlawn. Oscar F. French was a brother of William. He served in the Seventh. On his return he kept a barber-shop here for some years. He died about ten years ago, in Littleton, N. H., and is buried in Woodlawn. Warren D. Morrill lived in the family of Eben Morrill at the Bor- ough. He returned here at the close of the war, and now lives in Con- cord . Lawrence Jemery was a nephew of Francis Jemery, a cooper. Residence unknown. Joseph Jemery was a brother of 20 Pen a CO ok in the War. Lawrence. They left here ou their return. George Marsh is the son of David Marsh. He now resides here. Leroy Sweatt was a nephew of Cady Sweatt, and on his return went to California. Hirara J, Morrill is a past-com- mander of W. I. Brown Post 31, and still resides here. Moses E. Haynes lived on the Can- terbury side of the Merrimack. He enlisted in Co. E. Charles P. Haynes, his brother, served in the same company and reg- iment. Both reside in Penacook. Robert Lloyd served in Co. K. FIRST LIGHT BATTERY. Robert Crowther was overseer in the mule-spinning department of the Penacook Mill. He enlisted in July, 1861, served out his full time, and fills the same position in the Pena- cook Mill at the present time. He is a native of England, and has made his home in Penacook since 1852. VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. George Scales served in Co. G, Second Regt. U. S. S. S. He lived here for some years after the war, but went to Colorado some six years ago. Francis Spearman enlisted in the Third U. S. Artillery. He was a broth- er of Andrew Spearman, and was acci- dentally killed in California some ten years ago. Patrick Gahagan, was a brother of Anthony Gahagan. He returned here, but shortly after went to Cali- ifornia, and was never heard from. John Meaghla served in the Seventh R. I. He died at the close of the war, and is buried at Woodlawn. He was born in Ireland. James C. Bowen, one of our well known citizens, served in the Marine Corps. He resides here still. James Gahagan also served in the Marine Corps. He was a brother of the late Vincent Gahagan, and for many years a section hand in the Penacook Mill. He died shortly after his return, and is buried in Wood- lawn. He was a native of Ireland. Thomas Brannan served in the Marine Corps. He returned here at the close of the war, and now resides at Newmarket. He was born in Ire- land. Philip Hacket was a native of Ire- land, and an employ^ of E. S. Harris & Co. He returned here at the close of the war, but left shortly after. He served in the navy. Charles Moulton was also an em- ploy^ of Harris & Co., and has not lived here since the war. He served in the navy. James Garvey was a brother of Luke Garvey, who was killed at Mine Run. He served in the navy, and has made his home here since his return. He was born in Ireland. Alfred Preston was a native of England. He came here a few years before the war, and married a sister of the late John Thornton. He went to New York when the war broke out, and enlisted in the Fire Zouaves. What became of him is not known, as he did not return here. George Brown lived at the Borough, in a log house, beyond Amos Elliott's house. He returned here, and died some years ago. Wesley Eastman was a brother of Penacook in the War. 21 W. W. Eastman, who served in the Fifth. He was a section hand in the weaving department of the Penacook Mill for some years. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving with Bow- en and Gahagan. He now resides in Manchester. Loren F. Currier was a member of the brigade band stationed at Port Ro3'al during the war. He still re- sides here. David A. Brown was a member of the Port Royal brigade band, and is one of Penacook's oldest musicians, as he is one of its most respected cit- izens. He is still among us. James McGuire was a brother of Mrs. Peter McArdle, and was well known here before the war. He went to New York, and enlisted in a regi- ment from that state. Owen McGuire was a brother of James, and enlisted in the same regiment. Both lived through the war, and now reside in New York. In the brief sketches of these men, but little can be said of their character. In responding to their country's call they proved their loy- alty and patriotism. Many of them have died since their return, many more have found homes in other communities, but the quality of those who remain with us can be seen by the following figures, taken from the assessor's book of Ward 1, Con- cord, for April, 1889. Forty-seven citizens of Penacook — Ward 1 , Con- cord — who are honorably discharged soldiers, all but one of whom were privates or non-commissioned officers, are taxed for real or personal prop- erty, mainly the former, to the asses- sed value of $99,104. To show how equitably this is distributed, a tabu- lated statement is given. No. 1 is assessed for $11,328 " 2 " 7,500 " 7,400 " 6,125 " 6,100 " 4,856 4,375 3,525 " 3,350 " 3,175 " 2,600 " 2,400 " • 2,000 " 1,825 " 1,800 " 1,750 " 1,6L0 " 1,600 " 1,600 1,500 " 1,450 " 1,220 " 1,200 " 1,200 1,150 " 1,050 '^ 1,000 " 1,000 " 1,000 " 1,000 1,000 " 900 " 900 " 900 800 " 800 " 800 " 800 750 650 600 570 (( 3 (( 4 l( 5 (( 6 (I 7 (( 8 (( 9 u 10 (( 11 l( 12 (I 13 (( 14 (I 15 k ( 16 (( 17 11 18 (( 19 (( 20 u 21 u 22 l( 23 (k 24 (( 25 (; 26 (( 27 (( 28 ( ( 29 (( 30 (( 31 u 32 (( 33 u 34 u 35 41 36 (( 37 C( 38 (I 39 i( 40 (( 41 (( 42 22 Penacook in the Ifar. No. 43 is assessed for $550 " 44 u 455 " 45 (( 400 " 46 u 375 " 47 u 175 ),104 On the Boscawen side of Pen- acook, nine veterans are assessed. Estimated value S9,600, distributed as fol- lows : No. 1 is assessed — estimate, $2,000 2 1,200 3 " 1,200 4 ;; 1,000 5 " 1,000 6 800 7 " 800 8 800 9 800 $108,704 The valuation of the school-district in which nearly all of the foregoing reside, is, in round numbers, about $600,000, so that the veterans pay nearly one sixth of the taxes in the district. The bulk of the balance is paid by the manufacturers and mer- chants. The membership of W, I. Brown Post 31, G. A. R., of Penacook, is sixty-five, and nearly every veteran in the village belongs to it. It will be seen from the above, that fifty- seven of the number pay more than a poll tax. When so much is said about pensions, the fact should be borne in mind, that, judging from the character of the Penacook veterans, no class of men have done more, by honest la- bor, to accumulate the much talked of surplus than the veterans them- selves. If any one doubts this, let him take notice for the next three months, and, if he is a man whose business takes him about the country, he will find that there is not an occu- pation or profession in the United States in which will not be found men who are wearing the modest lit- tle bronze button of the Grand Army of the Republic. They will be found on the railroads as section-men, brakemen, baggage-masters, conduc- tors, firemen, engineers, superintend- ents, managers, and presidents , at the bar among the most eminent law- yers, on the bench, in both houses of congress. oflScers of the highest rank in the army and navy, manufac- turers and business men, presidents of the United States, and governors of commonwealths, ministers in evan- gelical churches, and priests in Cath- olic cathedrals. Many of those who never rose above the rank of non- commissioned oflScers are socially the equals of many more who wore three stars on their shoulders, and in civil life are as loyal to the constitution and laws of the country as they were true to them during the war. The great debt, run up between 1861 and 1865, they have done as much by their labor to reduce as any other class, and their proportion of the tax- es levied for the payment of pensions to their wounded or enfeebled com- rades is fully as large as that of any other. Citizens who are fond of grum- bling about the amount paid to the crip- pled and unfortunate ought to consid- er this, — that every honest, industri- ous veteran (and that means all, with very few exceptions) whom God has blessed with good health has paid a double duty to his country, — first, by risking his life to save it from Penacook in the War. 23 disruption, and again, by his honest labor, paying his taxes, increasing the revenue, and paying the war debt. Lecky, in his " History of England in the Eighteenth Century," has paid them a tribute for tlieir un- selfish patriotism which future Amer- ican historians will be proud to quote. This is the record of the citizens of Penacook during the war for the pres- ervation of the Federal Union. Be- tween 1861 and 1865 two hundred and twelve men left our peaceful community, serving in almost every organization that left the state, in the regular army, navy, and marine corps, and in several other state or- ganizations. Of that number, fifty- four never came back, being killed in action, or dying of wounds or disease. The average loss from the state dur- ing the war was a fraction less than one in seven ; from Penacook a frac- tion over one in four, or nearly dou- ble that of the loss from the state. The blood of Penacook men has moistened the ground on the great battlefields of the war in which the Army of the Potomac participated, as well as at Wagner, Olustee, Port Hudson, and Vicksburg. No charge of desertion, or of the commission of an unmanly act, is on record against one of the number. Every one either died the death of a soldier, or received an honorable discharge. We have especial reason, then, to-day, to be thankful to God that in the hour of its trial our beloved country found in Penacook men some of its truest, bravest defenders — men whose death proved their manliness, and whose daily lives while in the service their honor. With such a record as this, we ought to bear in grateful remem- brance the memories of those who lost their lives during the struggle, and never forget the debt due the volunteers of the civil war for giving us a free, united government, under which it is possible for all to acquire an honorable livelihood, protected by the flag their bravery saved from dis- honor. WK ^i "" H 106 89 '« -^o^ ^^•^^. ^° V ^^ ^^ ' .V'^ * v ^^-i ""^ -^v^ ^^•^^. '^0^ 0^ v'^Tr.-^^^^-' .^^ 0^ <* o. %^'!'' "^O A*^ oil"* ^^ .0^ i**J^* O.