The Republican journal., 1913-11-27
The First Maine Cavalry.
Observations as to Whereabouts of Sur
vivors

In an account of the original and re-
crult members of, Co. B, First Maine
Cavalry, previously published, no men
ton was made of the members of the
First District Columbia Cavalry, who
Sept. "a, 1864, were transferred to our
Regiment. SlXtyone men of that Or
ganlzatlon were assigned to Co. B. These
men had proved themselves as able and
brave soldiers on many a hard contested
battlefield. Unfortunately while on the
march to join the First Maine they were
detailed to guard the cattle of the Poto-
mac Army, then IN our rear. While on
that duty, Gen. Wade Hampton, com
handing the Confederate cavalry swept
around the rear of our Army and sue
ceeded in capturing some two hundred of
the guard and all the cattle, safely re-
moving them to the rear of Gen. Lees
army. The loss was irretrevable The
men were sent to Southern prisons, where
over one half succumbed to the cruelty,
scant food and disease contracted there.
The transfer at the time made was
Godsend to the First Maine, as many of
our men S term of enlistment expired in
the following month, so that the joining
of the two regiments swelled our ranks
to goodly number and kept up the or
ganization of the First Maine. In one
other respect, this coming to US helped
to keep up the reputation of the First
Maine, as they brought into our com.
mand the noted and enviabe Henry S
rifle, or sixteen shooter, and our regi-
ment became noted as being the only one
in the whole U. S. Army that was armed
with so effective weapon, and was also
the cause of our being pushed to the
front and several times saved the day
by the rapidity of our firing after other
regiments 1ad been driven back. The
kinChest feeling ever existed after the
consolidation and together in harmony
we moved where duty called US
Of the slXty-one transferred to B Com
pany, only seventeen are now alive. |
have appended brief sketch of each
living member and wish could give them
all the praise they deserve.
j Sergt. James w. Brack EFT, Peaks
Island, Maine, was an original Sergeant
of the 1st D. c. Cavalry. H. was sick
in hospital at the time of the transfer
and never joined the Company. He was
discharged from hospital Dec. IL, 1864
Sergt. Orren W. Bartlett, Portsmouth.
N. H.. was transferred as Corporal, JOIN
ing the Company at once. Promoted
Sergeant in 1865 Came home with the
command, having served faithfully and
continually until our muster out in Aug.
1865.
sergt. Osgood Cappers, Levant, Me-,
joil ed the Company as Corporal He
was promoted Sergt. in 1865. He served
until the end of the war. Was an excel
lent soldier.
l Corporal Edwin B. Lampson. East
OIL
the time of transfer and was DISCHARGED
tnerefrom June 20, 1865.
Corporal Avery Small, Rockport
Maine, joined Co. B., at the time Of
transfer. Was promoted Corporal for
bravery at Dinwiddie Court House, Mar.
81, 1865. Was detailed as Corporal in
charge of cannon captured by the First
Maine, which We were allowed to take
home with US.
Abner Babb, Bradford, Maine, was a
brave and deserving sold err Was with
the Company continually unit. muster
out IN August, 1865.
Benjamin Bagley, Dexter, Maine,
was sick IN hospital at time of transfer
and was discharged in 1864
Uriah Curtis, South Stetson, Maine,
was SICK at time of transfer and was dis
charged from hospital in 1865.
Charles E. Kemp, South Windham,
joined the Company at the transfer
| Was taken sick and sent to hospital in
1865, from which ne was discharged.
l Andrew D. Newhold, Chicago, ILL.,. ,
was on detail as printer at Army head
quarters and remained there until Aug
ust 16, 1865, being the last man dis
charged from the Company.
1 George E. Powers, South Orrington
Maine, was sick in hospital, from which
he was discharged by Genl. Order June
20, 1865.
Asbury E. Soule, Lewiston, Maine,
served from time of transfer until mus
tered out August l, 1865.
l Isaac Shields, Hodgdon, Maine, was
sick in hospital, from which he was dis.
charged July IL, 1865.
George S. Stevens. Knightsville.
Maine, was prisoner in Rebellion at tn
time of transfer. On being exchanged
was discharged by Genl. Order, June 20.
1863. N'
Edward A. Sylvester, Fort Fairfield.
Maine, was prisoner at time of transfer.
On being:paroled he was discharged by
order Of War Dept.
lSeward P. Woodman, Princeton.
Mimi, was sick in hospital at time of
transfer and was discharged there from
Charles York. Weiser. Idaho ;o;red