Roster and Statistical Record of Company D, of the Eleventh Regiment Maine Infantry Volunteers

AFTER THE SURRENDER

Our Corps moved towards Richmond in a leisurely and gala-day manner, the bands playing whenever we moved through a village or country "city," (the white flag flying from every house in token of acquiescence in the terms of the surrender.) Our columns, objects of intense curiosity to sway crowds of women and children, white and black, with swarthy, gray clothed veterans peeping grimly from out of the background at the men they had never before been so near except in armed violence. We arrived at Manchester, opposite Richmond, the 25th of April, where we camped for the night. The 26th we entered the city and were received by the occupying troops, troops of the Army of the James, the city having surrendered to General Weitzel's advance from the north side, on the morning of April 3d. There was a marked contrast in the appearance of ourselves and the receiving comrades. They as spick and span as if just turned out of military band boxes, we ragged and dust laden, but as we marched along between their drawn up lines, it was plainly expressed to us that they would gladly be able to change places with Foster's division to bear its prestige of endurance and intrepidity. Nor did the crowds of people thronging the streets we marched through, sidewalks, steps, doors and windows, seem to think our dusty line suffering by comparison, the many military looking men in these throngs watching the soldierly swing of our marching column with manifest though silent approval. And the Eleventh, with its one-armed Colonel riding at its head, its bullet tattered banners floating above it, and its men of '61, '62, '63, and '64 now welded by association, discipline and common danger into a compact if conglomerate mass, attracted no little attention as it kept step to the audacious declarations of its band – "That in Dixies land it took its stand to live and die in Dixies land." "Yes," drawled one ex-confederate officer to another, "they say this regiment was in the advance at Fair Oaks, McClellan's old boys; none better." We went into camp in a grove back of the city. Here we remained for several months, doing such duty as was necessary in the militarily occupied city. From Richmond the "'62" men took their departure for Maine, the three years they had enlisted for having expired. The company was now officered by W. H. H. Frye as Captain, Nelson H. Norris as First Lieutenant, Lieutenant Perkins had become Captain of K, Lieutenant Young First Lieutenant of A, and First Sergeant Keene was made Second Lieutenant of H, a richly deserved honor, for there was no better soldier in the regiment than Josiah F. Keene. This reduced the "original members" remaining with the company to First Sergeant McGraw, Corporal Annis, Privates Day, Dunifer and Longley. The remainder of the company, now that the "'62" men were gone, being made up of the men of '63, who had joined the regiment at Gloucester Point, in April, 1864, and of the ones who had joined in the fall of 1864. On the 24th of November we were moved to Fredericksburg, the headquarters of the military department known as that of Northeastern Virginia, then commanded by Brigadier-General Harris, but soon by Colonel Hill, for some time now Brevet Brigadier-General Hill. From here the companies were scattered through the department, D going to Northumberland County in what was called the sub-district of Essex. In January, 1866, the companies assembled at Fredericksburg to go to City Point, where we were formally mustered out on the 2d of February, but we retained our company and regimental organization until we reached Augusta, where on the 10th day of February we were paid off, and Old Company D broke ranks for the last time.

The 26 in service at Muster-out of Regiment were:

Personal Sketches

Captain Leonard S. Harvey entered service as Captain, and resigned soon after the Regiment entered active service.

Captain John D. Stanwood entered service as 1st Lieutenant. He commanded Co. D, from July, '62, until December, '62, and resigned on account of ill health January 19, '63.

Captain Albert G. Mudgett entered service as 2d Lieutenant of Co. K, was promoted 1st Lieutenant of Co. G, December 1, '62, Captain Co. D, June 13, '63, was taken prisoner at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 2, '64, and was a prisoner until the close of the war.

Captain Wm. H. H. Frye entered service as Corporal, in Co. A, was promoted Sergeant, October 3, '62, discharged for disability December 18, '62, reenlisted Private in Co. A, November 17, '63, was promoted 1st Sergeant March 4, '64, was wounded severely in leg at Deep Run, Va., August 16, '64, commissioned 2d Lieutenant Co. B, August 16, '64, but not mustered, promoted 1st Lieutenant Co. C, December 13, '64, and Captain Co. D, June 23, '65. During the spring campaign of 1865, Lieutenant Frye served on the staff of Major-General R. S. Foster, commanding 1st division, 24th A.C. and did gallant and meritorious service in the pursuit of Lee's Army from Petersburg to Appomattox, for which he was promoted Brevet-Captain of U.S. Vols. by the President. When the regiment was ordered to the N.E. District of Va. Captain Frye was assigned to duty in the sub-district of Essex, as Provost-Marshal and Assistant Superintendent of Freedmen, in the Counties of Northumberland and Westmoreland, Va., where he served until ordered to be mustered out.

Lieutenant Leonard Butler entered service as 2d Lieutenant of Co. H. He was promoted 1st Lieutenant Co. D, November 1, '62. He commanded Co. D from December '62 to April 14, '63.

Col. Chas. Sellmer joined Co. D as 1st Lieutenant, June 13, 1863, from 1st Sergeant Battery D 1st U.S. Artillery, in which he had served from November 8, 1854, to date of joining 11th Maine. During these nine years he served in Fla., (taking part in second Seminole War,) Va., La., and S.C., and was present at surrender of Baton Rouge Arsenal to the State of Louisiana in February, 1861, declining splendid offers made him if joining the Southern Cause. Lieutenant Sellmer acted as instructor of Artillery to the 11th Maine, and as A.A.I.G. District of Amelia Island until ordered to command a detachment of 40 men from Co.'s C, E, G & K, 11th Maine to serve as artillerists on Morris Island, S.C., during the siege of Charleston and Fort Wagner, manning mortar batteries and the famous "Swamp Angel," which fired the first shell into the city. Upon the organization of the "Army of the James" he was appointed A.A.I.G. 3d Brig. 1st Div. 10th A.C. and A.A.I.G. 1st Div. 10th A.C. December 1864. Promoted Captain Co. B, July 17, 1864. Captain Sellmer served on the staff of Major-General R. S. Foster, commanding 1st Div. 24th A.C. during the winter of 1864, to July, 1865, and as A.A.I.G. of Dept. Va. from that time to muster out of the regiment. He was breveted Major for "conspicuous gallantry in the assault on Fort Gregg, Va.," and Lieutenant-Colonel for "gallant and meritorious services during the war." He was in the field from the surrender of Baton Rouge Arsenal, La. 1861, until the war ended with Lee's surrender, was twice wounded, though never reported officially. Appointed 2d Lieutenant U.S. Army September 2d, 1867. Graduated at the U.S. Artillery School at Fortress Monroe, Va., in 1872. Promoted 1st Lieutenant, 3d Artillery, July 2d, 1877, which position he holds to date, (a Lieutenant for 23 years,) with no hope for promotion before his retirement by operation of law in 1896. During his 23 years service as a commissioned officer of the regular army, he has served in almost every capacity – Commissary of Subsistence, Quartermaster, Adjutant, Ordnance Officer, Post Treasurer, Recruiting Officer, Battery Commander of heavy and light Artillery Batteries in almost every State of the Union.

Captain Albert Maxfield entered service as Private in Co. C, was promoted Commissary Sergeant of the Regiment, January 3, '63. Reenlisted February 29, '64. Promoted Sergeant-Major March 1, '64, 2d Lieutenant Co. D, May 10, '64, 1st Lieutenant Co. D, July 18, '64, and Captain Co. H, December 17, '64. Lieutenant Maxfield commanded Co. D, from June 2, '64 to July 28, '64 and from August 29, '64 to December 21, '64. He was slightly wounded October 7, '64. He commanded the regiment from November 2, '64, until after the Presidential Election, the Eleventh being one of the regiments selected by Major-General B. F. Butler to assist in keeping the peace in New York City during the election. In the campaign in pursuit of Lee's Army from Petersburg to Appomattox, there being but one field officer on duty with the regiment, Captain Maxfield was assigned to the command of the left wing. He was taken prisoner at Appomattox, went to Annapolis, was declared exchanged May 1, '64 and returned to the regiment. He was member of a Court-Martial at Headquarters 1st division 24th A.C. while the regiment was at Chapin's Farm, and also at camp of 20th N.Y.S.M. in the summer of '65. When the regiment was ordered to the N.E. District of Va. he was given command of the Sub-District of Essex, comprising the counties of Essex, Middlesex, King and Queen, Lancaster, Richmond, Westmoreland and Northumberland, with Headquarters at Tappahannock, where he remained until ordered to be mustered out.

Captain Ellery D. Perkins was the son of James Perkins, who served in the war of 1812, a musician in the 17th U.S. Infantry. Captain Perkins entered service a Private in Co. B, he was promoted Sergeant September 8, '62, Commissary-Sergeant of the regiment March 1, '64, 2d Lieutenant Co. D, July 19, '64, 1st Lieutenant Co. D, December 18, '64, and Captain Co. K, April 16, '65. Lieutenant Perkins acted R.Q.M. from November 1, '64 to November 30, '64, Commanded Co. F, from December 1, '64 to December 21, '64. Commanded Co. D from December 21, '64 to February, '65, and from March, '65 to April 16, '65. Commanded Co. K, from April 16, '65, until mustered out of service. When the regiment was ordered to the Northeastern District of Va., he was assigned to duty as Provost-Marshal and Assistant Superintendent of Freedmen for Rappahannock County, with Headquarters at the village of Washington, and later was appointed Provost-Marshal of the District of N.E. Va., on the staff of Brevet Brigadier-General J. A. Hill, commanding the district with Headquarters at Fredericksburg, which position he held until ordered to City Point, Va., to be mustered out.

Lieutenant Nelson H. Norris entered service as Private in Co. F, was wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, '62, was promoted Hospital Steward, November 22, '62, resigned warrant and was transferred to Co. C as Private, May 1, '64, was wounded at Strawberry Plains, Va., July 26, '64, was promoted 2d Lieutenant of Co. B, August 13, '64, was wounded at Hatcher's Run, Va., April 2, '65, was promoted 1st Lieutenant Co. D, April 16, '65. During the summer of '65, was member of a Court-Martial at the camp of the 20th N.Y.S.M., and when the regiment was ordered to the Northeastern District of Va. he was Act. Assistant Adjutant-General of the Sub-District of Essex, and afterwards Post Q.M. at Tappahannock, Va., until ordered to City Point, Va., to be mustered out. After leaving service he studied medicine and graduated at Dartmouth College, in '67, since which he has practised in Maine, Wisconsin and for the last 12 years in Illinois.

Lieutenant Gibson S. Budge entered service as 2d Lieutenant. He resigned on account of disability before the regiment left Washington.

Lieutenant Francis M. Johnson entered service as Sergeant, was promoted 2d Lieutenant, March 18, '62. He commanded Co. D from June 22, '62 until after the Seven Days Battles before Richmond and until after the regiment arrived at Harrison's Landing, also from April 14, '63, to June, '63. He was taken prisoner in Mathews County, Va., November 24, '62.

Lieutenant Judson L. Young entered service as Sergeant, reenlisted January 16, '64, was wounded at Deep Run, Va., August 18, '64, was promoted 1st Sergeant, September 16, '64, 2d Lieutenant December 18, '64, and 1st Lieutenant Co. A, April 25, '65. As Sergeant, he acted 1st Sergeant from May 31, '62, to November, '62, and from July 15, '63, to July 10, '64. As Lieutenant he commanded Co. D from February, '65 to March, '65, and from April 16, '65 to June 12, '65, when he took command of Co. A, which command he retained until mustered out. When the regiment was ordered to the N.E. District of Va., Lieutenant Young was assigned to duty as Provost-Marshal and Assistant Superintendent of Freedmen for Fauquier County, with Headquarters at Warrenton, and later was Provost-Marshal and Assistant Superintendent of Freedman for Spotsylvania County, holding alternate sessions of the Freedman's Court at Spotsylvania C.H. and the City of Fredericksburg.

Lieutenant Robert Brady entered service as 1st Sergeant, was taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, '62, and was confined in Libby Prison, at Prison in Saulsbury, N.C., and at Belle Isle in the James River opposite Richmond, until November, '62, when he was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., until declared exchanged, when he returned to the regiment, then at Yorktown, Va., he was promoted 2d Lieutenant Co. B, October 1, '62, transferred to Co. G Nov. 19, '62, and resigned on account of impaired health, March 14, '63.

1st Sergeant Abner F. Bassett entered service as Sergeant, was promoted 1st Sergeant November 1, '62. He was taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, '62, and was a prisoner with 1st Sergeant Brady and others until Nov., '62, when he returned to the regiment. He was on recruiting service at Portland, Me., from Aug. 15, '63, to July 10, '64. He was killed on the picket line in front of Petersburgh, Va., Sept. 15, '64, and was buried on the 16th, near our camp, "amid the booming of cannon and whistling of bullets" – so reads the entry made in the diary of Sergeant-Major Morton.

Lieutenant Josiah F. Keene entered service as Private, was promoted Corporal May 16, '62. At the Battle of White Oaks Swamp, June 30, '62, he acted as Orderly to Colonel H. M. Plaisted, commanding the regiment, and several times volunteered to advance beyond the skirmish line to a point where he could observe any attempt on the part of the enemy to cross the swamp. Here also he discovered and recovered the three horses tied to a tree, between the lines, belonging to officers of the Union Army, to which Colonel P. refers in his report to the Adjutant-General of Maine. For his coolness and services during the battle he was highly complimented by Colonel Plaisted.

He was taken prisoner in Matthews Co., Va., Nov. 24, '62, and was paroled from Libby Prison and exchanged. Reenlisted Jan. 18, '64. Was wounded severely in left shoulder, at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 14, '64. Promoted Sergeant, Sept. 16, '64; 1st Sergeant, Jan. 1, '65, and 2d Lieutenant, Co. H, April 25, '65.

When the regiment was ordered to the N.E. District of Va., he was assigned to duty as Provost-Marshal and Assistant Superintendent of Freedmen, for Middlesex County, Va., with Headquarters at Urbanna, which position he held until ordered to be mustered out.

1st Sergeant George Day entered service as Private, was promoted Corporal October 1, '64; Sergeant, January 1, '65; 1st Sergeant, May 7, '65.

1st Sergeant Timothy McGraw entered service as Private, reenlisted January 27, '64; was wounded at Deep Run, Va., August 16, '64; was promoted Corporal December 1, '64; Sergeant, February 1, '65, and 1st Sergeant, June 12, '65.

Sergeant Ephraim Francis entered service as Corporal; was promoted Sergeant March 28, '62. During the greater part of his term of service he was a victim of ill health, but his faithful care of the sick and his careful attention to the wants of the camp while the Company was on active duty at the front, endeared him to all his comrades.

Sergeant Gardiner E. Blake entered service as Private, was promoted Sergeant September 10, '62. While the regiment was at Fernandina, Fla., from June 5, '63, to Oct. 6, '63, he was Sergeant of the Provost-Guard.

He was taken prisoner at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 2, '64; was taken to Petersburgh, before the Provost-Marshal, where he was robbed of all his valuables; the following day he was sent to Charleston, S.C., and was put in the city jail, under fire of the Union guns on Morris Island, thence, via Savannah and Macon, to Andersonville Prison, where he was confined until the latter part of August. (We regret that we have no space for the description of the dead line, the scanty rations, the exposure and consequent suffering, disease and death at this prison). From Andersonville he went to the Race Course, two miles north of Charleston, S.C., where he remained three weeks, thence to Florence, S.C. Early in December he was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., via Savannah, Ga., where he received a thirty days furlough, from which he reported to Augusta, where he was discharged.

Lieutenant Robert Brady, Jr., entered service as Private; was on detached service at Brigade Headquarters from August 20, '62, to March, '63; was promoted Sergeant January 1, '63; reenlisted January 18, '64; was wounded in left shoulder at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 2, '64. Though wounded early in the thickest of the fight, he remained with the Company, assisting the new commanding officer to rally the men on the new line, and only when quiet had been restored, did he consent to go to the rear to have his wound dressed. He was also wounded in left arm at Johnson's Plantation, on Darbytown Road, October 29, '64. As Sergeant, he was frequently called upon during the Summer of '64 for perilous service, scouting in front of our lines to obtain information, which service he performed to the entire satisfaction of the Regimental Commander. He was promoted 1st Lieutenant of Company I December 18, '64. Lieutenant Brady commanded Company A from February 10, '65, to March 12, '65. While Captain Rolfe was on furlough, he commanded Company B during the Spring campaign of '65, and Company I from July 1, '65, until mustered out.

When the regiment was ordered to the N.E. District, of Va., he was assigned to duty as Provost-Marshal on the Staff of General Harris, later General Hill, and was especially charged with keeping the peace of the City of Fredericksburg, which duty he performed in an efficient manner.

Sergeant Alphonzo C. Gowell entered service as Private; reenlisted January 4, '64, was promoted Corporal September 16, '64; Sergeant, January 1, '65; was taken prisoner at Hatcher's Run, Va., April 1, '65.

Sergeant Lyman M. Bragdon entered service as Private; was wounded at Morris Island, S.C., December 8, '63, by the explosion of a rebel shell which broke through the bombproof at the entrance to the Magazine of Battery Chatfield. He was promoted Corporal January 1, '65, and Sergeant, April 18, '65.

Sergeant Jeremiah Stratton entered service as Private. When the regiment left Gloucester Point, Va., for the Spring campaign of '64, he was detailed to guard and store surplus baggage, and while on the passage from Gloucester Point to Norfolk, near Fortress Monroe, May 6, '64, the transport collided with another steamer and sunk. Falling machinery attached to smoke-stack fell across his back and right hip, he was conveyed to hospital at Fortress Monroe, where he remained until about September 1, when he rejoined his Company and regiment, then in front of Petersburgh, Va. Promoted Corporal February 5, '65; wounded at Hatcher's Run, Va., April 2, '65. Promoted Sergeant April 18, '65.

Sergeant Daniel W. Woodbury entered service as Private, was wounded at Darbytown Road, Va., October 13, '64, was promoted Corporal April 18, '65, and Sergeant June 12, '65.

Sergeant Frank E. Young entered service as Private, was promoted Corporal October 13, '65, Sergeant January 1, '66.

Corporal Richard W. Dawe was discharged for disability May 16, '62, at Washington, D.C. Reenlisted December 6, '63, in same Company; was wounded at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 2, '64, and was discharged by reason of wounds.

Corporal Hughey G. Rideout, after leaving Company D reenlisted Private in Company A, 2d Maine Cavalry, November 30, '63, and died of disease August 11, '64, while in service.

Corporal Freeman R. Dakin was taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, '62. Was a prisoner with Sergeants Brady, Bassett and others, until November, when he returned to the regiment at Yorktown, where he was discharged. After leaving the Eleventh he again entered service in Company F, 9th Maine Infantry; was wounded in left arm at Bermuda Hundred, Va., and in right elbow at Cold Harbor, Va.

Corporal John Gihn entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal May 16, '62.

Corporal Leonard M. Witham entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal May 16, '62.

Corporal Wm. B. Davis entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal May 16, '62; was discharged for disability at New York, September 23, '62. Reenlisted in 1st D.C. Cavalry; was promoted Sergeant; was taken prisoner September 1, '64; was transferred to Company I, 1st Maine Cavalry, and mustered out July 31, '65.

Died at Insane Hospital, Augusta, Maine, April 20, '87.

Corporal James E. Bailey entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal September 15, '62; reenlisted January 4, '64; was wounded at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 2, '64. Left arm amputated.

Corporal Patrick Doherty entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal September 15, '62. After leaving the Eleventh he reenlisted as Private in Company H, 30th Maine Infantry, January 6, '64; was taken prisoner at Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, '64; was exchanged and died in service at Bolivar Heights, September 16, '64, just 3 years after his first enlistment in the Eleventh.

Corporal John Dyer entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal October 3, '62. Was accidentally killed in a Shingle Mill, at Springfield, Me., May 23, '69.

Corporal Horace Whittier entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal October 31, '62, and served on Color Guard; was wounded in right breast, at New Market Road, Va., October 7, '64. Was discharged from hospital at Point-of-Rocks, Va.

Corporal Shepard Whittier entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal October 31, '62, and served on Color Guard until October 16, '64, when he was detached for service at Portland, Me., where he was mustered out.

Corporal Stephen R. Bearce entered service as Private, was promoted Corporal October 31, '62; was wounded by the explosion of a rebel shell which broke through the bombproof at the entrance to the Magazine of Battery Chatfield, Morris Island, S.C., December 8, '63; also wounded at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 17, '64.

1st Sergeant Amaziah Hunter entered service as Private, was promoted Corporal March 27, '63; was commended in orders for volunteering for perilous service in front of the skirmish line, October 7, '64; was mustered out November 18, '64, at expiration of term of service. Reenlisted 1st Sergeant of Company I, December 16, '64; was taken prisoner at Appomattox, Va., April 9, '65, and mustered out June 30, '65.

Corporal Wm. P. Weymouth entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal May 30, '64; was slightly wounded at Deep Bottom, Va., August 14, '64, and after having his wound dressed refused to go to the rear, and returned to the front, where he was again wounded, from the effect of which he died at Fortress Monroe, Va., September 2, '64.

Corporal James B. Williams entered service as Private; was promoted Corporal December 1, '64. Was drowned by the sinking of a boat at South-West Harbor, Me., June 20, '81.

Corporal Jotham S. Annis entered service as Private; reenlisted January 4, '64; was wounded at Drury's Bluff, Va., May 14, '64; promoted Corporal October 13, '65.

Musician Robert A. Strickland was taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, '62; was a prisoner with Sergeants Brady, Bassett and others until November, '62. He was discharged for disability at Augusta, Me.

Wagoner Henry W. Rider, after being discharged from the Eleventh Maine, reenlisted in Company B, 1st Regiment, Maine Heavy Artillery, December 9, '63; was wounded at Spotsylvania, Va., May 19, '64. Died of wounds May 22, '64.

Bolton, Sumner M., was wounded in right eye and taken prisoner at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 2, '64. He was taken to Petersburgh, to Popperlane Lawn Hospital, but received no medical treatment, and lost his right eye; thence to Libby Prison. He was exchanged August 13, '64.