CHAPTER XIII.

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS-THE NURSES.

BRIG.-GENERAL HENRY SHAW BRIGGS,

THE first colonel of the Tenth Regiment, was the son of Governor George N. Briggs, and was born in Lanesboro, Berkshire County, Mass., August 1, 1824. When the rebellion broke out, General Briggs, who had held several commissions in the volunteer militia, was captain of a company of infantry (The Allen Guard) at Pittsfield, and was among the first to offer the services of himself and command. He was called into service under peculiarly trying circumstances. When his company was accepted for the three months' service, he was engaged as counsel in an important law case, in Boston. Being informed, Thursday morning, April 18th, he immediately telegraphed his company to meet him at Springfield, and, during the day, he collected enough of the State overcoats, and brought them along for his men in the evening. Being deprived of time to return home to bid farewell to his family, the latter came down. from Pittsfield, and met the brave son and father at Springfield. His father, the venerable ex-governor of the State, headed the delegation, followed by wife and children. Their leave-taking was informal and touching. His company was attached to the Eighth regiment as Company K. He served as captain of Company K from April 18, 1861, to June 10, 1861, when, at the request of Governor Andrew, he was discharged to be commissioned as colonel of the Tenth, then being organized in the western counties for three years' service He was mustered in as colonel, June 21, 1861, at Springfield, and worked faithfully in organizing

and disciplining his Regiment, for the active service to which they were called. In camp and field he was ever watchful and attentive to the best interests of his Regiment, gaining thereby the respect and esteem of his subordinate officers, and endearing himself to the men under his command. During the terrible scenes at Fair Oaks, where the Regiment lost heavily of its best and bravest, the gallant colonel was ever at the head of his men, cheering them, by word and action, to deeds of heroic daring. Fighting against fearful odds, at times nearly surrounded, now repelling a movement on the left flank, and now delivering their volleys directly in the face of the enemy, the gallant colonel at last fell, severely wounded, and was borne in the arms of some of his stalwart soldiers to the rear, from whence he was sent by rail to White House Landing, and thence by boat to Boston, with many other wounded officers and men of his command. For meritorious conduct in the field he was commissioned, by President Lincoln, BrigadierGeneral U. S. Volunteers, to date from June 17, 1862. As soon as his wounds would permit, he again took the field, and commanded a brigade in Humphrey's division, Fifth corps afterwards commanded a separate brigade in Eighth corps; the First division, First corps; rendezvous of drafted men and volunteers at Alexandria, Va., from August, 1863, to July, 1864; and from that time until final muster-out, (December 6, 1865,) served on general court-martial at Washington; thus completing at term of four and a half years' faithful and efficient service. Since the war, General Briggs has three times filled, by election, the responsible position of auditor of the State of Massachusetts. At present (1872) he holds, by appointment, the position of Judge of District Court, at Pittsfield.

BRIG-GENERAL HENRY LAWRENCE EUSTIS

Was born at Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, February 1, 1819; was a cadet at West Point Military Academy, from

1838 to 1842; Lieutenant of U. S. Corps of Engineers, from July 1, 1842, to November 30, 1849; commissioned by Governor Andrew as Colonel of the Tenth, August 15, 1862. His friends presented him with a horse and complete outfit for the field, and the Corporation of Harvard College gave him an indefinite leave of absence, and reserved for him his professorship, which was only temporarily filled. He had command of the Regiment from that time until the battle of Salem Hights, May 3, 1863, when he left the Regiment to take command of the brigade. At the present writing, (1875,) General Eustis is professor of Engineering, Lawrence Scientific school, Harvard College.

COLONEL JOSEPH B. PARSONS

Was born in Northampton, Mass., April 29, 1828, and previous to the war served ten years in the Massachusetts militia; was commissioned as captain of Company C, Tenth Regiment, June 21, 1861, and was severely wounded in the head and thigh, at Fair Oaks, in command of his company. Commissioned lieutenant-colonel, July 15, 1862, and commanded the Regiment fifteen months with this rank, the Regiment being some eight or ten below the minimum, was not entitled to a colonel. In July, 1864, was promoted to colonel, just before the muster-out of the Regiment. Colonel Parsons was a faithful officer, having the respect and esteem of his companions in arms. He led the Regiment with distinction in the most sanguinary battles of the war, and brought it back to its home in Massachusetts, where it was received with every demonstration of joy by a grateful people. Besides being twice wounded he had many narrow escapes; he was within three feet of Sergeant-Major Polley, who was instantly killed by a cannon ball just before the Regiment started for home; and shortly before, a ball passed through his coatsleeve near the elbow, and went through his coat and vest,

near the hip. At the present writing, (1875), Colonel Parsons commands the Second Regiment of Massachusetts Militia. May he long live to enjoy the laurels so nobly won.

LIEUT.-COLONEL JEFFORD MARSHALL DECKER Was born at Wiscasset, Me., March 6, 1814; served for some years before the war in the Massachusetts militia; was captain of a company of infantry at Lawrence, Mass. At the breaking out of the war was colonel of the Tenth Regiment of Massachusetts militia; commissioned lieutenantcolonel of the Tenth Regiment volunteers, June 21, 1861. To the skill of Colonel Decker, as a drill-master and disciplinarian, the Regiment was greatly indebted. Colonel Decker was assigned, while at Brightwood, to the command of the Seventh regiment, which position he filled creditably for some months. Was discharged from the Tenth Regiment for disability, July 17, 1862. Served afterwards as adjutant of the Fifty-second regiment Massachusetts volunteers, nine months, Department of the South. Colonel Decker suffered while in the army from rheumatic attacks, which unfitted him for service requiring much exposure. He died at Salem, Mass., January 1, 1870.

MAJOR WILLIAM ROBERT MARSH

Was born at Walpole, Cheshire County, N. H., January 26, 1828; served in the Tenth Regiment Massachusetts militia ten years, rising from fourth-lieutenant to captain of Company C; commissioned as major Tenth Regiment volunteers, June 21, 1861. Resigned and discharged, June 14, 1862.

MAJOR OZRO MILLER

Was born at Dummerston, Vt., December 7, 1827, and was the son of Hon. Thomas Miller. Ozro remained at home until twenty-one years of age, employed with his father in

agricultural pursuits, until about eighteen, when he commenced alternating between the farm and the academy in Brattleboro, during the summer and autumn, and in the winter engaged in teaching.

After arriving at his majority, he made a voyage of six months at sea, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of the mariner, and, should he like maritime pursuits, make it his vocation for life. But on his return, no position being open to him, which he was willing to accept, he changed his purpose and engaged in the drug business with Edward Denny & Co., of Boston, where he remained until the spring of 1852, a period of three years or more, when, at the solicitation of his father, he returned home for the purpose of settling down upon the farm. But his stay at home was short. The monotony of the farm was not congenial to his active mind, as is apparent from the fact that, while mowing in the meadows, during one of the last days in August, an old friend had sought him out, and proposed to him an adventure to California. The proposition was immediately accepted, and he hung his scythe upon the nearest tree, repaired to the house, and in a short time had made all his arrangements, bidden adieu to home and friends, and was on his way. He remained in California two years, and then returned again to his father's house.

Having been successful while in California, he resolved to settle down in life, and married Ellen L. Lawton, a playmate of his childhood, and the noble wife of his manhood, by whom he had three children at the time of his death, a daughter of six years, and two younger sons. Soon after his marriage, he took up his residence at Shelburne Falls, and engaged in manufacturing.

Major Miller's life was an eventful one, yet he was not an impulsive man, but rather quite the reverse. He discerned readily, comprehended fully, matured rapidly, but decided with the coolest deliberation. His position in the army was not sought. Neither the excitement of the camp, nor the