Photo provided by Leon Basile
"Frazar Augustus son of Rev. William A. Stearns died for his country at the battle of New Bern, NC March 14, 1862 aged 21 years."
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Numbers 122. Report of Major William S. Tilton,
Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, of the battles of Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mill.
BOSTON, July 25, 1862.
Note. These are just part of the reports.
I was told by several prisoners in Richmond that Captain Sampson, of Company A, was the first man to run away. On the other hand, it is said Lieutenant Conor, of the same company, did bravely. I am also told that Lieutenant Symonds, of Company D, was eminently cool, sedulous, and vigorous in the discharge of his duty. Sergeant Carr, of Company E, not being too sick to take the field, as were both of his superior officers, fell while bravely fighting in commanding his company. Captain J. J. Thompson, of Company H, proved himself to be a brave and reliable soldier. His first lieutenant T. T. Salter, one of my most valuable officers, I learn with much grief is among the missing. These are the only officers in the regiment worthy of particular mention excepting Lieutenant Stiles, of the Sharpshooters, who did his duty, all of it, manfully.
Captain Whorf, Lieutenant Washburn, and Lieutenant Stearns were wounded before they had much opportunity to distinguish themselves. I had nearly forgotten our chivalric adjutant, who was severely wounded in the shoulder. We can illy spare his services, as he is one of the most intelligent gentlemen in the regiment and altogether the hardest working man. Assistant Surgeon Prince is a superior man. Neither shot nor shell can deter him from his duty, which he has always performed under whatever circumstances with untiring zeal. In Richmond his good qualities were pre-eminent.
I have the honor to be,
WM. S. TILTON,
Major, Twenty-second Mass., in command on 26th and 27th June.
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Numbers 10. Report of Brigadier General Jesse L. Reno, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE,
New Berne, March 16, 1862.
It is with the deepest regret that I have to announce the death of First Lieutenant Stearns, acting adjutant of the Twenty-first Massachusetts, one of the most accomplished and gallant officers in the Army.
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Numbers 15. Report of Brigadier General Jesse L. Reno, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE,
LATE CAMP 31ST N. C. Regiment, NOW CAMP BURNSIDE,
February 10, 1862.
The regimental reports give the full particulars concerning the killed and wounded. Captain Henry, Company H, Ninth New Jersey, was killed whilst gallantly leading his company. Captain Foster, Company D, Twenty-first Massachusetts, was severely but not dangerously wounded, and
Lieutenant Stearns, adjutant of the Twenty-first Massachusetts, was hit twice in remained, his face covered with blood, with his colonel at the head of the regiment during the whole day.
Updated January 30, 2011.
Frazar Augustus Stearns was born on June 21, 1840, in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Source: ADJUTANT STEARNS (Boston: Mass. Sabbath School Society, 1862), p. 6.
By: Leon Basile
