Colonel Charles Lawrence Peirson or Pierson.

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Massachusetts Thirty-Ninth Infantry, Regimental History.

Charles L. Peirson, from Lieut. Colonel July 13, 1864; owing to the stress of the "Battle Summer" campaign, his severe wound at the Weldon R. R. August 18, '64, and subsequent absence from the Regiment, not to mention the red tape that ever did hedge military matters about, it was not till the 23d of November, 1864, that Colonel Peirson was mustered in to his rank: the Records of the War Department, Washington, D. C, state.

Peirson is now held and considered by this Department, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved February 24, 1897, to have been mustered into the service of the United States in the grade of Colonel, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, to take effect from July 13, 1864, and to have held that rank until the date of his discharge from service.

Upon the recommendation of Major General G. K. Warren, Peirson was commissioned Colonel of Volunteers by brevet, to date from March 13, 1865, for meritorious conduct in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania in May, 1864, and as Brigadier General of Volunteers, by brevet, to date from March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of the Weldon Railroad in August, 1864.

After months of prostration, incident to his wound, and on the clear evidence of his inability to return to the Regiment, Colonel Peirson resigned and was mustered out of the service January 11, 1865. Subsequent to the war, General Peirson was long in the iron business, Boston; on his retirement therefrom, he found occupation for his well earned leisure in historical studies, particularly with reference to the Civil War, being a member of the Loyal Legion, which he commanded, 1895, and the Massachusetts Military Historical Society. His city residence is at 191 Commonwealth Avenue; his summer abode is at Pride's Crossing, city of Beverly.

Charles L. Peirson, 28, S. ; civil engineer, Salem; wd. May 8 and 10, '64, Spottsylvania; prom. Colonel; Charles Lawrence Peirson was born in Salem; was graduated from Lawrence Scientific School, Harvard, 1853; was a Corporal in the Fourth Battalion, under Major T. G. Stevenson, which in the spring of 1861 did gratuitous service in Fort Warren, Boston Harbor; later commissioned First Lieut, and Adjutant in the Twentieth Massachusetts, he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Ball's Bluff and suffered three months' confinement in Libby Prison, Richmond; on his return to his regiment he was detailed for special service on the staff of General N. J. T. Dana and also later upon that of General John Sedgwick, thus passing through the Peninsula campaign; it was while on sick leave from such service that he was notified of his appointment to his new position in the Thirty-ninth Regiment.

Surgeon General Files.

CASE 691. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles L. Pierson, 39th Massachusetts, was wounded at an engagement near the Six mile House, Wei don Railroad, August 18, 1864, and was taken to the 3d division hospital of the Fifth Corps. Surgeon L. W. Read, U. S. V., reported "a gunshot wound penetrating the pelvic cavity." The Massachusetts Adjutant Oneral 1 states that the wound was considered mortal. The following day the colonel was sent to the depot at City Point, where Surgeon W. L. Faxon, 32d Massachusetts, described the injury as a dangerous shot wound of the abdomen. On September Kith, the late Assistant Suigeon J. Sim Smith, U. S. A., saw the patient, and included this case in an important report made by him on the usefulness of the Nolaton probe, relating the circumstances as follows:

"Lieutenant-Colonel Pierson, 39th Massachusetts, who had been wounded August l8, th., by a ball, which had penetrated the pubis on the right side, near the sympliysis, and entered the pelvis, stated that at the time he was shot he was standing erect, and that alter receiving the wound he walked some distance. When I saw him, he was lying on his back, with his thighs Hexed upon the abdomen, which was tender and tympanitic, with an ecchymosis extending over the iliac and hypogastric regions. He had well-marked symptoms of peritonitis and cystitis, with a profuse and foetid discharge from the wound. After complete anaesthesia had been induced, a flexible catheter was passed into the wound to ascertain the course of the ball. It was found that after it had passed through the pubis and penetrated about two inches obliquely to the left, it had turned still more to the left and passed transversely across the pelvis.

A Nelaton probe, with a flexible shaft bent to suit the course of the wound, was then entered without difficulty for about eight inches, and upon its removal the metallic lustre upon the porcelain bulb was very distinct. Being still uncertain as to the exact locality of the ball, the probe was again introduced, and it was found that pressure made upon the left .side, behind the trochanter major, caused the p:obe to be thrust from the wound. Upon cutting directly down behind the trochanter, the ball was found lying almost in direct contact with, and upon the outer side of, the femur.

The extraction of the ball was followed by a tree discharge of foetid pus, and in a day or two his condition improved, and he is now recovered." The missile (Fid. 184) was sent to the Museum by Dr. Smith. Promoted to a colonelcy, this officer was honorably discharged January 4, 18t?5, and pensioned. The Pension Record states that, on March 5, 1865, the wound was still open and discharging, and the disability was rated at three-fourths, and probably not permanent. The wound subsequently healed soundly, and, alter May 15. 1868, the colonel ceased to draw a pension.

Samuel J. Dana, Vermont.

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Samuel J. Dana was born in Warren. Washington county. Vermont. May 18, 1833. When he was thirteen years of age his parents moved to Fayston, where Mr. Dana still resides. October 5, 1853, he married Adaline W. Benton, of Fayston. They had seven sons, six of whom are now living. She died October 24, 1886. On January 10, 1888, Mr. Dana married Mrs. Miranda Davis, who died April 24, 1889. He was married February 27, 1894, to Miss Mary J. Fisher, his present wife. August 25, 1862, he enlisted in the United States service and was mustered in October 10, 1862 as a private of company B, 13th Regiment, Vermont Volunteers.

He was with the regiment all through its service except when it left Fairfax Court House. Being sick at the time, he was left In the care of Lieutenant McElroy and Harvey M. Wait until an ambulance was sent for him from Wolf Run Shoals. He was wounded in the left arm by a piece of shell at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. At the expiration of his term, Mr. Dana returned to Brattleboro where he was honorably discharged July 21, of the same year.

He was one of six brothers who served in the Union Army and came home with honorable discharges. His grandfather served in the War of 1812-1814 and his great-grandfather fought in the War of the Revolution. Mr. Dana represented the town of Fayston in the legislature of 1872-1873 and has held nearly all the town offices, acting as town clerk for 26 years. In company with his son, Henry W. Dana, he has been manufacturer of clapboards and shingles for several years, and is carrying on the business at the present time. He held the office of Assistant Judge of Washington County Court from December, 1902 to December, 1904.

Samuel Jackson Dana.

Birth: May 18, 1833, Warren, Washington County, Vermont.
Death: Mar. 15, 1926, Fayston, Washington County, Vermont.

Parents: Samuel Dana (1800 - 1888), Calista Porter Dana (1806 - 1884).

Wife's: Adaline White Benton Dana (1834 - 1886), Marandie Whittlesey Dana (1845 - 1889), Mary Jane Fisher Dana (1843 - 1909).

Children: Pling J., Clarence, Henry C., Henry W., Charles H., Win R. (?) and Fred A. Dana (?).

Burial: Irasville Cemetery, Waitsfield, Washington County, Vermont.

Horace Leslie Campbell.

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Horace Leslie Campbell.

Birth: July 29, 1893.
Death: Unknown.

Son of Charles A. and Cora Campbell.

Wife Bernice Grosboll.

Children: Corene, ( ?-March 22, 1921.) .

Burial: Unknown.

Lieutenant Horace Leslie Campbell, only sou of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Campbell, born July 29th, 1893, at the Campbell home near Tallula. He enlisted the last of July, 1911, in the U. S. aero service, entering the ground school of aviation, Columbus, Ohio. October 19th, training there and finishing his course in eight weeks. On Dec. 20th he was transferred to Love Field, Dallas, Texas, Where he entered the flying school.

He was married, April 23, to Miss Bernice Grosboll, of Petersburg, retiirning to Love Field, where he instructed in the flying school two iveeks. He sailed for France from Camp Dick, May 22nd, landing in Ramorantin, France. He tt/as made tester and path-finder here: has received two decorations from the French government and fourteen citations for honors of varioiix kinds. Lieutenant Campbell is believed to have broken two world's records for altitude, once without oxygen.

He was 48 years when he signed up for the draft for W. W. II.

Carl P. & Mark Henry Sisler. .

Carl Powers Sisler.

Birth: Jun. 1, 1892, Nebraska.
Death: Mar. 12, 1956,

Wife's: Lucille J Wiedetz Sisler (1904 - 1965), Clara L. Sisler (1896 - 1931).

Inscription: Iowa, Bglr Co K 53 Inf, 6 Division, World War I.

Burial: Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois.

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SISLER, CARL P. (4)

Bugler, Co. K, 53d Inf.. 6th Div.. U. S. Regulars. Born June 1, 1892. Son of Chas. Edw. and Lizzie Breed Sisler. Entered service May 1. 1918. at Crookston, Minn. Promoted Aug., 1918, to Bugler. Battles: Argonne Forest. Verdun. Army of Occupation. In trenches from Sept. 10 until Armistice. Home address. Ohio, Ohio Twp.




Mark Henry Sisler.

Birth: 1889.
Death: 1965.

Burial: Union Cemetery, Ohio, Bureau County, llinois.


 
 


SISLER, MARK HENRY (5)

Corporal, Co. 54, 5th Repl. Reg. Born July 8. 1889. Son of Chas. Edw. and Lizzie Breed Sisler. Entered service May 27. 1918. at Camp Gordon, Ga. Promoted July 17. 1918. to Corporal. Wounded at battle of Argonne, Oct. 4, 1918 (bul'et through lung.  Battles: Eight days in Argonne Forest, Sept. 27-Oct. 4, 1918. Discharged January, 1920. Home address. Ohio, Ohio Twp.

Samuel T. Craig, Iowa.

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Samuel Thomas Craig

Birth: Mar. 22, 1835.
Death: Mar. 17, 1902.

Parents: Thomas Craig (1803 - 1882), Mary Elizabeth Welsh Craig (1811 - 1903).

Wife: Helen Blanche Higgins Craig (1849 - 1925).

Children: Charles Craig (1875 - 1879).

Burial: Oakview Cemetery, Albia, Monroe County, Iowa.

Iowa First Cavalry, Regimental History.

 
Samuel T. Craig was born March 22d, 1835, in Corydon, Harrison county, Indiana. His parents, Dr. Thomas and Mary E. Craig, emigrated to Waveland, Montgomery county, Indiana, while he was a mere child, where he received a common school education and learned the carriage making trade with N. Glover. He emigrated with his parents to Albia, Monroe county, Iowa, in the spring of 1855, being in his twentieth year. He manufactured the first buggy made in Monroe county, Iowa.

In the spring of 1858 he and his brother David traveled overland in an open buggy to St. Paul, Minnesota, there being no railroad west of the Mississippi river except a short line from Burlington to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and the city of Minneapolis was but a village.

He was one of the unfortunate gold hunters during the Pike s Peak excitement in 1859-60. He returned home to Albia, Iowa, in the fall of 1860, with a view of returning to the gold fields early in the spring of 1861. The late war of the rebellion of 61, and the call of President Lincoln for Volunteers to defend the National flag, changed his base of action, and at the fall of Fort Sumter declared his intentions to defend the Government.

He enlisted as private of Company H, First Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, June 13th, 1861. Was promoted after about two years 1 service to orderly sergeant, thence to Second Lieutenant, thence to First Lieutenant all in same company and regiment.

He served on staff of Colonel J. M. Glover, commanding Second Brigade Cavalry Division, for nearly a year. Was first in the city at the capture of Little Rock, Arkansas, and captured several prisoners. Served on staffs of General Cyrus Bussey, Carr and Davidson, at Little Hock, Arkansas, and on staffs of Generals E. D. Osband and B. S. Roberts, commanding cavalry division at Memphis, Tennessee. Participated in nearly all the engagements with the enemy west of the Mississippi river, including Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Little Rock, Prairie DeAnue, Poison Springs, Camden, near Marks Mill, Saline River, et al. Was mustered out of service while under the command of General Custer, at Austin, Texas, February 15th, 1866 having served four years, eight months and three days.

He cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, republican candidate for President ; also voted for Lincoln and Grant twice, Hayes, Garfield. Blaine and Harrison for same office. Was a consistent republican as well as a prohibitionist. Was elected county auditor on the republican ticket in 1869, 71, 73 and 75, four consecutive terms, serving eight years. He has since been engaged in the mercantile business at Albia, Iowa. Married May 17th, 1870, to Miss Helen B. Higgins, from Chardron, Ohio, and had sons, Samuel T. and Charles H., and daughters, Helen and Laura, and are members of the Christian Church.

George Love, Tennessee.

Second Tennessee C. S. A. Cavalry, Regiment al History.



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George Love, son of James F. and Maria Love, was born October i8th, 1835, in Sumner County, Tennessee, five miles north of Gallatin. He was raised on the farm, and educated at the Wallace School- house, near his father's residence.

When about eighteen years old he commenced business as a clerk for William Moore, who kept a family grocery at Gallatin. After clerking for Mr. Moore for about two years, he was next a clerk in Parker & Holder's dry goods house for about three years. He went from Gallatin to Nashville in 1858, and did business there for John Ramage & Son {boot and shoe business) until the breaking out of the late war.

George Love entered the Confederate service as Second Lieutenant in Captain H. B. Boude"s company, which, on the 19th of October, 1 86 1, became Company A of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. He served as second lieutenant under Captain Boude  until after the battle of Shiloh.

Near Fulton, Mississippi, on the 12th of June, 1862, Boude's and Tyree's companies were consolidated, and William T. Rickman was made captain, and the subject of this sketch was made first lieutenant of this consolidated company, which, at the same time and place, became Company D of the Second Tennessee Cavalry.

After passing through many hard-fought battles, always doing his full duty. Lieutenant Love fell, mortally wounded, while so daringly breasting the missiles of death at Fort Pillow on the 12th of April, 1864. Being rather retiring and unassuming, though generous, kind, and obliging, he had won many friends, and, therefore, he was much missed and greatly lamented, not only by his own company, but all of the regiment.

I take the following from the Manuscript Notes of Colonel Barteau:

"A singular instance of a premonition of death occurred in the case of Lieutenant Love. As an officer, he was popular with his men, and always calm and fearless at the post of duty. Li the morning he called several of his company around him and told them, in a quiet manner, that he should be killed that day. He gave directions for the disposal, among the command, of his horse and little posses sions, arranged for the payment of his small debts, and wrote a farewell letter to his orphan sister, living at Gallatin, Tennessee. 

"He led his company on, and at eleven o'clock was laid low by a canister shot from one of the enemy's guns. We buried him the next morning. His memory lives in the hearts of all his surviving comrades, and the regiment could boast of no braver soldier or better man."

Alonzo B. Searing, New Jersey.

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Alonzo Bryant Searing.

Birth: Jun. 26, 1844, Mill Brook, Morris County, New Jersey.
Death: Jun. 14, 1932, Dover, Morris County, New Jersey.

Parents: Samuel Johnson Searing (1809 - 1890), Elizabeth C. Bryant Searing (1810 - 1895).

Burial: Millbrook Methodist Cemetery, Randolph, Morris County, New Jersey.

New Jersey Eleventh Infantry, Regimental History.

Page 360, Alonzo B. Searing enlisted in Company E, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, August 18th, 1862, and was, at the time of his entrance into the service, eighteen years of age. He was with the regiment during its entire term of service, being present at its muster-out, June 6th, 1865. Searing, like many others in the regiment, became a soldier when quite young, and the effective fighting element of the army was composed of just such men, the great bulk of them serving in the three-years volunteers of 1861 and 1862. At Gettysburg the two men on his immediate right were mortally wounded, while he escaped with a slight ankle wound. Searing was a faithful, brave and efficient soldier. Since the close of the war he has served five years in the National Guard of New Jersey. He now resides at Dover, New Jersey.

Page 69, A soldier sometimes has a premonition of coming death. Such was the case with Sergeant Daniel Bender, of Company H. Just previous to the battle, in a conversation with A. B. Searing, of
Company E, he said that he had a presentiment that he would not live to see the end of the coming battle. His presentiment proved too true, for a bullet, passing through the visor of his cap, pierced his brain.

One year afterward, when bivouacking upon the battle-field of Chancellorsville, just before the battle of the Wilderness, among many ghastly relics picked up was a skull, the cap still upon it, and upon the visor was stamped " D. Bender, Co. H, 11th N. J. Vols." A. B. Searing, of Company E, cut the visor off and brought it home with him.