1st New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry History
- ️Patrick McSherry
By Patrick McSherry
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1st New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry,
Co. H
General:
The 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry served its term of service
within the continental U.S.
Unit History:
The First New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry was mustered into service at Concord, New Hampshire between May 8 and May 14, 1898, under the command of Colonel Robert H. Rolfe. At the time of mustering in, the regiment consisted of forty-seven officers, 952 enlisted men, and a Skye terrier named Ching as a mascot. The regiments companies were organized at the following locations: Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Keene, Claremont, Newport, Lebanon, Franklin, Laconia, Portsmouth, and Dover.
The 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry departs Concord, New
Hampshire
The regiment departed Concord on May 17, arriving at Camp Thomas, a training camp located on the old Civil War battlefield of Chickamauga, Georgia, three days later. The regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division of the First Army Corps. At Camp Thomas equipped with Springfield Trapdoor rifles as well as new lightweight tents and new regimental colors (regimental flag).
As spring passed into summer, the regiment sweltered at Camp Thomas, which was growing more and more unhealthy by the day. The camp became the home to about 60,000 men, but did not have adequate sanitation or fresh water. Also, as men were brought together from all over the country, many men were exposed to strains of illnesses to which their bodies had little immunity, adding to the amount of sickness.
In July, a target shooting match was held between nine regiments at Camp Thomas. The 1st New Hampshires team did quite well, coming in second in the competition, scoring 474 points to the 8th Massachusetts teams 481 points. The team consisted of twelve men, and the range was 150 yards. The regiments best marksman was R. L. Piper of Company K who scored six bulls eyes out of ten shots.
One of the major aspects of camp life was, unfortunately boredom. To
keep the men in top shape drills and sham battles were held. Reviews by
officers and dignitaries were also common, but an unusual review was
held in the beginning of August. This was a transportation review. The
wagons and ambulances of the Third Division of the First Corps, of which
the 1st New Hampshire was a part were ordered to be assemble for
inspection and review. Over 250 wagons and approximately fifteen
ambulances - with well over a thousand mules pulling them - were then
reviewed and paraded. The review attracted a fair amount of attention,
being a very rare event.
In early August, the regiment appeared to be poised to go to the front. Col. Rolfes brother-in-law, Maj. Gen. John Brooke, was one of the leaders of the planned expedition to Puerto Rico. On August 1, the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade of Wades Provisional Division which was expected to go to Puerto Rico as part of the invasion force. However, the unit was not needed for the Puerto Rican campaign and was left at Camp Thomas. While the regiment waited at Camp Thomas, an armistice was reached between the United States and Spain ending the wars fighting on August 12.
At the prompting of New Hampshires governor, the regiment finally
departed Camp Thomas on August 27, arriving at Camp Hamilton, near
Lexington, Kentucky, the following day. Only a day after their arrival,
the regiment received orders to muster out of the federal service. The
regiment departed Camp Hamilton on September 11, and arrived back in
Concord, New Hampshire the following day. Their train included two
hospital cars containing fifty sick men. Immediately the regiment was
given a thirty day furlough. The regiment was mustered out of service on
October 31, 1898. At the time of mustering out, the regiment consisted
of forty-seven officers and 1,234 enlisted men.
Bibliography:
Correspondence relating to the War with Spain And Conditions Growing Out of the Same Including the Insurrection in the Philippine Island and the China Relief Expedition. Vol. 1 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1902) 602.
"Tents, Boston Globe, July 28, 1898, 5
All Here, Lexington Herald-Leader, August 29, 1898, 8.
First New Hampshire, Nashville Banner, August 26, 1898, 1.
First New Hampshire Infantry Chattanooga Daily Times, May 21, 1898, 5.
For Home, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), September 6, 1898, 4.
General Breckinridge Now In Command at Camp Thomas, Chattanooga Daily Times, August 3, 1898, 5.
Ten Days Rations Issued Boston Globe, June 30, 1898, 7.
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