Over forty New Hampshire men, whether a native son, a resident, or a volunteer accredited to the state, earned a Medal of Honor for their actions during the Civil War. Here is one story:
Pine Grove Cemetery, Raymond, NH - taken 5/16/2008
JAMES BRADY
Private, Company F, 10th New Hampshire Infantry
Place/date of action: at Chaffin's Farm, Virginia, 29 Sept 1864
Date of issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Capture of flag
Private, Company F, 10th New Hampshire Infantry
Place/date of action: at Chaffin's Farm, Virginia, 29 Sept 1864
Date of issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Capture of flag
James Brady enlisted in Portsmouth, NH on 11 Aug 1863 as a substitute for Edward S. Sanborn of Kingston, NH, and was mustered in the same day. He was 22 years of age, and had been born in Boston, MA.
On the "date of action", the 29th of Sept, 1864, the 10th NH were with the XVIII Corps, sent out as skirmishers ahead of the First Division, in the taking of Fort Harrison (while the X Corps were assaulting New Market Heights). The following day, the Confederates made several attempts to retake the fort, without success. The 10th NH Inf. and the 118th New York Infantry formed a skirmish line, and advanced over the field, capturing the rebel wounded and numerous battle flags [Revised Register, pg. 515]. In the report on the soldiers valiant conduct in the field by Asst. Adj.Gen. Smith [US Congr. Series I, Vol XLII, Part III, pg 164] it was recommended that Private Bradbury(sic) receive a medal "for gallantry in capturing a rebel stand of colors".
On the "date of action", the 29th of Sept, 1864, the 10th NH were with the XVIII Corps, sent out as skirmishers ahead of the First Division, in the taking of Fort Harrison (while the X Corps were assaulting New Market Heights). The following day, the Confederates made several attempts to retake the fort, without success. The 10th NH Inf. and the 118th New York Infantry formed a skirmish line, and advanced over the field, capturing the rebel wounded and numerous battle flags [Revised Register, pg. 515]. In the report on the soldiers valiant conduct in the field by Asst. Adj.Gen. Smith [US Congr. Series I, Vol XLII, Part III, pg 164] it was recommended that Private Bradbury(sic) receive a medal "for gallantry in capturing a rebel stand of colors".
On 21 June 1865, the 10th NH was mustered out of service, and any men having not yet completed their terms were transferred to the 2nd NH Infantry. James Brady was listed as "absent, sick" at this time, and didn't join the Second NH in the field.
The whereabouts of Pvt Brady following his Civil War service are not clear. He did not file for a pension, and he was not seen in the 1890 Veterans Schedule. He may be the James Brady, age 39, single, a laborer, in 1880 Boston, MA census with mother Ann, and single brothers William, George, and John (They are also seen in 1870 Boston, and in 1860 Roxbury censuses, and James looks to be a match).
The whereabouts of Pvt Brady following his Civil War service are not clear. He did not file for a pension, and he was not seen in the 1890 Veterans Schedule. He may be the James Brady, age 39, single, a laborer, in 1880 Boston, MA census with mother Ann, and single brothers William, George, and John (They are also seen in 1870 Boston, and in 1860 Roxbury censuses, and James looks to be a match).
Beginning in Oct. 1893, James Brady was admitted into the New Hampshire Soldier's Home in Tilton on multiple occasions. He was listed as single, his occupation a laborer, and his disability was rheumatism. His last stay there ended in May 1904, when he left at his own request. That October, he arrived in Raymond, NH, where he died at the home of Mr. Allen on 7 Oct 1904. His obituary, which ran in the Derry News on 14 Oct 1904 (pg 8), is below. The local G.A.R. Post had purchased a veteran's plot in the Pine Grove Cemetery, and escorted his body there following his service.
Links:
Ayling's Revised Register, pg 520
Battle of Chaffin's Farm: [battle map w/ unit locations - LoC site]
Medal of Honor, 1863-1968: pg 38
New Hampshire Soldiers' Home (Tilton, NH): Report for 1904
10th N.H. Infantry: muster roll for "Substitutes for Drafted Men"
10th New Hampshire Infantry: Co. F (transfers to 2nd NH)
Ayling's Revised Register, pg 520
Battle of Chaffin's Farm: [battle map w/ unit locations - LoC site]
Medal of Honor, 1863-1968: pg 38
New Hampshire Soldiers' Home (Tilton, NH): Report for 1904
10th N.H. Infantry: muster roll for "Substitutes for Drafted Men"
10th New Hampshire Infantry: Co. F (transfers to 2nd NH)
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