The History of Battery H First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery in the War to Preserve the Union 1861-1865

by Earl Fenner

GEORGE MESSINGER.

First Sergt. George Messinger, the son of Eli and Ann J. (Roberts) Messinger, was born in the city of Providence, R. I., March 27, 1842. At the commencement of the Civil War, he was attending a private school in that city, preparatory to entering Brown University. With all the ardor and patriotism of youth, and imbued with a strong desire to serve his country in her hour of peril, he offered his services and was mustered into service as a private in Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861. He participated with his battery in the first battle of Bull Run.

The battery was subsequently ordered to the Upper Potomac, and was stationed at different points between Harper’s Ferry and Washington. At the time of the battle of Ball’s Bluff one section of the battery to which Private Messinger had been assigned was stationed near Poolesville, Md. It was dismounted and crossed the Potomac on a scow, but took no active part in the engagement, and the next day recrossed the river and returned to its old camping ground.

About this time Private Messinger was seriously attacked with typhoid fever and pneumonia. His father, who had enlisted in the same battery, was detailed to attend him during his illness. His mother also came on from Providence, R. I., to render her assistance. He was removed to the house of Mrs. White, the mother of the well known (Confederate) Gen. Harry White. Private Messinger after becoming convalescent was granted a furlough, and returned to Rhode Island. On regaining his health he was detailed on recruiting service in Providence.

Company Clerk George Messinger.

Battery H was then organizing in that city, and Private Messinger was transferred from Battery A and promoted to first sergeant of Battery H. The battery was subsequently ordered into camp near Mashapaug Bond, in Cranston, R. I. At this time frequent drafts were made upon the battery for recruits to serve in the batteries already in the field. Sergeant Messenger combined with his other duties that of drill master, and was kept constantly employed in that capacity until the battery left its camp and proceeded to Washington in October, 1862.

His career from that period until the termination of the war was closely identified with the history of the battery. In October, 1863, while the battery was stationed at Fairfax Court House, Sergeant Messinger was wounded by the accidental discharge of his revolver, the ball passing down his leg on the inside of his boot, entered his heel, and went through and lodged in the heel of his boot. It being in a vulnerable spot, he suffered considerable inconvenience from his wound.

Soon afterward, entirely unsolicited on his part, an application was made for him for a commission, which was signed by all of the officers of his battery and by the colonel and major of his regiment. The application was supposed to have been forwarded to the governor of Rhode Island, but nothing was ever heard from it, and in January, 1864, Sergeant Messinger re-enlisted as a veteran and received the customary furlough of thirty days.

While at home on his furlough he had strong hopes that he might receive a commission from the governor. One day while reading a newspaper he was astounded to learn that a commission had been granted to a personal friend of his, but whose service as a non-commissioned officer was of a very recent date. Feeling aggrieved at this treatment he had received he went to the governor and requested that his application for a commission might be returned to him. He was greatly astonished to find that no application or recommendation had ever been received, and it was not until sixteen years later that he learned what had become of the papers that had been forwarded to the governor.

It may be well to state here that his friend who received the appointment was assigned to Battery E, in the very position which Sergeant Messinger had anticipated might be allotted to himself. In the very first battle in which this officer took part after he had joined his battery he was killed, so that Sergeant Messinger has good reason to congratulate himself that he did not receive the coveted commission at that time.

And now we are able to inform our readers what became of those papers. It seems there was a soldier well known in the battery (now deceased) whose name we do not desire to make public, who cherished an enmity against Sergeant Messinger because he had appointed him a corporal at Camp Mauran against his wishes. He only held the position a short time, then returned to the ranks, and was appointed mail carrier for the battery. He was present in the officers’ quarters to take the mail the morning the captain sent the papers to Rhode Island, and heard the captain express the desire that the papers might soon bring Sergeant Messinger his commission.

The mail carrier afterward said to Sergeant Messinger that he determined at that time that he (Messinger) should not have the commission if he could prevent it. He took the papers from the mail bag and destroyed them. No wonder they could not be found in the governor’s office, and that Sergeant Messinger did not receive appointment to the position which he was so well qualified to adorn.

After Captain Allen took command of the battery, Sergeant Messinger was appointed company clerk, and served in that capacity until the muster out of the battery. He settled all the affairs of the battery for Captain Allen in a manner creditable to himself and to all concerned. Even to this day there is no member of the battery who is more highly esteemed and respected than he, and no one who takes a livelier interest in the welfare of his comrades. He has had the opportunity and privilege of visiting many of the members who are scattered over the country, and they always find him ready to extend a hearty welcome to all; and no deserving comrade ever found him turning a deaf ear to his plea for help in time of need.

He is at present engaged in the manufacture of pottery at East Brookfield, Mass. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic in his town, and is an honored citizen of the community in which he lives. He is one of the committee on the publication of the History of Battery H.