It was supposed that Major Cobb would take the battery into service, but he left the state abruptly and Governor Andrews sent Adjutant General Schouler down to camp to ask Major O. F. Nims, an experienced officer, to take command and get to Washington as soon as possible.
Nims replied: "I will accept a commission whenever it is tendered me but I will not ask for one." It was then suggested that the company be called on to elect a captain, but this did not meet with Major Nims' approval as he had made up his mind not to owe his position to the men under him. "No," said he, "make me an officer if you will and then ask them what they think of it." He was therefore given the rank of captain, the men were lined up and informed of what had been done. A wild shout of approval was their reply, the men throwing their caps in the air as a further demonstration of their satisfaction.
The roster of commissioned officers then was as follows:
Captain, Ormand F. Nims.
Senior 1st Lieut., John W. Wolcott.
Junior 1st Lieut., John Bigelow.
Senior 2d Lieut., Geo. G. Trull.
Junior 2d Lieut., Richard B. Hall.
NON-COMMISSIONED
1st Sergeant, Lowell A. Chamberlain.