First Lieut. George W. Blair, son of William and Zilphia (Ross) Blair, was born in Woolwich, Me., May 28, 1835. His grandfather, James Blair, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. On his mother’s side, his grandfather, Ebenezer Ross, served in the War of 1812.
His parents removed to Bath, Me., when George was about four years of age, where he received a common school education. His father was a sea captain, and was lost at sea on a voyage from Bath to Baltimore. At the age of seventeen he learned the trade of blacksmithing, of Duncan & Davenport, of Bath, manufacturers of shipping supplies. He removed to Boston in 1856, and worked in the repair shop of the Eastern Railroad Company, East Boston. The following year he went to Providence, R. I., and was employed in the blacksmithing department of Thomas J. Hill’s machine shop. He remained here until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted as a private in the First Rhode Island Light Battery, April 17, 1861. The battery was mustered into service May 2, 1861, at the Patent Office, at Washington, D. C. At the expiration of its term of service (Aug. 6, 1861), it was mustered out. Soon after his return to Rhode Island, he enlisted for three years as sergeant in Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, Aug. 13, 1861. While he was with this battery he participated in every engagement in which it took part. At the battle of Ball’s Bluff, the battery received its first baptism of fire. In the Peninsular campaign it took part in the Siege of Yorktown, battles of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Peach Orchard, Savage’s Station, White Oak Bridge, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. It also distinguished itself at the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.
On the 2d of December, 1862, Sergeant Blair was promoted to first sergeant, which position he held until discharged to accept an appointment as first lieutenant in Battery I, of the same regiment, to date from Feb. 2, 1863. This battery was never organized, and he was subsequently transferred to Battery H, April 23, 1863. He served with credit in this battery, participating in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. He resigned his commission April 29, 1864.
Shortly after his return north he was employed by the Fairbanks Scales Company, of Boston. He was afterwards appointed to the police force of that city, and served four years in that capacity. He then returned to his old position in the Fairbanks Scales Company. He was subsequently appointed special officer of the property connected with the Old South Church, of Boston.
About the year 1875, he removed to Providence and entered the employ of the Barstow Stove Company, remaining there several years, when he went to Sing Sing, N. Y., and was appointed inspector of stove mountings in the prison, and in the employ of the Perry Stove Company, formerly of Albany, N. Y. He remained with this company two years, but in consequence of ill health he was compelled to relinquish this position and returned to Providence, and entered the employ of the Providence Furniture Company, and had charge of the Stove Department for several years. Since that time he has been employed as night watchman at the Weybosset Mills, Olneyville, R. I.
Lieutenant Blair was at one time a member of Slocum Post, in Providence, but soon after the organization of Arnold Post, he was transferred to the latter post, where he has ever since retained his membership. He has held the several positions of adjutant, junior and senior vice commanders, and commander. He has also been president of Battery B Veteran Association.
ELMER L. CORTHELL.
Capt. Elmer L. Corthell enlisted as private in Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, June 6, 1861. He was promoted to corporal soon after the first battle of Bull Run, and was transferred to Battery F, of the same regiment, Oct. 31, 1861, and appointed sergeant the same date. He was promoted to second lieutenant Oct. 11, 1862, and assigned to Battery H; first lieutenant Nov. 6, 1863, and transferred to Battery G. He having established an excellent military reputation by long service in the field, was promoted to captain of Battery D, Oct. 21, 1864, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Captain Buckley. He was mustered out of service July 17, 1865. After the war he engaged in the business of civil engineering, and located at Chicago, Ill.
Capt. Elmer L. Corthell.