J. G. Whittier.
The Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, as its number seems to indicate, claims relationship with the earliest forces of the Commonwealth. The claim is well sustained by the fact that seven companies from Bristol and Plymouth counties helped to compose the original regiment, and became the nucleus of the Third Regiment which served in the Civil War. These seven companies were:
Company A, Halifax Light Infantry.
Organized in 1792, receiving its charter from John Hancock, then Governor of Massachusetts. The officers at that time were: Capt. Asa Thompson, First Lieut. Cephus Washburn, Jr., Second Lieut. Charles P. Lyon.
Captain Thompson was a mighty man of valor, of gigantic proportions, being six feet and seven inches in height in normal condition, and eight feet with his captain’s cap on. On parade and muster this company attracted attention, not only by the Saul-like appearance of its captain, but also by the large bearskin caps worn by the officers and men. Tradition says that when Captain Thompson marched his army across South Boston bridge, throngs of men, women, and children collected to see “the giant” and his men, and not a few trembled with fear lest the bridge should not be able to support the captain and his great company.
When called into service in 1861 this company was officered by Capt. Joseph S. Harlow, of Middleboro; First Lieut. Cephus Washburn, Jr., of Kingston; Second Lieut. Charles P. Lyon, of Halifax.
Company B, Standish Guards, of Plymouth.
At the opening of the War this company was officered by Capt. C. C. Doten, of Plymouth; First Lieut. Otis Rogers, of Plymouth; Second Lieut. William B. Alexander, of Boston. Officers and men, 69.
Company C, Cambridge Light Infantry.
Capt. James P. Richardson; First Lieut. Samuel E. Chamberlain; Second Lieut. Edward F. Richardson. Officers and men, 97.