“In the summer of 1862, President Lincoln, notwithstanding the prophesies of the wise men by whom he was surrounded,—that the rebellion would be crushed in a very short time,—found that the Civil War had lasted more than a year, and that it was necessary to use more extreme measures if the war was to be closed in favor of the North, so he called for three hundred thousand men; but still having in mind the idea that the war must soon be brought to a close, he offered to take a large part of this vast number as volunteers for nine months.
“The Third Regiment of Militia which had already served one term at the front and been honorably discharged again volunteered, and Col. Silas P. Richmond was authorized to recruit the regiment to the full standard to serve nine months.
Capt. BARNABAS EWER, JR.
“Capt. Barnabas Ewer, Jr., obtained authority to recruit a company from Fairhaven and adjoining towns, to be known as Company I, Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. I think it was in the month of August when Captain Ewer opened an office in Centre Street, under the old Town Hall, and invited volunteers to come forward and sign their names on the company roll. After a time of more or less discouragement a company of one hundred and one officers and men was raised, of which number forty-two were from Fairhaven, twenty from Mattapoisett, fourteen from Rochester, twelve from Lakeville, five from Marion, two from Falmouth, two from New Bedford, and one each from Acushnet, Wareham, and Litchfield, Me.
“The company officers were at first, Barnabas Ewer, Jr., captain; Solomon K. Eaton, first lieutenant; and Jabez M. Lyle, second lieutenant. Feb. 23, 1863, Lieutenant Eaton resigned on account of ill-health, and, on April 8, 1863, Lieutenant Lyle was commissioned first lieutenant, and Joshua H. Wilkey was commissioned second lieutenant.
“This company was composed of men from many different walks in life, farmers, mechanics, business men, clerks, students in college, and teachers. Their ages as given ranged from eighteen to forty-five years. Too many troublesome questions along this line were not asked. With one exception they were American born; this one exception, poor fellow, was the first one killed. No one was discharged before the expiration of the term of service, and no one was punished for misbehavior. Since their muster out, the men, so far as I have been able to learn, have proved themselves of no mean order, filling their different stations with honor from humble citizens of toil to judge upon the bench of the Supreme Court.
“Sept. 22, 1862, the company reported at Camp Joe Hooker, in Lakeville, where it remained until October 22d, when the regiment broke camp and proceeded to Boston with orders to report to Major-General Foster, at Newbern, North Carolina.
“November 30th we were detached from the regiment, and, with about thirty men from the different companies who were found unable to do full duty, we started at night on board steamer Northern Light, for Plymouth, N. C. We reached there December 1st, relieving a large body of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, who returned to Newbern. Here our numbers were increased by a small company of infantry and thirty cavalry recruited from the natives in that vicinity, and known by us under the title of “Buffaloes.” Lying in the waters, of the Roanoke, there were rarely less than three or four, sometimes many more gunboats. Commander Flusser, of a first-class reputation as a fighting man, was in command of the naval force. We found our duty to be patrol, guard, and picket. The arrangement between the land and naval forces was that the land force was to give immediate alarm to the naval force of the approach of the enemy, and then at once retire to the Custom House on the bank of the river, when the gunboats would shell the woods, and, if need be, the town; and in this manner keep the rebels from entering the place.