Bio: Edgar L. Carr : Pittsfield, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

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Submitted by: Rick Giirtman rickman@worldpath.net
Date: March 12, 2001
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From the Book
'History of Pittsfield, N. H. in the Rebellion'
by H. L. Robinson, published 1893


EDGAR   L.   CARR.

One of our best known citizens is Dr. E. L. Carr, who was born in Gilmanton,
May 12, 1841, a son of Isaac S. and Lucinda J. (Osgood) Carr. When six years
old his parents moved to Pittsfield. He worked on his father's farm, and
attended the town school at "Upper City" and Pittsfield academy. At the
academy he ranked among the best for scholarship. He devoted a large portion
of his time to the study of Latin, to fit himself for his chosen profession,
and attained great proficiency in the use of the language. In 1861 a large
class was formed under the preceptorship of Dr. John Wheeler for the study
of medicine. Carr was one of this class.

In 1862, however, he laid aside his books, and enlisted in Company G,
Fifteenth New Hampshire volunteers, and soon after he was made hospital
steward, and served in this capacity until his regiment was mustered out
August 13, 1863.

At Camp Parapet, La., he was taken sick with malaria, yet when his regiment
went up the river to take part in the capture of Port Hudson, so anxious was
he to relieve his suffering comrades that he went with them, and performed
his duties through that long and terrible siege of forty-six days, his
regiment being constantly under fire. When he reached home he was so reduced
in strength that he could hardly walk, but the bracing air of New Hampshire
soon brought back in a measure his former vigor. He then took up his Studies
where he had laid them down, and entered Bowdoin Medical college, whence he
was graduated in 1864. As all the New Hampshire regiments were supplied
with surgeons he went to Boston, and was appointed as assistant surgeon in
the Twenty-first Massachusetts infantry. He joined this regiment at
Petersburg. At the end of two months, the service of the original members
having expired, the remaining men were consolidated with another regiment,
and the officers mustered out. Carr had hardly reached Boston whon he was
appointed as assistant surgeon in the Thirty-fifth regiment Massachusetts
infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He was
recommended for promotion as surgeon with the rank of major, but the
cessation of hostilities prevented this. When the Thirty-fifth Massachusetts
regiment was sent home there was need of a surgeon in the Twenty-ninth
Massachusetts infantry, and Carr was appointed to the place June 7, 1865.He
served until the regiment was discharged, July 28, 1865.

Comrade Carr kept a diary while he was with the last two regiments, and this
he kindly placed at my disposal, saying that I should find nothing of
interest in his notes. I would like to place the whole before my readers did
space permit, but must content myself with a few excerpts :

Sept. 26, 1864. Off again for the war! Started at 6:30 a. m., for Boston;
stopped at the Hancock House.

Sept. 29. After much trouble and delay succeeded in getting my pay, $250.41.
[This was for his service in the Twenty-first regiment.]

Sept. 30. Took a furlough, came home, attended a levee at Academy hall.

Monday, Oct. 3. Came back to Boston; got my commission for three years;
wonder if I shall stay two months this time.

Oct. 4. Started for the front at 2 p. m., rode all night; arrived in
Washington at 10 : 30 a. m., next day.

Oct. 5. Went up to aunt's, stopped for dinner, started for City Point at
4 p. m. As I write we are having a splendid ride down the river.

Arrived at Point Lookout at 10 p. m., spread my blanket on the deck, had a
good sleep.

Oct. 7. Took the cars, came up to the regiment, found them within four miles
of the South-side railroad and across the Weldon railroad. Saw the steeples
in Petersburg on the way up.

Oct. 8. I was aroused from sleep this morning by an order to be ready to
march immediately. The regiment was under arms all day, but did not move.
The lines on our left were advanced some distance.

Oct. 9. All quiet along the line except a rebel band we heard playing. I
held the morning call for the first time; had to have an interpreter all the
time for the benefit of the Germans who cannot talk English, which makes it
rather tedious for me.

Oct. 11. Saw John J. Drake, of the Eleventh New Hampshire from our town;
found him quite disconsolate. A conclave of generals near our quarters--
Meade, Hancock, Parker, Potter, Curtin, Griffin, Ingalls, and Campbell from
Canada. Considerable firing on our right.

Friday, Oct. 14. Witnessed a military execution today -a deserter from the
Third Maryland regiment.

Oct. 20.    Had my tent logged up, so it is quite spacious.

Oct. 23. My tent caught fire, and but for timely help should have been
homeless quickly.

Oct. 25. All is in confusion; ready to move at any moment. I am going to bed
and sleep a short time if we do not get ordered up; where we shall go can
only be conjectured.

Oct. 26. Slept all night. Order to move did not come as we expected, but
everything is being sent to the rear; doubtless we shall move to-night.

Oct. 27. Aroused by the order to strike tents, at 3 o'clock a. m; started
about 4 o'clock; began to rain just as we started; marched around to the
left a few miles; held as a support, while the Second and Fifth corps have
taken the South-side railroad. Very hard fighting, but hope to be able to
hold the road.

Oct. 28. Was awakened by the firing on the left. The Second corps, having
been unable to hold the road, went to the rear this morning; the Fifth
following; then one division of negroes, our division being the last. Our
brigade, and finally our regiment, bringing up the rear, being the last to
leave the field. The "Johnnies" did not follow us to any great distance.
Now we are on our old camp ground, having completely failed in the
undertaking. It is reported that Butler has taken Fort Darling. If such be
the fact, doubtless we have helped some by drawing away the troops.

Oct. 29. Very busy fixing up camp, getting ready to keep house again. The
"Johnnies" are jubilant over our defeat; insulting--asking our boys when we
are going to take the South-side road again. [The reader will bear in mind
that the two armies were so near that conversation could easily be carried
on between them.]

Sunday, Oct. 30. The chaplain of the Fifty-eighth is holding service, while
a battery of six guns are drilling directly in front of him: quite a
contrast.

Oct. 31. Dressed up in my gay clothes--sash, etc.--for inspection ;
mustered for pay. Had my house built to-day, moved into it just at dark ;
nice little pen--wish I had a stove.

Nov. 2. A cold, rainy, disagreeable day, taking into consideration the fact
that we are in shelter tents with no fire.

Nov. 3. A rainy, disagreeable day ; been in the tent trying to keep warm.

Nov. 4. Cleared off this morning ; had a horse race, in which I beat.

Nov. 7. Rainy again to-day ; orders to be in readiness to repel a charge
from the enemy, which is expected to prevent our troops from voting
to-morrow. I guess they will get all they bargained for if they come.

Nov. 8. Expected an attack to-day to interfere with the voting, but they
were too wise to do any such rash thing. While the voting was going on our
men cheered for Lincoln, when the rebels gave three cheers for the devil;
one of our men replied through an embrasure, "All right! you hurrah for your
man and we'll hurrah for ours." First heard of the death of John J, Drake,
which took place last Friday,

Nov. 11. Four ''Johnnies" came in, and the medical inspector called.

Nov. 15. Orders to log up tents looks as though we are to remain here this
winter. One man cut his leg quite severely.

Nov. 18. Expect to move soon,--where, is unknown.
Nov. 19. Much excitement about moving. Nothing is as yet revealed. Several
Germans got a discharge from the war department oh account of illegal
enlistment. They are feeling well pleased.

Nov. 23. A rainy, gloomy day, strongly reminds me of the last Sunday at
home. Sundays come and go, and no notice is taken of them.

Nov. 24. Thanksgiving day. Kept in my tent most of the time. One of our
cooks had some turkey, etcetera, sent out, and put it on our table, we were
not entirely without something.

Nov. 25. We received some turkeys from New York, apples, etc.

Nov. 26. Received quite a Thanksgiving donation from Boston to-day.

Nov. 27. Our boys captured a rebel brigadier-general. Had quite a dinner
to-day ; all of the absent officers were invited.

Nov. 29. Attended my sick call as usual, when I was surprised by an order to
be in readiness to march at nine o'clock and take position on right of the
army. Started about eleven a. m., marched ten miles, and bivouacked beside
the railroad below Hancock junction. Built up large fires, and lay down to
sleep. We are now where there is plenty of firing and shelling ; seems very
much like last summer. As the colonel has no blankets, we turn in together.

Nov. 30. Marched across the railroad and encamped near Fort Hell ; now
building camps for winter quarters, not far from the railroad.

Dec. 1. Took a ride with the major down to the old camping-ground of the
Twenty-first regiment when I was with them ; also to the remains of the old
fort which were blown up.

Dec. 3. Great deal of artillery firing ; the colonel and myself have been
shovelling on the fortifications.

Dec. 6. Took a ride with the colonel, called on General Hartranft [since
governor of Pennsylvania], took lunch with him. Like his appearance much;
went upon the housetop of his headquarters, and had a look at Petersburg
through a large glass. Could see the time of day upon the city clock--
twenty minutes of one. Considerable firing to-night.

Dec. 7. One man shot in the leg, slight wound ; sent a package to Mrs.
Drake.

Dec. 8. Under order to march at a moment's warning.

Dec. 9. Began to snow, the first of the season. Awaiting orders to march ;
already dark, still we wait. Things all packed up ; expecting every moment
to hear the clank of the staff officer's sword as he gallops up with orders
to move. Gloomy night to march, I assure you! Wind is gaining strength as
the darkness increases. Ten p. m., still waiting, still snowing ; think I
will turn in, and run the risk of being routed out.

Dec. 10. Contrary to expectations slept soundly all night; attended the
execution by hanging of two deserters ; and then waited, in camp, the
orders to move, which came at five o'clock p. m. Started immediately, on
the Jerusalem plank road ; nearly twenty miles--not half the distance being
accomplished when it began to rain, which with the rapidly melting snow
made the travelling exceedingly tiresome, but the boys stood it nobly. I
had a horse, or I should never have got through.

Dec. 11. Find ourselves on the Blackwater river, expecting to cross on the
pontoon bridge which we brought along ; but gaining no definite information
of the safety of the Fifth corps, we return to camp, getting back at nine
p. m., making forty miles in twenty-six hours ; pretty well played out.

Dec. 12. Had a good night's sleep, and feel as good as new. The wind arose
last night, blowing a tree down upon my tent ; did no damage further than to
frighten me some. Quite winterishy. Under orders to march again, but many
of the Thirty-fifth's officers and men cannot go, on account of being used
up entirely.

Dec. 13. Nothing new to-day ; the weather is exceedingly cold. Had about
half of the regiment at surgeon's call this morning. No farther orders about
moving yet.

Dec. 15. Several recruits joined us to-day. The unfortunate man who was to
be hung to-morrow has been reprieved by General Meade ; don't think he will
desert again.

Dec. 18. An inspection was ordered to-day, but was indefinitely postponed
on account of the rain.

Dec. 19. Went down to the hospital to-day with two men, to have them
examined for a discharge ; both approved.

Dec. 20. Got a stand of colors ; they are quite gaudy. Several convalescent
men returned to-day, so we have nearly four hundred men. Can hear the nine
o'clock bell in the devoted city of Petersburg.

Dec. 21. Rained nearly all night and most of the forenoon, setting
everything afloat ; cleared off cold. Hard night for the pickets.

Dec. 24. Thirteen "Johnnies" came in last night; report great distress in
their armies.

Dec. 26. Salute of one hundred guns fired for the capture of Savannah. Sent
a complaint to the headquarters that our men were being cheated out of part
of their rations.

Dec. 27. Our pickets were fired upon when being relieved ; one man killed,
three wounded.

Dec. 28. Went down to the hospital and assisted to take off a man's leg.
Another man wounded to-night, very severely ; ball in the right lung,
probably fatal. A great amount of firing to-night. The scene is much more
grand than any of the fireworks at home, as those huge shells shoot into
the air with a tail of fire.

Dec. 29. Captain Johnston of the Twelfth was up to see me ; he was looking
first-rate. He is on General Butler's staff. Captain Dudley of the Eleventh
was with him--a relative, I believe. The discharge for my two men came
to-day; they are feeling happy to go home.

Dec. 31. The last day of 1864, sure as I am a sinner.

January I, 1865. A happy New Year to you all! by far the coldest day we have
seen, and I don't care to see much colder. Tried to keep warm, with partial
success.

Jan. 3. Another unfortunate man wounded to-day, not severely I trust ; sent
report of casualties to Surgeon General Dale of Massachusetts.

Jan. 5. All quiet in the army of the Potomac! Another man to be hung
to-morrow for desertion.

Jan. 6. Quite a stormy, rainy day. Attended the execution of a deserter from
One Hundred Seventy-ninth N. Y. Rode up and felt his pulse after he had hung
ten minutes ; beating sixty per minute. After waiting five minutes found his
life had ebbed away. Those rivers of life which had flowed unceasingly for
nearly two score years were now stilled forever ; the traitor had expiated
his heinous crime upon the gallows. Thus perish every traitor! These
executions are getting painfully frequent, this being the fourth one it has
been my lot to witness since I arrived here three months ago to-day.

Jan. 10. Had a " right smart " rain. Both the "Johnnies " pickets and our
own stacked arms outside the pits, and watched each other during the rain.

Jan. 11. Hope paymaster will come soon ; paid $160 for my horse and
trappings ; had but $167 ; been living on credit too long.

Jan, 12. Got a bedtick, and filled it with pine leaves ; so shall have an
easier bed to-night. Very little firing to-day.

Jan. 13. Went down to the hospital to get some men discharged. Mud is
prolific and disgustingly adhesive, so that blacking on boots does not
signify.

Jan. 23. Raining all day, glad to keep under cover. Heavy cannonading on the
right; sounds like distant thunder.

Jan. 24. The firing last night was caused by the enemy attempting to run
their gun-boats past our fortifications, to destroy government property at
City Point or Bermuda Hundred ; they were unsuccessful.

Jan. 27. Medical inspector visited me to day; well pleased with looks of the
camp.

Jan. 28. Coldest day I have seen in Dixie.

Jan. 31. The rebel Vice-president Stephens passed near here to-day, on a
mission of peace to Washington.

Feb. 5. A change has come over the scene. Our heretofore quiet camp is
disturbed by the order, "Be ready to march at a moment's notice !" The Fifth
corps has started down the plank road ; doubtless we shall soon follow.

Feb. 6. Still in camp under marching orders. The ambassadors of peace have
returned to-day, having failed, as we supposed they would.

Feb. 7. Heavy cannonading all day in the direction of the South-side
railroad.

Feb. 8. Some shelling near the site of the famous mine of July last.

Feb. 9. Pickets sent out to-day, so we shall not have to go on this march.
We have taken three forts, so our guns command the road.

Feb. 10. Witnessed the execution of a deserter by shooting. It may be
pretty fun to desert, but I don't think it is pleasant to be caught
afterwards.

Feb. 16. Some cannonading to-day ; one of our men wounded.

Feb. 21. Salute of one hundred guns in honor of Sherman's victories. Rebel
deserters come in now by the scores; they say the "Southern Confederacy is
played out." Much firing in our front.

Feb. 22. Orders to be ready to repel an attack ; expecting an attack
to-night.

Feb. 23. We all were up all night, expecting an attack on our front. It is a
dark rainy night. Some firing on our picket line ; good night for an attack.

Feb. 24. Some shelling to-day ; thirty-three deserters came in last night.

Feb. 26. Seventy-three deserters came in to-day. Appearances indicate that
the enemy intend to evacuate Petersburg soon ; hope they will wait until it
becomes a little warmer.

March 5. Another expectation of an attack. Think if they have the temerity
to do so they will be sorely punished.

March 6. Not many deserters coming in now. They did not attack us last
night, but may to-night. Commenced to have three meals a day, for now [since
the paymaster came] we have money to buy rations with.

March 7. The regiment moved into Fort Hell to-day; a bad place; don't know
whether I shall go in or not.

March 8. Very rainy all day, making it very disagreeable to our boys who
are moving. Think I shall live outside with my friend and "better half,"
the quartermaster.

March 9. Went up into the fort to hold sick call; moved our tent up a short
distance, somewhat in rear of the fort.

March 11. I have nothing to write today; think it useless to try to write
under the circumstances. I went out to the front line, so could see the
rebels very plainly. Twenty deserters came into our lines in broad daylight.

Sunday, March 12. Everything after the same old sort. The followers of the
army "esteem every day alike;" thought to be the best fighting day, I
believe. Sermons we don't have in the army, not having heard one since I
last entered it. The bullets whistle harmlessly over our heads to-night.

March 13. Went, in company with the colonel, to see Colonel Harriman of the
Eleventh New Hampshire. He is a sociable fellow and a good officer. A little
muss on the picket line this morning. I saw the tongues of flame as they
leaped forth from the mouths of hostile muskets.

March 14. Orders to be ready to march. Some think the "Johnnies" are
evacuating; don't see it.

March 15. All surplus baggage sent to City Point; also all sutlers.

March 19. The Eighteenth New Hampshire volunteers have come into this
division.

March 20. Saw the best display of shelling of the season ; no less than
100 were thrown over; some came much nearer to me than was agreeable; no
one hurt.

March 22. Four of our recruits deserted to the enemy last night.

March 25. The rebels under Bushrod Johnson made an attack on the First
division lines, capturing Fort Stedman; subsequently repulsed with a loss of
2,500 in prisoners, 500 killed and wounded. Our loss not over 500.

March 26. Quiet reigns along the lines which were only yesterday in the
utmost confusion. The Second corps made an attack on the left; to what
extent they were successful I am as yet ignorant.

March 27. General Sheridan arrived here to-day with a large detachment of
cavalry. Our hospital is filled with rebel wounded.

March 28. Those vicious rebels sent over some more of those mortar shells,
killing one of Sheridan's cavalry men. The Twenty-fourth corps has gone to
the left, to join in the attack which is expected in a day or two.
Generals Sherman, Sheridan, and Meade met General Grant at City Point last
night. We expect to hear of great events soon. Quite a skirmish between the
pickets this evening. We are expecting to be in Petersburg soon.

March 29. Went down to the hospital. Talked with some of the wounded
prisoners; they are treated equally well with our own men. Rode over to
where the cavalry were encamped a few days. Found a Spencer rifle, a
seven-shooter; intend to carry it home if possible. The fighting on the left
has commenced; results unknown.

March 30. Some mortar shelling last night; several in the Eighteenth New
Hampshire volunteers killed and wounded. Heavy cannonading on the left, also
the roll of musketry. A deserter came into our Regiment at noon today.

March 31. Our brigade intended to make a charge on the rebel works on our
front, but General Meade getting word of it, ordered the troops to repair
immediately to their quarters, and not to attempt such foolhardiness, such
slaughter. No authentic news from the left; fear that we have not gained
much yet.

Sunday, April 2. Fighting commenced on our front last night at 11 o'clock,
and continued all night and all day. Four of the enemy's forts, and all the
guns therein, are in our possession; many prisoners captured. Expect to go
into Petersburg to-morrow. This has been a bloody day; and the almost
incessant roar of huge guns, the shrieking of hurtling shells, and the
crack of musketry made the day appear little like Sunday.

April 3. A day of rejoicing to the American people, and especially to the
brave army who have been in the trenches around  Petersburg and  Richmond.
Our army took possession of both places this morning, the rebels evacuating
previously. We went through the city of Petersburg; it is a fine place. No
Union sentiment was exhibited, except among the colored portion. It was
gratifying in the extreme to go into the city for which we had been
striving for ten months. General Potter, the commander of our division, was
badly wounded. President Lincoln rode past today. We marched down the
South-side railroad about five miles, and bivouacked.

April 4. Started about 7 o'clock, marched twelve miles, and bivouacked. Are
marching through a pretty country: trees are blossoming out, grass is
springing up, and we are following Lee's army. The number of prisoners
captured Sunday and Monday was 23,000.

April 5. Marched eighteen miles to-day, and bivouacked in Nottoway county on
the South-side. Nothing of interest occurred. Are within 20 miles of
Burkesville Junction; don't know what our destination may be.

April 6. Started at 1 p. m, for Burkesville; marched twenty miles; the men
are nearly tired out.

April 7. Seven general officers, including Ewell, were brought down from the
front with 8,000 prisoners; our regiment is guarding them. Rebellion just
about played out, and the war will be over soon.

April 8. One thousand more prisoners brought in to-day, and all sent to the
rear; they are very radical in their views. Good news from the front.

April 9. Started this p. m., marched 11 miles on the Lynchburg road, and
bivouacked.

April 10. Started at 7 a. m., marched four miles, and encamped at Farmville,
Va. News of General Lee's surrender with his whole command. The soldiers are
jubilant because the fighting is over.

April 11. Bobby Lee passed through here to-day on his parole of honor, en
route for Petersburg. General Grant gone to Washington. Our army is falling
back to Burkesville. General Meade is in town; gave a ball this evening,
which I attended.

April 12. Troops moving back to Burkesville. Rebel army have been paroled,
and sent to their homes. Made a call on Mrs. Venable and daughter.

April 15. The baggage came up to-day; so we got a change of clothing, which
we very much needed.

April 16. Attended church to-day for the first time in six and a half
months. Citizen preached; spoke very well for the Union. Vague rumor that
Lincoln has been assassinated.

April 20. Marched from Farmville to Burkesville Junction, distance, 18
miles. Are going to City Point; from there expect to go to Washington.

April 21. Marched 18 miles; quite hard marching; I should be tired out if
I had not a horse.

April 22. Marched to Loveland station, distance of 20 miles.

April 23. Marched into Petersburg and bivouacked on Cemetery hill. [Comrade
Carr went to City Point, then on transports up to Washington.]

April 28. Arrived safely at Alexandria at 2 p. m.; encamped about two miles
out of town. General Johnson has surrendered, and Booth is killed. We lost
one man on our passage; he fell overboard, and was drowned.

May 8.  Got a tent for myself.

May 12. My birthday, 24 years old; getting to be an old, man.

May 18. We are having more sickness here than when we were in the front, but
are in no danger of being shot.

May 22. Started at 6 a. m. for Washington, marched about a mile east of the
capitol, and bivouacked for the night.

May 23. Passed in review to-day, and got back to camp about played out. The
soldier boys did not enjoy it quite as much as the thousands of citizens did
who witnessed it.

May 24. Went to Washington to see Sherman's army pass. Saw any quantity of
generals--Grant, Sherman, Howard, Slocum, Logan, Blair, Davis, Meade,
Hancock, Augur, Meigs,

May 27. Nothing to do! This is the greatest loafing I ever did. Keep two
horses and a servant; who wouldn't be an assistant surgeon?

May 29. All are busy making out their muster-out rolls. I don't know
whether I shall go home now, or not. I have offered to remain if I am
needed. Expect to go into the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Veteran volunteers.

June 4. The Eleventh New Hampshire started for home this p. m. I somewhat
expect to be transferred to the Twenty-ninth.

June 7. Appointed assistant surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts
volunteers ;shall join them to-morrow.

June 9. Came over to the Twenty-ninth; marched out about two miles, and
bivouacked for the night. Saw Enoch Joy; he is expecting to go home soon.

June 11. The Eighteenth New Hampshire left for home this a. m., feeling very
well.

June 15. Took a ride up to Fort Sumner, garrisoned by Companies E and G,
First New Hampshire heavy artillery; saw several acquaintances. They were
mustered out this p. m.; expect to start for home tomorrow.

The diary of Comrade Carr continues until July 28, when he was finally
mustered out. The only item of general interest was that on July 7, 1865, he
went to Washington to see the assassins of President Lincoln hung, but he
failed to gain admittance.