Biography of James W. Shaw :Pittsfield, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

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Submitted by: Jody Goodson  kestrell@prodigy.net
Date: May 14, 2001
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From the Book
'History of Pittsfield, N. H. in the Rebellion'
by H. L. Robinson, published 1893


Page 148 & 149

JAMES W. SHAW,
a native of Loudon, N H., was born February 5, 1837. He moved to Pittsfield
with his father, Madison Shaw, and was engaged at shoemaking until he
enlisted. On the 30th day of January, 1857, he was married to Mary J.
Nutter, of Gilmanton, by whom he had two children. He was mustered into
Company G, Fifteenth New Hampshire volunteers; and was promoted to sergeant,
which position he held when he was mustered out, August 13, 1863. He died
August 16, 1863, only three days after his discharge. Sergeant Shaw made
many warm friends while in the army. Always ready for duty, he expected
those who were with him to do theirs.
     The commissioned officers, as a rule, were puffed up with a little
brief authority; and, although they were very punctilious with the enlisted
men about obeying orders, were indifferent in regard to them when applied to
themselves. At one time the line officers were in the habit of gathering in
the tents of each other after taps and having a quiet game of cards, or
something else.
     The colonel had issued orders that all lights must be out at taps,
except at the guard-house and hospital. Calling on the guard one day, he
found that Sergeant Shaw's tour of duty was from 8 to 10 o'clock p. m. The
colonel told him to see that this order was enforced. That evening Sergeant
Shaw went through the regiment, and wherever he saw a light ordered it out.
He had been the rounds of the line officers, but as he approached the field
officers' tents he saw a bright light in the colonel's tent. Going up, he
tapped on the tent and called out,--
     "All lights must be out after taps, by order of the commander of this
regiment," when out went that light. The next day the colonel met him and
said,--
     "Sergeant, you did just right to make me obey my own orders, but I
intended to except my quarters as well as the hospital and guard-house,
--but you did just right."