Biographical and Historical of Co. D
Thirteenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers
Civil War 1861-1865

Dedicated to the loving memory of our brave hero, William March, slain
in the battle of Gettysburg, July 3rd, 1863.

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When the call of Abraham Lincoln came August 4th, 1862 for 300,000 men to serve for nine months to fill the depleted ranks of the Union army, our state proposed to send a brigade of five full regiments. Immediately following the proclamation of the governor, the towns of Colchester and Milton called town meetings, and appointed recruiting officers. These in two weeks enlisted forty-seven men in Colchester and thirty-seven in Milton

The recruits assembled at the village of Winooski in Colchester, elected officers and became Company D of the 13th Vt. Regiment. The Company was filled by the addition of ten men from Essex, Richmond, South Hero and Bolton. William D. Munson, of Colchester, was unanimously elected captain. He was twenty-nine years of age; a man of charming personality and a graduate of Norwich Military Institute, consequently familiar with military tactics and regulations. The rest of the company, with two exceptions, were entirely ignorant of military drill, discipline or usages. Milton, having thirty-seven recruits, was considered as entitled to the second commission. On recommendation of the Milton boys, and in opposition to his wish, George Bascom was elected first lieutenant. He was thirty-one years of age, having been for some years a merchant at Milton he had had an opportunity to study human nature, which as a commander of a company of boys was a great advantage. While ignorant of everything military, he was quick to learn and far seeing to decide for the best interests of the company. He possessed sound common sense and grew in popularity as he became better known. Later as captain of the company he was a valued officer and on our discharge no one was more beloved by his men or respected by the regiment at large. John M. Rolfe, of Colchester, was elected second lieutenant. He like the rest was devoid of military training, but like all was quick to learn, and by his unfailing good nature became a popular member of the company

Those comprising Company were mostly of Vermont birth and came manly from the farm, though the professions of law and medicine were represented, as also the various trades. They averaged less than twenty-two years of age, and they enlisted entirely from patriotic impulse. Promise of a large bounty, preferment in rank, or fear of a draft did not enter into the matter in the least degree. Young, resolute, fearless, in perfect health and filled with patriotic ardor, they entered the army with a fixed resolution to do their full duty under any and all circumstances, and this resolve remained with them till their discharge. After the formation of the Company it was quartered at Winooski awaiting orders. The days were passed in drill and instructions, and most of the nights in visits to their friends and newly formed acquaintances in the village and vicinity. When ordered to the State Camp at Brattleboro, the Company was in better condition as to drill, and the first lessons in soldierly conduct than probably any other of the regiment. The few days there were spent in equipping in blue, obtaining the necessary arms and in battalion drill

October 10th the Regiment was sworn into the service of the United States and on the following day started for the front. Of its reception in Jersey City, Philadelphia and Washington, the regimental history will tell. Company D passed through the vicissitudes and privations common to the service, and which were endured with that cheerfulness which comes from the knowledge that such were to be expected in a soldier's life

Many amusing incidents, and some pathetic ones occurred, which can be said of all the companies. Company D did neither more nor less than others of the regiment. It was always ready when called and it was well understood by the officers commanding the regiment that it could be depended on in any emergency

The social life of the company was one of its best features. It was as one family. The interests of one was the interest of all. Dissensions and quarrels were unknown. Each helped his comrade and many friendships were formed that have endured to the present day, becoming stronger as the years pass away. To make individual mention, when all were good, would seem improper

While there was more or less of sickness caused by change of form of living, exposure, etc., the health of the company was uniformly good. While it was not considered that the men were in better physical condition than those of the other companies, they were certainly more fortunate. The regiment lost by death, from disease, during the time of enlistment, fifty-three men. Of these, one was from Company D. From the regiment there were discharged for disability seventy-three men. Of these five were from Company D, showing the loss from this Company to have been less than from any of the other nine companies

AFter the Gettysburg Campaign the regiment returned to Brattleboro and were mustered out July 21st, 1863. Company D returned the following day to Winooski, from whence they had gone, and were there met by the entire population escorted to the church, in the basement of which they were presented with a hearty welcome and a bountiful supper. Whether those assembled to meet them were more glad than those returning home from the campaign, would be difficult to determine. The day following, the members of the company returned to their homes

Of the survivors at this writing, forty-two, more than one-half remain citizens of Vermont. The balance are living in thirteen of the United States they helped to preserve. In nearly every individual case the survivors of Company D are prominent and respected citizens in the community in which they reside.

SERGT. HENRY O. CLARK

Source: Sturtevant, Ralph Orson. "Pictorial History: Thirteenth Vermont Volunteers, War of 1861-1865." Privately published, 1910.