Hubbard M. Abbott
Hubbard M. Abbott
Hubbard M. Abbott (1839-1929) served in the 37th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry. Originally from Andover, MA, he moved to Northampton and married Harriet R. Parsons of Northampton. He lived nearby the library at 42 West St., became Register of Probate and was deeply involved in the local G.A.R. chapter Post 86. As his Personal War Sketch shows, he was at numerous significant battles throughout the war including Fredericksburg, Marye’s Heights, Franklin’s Crossing, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, the Bloody Angle, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Sailors Creek and at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House. After enlisting as a Private, he rose through the ranks during the war and was promoted to full Captain shortly before being mustered out at the close of hostilities. His battlefield diaries from 1863 and 1865 are part of the library’s Civil War and Grand Army of the Republic collection. Abbott is notable, not only because his diaries which give a great day by day view of the life of the 37th in 1863 and 1865, but also because he is at least partially responsible for the library receiving this collection. After serving as a quartermaster and adjutant part of his time in the war, he went on to become register of probate for Hampshire County, and was involved in library affairs and helped steer documents which had been held by the local G.A.R. posts into the library’s collection.
Text from Hubbard M. Abbott's entry in Post No. 86 Personal War Sketches Book:
Abbott, Hubbard M. - Comrade Hubbard M. Abbott
Who was born the twenty ninth day of January A.D. 1839 in Andover County of Essex State of Massachusetts
Elisted [sic] as a private in Co. G. 37th Regiment Mas. Vols. Infantry July 15 1862. Appointed Sergeant Co. G 37th Regt. Aug 30, 1862. Appointed Sergeant Major of the Regiment June 4. 1863. Discharged as Sergeant Major Sept 18, 1864 by special order No. 242. Headquarters 6th Army Corps Oct. 30 1863 for promotion. Commissioned by John A Andrew Governor of Mass. Second Lieut 37th Regt. Mass. Vols. Oct 31. 1863. Mustered as second Lieut Co. K {?} Sept. 18 1864. Assigned to command Co. K {letter A written over it} Nov. 16. 1864. Commissioned by Gov Andrew First Lieut 37th Mass. Vols. Sept. 28 1864. Mustered as First Lieut Co. H Nov 27. 1864, was assigned to command of Co F [?] Dec. 1864 commissioned as Captain May 24. 1864. Served my time of enlistment in the 6th Army Corps. Army of the Potomac and was in the following engagements Fredericksburg VA Dec. 11, 1862. Marie Highths [sic - referring to Marye’s Heights] VA May 3. 1863. Salem Church VA May 3-4. 1863. Franklin’s Crossing VA June 1863. Gettysburg Penn July 2-3. 1863. Rappahannock Station VA May 3-4. 1863. Mine Run VA Nov 30. 1863. Wilderness VA May 5-6. 1864. Laurel Hall VA May 8-9. 1864. The Bloody Angle VA May 12. 1864 Spottsylvania Court House VA May 18. 1864. North Anna VA May 24. 1864. Cold Harbor VA June 1-12. 1864. Petersburg VA June 18.1864. Fort Stevens Washington D.C. July 12. 1864. Charlestown Va. Aug 21. 1864. Opequon on Winchester Va Sept 19. 1864. Fort Stedman Va March 25. 1865. Petersburg Va April 2. 1865. Sailors Creek Va April 6. 1865. And at the surrender of Gen Robert E Lee at Appomattox April 9. 1865. I had command of Co. F. 37th Mass Vol from Dec 1864 until the Regiment was mustered out of the service at Halls Hill Virginia June 21. 1865 and I returned with the Regiment to Mass in command of Co. F. was wounded at Spottsylvania Court House Va. Sept 18.1864 in the right [one word illegible] was off duty 10 days by reason of the wound. I was commissioned as captain but declined to be mustered as required for three years. The Regiment was to return home soon and I could not come with the 37th if mustered for three years. The Regiment returned to Readville Mass where we were paid and given our discharge. My intimate comrades in the service were my brothers Wm F. Abbott. George B. Abbott. Wm C. Morrill. Samuel E. Nichols. George C. Clapp. John E. Hansen and Albert H. Vincent.