Leonard Drown, 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, Co. E; b. Rehoboth, Mass.; age 41; res. Concord (Fisherville, now Penacook); enl. as Priv. Apr. 18, '61, for 3 mos.; not must. in; paid by State; re-enl. May 21, '61, for 3 yrs.; app. Capt. June 4, '61; must. in to date June 8, '61, as Capt.; killed May 5, '62, Williamsburg, Va.

When the news of the attack on Sumter, in April, 1861, reached Penacook, quickly followed by the attack in Baltimore of the secession mob on the 6th Massachusetts, the feeling in our village was similar to that in all manufacturing communities. The most intense loyalty to the Union manifested itself, first, in the hanging out of the stars and stripes, and again, when the government called for troops, in being among the first to furnish volunteers.

At that time the Washington House was kept by Major J. S. Durgin. He had two sons at work in Boston.

The youngest, Hiram, was well known to the old residents as a stout, good-natured boy, full of life, and a great lover of the sports common in those days, especially the old-fashioned game of base-ball as it was played then. He enlisted when the first three-months regiment was organized, but with his brother Abner was transferred to the company commanded by Capt. Leonard Drown, in the second three years’ regiment. In this command he served up to the second Bull Run, fought in July, 1862; and here, not far from where he first met the enemy on the same field but one year before, he met a soldier's death, falling with a sergeant's stripes on his arm, and lies buried in an unknown grave.

His company commander, Captain Leonard Drown, was one of the best known men in Penacook for ten years before the war began. He was foreman of the Pioneer Fire Company for some years—a man of striking appearance, and one of the best line officers in a regiment second to none in the service. I saw him last at Bladensburgh, Md., in October, 1861, during a visit made to his quarters by some of the Third New Hampshire, to which I was attached. At the severely contested battle of Williamsburgh, Va., during the forward movement of McClellan's army in March, 1862, he fell at the head of his company, shot through the head. He was the first commissioned officer from New Hampshire killed in that war.

His remains rest in our cemetery, and his grave was decorated today by the loving hands of comrades, many of whom never knew him, but closely connected by ties stronger than blood.

He left a widow, one son, and two daughters. The son died; his widow and older daughter reside in Boston; the other daughter is married to Mr. B. F. Drake, of Lake Village.

Source: The Granite Monthly: A Magazine of Literature, History and State Progress, Volume 12. Henry Harrison Metcalf, John Norris McClintock, J.N. McClintock, 1889.

Capt. Leonard Drown, Co, E. The first commissioned officer from New Hampshire killed in battle in the war. He was shot at Williamsburg under circumstances of exasperating treachery set forth by Colonel Marston in his official report. He was from Fisherville (now Penacook.)

Captain Drown had collected a company composed of his own men and those of other regiments, and bravely led them on to a body of the enemy, firing his revolver and cheering on his men, when the rebel barbarian in command exhibited a white flag, and cried out to him, "Don't fire, don't fire; we are friends," at the same time directing his men to trail their arms.

Captain Drown, believing they were about to surrender, directed his men not to fire, whereupon the whole body of the enemy suddenly fired upon him, killing him instantly, and also several of his men. There was no braver man in the service of the country than Captain Drown, no truer patriot, no citizen more conscientious and upright.

There were 4 field and staff officers, 26 company officers, and 740 non-commissioned officers and privates present in the engagement belonging to the Second Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, of whom 16 were killed, 66 wounded, and 23 missing.

In concluding this hasty report, I take leave to say that the officers and men of my regiment, notwithstanding all the fatigues and privations to which they had been subjected, were throughout the day of battle not only uncomplaining but cheerful, and apparently anxious for
nothing but the opportunity to do their country in the day of battle all the service in their power.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GILMAN MARSTON

Lieut. Joseph Hibbert, Jr.,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General

Source: A History of the Second Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, in the War of the Rebellion. Martin Alonzo Haynes, 1896 - New Hampshire

At the annual city election in March, 1861, Mr. Humphrey was chosen mayor of Concord. The uprising of the South, in rebellion against the Federal government, long threatened and precipitated by Mr. Lincoln’s election to the presidency, came on immediately. The president’s proclamation, calling for 75,000 volunteers to maintain the government and perpetuate the Union was soon issued. Mayor Humphrey realized the pressing nature of the call and was earnest in his determination that Concord should not be laggard in responding.

After a little consultation with friends, he called on Capt. Edward E. Sturtevant, then an efficient member of the police force of the city, and suggested to him the advisability of raising a company of volunteers.
He promptly responded that he was ready, and immediately commenced recruiting a company, being himself the first to enroll, and the first New Hampshire volunteer in fact.

Capt. Leonard Drown of Penacook, then Fisherville, also soon called on Mayor Humphrey and offered his services in raising men. He was referred to Captain Sturtevant, and cooperated with him so effectively that they soon had two companies of one hundred men each enrolled. Capt. Sturtevant was commissioned to command the first, which was attached to the First New Hampshire regiment, of three months’ men, and Captain Drown the second, which became a part of the Second regiment, organized under the new call for 300,000 men for three years, which had then just been issued.

Source: The Granite Monthly: A Magazine of Literature, History and State Progress, Volumes 30-31, J.N. McClintock, 1901

Early 1850s image of Leonard Drown when he was serving with the United Train of Providence, R.I. Artillery.

Photo from the Second Regiment NH Volunteer Infantry by Martin A. Haynes.

10/25/2009

Broadside- Funeral details on Capt. Drown, co. E, 2nd NH infantry. KIA at Williamsburg, VA 1862. (photo courtesy: Hoffman Books, Columbus, OH)

Capt. Leonard Drown, 2nd New Hampshire, Co. E.; b. Rehoboth, Mass.; age 41; res. Concord (Fisherville, now Penacook); enl. as Priv. Apr. 18, '61, for 3 mos.; not must. in; paid by State; re-enl. May 21, '61, for 3 yrs.; app. Capt. June 4, '61; must. in to date June 8, '61, as Capt.; killed May 5, '62, Williamsburg, Va.