David P. Muzzey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Patterson Muzzey
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| Born | November 8, 1838 Cambridgeport, Massachusetts |
| Died | August 3, 1910 (aged 71) Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commands held | Captain Company G, 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry |
| Other work | lawyer, overseer of the poor |
David Patterson Muzzey (born November 8, 1838 – died August 3, 1910) was an American lawyer. He also served as an "overseer of the poor" in Massachusetts. During the American Civil War, he bravely volunteered to join the Union Army.
Contents
David Patterson Muzzey: A Life of Service
Growing Up and Early Career
David Patterson Muzzey was born on November 8, 1838. His hometown was Cambridgeport, Massachusetts. His parents were Reverend Artemas B. Muzzey and Hepsibeth Patterson Muzzey.
David's family had a history of serving their country. His ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War. One ancestor, Isaac Muzzey, died during the Battle of Lexington. He is buried under the Lexington monument.
David went to public schools in Cambridge. He also studied at Harvard University and Hopkins Classical School. In 1854, he moved to Concord, New Hampshire. Later, he moved with his parents to Newburyport, Massachusetts. He then studied law in Boston, Massachusetts, with his brother Henry W. Muzzey.
In 1860, David became a lawyer in Boston. He started his own law practice. He was also part of a group called the Wide Awakes in 1860.
Joining the Civil War
First Steps in the War
On May 23, 1861, David joined the army as a private. He was part of Company A, 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. His unit first camped at Fresh Pond. They stayed in old ice houses.
There were some problems with the food. To calm things down, Col. Robert Cowdin was called in. Because of the poor living conditions, the camp moved. It was renamed "Camp Cameron."
On June 15, David's regiment was sent to Boston. Then they marched to Washington, D.C.. After that, they went to Georgetown. There, they set up "Camp Banks."
The regiment stayed there until they were called to fight. They took part in the First Battle of Bull Run. After the battle, they returned to Washington. In Bladensburg, David was promoted to second lieutenant. He joined the 23rd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
Fighting in Different Regiments
With the 23rd Regiment, David fought in the Battle of Roanoke Island and the Battle of New Bern. These battles were part of Burnside's North Carolina Expedition. In New Bern, David was given "provost duty." This meant he acted like military police. On July 17, he left the army and went back to Massachusetts.
But David soon rejoined the fight. On September 16, he became a second lieutenant again. He joined Company G, 41st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This unit was later renamed the 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry. On November 1, he was promoted to first lieutenant.
His regiment became the bodyguard for Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks. They traveled on a ship called the North Star to New Orleans. General Banks was going to take over from Gen. Benjamin Butler. When they arrived, David's regiment went to Baton Rouge for provost duty.
The Siege of Port Hudson and a Special Promise
David's unit stayed in Baton Rouge for several months. Then they moved to the western side of the Mississippi River. They joined the Bayou Teche Campaign. During this time, David was in charge of prisoners. These prisoners were captured by Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover.
David also served as a deputy provost marshal in New Iberia, Louisiana. On June 17, 1863, his regiment returned to Baton Rouge. They took part in the Siege of Port Hudson. During this siege, David was promoted to captain of Company G, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry.
Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks asked for 1,000 volunteers. They were to storm the Confederate defenses at Port Hudson. These volunteers were promised Medals of Honor. David and 30 others from his regiment agreed to be part of this "Forlorn Hope" group. However, they never had to storm the fort. The fort surrendered before they attacked. Because they didn't attack, no medals were given.
Final Campaigns and Leaving the Army
After the surrender, David's regiment moved to New Orleans. They became part of the 4th Cavalry Brigade. The regiment then took part in the Red River Campaign. After returning to New Orleans, they went to fight in the Shenandoah Valley. David served there for several months on the staff of Gen. Philip Sheridan.
In the spring of 1865, the regiment moved to Fort Leavenworth. They were to join the Powder River Expedition. On August 15, 1865, David was promoted to major. The regiment marched about 500 miles to Julesburg, Colorado. But then, the war department ordered them back to Fort Leavenworth. Their service was ending on November 1, 1865.
After leaving the army, David traveled back to Massachusetts. He passed through Canada and arrived at Gallops Island. After his arrival, David was promoted to lieutenant colonel. On October 8, he was officially discharged from the army.
Life After the War
After the war, David Muzzey worked as a lawyer for a year in Leavenworth, Kansas. He then decided to study to become a Unitarian minister. He attended Harvard Divinity School and finished his studies in 1869. He then served as a minister in Littleton and Stow, Massachusetts.
In February 1877, he was appointed "overseer of the poor" in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This role meant he helped people who were struggling and needed support. He became secretary of the board in May. He held these jobs until he died. He made many helpful changes to the department.
David Muzzey passed away on August 3, 1910, in Cambridge. He had been sick for three weeks. He was 71 years old. His wife, Sarah A. Muzzey, and his son, Herbert Sprague Muzzey, survived him. He was buried in Stow.
