HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 209 



upon the surrender of the Confederate forces. Lieut. 

 Isaac EL Folger lost a leg, and was brevetted for 

 bravery and gallantry; Benjamin F. Wyer lost an arm 

 at Spottsylvania; Capt. A. B. Holmes was severely 

 wounded at the Wilderness, and was brevetted major; 

 our efficient postmaster, J. F. Murphey, and the col- 

 lector of the port of Nantucket, Mr. Wm. Hiller, were 

 also wounded, the latter losing a leg; and many others 

 bear honorable scars. One officer at least remains in 

 the regular army, — Brevet-Major John W. Summer- 

 hays, 8th Infantry. 



In the navy, a large number of Nantucketers distin- 

 guished themselves. The compiler is indebted to T. 

 "W. Calder, Esq., for the following facts: — 



At the close of the war in 1865, Nantucket was repre- 

 sented in the regular navy by five officers, and in the 

 volunteer service by thirty-four officers, of whom fif- 

 teen were acting masters, fifteen acting ensigns, three 

 assistant paymasters. One was an engineer, and one a 

 lieutenant-commander (John G. Mitchell). Four of the 

 above remain in the navy; viz., Commander George W. 

 Coffin, Lieut. -Commander Thomas M. Gardner, Lieut. 

 Seth M. Ackley, and Mr. D. C. Brayton. Neither 

 time nor space will permit here a recital of the many 

 acts of bravery and daring by which these men distin- 

 guished themselves. That they did cannot be doubted, 

 if one chooses to examine their records. It is a well- 

 known fact that the volunteer officers from Nantucket 

 rendered to their superiors on many occasions inesti- 

 mable service from their knowledge of and experience 

 in seamanship. 



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