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Note: Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts Home in 1860: Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts Home in 1870: Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts Clerk in Custom House Home in 1880: Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts cigar house inspector Home in 1900: Boston Ward 20, Suffolk, Massachusetts (Dorchester) Home in 1910: Boston Ward 20, Suffolk, Massachusetts (Dorchester) Home in 1920: Boston Ward 17, Suffolk, Massachusetts (Dorchester) census date 12 Jan he died 25 Jan
A Plantagenet descendant Named after then president William Henry Harrison
A recognized descendent of the pilgrim William and Mary Brewster by the Mayflower Society.
See tombstone here
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11689142
State Election Quincy MA 4 Nov 1873 for Governor
William B Washburn..499 William Gaston..........450 William H H Rideout......1
He liked the young ladies and they liked him. William married his first wife Lydia in 1864 she age 16 he 23 she died at age 38 in 1885. He remarried in 1887 she age 28 he 46 she died at age 38 in 1897. His third marriage was in 1899 she age 23 he age 58 and they lived happily for 20 years together. His death was published in a Civil War reunion letter to which the regiments physician commented, "So comrade Rideout has passed. What a handsome manly looking soldier he was. He could cut us all out when the girls were about, and alas, did so frequently."
Unfortunately his way with the ladies died with him :( During the war when he was stationed in Washington DC he wrote several letters to his future wife Lydia in Braintree MA Then 152 years later they ended up in the hands of an antique dealer in Virginia and I was able to purchase them Herbert Rideout G grandson.
The 1890 Boston Directory lists him as living at 177 State St. Quincy MA. He last lived at 49 Sydney St. in Dorchester.
He served as a Private in the 13th Regt Co B Mass Vol Infantry during the Civil War. His residence is listed as Boston and his occupation is listed as clerk. He joined 16 Apr 1861 at age 20 and was mustered out 1 Aug 1864. He was both wounded and taken prisoner Aug 30 1862 at 2nd Bull Run VA paroled date not shown. The regimental roster states he was taken prisoner Aug. 30, 1862. He was captured during the intense fighting on Bald Hill and was serving as a clerk in Washington after being paroled. After discharge on Aug 1 1864 he worked as an employee of the Quarter Master Department in Philadelphia until March 31 1865.
It was common for both sides to release prisoners under a pardon but if they were ever captured again in violation of their pardon they were executed.
William would have participated in the following battles.
Battle at Bolivar Heights, West Virginia Battle at Upper Lock, Harper's Ferry, Maryland on 15 September 1861 Battle at Aldie, Virginia on 25 March 1862 Battle on 15 August 1862 Battle at Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia on 28 August 1862 Battle at 2nd Bull Run (Manassas), Virginia on 30 August 1862
The following is taken from a Boston Newspaper.
SEPTEMBER 3, 1862.
THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS.
A letter received yesterday from Capt. Cary, of Co. B, dated Hall's Hill, Va., September 3, gives the following complete list of casualties in Co. B. 13th Regiment Mass. Vols.
Killed-Frederick A. Williams, private. Albert O. Curtis, musician. Charles B. Mills, private.
Wounded-Sergeant Walter B. Beamont, badly in both arms, may lose right one; Corp. Loring Bigelow, badly in ankle; Corp. John McMahon, slightly in hip; Privates W. L. G. Clark, severely in leg; M. F. Blanchard, severely in shoulder; A. V. Johnston, severely in elbow; Salis P. Crane, severely in leg; Jacob H. Littlefield, severely in side; George H. Simpson, severely in chest; A. E. Morse, slightly in hand and arm; George H. Brown, slightly in leg; C. H. Collins, slightly in face; C. E. Davis, Jr., slightly in leg.
Taken prisoners-Privates M. G. Ayers, W. H. H. Rideout, Joseph Chandler, Joseph Morrill, Fred Wallen.
Missing. (not in battle)-Privates C. C. Bigelow, Thomas Berry, Ed. F. Hillman, Jos. L. Lord.
Missing. (but seen since the battle)-Herbert Bent.
Captain Cary says:
"My brave boys fought like tigers, none in the fight showing the white feather. The three that were killed were among the best men in my company-always ready and never complaining. I have not yet learned what disposition was made of their bodies, but presume that they were buried by some of the company who were taken prisoners. The wounded will all recover.
Nine new recruits are now serving in hospital. I went into battle with 17 rifles and came out with 17."
Capt. Cary, who is well known in Boston, has received a high compliment from his Colonel since the series of battles, due to his gallant service in the field. (Boston Herald, September 8, 1862, Pg. 4, Col. 1.)
After the war veterans established an organization named the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment Association and had yearly meetings and a dinner usually at Young's Hotel in Boston. For the year 1912 William was elected their president. Each year a circular was published relating activities from the previous meeting. Circulars were published from issue #1 year 1888 to the last issue # 35 in 1922. If anyone would like copies please contact me Herbert A Rideout rosienme@gmail.com.
The following was from issue # 33 in 1920.
Comrade William H. H. Rideout, of Co. B, died at Dorchester, Mass. on January 25, 1920, at the age of 79 years. He was one of the original members of the regiment and he served the whole term of three years. For many years he had been employed in the Boston Custom House as an inspector of cigars which position he held at the time of his death.
In issue # 34 the following year there is a letter from L. L. Dorr, a physician in San Francisco which has the following: "So comrade Rideout has "gone west." What a handsome manly looking soldier he was. He could cut us all out when the girls were about, and alas, did so frequently."
The term "gone west" was used during the war when anyone turned up missing. It was common for deserters to go west so they were never found.
Williams sons often attended the yearly gathering at Youngs Hotel, and H. N. W. Rideout attended the last meeting on September 17th 1921.
William and his three wives tomb stone at Mount Wollaston Cemetery is at the intersection of Elm and Fir. Before they were married Williams third wife lived in Somerville a few homes away from Williams son Henry, this is how they likely met.
William belonged to the E.W. Kinsley Post No. 113 of the Grand Army of the Republic in Boston, Mass. ________________________________________________________________________ Below is a letter from George Hill who was also in Co. B and He describes what William H H Rideout and other members would have experienced at Manassas on the 30th of August.
Halls Hill Va Sept. 5th 1862 Dear Father
As we are now nearly rested I will try and give you a few of the details of our late movements.
As you already know we moved from the battle field of Cedar Mountain to within about two miles of the Rapidan River. I have lost my diary so shall be obliged to depend entirely upon my memory.
On Monday the 18th of August at 12 o'clock M. we were ordered to pack up and be ready to move. The teams were all started to the rear and at 4: P.m. we move but only a distance of about three miles when we halted.
We expected to move on every moment so of course we could not lay down to rest and so there we waited until sunrise next morning. Tuesday 19th, when we started in good earnest and marched through Culpepper and then on on on until we had made 22 miles arriving across the Rappahannock at 7 P.M. We lay down and slept until the next morning at about 6 when we were ordered across the river "double quick" to support a battery. We remained there with our guns continually in our hands and with shells bursting over us at different intervals until Saturday the 23d when the river having rose to such a height that it was feared the bridge would go away we were again ordered across and had hardly
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arrived on the other side when the rebels opened on us from four of five batteries which they had planted during the night expecting the bridge would go away before we could cross and we would be entirely at their mercy. Now commenced the fiercest artillery duel I ever saw in which our side gained a considerable advantage. One of our boys was hit by a piece of shell but not seriously injured. At about noon we started to re inforce the extreme right of our lines. We marched 10 miles and halted for the night. Next morning (Sunday 24th) we resumed our march through Warrenton to within a mile of Warrenton Springs about 9 miles. Monday 28th we marched across the fields to the Waterloo road 5 miles. Tuesday 26 - we marched back to the springs road and then back again to the Waterloo road (10 miles). Wednesday 27th we started again through Warrenton on the road to Manassas. We marched about 11 miles and halted until next morning at daylight when we again started. We had marched about 7 miles when we were ordered to go to Thoroughfare Gap to prevent Longstreet from reinforcing Jackson.
We started across the country leaving our knapsacks at Haymarket. When we arrived within two miles of the Gap we met the advance pickets of the enemy. We formed in line of battle with the battery in the road the 11th Penn Regiment on the right in a field with the 9th N. York to support them. Our Regiment on the left with the 12th Mass to support us. We sent out our skirmishers in advance and moved on over
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fences through woods and brooks until we arrived very near the Gap when quite lively firing commenced between our skirmishers and the enemy. We pushed on however up the road. Col. Leonard said he wanted his skirmishers to go up first and find out how the enemy was situated. Gen. Ricketts insisted upon our going however and so we pushed on. There was a large mill which we had to pass and just as the right of our company was opposite to it the rebels opened fire upon us from it. Strange to say no one from our company was hit but two of Co E's boys who had lagged behind and who were just in front of me were shot dead. We kept on however and sought shelter behind a stone wall about 50 yards from the Mill. The 11th (PA) which had advanced up a hill through the woods to the left were now having it hard. Volley after volley of musketry came echoing down and I assure you it was fearful. We laid just under the hill on the right expecting every moment that we should get it. Our Artillery now opened upon them and the firing continued for about an hour when we were ordered to fall back as it was ascertained that Longstreet had arrived and held the Gap in such force that we could not possibly take it and as we were directly between him and Jackson it was thought best to get out as soon as possible. And now commenced some fast marching. We stopped at Haymarket and got our knapsacks and then kept
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on until about one o'clock at night when we turned into a field and threw ourselves upon the ground pretty well used up having marched 25 miles since morning. Next morning Friday 29th at daylight we started again stiff and sore I tell you but no matter we marched 10 miles arriving at Manassas at about ?? Here we halted about an hour and then we were ordered to Centreville. We could now hear the roar of the cannon quite plain and as we moved on it grew louder and louder. Soon we could hear the reports of the musketry. We halted at sunset but our trains were reported as destroyed and we were out of rations and obliged to go supperless to bed. I now come to the memorable Saturday August 30th. At about 6 A.M. we were ordered to the front. We left our knapsacks in the woods and unfortunately I put my diary into mine thinking that if I fell it would be sent to you. I had rather have given ten dollars than have lost it. I shall depend upon my letters to you now.
We were kept in position all day in front being considered fresh troops. At about 4 o'clock P.M. we were ordered to the left and hard marched two or three miles and were halting for a rest when McDowell came along on the gallop and ordered us to right about.
We were now just in front of a piece of woods and we marched by them out into a field, up a hill double quick with a fearful storm of bullits whistling around us. We Arrived at the top of the hill and there just in front of us was a whole brigade
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of rebels we fired at them volley after volley but soon a rebel regiment filed to the right and into those very woods which we had just left and soon we received their fire directly on our left flank. Two Batteries now opened upon us and a force got on our right flank and we were obliged to retreat but not before we had paid dearly our share for the incapacity of our commanding General.
Three of our company was killed 14 wounded and 10 we do not know what became of them. One of the killed Charley Mills was an only child his father keeps a provision store under Boylston Market. Another Albert G/C. Curtis was our bugler and a good boy he was, and the other was married, Williams, he was also a favorite of the company. Our Regiment lost 225 in killed wounded and missing. We are now getting rested and in a few days will be ready for work again.
I received a letter from you yesterday was sorry to hear that you had been so un-well. I feel anxious to hear if you or Fred(?) have been drafted.
I wish you would write to Aunt Eliza and tell her I received her letter and will write as soon as I can get sufficiently rested. We are now within sight of the Capitol. I never expected to be here again except on my way home. But we know not what a day
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may bring forth. I suppose you would like to know how I felt on the battle field. We were expecting a fight all day and to say that I felt no fear would be false and a person must be more than man who would not feel it but I was determined to do my duty at whatever cost. When we started on the double quick up the hill I had not time to think of my danger and while on the hill my time(?) was always (?) occupied that I had no time for thought. The sight of men falling around me did not affect me at all at the time. I was only doing my own work but after it was all over then the thought of what I had been through made me shudder. I did not loose sight of my danger I knew it all the time but there is a certain feeling of recklessness which I cannot describe. I shall never forget it you may be assured.
I have no more to write now except to send love to all. Write to me as soon as you can
Love to Aunt Ellen Accept from Your affc Son Geo H. The Ninety- third Anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence was celebrated in Quincy on Monday, July 5, 1869. William H H Rideout was the Chief Marshal.
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