Harrison E. Round mustered into service on 12/23/63 for a term of 3 years. He enlisted as a private at the age of 22; his occupation is listed as farmer.

While the 9^th New Hampshire had already been in action at such battles in major battles of the eastern theatre such as Antietam and Fredericksburg, Round was among those new recruits who joined up prior to the fierce fighting at the “Bloody Angle” at Spotsylvania. Here he had his first opportunity to use his new Springfield Rifle. In the weeks following, the regiment moved on to Cold Harbor, where they were employed in throwing up earthworks; the most severe fighting in the area had occurred before their arrival and no major assaults took place after their arrival. It was here that Round lost his brass stencil.

In the following days the 9^th NH moved to the south bank of the James River, and were in the Petersburg area on 6/16/64. They were soon ordered into action, and Private Round “broke ranks” and ran. Sgt. Leander Wilson testified to Round’s “cowardice in the face of the enemy” at his court-martial two months later. Wilson stated, “We were laying in the breastworks and the regiment was ordered to fall in. they commenced shelling us and we scattered out pretty bad. Harrison E. Round left his company and started back toward the rear. The Lieutenant ordered him back to the ranks. I looked back and saw him running towards the woods.”

One month later Round deserted again as his regiment prepared to charge the enemy’s works before Petersburg. Sgt. Frederick Morse would later testify, “He was not with his company when we entered the rebel works. I did not see him again until the next morning. He was in camp sleeping.”

Round was found guilty of “cowardice in the face of the enemy” by a General Court Martial and sentenced to five years hard labor at Dry Tortugas.

Pvt. Round’s stencil shows obvious signs of having been in the ground, with several minor bends; the top half is separated between the “n” in Harrison and the middle initial “E.”. His name, company and regiment, however are still easily made out. Measures 3 3/4" x 1 1/2".

An interesting personal item from a soldier with a checkered history.  [ld]

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