"Lieut.-Col. Franklin P. Harlow, commander of the
Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers in many of its important battles
and campaigns, was born in the town of Springfield, State
of Vermont, Dec. 8, 1827. In early manhood moved to the State of
Massachusetts, where he served ten years in the Massachusetts
militia previous to the war of the rebellion. Here signed as
captain of Company E, Fourth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer
Militia. In 1859 he was commissioned captain of Company K.
April 21, 1861, was ordered to Taunton and assigned to Company K,
of the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. Couch commander;
was promoted Major Aug. 1 following; was promoted Lieutenant-
Colonel Oct. 25, 1862, in which capacity he served until the
muster-out of the regiment at Taunton, 1864. He bore a very
honorable part in the Peninsula campaign, being the trusted and
zealous helper of Col. Russell, who had perfect confidence in his
military capacity and judgment. He had command of the detachment
that crossed the Chickahominy May 20, 1862; was in the engagement
of Fair Oaks, Golden's Farm, Malvern Hill, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, first and second, leading the charge after Col.
Johns had fallen at Mayre's Heights, Gettysburg, in the
Rappahannock campaigns, including Rappahannock Station and Mine
Run, in the Wilderness campaign, from the Rapidan to Cold Harbor,
was detailed to command the Thirty-seventh Regiment Volunteers
after the battles at Spottsylvania Court House. After Edwards
took command of Eustis' brigade, and Lieutenant-Col. Montague of
the Thirty-seventh had been very severely wounded in that hard
and desperate struggle at the "Angle," he rejoined his regiment
at Cold Harbor. Here turned home with the regiment, and was
mustered out of service June 27, 1864. Col. Russell said of him,
'He is the best volunteer officer I ever met with, and one of the
best tacticians in the army.'
"The civil record of his life is as follows: Member of the House
of Representatives in 1871 and 1872. His ordinary occupation is
superintendent of the finishing department of boots and shoes in
one of our largest firms in the State of Massachusetts, which
position requires great tact and address, and a thorough
knowledge of men and mechanical means. While lying at Brandy
Station, Va., the officers of the Seventh Regiment presented Col.
Harlow with a magnificent sword and belt. An account of the
presentation was published in the papers at home, furnished by
others, as our worthy Colonel is a very modest man. I hereby
insert the account as a very pleasant part of our history. It
reads as follows:
A SURPRISE PRESENTATION.
On Saturday evening last, Lieut.-Col. Franklin P. Harlow, of the
Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, was the happy recipient of a
splendid sword, sash and belt, the gift being a slight
testimonial of filial regard of the veteran officers of the
regiment, all of whom were present at the surprise presentation.
The late special orders of the army forbid the acceptance
of donations of presents to superior officers, but in this
instance the money was all subscribed before the order
suppressing such testimonials was issued. Col. Harlow came out
in the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment as a Captain, and after
remaining in this position a few months he received the
appointment of Major, and a short time since again rose to the
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. No officer has a stronger hold upon
the sympathies of both subordinates and privates, and, without
any desire to flatter, few officers are more deserving of this
honor and respect, if undoubted bravery, pure patriotism, calm
judgment and Christian fortitude are traits worthy of
appreciation. The past record of this soldier claims some such
public acknowledgment as his comrades in arms have seen fit to
bestow upon him. In a neat speech Lieut. Nichols of Company I
presented the souvenirs to the astonished colonel, who
was suddenly called to the hospital tent of the regiment, as he
supposed, to see one of his men, but where he was amazed to find
every one of his officers in secret conclave assembled. The
surprise was too much for the gallant officer, who, with
considerable emotion and great modesty, feelingly replied to
the donors. After a pleasant interchange of thought and a few
witty speeches, a sumptuous repast was served in Capt. Bancroft's
quarters. The whole affair was an enjoyable one, and, although
impromptu, it passed off to the entire satisfaction of all
present. The following is the presentation speech of Lieutenant
Nichols of Company I: "Col. Harlow,-The officers of the
Seventh Regiment have bid me bring you these as an expression of
the high estimation in which they hold your character. They bid
me tell you that since you have been associated with them as an
officer, your conduct has been such as to command their
admiration and win their love, for many months we have been
laboring for country and against rebellion. The same great
cause has inspired us all; we have all shared in common the
exposures, the fatigues, and the dangers of a soldier's life. We
have stood side by side in the same line of battle; we have sat
together around the same camp-fire. It is fitting we present you
some testimonial of our respect for you as an officer, of
our gratitude to you as a leader, and of our friendship for you
as a man. What ever reputation for efficiency or bravery our
regiment has obtained, either here or at home, is largely due to
your efforts and example. You have instructed us in camp, your
fortitude has encouraged us amid hardship, and your heroism
has inspired us upon the battle-field. Take, then, these tokens;
and to you, and to your children after you, let them speak of the
esteem and friendship in which you are held by the officers of
the Seventh Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers.
CAMP SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,
NEAR BRANDYSTATION, VA., DEC. 19, 1863."
Source: "History of the 7th Mass. Infantry" p. 162
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