Captain David Wadsworth / US Army

David Wadsworth, son of David and Caroline F,. (Metcalf) Wadsworth was born in Worcester, MA., on February 4, 1838. At an early age, his parents moved to Vermont, where he received a rudimentary education. They then moved to Nashua, where he attended the Crosby Literary Institution on Park St. Upon completing his basic education, he worked as a lock maker. (Author’s Note: This was the Nashua Lock Co., then located at 2 Spring St. in Nashua behind what is today known as the old YMCA.)  

When the Civil War broke out, Wadsworth enlisted as a private in Company F., Third Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. 

From Wikipedia: The Third New Hampshire Infantry Regiment was a significant unit in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Berry in Concord, NH, the regiment was mustered on August 23, 1861, for three years of service. The regiment’s primary role was to establish Federal footholds on the South’s Atlantic Coast, with a notable engagement at the Battle of Secessionville on June 16, 1862. The regiment suffered 104 casualties, including 27 killed or mortally wounded. The regiment’s composition was diverse, with men from various states contributing to its formation. 

Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to Sergeant. His prompt and efficient performance of his duties soon attracted the attention of his superior officer and won for him, on Nov. 16, 1862, a commission as Second Lieutenant. In the engagements that followed, he was conspicuous as a brave officer, and, on May 16, 1863, was advanced to First Lieutenant. And on April 16, 1864, in recognition of meritorious service in the line of duty, he was promoted to Captain. 

He participated with his regiment in the battles of Port Royal, Bluffton, James Island, Secessionville, Pocotalige, Fort Wagner, and Deep Bottom, all in South Carolina. The source material provided in Judge Parker’s History of Nashua also mentions that the Third Regiment had engagements in the town of Jehasse. This name does not exist, but it was probably the town of Yemassee, SC, which is close to Port Royal and Bluffton. The account also mentions an engagement at the town of Hatchor’s, which doesn’t exist. It was probably Hatcher, SC. It mentions Stone Inlet and Morris Island, which are both uninhabited islands in Charleston Harbor. The account mentions Elba Island and Petersburg, both small towns in Georgia. And finally, it mentions Wier Bottom and Drury’s Bluff, neither of which can be found today. However, it is worth mentioning that Wadsworth was wounded at Drury’s Bluff.

Captain David Wadsworth was honorably discharged on Sept. 28, 1864.

Returning to civilian life, Wadsworth worked at his trade as a locksmith with the Nashua Lock Company. He represented Ward Seven in the legislature in 1875 and 1876 and was chairman of the committee on accounts. In 1877, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff and superintendent of the Hillsborough County Jail at Manchester. At this time, this source material was published in 1897, and Wadsworth still held his position at the jail. His contemporaries considered him “one of the most successful managers ever in charge of the institution.”

Having such a job in Manchester prompted Wadsworth to move to that city. Subsequently, he has represented Manchester’s Ward Six in 1893 and 1894 in the legislature, being chairman of the committee on county affairs, and has been active in many things that pertain to good citizenship. He is a member of the John G. Foster post, G.A.R. of this city, and attends the Baptist Church.

Captain Wadsworth was united in marriage Jan. 5, 1860, with Sarah A. Moore, daughter of Labau Moore of Nashua, who died June 10, 1866. His second marriage, in January 1875, was with Mrs. Mary R. Buel, daughter of Benjamin and Elvira (Duntley) Lund of Milford. One child, the wife of Carl W. Anderson of Manchester, was born of their marriage.

Source: History of the City of Nashua, NH from the Earliest Settlement of Old Dunstable to the Year 1895 by Judge Edward E. Parker / Published by Telegraph Publishing Company 1897

Edited for brevity and clarity and submitted by Gary Ledoux

US Service Personnel Profiles
By Gary Ledoux February 17, 2026