Joseph Abbott studied law and served as a newspaper editor in the years before the Civil War.  In 1856, Abbott was appointed adjutant-general of New Hampshire, an office he held until his resignation in 1861.  In September of 1861, General Abbott received authority from the War Department to raise a regiment of infantry from the State of New Hampshire.  He formed the Seventh Regiment and established its headquarters in Manchester.  Abbott wanted to form a model regiment for the state and decided that leadership should come from a man educated in the military.  He accepted the lieutenant-colonecy for himself and nominated Lieutenant Haldimand S. Putnam as colonel.  After the death of Putnam in July, 1863, Abbott was promoted to colonel of the regiment and served as commander until the summer of 1864 when he assumed command of a brigade.   General Abbott mustered out of United States military service with his regiment and returned to New Hampshire in August, 1865. (pp. 463-466).