USA > California > San Bernardino County > Ingersoll's century annals of San Bernadino County, 1769-1904 : prefaced with a brief history of the state of California : supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and portraits of many of its representative people > Part 36
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She relates many interesting reminiscences of her life and work during these busy years.
On one occasion, Mrs. Page, with a sister-in-law, went to visit her husband, son and brother, all of whom were in the army of the Potomac, then stationed near Hunt's Chapel, on the Arlington road. After leaving the train in which they had ridden on the engine because the cars were so crowded with soldiers, they walked down the Arlington road through the camp. At one point they noticed a crowd and, in womanly curiosity, joined it. In the center of the group they found a young mother in deep grief- her dead baby in her arms. The men, helpless for all their sympathy, made way for the two women, and soon the poor mother was sobbing out her troubles-not the least of which was that there seemed to be no way to give her child a Christian burial. There was no time nor opportunity for elab- orate care of the dead, but Mrs. Page took off one of the numerous white . petticoats worn in that day and from it a little shroud was soon fashioned. A cracker box was lined with white cloth and trimmed with fresh leaves, and the little form was tenderly laid in its last bed. A grave was hastily dug and the child was buried there on the camp ground and left with only a small board to mark the grave.
After the first battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, Mrs. Page's son, who had been engaged in the battle, was very ill. A message was sent for her and she started at once, forgetting in her haste, to secure the neces- sary papers in Philadelphia. This caused a delay when she reached Wash- ington. While waiting for her passes she noticed an old woman weeping broken-heartedly. A few kind words brought out the pitiful little story. The only son, "my baby." was with the army at Acquia Creek. He was not wounded, but the mother had a presentiment that if she did not see her boy now she would not see him alive again. So she had come all the way from Vermont to see her son. But the War Office made no account of "presenti- ments." She could not secure a pass on such an intangible basis. There had been much smuggling of quinine and other necessities by Southern women through the Union lines, and so the orders were to issue no passes upon any pretense. Mrs. Page, after hearing the story, could hold out no hope until an inspiration seized her. "If you could see President Lincoln, he might give you a pass," she said to the woman, but the poor soul was too dazed and helpless to follow out the suggestion. So Mrs. Page assumed charge, and after considerable effort and a long wait, the two women were admitted to the presence of the President. When the weary, kindly voice questioned their need, both women were at first too overcome by emotion to answer. But presently Mrs. Page found her voice and explained. Very gently the President asked the mother about herself and her boy, and at last he wrote the pass that would gratify her wish.
"And your boy is very low at Fredericksburg," he said to Mrs. Page.
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"You must be a good woman to take so much trouble for an entire stranger when you are in such trouble yourself. Let me shake hands with you." As he shook hands he asked her name, and she told him that she was the matron of McClellan Hospital.
"I am sure the boys there are well cared for then," he said, and asked a number of questions about her work. Then he gave her a pass for her son and another permitting her to take any of the Pennsylvania boys that she thought best, back to Philadelphia.
Mrs. Page describes the terrible condition of the soldiers at Fredericks- burg. It was mid-winter, cold and rainy. There were no facilities for caring for the sick and wounded; there were not even coffins enough for the dead. Among the dying she found a man from Philadelphia. She determined that he should not be left to a nameless grave, so when he died she went among the Pennsylvania men and secured money enough to buy a coffin and ship the body back to Philadelphia. But there was no coffin to be had. A box was made from cracker boxes and used. When the story was told in the city, an undertaker provided a coffin and buried the soldier free of charge, while the money that had been collected by his comrades was placed (by the matron) in the hands of his wife, who was left with eight little children to care for.
At one time the matron was called to the front after a severe battle. Upon the ferry boat between Washington and Alexandria, was a little woman whose husband was about to be shot as a Confederate spy. She had been permitted to visit him and he had requested that she should bring him a flask of whiskey. The rules were exceedingly strict about bringing whiskey within the lines, and when the woman's basket was examined, the whiskey was confiscated, leaving the wife inconsolable because she must deny her husband's last request. Mrs. Page was always prepared for exigencies. It was the day of the hoop skirt, and to save time and questions the matron carried several flasks tied to the underside of her hoops which she was taking across to the hospital at Alexandria. One of these she placed in the hands of the wife and aided her in secreting it. Though she might be robbing the living for the dying, her tender heart could not let the wife grieve so bitterly for that which she could supply.
It was on this same trip to Fort Lyon that the matron was sent to spend the night at the house of a baker whose wife was a bitter rebel. As Mrs. Page was undressing that night she heard voices below and glancing over the bannisters caught a glimpse of what she was sure was a rebel uniform. She listened until she heard the man leave the house, but her suspicions were aroused and she kept a close watch of things about her. In the morning she took her tea-pot downstairs for hot water. She felt sure that her entertainer dropped something into the pot with the hot water. and did not use the tea. Instead she took it to the camp doctor, who after
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an analysis found enough arsenic in the pot to kill a dozen army nurses. The matter was brought to the attention of General Butler, and a corporal and guard were sent out to search for the Confederate. The man was cap- tured and proved to be a Confederate captain. The woman was also placed under guard.
After the war Mrs. Page removed to Chicago. Here she lost all of her possessions in the big fire. From Chicago she went to Milwaukee. where she acted as matron of the Soldiers' Home at that place. In 1875 she came. with her husband, Maj. T. C. Kendall, to San Bernardino. Since 1877 she has lived in her present home on the corner of Third and D streets.
She is an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps, Cornman Post, No. 9. and has always taken a deep interest in G. A. R. affairs.
She is still active, full of life and of interest in all things about her, and though she modestly says little of her experiences during the civil war, one can still see what a force she must have been and how the maimed and suf- fering "boys" must have rejoiced in her cheery, comforting presence.
FIRST BATTALION.
Seventh California Infantry, United States Volunteers.
By Gen. F. C. Prescott.
From the formation of Company G of Redlands, the history of the San Bernardino County Companies is that of the First Battalion of the Seventh Infantry, N. G. C., and U. S. V. The addi- tion of Company G and the Act of March 9. 1893, added another major to the field of the Ninth Regiment. An election was called at San Diego on June 17. 1893, and Frank C. Prescott was elected major of the Second Bat- talion, which included Companies C of River- side, G of Redlands, E of San Bernardino and இடம் D of Pomona. At the consolidation of the Seventh and Ninth regiments of the National Guard these companies remained in the same battalion with the letters changed to MI of Riverside and K of San Bernardino. At the Santa Monica camp in 1897 Company D of Pomona was transferred to another battalion and Company B of San Diego placed in MAJ. O. P. SLOAT the battalion, thus giving Captain Dodge of San Diego, the senior officer of the regiment in time of service, the right of the line. The reorganization also resulted in the battalion becoming the
GENERAL FRANK C. PRESCOTT
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First Battalion as Major Prescott who was re-elected was the Senior Major.
The Battalion has been called upon for active duty three times: First on September 2, 1893, when ordered to rendezvous at the armories of the respective contpanies for duty in suppressing anti-Chinese riots threatened at Redlands and assembled all night. Second on April 14, 1894, ordered to rendezvous and with Company K to proceed to Colton to protect rail- road property from the Coxey Army riotous demonstrations. Company K bivouaced one night at the City Hall, Colton. Third on May 5, 1898, as- sembled at armories ordered to and started for San Francisco May 6, 1898, camped at Presidio May 7, 1898, and mustered into the United States Vol- unteers for Spanish-America war on May 9, 1898. In camp at the Presidio, May 7 to 25 inclusive; took station at Fifth avenue Camp Merrit, San Francisco May 25, 1898, changed station to First avenue, Camp Merritt, June 28, 1898, returned to Presidio August 24, furloughed October 13, to rendezvous at Agricultural Park, Los Angeles, November 12, 1898, mus- tered out December 2, 1898, and returned to duty with National Guard.
The battalion has been repeatedly commended in orders and was dis- tinguished for instruction, discipline and esprit. Its first tour of active duty was characterized by good judgment and efficiency. Regimental orders No. 14, Headquarters Ninth Regiment, First Brigade, N. G. C., San Diego, Cal., September 16, 1893, paragraph V reads as follows:
"The commanding officer desires to commend Major Frank C. Prescott and the officers and men of Companies C. E and G for the promptness with which they responded to the orders of the Brigade Commander upon the occasion of the recent threatened anti-Chinese riots at Redlands, and the manner in which they exemplified their readiness to discharge their duties under the law. The large percentage of attendance secured upon short notice, and the energy and efficiency shown in the discharge of duty, justifies the commanding officer's large faith in the fidelity and efficiency of his entire command and in its capacity to properly aid the civil authorities to meet those emergencies of public disorder the danger of whose occurrence jus- tifies the National Guard's existence.
By Order of Colonel Spileman.
Official,
Ed. F. Brown, Adjutant."
At the time of the industrial army troubles the preservation of peace was accomplished without immoderate zeal or supine indifference.
While in the service of the United States as the First Battalion of the Seventh California Infantry, U. S. V., it was part of the First Brigade, In- dependent Division of the Eighth Army Corps, and was always a part of the Expeditionary Forces. Its officers were Frank C. Prescott, Major, and Harvey E. Higbey, First Lieutenant. The tour of duty at the Presidio was one of instruction and discipline. Major Prescott carried out the work to
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the uttermost limit. The battalion was soon drilling in both close and ex- tended order by trumpet signals. The infantry drill regulations were cov- ered. The shelter tent drill and physical exercise with arms and to music were mastered. The work culminated in the exhibition drills given by the different regiments on different nights at the Mechanics' Pavilion. The bat- talion was assigned the duty of giving a battalion drill which should illus- trate the school of the battalion as far as the floor space would permit. The four hundred men made a column the full length of the floor. Despite this the movements of the close order were fully exemplified. It was noted and commented upon by Major General Merriam, the reviewing officer, and the press of the city, that at the order "arms," where the iron butts of nearly four hundred rifles struck the board floor together, not a sound was heard. This was conformable to the infantry drill regulations which prescribe that the guns shall be lowered gently to the ground. The perfection of discipline will be appreciated that will bring hundreds of rifles down to a hard floor without a sound. This was a unique refinement of military precision. The efficiency of the battalion was recognized by the regular army authorities who ordered it for a tour of duty wherein the captains were ordered to fall out and regular army lieutenants placed in command of the companies to test their proficiency of drill. This was reported by the San Francisco news- papers as follows :
"First and Second Lieutenants of the United States Army undergoing examination for promotion, were examined in drill June 14, 1898, Major Prescott's battalion of the Seventh California Infantry, U. S. V., was brought over from Camp Merritt to the Presidio for the purpose of exam- ination. It was a matter of universal comment among the officers of the Presidio what a fine body of men the soldiers of the battalion were, excel- lently drilled and strong and martial in appearance."
After the muster out from the volunteer service the battalion returned to duty in the National Guard and showed less bad effects of the reaction from regular army life than many organizations. Many of its members re-enlisted in the United States Army, and on September 12, 1899, its com- mander, Major Prescott. accepted a commission as Captain in the United States Volunteers, with rank from August 17, 1899, and opened recruiting offices in Redlands and San Bernardino. He recruited sixteen men in the county as follows :
John G. Baldridge, Dann Perry Butler, Charles G. Clifton, Charles C. Covington, Albert D. Gage, Elmer F. Gleason, Parker B. Greason, Marcus Hawley, Charles J. Kerr, Charles W. Nixon, William H. Ralston, William D. Rosenberg, Theodore H. Tarbox, Lorenzo D. Taylor, Duane H. Timmons and Lemuel Grant White. This formed the nucleus of Company L of the 43rd Infantry, United States Volunteers. This organization was the con- tribution of San Bernardino County to the Philippine campaign. It lost
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many men in action and saw much hard duty. Its official history in the War Office is as follows :
Captain Prescott began recruiting September 22, 1899, at Redlands, and Captain Cooke September 21, 1899, at Sacramento. Captain Prescott ar- rived at the Presidio of San Francisco with fifteen recruits October 14, and forty-two recruits arrived from Sacramento October 5. and Captain Cooke arrived with eight recruits October II. These, with assignments from gen- eral recruiting stations, were consolidated, equipped and instructed by Cap- tain Prescott and the provisional company mustered in as Company L, 43rd Infantry, U. S. V., and muster in roll dated November 3, 1899. The com- pany marched from Presidio of San Francisco at II a. m., ar- rived on board of United States N.G.C chartered transport "City of Puebla" 12:45 p.m., and sailed same day 5 p. m., November 20, 1899, for Philippine Islands, with First Battalion, 44th In- fantry, U. S. V., on board and in company with. U. S. Army transport "Hancock!" Ar- rived at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 28th. On the 30th the company, with First Battalion. 44th Infantry, took a march of six miles and witnessed a camp of instruction and drill of the National Guard of Hawaii. Sailed from Hon- olulu December 3, 1899. Ar- rived Manila, Luzon, Decem- ber 19. 1899, and learned CAPTAIN T. H. GOFF that Major General H. W. Lawton, whose home was at Redlands, had been killed that day. Landed at Manila and quartered at the Exposition Building. Malate, De- cember 21, 1899. Marched to El Deposito de las Aguas Potables, Maraquina Crossing, December 22, distance six miles, camped in tents already erected there. Moved into tents 100 yards distant in front of Headquarters First Brigade, First Division, Eighth Army Corps, El Deposito, Saturday, Decem- ber 23. Marched four miles to pumping station, ferried across San Mateo river to Santolan, bivouaced for night December 26. Marched eight miles to San Mateo escort to twenty-nine carabao wagons loaded with supplies, arrived 10 a.m. December 27, having marched toward heavy fire in hills for
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last four miles, held in reserve and participated in action in mountains back of town. Marched back to El Deposito with two wounded, arriving at camp 12:20 a.m. December 28. This was the first engagement participated in by any part of the 43rd regiment. Marched five miles to Camp Maraquina, took station and camped first night in shelter tents December 28, and participated in skirmish December 30, at cañon skirting Camp Maraquina. Patrolled right bank of San Mateo river, Luzon, Maraquina, to Novaliches trail. Broke camp and marched to El Deposito and took station, thus joining regiment for the first time January 1, 1900. The headquarters and ten companies of the 43rd, Colonel Arthur Murrey, having come from Fort Ethan Allen, Ver- mont, on U. S. Army transport "Meade," New York via the Atlantic, Med- iterranean, Red and Indian seas to Manila.
Marched with regiment and took station at Malate Nipa Barracks, Manila, Sunday, January 14, 1900. Embarked on U. S. chartered transport "Venus" January 18, with companies I, K and M of 43rd., constituting the Third Battalion, Henry T. Allen, Senior Major. Arrived Sorsogon Bay, Luzon, and transferred to U. S. A. T. "Hancock," to allow use of "Venus" in land- ing troops at Legaspi, Luzon, Jan. 22. Returned to "Venus" and sailed for Calbayog, Samar, January 25, 4 p. m. Arrived Calbayog, Second Battal- ion lands and takes town, no casualities. Sail for Catbalogan, Jan. 26. Jan. 27, arrived Catbalogan, Sámar, 9:30 a.m., landed from small boats and par- ticipated in capture of town from insurgents and assisted in extinguishing fires started in church and principal buildings by insurrectos. Private Logan, of L Company, killed, being first fatality in action in regiment. Camped on heights east of town, night of January 27. January 28, returned to Catba- logan from hill, 4 p. m .; quartered in barracks of insurgents and Spanish forces at the north extremity of town, near Mercedes bridge. January 29, 5 a. m., marched 3 miles to Maestranza, Bang-on river, thence to source and south three miles on southern side of mountain, in pursuit of General Lukban ; bivouaced at Maestranza powder works, destroyed works and cap- tured $18,000 Filippino and Mexican silver money, returned Catbalogan Jan. 30, 10 a. m. Feb. 5, Lieutenant Burt and detachment from L return to Maestranza for maps. Feb. 14, Captain Prescott, Lieutenant Burt and 40 men leave 3 p. m. on launch for Calbiga. Captain Prescott and twenty men, in row boats, leave launch at midnight for mouth Calbiga river, two miles distant, reach Calbiga 5 a. m., 15th. Feb. 16, Captain Prescott and 8 men march Calbiga, 8 miles to coal mines Camanga mountains. Lieutenant Burt and 27 men remain in garrison at Calbiga. 17th, Captain Prescott and de- tachment leave Camanga coal mines, march 8 miles head waters Bucalan river, thence by barotos to mouth, along strait of San Sebastian, thence by barotos with sails, across bay to Catbalogan. Feb. 26, Captain Prescott ap- pointed and sworn Provost Judge of Cathalogan. March 24. Corporal Dann
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Perry Butler wounded in left hand by bolo night attack on detachment un- der Lieutenant Andrews, above Jiabong, Sámar.
March 13, Captain Prescott, with 33 men, to Majayog by barotos; Lieu- tenant Conrow, with 27 men, to same place via Maestranza, returning next day. March 24 to April 2, Private Lippman Samuels, of L, lost 2 miles north of Biga river ; left column with Visayan guides and carriers, complaining of fatigue.
May 21, 1900, Captain Prescott, Lieutenant Burt and 21 men, on launch Lotus to Pasigay river, thence up river by barotos the 22nd, and by land to Calbiga, returning same date by barotos on Pasigay river, ambushed while in barotos. Private Weden, of L, and one man, of M Company, wounded ; . returned with wounded to Catbalogan evening May 22nd. On 23rd, Captain Prescott and same detachment left on launch "Lotus" for Islands Lamingao, Villa Real, Santa Rita, Tulalora, on Sámar, and Tacloban, Leyte, and Basay, Sámar, returning to Catbalogan, 25th. From June 4, 1900, to July 2, 1900, almost daily firing on garrison of Catbalogan. On latter date, under Captain Prescott, company boards launch "Defender" and towed to Dulag, Leyte, where took station, July 4th. "Defender" went ashore wrecked. Captain Prescott placed in command post at Dulag; Lieutenant Conrow placed in command of company. Sept. 16, 1900, Corporal Tarbox died at Alang-Alang. Sept. 27, company changes station to Tanauan, Captain Prescott remains in command Dulag. October 14, Captain Prescott starts for Iloilo to take command as Supervisor of Internal Revenue of Department of the Visayas, on the staff of General Hughes.
Dec. 8, 1900, Sergeant Loomis, Corporals Gage and Walsh, and 14 pri- vates of L, and others from A and K, under Lieutenant Swann left on expe- dition to San Juanico straits. On1 14th engaged band of insurgents near Sabang, Leyte : killed, Privates Granville P. Sims and Edwin E. Hamilton ; mortally wounded, Harry P. Higgins and Arthur Carr; moderately wounded, Lorenzo D. Taylor-all of L.
April 30, 1901, Captain Prescott relieved from command of Internal Revenue Department, and on May 20th, rejoins company at Tanauan. May 3I, company boards transport "Kilpatrick" at Tacloban. Arrives Manila May 5th, San Francisco June 27, and mustered out July 5, 1901.
Major Prescott's activities during this tour of duty were varied and covered the whole range of army work, both military and civil. Upon his return, he was placed upon the retired list of the National Guard as Major.
COMPANY K, 7th INFY., U. S. V.
The Waterman Rifles of the City of San Bernardino, an independent company of infantry, was formed in the early part of 1887. R. W. Waterman, a citizen of San Bernardino, had been elected Lieutenant Governor of Cali-
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fornia in November, of 1886, and became Governor, September 12, 1887, on the death of Washington Bartlett. The legislature, in the spring of 1887, provided for an increase of the National Guard, and the interest of Governor Waterman procured the formation of the Waterman Rifles, with a view to their being ultimately mustered into the state service. The name of Water- man Rifles was a compliment to the Governor, which he generously acknowl- edged. The original officers and members mustered on October 29, 1887, as Company E, Seventh Infantry, were :
Captain, William J. Wilsey; First Lieutenant, George L. Bryant ; Second Lieutenant, Myron W. Littlefield; First Sergeant, James E. Mack ; Duty Sergeants, N. A. Richardson, Scott Karns, George W. Thomas, George L. Hisom, Harry J. Kane: Corporals, Dwight W. Fox, John Bryant, E. D. Palmer, W. B. Dodson, C. H. Reeves, O. M. Morris, James D. Faris, George G. Seymour; Musicians (forming Seventh Regiment Band), George Blake, C. L. Sears, D. C. Ross, J. A. McDonald, W. H. Hale, J. D. Folks, J. W. Driver, John E. Bailey, George S. Nickerson, Fred E. Moore, Oscar D. Foy, F. G. Erbe, Louis Ancker, Jr .; Privates, M. L. Aldridge, George E. Ames,L.N. Allen, R. H. Allen, C. L. Allison, W. A. Ball, A. L. Beach, Irwin W. Bemis, Isaac Benjamin, George Black, James B. Foley, F. F. Breese, A. Lee Brown, T. W. Bayles, H. H. Budington, W. L. Cave, J. A. Doyle, E. M. Duco?, D. J. Dawson, Louis Field, George C. Fox. F. Frederick, John George, 4. B. Gilbert, Albert Grover, S. L. Grow, A. S. Guthrie, Charles A. Hart, W. G. Hastings, Isaac Jackson, H. A. Keller, J. C. Littlepage, John W. Marshall, Robert Matthews, S. P. Matthews, W. A. J. McDonald, William McKenzie, Fred Muscott, C. G. Patton, D. G. Parker, E. C. Peck, Myron Perkins, C. E. Pierce. W. M. Phillips, D. D. Rich, J. E. Rich, Theodore Shrader, William Stevens, Z. B. Stuart, R. J. Shelton, E. B. Tyler, Leolin Taylor, L. H. Taylor, E. R. Waite, H. H. Wykoff, J. H. Wagner.
The company remained with the original Seventh Infantry until the formation of the Ninth Infantry, N. G. C., to which Company E was trans- ferred with its original letter. Upon the disintegration of the Ninth In- fantry regiment G. O. 17, A. G. O., Dec. 7, 1895, Company E was assigned provisionally to the Second Battalion of Infantry of the First Brigade, N. G. C., and G. O. 18, A. G. O., Dec. 9, 1895 two days later, was designated as Company K, and transferred to the First Battalion, Seventh Infantry, N. G. C. Company K rendezvoused at San Bernardino, May 5. 1898, and was, with the rest of the regiment, mustered into the Seventh California Infantry, United States Volunteers, Independent Division, Eighth Army Corps, U. S. A .. on May 9, 1898, at the Presidio of San Francisco, with the following membership :
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