USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Danbury > History of Danbury, Conn., 1684-1896 > Part 35
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
fine show. One of the features of the company on this occasion was a flag of unusual size mounted on a staff which was affixed to a platform borne on the shoulders of six men. On the plat- form, and holding on to the staff, was a little girl of three years, dressed in white. The cavalcade and Zouaves met the Danbury Rifle Company, and after marching and countermarching between Concert Hall and the bridge they halted at the railway station. Here a platform had been erected, and on this were the clergy of Danbury.
Rev. I. L. Townsend opened the exercises by reading a prayer provided by the bishop for use during the war. He was fol- lowed by Rev. G. M. Stone, of the Baptist Church, who spoke to the soldiers and citizens alike. Rev. Mr. Pegg, of the Meth- odist Church, next addressed the crowd, and then Rev. Mr. Hoyt, a former pastor of the Methodist Church in Danbury, and Rev. Mr. Coe, of the Congregational Church. A clergyman from New Fairfield, Rev. Mr. Kinney, who had enlisted as chap- lain of the regiment, then offered the benediction. An interest- ing incident next occurred in the presentation to Captain Moore, by Mrs. F. S. Wildman, of a handsome Bible. The captain gracefully responded, and then an interval of a few minutes was given for the bidding of farewells, and the company entered the cars and started for New Haven.
The Times, in speaking of the commanders of the Rifles, says : "In military and civil life Captain Moore has ever enjoyed the respect and confidence due to a gentleman. He served with credit to himself and honor to his country in the war with Mexico, at the close of which he laid aside his military equip- ments, only to resume them again at the call of his country. He is a citizen soldier, and, like those in the earlier times which tired men's souls, when the blow is struck he will be there."
The following is the roll of the company as it left :
Captain, James E. Moore.
First Lieutenant, Samuel G. Bailey.
Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Hoyt.
Sergeants : Frederick W. Jackson, Walter C. Sparks, Henry C. White, John R. Marsh.
Corporals : Eben L. Barnum, Seneca Edgett, Milton H. Dan- iels, Henry O. Leach.
Musicians : Lewis Bedient, Joseph L. Converse.
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Privates : Samuel B. Armstrong, James M. Ballard, George W. Barnum, Isaac B. Basely, Henry S. Beardsley, Alfred L. Bene- dict, Samuel Berry, George W. Beebe, Frederick Bevins, Horace Bourne, Augustus E. Bronson, Clark T. Bronson, Edwin Burns, James Callahan, Hiram Cobleigh, George Chapman, Edwin Couch, Robert S. Dauchy, William H. Davis, George Dickenson, Owen Dewenny, John G. Ely, Eli Ferry, Jr., Patrick Foley, George W. Goold, John Gray, William Hall, Minot Hale, Thomas Horan, Edgar A. Hoyt, William Judson, John Keeney, Thomas Keeney, James E. Lee, Eli Lobdell, George Loudon, John N. Main, David B. Mansfield, John Moore, Alsop L. Monroe, Charles Morgan, Abram Moffatt, Thomas McKey, David McKin- man, Lawrence McAvoy, Michael McGowan, George Northrop, Lewis P. Osborne, William R. Potter, David J. Pratt, Henry Quien, Philip Rourke, Amos Raymond, Isaac B. Rogers, Thad- deus Rooney, Joseph Riley, John H. Salisman, Bennett Sher- man, James B. Taylor, William H. Taylor, Edward S. Warren, Harvey Wilson, Charles H. Woodruff, George B. Young.
The company was assigned to the Third Regiment, and was known as Company C. The date of mustering in was May 14th.
In the mean time the Wooster Guards were suffering in New Haven. Their rations were insufficient in quantity and shame- ful in quality. A letter written by a member of the company to his father here was published in the Times of May 9th, and was made the subject for a meeting of the citizens, which was held in Concert Hall on Sunday afternoon, the 5th inst. Edward Brockett was chairman, and G. W. Morris, secretary. Mr. L. S. Barnum made an address, stating the facts from his own per- sonal knowledge. He was followed by several other citizens, who, while they said that the volunteers themselves made no complaint, expressed intense indignation at the treatment the boys were receiving. A series of resolutions were read and unanimously adopted, expressive of the determination of the citizens of Danbury, that our volunteers, who had so nobly and promptly enlisted under the banner of the Union, should be well fed, if they had to do it themselves. These resolutions were numerously signed and forwarded to the Senator and Repre- sentatives from Danbury, and through them presented to the Governor and Legislature. The effect of this meeting was imme- diately apparent, for before the next week was closed Captain
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Wildman wrote to Danbury that they were again enjoying good rations.
On May 16th the Danbury Zouaves, under the command of Captain Henry B. Stone, left for Hartford. The demonstration by the citizens was on a much larger scale than anything pre- ceding it. Danbury and Bethel united in forming a cavalcade, which, together with the Home Guards, Union Cadets, and the Anderson Guards (Irish Volunteers), and the Fire Department formed an escort for the Zouaves as they marched to the cars. While waiting for the train exercises were gone through with, an opening prayer being delivered by Rev. Mr. Griswold, and speeches by Rev. Mr. Stone, of Danbury, and Rev. Messrs. Barclay and Baldwin, of Bethel. There were several members of the company from Bethel and Ridgefield. At the close of the speaking Rev. Mr. Stone distributed copies of the New Testament among the company, and Captain Stone returned thanks for the gifts.
The parting scenes between the men and their families were more affecting and painful than on previous occasions, for this was for three years, and perhaps longer. Tears were freely shed, the feeling of reserve was broken down and the public eye saw many heart-rending scenes which naturally are regarded as sacred.
The roster of the company, which became Company A, Fifth Regiment, is given below :
Captain, Henry B. Stone.
First Lieutenant, James A. Betts, Jr.
Second Lieutenant, William A. Daniels.
Sergeants : Theodore H. Dibble, Edward K. Carley, George N. Raymond, James Stewart, Jr., John O. Shufeldt.
Corporals : Daniel Odell, Daniel L. Smith, Luther M. More- house, Edgar A. Stratton, John H. Bennett, Addison M. Whit- lock, Albert Warner, J. K. Underhill.
Musicians : Edward A. Durant, James L. Conklin.
Wagoner, Martin C. Vaucor.
Privates : Charles H. Anson, Theodore J. Allsheskey, Charles W. Bill, George A. Bradley, William M. Burritt, Wesley H. Bottsford, Frederick J. Booth, James Byers, William N. Beers, Thomas E. Benedict, John Butler, Fred N. Clark, Theodore D. Clark, James Campbell, George W. Cock, William H. Card,
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Horace S. Crofut, Hiram M. Cole, Henry B. Curtiss, John Car- ney, David O. Comstock, Henry Coe, Alexander Cook, Marvin M. Curtis, Robert N. Drew, James E. Durant, William W. Downer, Charles H. Durant, George S. Ferry, John D. Gorley, John Grouse, Thomas Garnett, John Gilbert, Gilbert N. John- son, Thomas A. James, John B. Johnson, Philo W. Jones, Jr., Daniel A. Keyes, Oscar H. Keeler, George B. Loomis, Isaac K. Leach, Otis G. Lewis, William H. Lockwood, William H. Lang- don, Dennis Larkin, David B. Mills, Rufus Mead, Jr., William N. Mix, Henry Manning, Smith Mead, William H. Patch, Abram T. Peck, H. C. Prime, Isaac B. Rogers, Charles B. Rogers, James H. Rasco, William J. Ritchie, Frederick Rogers, John Riley, Henry Stokes, John A. Seymour, William B. Sharp, George C. Smith, Enos A. Sage, George D. Squires, William K. Shaw, James M. Smith, Oliver Sloan, George F. Stone, George Scott, Gardiner Stockman, Hezekiah Sturges, Benjamin F. Squires, James Sulli- van, Charles S. Teley, John Tilley, Arthur M. Thorp, George W. Valentine, F. M. Wildman, Philip L. Williams, George H. Woodworth, George K. Winkler, Thomas M. Welsh, George W. Wells, R. R. Werner, William H. Wheaton.
After the departure of the Zouaves the continuation of the payment of bounties to the families of enlisted men was dis- cussed. The cost was something like $316 per week, and in the then stringent state of finances, the town treasury was in danger of collapsing. A town meeting was called for May 27th, and the Town Hall was crowded with voters. A resolution was offered by Mr. E. S. Tweedy, which being amended was as fol- lows :
" Whereas, Three companies of volunteers having been organ- ized in this town, and have mustered into the service of the United States Government, and a liberal provision has been made for the families of those who have so readily responded to the call of their country ; and whereas the number of volunteers offered from various parts of the United States exceed largely the demands of the General Government, there is no necessity at present for furnishing an additional force from this town.
" Resolved, That this town rescind so much of the vote passed the 22d of April, 1861, as affords a bounty to those who may hereafter enlist into the service of the United States ; but that we solemnly reaffirm the pledges made to those who have already
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
enlisted and left their homes, during their full term of service, except the families of those volunteers who were not residents of this town on the 22d of April, 1861."
The motion drew out a free and spirited discussion. To the declaration of the resolution that the town strictly adhere to the pledges given for the support of the families of volunteers there was no expression in favor of receding. Each speaker felt that the town had been liberal, perhaps in excess, either in the amount appropriated to each family, or in the unlimited char- acter of the resolution, while at the same time it was promptly admitted that those who had incurred responsibilities under the protection of the resolution should be honorably and fully sus- tained. The vote finally being taken it was almost unanimously passed.
The rumors that were circulated before this meeting was held had reached Hartford, where the Zouaves were in camp, and produced an unhappy effect upon some of the men. In the Times of June 6th appears a card signed by nearly all the mem- bers of the company, headed by Lieutenant J. A. Betts, which tells of the company being sworn in on the 27th, and that several did not take the oath, alleging that the town would not provide for their families. The news of the result of the meeting reached them on Thursday, but these men left for home, having no valid excuse for refusing to serve, and here they spread reports to the detriment of the company. The card is to explain to the citizens of Danbury the circumstances, and in scathing terms pays the company's respects to the deserters.
Another instance of the growing patriotism of the children of the town is remembered by the writer. The Centre District School, then on the hill on Liberty Street, was a Union school almost to a scholar. The principal was a Union man, and under his direction the elder male scholars drilled every afternoon, after school hours, in company movements. Mr. Harry Stone, who lived near the school-house, offered to give the school a flag- pole if the scholars would put up a flag. The offer was accepted, and on June 14th the pole was raised, and a flag, eight by twelve, for which every scholar had contributed something, from one cent upward, was run up. Speeches were made by the clergy, and the affair intensified the loyal feeling in every young heart.
During the interval from July to August 14th the excite-
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
ment in Danbury was kept up by letters from the seat of war. The files of the newspapers of that time contain letters from cor- respondents, and these were as eagerly read as the others.
It was on July 21st, at Bull Run, that Danbury received its baptism of fire in the war of the Union. All that day the regi- ment was marched and countermarched in the multitude of changes in position, and much of the time it was subject to a severe fire from the enemy, but came out of that dreadful dis- aster with scarcely a mark. The only loss the Danbury com- pany sustained was the capture of two of its members, Alfred H. Hoddinott and Isaac N. Jennings.
The Danbury Rifles also took an active part in the tragedy of Bull Run. The regiment was exposed to a severe fire, and acquitted itself most creditably. From its ranks Danbury offered her first living sacrifice. This was John R. Marsh, fourth ser- geant of the company, a name that heads Danbury's list of mar- tyrs in the war for the Union. He was struck and killed by a piece of flying shell. Private A. E. Bronson was made a pris- oner, while remaining with Sergeant Marsh as a comforter and friend. The same shell which killed Marsh wounded Lieutenant Bailey slightly. These are the only casualties Danbury received in this battle.
The Wooster Guards returned home on August 1st, their term of enlistment having expired, and the 3d inst. saw a large gath- ering in Nichols's woods in Great Plain District, which was a reception tendered the Guards. A meeting was held there in the afternoon at which Hon. Roger Averill presided. Rev. Mr. Griswold made a touching prayer, and the glee club sang. Mr. Richard Busteed, of New York, made a patriotic speech, and a series of resolutions were offered and unanimously passed. These resolutions embodied, first, the duty of the Government to defend itself from external and internal foes by every means in its power ; second, that the efforts of the present Government to crush out the rebellion meets with the hearty approval of the meeting, and a mutual pledge be given of their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor ; third, that while deprecating war, they de- manded the vindication of the country's honor, and while desir- ing peace they would offer no compromise. The fourth resolu- tion we give in full :
" Resolved, That the patriotism exhibited by our fellow-towns-
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men of the Wooster Guards, in promptly tendering their services in response to their country's call, and the gallant bravery ex- hibited by them upon the field of battle, merits and receives our hearty commendation, and we believe that the flattering notices received by them from their superior officers have been fully deserved."
The last resolution was a sympathetic one for the families of those who had died for their country or been taken prisoners.
At the conclusion of the speech of Mr. Busteed Rev. Mr. Townsend made a short speech about the loss of Sergeant Marsh, of the Rifles, and read a letter from Captain Moore detailing the circumstances of his death. At the close a contribution was made for the family of the deceased, and $40 was raised.
Unexpectedly to most of the citizens of the town, Captain Moore's company returned on August 14th in a heavy rain storm. A movement was immediately started to give them a hearty welcome, and on the 17th a picnic was held in the Oil Mill Grove, at which there was a large crowd and a big supply of eatables. A shower came up just after dinner, and the meet- ing adjourned to Concert Hall, where the affair was concluded with addresses by citizens and music by the Union Glee Club.
The shock of the defeat at Manassas had been received, and the recovery was rapid. The enthusiasm which had lain dor- mant since the Zouaves left awoke again. Military Hall was on each evening a blaze of light, and B. F. Skinner and William Moegling received authority to form a company for the Sixth Regiment. Thirty men had already enlisted, many of them being the old members of the Guards and Rifles. They were drilled nightly in the hall, and new recruits, who came in daily, were drilled as an awkward squad in one corner. Young America took a hand in. The deep-silled window-frames were crowded nightly by the boys who came in, full of enthusiasm, to witness the drills. They used to cheer any particular fine movement, and when any new recruit signed the roll yells of delight and encouragement came from the healthy lungs of the boys.
On the evening of Monday, August 19th, a meeting of the citizens was held in the Concert Hall, to further the enlistment of this company, and to express the sense of the community on the present state of affairs. The venerable Colonel Abram
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Chichester presided. Hon. Roger Averill made the principal address of the evening, and Lewis S. Barnum, James S. Taylor, and F. J. Jackson, of Danbury, and William A. Judd, of Bethel, also spoke. Mr. Skinner closed the meeting with the suggestion that the only way of compromise he advocated was the forma- tion of another company, and then stated that the enlistment roll could be found at Military Hall. A series of resolutions were also offered embodying the following points :
First, the struggle into which our country is now plunged demands the entire loyalty of all citizens and the vigorous prose- cution of the war to a successful issue. Second, that until the rebellion is overcome it is the duty of every citizen to lay aside all local and minor differences, and unite in a full and enthusi- astic support of the measures adopted for the victory of the Gov- ernment. Third, that those who, in the present emergency, are engaged in attempting to inflame the public mind against the authorities should be severely condemned and their actions meet with reprobation. Fourth, a hearty welcome is extended to the brave defenders of the Union who have just returned ; and while welcoming them, sympathy is extended to the family of their companion who gave his life nobly in defence of the country. Fifth, that while regretting the imprisonment and captivity of those who remained behind, we glory in their indignant rejection of the terms of release offered them, which would deprive them of the right to defend their country's flag again.
An incident occurred on August 24th which will ever be re- membered by the participants and witnesses, among whom was the writer. Part of the citizens of New Fairfield had erected a peace flag on a pole in that town, and many Danburians, learn- ing of it, went up to pull it down. The New Fairfielders, deter- mined to protect their rights, gave battle, and there were some wounds received. All kinds of weapons were used, shov- els, pitchforks, etc. The Danburians returned without per- forming their object. Two days later Messrs. John and David Cosier and Wilson Porter went up there, and after an argument in which they convinced the indignant New Fair- fielders of the impropriety of their actions, hauled down the flag. It gave rise to considerable excitement in town, and a local bard set forth the engagement in rhyme.
It was on the Wednesday following the New Fairfield affair
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
September 28th, that Captain Benjamin Skinner marched his men through Main Street, escorted by an immense cavalcade, and to the railway station, where a dense concourse of citizens was awaiting the brave fellows who were about to leave. The times were again growing exciting. It had been proved that the strength of the rebellion was greater than was at first supposed, and instead of crushing it out with the first seventy-five thou- sand men which the President called for in April, it would take a longer time and more men. The first to respond to the three years' enlistment were the Zouaves, whose departure has been chronicled. After they had gone, the three months' men re- turned, and in this second company of three years' men were many who had been upon the bloody battle-field at Bull Run.
The departure was signalized in a similar manner to the others. Addresses were made by Elder Swan, of New London ; A. S. Treat, of Bridgeport ; and William A. Judd, of Bethel. Rev. Mr. Woolsey made the opening prayer. The company was made up as follows :
Captain, Benjamin F. Skinner.
First Lieutenant, Joseph S. Dunning.
Second Lieutenant, Thomas Hooton.
Sergeants : Theodore C. Wildman, Charles A. Benger, Henry T. Broas, Augustus Staples, Andrew B. Nichols.
Corporals : John F. Morris, William Trumbull, Seth J. Crosby, Eli D. Seeley, Darius A. Veats, Charles Gordon, John Ward, Lewis A. Wygant.
Musicians : Lewis P. Bradley, Silas T. Atwater.
Wagoner, Charles Fitzsimmons.
Privates : George Adams, Thomas T. Alexander, James L. Allen, Samuel P. Armstrong, Alonzo Austin, Edward Ayers, George W. Banker, Theodore B. Benedict, James Ballard, Charles H. Bevans, John H. Bishop, Francis E. Broas, Charles Butcher, Oscar Byington, Charles Byxbee, John T. Byxbee, Henry S. Cole, Warren Collomore, William Crofut, Byron Cros- by, John Davis, Owen Dewenny, James Divine, John Doughton, Charles C. Dolph, Joseph Eaton, Ebenezer Ellis, Joseph English, Henry Erwin, William Fagan, Jerome Fairchild, Frederick A. Felch, Philip Fortune, James Gelde, Abram Grimm, Seeley Hall, William H. Hall, William Holly, John T. Holmes, James H. Howard, Reed M. Howes, Eleazer Jones, Leonard Jones, Edwin
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Judson, Robert L. Keith, Christian Kohlenberg, John Kenseller, William H. Lessey, John Lahey, Samuel K. Lynes, Charles E. Lyon, Charles F. Mehan, James Mehan, James Martin, Lewis Martin, John F. Morris, William M. Merritt, John Mildem, Edward Moffatt, Frank R. Nash, William W. Newman, William Nichols, Bartholomew O'Brian, George Olin, Henry Parks, George W. Raymond, John Roberts, Nathan S. Roberts, Orrin K. Scofield, Charles S. Scott, Daniel R. Shelton, Oscar Smith, William H. Smith, Asa Strickland, John C. Swords, Albert Van Tassell, Wheeler J. Veats, Albert Walker, George B. Waterman, Joseph Waterman, George Webb, William F. Webb, Charles H. Weed, Isaac Weed, John D. Wilcox, Henry Williams.
On September 5th a call was issued for a meeting of the free- men of Danbury " who are in favor of the Union and the per- petuity of the Government, and who value the constitution and laws of our common country as the most priceless inheritance ever bequeathed by an honored ancestry, and who are in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war against a wicked and un- provoked rebellion," to be held in Concert Hall on Saturday, September 7th. This call was signed by E. S. Tweedy, John W. Bacon, B. F. Ashley, John F. Beard, and over four hundred other citizens irrespective of party. On that day, at two o'clock in the afternoon, there were nearly one thousand people present under the elms in front of Hon. F. S. Wildman's residence. Hon. Roger Averill presided and made a patriotic speech on taking the chair. His theme was the preservation of the Union at all hazards. He introduced Rev. Samuel P. Seeley, of Albany, who spoke for over an hour in an eloquent, patriotic strain. D. B. Booth, Esq., presented a set of resolutions and a Pruden- tial Committee was appointed.
Even at the time of the departure of Captain Skinner's com- pany, which became Company D, Seventh Regiment, a new com- pany was forming. On September 24th the new company elected G. M. Southmayd Captain, S. G. Bailey First Lieutenant, and C. H. White Second Lieutenant. This company, eventually named Company A, of the Eleventh Regiment, left Danbury on September 26th. It was a national fast day, and there was a very large crowd at the cars to see them off and bid them good- by. Keeping up the usages of the past, a large cavalcade escorted them on their march. Impromptu addresses were made
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
by Messrs. Comstock, of Bethel ; L. S. Barnum and V. W. Benedict, of Danbury, and a gentleman named Bradford, of England.
They were mustered in on November 27th, 1861, and immedi- ately left for the front. The company roll was as follows :
Captain, George M. Southmayd.
First Lieutenant, Samuel G. Bailey.
Second Lieutenant, Charles H. White.
Sergeants : Henry J. McDonald, David B. Mansfield, Irving Stevens, Nathan Cornwall, Knowles H. Taylor.
Corporals : Stansbury L. Barnum, Eben L. Barnum, Ira Tay- lor, Christian T. Post, Thomas Payne, Franklin Clark, Michael Eagan, George Cassidy.
Musicians : Jacob L. Dauchy, Sylvester C. Platt.
Wagoner, Edwin Babbitt.
Privates : Peter W. Ambler, David Andruss, Norris W. Bal- lard, Homer B. Barnard, Frederick Bassett, Samuel Bassett, Samuel B. Buxton, John B. Beardslee, Philo P. Bradley, George Bronson, Edward Burns, Lewis Carley, James Conboy, Edward Confroy, Patrick Cotter, Romeo Crittenden, John Case, Elias Cromwell, Edward Curtis, Sylvester De Forest, Samuel L. Dibble, William W. Dickens, Edgar A. Eastwood, Charles Edwards, Elijah Fields, Thomas Foley, Grandison D. Foote, Aurelius Fowler, Edwin B. Gage, Rhomanza Gage, Anthony Gilchrist, John P. Gillick, Clark Gorham, Daniel Gregory, Pat- rick Green, William H. Hamilton, Clark Hamilton, Isaac H. Hawley, John Hawkins, David A. Hoag, Edgar A. Hoyt, Will- iam F. Hoyt, Henry E. Hurd, Patrick Lannon, William Leach, Sylvester Lessey, Prentice A. Mallory, Joseph B. Mallory, William Mantz, James Melvin, William Milson, Charles O. Mor- gan, Orlando Morgan, Thomas Murphy, P. M. E. McGuinness, John McJohn, Philo S. Pearce, Christian Quien, John Quien, Aaron Robertson, Lorenzo D. Rockwell, Chauncey L. Rowland, John Ryan, James Sands, William Savage, Theodore A. Smith, Russell Smith, Isaac Smith, John H. Sniffins, Asa Stevens, Edward Stevens, John C. Thompson, Orrin C. Turner, Charles Turner, John Voorhees, Edward Walker, Benjamin Ward, Solo- mon R. Wheeler, William H. White, Cyrus A. White, John B. Winian, Theodore I. Winton.
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