USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1872, Vol. II > Part 33
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To give added zeal and encouragement to the patriotic under- taking, Charles G. Judson, Esq., a patriotic merchant of the city of New York, a native of Woodbury, offered an additional bounty of ten dollars each for the first thirty who should volunteer for the honor of his native town, in addition to the national, State and town bounties.
Meanwhile, the citizens generally encouraged and cheered on the work. Under all these favorable influences, though the pros- pect "at the front " looked dismal, volunteering proceeded very rapidly, and sixty-one men, about one twenty-fifth of the entire population, were enrolled in a very short time. Men of all ages, from 16 to 61 years of age, volunteered. 1
In the early part of these efforts at enlisting, and preparing sol- diers for the service, in pursuance of a call issued by Messrs. Charles H. Webb and Willis A. Strong, Representativs from Woodbury ; Almon B. Downs, Representative from Southbury ; Henry J. Peek, Representative from Bethlem ; and Truman A. Warren, Senator from Watertown; the people of Woodbury and adjacent towns met at the Town Hall in Woodbury, on Friday evening, the 17th August, to devise and adopt some plan of con. certed action for raising men and money in this district, for the war.
1 Mr Ira Thonas, sixty-one years of age, was seized with the patriotic fire, dyed his grey whiskers and enlisted, appearing to be at least twenty years younger.
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The attendance was very large, and the meeting enthusiastic. It was organized by calling Hon. Thomas Bull to the Chair. Robert Peck and Nathaniel Smith were appointed Secretaries.
Dr. Charles H. Webb, on the part of the members of the Legislature who had issued the call, then stated that it was de- sirable that a Committee should be appointed by the citizens of Woodbury and neighborhood, charged in a special manner with the duty of enlisting volunteers, raising money, and correspond- ing with the State authorities, and such organizations as are exer- cising the same functions in other districts. He therefore moved that a Committee of three be appointed by the chair to confer to- gether and report to the meeting the names of five citizens to con- stitute that committee, which motion, being put, was carried, and the chair appointed Daniel Curtiss, Henry Dawson and Robert Peck, as such committee of conference.
Addresses were then made by Abel Benedict, Rev. Charles E. Robinson, Rev. Mr. Silverthorne, Rev. John Churchill, Messrs. W. Cothren, James Huntington, Nathaniel Smith and Dr. S. B. Fair- child, interspersed with songs from Messrs. W. F. and F. A. Walker, and W. A. Gordon, assisted on the melodeon by Miss Cornelia J. Betts, the accomplished organist of St. Paul's.
The committee of conference then reported a list of five names to constitute a standing committee charged with correspondence, enlisting and the raising of money for volunteers, which was unan- imously adopted by the meeting, as follows :- Doct. Chas. H. Webb, W. Cothren, Esq., James Huntington, Esq., Nathaniel Smith, Esq., Reuben J. Allen, Esq.
Whereupon, after voting that a town meeting be held in Wood- bury to lay a tax to support the families of such as volunteer from I the town, the meeting adjourned.
. The Litchfield County Regiment was soon nearly full, and our company was in daily expectation of being called to enter camp at Litchfield, for instruction in the art of war, and, perhaps, to go i immediately to the front. The ladies of the town therefore de- : cided to give them a farewell banquet before they should be called away. The following, from the Waterbury American, printed at the time, gives a brief account of the proceedings on that inter- esting occasion :-
" WOODBURY .- The ladies of Woodbury, with but a few hours previous notice, gave the volunteers of the town a splendid and bounteous farewell supper, at the Town Hall, last Thursday eve-
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ning. Three tables, reaching the whole length of the Hall, were loaded down with edibles, and many bushels more were held in reserve. A finer collation was never served up in old Woodbury. The ladies excelled themselves.
" At the request of the ladies, W. Cothren, Esq., presided, and made a short and touching address to the soldiers, and to the cit. izens, who were to remain behind and do their duty in caring for the families of our country's defenders. The crowd was so great inside and outside of the house, as well as in the second story of the building, that it became necessary to remove a window, and the President and Speakers were obliged to speak from the window- sill. It was estimated that more than half of the adult population of the town, of both sexes, was present.
" After the President's address, eloquent and patriotic speeches were made by James Huntington, Esq., Rev. Mr. Silverthorn, Rev. Mr. Churchill, Deacon T. Minor, and Mr. J. C. Polley, one of the volunteers ; who, after alluding playfully to the fact that neither he nor his friends considered himself a publie speaker, nor a poli- tician, but simply a polley-citizen, made a feeling address to his comrades, who were going forth to the war with him.
" The Woodbury Quartette Club and String Band discoursed eloquent musie during the evening, under the direction of Mr. Wm. Walker. Rev. Mr. Robinson, of the 1st Church, who was unable to attend on account of illness, sent in a kind note to the volunteers, enclosing thirty dollars for the war fund. The ladies offered a series of resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the meeting, with ' three cheers and a tiger' by the volunteers. Thus passed the largest and most enthusiastic meeting ever held in Woodbury, composed of its own citizens alone.
" The following Resolutions were offered by the Ladies of Woodbury, on the occasion :- .
" Resolved, That in this great emergency of our country, our hearts, hands and voices shall unite in aiding the good cause for which our true-hearted men are struggling, and that though our hearts shall beat tumultuously as we bid our dear ones 'farewell, (for awhile,) that they shall still beat time to the music of the Un- ion ; and though our hands do tremble, they shall be firm when they point to the 'Starry Flag,' and that should our voices be faint, they shall gather strength as they cry 'God speed and God bless the volunteers.'
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" Resolved, That while we remember those who are departing, we will not forget those who remain behind. That the lame, the halt and the blind shall be tenderly cared for, and that we pledge ourselves to do our utmost to check the alarming epidemic which has invaded these hitherto healthy regions !
Resolved, That to those who, through real inability, or for some allowable reason, cannot go forth to do battle for their country, we respectfully suggest that the Lord loveth a free giver, and that their purses should grow lean in the service of such as are leaving families, who must depend upon Woodbury for aid. Greatest favors thankfully received. Postage Stamps a legal tender. .
" Resolved, That we form ourselves into a Home Guard, and that we will frown upon all expressions of Secession sentiment ; that we will hold ourselves insulted by a sneer at our Country, her Flag, or against those who are rising in her defense; that we will comfort the afflicted, care for the infirm, clothe the poor, send our volunteers substantial reminders of home, and, in short, turn our hands to whatever may be needful; even to gathering the crops, foddering the cattle, or protecting ourselves.
" Resolved, That, with a firm faith in God's goodness, and in the belief that ' He doeth all things well,' we commit to His care and keeping, our Country, and these her brave defenders who meet with us to-night; that our prayers shall ever ascend in their behalf; and that we will petition that those who wear His armor may keep it untarnished, and that such as are going forth without, may, through His grace, receive it ere long, burnished, and without a flaw.
" Resolved, That to such as are about to leave us in so holy a cause, we offer our sympathy, respect and thanks, and that our de- sire is, that in camp or battle-field, when God, their country and their loved ones are in their thoughts, we, too, the Ladies of Wood- bury, may find a place amongst the remembered and the loved."
" At 8 A. M., on Sunday, Col. Wessells arrived in town, and or- dered our volunteers immediately to Camp at Litchfield, pursuant to an order from the Governor by telegram. In the space of four hours, the volunteers were gathered from all parts of our valley, and marched into the grounds of W. Cothren, Esq., where a bountiful collation was immediately improvised by the Ladies. After this part of the proceedings was concluded, earnest and ap- propriate remarks, conched in tender, affectionate and cheering
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words, were made by Rev. Mr. Robinson, of Woodbury, and Rev. Mr. Lobdell, of Warren. After prayer by Mr. Robinson, the vol- unteers filled the carriages provided for them, and were escorted by many of our citizens to camp. The sound of the fife and drum, breaking the stillness of the Sabbath, was a strange sound to the ears of the present generation, residing in our quiet old valley."
It was indeed a strange scene for old Woodbury, that was be- held that bright and beautiful Lord's day. Col. Wessells did not send, but came himself. He had been notified by a telegram from Gov. Buckingham to gather his regiment together at the earliest moment, and all supposed that they would be called to the field of strife immediately. Special prayers were offered in all the church- es for the success of the canse, and the safety of the loved ones so soon to leave us. In all the churches, also, the afternoon ser- vice was omitted, and all assembled at the grounds of the writer, to make arrangements for transporting the men to Litchfield, and to see in what way they could cheer and speed on the parting volunteers. It was indeed a strange scene for that peaceful Sab- bath day-the hurrying to and fro to collect the soldiers, who were scattered to their homes, not expecting a call so sudden ; the shrill sound of the fife, and the rattle of the drum, as the sounds re-echoed over the silent hills, the tears of husbands, wives, child- ren, now separating to meet they knew not where-all filled the mind with inexpressible and unwonted emotions. And thus they parted from our beautiful valley, and followed the path of patri- otic duty.
This was on the 24th of August, but, contrary to expectation, they were not called to leave Litchfield for the defenses of Wash- ington, till Sept. 15th, 1862. While at Litchfield, the regiment encamped .on a hill east of the village, and called their camp Due- ton, in memory of Lient. Henry M. Dutton, who had marched with Woodbury's first Company, the Valley Reds, and gave up his life in the great cause of his country, at Cedar Mountain.
" And so the 19th was encamped. In order to raise it, Litchfield County had given up the flower of her youth, the pride and hope of hundreds of her families; and they had by no means enlisted to fight for a superior class of men at home. There was no supe- rior class at home. In moral qualities, in social worth, in every civil relation, they were the best that Connecticut had to give. More than fifty of the rank and file of the regiment subsequently
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found their way to commissions, and at least a hundred more proved themselves not one whit less competent or worthy to wear sash and saber, if it had been their fortune. It was the intelligent obedience, the soldierly bearing, the self-respect, the faithfulness, the wounds and blood of the enlisted men of the 19th Infantry, afterward the 2d Artillery, that averted defeat or secured victory for the cause of the Union upon more than one desperate field, and that purchased stars for more than one pair of shoulders.
The raising, fitting out, and marching of the regimeuts to the several positions assigned them in the field, were substantially alike, and the history of one is the history of all. Yet, they possess a thrilling interest to every thoughtful mind in the land. The writer therefore believes that he cannot devote a few pages of this work to a better use, than by giving an account of the march to Washington of our County regiment, containing in its ranks the last full company raised by the town during the rebel- lion, substantially as related to him by one of the Field officers of the regiment. 1
"On the 11th Sept., 1862, the 19th Regiment of Volunteers, containing eight hundred and eighty-nine men, in the undress uni- form of U. S. soldiers, were drawn up by companies, each in its own street, in Camp Dutton, Litchfield, Conn. Besides these, many hundred, men, women and children, thronged thither, not however attracted, as usual, by the stirring scenes of military duty-the flutter of flags, screaming of fifes, rattle of drums, ring- ing orders quickly repeated, and the swift evolutions of the drill, sights and sounds hitherto so unaccustomed to eye and ear in this peaceful land-but evineing, by the deep solemnity of their de- meanor, a graver purpose than mere curiosity. The spectators mostly gather in the vicinity of the Adjutant's tent, ou the Field and Staff street. There, a slight, young West Point officer, wear- ing the single bars of a Ist Lieutenant, and holding in his hand a statute-book, stands in the midst of the Regimental officers, closely watched by all. At a word from the Colonel, an orderly departs with a message, and a moment after Company A is seen advancing. At the moment its center is opposite the Lieutenant, it halts, fronts, dresses, and from a roll in his possession that officer calls the names on his list. Finding the proper number present for duty,
1 Lieut. Colonel Nathaniel Smith, of Woodbury, who went out as Major of the Regiment.
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at a given signal, cach man removes his cap, and stands with right hand uplifted, while the Lieutenant quietly, but distinctly, reads the oath of service for three years, or during the war, and closes the book. Caps are replaced, hands lowered, the command from the Captain, Company A, right-face, forward and file left, march. That is all.
" Yet in this short ceremony, as it continues through company after company, is that which none can witness without profound reflection, deep emotion !
"These men were not educated from youth to look on the sol- diers,' as the only manly occupation. Yet, what nation of war- riors, by birth, tradition, occupation, ever dared to trust the fidel- ity of ranks mustered with such simple forms.
" Among the Romans, not to be a soldier was not to be a man. Yet the legionary took the vow of fidelity in the presence of bleed- ing victims, sacrificial incense, and as a part of the solemn wor- ship of the sacred standard. Even the poor gladiators about to slaughter each other in the mimic contest of the Arena, or the lake, first moved by in front of the imperial throne, to receive from the divinity thereon a consecrating nod in return for their sad salutation, 'Cæsar! we who are about to die, salute thee.'
" Yet in the Roman ceremonial was involved not one tithe the change which this short, military form wrought in these citizens of our land. A moment ago, and these men were protected in life and limb, as well as restrained from acts involving death, by the awful sanctions of vigilant laws. The oath is taken, and now the same government commands and obliges them to suffer mutilation and death, or else inflict them. Hitherto, theirs has been unre- strained liberty to go and come at will. Now, the attempt to do so would involve imprisonment, or loss of life. They have always sought happiness in such manner as they preferred. Now at the the choice of another, weariness, hunger, thirst, disease, discom- fort, awful labor, scenes of horror untold, must be their experi- ence. Always, as citizens, they have exercised control in the af- fairs of the nation, as participants in the sovereign authority. No one might command more than they. So now, in a moment, this imperial right is laid aside, and instant obedience, without ques- tion or hesitation, even to the laying down of life, at the orders of authorities whom they have not chosen, is duty not to be avoided.
" These are but a few of many changes that might be enume-
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rated, known, foreseen by the men who came so sadly, company after company, and took the vow of service, no one shrinking from the irrevocable step ! Nor does the Government feel that any cere- mony is necessary to impress on their minds a sense of the sol- emn duty undertaken. Where hearts are already consecrated, words are of small moment. The work is done in the will. These nine hundred are here because the Liberty and the land they love are in danger, and they are impelled by irresistable impulse to fly to the rescue. Only as soldiers can they help, and the oath which was made a sacrament to the Roman, that the fear of sacrilege might bind him, may safely be a mere uplifting of the hand, when but a mark of admission to a coveted duty, as in the case of these nobler hearts and purer souls.
" But, though short and simple, considered as the consummating act of self-dedication to the service of mankind-is there, can there be -- among the vicissitudes of human life, a scene more gloriously sublime than this? Surely not, if we except the one where man proclaims his repentance toward, and trust in God. And even there we may recall, that the same authoritative voice that said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind and with all thy strength, did not separate from it the words, 'and thy neighbor as thyself.'
" That day, then, the 11th of Sept., 1862, which witnessed the mustering of the 19th Connecticut, should it not, as year after year it recurs, be fragrant with memories of their patriotism and I devotion ? Shall not all generations hold the sod on which the sons of Litchfield County devoted themselves to Liberty, as con- secrated ground? And the mighty hill on whose summit, with uplifted hands they offered the sacrifice of their lives for their
1 countrymen, shall it not thenceforth and forever be deemed a high and holy altar ?
" Muster over, the four succeeding days (how swiftly they past), aside from drill, were one continuous bidding good bye. Yet the morning of the 16th Sept. found thousands gathered in and around the camp, for a last and then a final, and yet another fare- well. In the tents and in the streets, what swarming of the lov- ing that were to remain around the departing loved ones ! I saw not a few pale faces wearing a forced smile, that promised tears to come-young hearts beating high with excitement and hope --- grey heads sad with forebodings!
"Suddenly, from the Adjutant's tent comes the signal ot prepa-
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ration. On all sides a hurried parting, last kisses of wives, moth- ers, sweethearts. The fathers or brothers hands grasped firmly for an instant, on all sides earnest requests to write-write as soon as you get to-write daily-write everything as it happens at home -don't forget to write. - God bless you-Don't fear for me- Don't forget me-Be a good boy-Hark ! the stern command, ' fall in Co., &c.'-hurriedly the knapsack is thrown on-never again to be so heavy, especially after musket, bayonet, ammuni- tion, rations, now wanting, are added-the roll calls resound from every quarter, as the Adjutant, our active Deming, swiftly moves down to the parade, accompanied with markers, right and left gen- eral guides, and band. There is a neighing of horses in the street beyond the line officers tents, where Field and Staff are mounting. The markers and guides are set, defining the line, at a signal from Deming. The music strikes up. From all the company streets is heard the cautionary command, followed by the emphatic march ; then ten Companies issue simultaneously, swiftly, from the camp, moving hither and thither, for a moment in seeming, but pictur- esque confusion. Suddenly, order comes out of chaos, as each one drops into his place in line; there are successive orders of right dress,'left dress, front; then guides, post, and the markers run the guides and retire to their posts behind the line. The Lieut. Colonel, who is to command, appears in front, is saluted, salutes in return, and draws his sword. At a notification from him, through the Adjutant, a company accompanied by the color ser- geants, marches to the Colonel's tent, receives the beautiful State and U. S. flags, received a few days before from the hands of Hon. W. Curtiss Noyes, a gift from his beautiful wife. Meantime, the Adjutant has taken his post on the right, the Major acting as Lieut. Col., in the rear of the center of the right wing, and a death like stillness pervades the long, motionless line. What thoughts are crowding those throbbing veins ? Softened in the dreamy haze of a sweet autumnal day, the massive rock-crowned hills and lovely valleys of the Switzerland of Connecticut, visible for many many miles, from this lofty camp ground, seem in harmony with thoughts of only beauty, peace, repose. Yet who in that silen battalion does not foreknow full well that to hundreds now stand ing there, this must be the last earthly view of home and native land ? Who does not ask himself, 'Is this for me the last ?' Bn fife and drum denote the coming of the colors. A murmur of de light accompanies them, even now, as they pass, and the multi
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tude notes their exquisite beanty. When next, something less than three years from to-day, they shall return to Litchfield, they shall be blood-stained, and their matchless embroidery shredded and rent by shot and shell. On the lines they mark a thousand men of Connecticut are hereafter to shed their blood !
" The escort passes in front of the center, and the rolors come forward and halt. The Colonel commands present arms, and turning about, salutes them. The band executes three rolls, and then the color-bearers take their place in center and front of the color-guard. The escorting company moves swiftly and silently to its vacated place in the line, which it occupies. The final mo- ment has come. Col. Kellogg's clarion voice rings out, Battalion, Right-F-a-c-e, Major, Adjutant, Sergeant-Major repeating. Hearts beat high along that line ; each holds his breath in anticipation of the next order, which is to open the campaign, so momentons to those who are to obey, pregnant with honor, wounds, with death to so many in that line .- The drummers hold their sticks suspend- ed, to strike exactly at the completion of the order. Every ear istens to catch the executory order, that all may move simultane- ously. The Colonel rides down to the head of the column, (we are to move by the right flank,) and pausing, gives the prelimi- ary command, ' Column FORWARD,' repeated as before. Then, ifter a quick glance down the line, to see that all is ready, snaps ot the HAR R, which is military for ' March'; instantly, each cap- ain reëchoes it with energy, the drums and fifes strike np-each eft foot moves as though the regiment were obeying a single im- bulse, and in beautiful order the 19th has entered on that long eventful march, whose last step shall be executed by less than :00 of these eight hundred and eighty-nine.
" The march from camp to the depot of the Naugatuck Railroad, ccomplished, the horses placed on cars provided for them, the ien seated on the train, and all in readiness, the bell rang its war- ing, the whistle gave notice, and amid the cheers of thousands, he waving of handkerchiefs and roll of drums, our journey tow- rd Dixie began, as gaily as it drearily ended. Each town, each illage and hamlet gave ns an ovation, differing one from another, ot in enthusiasm, but in size only. The whole line of the road bemed to wave and flutter with flags. At Waterbury, Bridge- ort, Norwalk and Stamford, thousands assembled to bid us God- beed. Ladies brought refreshments, or threw flowers, or waved
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handkerchiefs. - Truly, this kind of heroism proved quite a pleas- ant thing.
" But ere we arrived in New York, our eyes were a little open- ed to the reality of the change in onr circumstances. We were used to riding in first-class carriages, on express trains, if we pre- ferred it. Now, however, "'twas little joy, to find " ourselves treated as freight ! To see free people ride gaily by, while we were switched off the track to let them pass-to wait an hour at an obscure station, expressly to clear the track for an accommoda- tion train-truly ours were the vexations cars ! Slower and slow- er we crawled along, seeing the afternoon wear on, the sun go down, and night shut us in from all gaity, and encouragement, until, hungry, weary, and cast dowu, we landed in upper N. Y. city, late in the night. This kind of heroism proved not quite a pleasant thing.
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