USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 5
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There were never records available as .to Dartmoor prisoners nor of the Americans held in other English prisons, but scores of sailors belonging
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD
to New Bedford and neighboring towns were taken from merchant ships and either forced into the British service or confined in English prisons for refusing to fight against their own flag. There were confined in Dart- moor prison fifteen men. There also died at the same prison place, seven men. There were many New Bedford men in the army and navy, but no company was recruited entirely from the village. A number of citizens ex- empt from military duty organized themselves into an independent com- pany under Captain Robert Taber and Lieutenant Haskell. This company was later commanded by Captain John Avery Parker, later president of the First National Bank of New Bedford. But the end was near, and on De- cember 24, 1814, a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent between the United States and Great Britain, a bond that has stood for over a century, although sometimes sorely strained; and now the two nations have recently been engaged in the World War as allies. If New Bedford, like all New Eng- land, had been lukewarm in supporting the war, she was most energetic and vociferous in welcoming peace. It was eleven o'clock on Monday night, February 21, 1815,; when Alexander Townsend of Boston rode into Bedford village with the glad tidings of peace. In a few moments church bells were clanging, the news spread quickly, and the whole town was alive with demonstrations of joy.
The celebration of peace and the birthday of Washington, February 22, 1815, was a notable day. The flags of the United States, England, France, Portugal, Denmark and Sweden, flew from buildings and ships, the bells continued their clamor of praise and thanksgiving, salutes were fired, and in spite of its being stormy, the people gave themselves to the full enjoy- ment of the day. The celebration culminated in the evening with a grand display of fire-works, transparencies, and illumination of the town, the houses of Bedford village and Fairhaven being brilliant with lighted can- dles in the windows. 'Mid the roar of cannon and peal of bells and the dis- charge of fire-works, the celebration came to an end and the people retired to their homes conscious that an era of prosperity was at hand. Though the wheels of industry had long since ceased to move, the fleet that had brought prosperity was gone, shops and ship-yards were closed and the port closed against every enterprise, provisions were high and but little money in circulation, hope ran high, and that this spirit of optimism was justified results quickly proved. The paralyzed industries quickly recov- ered ; shops, rope-walks, riggers, lofts, and ship-yards sprang into being and fairly hummed with activity; the wharves were alive with the fitting-out of ships, and the "Mercury" that had for many months been bare of mari- time news was soon recording the arrival and departure of a goodly fleet of vessels, and prosperity followed.
The Civil War .- Whatever may have been said concerning lukewarm- ness in military affairs in New Bedford priod to the Civil War, it must be placed to her credit that in that war for the Union of States she was never lacking in patriotism. In response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, it was only four days after Fort Sumter was fired upon before this place saw 3,200 men (1,110 more than quota called for) taking the train for the seat of war. Home defense was immediately undertaken by putting Fort Phoenix in good order, and for the erection of a land battery at Clark's Point which mounted three twenty-four pounders.
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The Ladies' Soldiers' Relief Society was formed, and work at once com- menced; the reports show that this society donated in cash over $20,000; in cotton goods and flannels $4,000; and in hospital stores $6,000. Among the items these ladies furnished the boys at the front during that long drawn-out war may be noted: 5,904 flannel shirts, 3887 pairs of drawers, 4,573 pairs of woolen socks, 1,790 towels, 94 coats, 76 waist coats, 1,837 pocket handkerchiefs, 368 cravats, 314 dressing gowns, 679 pairs of slippers, 265 pairs of woolen mittens, 524 blankets, 515 sheets, 678 pillows, 758 quilts, 988 canes, and 1,280 woolen undershirts. In addition, $500 was given by a lady to pay soldiers' wives for sewing. Mrs. Joseph Delano was president of the society, organized April 11, 1861-remember the date-Mrs. Lawrence Grinnell, vice-president; Mrs. William Eddy, secretary-treasurer. The city authorities were most generous in financial support of all true war meas- ures, and gave every aid possible, freely and promptly. Companies A, Cap- tain Henry F. Thomas; B, Captain William S. Cobb, and C, Captain George A. Bourne, were formed for home defense; and an artillery company was organized under the command of General James D. Thompson to garrison the forts, an appropriation of $5,000 being made for the support of the home and coast guard. July 10, 1862, $7,500 was appropriated to establish a general hospital for the sick and wounded soldiers, "provided the govern- ment should decide to locate one here." A bounty for volunteers was fixed at $100 for each volunteer for three years' service, and $26,000 was appropri- ated for this purpose. August 15, the bounty was increased to $250, and $20,000 set apart for its payment. August 29, $200 was offered for nine months men, and $25,000 was appropriated for this expense. October 21, $5,000 additional was voted for the home and coast guard, and a further appropriation of $20,000 made for the bounties. This was increased in December to $26,000. During the four years' war this city expended $125,495.85 for the support of the families of volunteers, and in addition $177,000 in other ways on account of the war. A wonderful record indeed. July 4, 1866, impressive ceremonies were had at the cornerstone laying for a soldiers' monument, which was dedicated later.
As in the Revolution and War of 1812, New Bedford suffered great losses to her marine industries, and for the third time now saw her vessels swept from the seas by enemy ships. The whaling fleet suffered heavily, the privateer "Alabama" in particular creating sad havoc. Of the forty- six vessels destroyed, twenty-five were from New Bedford. The estimated value of the whale ships destroyed was $1,150,000 and of oil, $500,000.
Coming now to speak briefly of the brave men who entered the Union army from New Bedford, let it be said that thirteen different commands- regiments or companies-went forth with representatives from this city. They are as follows :
Field and staff officers of Third Massachusetts Regiment; also line officers, Com- pany D, 23rd Massachusetts Regiment, saw hard service, for on its flags were in- scribed these battles-Roanoke, Newbern, Rawles Mills, Kinston, Goldsboro, Wilcox Bridge, Newton, Smithfield, Hackman's Farm, Arrowfield Church, Drury's Bluff, and Cold Harbor. It was mustered out at Readville, July 12, 1865.
The Fifth Battery was the outgrowth of the military company organized at New Bedford for coast defense in the summer of 1861. Most all of the officers were New Bedford men. Max Eppendorf was captain when it left for the front. This was one of the fighting units of the Army of the Potomac, and took part in such awful en-
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD
gagements as Yorktown, Hanover Courthouse, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Run; and was mustered out June 12, 1865.
Company I, 33rd Regiment, was recruited from New Bedford, Colonel A. G. Magg commanding. The regiment was mustered in, August, 1862, and mustered out July 13, 1865.
Companies E, F and G, Third Regiment, were mustered from New Bedford. This regiment saw hard service, but never complained, though marching under the sun when the temperature read 107 in the shade, and again when water froze in their canteens. They were discharged at Boston, June 22, 1863.
Company A, 41st Regiment, was raised in New Bedford in August, 1862, largely composed of New Bedford men. They were mustered into service in November, with John F. Vinal as captain. They were furnished cavalry equipment May 11, 1863, by a special order and created a permanent regiment, and for the rest of the service were known as the Third Massachusetts Cavalry. They were mustered out in May, 1865, taking part in the Grand Review at Washington. Other than the original soldiers in this regiment were retained longer and sent to Kansas and Nebraska for frontier service, but were discharged in October, 1865. Captain Vinal was promoted to lieu- tenant-colonel in 1864. On the regimental flag was inscribed the names of battles: Irish Bend, Henderson Hill, Cane River, Port Hudson, Sabine Cross Roads, Muddy Bayou, Snag Point, Bayou de Glaize, Yellow Bayou, Opequan Creek, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.
Company D, 47th Regiment, was recruited in the autumn of 1862 for nine months' service, and was largely from New Bedford. Austin S. Cushman was major. This regiment was mustered out September 1, 1863, having been on service at New Or- leans chiefly.
The 54th Regiment was the first regiment of colored troops to be raised in the State, and was commanded by Robert G. Shaw, whose monument now stands on the Common at Boston. Company C was recruited from New Bedford, and forty-six men were from the city. The captain was James W. Grace. They served well and were honorably discharged on Boston Common, September 1, 1865. It was during the assault on Fort Wagner that Sergeant William H. Carney, of New Bedford, seeing the regimental color bearer disabled, threw away his gun, seized the colors, made his way to the head of the charging column, and after the charge, although shot twice, brought the colors back and proudly proclaimed, "The old flag never touched the ground boys!"
Company B, Third Regiment, Heavy Artillery, was raised in New Bedford in the spring of 1863, and with eight other companies were detailed for garrison duty at Massachusetts coast forts. The captain was John A. P. Allen. It was finally on duty in defense of the National capital. Captain Allen was promoted to major. The regiment's record reads, "executed their duties fearlessly and well."
Company B, Fourth Regiment Cavalry, was largely composed of New Bedford men, and went to the front commanded by Captain George R. Hurlbert. The regiment acted well the part of brave men and were mustered out November 14, 1865.
The last infantry regiment mustered into the United States service from Massa- chusetts was the 58th, the organization being completed April, 1864. It was largely composed of men who had seen former service in the Civil War, and was largely veteran. Company E was raised in New Bedford, and left for the front in command of Captain William E. Mason. Few regiments rendered more loyal service or suf- fered more. The regimental colors bear the names of many battles, and in sundry engagements having lost many of their original number. Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, all come into the list where these brave veterans fought. The regiment paraded in the Grand Review at Wash- ington, May 23, 1865, and was mustered out at Readsville, Massachusetts, July 26.
The 15th Unattached Company was raised in New Bedford and mustered into the hundred day service, July 29, 1864. The captain was Isaac C. Jennings. The company served in the seacoast forts of the State and elsewhere until mustered out, November 15, 1864.
In addition to New Bedford sending more than her quota to the army, she also sent 1,336 men into the navy. Scores of New Bedford men found their way to service
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in the Atlantic and Gulf squadrons under Dupont and Farragut. When the "Cumber- land" was sunk in Hampton Roads, the last shot fired at her destroyer, the "Merri- mack," was fired from her after pivot guns, Lieutenant William R. Randall, of New Bedford, being one of the officers in charge of those guns. A moment after the last shot was fired, the "Cumberland" sank, with her colors flying-a monument to the brave men who fought their guns against an impregnable floating fortress until the waves swept over them. Acting Ensign John P. Zettick, of New Bedford, went down with the monitor "Tecumseh" in Mobile Bay, April 5, 1864, but escaped drown- ing, he being an expert swimmer.
The Story of the Stone Fleet .- Many a New Englander has seen the lithograph entitled "View of the Stone Fleet which sailed from New Bed- ford Harbor November 16, 1861." These pictures are growing scarce, and before Time obliterates all of them, this record should be made to perpetu- ate the meaning of the "Stone Fleet."
Late in 1861, the first year of the Civil War, one of the chief annoy- ances to the Federal cause was the constant blockade running into and out of southern ports. With all the watching on the part of our navy that might be imagined, still the swift running boats of the Southern Confed- eracy would frequently get through the narrow channels and land war supplies for the Southerners and take out exports for foreign trade. Some genius of the Navy Department finally evolved the plan of sending down a fleet of stone laden vessels and sinking them in the inlets, thus closing the channels. This scheme was adopted by assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox, who put the plan into speedy operation. Bids were re- ceived and contracts made for ships and stone. New Bedford, for obvious reasons, became the rendezvous for the vessels thus purchased. One reason for making New Bedford the headquarters was that within her harbor were many old whaling crafts that had necessarily gone out of business and could be bought by the government cheaply. Richard H. Chappel, of New Haven, was under contract to furnish forty-five vessels. New Bedford fur- nished him with twenty-four.
The work of assembling this stone fleet occupied two months, and the New Bedford wharves were alive with gangs of men engaged in fitting the vessels for their final voyage. As vessels returned from their last voyage, they were sold to the United States, with all their whaling gear aboard. The Bartletts bought all vessels offered them. The prices paid varied from $3,670 to $5,500. James Duddy furnished all the stone needed to load the boats. Every farmer in the nearabout country might have been seen drawing stone for the cargoes soon to be sunk to the bottom of Southern waters. Holes were bored in the sides of the ships just above the water- line, and into these holes were affixed neat fitting plugs so arranged that when they were needed to be pulled to let water in and aid in sink- ing the boat, it could be quickly accomplished. The entire Stone Fleet was in anchor on the morning of November 15, 1861, and the crews were all aboard. The signel gun was fired, anchors weighed, and the fleet passed out and down the bay. The commanders' "sealed orders" were not opened until the 21st, and then it was found the fleet was ordered to Savannah, there to report to the commodore of the blockade squadron. Captain J. M. Willis, the last surviving captain of the Stone Fleet, over eighty years of age, with a fine memory, kindly narrated the story from which these facts have been gleaned.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD
The second Stone Fleet was sent from New Bedford on December 9 of the same year. The two united before they went into actual use in stopping the channels and inlets of the southern streams into which the boats were finally sunk. This was indeed a novel war measure.
Spanish-American War .- New Bedford's interest in the Spanish- American War was not only that of preparedness and loyalty to service, but even in a more material way, for it had to do with that of coast defence and the part of the fortified coastwise city in the exigencies of the war. E Battery of the Second Battalion was off for service promptly at the call on April 26, 1898, and assembled with the other batteries at Fort Warren, in Boston harbor. Mass meetings, held that very evening both in New Bedford and Portsmouth, protested against the condition of the defences at both points. May 6, Lieut. Lyon with a detachment of thirty men from the batteries of the Second Artillery at Fort Adams, Newport, R. I., was ordered to the fort at Clark's Point, New Bedford, later to be named Fort Rodman. On May 30, G and L Batteries, with Lieut. Paine, range officer, and Lieut. Bryant, assistant surgeon, were ordered to report to Lieut .- Col. Woodman, to take station at New Bedford, and the lieutenant-colonel and his command left for New Bedford on June 1. The post then to be gar- risoned was known as Fort at Clark's Point, the ground for its construction having been broken in 1857. Before the War with Spain, a solitary ord- nance sergeant formed the garrison at the post, and so continued up to the . time of the arrival of Lieut. Lyon on May 6, 1898.
The batteries of 1898 set to work and brought the fortifications up to date in every respect, and when they marched out September 19 that year, they left behind a fort that was a model of neatness and readiness for action. By general order from army headquarters, July 23, 1898, the post officially was named Fort Rodman, in honor of the memory of Lieut .- Col. William Logan Rodman, 38th Massachusetts Infantry, who fell at the head of his regiment in the assault on Port Hudson in 1863. There is little to be recorded either here or at Fort Warren outside of garrison routine. The battery, its officers and men, were ready for duty, and alert for whatever call. They were "at the front," and having received honorable discharge papers November 4, 1898, received also the endorsement of the faithful soldier.
The muster-roll of E Battery, was as follows: Captain, Joseph L. Gibbs; First Lieutenant, Harold C. Wing; Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Fuller. First Sergeant, Charles E. Anthony; Sergeants, Herbert N. Peck, Ernest L. Soule, John C. Spooner, Ambrose F. Merchant; Corporals, John C. De Wolf, Edwin H. Burt, Charles E. Gelette, William G. Wood, John Q. Adams, James Aikin, John Lafferty; Musician, David J. Price; Privates : Alexander A. Aikin, William Almond, Jr., Frank L. Aurelio, Edward A. Baker, Eugene Barneby, James A. Brown, Herbert N. Brownell, Oliver M. Brownell, Charles W. Christopher, Michael Conroy, Bernard Devlin, Harry C. Ellis, Miles H. Fay, Bartholomew P. Furey, Patrick F. Garvin, Walter C. Gelette, Melatiah T. Gibbs, William H. Green, Clinton T. Hersey, Albert R. Hill, Raymond Hunt, Nathan G. Jenney, John P. Kennedy, Arthur J. Lagasse, James L. McCann, Walter H. Merchant, Jr., D. William Murphy, William Nelson, Edward J. Rourke, James J. Shiels, James Smith, William Smith, Jr., Charles E. Soule, John W. Spencer, James H. Sullivan, George
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W. Swain, Michael H. Thompson, Norris H. Tripp, Samuel Turner, Jr., Waldo A. Wade, John R. Walsh, Robert R. Welch, John F. Winn, Edward A. Gifford, Jesse F. Crapo.
The World War .- Let us reiterate, here, as elsewhere, regarding the story of the World War, that it cannot be completely told in a volume de- voted entirely thereto, so far as New Bedford is concerned, at least at this hour, when so many are living today who were concerned in so many move- ments for the success of the war, and with so many committees of service clamoring to be heard and represented in such a book, to say nothing of this single chapter that is devoted to the recounting of the essentials of the united endeavor. The city splendidly, thoroughly, proved its patriotic capa- bilities and readiness, even before the beginning of the war, and long after the close of hostilities. Approximately 5,600 men went into the service from Greater New Bedford, and today there are 196 names on the Memorial Tablet in the Library.
Men and women gave to the last dollar, or very close to that ulti- matum, in order that the Allies might rise superior to the Central Powers, such statistics as the following, that relate to Greater New Bedford, in- cluding the towns of Fairhaven, Dartmouth and Acushnet, being recorded as the noblest money pledge and fulfilment that this section had ever been concerned in for any purpose: In the five Liberty Loans, the total amount raised was $33,960,150, the quota of $25,908,000 being exceeded by $8,052,- 150. The first loan result of April, 1917, amounted to $5,092,650; the sec- ond,-of October, 1917, was $7,801,700; the third,-of April, 1918, was $5,- 829,700; the fourth,-of October, 1918, was $8,767,000; the fifth,-of May, 1919, was $6,469,100.
The funds for various war purposes raised in Greater New Bedford were as follows: War Chest, $1,300,000 collected; $1,500,000 subscribed, and the number of contributors was 45,000. The Salvation Army raised $5,000; the Y. M. C. A., $100,326; Armenian-Syrian Relief committees, $9,530; Red Cross, $32,850; Hebrew Relief, $30,000; Knights of Columbus, $33,000; War Camp Community committees: $5,000. Grand total, with War Chest fund, of $1,518,706.
About 10,870 male citizens of New Bedford were required to register under the conscriptive law, and from that memorable day, April 6, 1917, there was a continuous outpouring of men, by companies and small groups to the various camps to which they were assigned. The eloquence of the four-minute men incited them, to relinquish home ties for the new and un- known line of duty; the great patriotic parades, in one of which more than 20,000 people took part, thrilled the city with its spectacle; the planting of gardens and the giving over of eight acres to that purpose by the Morse Twist Drill Company became a widespread movement in patriotism; the announcement of the emergency committee's map for the preparation of a definite scheme of action proved a valuable basic affair for many further plans of action; the work of the food administrators, of the Board of Commerce, of the newspapers, of the churches and fraternal orders, the merchants, and scores of other agencies were at one in the forwarding the great event to success. Three clergymen went from here to the war, notably Rev. John B. Devalles, Rev. Osias Boucher, and Wil- liam E. Patrick .- Father Devalles paying with his life as a result of his
Drawn by J W. Barber-Engraved by S. E. Brown, Boston SOUTHEASTERN VIEW OF NEW BEDFORD IN 1860
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD
devotion. The local doctors and lawyers were second to none in their loy- alty, both in the war and during the epidemic, which disaster took nearly 700 by death here.
Wartime Agencies .- From the beginning to the close of the war, the Committee of One Hundred was distinctively New Bedford as to its methods and its personnel, for the maintenance of the cause of democracy. Organized February 17, 1917, just before this country started in to aid the Allies, its function from the first proved to be that of a clearing house of ideas and plans for the safety of New Bedford and its vicinity; and an agency for bringing the voluntary efforts of citizens and patriotic organiza- tions into harmony with the more official plans of the authorities. Com- mittees were appointed by four departmental chairmen to investigate what was needed to be done, bring together the people interested in a given problem, formulate plans of action, and get all the cooperation necessary to execute the plan. The personnel at the start consisted of the following- named: Executive Committee: Honorary President, Mayor Charles S. Ashley; president, Thomas S. Hathaway; vice-president, James P. Doran; secretary, Wilfred H. Chapin; treasurer, Harry C. Robinson; Rev. Wil- liam B. Geoghegan, Charles M. Carroll. Education, Rev. William B. Geoghegan, chairman. Domestic Economy and Food Conservation-Dr. Anna Croacher, Miss Mildred G. Horne, Miss Lillian E. Harris, Mrs. Charles A. Macomber, Miss Helen P. Kempton, Miss Gertrude Wilson; Patriotism -- Charles N. Serpa, E. H. Choquette, Rev. Hugo Dylla, Allan P. Keith, Samuel Barnet; sanitation, Dr. Willim A. Neild, Dr. John G. Hatha- way, Dr. Edwin P. Seaver, Cooper Gaw, George A. Hough, Dr. G. De N. Hough; Thrift-H. C. Robinson, George M. Kingman, Henry W. Taber, George H. Batchelor; Physical Efficiency, George T. Ferguson, chairman; physical training-Frederick C. Hill, Edward H. Gifford, John C. Gorner, Walter Pollard, Robert Sibor; military drill, William O. Devoll, Thomas Brady ; medical examinations, Dr. Arthur V. Pierce, Dr. Edmond F. Cody ; walking clubs-Fred W. Greene, Jr., Albert W. Keane, David M. Cheney ; dental examinations, Dr. Ned A. Shockley, Dr. A. L. Shockley; recruiting, Major Joseph L. Gibbs. Social service, Wilfred H. Chapin, chairman; first aid-Morris R. Brownell, Mrs. W. A. Robinson, Jr., Mrs. Lawrence Grin- nell, Miss Ruth R. Hawkins, Dr. E. D. Gardner, Dr. Charles M. Atchinson, Dr. Edward W. Young, Dr. R. G. Provost, Dr. James M. Bonnar, Dr. L. G. Barron, Charles R. Tasker, Daniel Pearson, James K. Gregory; Y. M.
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