USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 9
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trimmed with bell buttons from the bottoms to the hips, the caps were bound with red morocco and varnished and other- wise "ornamented as a committee chosen might think proper." The officers of the company were chosen a com- mittee for that purpose.
In the first constitution and by-laws adopted by the com- pany appears the following : "Article XII. In order to en- force the principles of military subordination the senior of- ficer present at any meeting of the company shall be mod- erator, and strict obedience shall be paid to his command, in debate as well as in military manœuvres, and the members of the company do pledge themselves to support their officers in the discharge of their duty on all occasions, and to dis- countenance all improper conduct that any member of the company may discover towards either of them or any of the members ; and as this company has associated not merely for the purpose of parade and ostentation, but to form a corps at all times prepared to resist sudden invasions and repel in- ternal commotion, it is expected that every member will hold himself ready at a moment's warning ; and whenever ordered that he will instantly repair to the rendezvous appointed by his commanding officer, with a heart resolved to support at all hazards his country and the government which protects him, and that unless commanded he will never quit his standard till freed from it by an honorable death."
That there was something more than sentiment in taking this pledge is proved by the fidelity with which it has been kept.
The first public appearance of the Fusiliers in their new uniforms was July 4, 1817, on the occasion of the presenta- tion of a standard by the ladies of Fitchburg. The presen- tation speech was made by Miss Sarah Richardson, and replied to by Ensign Johnson. The account of the celebra- tion, together with the pair of white kid slippers worn on that occasion by Miss Richardson, has been presented to the relic-room of the Wallace Library and Art Building by her son, Mr. R. W. Kendall of Boston.
On the occasion of a muster at West Boylston, Oct. 7,
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1841, the company on its return marched through Lancaster and Lunenburg, and, according to the records of the com- pany, "upon entering the latter village, about five o'clock in the afternoon, they met with a warm reception in the persons of some of their own townsmen, who had hastily formed themselves into a company and come down for the purpose of taking the Fusiliers, and marching them in triumph to Fitchburg. Although they fought valiantly, like men, yet like the heroes of Bunker Hill, being out of ammunition, they were compelled to surrender : but unlike them, they re- tired more covered with mud than glory. The company voted not to go home till morning and were accommodated with hot coffee, and so forth, by Captain Putnam." Some of our present substantial citizens, who were then little boys, who had voluntarily escorted the company down, well re- member their return from Lunenburg, late that night, through the dense woods and drenching rain, without the military escort they had so confidently anticipated.
About a week previous to attending the muster, the Fusi- liers, then under command of Captain James Putnam, were presented with a new standard, purchased by the ladies of Fitchburg. The presentation speech was made by Miss Louisa Beckwith, for the ladies, and Ensign Edwin Upton responded in behalf of the company. After the reception of the banner the Fusiliers escorted the ladies to the Fitchburg Hotel, where a collation was prepared, at the expense of the company, by Landlord McIntire.
The banner bore upon one side the motto : "United by duty, to defend the right; presented by the ladies, September, 1841." Upon the same side stands the goddess of liberty by the side of a bust of Washington, with her extended hand holding a wreath in the act of placing it upon the immortal hero, who rests upon a monument upon which is engraved the majestic eagle protecting the emblem of union. On the other side is "Fitchburg Fusiliers, Instituted, Dec. 14, 1816," with a bold representative of the aborigines of our country standing in the centre, dressed in his native costume, resting one hand upon his bow and holding in the other his chosen
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arrow, while apon one side is exalted the horn of plenty and above rests unsheathed the sword of Justice. On the staff is mounted the eagle, with his folded wings, in wakeful com- posure.
After the exercises the Fusiliers in the evening, by re- quest attended a lecture, in the Second Parish meeting house, by John Hawkins, the celebrated temperance lecturer.
The commanding officers of the Fusiliers previous to the close of the Rebellion were John Upton, elected Feb. 3, 1817 ; Alpheus Kimball, Sept. 20, 1819; Levi Pratt, May 15, 1823 ; Robert Sampson, Jr., March 27, 1826; Stephen T. Farwell, July 5, 1827 ; Levi Downe, April 16, 1831 ; Dr. Jonas A. Marshall, Jan. 21, 1832 ; Horace Newton, May 12, 1838; John Caldwell, Sept. 14, 1839; James Putnam of Lunenburg, July 5, 1841 ; Edwin Upton, March 11, 1843 ; Alfred White, Feb. 28, 1849; A. R. Ordway, April 13, 1850 ; Joseph Wood, April 19, 1851 ; John W. Kimball, Feb. 24, 1855; James A. Cunningham, Feb. 3, 1858. Captain Cunningham when in the Fusiliers lived in Lunen- burg. After the close of the war, Dec. 17, 1866, he was com- missioned major general; was adjutant general of Massa- chusetts from Dec. 17, 1866, to close of 1878, and is at present governor of the Soldiers' Home at Chelsea. John W. Kimball, elected Jan. 7, 1860 ; Clark S. Simonds, appointed Aug. 1, 1861, killed in the battle of An- tietam, Sept. 17, 1862 ; John Markland, appointed Sept. 18, 1862, killed at Gettysburg, July 4, 1863 ; Charles H. Eager, appointed Oct. 15, 1862 ; James May, appointed May 22, 1863 ; Eugene T. Miles, elected May 10, 1862 ; George G. Nutting, elected March, 1863, killed at Fort Bisland, La., April 13, 1863 ; George H. Bailey, elected May 21, 1863, wounded May 25, 1863, during the siege of Port Hudson, died May 27; Jerome K. Taft, elected June 10, 1863, wounded in the assault on Port Hudson, June 14, died July 3, 1863.
As will be seen the Fusiliers lost five commanding offi- cers during the war, and it is rather a remarkable fact that the last three named, Nutting, Bailey and Taft, were each in
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turn killed before their commissions as captain reached them.
The history of the Fusiliers, from 1861 to 1865, is given in the "sketch of Fitchburg in the War of the Rebellion." It may not have been generally known that the Fusiliers and the Leominster Co. A. were designated to be attached to the 6th Regiment for the purpose of going to Washington, but the Stoneham Light Infantry and one other company were for some reason assigned their places in the regiment.
After the war the Fusiliers were reorganized, with John W. Kimball as captain, and called the 50th Unattached Com- pany of Infantry. They were afterwards attached to the Ist Battalion Infantry, Ist Brigade, and designated Co. B, the same as before and during the war. The commanding of- ficers of the company, since the war, have been John W. Kimball, elected April 12, 1865; G. E. Goodrich, II. G. Greene, G. E. Goodrich, George Burford and T. W. Shel- don. The Ist lieutenants, E. T. Miles, G. L. Lawrence, R. O. Houghton, H. E. Caswell, A. R. Fitts, H. A. Willard, G. A. Bailey, W. F. Page : 2d lieutenants, Merrill Carleton, H. S. Hitchcock, H. C. Cheeney, Orlando Wetherbee, J. L. Peavey, F. E. Bruce, B. G. Bagley, F. A. Greer.
The present officers being Tristram W. Sheldon, cap- tain ; Walter F. Page, Ist lieutenant. and Frank A. Greer, 2d lieutenant.
THE WASHINGTON GUARDS
were organized in July, 1855, on petition of Charles H. Foss and fifty-nine others. The first meeting for the choice of officers was held at the American House Hall, Thursday evening, July 19. The following officers were elected : Captain, John B. Proctor ; Ist lieutenant, Hiram P. Minot ; 2d lieutenant, Charles II. Foss; 3d lieutenant, Oscar A. Battles ; 4th lieutenant, Varius Stearns. July 25, the by- laws drafted by a previously appointed committee were adopted, and July 26, the name of Washington Guards was adopted. A committee on uniforms, consisting of T. B. Choate, John B. Proctor, Charles H. Foss, H. P. Minot, I.
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C. Wright and O. A. Battles, was chosen and after several weeks' consideration a uniform was adopted by the company. The cap was of cloth, smaller at the top than at the base, and surmounted by a blue pompon ; pants and coat dark blue, with epaulettes ; patent leather body belts and webbing cross belts.
The first muster attended by the "Guards" was held Sept. 12, 13, and 14, in West Brookfield. In February, 1859, the company purchased seventy bear skin caps and in August following a supply of fatigue caps. After the opening of the war, in November, 1862, they removed their armory to the American House Hall, where the last recorded meeting was held, April 1. 1864. There seems to have been so few mem- bers remaining at home that the meetings were given up and the company lost its organization. The bear skin caps, which had originally cost the company nearly four hundred dollars, were left, practically, without owners, in the garret of the American House Hall, and were after a time appropri- ated and made up into sleigh robes by outside parties. Soon after the close of the war, August 23, 1866, a company was formed largely through the efforts of Richard Tucker, whose name appears frequently on the records of meetings in 1862 and 1864. This company was composed entirely of members of Taylor Union and was called the "Union Veterans ;" Hiram P. Minot was captain. Sept. 11, 1868, by a vote of the members, the name of the company was changed from "Union Veterans" to "Washington Guards," the present organization, and designated Co. D, 10th Regi- ment, M. V. M.
The commanding officers of the "Guards" have been as follows : At the organization of the company, Captain John B. Proctor, who was succeeded by Captain Jonas Corey, Dec. 13, 1856. May 5, 1860, Colonel Edwin Upton, who had previously commanded the old 9th Regiment Mass. Vol- unteer Militia for several years, was elected to succeed Captain Corey and was captain of the "Guards" at the break- ing out of the war, when he was commissioned the first colonel of the 25th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry.
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The "Guards" formed the nucleus of six companies for the war and their captains were as follows : Theodore S. Foster, Co. D, 21st Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry ; Charles H. Foss, Co. F, 25th ; Thaddeus L. Barker, Co. A, 36th : Jonas Corey, Co. B, 53d (9 months regi- ment) ; Levi Lawrence, Co. F, 57th ; Eben T. Hayward, Co. H., 4th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.
As before mentioned Hiram P. Minot was captain of the "Guards" when the name was restored and the permanent organization effected in 1868. Sept. 7, 1869, George A. Whitcomb was elected captain ; Aug. 14, 1873, William Ewen ; March 22, 1875. Frank W. Bigelow ; May, 1876, Henry McGrath ; April 16, 1877, John H. Kirby; 1882, T. H. Shea ; 1885, F. S. Lynch ; 1886 to present time, John H. Kirby.
The present officers of the company are : captain, J. H. Kirby; Ist lieutenant, James F. Shea; 2d lieutenant, John King.
CAPTAIN JOHN B. PROCTOR, the first commissioned captain of the Washington Guards is a native of Charlestown, Mass., where he was born in 1824. His parents moved to Lunenburg in 1826, where he lived until 1844, when he was appointed purchasing agent of the Vermont and Massachu- setts railroad, with his office in Gardner. In 1851, he en- gaged in the wholesale flour and grain business in Fitchburg. In 1858, he was elected superintendent of the Middlesex railroad in Boston ; in 1873, was appointed by Governor Washburn a justice of the peace for all the counties in the state. In 1864 he was appointed by the president a commis- sioner to examine the Union Pacific railroad, which required making several trips across the plains to California.
He engaged in the real estate business, as broker and auctioneer, in Fitchburg in 1868, and remained in that busi- ness until he removed to his present home in Jaffrey, N. H., in 1881. He was at one time president of the Worcester North Agricultural Society. He is now proprietor of the Proctor House, situated on the pleasant southern slope of Monadnock Mountain.
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COLONEL EDWIN UPTON, commissioned the first colonel of the Massachusetts 25th Volunteers, was born in 1815, in Fitchburg. Mass. By trade he was a mason, but for a number of years before the breaking out of the war was largely engaged in the lumber trade, in which he accumu- lated some property. Under the administration of President Lincoln he received an appointment in the Boston Custom House, which he held and surrendered at the time of receiv- ing the commission as colonel. For twenty-five years he had been actively connected with the Massachusetts Militia, receiving regular promotion from a private to the rank of colonel of the Old Ninth Regiment. He had held that com- mission with great credit to himself for a number of years, bringing the regiment to a high degree of military perfection, until it ranked as one of the best militia organizations in the state. At the breaking out of the war, he was captain of the "Washington Guards."
Before leaving for Worcester, to assume his command, Colonel Upton received a valuable testimonial from his townsmen, in the shape of a fine horse and set of equipments, and was subsequently presented by his brother officers at the Custom House, with a complete set of regimentals as an ex- pression of their regard. On account of his health Colonel Upton was obliged to tender his resignation on the 28th of October, 1862, much to the regret of his command, and all who had the welfare of the regiment at heart. On his retir- ing he was presented by the enlisted men of the regiment with a beautiful sword, belt and sash, costing one thousand dollars.
After the recovery of his health he was again appointed to the Boston Custom House, as storekeeper of the ap- praisers' store. He resigned that position that he might accept appointment as keeper of the jail at Fitchburg. In the discharge of his duty, while superintending the blasting of rocks upon the jail grounds, a premature explosion occa- sioned such injury that he has since been totally deprived of sight.
Col. H. G. Greene.
Surgeon, Chas. H Rice.
Maj. Thos. H. Shea.
Capt. T. W. Sheldon.
1st Lieut. W. F. Page.
2nd Lieut. F. A. Greer.
Col. Edwin Upton.
Capt. John B. Proctor.
Capt. J. H. Kirby.
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SIXTHI REGIMENT INFANTRY, M. V. M.
The "Old Sixth" Regiment needs no other eulogy than its history. From the time when it received its baptism of blood in the streets of Baltimore, to the end of its second campaign, the same spirit of patriotism pervaded its ranks, and ever and always it could be depended upon for prompt and efficient service.
The headquarters of the regiment are in Fitchburg and our city is well represented in the list of its officers. The companies arranged in battalions are as follows : F, Marl- boro ; I, Concord: L, Boston ; M, Milford ; E, Ashburn- ham ; B, Fitchburg ; D, Fitchburg ; K, Clinton ; G, Lowell ; C, Lowell ; H, Stoneham : A, Wakefield.
The officers of the regiment are Colonel Henry G. Greene, Fitchburg ; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Parsons, Marlboro; Majors-Charles F. Woodward, Wakefield ; Thomas H. Shea, Fitchburg ; George H. Chaffin, Grafton ; Adjutant (rank Ist Lieut.) George Burford, Fitchburg ; Quartermaster (rank Ist Lieut. ) Ambrose M. Page, Marl- boro ; Surgeon (rank major) Charles H. Rice, Fitchburg ; Assistant Surgeon (rank Ist Lieut. ) William M. Hoar, Lowell ; Paymaster (rank Ist Lieut. ) Lewis G. Holt, Law- rence ; Chaplain George R. W. Scott, Fitchburg ; Inspector, Rifle Practice, F. H. Parker, Ashburnham.
COLONEL HENRY G. GREENE, present commanding of- ficer of the 6th Regiment, has for several years been connected with the state militia, having been present at nine- teen successive annual camps of the state militia. In July, 1862, he enlisted from Southbridge as a private in the 34th Massachusetts Regiment and received his discharge in February, 1864. For a year following his discharge from service he had charge of the dispensary of the Readville Hospital in this state, and in 1865, went into a drug store in Fitchburg, where in 1868, he succeeded to the business. In 1867, he enlisted as a private in the Fitchburg Fusiliers and was afterwards promoted to corporal, sergeant and first
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sergeant. He was commissioned second lieutenant in 1871, first lieutenant in 1873, captain in 1875, and was elected major, Dec. 10, 1878. That year the militia was re- organized and the 10th regiment was swept out of existence and Major Greene was transferred to the 6th Regiment as major, and upon the election of Colonel Smith M. Decker he was chosen lieutenant colonel. May 16, 1884 he was elected colonel.
In 1878, Colonel Greene received the appointment of deputy sheriff from General A. B. R. Sprague, which office he still retains.
IN THE REBELLION.
Fitchburg has a war record of which every citizen may justly be proud.
A community which sent nine companies into the field during the war, which promptly filled its quotas under all calls, and then had seventy-five men to its credit, above all demands upon it, has a record well worth preserving and it is gratifying to every patriotic citizen to know that such a work was undertaken and most faithfully written while the scenes and events of the war were yet fresh in the minds of all. We refer to the book entitled "Fitchburg in the War of the Rebellion," by Henry A. Willis, adjutant of the 53d Regiment, from which volume we select, by permission, some interesting facts and incidents for this chapter.
The opening scenes of the Rebellion are well remem- bered by those of us who were living at that time. The secession of the southern states, the attack upon Fort Sumpter, its gallant defence by Major Anderson and the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers opened all eyes to the fact that war, so long feared, so much to be deplored, so uncertain in its duration and consequences, was at last upon us. Who will ever forget the excitement of that memorable day ; the prompt response of Governor An- drew to the president's call and his order for several regi- ments to proceed at once to Washington. We had at that
REV. G. R. W. SCOTT, D. D., Chaplain 6th Reg., M. V. M.
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time two companies of militia in town : the "Fitchburg Fusi- liers," Captain John W. Kimball, and the "Washington Guards," Captain Edwin Upton, both of the old ninth regi- ment, which had but three other companies. The com- manders of these companies reported their commands ready to go forward at once, if called upon. All was excitement ; little business was done : people gathered on the street cor- ners with saddened hearts, but with determined looks, discussing what might next occur. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday passed and Friday, the ever memorable nine- teenth of April, came. Late in the afternoon the wires flashed the news of the attack in Baltimore, as follows: "The sixth Massachusetts regiment is now fighting its way through Baltimore, four men have been killed, many wounded, and the fighting is still going on." What a shock it gave us ! What patriotic heart does not remember its impulses as the terrible truth burst upon him that our own Massachusetts soldiers had indeed become the first victims of this wicked outbreak. Next morning's papers gave full particulars, and a meeting was held, that same afternoon, to see what this town would do towards sustaining our government in its hour of trial. Alvah Crocker, Esq., presided, and opened the meeting with a few eloquent and patriotic remarks and was followed by several other gentlemen, after which resolutions were presented to meet the emergency and unanimously adopted.
The excitement had become intense and almost painful. All felt that there was now one duty above all others de- volving upon every loyal man ; to give personally a full and hearty support to the government by all means within our power. The next day was Sunday, the first Sunday in war time. The services in the churches were of a patriotic nature, but the day was not altogether a quiet one. Notes of preparation were heard, and many of our ladies were busy in preparing clothing for the brave men who stood ready to go at a moment's warning. On Saturday, the twenty-seventh of April, the town voted unanimously to appropriate ten thou- sand dollars for the benefit of the soldiers. The "Fusiliers"
9
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and "Guards" had recruited their companies and they had a grand parade and drill. The Leominster company marched up and joined in the exercises. The preparations went forward. The ladies took hold of the sad but patriotic work and held meetings at the armories of the soldiers to pre- pare bandages, clothing, etc. The physicians of the town met and voted to tender gratuitous professional services to the families of the soldiers of the town while engaged in the war. Only two of their number are now engaged in the pursuit of their profession, to-day, Drs. Jewett and Colony.
Thursday, May 16, was a great day in Fitchburg. The High School and Day street schools had procured flags which were thrown to the breeze amid booming of cannon, music and the shouts of the people. The same evening wit- nessed an interesting scene in the town hall, which was densely crowded. Hon. J. W. Mansur, who was one of our leading manufacturers at that time, presided. He opened the meeting with a few well chosen remarks, defining our duties as citizens in the crisis. At the close of his remarks one of the school girls stepped forward with one of the flags, and ad- dressing Captain Kimball of the "Fusiliers," presented it to his company, expressing the hope that if called upon to bear it to the field, they would stand by it to the last. Captain Kim- ball responded eloquently on accepting it for his command. He caused his men to swear that it should never trail in the dust, while a single arm was left to uphold it. He spoke of the scenes through which the banner had passed in the Revo- lution, and of the defeats and victories of that and subsequent wars. "Emblem of liberty ; if struck down now, the hope of men for free government would be forever extinguished." Another school girl then, in a clear voice and appropriate language, presented the other flag to Captain Edwin Upton, who received it for his command with a few appropriate remarks.
On the eleventh of May the "Fusiliers" voted to volunteer for the war. The "Guards" also began filling up for the same purpose. At last the "Fusiliers" were ordered into camp at Worcester. They left on the twenty-eighth of June
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and their departure was the occasion of quite a demonstra- tion. They were escorted by a company of "Old Fusiliers," men from forty to sixty years of age, who had served in its ranks in bye-gone days. At half-past ten the procession marched into the town hall where their friends had met to bid the "boys" good-bye. Speeches were made by Hon. Alvah Crocker and others, and each member of the company was presented with a copy of the New Testament by the clergymen of the city. The soldiers were then vaccinated gratuitously by Drs. Jewett and Hitchcock. Prayer was of- fered by one of the clergymen, after which the company was escorted to the Fitchburg Hotel to partake of a dinner which was provided for them by the citizens, subsequent to which the procession was again formed and marched to the Wor- cester railroad depot, followed by an immense crowd of citizens. Here many affecting scenes took place, the tender parting of the soldiers with their friends, (alas! to many the last on earth) the final starting of the train amid the huzzas of the multitude, made the scene one long to be remembered. As the train moved slowly away, the band played sadly and slowly the old familiar air "Auld Lang Syne."
And so left us our first company of Fitchburg men for the war. Did it occur to any of us that this noble company of young men, the pride of our hearts and homes, were leaving us for three long years of hardship and suffering, and, that ere their return, should see thirty-three of their number killed or dead from disease contracted in the service, while two-thirds of the remainder should have been wounded, many maimed for life? Such was the tale, and such is cruel, heartless war.
The first company actually raised and accepted from this town, under the call of the president, for three years troops, was recruited by Captain James Savage, Jr., of Boston, who was well known by many of our citizens. His company was attached to the second regiment. His record is a short but noble one. He was promoted to major, in June, 1862, wounded at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 6, and died in a Rich- mond prison the nineteenth of September following. His
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