USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Dracut > History of Dracut, Massachusetts, called by the Indians Augumtoocooke and before incorporation, the wildernesse north of the Merrimac. First permanment settlement in 1669 and incorporated as a town in 1701 > Part 14
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In this critical period Dracut again showed her loyalty to the Commonwealth and three bodies of soldiers marched from the town to the scene of conflict. "Lieut. Israel Hildreth fur- nished clothing provisions and cash when Generals Shepherd and Lincoln needed such for the soldiers of Dracut that marched toward Worcester for the suppression of domestic rebellion. He advanced money to Capt. Moses Nowell to repay him 'for clothing, cash and provisions the latter had let the soldiers have on Nov 12 1787 that went into the service of the government
163
SHAY'S REBELLION
last winter.' " [Reed's "Hildreth Family."] March 24, 1787, there was an article in the town warrant "To see if the town will make a grant of twelve shillings to each non commissioned officer and soldier who exhibited a specimen of their readiness to obey the calls of their country in lending their aid in the sup- pression of the lawless hand of tyranny by their laudable ex- ample in voluntarily turning out and enduring the fatigues of a winter campaign with the Honorable General Lincoln in the in- clement season of the winter past." No report is given of the action taken in respect to this article. Details relating to the part taken by Dracut in this campaign are difficult to obtain, but there are enough to attest the loyalty of Dracut men and their readiness to assist in the suppression of lawlessness and violence.
There appears on the town books the record of an oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth signed by 22 of the leading men of Dracut. The same patriotic spirit animated these men as when, twelve years before, they stood on Bunker Hill and they now showed their loyalty to their principles.
"Dracut Middlesex Co. Mass April 2 1787. We, the sub- scribers, do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify and declare that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is and of right ought to be a free, sovereign and independent state; and I do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the said Com- monwealth and that I will defend the same against traitorous conspiracies and all hostile attempts whatsoever, and that I do renounce and abjure all allegiance, subjection and obedience to the King, Queen or government of Great Britain (as the case may be) and every other foreign power whatsoever ; and that no foreign Prince, Prelate, State or potentate hath, or ought to have, any jurisdiction, superiority, prominence, authority, dis- pensing or other power, which is or may be vested by their con- stituents in the Congress of the United States. And I do further testify and declare that no man or body of men, hath or can have any right to absolve or discharge me from the obligation of this oath, declaration or affirmation, and that I do make this acknowledgement, declaration, denial, renunciation and abjura- tion heartyly and truly according to the common meaning and
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HISTORY OF DRACUT
acceptation of the foregoing words without any equivocation, mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever.
So help me God."
Joseph B. Varnum
Peter Parker
William Hildreth
Stephen Russell
Thomas Hovey
Josiah Hildreth
Israel Hildreth
Benjamin Stevens
Parker Varnum
Thomas Coburn
James Varnum
James Harvey
Bradley Varnum
Richard Hall
Joseph Varnum
Samuel Barron.
Jonas Varnum
Some of these renewed their oaths of allegiance in 1788 and 1790 with additional names of David Blood, Micah Hildreth, and John Gilchrest. Such a declaration made by the most prominent men of the town, many of them having been in the service during the War of the Revolution, conveys to us, their descendants, a knowledge of the high spirit of patriotism which animated them in times of peace as when in the conflict of war. A list of the soldiers from Dracut and vicinity who served in Shays' Rebel- lion is appended.
MASS. ARCHIVES, VOL. 192, PAGE 165. Capt. Joseph Bradley Varnum's Company, Col. Woods' Regiment.
J B Varnum
Captain Jeremiah Abbot
Private
Timothy Jones
Lieutenant Benja. Abbot
Peter Haseltine
Benaijah Burns
66
David Reed
Sergeant Reuben Butterfield
66
Phillip Butterfield
David Bacon
Oliver Coburn
Moses Cheever
David Harvey
66
John Coburn
Nathaniel Fletcher Corporal
William Cauldwell
Moses Coburn
Moses Dunsmore
Jona. Willson
Leonard Fletcher
Oliver Mears
William French
Nathl. Cummings
Fifer
Samll. Fletcher
SHAY'S REBELLION
165
Saml. Griffin
Private Augustus Lund
Private
Eliphelet Ginnins
66
Leonard Parkhurst
Daniel Gould
Abraham Parker
Joseph Harvey
Henry Farwell 66
Phines Hall
66 Heman Richardson
Ferenton Hawk
66
Jonas Robinson
Jebez Hollis
Amos R. Sawyer
Hutchenson Ingols
66
Abner Stearns
Moses Jones
Edward Stearns
Timothy Jones Jr.
66
Ebr. Varnum
Amos Kenney
66
Abiel Wood
Henry Kneeland
66
Daniel Whitney
Timothy Jaquith
James Whitney
Richard Mears
66
Eliakim Wood
Zebadiah Mears
Richard Winship
MASS. ARCHIVES, VOL. 192, PAGE 164. Capt. James Varnum's Company, Col. Henry Woods' Regiment.
James Varnum
Captain John McClening Private
Proctor
Lieutenant Saml. Cummins
Abel Adams
Thomas Chambelain
Ephm. Jones
Sergeant
Nathl. Chamberlain
Benja. Butterfield
Dudley Davis
Oliver Peham
Joseph Emerson
66
-Jeremiah Werren
Benja. French
Jesse Stevens
Corporal
John Farmer
Asa Coburn
Ezekiel Frye
John Massey
Reuben Gould
Silas Parker
Timo Howard
John Taylor
60
James P. Hovey
Saml. Abbot
Private
Oliver Jones 66
Nehemiah Abbot
Stephen Kemp
Danl. C Abbot
66
William Mears
66
Oliver Adams
66
Abel Marshel
Benja. Adams
Robert Mears
66
John Butterfield
Leonard Parker
.Joseph Bradley
James Parkis
Josiah Barker
60
Amos Prescot 66
Oliver Corah
Tilly Parker
166
HISTORY OF DRACUT
Reuben Richards
Private Jacob Spaulding
Private
Saml. Richardson
Zebulon Spalding
Saml. Stevens
Isaac Taylor
Aaron Spaulding
66 Stephen Wilson
Levy Spaulding
Dennis Lain
Henry Spaulding
Willard Marshel
MASS. ARCHIVES, VOL. 191, PAGE 224. Lieut. Benjamin French's Company.
Benjamin French
Lieutenant Isaac Bradley Private
Daniel Varnum
Ensign John Parker
Saul Coburn
Sergeant Joshua Thissell
66
Henry A. Hovey
Moses Hale
Parker Varnum
Private Phinehas Whiting
William Hildreth Jun
The total number of soldiers was 119. Of these, 25 names appear on the Roll of Honor as serving in the War of the Revo- lution and 43 are known to have been residents of Dracut. The name of Brig. Gen. Simon Coburn of Dracut is found in list of Officers in 2d Brigade. Ezra Foster, who came to Dracut in 1836, served in this war.
THE WAR OF 1812
The second war with Great Britain was not popular in New England. To some extent the people of these states considered it unnecessary, while from the nature of the cause of the war they were the ones to suffer most by the destruction of business owing to a great extent to blockades. There was not the hearty response from the town which was shown in previous and later wars, but it was represented.
In the war rolls of the Adjutant General's office the places of residence are not specified, so the names of Dracut men can- not be given.
June 22, 1812, the following action by the town is recorded, "Voted up to those soldiers that have volunteered themselves or have been detached to march in Defense of their country if called for, the sum of twelve dollars per month including what sum of money the Government gives them per month for so long a time as they shall be in actual service."
167
SHAY'S REBELLION
Apr 4 1814, "Voted to find Powder and Balls sufficient for every soldier within the said town liable to do military duty, and have the same deposited in the Town stock to be delivered by the select men."
August 31, 1814, it was voted "to make up to the soldiers last detached the sum of sixteen dollars a month with what is allowed by government." Also "to raise $224 for paying the soldiers who had purchased powder and camp kettles." The next year the same conditions were allowed those who went to Fort Warren. These items of record show conclusively that Dracut men served in this war.
CHAPTER IX WAR OF THE REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS
T HE war which commenced in April, 1861, was not unex- pected by the citizens of Dracut. The war clouds were threatening many months before the storm which for four years raged in the South. Until the elections which were held in 1860 the control of the affairs of government for many years had been in the possession of the Southern states, aided by Northern sympathizers, and slavery which became more odious each year was a powerful factor in the change along political lines. It was evident that the doctrine of States rights estab- lished by Thomas Jefferson, and which had been prominent in political matters, would be replaced by that of Alexander Ham- ilton, who advocated Federal control. The party in control of the government in 1861 was opposed to slavery and the Southern states became alarmed and withdrew from the Union. There could be but one result, war between the North and South, and in the Spring of 1861 the war commenced which was to continue four years.
The citizens of Dracut, many of whom were descendants of those men who had fought to establish our independence, prepared to take their part in the conflict and on May 6, 1861, assembled in town meeting, "To see what action if any the town will take in relation to the alarming state of affairs which seri- ously imperils the perpetuity and liberty of our beloved coun- try." Eighty-six years had passed since the Dracut military companies had responded to the call to fight for liberty and freedom from oppression. The militia law, which called upon every able bodied man to equip and perform military duty for a stated time every year, had been abolished. A list was pre- pared of the names of those men who were of proper age and whose physical condition would enable them to serve, but no companies were formed or taught the duties of a soldier as had been done in former years. At the meeting already men- tioned, the town voted "to pay each man who has gone or who
169
WAR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS
may go $10 per month from time of enlistment to time of dis- charge if mustered into actual service." There was no lack of patriotism in the people of Dracut, the able bodied enlisted, money and supplies were furnished, but the lessons governing the art of war must be learned as new conditions presented themselves. Already one Dracut man, Edmund Coburn, had been severely wounded on that memorable march through Baltimore on the 19th of April, 1861, and the sum of $30 had been granted him. He was a member of the same company with Ladd and Whitney who fell by the hands of a mob that day. The Mass. Register for 1862 records that "he was a farmer's son marching in the rear rank. He was hit on the head with bricks and a minie ball passed though his body. He felt no pain at first, but the wound bled. He struggled to keep up with his company by hopping along; but finding it impossible to do this, he fell out of the ranks, and someway succeeded in getting through the crowd into a store. He felt the ball which had passed through his body, breaking some of the bones, going down his leg into his boot. When he took off his boot the ball dropped out and he picked it up, expressing a desire to keep it. Some one asked to take it for a moment and it was never returned."
The vote passed on May 6th was rescinded and a vote passed to equip a company in Dracut. This was also rescinded, as it was found that the Dracut men were enlisting in companies raised principally in Lowell, and as some preferred to perform duties in the navy, while others desired service on land, a com- pany formed for any particular service would not receive a suit- able number of men and this vote which was accompanied by an appropriation of $2,000 was also rescinded.
As the war progressed a bounty of $125 in gold was paid each man to fill the quota assigned to each town. Although for obvious reasons no companies were formed as at the time of the Revolution, the citizens were loyal and contributed freely of their substance and rendered aid to the families of those who had enlisted. The women were active in raising money by means of fairs and sent boxes to the soldiers containing comforts not to be obtained otherwise.
A comparison between the conditions which existed at the time of the Revolution and those of the Civil War is instructive.
170
HISTORY OF DRACUT
During the first named war there was no means of transporta- tion, the men marched to the scene of conflict as is shown by referring to Micah Hildreth's diary found on another page. Food and clothing were conveyed by ox and horse teams for their support. Couriers were the bearers of messages from headquarters to the regiments in remote places, the muzzle loading musket with its flint lock required a powder horn, bul- let pouch and extra flints to be carried, the facilities for the relief of the sick and wounded were crude and the transmission of letters was unreliable. At the commencement of the Civil War the steam roads conveyed the soldiers quickly to their destination with ammunition and other supplies, the telegraph was in operation, the more modern rifle with cartridge was in use, skillful surgeons and nurses employed and hospitals pro- vided while the work of the post office was reduced to a system.
LIST OF SOLDIERS FROM DRACUT
Atis E. Ansart
Horace A. Burroughs
Benjamin F. Ansart
Charles W. Butler
Freeman H. Butler
Edward Bahan
Brooks Butterfield
Kirk H. Bancroft
George B. Butterfield
Frank M. Bassett
Edward Butters
Gershom C. Bassett
Horace Butters
George Bean
Thomas Callon
John Carney
James Birmingham John Blake
Harvey B. Chase
Edward Bliss
Appleton F. Cheever
Orford R. Blood
Oliver Cheever
Ira Bowers
Thomas Church
James Boyd
Henry Clair
George Boyle
Wardwell Clough
William Braniger
Timothy Clark
Owen Brannan
Addison G. Coburn
Roscavius Brown
Albert N. Coburn
William Buck
Charles Coburn
Edward Burns
Edmund Coburn
Martin L. Bassett
171
WAR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS
Edward Coburn Frank Coburn
George A. Coburn
John P. Fitzgerald
Nathaniel P. Ford
Peter W. Ford
Darius F. Fuller
Charles Gilmore
Byron H. Griswold
Charles Green
David H Goodhue
William B. Goss
Isaac B. Gould
Herbert M. Hall
Joseph Hallowell
Garrett Conlon
James Cox
Albert Hamblett Arthur Hamblett Benjamin S. Hamblett
Henry M. Hand
Calvin Harris
Samuel N. Harris
John Hirwin John M. Hodge
John H. Housler
Edwin Hovey
James K. Howard
Asa Howe
Augustus M. Jones James Jones
John D. Jones
Gardner M. Dean
Gordon M. Dean
William Dillingham
Daniel Donohoe Patrick Donoghue William H. Dorr Dennis Doyle John Duncan Timothy Dunn
Henry M. Everest
John Q. A. Ferguson
George H. Coburn Howard Coburn James M. Coburn Orin G. Coburn Oscar Coburn
Russell Cochran John H. Colburn William Cochran Charles C. Colton John J. Colton Michael Costello John Cogan
Charles Crandall
Dennis Crehan John Crehan Ira M. Cross George Cumber
Albert O. Davidson John M. Davis Jonathan Davis Martin Davis
Oliver Davis Osgood Davis Thomas Davis
Prescott L. Jones
Michael Kelley George M. Kimball E. F. Kittredge James Lee Charles Lovering Michael Loughlin Francis M. Lunt
172
HISTORY OF DRACUT
Martin Lynch Thomas Lyons
James C. Marshall
Luther M. Marshall Simeon M. Marshall J. P. Maxfield
James McAneny
James O. Sherman
Patrick McCarty
Charles Short
William Mccutcheon
William E. Short
John McDuncan
Charles E. Smith
John McNabb
George Smith
Alonzo J. Melvin
Newton P. Smith
Shapleigh Morgan
Thomas Smith
Benjamin C. Morrison
William H. Smith
Charles Nelson
Franklin G. Norris Coffran Nutting
Alexander Park
Charles H. Stickney
Eugene D. Park
Orrin K. Park
Joseph A. Stuart
George W. Swain
George Short
Nathan Parker
Peter Pendergast
Edward Phipps
John Pierce
Dumlar Ravonpillar John Reall
Philip Ulrick
Albert Richardson
Amos T. Richardson
Charles D. Richardson
Charles H. Richardson
Ephraim O. D. Richardson
George F. Richardson
George Richardson
Henry E. Richardson
Lorenzo Richardson
Luther L. Richardson
Atkinson C. Varnum
John Varnum
Joseph B. Varnum
Charles P. Vincent
John Webb
James Welch
Enos H. Wheeler
John White
Thomas White
Alpheus Parker Moses G. Parker
Daniel Smithson
William H. Snow
John Stackpole
Peter K. Staples
Abel Stone
Andrew W. Thissell
Charles A. Thissell
Joseph Thissell
William F. Todd
Monroe Richardson Silas Richardson Patrick Riley
William Rippman
James Schofield John Shaughnessey
173
WAR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS
James M. Whitney Alexander Wilson
Lafayette Wilson
William T. Wilson Francis E. Wolstenholme Harry A. Wood
INDIAN WARS
The inhabitants of North America, at the time of its dis- covery were called Indians, as the general opinion of that time was that the eastern coast of India had been reached. As the early settlers occupied the land, the Indians retreated toward the West and, naturally aggressive, opposed the march of civi- lization. At the close of the Civil War, steps were taken by the Government to keep them in subjection, by sending troops from the regular army.
Two men, graduates of West Point, served in this war. Philip Reade, born in Dracut, October 13, 1844, was a descendant of the Reades, Hildreths and Coburns, who served in the war of the Revolution. He received the appointment of Lieutenant when leaving the Military Academy and was active in the cam- paigns against the savages. His proficiency in other lines led the government to appoint him to the duty of establishing tele- graph lines across the continent, and later, for several years, he was superintendent of rifle practice. He served in the war with Spain in 1898, being assigned to duty in the Philippines. Pro- moted to the ranks of Captain and Major, his last office in active service was that of Colonel, and he was retired with the rank of Brigadier General.
Charles A. Varnum was born in Dracut and received his instruction in the public and private schools of the town. He was appointed to the Military School at West Point and gradu- ated at the time of the campaigns against the Indians. He was active in the service, being wounded in one of the battles, and after several years of service was retired with the rank of Major.
THE SPANISH WAR
In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed from Palos, Spain, on a voyage of discovery. For several years he had endeavored to persuade the governments of the Old World to assist him to discover a new Hemisphere, but they regarded his belief as visionary. Isabella, then Queen of Spain, rendered the assist- ance needful and by this discovery claimed jurisdiction over the
174
HISTORY OF DRACUT
country. Gradually these possessions were relinquished until only Cuba and adjoining islands remained. These were governed in such an oppressive manner that the United States was com- pelled to interfere and Spain relinquished her claim to the islands. Three young men from Dracut were in the service. Arthur E. Garland, enlisted May 6, 1898, in Co. C, Sixth Regi- ment, and went to Cuba, but his term of service was limited on account of sickness and he was sent home. Eden C. Walker also enlisted and served in the ambulance department. George H. Connell was also in the service and was in the infantry. One other Dracut man took part in this war, although not enlisting from Dracut. This was Joseph G. Eaton, who held the rank of Admiral and commanded the "Resolute," which was engaged in carrying supplies. His body is buried in the Oakland Cemetery.
The women of Dracut have always been patriotic and help- ful in time of war. During the war of the Revolution, the women managed the farms, molded bullets and spun and wove the clothing for the soldiers. In the same spirit the women of the country assisted in the Civil War preparing needful articles for the men at the front and serving as nurses in the hospitals. When war with Spain was declared, the Mass. Volunteer Aid Association was organized in Lowell and the women of Dracut formed an auxiliary association. It was thought advisable to assist by furnishing money and fairs were held for this purpose. The report of the Secretary furnishes information relating to the first public meeting. "The evening of July 21, 1898, the Center Church common was a blaze of light, our national colors were flung to the breeze, and the Star Spangled Banner was sung to a large concourse of people. Friends from the city helped to make the programme of the evening a patriotic entertainment and so successful were we that the sum of $160 was sent to the Association."
Draent men have held high rank in military service, and while reference has been made to some of these, a list will prove interesting.
James M., the oldest son of Samuel Varnum, was commis- sioned a Brigadier-General of the Continental Army, under date of February 21, 1777. On May 10, 1779, he received the com- mission of Major-General of the State of Rhode Island.
175
WAR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS
Joseph B., a brother of James M., a Captain in the Revolu- tion, received the appointment of Colonel of the 7th Regt. Mass. Militia, April 4, 1787. He was promoted November 22, 1802, to the rank of Brigadier-General, and June 12, 1805, received the commission of Major-General.
James Varnum, son of John Varnum, served in the Revo- lution, holding the rank of Captain, dated April 19, 1776, and after the Revolution was Colonel in the State Militia.
Lewis Ansart was Inspector General of foundries for the casting of cannon during the Revolution and held the office of Colonel.
John Varnum, son of Colonel Prescott Varnum, enlisted in 1861, and served through the war, and at its close he retired with the rank of Major. He was afterward appointed Major- General and Adjutant-General of the State of Florida.
In Col. James Varnum's return of the 3d Regt., 2d Brigade, Mass. Militia, the names of Josiah and William Hildreth appear in the list of Captains of companies, and Capt. William after- ward became a General in the Mass. Militia.
Captain Stephen Russell and Capt. Peter Coburn com- manded companies in the Revolution.
Philip Reade entered West Point when a young man and remained in the army until he was retired with the rank of Brigadier-General.
Frederick, son of Bradley Varnum, was Lieutenant in the Navy, serving in 1833 on board the Ship Columbus, and was appointed Commander, March 8, 1841. He was stationed six years in the Mediterranean.
Joseph Sladen served in the Civil War and at its close continued in the service and received the commission of Briga- dier-General.
Charles A., son of Adjutant-General John Varnum, after service in the regular army and taking part in the campaigns against the Indians, was retired with the rank of Major.
The state law requiring every able bodied man to serve a certain number of days in the year in the training field was repealed about 1850 and enlistment in the ranks is now volun- tary, but the companies so formed are subject to the military laws of the state.
CHAPTER X WAR WITH GERMANY AND HER ALLIES
T HE years which followed the year 1913 have wrought stupendous changes, politically, in the countries of Europe and confirmed the truth of the saying that "History repeats itself." From 1871 to the year just mentioned, no wars of any magnitude were waged in Europe. The Boer War in which England was engaged was conducted in Africa, and although the nations of Europe were jealous of each other and held their armies and navies in readiness for action if needed, the country was at peace. From the time of the close of the Civil War in 1865, in America, no war has existed on the American conti- nent (as the Spanish War of 1898 was fought in Cuba and the Philippines), until the present time.
The advancement of civilization, the enlightenment of the mind, the barbarity of war, the perfection to which death-dealing instruments of war had reached, and the long period of com- parative peace had led the nations to hope that the horrors and devastation of war had ceased. Commissioners had met together to discuss disarmament and terms by which this desirable end might be accomplished.
The desire for universal dominion entertained by the Em- peror of Germany had been possessed by others in former years who, having the authority to rule a small territory, desired a more extended sway. Before the Christian era, Alexander the Great aspired to the conquest of the world, but his success led to his downfall and death while in the prime of life. In later times the same spirit was manifested by Napoleon Bonaparte, who, entering military life as a Lieutenant of Artillery, became Emperor of France and endeavored to conquer the world.
The laws of nature and humanity seem to forbid such a concentration of power in the hands of one man, and Bonaparte ended his life on the Island of St Helena, in exile. The Empire of Prussia was nearly surrounded by petty principalities, each governed by princes or dukes, until Emperor William and Bis-
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