History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 72

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 72

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It would seem that many English prisoners came this way, for in 1814, and perhaps previously, the government maintained the prison-ship "Aurora" in the North River, in which many were confined, prin- cipally sea-faring men.

During the war, in addition to the ordinary militia and the volunteer companies of the town there was a company of sea-fencibles, so called, organized and com- posed entirely of masters and mates of merchantmen who were idle, to serve as artillerists or otherwise, as

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the coast was threatened from time to time by British men-of-war.

The venerable William H. Foster, now living, was a member of the cadet company of that day, and was also acting as assistant to the United States provost marshal of the district, in which capacity he took the parole of three English officers, who had been taken in Maine, and reported to be paroled until exchanged. Mr. Foster's youthful appearance, and the easy absence of ceremony in dealing with them, rather astonished the Englishmen, one of whom, a colonel, remarked that it would have taken several British officers to man- age such a matter with them, instead of one young boy. Young Foster looked after them that night, and in the morning they were sent to Andover, where, with others, they enjoyed for a time the good air and ample religious and literary privileges of that hill town, if any there were there then. We were econom- ical of men and means in the prosecution of that war.

Mr. Foster also remembers various alarms, muster- ings and marches hither and thither on various occa- sions. When the frigate " Constitution " was forced to take refuge in Marblehead harbor from a pursuing squadron of the enemy, the company of fencibles dragged their twenty-four pounders over to the shore of that town to play on the enemy in case they should follow her. The English vessels, not being acquainted with the shore and depth of water, did not venture in, and an attack with boats upon a formidable frigate was out of the question, of course.

The next day the "Constitution" was brought around to Salem by Joseph Perkins, the harbor pilot, who died but a few years since, and anchored under the guns of the fort. With the crowd of others from Salem and Marblehead who lined the headlands, Mr. Foster a year later shared in the intense excitement and bitter disappointment of witnessing the combat of the ill-fated "Chesapeake " with the "Shannon," in which our ship was taken but a mile or two off shore.

It is to be regretted that a list of those who served in the army during the war of 1812 from Salem can- not be given, as in that existing at the State house the residences of the men are not given. The num- ber was, it is understood, not large, as the war was not over-popular in this neighborhood, and the tastes of a maritime people led them to seek the enemy on their proper element.

It may not be considered out of place to allude to the services of General Miller, who held a command in this war, and who, though not originally from Salem, was long identified with the town by his resi- dence here. His modest but determined answer to General Scott, at the battle of Landy's Lane, when asked if he could carry a certain position with his brigade, followed by his gallant and successful attack, will ever live in the memory of his countrymen.

The Mexican War called for but few regiments to augment the strength of the regular army. The

names of the few from Salem who served in the Mas- sachusetts regiment of volunteers, commanded by Col. Caleb Cushing, of Newburyport, are to be found in the appendix. This regiment served in the army commanded by General Scott, and took part in the engagements that signalized its resistless march from Vera Cruz to Mexico. If any men from this place joined the so-called New England regiment, it has been impossible to obtain their names.

It is proper to speak of some volunteer militia or- ganizations that have been identified with the history of the town; for without a hearty recognition of the long existence of some of them in the face of many difficulties, and of the services they have directly and indirectly been able from time to time to render, no military record of Salem would be complete.

Incidentally, it may be stated that under the system adopted soon after the Revolution, the entire male population of the State, within certain ages, was en- rolled as a militia, and were liable to be called out by the Governor for service within the State upon any emergency. Meanwhile they were required to attend at certain stated times and places for musters or train- ings in companies, regiments and brigades of local establishment, under officers chosen and commissioned by the Governor. With the heterogeneous mass of raw material that, under this system, were, within the memory of man, annually formed upon Salem Com- mon, under officers for the most part quite ignorant of the simplest requirements of military duty, it is not necessary to trouble ourselves in an article that as- sumes to treat of things military. These gatherings served to amuse the people, and the vanity of many excellent citizens was tickled by military titles that often as ill-fitted their characters as their uniforms did their persons.

Here and there in the State, however, from the be- ginning, there were a few, who, having a real desire to learn the duties of soldiers and to be of some use in case of need, formed themselves into volunteer com- panies by permission of the State, elected men of mil- itary instincts and application as their officers, and in neat uniforms and equipments steadily labored to be as far as possible real and not caricatures of soldiers. They kept alive the germs of the military spirit sown in the different wars, and furnished tactical schools that proved of value when the State or nation re- quired troops for actual service. The superiority of these organizations over the mob of enrolled militia, became ultimately so apparent that Governor Banks, some years before the war, remodeled the entire mil- itary establishment of the State upon the volunteer plan that has endured to this day, and furnishes us with two brigades of fairly instructed militia.

Of the original volunteer companies the Salem Light Infantry, the Mechanics' Light Infantry and the Salem Cadets were among the best in the State.

First parading, July 4th, 1805, under Captain John Saunders, the Salem Light Infantry was from the out-

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set a select body of men, numbering in its ranks in every period some of the most substantial citizens of the town, and actuated always by a strong esprit du corps that told in its invariable excellence in drill and discipline.

It did some slight service as coast guards during the War of 1812, and at the breaking out of the civil war in 1861, went to the front with the Eighth Regi- ment Massachusetts Militia, and served three months. Que incident of this service was its voyage from An- napolis to New York as guard for the old frigate "Con- stitution," which relic of our former naval prowess, the government was determined should not fall into the hands of the enemy. It subsequently served nine months, in 1862-63, as part of the 50th Mass. Militia, in the service of the United States, seeing plenty of warm work in the Department of the Gulf. And in 1864 it again volunteered for another three months' ser- vice. Throughout the war the company was con- stantly sending from its ranks large numbers of men, in the aggregate nearly three times the number it con- tained in 1861, many of whom held commissions.

The war record of this company is remarkable. Doing much service as an organization, and repeated- ly, when at home, filling its ranks and as often de- pleting them in the manner alluded to, it seemed a never failing conduit for the augmentation of our armies in the field. The company still endures with good numbers as a part of the Eighth Regiment Mas- sachusetts Militia, and is a credit to the city.

Older than the organization just described, by over twenty years, the Second Corps of Cadets, originally formed as a company in 1781, under Captain Stephen Abbott, constantly vied with the other in the high character of its membership and in the maintenance of a good state of drill and efficiency. During the War of 1812 it performed similar duty at intervals, and during the War of the Rebellion did three months' duty in the service of the United States. From its ranks went only less officers and men to the active army than from those of its rival. Organized at present as a small battalion of two companies, it presents a fine appearance when on du- ty, and is justly regarded as one of the crack military bodies of the State.

The Mechanics' Light Infantry first paraded under Capt. Perley Putnam, July 4, 1807. As its name im- plied, it was composed originally of young mechan- ics and was always a most excellent company, as it is to-day, although its numbers are somewhat reduced from what they should be. It went to the front with the Fifth Militia Regiment in April, 1861, for three months; and few companies have ever had fuller ranks than it showed on that occasion.

The Salem City Guard, organized about 1848, was said to be a good company in its prime, though it no longer exists. Certainly its old members may feel that though dead, it is on the field of honor, as it is the only militia company of Salem that enlisted as

such for the three years' service in the War of 1861. It died as a militia company, to become a part of the Fortieth Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, where it saw plenty of service.

The Salem Artillery, a company organized in 1787, and two juvenile organizations formed of boys under eighteen, the Washington Rangers and the Washing- ington Blues, both first parading about 1807, were short-lived, neither surviving after about 1815.

The three companies of militia above spoken of as now existing in Salem, do not stand merely as relics of the past, like the Ancient and Honorable Artillery of Boston, but are essentially military in character, and to be relied upon for any necessary service. In the case of the Light Infantry and Cadets, the commemoration of their past glories,-their historical department, if it may be so described,-is well cared for by their respective veteran corps, that turn out in large numbers on all anniversaries and other festive occasions with side arms and impressive chapeaus, and in the customary closing exercises of the day, in- dulge in much jovial reminiscence and display con- vivial talents of the highest order.

Before considering the part taken by Salem in the war fought for the preservation of the Union, mention should be made of the defensive works that have from time to time been erected within her limits.

The harbor and town of Salem have never been specially well fortified, and a word will dispose of the history of her defences of this nature.

There is some mention of an early structure, prob- ably a block-house, within a stockade that stood on the highest point in the present city limits, which would be that now occupied by the Sewall Street Methodist Church. This work, strengthened from time to time, was no doubt the one alluded to as Fort Anne, and was presumably the main reliance of the place against Indiaus. Another work of equal an- tiquity was the Darby Fort, erected in 1629, on the Marblehead Side, probably on Naugus Head, where the present earth work is located.

During the Indian wars, block-houses were erected at various points on the outskirts of the settlement to guard the plantations, and were in times of danger furnished with garrisons, though probably unprovid- ed with cannon.

In 1643 a considerable fort was built on Winter Island, originally styled Fort William, which was maintained at intervals, until the Revolutionary War, when it was strengthened and mounted with a few guns. The land and fort were ceded to the United States in 1794, and in 1799 its name was changed to Fort Pickering ; it has, since that time, been in an alternate condition of grassy dilapidation or neat ef- fectiveness, according as peace or war has prevailed in the land. The work on the hill on the neck to the north of Winter Island, is the successor of a breast- work existing on that spot at a very early day, that has from time to time been restored. In the Revolu-

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tionary War it was called Fort Lee-and perhaps still retains the name.

Away on the point the builders of cottages may have found traces of an old battery that commanded the islands and Beverly harbor during the Revolution, under the name of Fort Juniper. It has now disap- peared, and the yachtsmen and cottagers flirt and make merry, where once the sad-faced patriot senti- nel looked out over the bay in the moonlight and wondered at the inscrutable providence that kept him out there in the cold instead of suffering him to slum- ber in his comfortable bed in the town, but a mile away.

This is no place to discuss the causes that led to the Civil War. The long strain imposed upon our institu- tions by Negro Slavery, that anomaly in a nation found- ed upon the theoretical equality and freedom of all men, was not to be relieved longer by hollow compromises, in which both parties felt defrauded. And yet at the North there prevailed an optimistic feeling of secu- rity-a reluctance to believe that their brethren of the South were willing to sever a Union of States baptized with the blood of their fathers, and present- ing, with all its defects, such a grand illustration of a successful government by the people for the people. To the last they hugged the hope that the Southern bluster would evaporate and, in some manner, the dif- ferences between the sections be healed.

The sound of the first gun fired upon Fort Sumter awakened the North from this dream, and with a de- termination that the Union should remain inviolate quite as strong as that of the South for its dissever- ment, it arose and bent its great strength and vast resources to the task of defeating the aims of the secessionists. Handicapped by want of preparation, its purpose was firm, and in spite of traitors at home and false friends abroad, it finally and most thoroughly accomplished this work.

Salem shared with other Massachusetts towns in her sudden anger at the attack of the batteries of Charles- ton. On the evening of April 17th, the Wednesday after the firing upon Fort Sumter, an earnest meeting of citizens was held in Mechanics' Hall, at which the mayor, Hon. S. P. Webb, presided and read a strong address, which was subsequently published, in which the people were called upon to forget party differences and uphold the government in its effort to preserve the country. Patriotic speeches were made and reso- lutions, prepared by a committee made up without regard to the previous party affiliations of its mem- bers, were unanimously adopted. They expressed the determination to stand by the government, pledged life and fortune to the preservation of the Union, and

to the protection and care of the families of those about to go into the field. Several thousand dollars were subscribed on the spot for this purpose, and a permanent committee chosen to secure more funds, composed of the following well-known gentlemen : S. P'. Webb, John Bertram; R. S. Rogers, W. D.

Pickman, B. A. West, G. F. Browne, W. P. Phillips, N. B. Mansfield, William McMullan, E. W. Kimball, G. H. Devereux, W. D. Northend, J. V. Browne, C. W. Upham, George Peabody, W. C. Endicott, Charles Mansfield, David Pingree, A. Perkins, J. S. Jones, R. S. Rantoul, A. C. Goodell, R. C. Manning, Samuel Brown, J. C. Stimpson, and B. M. Perkins.

Meanwhile the first eall of the President for State troops to be sent for the defence of the capital, had been promulgated, and some of the military compa- nies being under orders to march, the town was sim- mering with the excitement of their approaching de- parture.

On the following day the Salem Light Infantry, called the Zouaves, under Captain Arthur Devereux, numbering sixty-two muskets, left Salem for Boston, where, though on the militia rolls as Company A, Seventh Militia Regiment, they were attached to the Eighth Regiment, and were at once sent forward. Two days later, April 20th, two other companies, the Mechanics' Light Infantry, under Captain George Pierson, and the City Guard, under Captain Henry Danforth, left Salem and went direct to the City of Washington as part of the Fifth Militia Regiment. Upon the departure of each of these companies they were addressed at their armories by the mayor and other prominent citizens amid a gathering of their friends. They were bid God-speed, and urged to remember the high duty they were called upon to perform, while at every step of their march through the streets they were cheered by enthusiastic crowds, many of whom only regretted that circumstances pre- vented their being also in the ranks. The city was a unit in its enthusiasm, and while there was plenty of "gush," if the word may be pardoned, and an exaltation of sentiment greater than our national temperament has been usually given to, the occasion justified it, and it was hearty and genuine to the last degree. In these companies over two hundred men left Salem for Washington within five days from the call of the President.

But the Governor of Massachusetts, and other far- seeing men in the State, were fully persnaded that the immediate and pressing need for soldiers would not be confined simply to the protection of the National Capital ; that the South was making no mere demon- stration, and that to preserve the integrity of the na- tion there might be required another and different army from the militia regiments now hastening to Washington. The tread, therefore, of the marching troops was still sounding in Salem's streets, when re- cruiting offices were opened at the suggestion of pro- minent citizens, to provide for the unknown contin- gencies of the future.

Captains Coggswell and Fitzgerald began at onee to enlist men for three years' service, and had but little difficulty in doing so. At an Irish patriotic meeting forty men were enlisted on the spot. The City Coun- cil of Salem had, meantime, voted $15,000 at its first

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meeting after the surrender of Sumter, to be used in aid of the families of absent soldiers.

April 24th, the past members of the absent Light In- fantry organized under the style of the Veteran Light Infantry, for such duty as might be required of them about home.

Captain Charles Manning, who had been enlisting men for the Fourth Battery of Light Artillery, had 'consultation, the all-absorbing topics were of a mili- his rolls filled, and added to the military enthusiasm tary character, and that group was fortunate that of the hour by a drill on Salem Common, on May 3d, included some tactical veteran of the light infantry or other militia organization, on whose words the others hung as they were those of an oracle. and the same day the Fitzgerald Guards were para- ded. This company went into camp on May 10th as part of Colonel Cass's Irish Regiment, afterwards the Ninth Massachusetts Infantry. On Sunday, May 12th, Captain Coggswell's company, then styled the Andrew Light Guard, marched from their barracks on Winter Island to attend church in a body, and two days later they left the city for Camp Andrew, in Roxbury, where they were incorporated with the Second Massachusetts Volunteers. The company was presented with a color on its departure from the city.

Both of these companies were uniformed by the city and private subscriptions, supplemented by the personal work of the patriotic women of Salem.

And so the long patriotic excitement fed by these events continued. Perhaps never in the history of any country was there seen such an outburst of disin- terested enthusiasm so well sustained as marked the first few months of the war in the entire North. And it was fully shared in Salem. Every one was desirous of doing something in aid of the cause. Men and women seemed for the time to lose sight of the petty aims and thoughts of every-day life, and were digni- fied by a common love of their country and a desire to serve it.

Every man who enlisted was in the eyes of his friends a hero. Nothing was too good for him. And this honest admiration and the enthusiastic ovations given to the departing soldiers, did indeed make he- roes of the meanest among them, and they went to the front with a high courage that courted the oppor- tunity to fully deserve the encomiums showered upon them.

At home the newspapers were crowded with war news, genuine and speculative. The published letters of absent soldiers to their friends were read with avidity, and their sage prognostications as to the plans of the enemy and the possibilities of the future were only less interesting than the views of a host of military strategists, who now arose and recommended movements, and criticized the officers in command of the troops, as freely as if military science had been imbibed with their mothers' milk.

other military spectres were worked for all they were worth, and the people strained their understanding to the utmost to master the intricate details of posi- tions, evolutions, strategy and logistique, not always realizing the ignorance of those who wrote so fluently on these subjects. On the street corners, in the old corner book-store and other centres of quasi-public

Military notices and advertisements for recruits he- gan to appear in the papers, while the announcement to the effect that " the ladies of such and such a church " would meet on such an afternoon to make clothing "for a certain company, or that such other ladies " would meet to make Havelocks," and other similar notices indicated that the feminine portion of the community were not only talking (which of course they needs must always do) but also vigorously work- ing, as indeed they were. Although prevented by na- ture from shouldering muskets, the women of Salem were then and throughout the war, filled with a na- triotic fervor that found practical expression in such liberality of means and effort as gave great aid and comfort to the Salem men in the field, and to the un- fortunates who languished from time to time in hos- pital.

When the militia companies went out and the vol- unteers were enlisting in advance of the resources of the government for their equipment, the fair ones of Salem laid aside their embroidery and sewed for dear life on rough uniforms, being fully repaid for their toil when watching the gallant forms marching through the streets in garments with each stitch of which they were familiar.

In a newspaper of the time the mayor recommends the Havelock as a useful article for the soldier in a warm climate, and states that he has a pattern at his office for the use of those desiring to make them. So this remarkable product of this stage of the war cost the Salem ladies many hours of work ; and as the mi- litia-man or recruit with this queer imitation of the serviceable article worn in the East Indian service on his head, passed proudly by on the sidewalk, the benevolent ladies who had cut and made it little real- ized how soon it would be thrown away or used as a dish-cloth in camp.

May 24th ten men went on to reinforce the Salem Light Infantry, and great excitement was caused in Salem hy the advance of the national forces across the Potomac into Virginia, and the wild rumors of accompanying engagements that had no founda- tion.

The great puzzle was as to the movements of the enemy. Where their position was not known, it was General Andrews, ot Salem, was put in command of the forts of Boston harbor early in June. Later in the month the city was enthusiastic over the engage- nevertheless stated with as much precision by the military newspaper correspondent as though he ex- amined their lines daily. The masked battery and | ment at Philippi, West Virginia, where our troops 13}

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gained a slight success, and General Lander, of Sa- lem, led in his brigade. The families of the men in the field who required it, now regularly received the aid that was continued to all throughout the war. Drill clubs were formed in the city to familiarize men with the use of arms in view of future needs. Iu their ranks were many men who distinguished them- selves later in the war. The Veteran Light Intantry also met often and drilled vigorously. As the full extent of the rebel strength transpired, and it ap- peared that all the Sonthern States were determined to join in the secession movement, authority was given to the States to raise more troops, and early in July recruiting ollices were again opened in Salem by A. Parker Browne, J. C. Putnam and N. W. Osborne. Meanwhile the companies of Cogswell and Fitzgerald were fast learning their duties in camp.

July 16th considerable excitement was caused by the report of the rebel privateers "Sumter" and " Jeff Davis" being upon the coast. But the times had changed. The town no longer swarmed with seafaring men, and no recruiting party marched through the town, beating up a crew to go out and take them, as in the days of 1812. A few super- annnated ship-masters, men of wealth and ease, were about all that remained to remind one that this had been a maritime town and a great centre of com- merce.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 72

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538