History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 146

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 146

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"To abandon such a Government, and the iovaluable privileges, civil and religious, enjoyed under it, from any considerations whatever, would be acting a part unworthy the descendants of our renowned Ro- cestors, bring indelible iofamy on ourselves-be an act of treachery to our posterity, and betray the basest ingratitude to and distrust of that Supreme Being who gave us these blessings.

" With ao humble reliance, therefore, on this Being, whom we do, and ever will, acknowledge as the Arbiter of oations; and confiding in the w adom, patriotism sad firmness of the constituted authorities of our country, we are determined at every hazard, to support those measures which they shall prescribe for the defence of these blessings."

After the reading of this report it was "voted unanimously, that the foregoing address be accepted and forwarded by the town clerk to the Representa- tive of this district in Congress, to be by him pre- sented to the President of the United States."

The representative of the district at this time was the IIon. Bailey Bartlett, of Haverhill, who was afterwards, for forty years, high sheriff of Essex County.

A speedy answer was received from the President to this address, which was as follows :

" To the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover, in the State of Massachusetts :

" GENTLEMEN, -Your address, noanimously adopted at n legal and very full meeting, has been presented to me by your Representative in Con- gress, Mr. Bartlett, and received with great pleasure. When you ac- knuwledge in my administration, wisdom, vigilance, integrity, patriot-

ism aod persevering solicitude to preserve to these States the blessings of peace and neutrality, upoo such terms as would consist with the pre- servation of our essential rights and interests, yon command my sincere gratitude.

" The nofriendly designs and unreasoonble demands of that govern- ment, whom we have been unwilling to conclude our enemy, have been long suspected by many, upon very probable grounds; but never so clearly avowed aud demonstrated as of late. May the discovery prove the essential means of our political salvation. The conviction appears now to be nearly universal, that no hope of safety is left for us without our owo virtuons exertions.

"The indignation with which you repel every attempt to detach you from that goveroment, which is the work of your own hands, and from whence you have derived blessings far surpassing the highest expecta- tions of its warmest admirers, and, in short, all the sentiments of this excellent address, do yon great hooonr.

" Philadelphia, May 25, 1798."

" JOHN ADABIS.

We have here a good illustration of the deep in- terest taken by the people at large in the affairs of the national goverment. It is doubtless true that Mr. Phillips, then President of the Senate of the State, and for many years an active participant in State and national affairs, exercised great influence with the inhabitants of the town. Still, he was rather the voice than the mind of the people. He gave expression to the opinions of the yeomanry, as they could not have done; but, nevertheless, the opinions were theirs, erudely conceived, it may be, and roughly wrought out in their own minds and experiences.

We see here also with what freedom the people of a small country town addressed the chief magistrate of the land, expressing their opinions with frankness and fearlessly, as to an equal, but respectfully, as addressing the most exalted personage in the country. We see at once, too, in his reply, how highly grati- fied the President was by this timely address from the inhabitants of the little country town. Remember- ing that he was the executive of "a government of the people, by the people and for the people," the approval of the people was a solace to his heart and a stimulant to his righteous purpose, when sorely beset with difficulties. The favorable opinion of the obscure and weak not seldom may so confirm the judgment of the exalted and wise as to give them the courage to act according to their convictions. What the address of the inhabitants did to aid John Adams in holding the nation steadfast to her moorings amidst the surges of the French Revolu- tion, no one can tell. It certainly gave him encour- agement and comfort.

CHAPTER CXXXIV.

ANDOVER-(Continued).

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

Ox the 18th of April, 1861, six days after the first rebel shot was fired against the United States fort,

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Sumter, situated in Charleston harbor, and three days after President Lincoln had sent out his warlike proclamation, summoning to arms seventy-five thou- sand peaceful citizens for the defense of the national authority, Andover began her active efforts to suppress the Rebellion and maintain the sovereignty of the national government. On the evening of that day there was a small, hastily-gathered assembly of the citizens of Frye village and neighborhood in their village hall for consultation with regard to the raising and drilling of troops to answer the call of the Presi- dent. After some discussion and patriotic speeches it was thought best to defer action as a neighborhood, and await the action of the citizens' meeting, already notified for the coming Saturday evening at the Town Hall.

At this meeting there was a very full attendance of the inhabitants of the town from all sections, com- prising persons of both sexes and all ages and classes. It was organized by the choice of Francis Cogswell, Esq., as president, with thirteen of the most promi- nent citizens of the town as vice-presidents. Prayer was offered by Prof. Stowe, of the Theological Semi- nary. The following persons were designated to pre- pare resolutions for the consideration of the meeting Judge Marcus Morton, Jr., Prof. Calvin E. Stowe, Oliver H. Perry, Wm. G. Means and Samuel Ray- mond, who reported resolutions as follows :

"Boarded, That the armed hostility to the United States government, uow assumed by a portion of the Southern peuple, is entirely without justification in anything which the National Administration has done or propose to ds. That the claim of a right to secede at will is utterly subversive of all government, and leaves the nation a prey to anarchy, 1.ke that of the South American republics, at the close of every election. That the robbing of the nation by the Secessionists of its money, forti- fications, arms, mints, ships, custom-houses and other property, levying war against the government by the raising of troops, and gathering munition of every kind, firing upon the national flag, and attempting to murder the national soldiers while in the unaggressive ilischarge of their duties, and the crying out against coercion on the part of the General Government, whenever it makes the least attempt at preparn- tion to defend itself and its property against these open, long-contin- ved nul Ins dent assaults, is absurd, malignant and mean, beyond all parallel In civilized history, and deserves the utter contempt und detestation of mankind.

" Heardved, That the present position and action of the Secessionists Is not in consequence of any grievance actually endured, or even antici- pasted, from the General Government, but the meditated result of a plan, cherished for more than thirty years past, by certain restless and am- bitjous men at the South, to establish a great slave empire in the fertile regions ar und the Gulf of Mexico,-a plan with which the better part of the Southerners themselves have no sympathy. That they are kept quit by Intunilation and violence only, and that the leaders of this r. His movement are so well aware of the fact that they dure not, atud never will, mithinit their own action to a fair vote of the people.

'Rw , That the exigencies of the present crisis imperatively de- mond of ull patriots and true friends of liberty and order throughout the lui sith (, puispuding for the time the discussion of minor puity Jer n'es, they unite heart and soul to sustain the government against The view as ulants, and that the zeal nud energy with which all par- ich ; at. ben actually pursuing this course gives the best ( fd wery of theh patriotism, and affords the most en- cora 's inh ettens of the first success of their efforts, and of the Į the f= = inte why have been so wisely established in the western wro, at the taj one of so much labor and self-denial.

" Re - That, as the point y ulent pro er lings of the Socession- out casfully resisted In Do utbet way thau by an overpower.

ing military force at the disposal of the National Government, we hereby pledge ourselves to do all in our power to raise, sustain and encourage such a force ; and that, either by bearing arms ourselves, or by contributing according to our ability to support the men who do bear arms, and their families, we will take our full share in this great strug- gle, and fight as our fathers fought when compelled by a like neces- sity.

" Resolved, That the young men of Andover who are about organiz- ing themselves into a military company to be at the disposal of the government, have now, and shall continue to have, our warmest sym- pathy and most cordial support."

These resolutions were received by the audience with unbounded applause, and, after short speeches in the same strain by able speakers, were unanimously and enthusiastically adopted.

This meeting further raised a committee of twenty- five, to whom was assigned the duty of " devising and carrying into effect such measures as they deem ex- pedient for the support and defence of our national government during the present rebellion." At a sub- sequent meeting the following persons were designated as members of this committee :

Francis Cogswell, Peter Smith, John Dove, William Chickering, Amos Abbott, Joseph Holt, William P. Foster, Nathan Frye, Jedediah Burtt, Stephen D. Abbott, Willard Pike, Isaac O. BInnt, James Shaw, George Foster, William Jenkins, Calvin E. Stowe, Moses Foster, Jr., Benjamin F. Wardwell, John Aiken, Benjamin Boynton, William Abbott, Nathan Shat- tuck, John Abbott, James Bailey and Warren F. Draper.

At a subsequent meeting, May 6th, it was voted to furnish each volunteer with a uniform, not exceeding in value fourteen dollars, and seventeen dollars in money, and to every one, on being mustered into service, a rubber blanket and such other articles as shall be deemed necessary, to the amount of six dollars ; to remit the poll-tax of every one who shall perform regular drill; to pay each enrolled volunteer fifty cents for each day's drill, not exceeding sixty days in all ; to pay the family of each married volunteer, except the commissioned officers, the sum of eight dollars per month during the continuance of such volunteer in the service of the government, or until otherwise ordered by the town. For these purposes eight thousand dol- lars were voted and appropriated.

The months of May and June were crowded with work and military activity. The patriotism and ardor of the people found expression in frequent public meetings, fervid addresses, vigorous resolutions, enlist- ments, sewing circles, flag-raisings, military music and patriotic songs, liberal donations (the firm of Smith, Dove & Co. giving $3000), and in amateur military companies, as the " Havelock Greys," composed of theological students, and " Ellsworth Guards," com- posed of Phillips Academy students. Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the authoress of " Uncle Tom's Cabin,', furnished an original song to stimulate and give vent to the enthusiasm of the young men.

On the 24th day of June, 1861, after two months' daily drill, the Andover Light Infantry, the first com-

late cali

ANDOVER.

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pany from the town to enlist in the service of the coun- try, left for Fort Warren. After receiving the bounty voted by the town, partaking of a collation prepared for them at the Town Hall, and listening to an address by Franeis Cogswell, Esq., they marched to the depot under the escort of the " Havelock Greys " and "Ells- worth Guards," attended by a crowd of friends and citizens. With many hearty cheers they left for their destination. On the 5th of July the company was mustered into the United States service, and desig- nated as "Company H., 14th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry." On the same day the regiment left Fort Warren for Washington.

The list of officers and men composing this Andover company on departing for the national capital was as follows :

Capt., Horace Ilolt.

Ist Lient., Charles H. Poor.

2d Lieut., Moses W. Clement.

4th Corp., John Clark.

Ist Sergt., Samnel C. Hervey. 5th Corp., Alonzo P. Berry.

2d Sergt., George T. Brown.

Gtlı Corp., Hor. W. Wardwell.

3d Sergt., Orrin L. Farubam.

7th Corp., George F. llatch.

4th Sergt., Newton Holt.

8th Corp., Phineas Buckley, Jr.

5th Sergt., Frank B. Chapin.

Musician, Newton G. Frye.

1st Corp., George S. Farmer.

Musician, George M. Smart.

Privates.

Anderson, James I.

Hatch, Lewis G.

Ashworth, James.

Hart, William.

Bailey, Thomas R.

Holt, Lewis G.

Beale, William.

Ilolt, Warren E.

Bell, Joseph.

Howarth, Oberlin B.

Berry, Daniel.

Hunt, Amos.

Bodwell, Willard G.

Jenkins, E. Kendall.

Bohounon, Albert L.

Jennings, William E.

Brown, La Roy S.

Kennedy, John.

Bryant, Epaphros K.

Lavalett, Philip C.

Burris, Stephen.

Logne, Jolın.

Chandler, George W. Cheever, Benjamin.

Lovejoy, Henry T.

Cocklin, John.

Mahoney, Michael.

Costello, James.

McClennen, Charles W.

Coulie, John D.

McGurk, Bernard.

Craig, George.

Mears, Charles.

Cummings, Charles S.

Mears, Warren Jr.

Currier, Charles.

Melcher, Sylvester C.

Curtis, A. Fuller.

Morse, William B.

Cusick, John.

Nichols, William W.

Cutler, Granville K. Cutler, Abelino B.

Pasbo, William A.

Dane, George.

Pike, George E. Rea, Aaron G., Jr.

Dugan, Charles.

Edwards, Francis W.

Richardson, Silas, Jr.

Farmer, Edward.

Russell, John B. A.

Farnham, Samuel P.

Russell, Joseph, Jr.

Findley, James S.

Russell, William.

Findley, John A. Foster, T. Edwin.

Russell, Winslow. Sargent, John S.

Gilcreast, David D.

Saunders, Ziba M

Gillespie, William.

Shannon, William.

Goldsmith, Albert. Grant, Farnham P.

Sherman, Henry T.

Gray, Jesse E.

Smith, James.

Greene, Charles.

Stevens, Benjamin F.

Greene, William H.

Townsend, Milton B.

Hardy, Franklin.

Townsend, Warren W.

Hardy, John.

Wardwell, Alfred.

Hatch, Andrew J.

Wardwell, William HI.

Ilatch, Enoch M.

Wood, Elliot.

This was the only full company, officers and privates,

sent out from Andover during the war. Its history will be referred to later on.

On the 1st day of July, 1862, the President issued another order, calling for three hundred thousand volunteers to serve for three years, or until the end of the war. In accordance with this order, Governor Andrew issued a mandate for the enlisting of the State's quota. Fifty-two men were required of Andover. On being notified of this apportionment, a town-meeting was immediately called to be held on the 28th of July. At this meeting it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars for each volunteer who should enlist on the quota of the town. Messrs. Smith and Dove pledged ten dollars in addition. The community was still aglow with patriotic feeling, and volunteers came forward rapidly, so that on the 7th of August the quota was full. On the 4th of August, three days before the completion of this enlistment, another urgent order came from the President for a draft of three hundred thousand militia for nine months. To this order also the town promptly re- sponded, expressing a desire to fill up its quota of the proposed draft by "furnishing volunteers rather than conscripts." A bounty of one hundred dollars was offered for a volunteer who should be duly accepted under this call, and sworn into the service of the United States. Ten dollars additional was offered for expenses if the volunteer should be from out of town. It was estimated that the quota of Andover under this third eall would be twenty-three men. This number was soon obtained. But through some inadvertence of the past, and negligence or misconception of the officers of the town in making returns to the Adjutant- General's office of the number of men liable to mili- tary duty, it was found that the towu was still liable to a draft for forty-two men. Negotiations and ex- planations were entered into with the State officials, aud, after much delay, a new list of the soldiers in the field who should be credited to Andover was made out, and also a new list of persons liable to do military duty. Upon an estimate formed upon the basis of these new lists, it was finally settled that Andover should furnish an additional complement of thirty-six men. These men were to be furnished from the re- cruiting stations in Boston. It was further agreed, as a partial correction of the original faulty list furnished by the selectmen of persons liable to military duty, that these thirty-six recruits, on being mustered in for three years, shonkl be accepted for the full quota of forty-two men at first required of the town.

As a matter of fact, as the future revealed, none of these thirty-six Boston recruits ever served in the army. They belonged to that large regiment called " bounty-jumpers." The draft which took place in July, 1863, proved a failure. One person only out of the seventy-seven named for the draft was retained for service. Seven men drawn paid commutation money. The bounty-jumpers referred to above received each from the town one hundred and ten dollars. By

100

2d ('orp., George A. W. Vinal. 3d Corp., Peter D. Smith.

Lovejoy, Benjamin C.

O'Hara, Edward.

Shattuck, Charles W.

1586

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

whose fault these men, and many others of a like character, escaped service, it may not be easy to determine, but some one certainly failed in his duty.

On the 17th of October, 1863, there was another call from the President for three hundred thousand volunteers ; this time for three years or the war. The quota of Andover nuder this call was thirty-eight men. The town voted to pay for enlistments under this call fifteen dollars for fresh recruits, and twenty- five dollars for veterans, it being nuderstood that this amount would be paid by the l'nited States govern- ment. The quota of Andover was readily filled, mostly from veterans in the field, whose terms of en- listment had expired. It was afterwards ascertained that, up to this time, the town had "filled all de- mands upon it by furnishing three hundred and twen- ty-five men for the army alone," besides those serving in the navy.

In the call of the President issued February 11, 1864, the quota assigned to Andover was twenty-six men. A much larger number than this had already re-enlisted, since the preceding call, from the veter- ans in the field belonging to Andover.

Fifty-two veteran soldiers from Andover, belonging to the First Regiment of Ileavy Artillery, re-enlisted from December 4, 1863, to February 29, 1864. The selectmen were authorized to pay all recruits credited to the town, under the various calls of the President, such a sum as might be necessary, not exceeding one hundred and twenty-five dollars. This amount was promised these re-enlisting veterans.

July 6, 1864, the Governor issued a call for five thousand infantry volunteers for one hundred days' service, to do garrison duty in the fortifications near Washington. Andover furnished eighteen men for this service.

Congress having authorized recruiting in certain States in rebellion, the town and certain citizens of the town availed themselves of the opportunity and enlisted eleven " representative recruits" from for- mer slaves.

COMPANY HI OF THE FIRST REGIMENT OF HEAVY ARTILLERY. Andover's first company of light infantry formed, as we have seen, Company H of the Fourteenth Regiment of Massachusetts Vol- unteer Infantry. The regiment left Fort Warren for Washington August 7, 1861. After a few months' garrison duty in the neighborhood of the capital, it was changed. January 1, 1862, to the First Regiment of Howwy Artillery, requiring an increase in its number

In September, 1862, Companies H and I, and in October Company C, were ordered to Maryland Heiglos, opposite Harper's Ferry. There they re- numned until November 20, 1863, when they rejoined the roomment. Their duties, though not dangerous, mund . Loom excoins, were frequently tedious and se- vere In general, the regiment was expected to pro- test the approaches to Washington and Maryland

from rebel incursion. They perambulated the north- ern border of Virginia, marching back and forth in the vicinity of the capital, acting thus as a barrier of defense. The detached companies were engaged in erecting barracks, building and destroying fortifica- tions on the heights, as military necessity required. In this useful but nneventful service the regiment passed nearly two years and four months (reckoning from the time it was changed from infantry to heavy artillery), when a welcome interruption came to the monotony. It was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac.

The men were called veterans, having been nearly three years in the service, but had never seen a bat- tle, and had never tested their courage in a serious skirmish with the enemy. The worth of their expe- rience in drilling, manœuvring, marching and eamp- life was to be put to a severe trial. They soon be- came aware that, under the lead of General Grant, in a march on to Richmond, in the face of the ablest army of the Confederacy, under her ablest general, fighting for existence, there would be untold hard- ships to be borne and deadly fighting to be done. Yet, the change from the dull life of the fortification to the perilous life of an army in almost daily con- flict had its charm for trained soldiers. They could not realize, though they might have feared, as they entered the " Wilderness," that their own blood, or that of their comrades, would moisten the road that led to Richmond. Their duty was to obey orders and go forward. They started May 15, 1864. Although a portion of the Army of the Potomac had been en- gaged in severe fighting in the neighborhood of Spottsylvania for nearly a fortnight before their ar- rival, it was not until the afternoon and evening of the 19th of May that they had their first experience in a battle, which proved to them a deadly conflict.

The news of this engagement reached Andover on the 21st day of the month, and caused great anxiety. There was a gathering of the people in the evening, but only meagre information could be ob- tained as to the casualties in the Andover company. There was a rumor, without any certain foun- dation, that two or three Andover soldiers had been slain or wounded. Three days after, when reliable information had been received, and it was known that Company H had suffer- ed severely in killed and wounded, there was a large gathering of the citizens at the town hall, to express their deep interest in the news, their pro- found sympathy with the bereaved at home and the suffering in camp. Addresses were made by promi- nent clergymen and others fitting the occasion. A committee, consisting of Rev. Charles Smith, Josiah 1. Chapin and George Foster, was appointed to re- port resolutions for the meeting, and prepare a letter to be sent to the soldiers.

The following resolutions were reported and adopted :

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ANDOVER.

"WHEREAS, The citizens of Andover have read of the battle of Thursday night, in which Company H of the First Massachusetts Hleavy Artillery was conspicuously engaged, and in which they suffered severely in killed and wounded ;

" Resolved, That we express to the soldiers of Company II our admi- ration of their bravery, and tender them our heartfelt congratulation.

" Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the wounded, and hereby convey to them the expression of our wishes and prayers for their speedy recovery.

" Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to assist, to the extent of our ability, our soldiers who are periling their persons and lives for the pur- poso of suppressing this wicked rebellion.

" Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with those who are called to mourn the death of dear friends who have fallen in battle."

At an adjourned meeting it was voted to send a commission to the army to minister to the wounded soldiers from Andover. Rev. J. W. Turner and Mr. Joseph Abbott were appointed for this purpose. The next day, at noon, these commissioners departed for their duty, taking with them five hundred and forty- three dollars, which had been contributed for the purpose, the resolutions passed at the meeting on the 24th inst. and the following letter which had been adopted by the citizens :

"ANDOVER, May 26, 1864.

" To the officers and privules of Company Hand other soldiers connected with the First Regiment Massachusetts Heavy Artillery :

"DEAR FRIENDS,-Last Saturday morning the exciting intelligence reached us that you had been in an engagement with the enemy, even before reaching the main army. And while your bravery and heroism in the deadly conflict were borne to us on every breeze, our admiration of your noble and perilous deeds was mingled with serious apprehen- sions that casualties had ensued which would bring sadness and mourn- ing to many of our families.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 146

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672