USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : containing carefully prepared histories of every city and town in the county, Vol. I > Part 27
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The erection of the monument proceeded under continued difficulties, frequently halting for want of funds, until its completion on the morning of July 23, 1842, when the pinnacle, consisting of a single mass weighing two and a half tons, was raised to its place. While struggling with its difficulties, the Association had been compelled not only to sell a portion of its land, embracing the battle-ground, but to diminish the height of the obelisk as originally designed. At this time, when the affairs of . the Association looked gloomy indeed, the patriotic women of the country came to the rescue. Thirty thousand dollars were con- tributed by them from the proceeds of a fair held in Boston ; ten thousand were given by Judah Touro,
177
FIFTY YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
the princely and philanthropic merchant of New Orleans. Aunos Lawrence and Nathan and William Appleton were among the most prominent bene- factors ; and Edward Everett's eloquence did much to inaugurate and to sustain the memorable effort which resulted in the completion of the monu- inent.
The obelisk is two hundred and twenty feet high. It is the simplest as well as the grandest public monument in America. A spiral staircase conducts the visitor up the interior of the shaft to the pinnacle, from which a view at once varied, extended, and sublime is to be had. In the chamber at the summit the visitor sees, affixed to the wall, two small brass cannon, which were originally taken out of Boston by stealth in Sep- tember, 1775, used during the Revolution, and restored to the state at its close.1
It again fell to the lot of the same great orator who had spoken in 1825 to assist at the ceremony of dedication. He spoke, on this occasion, to a vast concourse; but only twelve of the veterans who had been present when the corner-stone was laid now listened to the sonorous accents and ma- jestic periods of Webster. Lafayette was dead. The two events of commemoration were the limits of nearly twenty years, in which time had wrought many and great changes, and of which the distin- guished speaker was himself a living representative. His address, delivered in the ripeness of his intel- lect and the maturity of his fame, is justly consid- ered one of his great efforts. Profoundly moved by the scene, confronted by a dense mass paved with upturned faces, the orator turned to the mon- ument, and with the gesture which belonged only to himself, pronounced the words, -" There it stands !" A thrill ran through the vast multitude. A moment of silence was succeeded by a simulta- neous outburst, or, rather, a roar like that of the tempest, from a hundred thousand throats. Much of the effect proceeded from homage to the man, something is due to the excitement of the moment; but the speaker had touched the mysterious chord which connects visible objects witlı hidden emo- tions, causing them to vibrate in the depths of every listener's heart. It was not a coup de thé- âtre. The orator had succeeded in communicating to his audience what he himself felt,-the gran- deur of the occasion, the greatness of his theme.
The present is not, however, the only monument 1 For an account of these guns, see Old Landmarks of Bos- ton, pp. 314, 315.
that has stood on Bunker Hill. As early as 1794 King Solomon's Lodge of Charlestown erected a Tuscau column, twenty-eight feet high, to com- memorate the death of its heroic Grand-Master, Joseph Warren. The structure stood for about thirty years, but being of wood was in a state of ruinous dilapidation before the movement to erect the new column caused its disappearance. It stood opposite to the present monument, on Concord Street. A model, in marble, may be seen within the obelisk. The original monument bore the fol- lowing inscription on the pedestal : -
Erected, A. D. MDCCXCIV BY KING SOLOMON'S LODGE OF FREEMASONS, Constituted in Charlestown, 1783, In Memory of MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH WARREN,
And his Associates, Who were slain on this memorable spot, June 17, 1775.
None but they who set a just value on the blessings of Liberty are worthy to enjoy her.
In vain we toiled : in vain we fought : we bled in vain : if you, our offspring, waut valor to repel the assaults of her invaders.
Charlestown settled, 1628. Burnt, 1775. Rebuilt, 1776.
The enclosed land given by the Hon. James Russell.
Charlestown contains other monuments, but we will speak only of one of the humblest. In the ancient cemetery is a plain granite shaft to the memory of Jolin Harvard, erected by graduates
Harvard's Monument.
of the University of which he is considered the founder, and to which he gave his name. We have already referred to Harvard's gift in connection with the University. Little can be recovered of
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
his biography. He died in 1638. The library he gave to the college was destroyed by fire in 1764. On the occasion of the dedication of the monument Edward Everett delivered the address. The eastern face bears the following inscription :
"Ou the 26th of September, A. D. 1828, this stone was erected by the graduates of the University at Cambridge, in honor of its founder, who died at Charlestown on the 26th of September. 1638."
The western front bears a Latin inscription, recog- nizing that one who had laid the corner-stone of letters in America should no longer be without a monument, however humble. The memorial, which was raised nearly two hundred years after the de- cease of Harvard, rests on a suppositive site, his burial-place having been forgotten or obliterated. The old graveyard, one of the most interesting in New England, suffered mutilation while the town was held by the British in 1775 - 76. It is said that the gravestones were in some cases used by the soldiers for thresholds to their barracks.
Besides that on Bunker Hill, monuments com-
memorative of the events of 1775 have also been erected at Acton, Arlington, Concord, Lexington, Chelmsford, and Cambridge.
The Mexican War, which broke out in 1846, was regarded with disfavor by a majority of the people of Massachusetts. If possible, it was even more unpopular than the War of 1812. A single regi- ment was raised within the state, which under the command of Colonel Caleb Cushing proceeded to the seat of war on the Rio Grande in the spring of 1847.
The towns admitted to be independent munici- palities between 1807 and 1861 are Arlington (as West Cambridge) in 1807, Wakefield (as South Reading) in 1812, Lowell in 1826, Somerville in 1842, Ashland in 1846, Melrose and Winchester in 1850, North Reading in 1853, and Belmont in 1859. With this organization, and a population little inferior to that of the metropolitan county, Middlesex was now called upon to meet the re- sponsibilities and to bear the burdens of the great Civil War.
XXIV.
THE SOUTHERN REBELLION.
IN 1860 Middlesex had a population of 216,352 souls, and a property valuation of $ 135,458,009.
The unmistakable symptoms of a settled deter- mination on the part of the Southern States to secede from the Union, the hostile tone of their recognized leaders in and out of Congress, of their journals, together with the more significant prepa- rations everywhere visible in that section to main- tain that determination, if necessary, by an appeal to arms, at length awoke the North to a full sense of the impending danger.
During the winter of 1861 steps were taken to put the militia of Massachusetts in condition for active field service. The sentiment of the state, expressed through the legislature, was that the president should enforce the execution of the laws of the United States with all the means at his disposal.
On the 23d of January, while measures for putting 2,000 militia in the field were being con- sidered, the governor communicated to the House
a tender by Colonel Jones of the 6th regiment, for . immediate service. Even before this tender was made a company had been organized in Cambridge by James P. Richardson, to offer their services to the common country, and to do what they might . " to maintain the integrity of our flag and Union." This was the first body expressly organized to meet the coming emergency. True to her history, Middlesex had been the first to act.
The organization of the state government in 1861 was as follows : John A. Andrew was gov- ernor, Hon. William Claflin, of Newton, President of the Senate, Hon. John A. Goodwin, of Lowell, Speaker of the House, - the presiding officers of both branches of the legislature thus being from Middlesex. The state was represented at Wash- ington by Senators Wilson and Sumner, the first named a citizen of Middlesex ; and in the lower house of Congress by an able delegation in which was Daniel W. Gooch of Melrose.
On the 11th of February there was a monster
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THE SOUTHERN REBELLION.
meeting in the City Hall at Cambridge, called without distinction of party. In a brief address Hon. John G. Palfrey said, " South Carolina has marshalled herself into revolution; and six states have followed her." Richard H. Dana announced that the Sonth was in rebellion. He was, uncom- promisingly, for the Union. Similar meetings were being held everywhere, but the one held at Cambridge had a far greater than local importance. It sounded the keynote to loyal men.
Upon the invitation of Virginia, Massachusetts, in February, sent seven commissioners to meet the commissioners of other states in convention at Washington. This convention is historically known as the " Peace Congress." Middlesex was repre- sented by Hon. George S. Boutwell, of Groton. The deliberations of this body proved unavailing to restore harmony to the opposite sections ; and it was dissolved in the latter part of the month in which it assembled. The inauguration of Presi- dent Lincoln, on the 4th of March, 1861, produced a crisis.
The first act of civil war naturally took place in South Carolina. Here the attempt of the rebels suddenly to seize Fort Sumter was frustrated by the firmness of its commander. On the 12th of April it was bombarded. On the 14th it was sur- rendered, after sustaining, for thirty-three hours, a fire of unexampled severity, during which it was several times in flames.
The whole country, north and south, was now intensely excited. Indecision was at an end. The first gun fired upon Sumter had instantly con- solidated both sections, - the North, in its resolve to assert the national authority over every foot of national territory ; the South, in its fatal determi- nation to conquer the separation for which it had been preparing. The guns of Sumter, which saluted its torn but not dishonored ensign as it was lowered, were hardly silent, when, on the 15th of April, a call was made upon the loyal states by the presi- dent for 75,000 men. The situation of the na- tional capital already cansed great anxiety, and now the ordinary communication by railway through Maryland was in danger of being cut off by the rebels of that state. The sagacious execu- tive of Massachusetts, in anticipation of such a step, had already secured the necessary informa- tion relative to routes by which Massachusetts soldiers might reach the threatened capital. With equal forethought he had provided the soldiers. Within a week from the date of the president's
call the state despatched five regiments of infantry, a battalion of riflemen, and a battery of field-artil- lery to the relief of Washington. A united North arose in its might. The obscure soldier who fired the first gun at the flag flying over Sumter -that flag until now honored as the symbol of freedom in every foreign land - had lighted the flames of civil war among thirty millions of people.
It is not for us further to recount the military or political events of the war for the Union, but we may briefly narrate the part - the important part - played by Massachusetts in rescuing Wash- ington from a situation of imminent danger, and in throttling with her mailed hand the demon of rebellion in Maryland.
Upon receipt of the requisition from the War Department at the State House for two full regi- ments, orders were immediately transmitted for the 3d, 4th, 6th, and 8th regiments to rendezvous on Boston Common for active service. Before night- fall of the 16th the troops were at the designated rendezvous.
On the 16th the requisition from Washington was increased to four regiments, to be commanded by a brigadier-general. The 5th was accordingly ordered for duty, and General B. F. Butler of Lowell directed to take command of the brigade.
Notwithstanding preparations made by the state to forward its troops by sea to Annapolis or Wash- ington, the Secretary of War, on being apprised of the intention, directed them to be sent by railway via Baltimore. The 6th regiment was accordingly sent as directed, arriving in Philadelphia on the 18th of April. The 3d and 4th were despatched by sea, on the 17th, to Fortress Monroe.
The 6th mustered in Lowell at nine o'clock on the morning of the 16th. Its field officers were Edward F. Jones, of Pepperell, colonel ; Benjamin F. Watson, of Lawrence, lieutenant-colonel; and Josiah A. Sawtelle, of Lowell, major. Four com- panies were from Lowell, one each from Groton, Acton, and Stoneham. The remaining companies were from Lawrence, Worcester, and Boston.
In its passage through New York and Philadel- phia the regiment received an ovation seldom par- alleled in the annals of war. The tidings spread, that while others were talking, six or seven hundred Massachusetts men were actually going to save Washington. The enthusiasm overthrew all re- straints. Women wept with joy. Men embraced our soldiers, plied them with offers of money, and bade them God speed. Never was a greater
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
tribute paid to the patriotism of the Old Bay State.
The 5th Regiment was in part composed of Mid- dlesex soldiers. "The field officers were Samuel C. Lawrence, of Medford, colonel; J. Durell Greene, of Cambridge, lieutenant-colonel; Hamilton W. Keyes, of Boston, major. Company B was from South Reading, now Wakefield ; companies C and K from Charlestown ; Company E from Medford ; Company G from Concord; and Company I from Somerville : the Cambridge company referred to had been attached to the 5th. This regiment left for New York on the 21st, and embarked on transports. Cook's battery and the 3d battalion of rifles were also promptly despatched to the national capital.
The 6th, which we left at Philadelphia ready to take the direct route to Washington, left the former city before daybreak on the morning of the 19th of April, -a day twice famous in the annals of Mid- dlesex County. Some premonitions of coming danger which reached the officers in Philadelphia determined the departure at this early hour. On reaching Baltimore it was necessary to detach the locomotive, and to attach horses to the cars, as the passage from the north to the south side of the city was through the streets. Seven companies of the regiment made the passage of two miles, across the city, without accident; but before the remainder could follow, a mob had barricaded the streets in its route, and torn up the rails, thus isolating the two detachments. In order to rejoin their com- rades, the three companies left behind began their march across the city under the command of Cap- tain Follansbee.
It is useless to recount the insults which these two hundred brave men patiently bore from a populace sympathizing with rebellion and infuriated by the sight of the Stars and Stripes surrounded by loyal bayonets. But threats, reproaches, and insults were soon followed by a violent assault, the mob showering stones, bricks, and other mis- siles upon the devoted little phalanx. Although several were wounded, the men tramped steadily on with compressed lips, but without attempting to defend themselves, until the report of firearms, followed by the fall of two or three of their com- rades, warned them that the moment for resistance was come. The mob pressed upon them with savage yells. The battalion received the order to com- mence firing. Never did soldiers obey an order with more alacrity. Numbers of the assailants fell. A road was opened through which the bat-
talion moved on. Massachusetts blood was up ; and during the rest of that memorable march the lost detachment returned shot for shot and death for death.
At length, after losing four men killed outright and having thirty-six wounded, - the gallant Cap- tain Dike of the Stoneham company being among the number, -the battalion forced its way to the Washington station, closely pursued by the mob howling like wolves who see their prey on the point of escaping.
Having thus successfully surmounted this fiery ordeal, the regiment proceeded to Washington, where its arrival was hailed with wildest joy. It was immediately quartered in the senate-chamber, and its six hundred bayonets formed an impenetra- ble hedge against treason around the Capitol. On this very day, in 1775, Massachusetts had been the first to spend her blood at the call of Liberty. She was now the first to renew the precious liba- tion in its defence.
The 8th had followed the 6th on the 18th. General Butler accompanied this regiment. On the 19th the battalion reached Philadelphia, where it learned the opposition the 6th had met with at Baltimore. The same night the bridges on the railway between the Susquehanna and Baltimore were burned. In consequence of this state of affairs General Butler proceeded with the Sth, via Perryville, to Annapolis, the capital of Mary- land, where he arrived on Sunday morning, the 21st of April. Possession was immediately taken of the frigate Constitution, then lying at Annapolis, by two companies of the Sth. The next morn- ing the 7th New York arrived, and was the first to land. The railway from Annapolis to the junction of the Baltimore and Washington Rail- way having been rendered impassable, the engines and cars disabled, the men of the 8th set to work putting it in repair. A company of Marble- head men had manned the Constitution; now the mechanics of the regiment relaid the tracks and repaired the locomotives. On the 21th the two regiments began their march for the junction, suffering much from heat and hunger. Friday, April 26th, in the afternoon, the 8th reached Washington. On the 30th the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States.
In this important crisis valuable services were rendered to the nation and state by distinguished citizens of Middlesex. Confusion, distrust, and for the moment inability to grasp the full extent
181
THE SOUTHERN REBELLION.
of the danger threatening the Republic, reigned at Washington. The vigorous and prompt action of Massachusetts did much to restore confidence at the national capital, especially to the mind of Presi- dent Lincoln, who doubted if the unanimity of sentiment leading to unqualified support of the government might be counted on from the loyal North. The emergency found the North unpre- pared. Treason in high places rendered this want of preparation still more unfortunate; but John A. Andrew was eminently the man for the crisis. With the aid of Henry Wilson, E. Rockwood Hoar, George S. Boutwell, at Washington, to ad- vise with the authorities, transmit trne intelligence, and care for our soldiers, the governor's hands were greatly strengthened and the situation visibly improved. With Massachusetts troops at Wash- ington, at Fortress Monroe, at Annapolis, at Fort McHenry, rebellion received its first check, and the idea of peaceful secession its final quietus.
Neither our limits nor our purpose permit a more extended notice of the part taken by the soldiers of Middlesex during the four subsequent years of fratricidal strife. A volume would hardly do this ; and we have only a few pages to devote to a brief and general résumé of the subject.1
The total number of men furnished by Middle- sex during the war is given at 29,170. The adju- tant-general of the state believed, however, this enumeration to be somewhat exaggerated ; still, it is certain, he says, that every city and town in the county furnished its complement of men on every call made by the president ; and at the end of the war each had a surplus standing to its credit. The amount raised and expended in aid of soldiers' families and repaid by the state was $ 1,560,825.2
These figures give an intelligent idea of the re- sources of the county in men and money. They are also a speaking evidence of the public spirit and patriotist of its citizens. With a population of 216,352 (census of 1860), she put into the field a body of soldiers equal to a large army corps. When the next decennial census shall give her a population of 300,000 souls, her military strength may be fairly estimated at forty thousand fight- ing men.
Of the whole number of soldiers, Lowell con-
1 Schouler's History of Massachusetts in the Rebellion gives detailed information of the events in which the different regiments took part. See also the town histories in this volume.
2 The honor of organizing the first Soldiers' Aid Society is claimed for Judge Nathan Crosby, of Lowell.
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tributed 5,266; Charlestown, 4,307; Cambridge, 3,600 ; Somerville, 1,135 ; Newton, 1,067. The other towns of the county furnished as follows : Acton, 195; Arlington, 295; Ashby, 114; Ashland, 184; Bedford, 95; Belmont, 137; Billerica, 173; Boxborough, 51; Brighton, 365 ; Burlington, 82 ; Carlisle, 74; Chelmsford, 249; Concord, 229; Dracut, 218 ; Dunstable, 72; Framingham, 426; Groton, 400; Holliston, 364; Hopkinton, 425; Lexington, 225; Lincoln, 79 ; Littleton, 117 ; Marl- borough, 731; Malden, 567 ; Medford, 557 ; Mel- rosc, 454; Natick, 625 ; North Reading, 131; Pepperell, 186; Reading, 411; Sherborn, 108; Shirley, 142 ; Stoneham, 404; Stow, 174; Sudbury, 168; Tewksbury, 180; Townsend, 250; Tyngs- borough, 65; Wakefield, 386; Waltham, 700; Watertown, 392 ; Wayland, 124; Westford, 172 ; Weston, 131; Wilmington, 99 ; Winchester, 224; Woburn, 708.
Middlesex furnished many valuable officers whose valor in the cause they espoused will forever illus- trate the heroic page of our history. Those who attained the highest rank were Benjamin F. Butler and Nathaniel P. Banks. The former had the honor of commanding the brigade of three months' men first despatched to the relief of Washington ; and subsequently, when commanding at Annapolis, at Baltimore, at Fortress Monroe, and at New Or- leans, of solving some of the most difficult military and political problems the war developed. His ingenious and sagacious application of the prin- ciple of contraband of war to slaves was an inspi- ration. His government of disloyal Baltimore and of captured New Orleans was remarkable for justice, strength, and comprehensiveness. It was in these highly difficult administrative positions that General Butler's genius shone pre-eminent. It was his fortune to render the most conspicuous services to his country, and to obtain at an early stage of the war the rank of major-general of volunteers.
General Banks had only just resigned the guber- natorial chair of Massachusetts when the rebellion broke out. He hastened to offer his services to the government, and was created major-general of volunteers in May, 1861. He commanded the military district of Annapolis, and subsequently that of the Shenandoah. Later he succeeded Gen- eral Butler as military governor of the department of Louisiana. Knowing, as few knew, how to conciliate a proud and sensitive population, his administration was looked upon with much favor by the citizens of New Orleans. General Banks
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
had the good fortune to receive the surrender of Port Hudson as the sequel of the fall of Vicksburg, thus removing the last obstacle to the navigation of the Mississippi.
The news of the evacuation of Richmond by the rebel forces was everywhere received with the wildest demonstrations of joy. In city, village, or hamlet, no sooner was the intelligence received than all business was by a common impulse sus- pended. In Cambridge a meeting was held, at which addresses were made by Richard H. Dana, J. M. S. Williams, and George Thompson, M. P. All the bells of the city rang out a joyful peal ; houses were illuminated ; while the military paraded the streets, which resounded with martial music and huzzas.
In Charlestown the church-bells were rung and flags displayed. These demonstrations were fol- lowed in the evening by illuminations and fire- works. Four thousand workmen, employed at the Navy-Yard, assembled before the residence of Admiral Stringham, who made them a patriotic address. Salutes were fired; and in numerous public and private gatherings the whole popula- tion testified to its gladness at the great news of the hour.
On the 9th of April General Lee surrendered his army to General Grant at Appomattox Court- house, Virginia, thus virtually ending the war. With this blow, the rebellion crumbled in the dust. In the midst of universal congratulations the country was electrified by the intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln, on Satur- day, the 15th of April. This dastardly crime changed the tide of public rejoicing into mourn- ing ; but the occurrence, terrible as it was, did not and could not, as the assassin hoped, result in anarchy or paralyze the strong arm of the nation. It was simply murder; yet it was felt to be the greatest loss the nation had sustained in all the war. Governor Andrew communicated the sad intelligence to the legislature on the 17th, in the following langnage : -
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