History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 87

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 87

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Colonel Jones, on his trip to Groton, met Captain A. C. Handley in the railroad station at South Acton, who immediately started with the order to Captain Tuttle.

Late in the afternoon of the 15th Captain Daniel Tuttle was chosen in town-meeting to an important office. On being requested by the moderator to he sworn as usual, he declined for the reason that he was liable to be sent out of the State with his com- pany any day.

In a little more than an hour the summons came. Captain Tuttle started immediately for Lowell and messengers were sent at once to rally the absent men.

Captain A. C. Handley went to Leominster to notify the Wilder Brothers and returned with them on time ..

Other messengers were sent in different directions, and at two o'clock in the morning of the 16th the bells of the town-house and church were rung, calling the people of Acton to witness the departure of that mil- tary company which was the first in this or any other State to leave their homes in response to the Presi- dent's call.

The company reached Lowell before the hour named, 7 A.M. on the morning of the 16th, and with the other companies of the regiment were dispatched to Boston during the day. Its departure to Washing- ton was delayed somewhat by reason that it was late on the morning of the 16th that Governor Andrew decided to attach to the Sixth Regiment Companies L and R, from Stoneham and Boston.

The regiment left Boston about sunset on the even- ing of the 17th, and reached New York the next morning and Philadelphia the next afternoon. It left Philadelphia at one on the morning of the 19th, and, had there been no delay, would have passed through Baltimore early in the morning and probably without opposition; but the train carrying the Sixth was a very long one, and the passage of the Susque- hanna (then made by ferry) consumed so much time and the slow rate of speed owing to the length of the train delayed its arrival at Baltimore until ten o'clock in the forenoon.

At that time each separate car was drawn through the streets of the city by strings of horses, and thus the different companies of the regiment became sep- arated.

The first six companies, including Company E (Davis Guards), passed through without serious molesta- tion, but the remaining five companies were attacked by the mob, through which they gallantly forced their way, though not without thirty-six of the men re- ceiving gun shot wounds and the loss of four soldiers killed.

In the long procession of fallen patriots who were to pass forward and onward to eternity from the bat- tle-fields of the Rebellion, these four Massachusetts soldiers led the way.

Leaving Baltimore about two o'clock the Sixth reached Washington-forty miles distant-late in the afternoon, and were received by General McPowell, of General Scott's staff, and were assigned quarters in the Senate chamber in the Capitol, where they re- mained about twelve days.

The regiment, aided by a part of the Eighth Regiment and a battery, the whole under the command of Gen- eral Butler, then went back and re-opened the route through Baltimore, staying there some ten days, and were detailed to guard the junction of the main track of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at the Washing- ton branch, at the Relay House, where they remained till the expiration of their service.

At this time detachments were sent to Baltimore-

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one to arrest Marshal Ham and another to capture a noted rebel who was wanted at Fortress Monroe.

The regiment was mustered in at Washington April 22d, and discharged August 2d, being absent from home about 115 days. The term of service, though brief, is assured a high place in history. This regiment was the first to leave home and the first to be attacked. It received a vote of thanks from the first session of the Thirty-seventh Congress for the alacrity with which they responded to the call of the President, and for the bravery and patriotism which they dis- 4 played on the 19th of April in fighting their way through Baltimore on their march for the defence of the national Capitol.

In his order dismissing the regiment Governor Andrew said: "Its gallant conduct has reflected new lustre on the Commonwealth, and has given new his- toric interest to the 19th of April. It will be re- ceived by our people with warm hearts and generous hands." Of the fifty-two men who went out under Captain Tuttle, twenty-seven are now living.

Shortly after the return home of the Sixth Regiment, Colonel Jones commenced to recruit a regiment of three years' men, to be numbered the Sixth Massachu- setts. It was not till the ranks were full and it was nearly ready to leave for the seat of war that Gover- nor Andrew decided to retain the old Sixth as a militia regiment, to be called upon in cases of special urgency.

The new regiment was numbered the Twenty-Sixth, Most of the officers and many of the men of the old Sixth had enlisted for three years, and were enrolled in the Twenty-sixth. Captain Tuttle's health not per- mitting him to return to the war, William H. Chap- man, lieutenant of Company E, old Sixth, became captain of Company E, Twenty-sixth Regiment, and twenty members of the old company enlisted in the new one. This regiment was mustered into the service of the United States October 18, 1861, and left the State November 21st, same year, taking passage on the steamship "Constitution " to Ship Island, on the coast of Louisiana, and remained at Ship Island about four months.

At that time the fleet under Commodores Farragut and Porter, bombarded Forts St. Philip and Jackson, on the Mississippi River, and the Twenty-sixth Regi- ment moved in rear of the forts in readiness to assault, but the surrender of the forts avoided the necessity of an attack, and saved many valuable lives.

After the surrender the regiment garrisoned the forts about four months, and then was ordered to New Orleans for provost duty. It remained there about a year, then started with General Banks on the expedi- tion up the Red River as far as Opelousas; then or- dered back to New Iberia, where about three-fourths of the company re-enlisted, and were given a fur- lough, commencing April 4, 1864, of one month, to visit their friends at home. Upon the expiration of the furlough the regiment was ordered to return to

New Orleans, La., which journey was made on steam- ship " Cahawha " and arrived at its destination May 20th.

After occupying Carrollton and Morganza, it re- turned to New Orleans, and on July 11th embarked on steamer "Charles Thomas " for Bermuda Hun- dred, Va., which place was reached the 21st of July. On the 28th the regiment marched to Deep Bottom, Va., where considerable picket firing took place, but no casualties happened. Subsequently the regiment was ordered to Washington, D. C., and,then marched through a portion of Maryland to the valley of the Shenandoah River, reaching Winchester on the morn- ing of the battle of September 19, 1864. The battle commenced about 10 o'clock in the forenoon and lasted till 5 P.M, when the enemy retreated. The regiment, being in the lead, advanced too far without proper support, and found itself with the enemy not only in front, but on both flanks, and, being thus ex- posed to a severe cross-fire, suffered severely, Company E having seven men killed or mortally wounded. Of the four months' men who went into the battle, at its close only twenty-three were fit for duty. The battle of Fisher's Hill took place three days later.

On October 18th the three years' term of service of that portion of the regiment that did not enlist hav- ing expired, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of five companies by Special Order No. 64, and those whose term of enlistment had expired were separated from their comrades who had re-enlisted. In the battle of the following day, let it be said to the credit of many of those discharged men, though under no obligation to do so, they gallantly again entered the ranks, fought all day and helped to change a tem- porary defeat into a glorious victory.

I am sorry to say that this voluntary act of patriot- ism cost some of these noble men their lives. Corporal Loker tells me that after the fight he helped to bury two men killed in the action whose term of service had expired before the battle.

On October 19th the rebel army surprised the Union troops at Cedar Creek, driving them back four miles in confusion. This was the scene of Sheridan's famous ride from "Winchester, twenty miles away," though, as a matter of fact, the Union troops had made a stand before his arrival. The remarks he made to his men greatly inspirited them, though it is not probable that these remarks will ever take a place in polite literature.

The results of the battle of Cedar Creek were the capture of nearly all of the rebel baggage-train and field artillery, and the complete dispersion of Early's forces. The battalion remained at Winchester dur- ing the winter, were ordered to Washington May 2d, and one month later were sent to Savannah, Ga., where they remained until August 26, 1865, when the battalion was mustered out of service; left Savannah September 12th, and reached Boston September 18th ; were sent to Gallop's Island for final payment, and

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reached Acton the evening of October 21, 1865, after an absence of four years and three days.

In the narrative of Company E, Twenty-sixth Regi- ment, I stated that Governor Andrew decided to retain the Sixth as a militia regiment to answer sudden calls. In response to such a call it left the State August 31, 1862, to serve for nine months under Colonel Albert S. Follansbee, of Lowell. Company E, of Acton, was officered as follows : Aaron C. Handley, captain ; Aaron S. Fletcher and George W. Rand, lieutenants ; Dr. Isaiah Hutchins, hospital steward for the regi- ment.

Captain Handley had commanded the Davis Guards some years before the war. His grandfather had served in the Revolutionary War and his father did military duty in the War of 1812.

The regiment was ordered to proceed to Suffolk, Virginia, near Fortress Monroe. It assisted in the construction of Forts Nansemond and Mclellan. The regiment was detailed for guard duty in the forts, afterwards for scouting duty and destroying rebel railroads, among which were the Norfolk and Peters- burg Railroad and the Seaboard and Roanoke.

The regiment took part in several battles and skir- mishes. Among these may be mentioned the Deserted House, Carrsville and Ludlow Lawrence's home. In these actions the Sixth had twenty-seven men killed and wounded. No casualties in Acton company, though that company lost three men by disease. The regiment was mustered out June 3, 1863.

The services of the old Sixth were required for the third and last time during the war, for a term of enlistment of one hundred days, commencing July 18, 1864.

Col. Follansbee again led the regiment, and Co. E, Davis Guards, of Acton, was under the following list of officers : Frank M. Whitcomb, who was orderly ser- geant during the nine months' term of service in 1861 and 1863, was captain, with George W. Knight and Isaiah Hutchins as lieutenants. The regiment was ordered to proceed to Washington, D. C., and marched to Arlington Heights and performed fatigue duty in front of Fort Stevens for two or three weeks. This fatigue duty consisted in leveling the ground and fell- ing trees to give greater range and efficiency to the great guns of the fort. After this time it was ordered to garrison Fort Delaware and to guard the rebel prisoners in the fort. After a useful but uneventful term of service it was mustered out, Oct. 27tb, and re- turned home.

Of the one hundred men in Captain Whitcomb's company, twenty-nine were from Acton. No casual- ties or deaths occurred during this enlistment.

The official military record of the town of Acton re- ports as sent to the army during the War of the Rebel- lion 215 different men, including twenty commissioned officers. The adjutant-general's report for 1865 states that at the close of the war she had answered all calls required to fill her quota, and had a surplus of thirty

men to her credit. The number of commissioned offi- cers was exceptionally large. No Acton-born soldier, credited to her quota, deserted, or failed to receive an honorable discharge.

The recruiting committee of the town were the selectmen : James E. Billings, J. K. W. Wetherbee and Jonas K. Putney, with an assistant committee of three : Daniel Wetherbee, Capt. A. C. Handley and Varnum B. Mead.

Four brothers enlisted from one family, and the head of that family a widow, Mrs. Abram Handley. Though one of these brothers (Frank) died early in the war, and another (George) was discharged for dis- ability, their combined terms of service were more than ten years.

Mr. Wheeler's three sons all enlisted. In six other cases, two brothers were in the ranks together, and in one both father and son, William and William B. Reed, were in the service at the same time.

Luke Smith was credited three times to the quota of the town, whose father, Solomon Smith, marched over the same road under Captain Isaac Davis to the old North Bridge that his son, Luke, followed in part under Captain Daniel Tuttle, eighty-four years later. Mr. Smith was the oldest soldier credited to Acton's quota, having at his last enlistment (for one hundred days) in 1864, reached the age of more than fifty years. .

Thomas Kinsley, Jr., was the youngest recruit, being but fifteen years and two months old at the time of his enlistment.

Of the 216 men credited to Acton, eighteen died while in service, either killed in battle or victims of disease. This does not include natives or residents of Acton, who were credited to other towns, who died in service.

MEMORIAL LIBRARY .- This memorial structure, just completed, stands upon the north side of the Main Street at the Centre, nearly opposite the Davis Monument. It has an ideal location, partially shaded by the elms and maples, which give it a classic repose even at the start.

Its approach is by an easy ascent from the east, south and west, over concrete walks. It is a few rods northeast of the Town House, with which it is con- nected by concrete and a fine lawn, a site known for over sixty years as the Fletcher Homestead. It is the most unique and costly building ever erected in town, and is destined to be the centre of culture for many generations to come.

The style of architecture is Romanesque. The ex- ternal appearance and the internal arrangements and furnishings are in harmony with this idea, and can be properly judged only from that standpoint. The architects are H. W. Hartwell and William G. Rich- ardson, of Boston. The building is composed of red brick and brownstone.

Its extreme length is sixty-six feet six inches and its depth thirty-two feet and ten inches from sonth to

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

north. The principal entrance opens upon the south and through a large, solid freestone arch, which has rich mouldings and carved spandrels, within which are to be placed memorial tablets to the soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, of which this town furnished a large number. On entering the building, a reading- room, called the Memorial Room, sixteen by twenty- five feet, is found at the left. It has heavy beamed ceiling, a large antique brick fire-place and decorated walls. Above the fire-place is a handsome brown- stone tablet, with this carved inscription :

" THIS BUILDING A GIFT TO HIS NATIVE TOWN BY WILLIAM ALLEN WILDE."

The room has rich oak tables, settees and chairs, all in the olden style. Opposite the read- ing-room, and at the right, is the book apartment, thirty-two feet six inches long, twenty-fonr feet six inches wide, twenty feet high. Along the sides of this are arranged book alcoves, two stories high, having light connecting galleries for the second tier, reached by stairs at the right and left of the desk occupied by the librarian. The desk is so lo- cated that the person in charge of it can command a view of the book-room and the reading room also, this latter opening into the central reading space by a large open archway. Located at the north of this central hall is the room devoted to the library trns- tees, thirteen by fifteen feet, with a northern light, richly furnished. Opening out of this is a fire-proof vault, where articles of valne and the archives of the town can be stored. In the opposite corner is a toilet-room, fitted up with all modern conveniences. All the spaces and rooms are brilliantly lighted from chandeliers, and heated by two large furnaces in the cellar, which is by itself quite an institution-ce- mented, drained and plastered. The water arrange- ments are quite a specialty, embracing a tank in the attic, which can be easily filled by a force-pump connecting with a well that belonged to the estate, seventy-five feet deep, the bottom of which is a solid ledge, containing an unfailing spring of the purest and coolest water.

The corporators of the library under the charter are Luther Conant, Adelbert Mead, Moses Taylor, Hiram J. Hapgood, Delette H. Hall and Daniel James Wetherbee. These are constituted trustees for life, with power to fill vacancies in case of death or resignation of any one of their number. Three additional trustees are to be chosen by the town, one for three years, one for two years and one for one year.

In the future, after the organization, the town is to elect by ballot each year one trustee of the three, elective for three years.

Mr. Wilde's letter presenting Memorial Library Building to the town of Acton :

" MALDEN, MASS., Feb. 27, 1890.

" To the Selectmen of Acton :

"GENTLEMEN,-For a long time past it has been my intention, if ever I was able to do so, to remember my native towu by the gift of some mem-

orial to the memory of those brave and patriotic men of Actou who so freely gave time, strength and health-and many of them their lives- in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-65.

" To carry ont this plan in what seemed to me the most advantageous sud permanent method possible, I have purchased the estate of Rev. Jamies Fletcher, adjacent to the Town-Honse, and erected thereon a Memorial Library, placing upon its shelves some four thousand volumes, more or less, and I beg the privilege of presenting this property to the town as a free gift, ouly stipulating that it shall forever he kept as & . Memorial Library, and free to all the citizens of the patriotic old town of Actou, which I shall always love and be proud of.

"If it shall please the town to accept thie gift I shall be glad to pass all necessary papers for the transfer of the property to whom and at such time as the town shall direct.

"I am, gentlemen, yours truly,

" WILLIAM A. WILDE."

Upon reading this letter, by Mr. Howard B. White, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, to the citizens of Acton, in town-meeting assembled, March 3, 1890, Rev. James Fletcher presented the following resolu- tions, which were unanimously adopted by the town, to be forwarded to Mr. Wilde in response, and to be placed upon the town records :

" WHEREAS a charter of Incorporation has passed the Legislature and been signed by his Excellency Gov. J. Q. A. Brackett incorporating the Memorial Library, and Hon. William A. Wilde, & native of Actou-now s resident of Malden-hes signified his readiness to deed to the town the Memorial Library Building just completed et his expense, and the land ou which it stands, and all the appurtenances thereof, including books already selected, the Memorial Room and the town-vault for the arch- Ives of the towo,-

" Resolved 1st, We, the inhabitants of the town of Acton, in town- meeting assembled, do accept the trust and authorize the Selectmen, in behalf of the town, to sigu all papers and perform all acts necessary to complete the transfer of the property to the care of the trustees.

" Resolved 2d, In passing this vote we wish to express to Mr. Wilde- in behalf of the present inhabitants of the town ; in behalf of all future generations who may he resident here, and participants in the benefits to be enjoyed ; in behalf of the soldiers of the War of the Rebellion, whose memory and valor he has so tenderly cherished in the name and arrangement of the structure-our profound appreciation of his gener- ous gift."

" We assure him of our hearty thanks for remembering the place of his birth by a memento eo enduring and so hefitting the past history and future needs of the town.

"We assure him or our cordial co-operation in doing what lu us lies, to perpetnate tbe intentione and possibilities of the trust.

" We tender to him, his companion and his children our best wishes for their life, health and prosperity, and our prayer that the douation, in -which they each have a personal share and honor, may contribute to their mutual and lasting enjoyment."

The selectmen and the whole Board of Trustees were authorized to make all necessary arrangements for the dedication of the building.

The trustees chosen by the town at the March meeting, 1890, are the following : William D. Tuttle for three years, James Fletcher for two years, Howard B. White for one year.

Mr. William Allen Wilde, the donor, was born in Acton, Mass., July 11, 1827. He is now resident in Malden, Mass., and does business as a publisher, his office being at 25 Bromfield Street, Boston. His father, Joseph Wilde, lived in Southeast Acton, married Sarah Conant, of Stow, sister to Abraham and Simeon Conant, of Acton. He died in Acton, in the eighty- second year of his age. Their children were : Mary, now living in Moultonboro', N. H .; Silvia, deceased ; Sarah, living with Mary ; John, who was drowned ;

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Joseph, living in Natick, with seven children and prospering in business ; Willliam A .; and George, living in Somerville.

Benjamin+, the father of Joseph Wild5, died when fifty-six years old, of yellow fever. He married Sil- via Thayer, of Boston. She died two days after her husband and was buried in Acton. Her daughter, Silvia, died of yellow fever two days after her mother and was buried in Acton.

William Wild3, the father of Benjamin4, lived in Randolph, Mass., and died when eighty-seven years old.

William2, the father of William3, lived in Brain- tree, Mass., and died in his eighty-seventh year.

William Wild1, the father of William2, landed from England in 1632, and lived in Randolph, Mass., which was then a part of Braintree.

William A. Wilde6, the son of Joseph Wild5, · married, first, Loise A. Mace, of Pepperell, Mass., without issue. Married, second, Lydia Jane Bride, of Berlin, Mass. Children : Jennie, born September 7, 1854, deceased at sixteen years of age; Carrie, born October 12, 1856, deceased at seven years of age ; Wil- liam Eugene, born in Acton September 12, 1858, mar- ried, in 1885, Effie Jean Dresser, of Portland, Me. Mar- ried, third, Celestia Dona Hoyt, of Wentworth, N. H. Children : Alice Elizabeth, born June 12, 1869; Al- len Hoyt, born April 29, 1874.

Mr. Wilde was educated at Groton and Pepperell Academies. He has taught school twelve years, been superintendent of the schools of the city of Malden ; five years chairman of the Water Board when large and expensive water-works were being constructed.

He represented Malden two years in the Legisla- ture, and was chairman of the House Committee of Education. He has been trustee of the Malden Li- brary eight years, and is now one of the Prison Commissioners of the State of Massachusetts.

OUR HONORED DEAD (Tablet List). BY JULIAN TUTTLE.

Luke W. Bowers; he eulisted in Aug., 1862, Co. E, 33d Mass. Reg. ; died of wounds May 1, 1864, at Resaca, Georgia.

Albert Couaut, enlisted Dec., 1861, io Co. F, 30th Mass. Reg. ; he died at sea Jao., 1864, oo the voyage home.

Elbridge Conant, eulisted Aug. 18, 1862, in Co. E, 6th Mass. Reg. ; died Feb., 1863, at Suffolk, Va.

Eugene L. Hall, eulisted Feb., 1864, in Co. E, 26th Mass. Reg. ; killed Sept., 1864, at Winchester, Va.

Frank Handley, enlisted Sept., 1861, in Co. E, 26th Mass. Reg. ; died July, 1862, at Fort St. Philip, near New Orleans, La.

Augustns W. Hosmer, enlisted Sept., 1861, in 26th Dlass. Reg. ; band ; died Nov., 1861, at Acton, Dlass.

Eli Huggins, enlisted Sept., 1861, in Co. A, 26th Mass. Reg. ; died Oct, 1863. at New Orleans, La.

Samuel C. Hauscom, enlisted Dec., 1862, in Co. A, 2d Mass. Cavalry ; killed July, 1864, at Aldie, Va.

James P. Hansconi, eulisted May, 1861, in Co. E, 1st Minnesota Reg. ; died Nov., 1862, at Portsmouth Grove, R. I.

John A. Howard, enlisted Aug., 1862, in Co. E, 26th Mass. Reg. ; died Dec., 1863, at New Orleans, La.

Jehn S. Harris, enlisted June, 1861, in Co. F, 11th Mass. Reg. ; killed May, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.

Francie Kinsley, enlisted Sept., 1861, in Co. E, 26th Mass. Reg. ; died April, 1861, at Acton, Mlass.

Thomas Kinsley, Jr., enlisted Feb., 1864, in Co. E, 26th Mass. Reg .; died Nov., 1864, at Washington, D. C.

George Warren Knight, enlisted Oct., 1862, in Co. E, 53d Mass. Reg. ; . died April, 1863, at New Orleans, La.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 87

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034