USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 30
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The City Guards, Capt. Timothy Ingraham, were ordered out by the mayor, and marched to the scene, fully armed and equipped for serious
31I
THE WATER STREET FIRE.
work. They halted on Second street, near Howland, and awaited or- ders. By this time the rioters had dispersed, evidently satisfied with the work accomplished, and the Gnards were not called upon for service. At midnight the crowds of people retired, and thus ended the famous Howland street riot. Several persons were arrested, but their cases never came to trial. The citizens of other notorious sections of the city were badly frightened, and during the night outposts were sta- tioned to give the alarm should the mob be seen approaching. The city government took vigorous action to prevent further demonstrations of this character. The military were under arms for several weeks, and many of the engine companies were sworn in for special duty, but for- tunately their services were not required.
At noonday on August 24, 1859, the greatest fire in our local history, involving an immense amount of property, occurred on Water street, north of Middle. It was past twelve, an hour when the shops and streets were deserted, and the workmen were at dinner, when fire broke out suddenly in the engine room of William Wilcox's planing-mill, on the east side of Water street, on the same spot where now stands Tilling- hast's mill. The structure was of wood and, in an instant, was envel- oped in flames. A strong southeast wind was blowing at the time, and the fire spread with great rapidity to the buildings north, leaped across the street, even before the alarm was given, taking all the shops on the west side of Water street clear to North street, and worked its way steadily westward to Second street.
Meanwhile along the wharves the flames made steady progress, tak- ing in their path all the buildings and their contents. Wilcox's lumber yard was now one dense mass of flame, and the condition of things at this time was appalling. But when the cargoes of cil stored in the vicinity of Richmond & Wilcox's wharf took fire, and the ship John & Edward, lying at the head of the dock, was absorbed in the destruction, the flames enveloping the entire vessel, and leaping upward to the top of the masts, the scene was one of great impressiveness. The oil, at this point, as it ran from the wharf into the dock, took fire, and at one time the water for some distance out into the dock was covered with burning oil, forming literally a sea of fire. Several ships in this dock tied to the wharf had to be pushed out into the river in order to save them from destruction.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
The spectacle now presented was one of sublime grandeur. At the north, mountains of black smoke were rising, tinged at the lower edges with the forked flames that rose from the burning oil, while in the fore - ground was the burning ship-at this moment in the last stage of de- struction. At the south the burning lumber had reached its intensest heat, and solid masses of flame shot high into the heavens. In the inter- vening space were the standing chimneys, grim monuments of the fright- ful disaster, and the burning ruins of what but a few hours before had been hives of industry. Here and there might be seen groups of fire- men at their work, defying the danger that beset them on every hand.
The houses on Second street were now in flames and the fire was spreading with fearful certainty to the north, promising to cut a path through the northwest section of the city ; and without doubt it would have done so but for the decision of the authorities to blow up the building on the northeast corner of Second and North streets. This was quickly accomplished, and the stunning explosion that was heard in every part of the city was the announcement to the affrighted citizens that danger from that section was over. On the northwest corner of North Water and North streets were stored under seaweed 14,000 bar- rels of oil, valued at $200,000. To save this from destruction a num- ber of citizens armed with big brooms made of brush, thrashed out the burning cinders as they fell in great clouds. The fearful heat made this task almost unbearable, and yet pluckily they stood to the work and saved this large property. They were aided by the fire depart- ment who kept the seaweed wet.
The bursting of so many oil casks sent rivulets of oil in all direc- tions, much of it into the river, much into every sunken spot, and ponds of pure spermaceti were formed in many directions. When the confla- gration was under control the gathering of this oil became a lively busi- ness. Empty oil casks were at a premium and every sort of vessel that would hold liquid was brought into requisition. "Dipping ile" was a very profitable business and was followed for a time, some persons get- ting as much as forty barrels. It was subsequently bought by the oil refining factories at about twenty-five cents a gallon.
At nightfall the fire had spent its fury and apprehensions of any fur- ther disaster were allayed. Several engines were at work all night
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THE WATER STREET FIRE.
playing upon the ruins. Ships Illinois, Congaree and Cowper, lying in the dock, were slightly damaged by fire, but were towed out of danger by tugboat Spray The occasional explosion of the bomb-lances was terrific and the reports were like those of artillery on the battle field.
The following buildings were destroyed : William Wilcox's steam planing-mill, loss $14,000, no insurance ; Thomas Booth's sash, door, and blind manufactory, upper story, loss $1,500, no insurance ; Ryder & Smith's building and spar yard, totally destroyed, loss $3,000, 110 insurance ; Thomas Booth's carpenter shop, loss $1,000 ; all these were on the east side of Water street. The flames now crossed the street and burned Hayes & Co.'s mill for dressing staves, loss $2,500, no in - surance ; the second story was occupied by Charles and Edward Bier- stadt, turning and sawing shop, loss $1,000, no insurance; the building next north was Warren Hathaway & Son's, manufacturers of whaling apparatus, mincing machines, etc., loss $7,000, insurance $2,600 ; in the rear was a blacksmith shop, entirely destroyed. In these buildings was a large lot of bomb-lances that exploded during the progress of the fire, creating much alarm among the people; next north, building occupied by Howland & Coggeshall, storage of casks; second story, car- penter's shop, G. & C. Brownell, loss $400 The flames then attacked the lumber yard, sheds and buildings belonging to Thomas Booth, loss $8,000, no insurance; John D Hursell, paint shop, in upper story of building, loss $1,200, no insurance. Next in order came the three- story building on the corner of North and Water streets, occupied by Nathaniel H. Nye, ship chandler; second story, counting-rooms of Messrs. Wilcox & Richmond, B. B. Howard, Edmund Maxfield, Rus- sell Maxfield and David B. Kempton ; third story occupied by Charles Searell, rigger; loss on building $3,000, Mr. Searell $500, no insurance. To the west of the machine shop of Messrs. Hathaway was the cooper- age of Howland & Coggeshall. Their entire loss was $3,000, no insur- surance. Near this were two small dwellings that were destroyed.
The fire continued to spread to the west. The engineers blew up the building on Second street at 1. 30 o'clock belonging to Dennis Daly. This effectually stopped the fire from going south. The next building destroyed north of Daly's was the house belonging to Stephen N. Pot ter, loss $3,000, no insurance. Then came the large cooperage of
40
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Hayes & Co. It was entirely destroyed, loss $8,000, no ·insurance. Following this a dwelling house owned by Wilcox & Richmond, loss $1,200, no insurance. Next, southeast corner of Second and North streets, fish market of Gardner & Estes, loss $400, insured. The fire then extended to the west side of Second street and destroyed a dwel- ling owned by Mrs. Ezra Smith, loss $3,000. Next, on the same side, a house on the southwest corner of North and Second streets, owned by D. R. Greene, loss $4,000, insurance $2,200. At 2 o'clock the en- gineers blew up the dwelling house of Mrs. Joseph Maxfield on north - west corner of North and Second streets, loss $1,500.
The above, embracing about twenty buildings, were destroyed, and a large number of sheds, and 8,000 barrels of oil. The entire loss, as recorded in the books of the Board of Engineers was $254,575 with but $6,975 insurance.
This was the most disastrous conflagration our city ever experienced ; and what made it especially sad was that the loss fell with such terrible force upon a class of our most industrious and worthy citizens, many of whom saw all the hard earnings of years in a few hours entirely obliter - ated. Some not only lost their business, but their homes even were sacrificed in the great disaster.
Hardly had the embers died out before there came an imperative de- mand by the citizens for a more adequate protection of our city. The newspapers took up the appeal, and " steam" became the popular cry. The hand engine service fought the battle for all it was worth, but with- out avail ; the beginning of the end had come. The scoffs and jeers of the multitude of friends of the fire department under the old régime could not stay the tide of progress. The steam fire engine rolled into town one day, only a few months later. In less than a year following its ad- vent, the hand engines began, one after another, to go out of service, and the number of steam fire engines increased.
The following list shows the names and dates of the opening of a large portion of the prominent streets of the city:
1847-Walden, from Maxfield to Sycamore ; Sycamore from Wal- del to County ; Franklin, from County to Purchase; Orchard, from Hawthorn to Arnold.
1848-Walnut, from Water to the river; Mill, from Hill to County ; Arnold, from County to Orchard ; Grinnell, from County to contemp-
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NEW STREETS- NECROLOGY.
lated Bonney street ; Pleasant, from Franklin to Pope street ; Hatha- way road, from Perry's Neck road to Smith Mills road; Nash road, from Acushnet avenue to Perry's Neck road ; School, from Seventh to County ; South Second to Griffin street ; Bonney, from Allen to Wash- ington ; Hillman, from North Second to North Water.
1849-Hillman, from Summer to Chestnut ; Cedar, from North to Smith ; Elm, from Summer to Ash.
1850-Pope, from County to Purchase ; Parker street, from County to wood land of Dr. A. Reed; Bush, from County to Orchard; Sum- mer, from Kempton to Hillman ; Charles, from Kempton to County ; Ray, from Pearl to County ; Merrimac, from Ray to Purchase ; Mill, from Cedar to County ; North, from Cedar to County ; Hillman, from Chestnut to Cedar; Cypress, from Kempton to Hillman ; First, from Union to William ; Chestnut, from Hillman to Smith ; Fourth, from Bedford to A. Gifford's land ; Union, from Orchard to Cottage.
1852-Parker street, from terminus to Oak Grove Cemetery; Crapo street, Grinnell to South; Sycamore street, from Chestnut to County ; Sycamore street, from Pleasant to Walden ; Sycamore street, from Chestnut to Cedar; Pearl street, from Purchase to Pleasant; Orange street, from Grinnell to South; Cottage street, from Hawthorn to Bed- ford ; Pleasant street, from Franklin to Merrimac; State street, from Willis to Franklin ; Forest street, from County to Bonney.
DEATHS.
1847 - October 19, John Taber, aged 75 years, a citizen of Fair- haven ; December 26, Abraham Shearman, a distinguished Friend.
1849-January 8, Ephraim Delano, aged 79 years, a citizen of Fair- haven ; February 6, Mannasseh Kempton, aged 83 years; April 30, Robert Wait, aged 73 years; November 9, Capt. John Howland, aged 73 years; November 10, Capt. David Jenney, aged 82 years.
1850-January 23, Capt. David Brayton, aged 66 years ; January 29, Capt Noah Stoddard, aged 95 years, a citizen of Fairhaven, a soldier of the American Revolution who rendered distinguished service to his country ; April 19, Cornelius Grinnell, aged 92 years, an eminent
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
citizen ; June 28, Desire Howland, aged 81 years; October 22, James Hathaway, aged 60 years
1852-October 10, John Howland, aged 70 years.
1853-April 19, William Tallman, aged 92 years; December 30, John Avery Parker, aged 84 years, one of the most influential citizens of his day.
CHAPTER XIX.
NEW BEDFORD IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Loyalty of New Bedford - Early Response to the First Call for Troops - Depart- ure and Service of the City Guards - The Roster - Harbor Defences - The Ladies' Relief Society - Company D, Twenty-third Regiment - Fifth Battery - The Stone Fleet-The Thirty-third Regiment -The Thirty-eighth Regiment -The Third Regi- ment M. V. M. - The Fifty-fourth Regiment - New Bedford's Maritime Losses - Company B, Third Heavy Artillery -Company B, Fourth Cavalry -- The Fifty-eighth Regiment -- Peace -- The Assassination of President Lincoln - The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument -- New Bedford in the Navy- Lieut. W. P. Randall and the Cum- berland-Thomas Almy of the Wachusett-The Tecumseh Incident- Naval Officers from New Bedford.
T is not within the scope of this book to discuss the causes that led - to the civil war, nor to record the national events that characterized the four years' conflict. The story has probably been written more thoroughly and exhaustively than that of any war in the world's his- tory. Every State in the Union has in its archives complete records concerning every regiment, company, and soldier. They contain relia- ble information relating to all matters regarding the army and navy. The innumerable military organizations throughout the country have preserved the experiences of their members, and the thrilling stories of camp and field These, with the official documents and records in the possession of the national government, form a vast treasure house of historic material relating to the civil war.
It remains for this work to briefly enumerate the organizations from New Bedford that one after another responded to the nation's call for defenders, and to note the more prominent local events that relate to
317
THE DEPARTURE OF THE GUARDS.
the great rebellion. The echoes of the enemy's guns fired against Fort Sumter were heard all over the land and roused the patriotism of every loyal heart. The call to arms was promptly responded to by thou- sands of citizens who were ready and anxious to render service to their country. The old Bay State, true to her record in the past, stood in the front rank with the loyal States in furnishing her quota of the 75,000 volunteers first called for by Abraham Lincoln. New Bedford acted promptly ; and on the morning of April 16, 1861, four days after the attack on Fort Sumter, the New Bedford Guards, Company L, Third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, stood in line in front of City Hall, to receive the tributes of praise from eloquent speakers, and an ova- tion from an immense throng of citizens, who crowded the square and adjoining streets. Ex-Gov. John H. Clifford made a touching and elo- quent address to the soldiers. His words were full of lofty patriotism, and they stirred the loyalty and enthusiasm of soldier and citizen. His closing words to the company were :
" Go in peace about your families ; your fellow citizens will see to it that those you leave behind shall want for nothing while you are gone. We shall hear from you on the field of duty, and that not one has failed, wherever he may be. God keep you safe under His care, and bring you back with untarnished glory, to be received by your fellow citi- zens with hearty joy and honor."
The solemn and impressive exercises closed with a fervent prayer by Rev. John Girwood.
At the invitation of Govenor Clifford, a large number of citizens formed in line, and, to the inspiring music of "Yankee Doodle" by the band, escorted to the station the New Bedford City Guards, every man of them a volunteer. Thus went the first of the thirty-two hundred men furnished by the city of New Bedford during the war, a surplus of eleven hundred and ten men over and above all demands from the United States government. The patriotism of the community was thoroughly aroused and found expression in flag raisings and in similar demonstrations. Physicians offered their gratuitous services to the families represented in the membership of the City Guards, and the warmest sympathies of the community were supplemented by practical action. The Guards arrived in Boston at midday in a drenching rain,
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
and were escorted to the United States Hotel, where they were enter- tained by Horace Scott and other New Bedford friends. On the 17th they joined their regiment and passed in review at the State House, re- ceiving the ovations of an immense crowd of citizens gathered to do honor to the departing soldiers. They took their departure for Fort- ress Monroe the next morning in the steamer S. R. Spaulding, where they arrived on the 20th, and marched into the fort at 11.30 o'clock, A. M. After a few hours' rest, and a collation of crackers and cheese, the regiment at 3 o'clock marched on board the steam frigate Pawnee and were conveyed to Norfolk that evening, where the men took an ac- tive part in destroying the navy yard, to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy. Ten thousand sixty-four pound balls were thrown into the river, guns were spiked, and many buildings destroyed. On the 24th the regiment was mustered into the United States service, and entered with enthusiasm upon the routine life at the fort.
The New Bedford soldiers were made happy on May I by the arrival of Stephen A. Tripp, State agent, with letters, clothing, and gifts from home. On the 8th, $600 from Edward C. Jones and $80 from the ladies were distributed to the Guards. The three months' service of the City Guards was confined to duties in the fort, and to picket duty in its vicinity.
The records reveal many interesting events that took place in the fort during their short term of service. On the first Sunday the Guards voted to hold weekly religious services, and they were inaugurated at once. For want of a regular chaplain, Lieut. A. S. Cushman officiated " in the capacity of presiding elder." Runaway slaves daily came into the fort, seeking and obtaining protection. On May 27 thirty-three of these people were embarked for Newport News. July 4 was recognized by a flag-raising, and the stars and stripes were flung to the breeze amid the cheers of the soldiers and the booming of artillery.
July 8 a detachment of New Bedford soldiers under Sergeant Samuel C. Hart was detailed to throw up breastworks, and the sergeant found himself in the novel position of a slave overseer. Sixty runaway slaves were sent him to assist in the work. The thermometer stood at 110º. Many of the Guards were overcome with the heat and returned to quar - ters. Thursday, July 23, was the last day of enlistment, and the regi-
319
RETURN OF THE GUARDS.
ment embarked in the steamer Fanny for home. Their departure was signalized by the hearty good wishes of their companions in arms. The steamer passed Minot's Ledge at 5.30 o'clock on the morning of the 19th, and the troops landed at the wharf in Boston at 7. The reg- iment went into camp at Long Island, Boston Harbor, and was mus- tered out of service on Monday, July 22. On the 23d, under the escort of the Second Battalion of Rifles, Major Newton, the regiment pro- ceeded to Boston Common, where it passed in review and was dis- missed. The City Guards returned to New Bedford on the evening train and were greeted with salvos of artillery, and with the warm wel- come of friends who met them at the station. Escorted by companies A, B, C, and D, Home and Coast Guards, they marched to City Hall, where they were addressed in complimentary speeches by Mayor Isaac C. Tabor and Hon. John H. Clifford. At the close of these, they pro- ceeded to the armory, where the company in line received a few words of commendation from its commander With rounds of cheers for Captain Ingraham, First Lieut. James Barton, Second Lieut. A. S. Cushman, and for the Home and Coast Guards, the New Bedford City Guards were dismissed. This ended the service of the first company of volunteers from New Bedford.
Among the field and staff officers of the Third Regiment of Infantry M. V. M., belonging in New Bedford when mustered into service April 23, 1861, were David W. Wardrop, colonel; John H. Jennings, major ; Alexander S. Holmes, surgeon ; Johnson Clark, assistant surgeon ; Austin S. Cushman, adjutant ; Albert C. Maggi, sergeant-major ; Fred- erick S. Gifford, quartermaster-sergeant.
Line officers, Company L, New Bedford Guards : Timothy Ingra - ham, captain; James Barton, first lieutenant; Austin S. Cushman, second lieutenant ; Samuel C Hart, first sergeant ; William M Bates, Elisha Doane, Thomas S. Palmer, sergeants; Nathan B. Mayhew, Walter D. Keith, Timothy D. Cook, jr., Anthony D. Lang, corporals.
Privates, William M. Bates, Daniel A Butler, Frederick S. Gifford, Walter D. Keith, George Barrows, John E. Henshaw, James H. Hath- away, Thomas Martin, A. C. Maggi, John H. Babcock, Joseph E. Nye, Augustus Arnaud, William E. Manchester, Charles B. Walker, Nathan B. Mayhew, Aaron Upjohn, jr., Eliphalet H. Robbins, Sanford M.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Robinson, William H. Sisson, Frank Herley, Isaac C. Hart, George H. Freeman, Franklin S. Herley, Hosea C. Clay, Edward R. Richards, Daniel W. Hall, Ingersoll B. Endicot, Edward L. Pierce, Timothy D. Cook, jr., Jonathan W. Davis, Warren Moore, Charles West, Thomas C. Allen, jr., Ezra K Bly, William G. Davis, Peleg W. Blake, George T. Sears, Charles H. Tobey, John P. Hood, Ira S. Negus, Timothy W. Terry, Franklin Tobey, jr., Edward Hicks, William H. Allen, George H. Chase (drummer), William H. Taylor, jr., Henry A. Wilcox, Isaac H. Barrows, Roland L. Hillman, Charles Grand, Josiah B. Hamblin, James Skinner, Rollins H. W. Carnes, George P. Sisson, William H. Salisbury, Charles N. Avery, Charles H. Nevins, Owen P. Conley, Eli- sha Doane, Anthony Lang, Charles M. Collins, Thomas S. Palmer, Seth A. Wilcox, Andrew W. Russell, Owen Brady, Jonathan M. Rix, A. W. Young, George P. Lee, Harrison O. Thomas, Pardon A. Davis, Anson E. Ferris, George W. Hunt, H. Nye, Frank Staples, George S. Palmer.
April 17, the day following the departure of the City Guards, a pat- riotic meeting was held in City Hall, Col. C. B. H. Fessenden pre- siding, and the immense throng of citizens was addressed by Hon. Thomas D. Elliot, Hon. John H. Clifford, Hon. Rodney French and others April 19 the city council, in response to the action of this meeting, appropriated $5,000 for the benefit of the soldiers who had already departed for the South.
The menacing character of the rebel cruisers that already were upon the ocean occasioned much uneasiness, and it was feared that New Bedford would receive a visit from them. Means for defense were at once begun. A sand battery on Clark's Point was thrown up April 27, and three twenty four pounders were mounted. Fort Phoenix was put in good condition and the barracks renovated. While these operations were in progress, companies of home and coast guards were being or- ganized. May 4 Company A, Capt, Henry F. Thomas; Company B, Capt. William S. Cobb; Company C, Capt. George A. Bourne ; Com- pany D, Capt. B. Ewer, and an artillery company, Capt. John B. Hyde, were organized under the command of Gen. James D. Thompson. Company D belonged to Fairhaven. The duty of this corps was to guard the coast and garrison the forts. A detachment from one of the New Bedford companies was placed in Fort Phoenix May 4, and one at
321
LADIES' RELIEF SOCIETIES.
Fort Taber (for that was the name given the sand battery on Clark's Point, in honor of Mayor Isaac C. Taber) on May II. A vigilant watch was maintained day and night of vessels approaching the harbor. An appropriation of $5,000 was made by the city government on July 29 for the maintenance of the home and coast guard.
The Ladies' Soldiers' Relief Society was formed soon after the de- parture of the City Guards, and their beneficent work was at once directed to the immediate wants of this company. Quantities of cloth- ing and hospital stores were sent to them. This was but the beginning of the patriotic work of this society, and its record during the war re- dounds to the honor of the city. The official statement says it donated for the relief of the soldiers upwards of $20,000 in money ; in cotton cloth and flannel, $4,000, and in hospital stores to the amount of $6,000. The following are some of the articles contributed : Condensed milk, preserved fruits, jellies, pickles, farina, maizena, tamarinds, lemons, dried apples, tea, coffee, cocoa, 1, 116 bottles of wine, 423 bottles of brandy, 1, 130 bottles of blackberry brandy and syrups, 345 bottles of port wine, large contributions for the Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas trees at Portsmouth Grove Hospital, besides bushels of lint and bandages. The Society for the Comfort and Relief of Our Soldiers in Hospitals furnished among other things, 5,904 flannel shirts, 3887 pairs of drawers, 4,573 pairs of woolen socks, 1,790 towels, 94 coats, 76 waistcoats, 120 collars, 1,000 handkerchiefs, 368 cravats, 314 dressing-gowns, 1,837 pocket handkerchiefs, 300 pairs of trousers, 148 napkins, 679 pairs of slippers, 265 pairs of woolen mittens, 524 blankets, 515 sheets, 673 pillows, 750 quilts, 988 canes, and 1,280 woolen undershirts. The ladies of New Bedford began this work early in the war. They held a meeting for organization on the IIth of April, 1861. Mrs. Joseph C. Delano was chosen president, Mrs. Lawrence Grinnell, vice-president, and Mrs. William Eddy, secretary and treasurer. In addition to the above con- tributions, $500 were given by a lady to pay soldiers' wives for sewing. Contributions were also sent to the St. Louis and Baltimore Soldiers' Fairs, and tables were furnished at the New York and Boston Fairs.
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