USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 58
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The committee recommend that a committee of three, in connection with the Selectmen, be chosen, to take measures for obtaining uniforms and un- derclothes, and what other apparel is necessary, and that the committee be Capt. T. M. Bryan, jr., E. W. Dennison and J. C. Potter, jr.
The committee also recommend to the town to accept the following com- mittee on Arms, to act with and render assistance to the Selectmen, viz. : Capt. T. M. Bryan, jr., A. H. Ward, jr., and E. W. Dennison.
VOTED, to adopt the recommendations presented by Mr. Ward.
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WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The other paper presented by Mr. Ward was as follows :
TO THE SELECTMEN OF NEWTON :
Having understood that a fund was to be appropriated by the town for the equipment of the military Company now being formed therein, the under- signed, as representing the ladies of Newton, volunteer to make up all the undergarments necessary for its outfit.
Mrs. Philip A. Green, Upper Falls.
Mrs. William Pentecost,
Mrs. Thomas Rice, jr., \ Lower Falls. Mrs. Edward Warren,
Mrs. George Linder,
Newton Corner.
Mrs. M. L. Ward, {
Mrs. E. M. Clarke, ยง Auburndale.
Mrs. Gardner Colby,
VOTED, that the paper containing the names of the ladies who have volunteered to make underclothes be referred to the joint committee on uniforms.
Hon. J. Wiley Edmands moved that the Selectmen have author- ity to offer a sum not exceeding twenty dollars per month, while in service, to Volunteers from this town, in addition to the Gov- ernment pay ; in case it is deemed advisable to offer such bounty for the increase of the Companies from this town.
Passed unanimously by vote.
Mr. A. B. Underwood, offered the following resolution, viz. :
Resolved, also, that the Selectmen take care of and provide for the fami- lies of those citizens of Newton who have now gone into the service of the country in other Companies, and of those already enlisted in other Companies who may be called into service, as for those who go in Companies from this town.
This resolution was passed unanimously.
The meeting was dissolved ; after which, cheers were given for the Union, the Newton Company, etc.
The citizens of Newton were evidently impatient of delay, and anxious to be actively engaged in the service of the country. Hence, in the report of the proceedings at a town meeting held June 11, 1861, we find the following records :
The Chairman of the Selectmen made a verbal report of the doings of the Selectmen, and of the expenditures incurred for troops in Newton; stating that about $1,200 had been expended; that they had made repeated efforts to get the Company raised in Newton mustered into Government service, but had failed; and that there was no prospect of their being accepted for a year to come; and they asked for instruction.
Mrs. William Sturtevant, Newton Centre
Mrs. C. M. Severance,
Miss E. A. Goodale, West Newton.
Miss P. Cunningham, I Newtonville. Mrs. W. R. Horton,
Mrs. Henry Fuller, ?
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
D. H. Mason, Esq., presented the following resolutions, which were adopted :
Resolved, that the town appropriate, and hereby instruct the proper authori- . ties of the town to raise, sufficient money to defray any expenses already incurred to carry out and fulfil any contract heretofore made with or in behalf of any of its inhabitants who may have enlisted as members of the Volunteer Militia, who have been or may be called into the service of the United States.
Resolved, that the Selectmen are instructed to draw from any money now in the treasury a sufficient sum to meet the deficiency in any expense they have incurred for military drills and purposes up to this date; and that all contracts for such purposes be closed this day.
Resolved, that the thanks of the citizens of this town are tendered to its patriotic young men, who have so nobly come forward and offered their military service to the State and country in this time of great peril.
Also, Resolved, that the thanks of the citizens of this town are tendered to our Selectmen, for their wise and prudent management in our efforts to pro- vide military aid for the defence of the Government.
Such was the action of the town during the first year of the war. The struggle proved to be much longer than was anticipated. But it is to the credit of Newton that her citizens never flagged in zeal or liberality. With a vigilance that never slept, with a patri- otism that never tired, the Selectmen kept careful watch of the events of the times, faithfully reporting to the town what was needed, and the town was never backward to vote liberally and cheerfully all requisite supplies.
In the proceedings of the town meeting November 4, 1862, we find these records :
VOTED, that the town hereby approves the action of its Selectmen in pro- curing Volunteer soldiers for the Government service, and assumes all the expenses incurred by them in holding meetings and paying bounties for recruits, and in obtaining men and lists of men to fill the quota of the town ; and that the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars be appropriated for that purpose.
VOTED, that the sum of two thousand dollars be appropriated for the pur- pose of burying soldiers, residents of the town, who die in the service of the country, and paying any expenses necessary and incident thereto ;- said sum to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
VOTED, that the sum of three thousand dollars be appropriated, to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, for the purpose of relieving the extraordinary necessities of resident soldiers of the town, serving in the field in the army during the coming year.
VOTED, that two thousand dollars be appropriated, to be expended under
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the direction of the Selectmen, to relieve the necessities of discharged and returned soldiers.
VOTED, that the sum of two thousand dollars be appropriated, to pay, under the direction of the Selectmen, for the recovery and burial of deceased sol- diers, including what they have already paid for said services.
VOTED, that the sum of one thousand dollars be appropriated for the sup- port of the families of those in the Navy from our town, under the direction of the Selectmen.
The Records of the town show that from year to year, as long as the war continued, with ever watchful eye and tender care the citizens, in their corporate capacity, as well as individually, stood ready to detect and meet every new emergency. At a town meet- ing held August 7, 1863,-
VOTED, unanimously, that the balance of money which was appropriated to families of Volunteers, at a former meeting, be now appropriated to the families of drafted men also.
VOTED, that the Treasurer of the town be authorized, if in the judgment of the Selectmen it may be necessary, to borrow for the use of the town, five thousand dollars, to be appropriated by the Selectmen to the families of the soldiers from Newton.
VOTED, that the Selectmen be authorized to use as much as may be needed of the funds heretofore appropriated for the use of the families of deceased Volunteers, for the use of the families of deceased and disabled soldiers from Newton.
In the midst of the war, a movement was made in town meet- ing, with reference to the erection of a Soldiers' Monument, and Newton was one of the first towns in the Commonwealth, if not the first, which made such provision to honor the memory of her fallen heroes. In the town meeting held November 3, 1863, Hon. J. Wiley Edmands offered the following motion, which was at once carried :
That a part of the Cemetery land owned by the town shall be so disposed of by the Selectmen as to secure for the Soldiers' Monument a lot properly graded, that may be selected by the committee on the erection of the Monu- ment.
On the 7th of March, 1864, the town voted to appropriate $15,- 000 for aid to families of Volunteers ; and April 4th, $23,000, to meet the expenses that may be incurred the coming year in rais- ing Volunteers and filling the town quota. August 5th, $20,000 additional were voted to pay bounties and other expenses of
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
recruiting, and to fill the town's quota "under the recent call for Volunteers, made by the President of the United States."
At the March meeting, 1865, $15,000 were appropriated for fam- ilies of Volunteers, and $5,913.22 to cover the deficiency in the same, heretofore appropriated for the purpose of recruiting men to fill Newton's quota, under the calls of the President of the United States of July 18, 1864, and December 19, 1864.
The above records contain a complete view of the patriotic action of the town of Newton, during the eventful period of the civil war. The ceremony of the dedication of the Soldiers' Mon- ument on the 23rd of July, 1864,-an account of which is recorded in the chapter on the new Cemetery of Newton,- belongs to the same interesting and honorable history. On the occasion of the Presidential election November 8, 1864, the town meeting was remarkably enthusiastic as well as harmonious. The number of ballots cast was 1,316, of which 954 were for the Lincoln ticket. The first vote deposited on this occasion was cast by Rev. S. F. Smith, of Newton Centre.
The above are all the Records ;- but who can compute all the private gifts, the individual donations, the cares, the self-denials, the heart-breakings, the desolated homes, the broken stay and staff of many households, the life-long sorrows, the hope deferred, the young lives sacrificed, the best and bravest blood of the coun- try poured out like water !
The original compact still exists, whereby a small number of Newton's most prominent citizens guaranteed the Selectmen and Treasurer against any loss which might be incurred by advancing money for recruits, in 1864.
Whereas, the undersigned, inhabitants of Newton, desire the Selectmen to recruit men to fill the quota of the town, in advance of any future calls of the President of the United States, and the town cannot appropriate money therefor until after a call has been made, and it may be necessary to pay more than is allowed by law to be paid by towns to Volunteers, ---
Now, therefore, we do hereby severally agree and pledge ourselves to guarantee and save harmless the Selectmen and Treasurer of said town of Newton against all loss on any sums of money they may pay or advance, or which may be paid to recruits or for expenses of recruiting, under the ap- proval and direction of the Board of Selectmen of said town, to fill or pro- vide for any further call, of the President of the United States, for soldiers during the present war.
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WAR OF THE REBELLION.
.
Provided that the same shall be assessed pro rata, upon the paying sub- scribers hereto, and in no case is to exceed the amounts annexed to our respective names.
Witness our hands, this 18th day of June, A. D. 1864.
J. Wiley Edmands, $1,000
C. C. and I. T. Burr, $1,000
E. P. Bancroft,
1,000
G. C. and C. H. Lord, 1,000
John S. Farlow,
1,000
William Claflin, 1,000
Gardner Colby,
1,000
The patriotic and military history of Newton, as it clusters around the war for the suppression of the rebellion, is familiar to many still on the stage of action. Those who were present at the enthusiastic meetings held, from time to time, to encourage the enlistment of fresh troops, and who witnessed the noble devotion of the choicest young men of the town to the cause of their imper- illed country, bear this glorious record indelibly inscribed upon their memories and their hearts. None who were present can ever forget a meeting held at the public hall in Newton Centre, during one of the darkest periods of the war, when Charles Ward came forward and pledged himself to fight, and, if need be, to die, for the sacred cause of his country. He was young and delicate. His gentle manners won upon every heart. His future was full of promise. Just ready to enter college, and hoping afterwards to engage in the sacred profession to which he had consecrated his life,- the world opened before him in the most tempting attitudes. He stood up in that crowded assembly of stalwart men, and spoke of his prospects and his hopes. "But," he said, "if my country needs my services, I am willing for her sake to make the sacrifice." Few dry eyes were in that assembly that night. He gave himself to the cause, and after a few weeks fell on the field of Gettysburg. Most worthily is his name perpetuated by his comrades in the title of their military organization (Charles Ward Post, organized in 1868). His spirit and his fate were only a specimen of many others as promising, as beloved, as full of hope as he, but who now sleep in a soldier's grave.
During the entire war, every heart was busied with its scenes and its demands. Every pulpit discussed themes suited to nerve the people to steadiness in the great struggle. Every man was absorbed in the grave necessities of the occasion. And gentle woman, in every house, the aged and the young, was employed in providing means to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, the
604
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
sick, and the dying. Besides the sums of money, voted and trans- mitted to the soldiers, thousands of boxes loaded every express train going to the front,- the testimonials of the love and interest of those who remained at home.
The town, in its corporate capacity, made liberal appropriations to meet the expenses of the war. The amounts voted by the town at various dates, were as follows :
November 4, 1862, -
$50,000
August
7, 1863,
5,000
March
7, 1864, -
15,000
April
3, 1864,
23,000
August
5, 1864, -
20,000
Total,
Amount expended,
$113,000 $92,621
The whole number of men required to fill the quota of New- ton's soldiers, under all the calls for volunteers made by the Pres- ident of the United States, was 1,067. The number actually fur- nished by the town was 1,129,-giving a surplus of sixty-two. The number of volunteers mustered into the service for three years, who belonged in the town of Newton, was three hundred and twenty-three. This is exclusive of those who served in the navy, and of others, natives of the town, and whose acts of valor did it honor, although at the date of their enlistment they were citizens of other places. It is also exclusive of many who served for shorter periods, both as officers and privates, and whose names are worthy of honor.
The town of Newton furnished, in this war, thirty-six commis- sioned officers and two general officers. Of the latter, Brevet- Major-General Adin B. Underwood was severely wounded while bravely leading the Thirty-third Massachusetts regiment in the successful attack on the enemy at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. Brevet-Brigadier-General J. Cushing Edmands was also wounded ,in the battle of Peeble's Farm, September 30, 1864.
Of the entire number of Newton men who enlisted for three years, there were, in the Thirty-second regiment, ninety-seven ; in the First, twenty-six; in the Sixteenth, thirty-seven; in the Twenty-fourth, seventeen ; and smaller numbers in several others. The whole number of Massachusetta regiments containing one or more Newton men was thirty.
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WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The battles in which regiments containing Newton men were engaged, in the course of the war, were as follows :
First Regiment .- Bull Run, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glen- dale, Kettle Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, Spottsylvania.
Second Regiment .- Jackson, Front Royal, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Raleigh, Averysborough.
Seventh Regiment .- The Peninsula, Fredericksburg, Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor.
Twelfth Regiment .- Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Peters- burg.
Thirteenth Regiment .- Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg.
Sixteenth Regiment .- Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Ket- tle Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg.
Seventeenth Regiment .- Kinston, Goldsborough, Bachelder's . Creek, Gum Swamp.
Twenty-fourth Regiment .- Roanoke Island, Kinston, White- hall, James Island, Morris Island, Fort Wagner, Green Valley, Drury's Bluff, Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Weir Bottom Church, Deep Bottom, Deep Run, Fussell's Mills, Siege of Peters- burg, Four-Mile Run Church, Darbytown Road.
Thirty-second Regiment .- Malvern Hill, Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Peters- burg, Weldon Railroad, Vaughan Road, Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, Brydtown Road, White Oak Road.
606
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
Thirty-third Regiment .- Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bev- erly Ford, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the battles of General Sherman's Grand Army.
First Regiment of Cavalry .- Poolsville, South Mountain, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Aldie, Upperville, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Culpepper, Auburn, Todd's Tavern, Fortifications of Richmond, Vaughan Road, St. Mary's Church, Cold Harbor, Bellefield.
Thus, in not less than seventy-five fields did the men of Newton imperil their lives for the salvation of their country. They fought bravely and brought back victory. The names of those who fell. in the war, recorded on the Soldiers' Monument, are a permanent testimony to the patriotism of the people .*
Besides the citizens of Newton who were engaged in the sacred cause of freedom, the members of the Newton Theological Insti- tution deserve honorable mention. Some of the young men enlisted early in the war. Several of the alumni of former years. voluntarily did service in the army, some as soldiers and officers; of various grades, others as chaplains. Several others, after com- pleting their service in the field, were mustered out, and immedi- ately entered the Institution, delaying their preparation for the high work of their lives, until the clouds which hung over their country were dissipated. Some of them suffered severely in pris- ons and on battle-fields, and some brought back only mutilated forms for the service of the church. The honorable catalogue of these patriotic servants of God will be found in connection with the history of the Newton Theological Institution.
In this connection it is proper to speak of a rare ceremony which occurred in the early part of the war, and which none who- were present to witness it will ever forget. The ceremony was the unfurling of the American flag on the Common in Newton. Centre. No flag of such size had ever been raised in that village. A large and beautiful flag-staff had been procured by subscription: among the citizens, and a flag of corresponding dimensions. The time appointed for the ceremony was the early morning, before. the citizens were obliged to scatter to their various employments. for the day. It proved to be one of the loveliest mornings of
* In chapter XLVIII, which contains official accounts drawn from documents in the Adjutant-General's office in the State House, it will be seen that this list is materially. enlarged.
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early summer. The brilliant sky was without a cloud, and the sun shone with its fullest radiance, as if in harmony with the scene. The birds sang their matin carols, as if to welcome the banner, to float in the bright empyrean where they had their home. A large company gathered in front of the public hall, which, at that time, stood on the northwestern corner of Station Street,- every one fired with patriotic ardor, every one drinking in new strength to do and dare, in the presence of the chosen symbol of a free and independent nation. Prayer was offered by Rev. S. F. Smith, D. D., in the centre of the reverent throng, invoking God's continued blessing on "the land of the free and the home of the brave." Then, as the company stood around the towering shaft, Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, who, by common consent, acted as master of cere- monies, led to its foot an aged man, Joshua Loring, Esq., who had lived more than ninety winters,- and, putting into his trembling hands the cords which governed the motions of the banner, helped him to raise it to its place. When it reached the top, and the starry symbol unrolled itself and floated on the breeze, to the notes of the National Hymn and the cheers of the enthusiastic crowd, it. was felt by all present that every one had consecrated himself anew to the welfare of his country, and that the cause of liberty is safe with such defenders.
The following is an alphabetical catalogue of Newton's soldiers who were slain in battle, or who died of diseases contracted while in service, together with a few others who have deceased at a later period. The alphabetical arrangement of the names will render the list convenient for reference. The same names, arranged by General Underwood with reference to the regiments in which they were included, will be presented hereafter on pages 623-625.
Orestus J. Adams, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, killed in a charge, Laurel Hill, Va. (Battle of the Wilderness), May 12, 1864. His body was never recovered.
John Allen, Mass. First, Co. G, killed at Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862.
George Baker, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, died at Fairfax Court House, Va., Sep- tember 11, 1862.
Lemuel F. Bassett, 13th Indiana infantry, died
George H. Baxter, Mass. 24th, Co. F, killed June 5, 1862.
George. W. Belcher, 1st Mass. Cavalry, Co. G, died 1872.
William R. Benson, Mass. First, Co. I, killed in the battle of Williams. burg, Va., May 5, 1862.
608
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
George S. Boyd, Mass. 33rd, sergeant Co. E, died June, 1872.
George F. Brackett, Mass. 5th, Co. K, died in Newton, October 29, 1876.
Theodore L. Brackett, First Mass. Cavalry, Co. A, killed accidentally at Warrenton, Va., December 3, 1863.
Joseph B. Breck, U. S. Navy, lieutenant, U. S. gunboat "Niphon." Died of consumption, the result of his arduous labors and exposure, July 26, 1865. By his blockading services he aided materially in the suppression of the rebellion, by cutting off the resources of the Confederacy.
Lowell M. Breck, U. S. Navy, acting ensign, died after expiration of service.
Leroy S. Bridgeman, Mass. First, Co. I, died 1863. Buried at Palmer, Mass.
Charles S. Brown. Buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Eben R. Buck, Mass. 44th, Co. B, died after expiration of service.
R. L. Butler, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, died at Falmouth, Va., December 8, 1862. Frederick Champion, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, died at Falmouth, Va., January 5, 1863.
Gilbert A. Cheney, Mass. 2nd, Co. D, died of wounds, October 18, 1862. Thomas W. Clifford, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, died in the field, March 20, 1864. Seth Cousens, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, died after expiration of service.
Zenas Crane, Mass. 44th, Co. B, died October 12, 1874.
Frederick A. Cutter, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Thomas Duran, Mass. 18th, sergeant Co. F, died after expiration of ser- vice.
A. B. Ely, captain U. S. Volunteers, assistant-adjutant-general, died 1872.
William Fell, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, died at Washington, D. C., January 11, 1863; buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
Charles E. Fifield, Mass. 32nd, sergeant Co. K, died after expiration of service.
John Leaman Flagg, Mass. 16th, sergeant Co. B, died July 7, 1867; buried at Lower Falls.
John Forsyth, jr., Mass. 16th, sergeant Co. E, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
William N. Freeman, Mass. First, Co. I, died at Philadelphia, January 5, 1863.
William L. Gilman, Rev., Mass. 32nd, Co. K, died of wounds received at Gettysburg, July 30, 1863.
Patrick Haggerty, Mass. 19th, Co. E, killed at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862.
H. C. Harrington, Mass. 45th, Co. K, died after the expiration of service.
William A. Harris, First Mass. Cavalry, Co. G, died nearly a year after peace was proclaimed, from the fresh breaking out of a wound received dur- ing his term of service.
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WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Leopold H. Hawkes, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, while helping a wounded comrade off the field.
Charles F. Hooker, Ist Mass. Cavalry, Co. L, transferred to the 4th Mass. Cavalry.
George Houghton, Mass. 16th, Co. I, died at the National Asylum, Augusta, Me., September 12, 1873.
George E. Huntress.
Thomas L. Jackson, Mass. 32nd, Co. K, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
William H. Johnson.
William Jordan, Mass. 44th, Co. B, died February 22, 1875.
Albert A. Kendall, M. D., Mass. 12th, Assistant Surgeon, killed at Antie- tam, Md., September 17, 1862, by a chance shot, while binding up the wounds of soldiers lying on the field. Buried at the Lower Falls.
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