USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Regiment, M. V. M > Part 12
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" After the parade, the regiment, preceded by the band playing the Second Regiment March, filed through the Temple street entrance. and paraded down Chapel street, through State, and to the depot to take a special train for Boston. The regiment marched company front along
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Chapel street, and marched well. The applause from the sidewalks was frequent, and the visitors departed with this last token of appreciation lingering in their ears, offi- cers and men alike declaring that their New Haven visit had been. one of great enjoyment, whose memory would long be held in kindly remembrance."
HOMEWARD BOUND.
The return of the Fifth from the hospitable City of Elms was marked by several incidents which will be found under the head of incidentals. When the cars left New Haven, many of the Second Regiment men were present, and exchanged a " good bye," and "come again" with their many friends of the Fifth. The boys made them- selves comfortable in the cars, and many of them could be seen, as one jostled through the train, stretched out, sound asleep ; the majority of the regiment were. however, wide- awake. and were enjoying themselves in various ways, and seemed to desire the ball to be kept rolling, rather than Jose a bit of fun by nodding. One of the boys said to the writer, when asked if he was not tired enough to go to sleep. " I can get enough sleep in Boston, but such thues as I have had are rare, so I am taking in everything."
This seemed to express the sentiment of every one throughout the entire trip, and as there was no member of the regiment seen in any other condition than that of a true soldier and gentleman, it will be understood that each man felt it his duty to honor himself, his company, and his State.
The train reached the Providence depot shortly before 4 o'clock, and the regiment marched through Eliot, Wash- ington, School and Beacon streets to the Common. The command marched in column of companies, the police
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having, in compliance with the law giving the militia the right of way, cleared the streets of all vehicles. The men appeared none the worse for their two day's jaunt. and all of the companies maintained excellent aligments, and the men were very steady. The parade ground had been roped off for the Military, and the vast throng assembled to witness the evolutions of the Regiment, lined the edges of the park, and frequently gave vent to their admiration of the movements of the troops. Major Jordan officiated as Adjutant. Colonel Trull dismissed the regiment im mediately after the parade, and the colors were escorted to the headquarters in Charlestown District, by the Charlestown companies, accompanied by the band. The Cadets and City Guard then proceeded to their armories and were dismissed.
Thus terminated one of the most successful excursions ever given by a regiment from this State. and it is no vain boast to say that the regiment reflected as much honor on the old Commonwealth as any other organization that could have been selected.
Much praise is due to Colonel Ezra J. Trull, for the ex- ample that he set his men in the role of a true soldier. He maintained the dignity his position demanded, and was at the same time familiar with his command, and, as a natural result, was very much respected and obeyed. All of the staff officers of the regiment are of a gentlemanly stamp, and were popular with the boys during the excursion.
INCIDENTALS.
Company H, the Charlestown City Guards, Capt. J. H. Brown, turned ont the largest company, 13 men and 3 officers.
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The New Haven newspaper men paid every attention to their Boston brethern, and kept a collation spread for them all day in the ante-room of the Aldermen's room. at the City Hall.
Adjl. Stevenson was unlucky enough to get the fore- finger of his left hand caught in a car door Thursday night. and on the trip his duties were most efficiently performed by Major II. W. Jordan.
Room 67, at the Tremont House, the headquarters of the Cadets, was assigned to the use of the invited guests of the company. Charles and James did the bandsome thing. not once, but several times. "Oh. where are they," was asked several times during the evening at the banquet.
Surgeon Edward J. Forster was unable to accompany the regiment, owing to sickness in his family.
The City Guard Glee Club, composed of Messrs. Cone, Calburt, Clary. Miers and Martin furnished some excellent singing while the regiment was en route to New Haven, Thursday evening.
Two pleasant episodes connected with the trip are worthy of mention. The first occurred Friday afternoon, when, in behalf of the officers. Captain J. F. Phipps pre- sented the paymaster with an elegant gold badge. composed of a pin, bearing the word " Paymaster" and the bars of a first lieutenant, from which depended the Fifth Regiment badge, or seal. and a tiger's head, the latter having refer- ence to Lieut. Fairbanks's former connection with the "Tigers." The second incident took place on the train Saturday, the men putting their hands in their pockets and presenting a purse of some $200 to a member of com- pany G, of Woburn, Horace Dean, who received a telegram
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Friday night that his house and furniture had been des- troyed by fire.
On the route from New Haven a member of company B was very severely injured by falling across the side or back of a seat. He was almost completely paralyzed for some time, and Dr. M. E. Webb, who accompanied the regiment as acting surgeon, thought the man's spine must have been injured. He rallied, however, before reaching Boston, and was thought to be out of danger, but in the evening there was a rumor that the injured man had died. The rumor lacked confirmation, and at this present writ- ing, is convalescent.
Sergt. R. F. McKee of company G, Woburn, folded the overcoats for the whole regiment, thereby securing uni- formity as well as neatness.
THE PRESS COMMENTS.
Of course there was a great desire on the part of the regiment and friends of the Fifth to obtain the papers in which reports of the trip were chronicled. Many were unable to do so, and for that reason we append extracts from those papers which directly refer to the excursion.
As will be seen, they speak volumes for the brilliant record achieved by the glorious Fifth, and more than attest what has been previously said in its praise in this history, spreading the fame of the Fifth from east to west, or wherever the press is read.
BOSTON HERALD, July 5th, 1879.
In referring to the parade in New Haven, the Herald said : The column was a very long one, and the march was also long, and very fatiguing. The companies of the
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Fifth all did well, and there were many warm encomiums on their personal appearance and marching, all along the route. Near the close of the route, the Mayor took a posi- tion in front of the City Hall, and the Second paid him a marching salute. Immediately after passing, Gen. Smith, commanding the escort, wheeled out with his staff and took position on the right of the Mayor. Colonels Kings- bury, Parker and Fiske of Gov. Talbot's staff, accompanied Gen. Smith, having the post of honor. The officers of the Fifth, and, in fact, nearly all the other military bodies. seeing the mounted officers, supposed they were the ones to be saluted, and passed by the Mayor, utterly ignoring him. In the march by, the Fifth far surpassed the other organizations in the steadiness of the men, and in correct- ness in saluting, nearly all the Second officers neglecting to look toward the reviewing officer. Both the Second and Fifth kept good alignments during the passage, and the former kept ranks better closed.
Same Paper, July 6th, 1979.
Entering the parade ground, on Boston Common, on the return of the regiment, a good sized space was found roped off, and entirely cleared of people ; an immense crowd was present, and the dress parade was given in excellent shape, Major Jordan officiating as Adjutant. Col. Trull expressed to the officers, and through them to the men, his thanks for the excellent conduct of the regiment, both as regards discipline and drill. The companies were dismissed im- mediately after dress parade. and they lost no time in getting home. The officers and men are to be congratu- lated upon the appearance of the regiment. and, judging from the comments of the people in New Haven, every- body there was delighted with the command. The cor-
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dial reception and entertainment by the Second Regiment was all that could be desired, and the men naturally feel pretty well satisfied with their trip. The Paymaster, Lieut. Charles A. Fairbanks, felt particularly pleased Sat- urday, as every bill had been paid in full.
BANQUET TO OFFICERS. NEW HAVEN EVENING REGISTER, July 5th, 1879.
The complimentary banquet given by the officers of the Second Regiment. to the officers of the Fifth Massachu- setts, was eaten at the Forbes House, East Haven, last evening. The party of about 100 sat down about ten o'clock. There were present. Postmaster Sperry, Mayor Bigelow, Chief Marshal Harmon, Surgeon-General Fuller, Colonel Morse, General Smith and four or five of his staff, Colonel Graham, Lieutenant-Colonel Bacon and others of the Colonel's staff, and the officers of the Fifth Massachu- setts. Gen. Smith acted as toast-master. He called upon Postmaster Sperry, as a representative of the general gov- ernment, and he responded in a pleasant vein. Gen. Ful- ler and Col. Morse, of the governor's staff, responded for the State, Mayor Bigelow for the City, and Chief Marshal Harmon for the procession. Col. Trull spoke at some length, laying stress upon the unexceptionable manner in which his command had been received. Colonel Graham highly complimented the Fifth upon their appearance. Capt. Snow and Ex-Captain Weir, of the Fifth. responded to the toasts. and Ex-Col. Grammer made a fine display of his speaking abilities. " The Press " was responded to by Frank T. Robinson of Boston, the historian of the regi- ment. The banquet was finished about two o'clock this morning. The bill of fare was gotton up in fine style by Punderson & Crisand.
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The Fifth Massachusetts is a fine regiment, the men being noticable for their manly bearing and fine figures. The lines and evolutions of the Charlestown Cadets, the first company in line, were especially fine.
MORNING JOURNAL AND COURIER OF NEW HAVEN, July 5th, 1879.
A finer body of men than the Fifth Massachusetts Reg- iment is rarely seen, and it did not detract from its good reputation yesterday. The visiting organizations gave us much pleasure, and we hope that in the intervals of effort they received some. The thanks of the citizens are due them, and all who helped to make the day so notable. Before the bright rays of Old Sol had begun to stream down with fervid heat and melting fierceness, sounds of martial music were filling the air, as the various city com- panies of the Second Regiment were marching down to the cars to receive the visitors, the fine Fifth Massachu- setts Regiment, Colonel Trull, a gallant command, who did honor to the parade, and the Old Bay State. Soon the rich plumes of the officers of note and distinction waved in the early morning breeze, and the march and tread of the visiting soldiers' feet, was heart upon our pavements, and people ran to the doorways and windows to see the soldiers pass by, already awake, if not awake all night, through the din and clatter and phiz and suap of rockets and crackers, and the bang of small cannon. The military visitors came in promptly on time, no delay - and so it was with everything throughout the day -. no delay, no mistakes, no bungling, everything in happy. systematic order. The visitors wore their fatigue dress. which they, after refreshment and welcome, changed, and donned their fine blue uniform and white pants, in which they appeared in the procession, challenging admiration.
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not alone in dress, but in their fine step and soldierly ap- pearance. Now the people were ready, all eager to see the grand display. With band music filling the air, came the General in command, S. R. Smith, of this city, with his Staff Officers, and behind them came Colt's Band with minsie, whose superior character lighted up the cres of the fair ladies at the balconies, and prepared them to see with. even more eager anticipation, the bold soldier boys of the Second and Fifth. First came the Second, looking every inch a fine command, with step and soldierly bearing, and looking worthy to bear the name of the Second, with its fine record. Then came the visiting Regiment, whose appearance provoked enthusiastic sentiments of approba- tion, eight companies strong, and all having already & love for the old City of Elms, gained from past pleasant acquaintance with the Second at Bunker Hill, and with hospitalites already afforded since their arrival. Among the officers of this command was Captain Bancroft, whose oar lately gave Yale so much trouble at New London.
NEW HAVEN UNION, July 5th, 1879.
While the officers of the Second and Fifth were enjoy- ing their banquet at Morris Cove, the men of the two reg- iments mostly remained in the city, and were entertained at the three city armories and at Quartermaster Redfield's. There were collations provided at the four places, and all the evening inen in uniform were passing in and out, enjoy- ing the refreshments provided. The scenes in the armories were striking and brilliant. The rooms were highly deco- rated and flags and bunting were everywhere. The many lights shown on the showy uniforms of the soldiers and the general effect was very striking. There were any number of informal speeches made, and glee clubs from
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many of the companies marched from armory to armory or paraded the streets with locked arms singing, and apparent- ly enjoying themselves to the utmost. From what was left of the eatables, Quartermaster Redfield gathered several barrels of sandwiches, etc., which he thoughtfully sent this morning to the Orphan Asylum.
At the press headquarters, besides members of the local press committee were the following : E. A. Tucker of the Hartford Post, C. J. Perkins and J. F. Hill of Boston, Wil- liam H. Estoy of the Boston Herald, James P. Frost of the Boston Globe, Charles R. Byram of the Boston Jour- mal, Frank T. Robinson, formally editor of the Bunker Hill Times (Historian of the Fifth M. V. M.,) A. S. Hotchkiss of the Hartford Courant, Warren IT. Burr of the Hartford Times, Ira E. Forbes of the Hartford Post, George D. Curtis of the New York Herald, Frank E. Beach of the Waterbury American, R. A. Lyon of the Bridge- port Farmer. I. W. Storrs of the Derby Transcript, A. W. Vaill and Ralph I. Wright of the Shore Line Times.
Bosrox GLOBE, July 5th, 1879.
In mentioning the Reviews the Globe said: The Tou- tine Hotel is but a few feet from the City Hall, and the troops were obliged to pass this house before reaching the reviewing point. As the Second pased the hotel. it was in very bad shape. Alignments were broken, distances poorly preserved, and the men were talking with each other and with spectators upon the curbstone. However, when they reached the City Hall, they bad straightened out, and showed some fine marching, generally good alignments and distances, and a commendable steadiness. Salates, though, proved to be wretched. The officers seemed to have no conception of distances, and had almost as many styles as
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there were officers. The Fifth did finely, and had a tear- ing ovation. The men seemed as fresh as when they started in the forenoon, and passed in a solid body with unbroken fronts, a magnificent steadiness and closing of ranks and admirable distances between companies. The salutes could hardly have been better, for the distances were well judged. When it is taken into consideration that very few of the officers and men obtained rest or sleep last night, it is a wonder that they could have done so well. The Fifth held solidly to its work, and worthily up- held its honored name and reputation.
THE NEW HAVEN PALLADIUM, July 5th, 1879.
The Fifth Massachusetts is a fine organization, and sustained the military reputation of the State. The Regi- ment numbered about 300. The marching, wheeling and general bearing of the different companies elicited ap- plause along the whole line of march. Colonel Trull had a regiment of which he may well be proud.
NEW YORK HERALD, July 5th, 1879.
The procession was a grand affair. It included not Jess than five thousand persons, was over two miles in length, and was more than an hour in passing a given point. The procession formed on Elm street, and at eleven o'clock started off on a march of nearly five miles, under the command of Chief Marshal Harmon. First came the military, the Light Gray of the Second Connec- tieut, the United States Regulation Uniform of the Fourth, and the nearly similar uniforms of the Fifth Massachusetts, whose marching was applauded again and again.
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ARMY AND NAVY JOURNAL.
In referring to the grand Review, the Journal said of of the 5th : The Fifth, Colonel Trull and Staff, went by in splendid shape, with good salutes, alignments and dis- tances, rear ranks fairly closed and dressed. There were but few blank files in the eight commands. The regiment was equalized with tronts of sixteen files. The command was applauded during its passage. The Fifth Regiment executed the close colunm formation with promptness, and moved to its proper distance in good shape.
Campaign and other Reminiscences.
The following Reminiscences of the various campaigns and other important incidents, relating to the history of the Fifth Regiment, are placed in this portion of the vol- ume in order that the search for actual dates and events might not be impeded, and further, that those who desire to pass over what is generally termed " dry reading," may, in a measure, be entertained by the narration of some of the most interesting events of the regimental service.
That the Fifth have rendered the state and country emi- nent service within the past twenty years, the previous chapters fully testify, and it may well be said, that the regiment has always been fortunate in having for its com- manding officers, mch who have been honored, not only in social and military circles, but in the service of the peo- ple of the city and state.
THE THREE MONTH'S VOLUNTEERS.
The regiment contained many companies at the break- ing out of the war in 1861, that had enviable local reputa- tions, and several of them had received a national reputa- tion, so that when the Fifth went to Washington in 1861, at the call for troops to resist the invasion of the Capitol. they did not go as strangers in a strange land ; the press of that period was loud in its praise of the regiment and the high character of the material of which it was composed.
When one reads over the old files of our local papers of
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that date and occasionally discovers a letter from a mem- ber of the Fifth while at Camp Andrew, the mind will im- mediately become fastened to the narration of the stirring events that then transpired.
Such a letter might not be read by every one with that interest that a soldier reads it, but there would be enough in it to prove to any mind that the writer was possessed of a valorous spirit.
During the Fifth's stay at Camp Andrew, the citizen soldiers made everything as comfortable as the condition of things would permit. Their tents were arranged in rows, forming a series of lanes and avenues, while some furnished them with names, suggestive of those at home. In one company a large sign was inscribed " Craft's Cor- ner," on another, " Brastow Avenue." These little things impressed the visitors with the feeling that the men, although uncertain of life and deprived of the usual com- forts of existence, had their thoughts continually on the conventional objects and associations of their homes. The patriotism of the troops and the intensified love of the old flag are well illustrated in a letter received from an officer while the Fifth was at Camp Massachusetts, near Alexan- dria, Va., which reads as follows :
" Thursday evening, June 12th, 1861 .- To-day, the regi- ment received what has long been needed, namely, a new flag -- the Stars and Stripes-and our colors are now com- plete. The texture is silk. In the centre of the field is a golden eagle surrounded by a circle of 34 stars of gold. The staff is surmounted by a gilt spread eagle, with cord and tassels of the same royal substance. It is a very beau- tiful affair, and more beautiful waving here over the soil of disloyal- Virginia. The sight of it puts us all 'on our fight.' God grant it may never lead but to victory."
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THE FIFTH AT BULL RUN.
There are many excellent accounts of the famous " Bat- tle of Bull Run," and the author has taken the following narration from the most reliable of them all, as well as quoting extracts from letters of that date.
For several days before the eventful engagements, the Fifth were continually hearing of a probable advance of the army, and whenever a runaway darkey from Howard County, Maryland, came into camp, he would be the cause of circulating at least a half dozen stories about the strong position held by the rebels, and the frightened slave would actually convince himself that the "Kingdom " really "was coming."
Every day would bring its commotion in camp, exciting rumors, and "said to be" reliable information from the war department, kept the boys on the tip-toe of hope and fear. At night, the regiment would be informed that the Union forces were, -- before day-light, to be attacked on all sides. Preparation was immediately begun ; a signal of six guns was to announce the grand sortie, and every man was cautioned to leave everything except musket and ammunition at the sound of the long roll. Reinforcements to the army were coming in fast, it was said, and with the understanding that the rebels were poorly armed and a set of sneaks, the boys dropped off into fitful dozes, to awake next morning with their throats dry and stomachs empty, and inhaling the sweet scent from off the rich fields and mountain atmosphere. The "scare" subsided, the dread day was put off, and the cause was, that the Confed- erates were afraid to strike the Union army. And so the fever run from day to day; now the enemy bad retreated, and a Peace Convention would " fix things," and then a distant rumbling would be heard as if the rebels were prac- ticing with their artillery.
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On Sunday, July 7th, 1861, news came that a general battle was certainly imminent, and that the troops were to march in a few hours with three days' rations for Manas- sas Junction ; though the news was premature, it proved to be the shadow of the event that was near at hand. At home, the mother, the father, and the wife watched with the deepest interest for the earliest news from the front, for the eve of battle was slowly but surely coming on.
The forward movement of the great national army was soon to begin, and the feverish news was awaited in every city and town in the Union, causing intense excitement day and night.
The following extract from one of the Union force in the field shows the sentiment of one member of the Fifth Regiment, and was undoubtedly the expression of them all. "July 11th, 1861 .- Dullness reigns to-day in our camp, 'a calm before a storm,' notwithstanding the fresh issue of shoes and blankets to put us in good marching order. Our term of service has nearly expired, and the regiment is slow in believing that we shall go forward to meet the enemy at this late day. But why not ? Shall the benefit of three month's drill be thrown away? It will be just as casy to march back from Fairfax or Manassas as from Alexandria."
The grand move so long meditated began on the 16th of July, and the troops were enthusiastic enough at being relieved of their suspense. The force about to chastise the "Secesh Army," consisted of five divisions, 30,000 or more men, under Gen. Irvin McDowell, and were com- posed of Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry, besides the usual baggage wagons and other pharaphernalia of war. By sun- rise on the morning of the 17th, the whole army moved in four columns, all in light marching order. It was anticipated
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that the enemy were in strong force at Fairfax, and in order that the troops might be in good condition the next day, the Third Division, under Col. Heintzelman, encamped for the night near Sangster's Station. ' The next day the army moved on, and as no resistance was offered to their advance, the troops were in high spirits, and began to think their conquest was to be an easy one.
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