USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > History of the Salem Light Infantry from 1805-1890 > Part 2
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Dec. 21. The Company was ordered to meet for impor- tant business at the Salen Hotel.
JOSEPH MOSELEY, Clerk.
April 5, 1814. Meeting of the corps at Stetson's Hotel. J. MOSELEY, Clerk.
April 12. Notice of annual meeting at Washington Hall ; ordered to appear with musket, bayonet and belt for exercise.
Per order, J. C. KING, Captain. J. MOSELEY, Clerk.
May 3. James Charles King, Captain of the Infantry was appointed Brigade Major of 1st Brigade. He retains his command of the company.
July 4. Anniversary of Independence. Federalists of the town were escorted by the Salem Light Infantry, Maj. King in command. Oration by Leverett Saltonstall. Din- ner at Hamilton Hall. Toasts, speeches, etc.
July 19. Regimental Court Martial at Salem, Maj. J. C. King, President.
The corps was in camp under Maj. King at Hospital Point from Saturday afternoon, July 30, to Monday eve- ning Aug. 1.
16
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1814.
Aug. 18. The Company paraded under Maj. King, with two light field pieces. Encampment on Washington Square, artillery and infantry practice.1
Sept. 9. The following entry appears on the Record book : " Ordered, That in consequence of the great alarm prevailing in this town (the enemy having invaded the district of Maine), the celebration of the anniversary of this corps be postponed until further notice."
Sept. 13. It was voted, "That from the present time, during the continuance of the war, excepting particular occasions, our elegant uniforms be laid aside. That for the present our uniforms shall be a short, blue coat with gilt buttons, double-breasted, blue pantaloons and boots, a black silk cockade to be worn in a round hat, and a black silk neck-cloth."
GEO. A. WARD, Clerk.
Sept 20. Muster of military on Winter Island, reviewed by Maj. Gen. Hovey. The Salem Light Infantry had two light field pieces, and a body of twenty pike men to each gun.
Sept. 24. It was voted that the commissioned officers be a committee to ascertain the expediency of this com- pany's volunteering its services to the commander-in-chief of this Commonwealth.
"Ordered, That the Alarm Post for the future shall be Col. Pickman's, jr., in Essex street."
November 18. Target shoot. The mark was struck 92 times out of 140 at 80 paces.
1 Artillery Section of the Salem Light Infantry. The two guns were six pounders and were plated with brass leaf. The guns were kept in Col. Benjamin Pick- man's chaise honse and the Colonel's house was the rendezvous of the company in case of sudden aların. The members of the Artillery were chiefly sea captains and merchants. In 1865 there were nine of the Artillerists living-Joshua Safford, John Day, Jeremiah Lee Page, Jeremiah Page, Jonn Frost, John W. Rogers, B. P. Chamberlain, Richard S. Rogers and Adam Nesmith, the last named from Beverly.
17
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1815-1817.
Feb. 14, 1815. Peace declared. The military companies, including the S. L. I., parade in Salem.
Meeting of company at Essex Coffee House.
JOSEPH PEABODY, JR., O. S.
June 9. Company in uniform attend the funeral of James Mansfield, jr.
June 30. Lieut. Edward Lander chosen Captain vice Maj. King resigned ; Ensign Abel Lawrence, jr., Lieuten- ant ; Mr. Joseph Peabody, Ensign.
July 24. The company present to Capt. James Charles King, the retiring commander, a handsome service of sil- ver plate.1
July 4, 1816. The Infantry, Capt. Lander, with the Salem Artillery, Capt. Henry Whipple, did escort duty at the celebration of American Independence. The Gazette says : " The Infantry with a large number of invited guests, gentlemen of the old continental army, of the navy, of the legislature, magistrates and private citizens dined at a table elegantly spread by Mr. Stetson in Pickering Hall, Essex House. Song and sentiment, mirth and good humor, com- posed the afterpiece and closed the day."
Sept. 12. "The Salem Light Infantry in full uniform with baggage-wagon camp equipage, etc., under command of Capt. E. Lander, marched out of town by the way of South bridge, intending to make a circuitous route through Lynn and encamp at night in Danvers."
June 10, 1817. " The Private soldiers of the Salem
1 It is said that as the company under Captain King was marching home from a campaign. the men grew very tired and were rather complaining of the long march. Captain King observing this, suddenly gave the command : Company, Halt ! Laugh by Platoons!
It was irresistible, Platoons did langh, and the march was resumed, every man good natured.
3
18
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1817.
Light Infantry Company are requested to meet at Picker- ing Hall to-morrow evening at 7 o'clock on business of im- portance."
(No signature.)
June 20. "Ensign Joseph Peabody elected Lieutenant and Mr. Thomas Farless, Ensign."
June 24. "Nathan Goodale unanimously elected En- sign of the Salem Light Infantry Company vice J. Pea- body, jr., promoted."
July 4. Parade under Capt. Lander. "In the fore- noon the corps received from a number of ladies assem- bled at the captain's house in South Salem through his hands, a rich and beautiful new standard. The company with guests dined at Cold Spring in North Fields."
July 8. The corps with other military bodies took part in the reception of President Monroe.1
Sept. 18. It was voted "That the company celebrate their anniversary in a style hitherto unknown and that there be a committee of the commissioned officers together with Sam'l Holman, 3d, and J. A. Peabody to provide."
Oct. 3. " Court Martial. A division court martial as- sembled in this town on Tuesday the 23d of September for the trial of Lieut. Joseph Peabody, jr., of the Salem Light Infantry on charges exhibited against him by Col. Russell of the Artillery and Col. Dix of the Infantry for disobedi- ence of orders at the late parade in honor of the President of the United States." The court sat four days. Hon. Leverett Saltonstall was counsel for the prosecutors and John Prince, jr., and John G. King, Esq., for the respond- ents.
Lieut. Peabody's points of defence were first, a denial
1Shillaber street changed to Monroe street at this time.
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1817.
of the charges ; second, that the court had no jurisdiction over offences committed at voluntary trainings, and that this was a volunteer training not authorized by the militia law. Theodore Eames was Judge Advocate. Col. Geo. Gardner, 5th Regiment, President.
The second charge was that Lieut. Peabody placed his music in the centre of his company and allowed them to perform a march when the President of the United States, and the Commander-in-chief of the militia of Massachu- setts were passing said line in review, although said musi- cians had been ordered from the field by the commanding officer.
Lient. Peabody produced evidence that the musicians voluntarily performed the march after they had been or- dered from the line without the orders or consent of Lieut. Peabody.
Oct. 7. "The decision of the late Court Martial we learn was that Lieut. Peabody was found guilty of one of the charges exhibited against him (viz., disobedience of orders in withdrawing the music of his company when or- dered to the right of the line by his commanding officer) and sentenced to be reprimanded in orders, which sentence has been approved and carried into execution by Maj. Gen. Hovey."-Essex Register.
Oct. 10. The company voted "that we heartily approve of the conduct of Lieut. Peabody in refusing the band to Col. Russell at the time the President of the United States reviewed the troops on the common in this town."
Oct. 14. Company ordered to meet at the Warren Rooms at 8 o'clock A. M., in full uniform for parade.
Jos. A. PEABODY, Clerk. Salem Gazette.
The Salem Light Infantry, Capt. Edward Lander, cele- brated their twelfth anniversary. In the evening they partook of a cheerful entertainment at Pickering Hall.
20
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1817-1819.
Oct. 21. " We have been assured that the decision of the late court martial in this town has not invited public opinion, and that doubts remain of the justice of the sen- tence in the minds of many officers and citizens."- Edi- torial, Salem Gazette.
Nov. 13. Parade in uniform under Capt. E. Lander, closing the tour of military duty for the year.
Apr. 22, 1818. Special meeting at the Essex House. SAMUEL HOLMAN, 3rd, Clerk.
May 5. Lieut. Joseph Peabody elected Captain and Mr. Thomas Farless, Ensign.
May 12. The private soldiers of the company ordered to meet at the Warren Rooms on business of importance.
(No signature.)
Sept. 20. Mr. Samuel Holman elected Third Lieuten- ant, Mr. Joseph Cloutman, Ensign.
Oct. 9. Fall muster of troops on Washington Square. The Salem Mechanic Light Infantry had the right of the line, the S. L. I. the left.
Oct. 13. Meeting of company at Pickering Hall. SAMUEL HOLMAN, 3rd, Clerk.
Oct. 20. Anniversary parade under Capt. Joseph Pea- body, jr. Supper at Pickering Hall. Toast : "May each re- turning anniversary find the Salem Light Infantry as ready to defend their rights as to discharge their duties." Mu- sic, "S. L. I. March."
March 30, 1819. Samuel Holman, 3rd, elected Lieu- tenant.
Apr. 6. Meeting for drill in Town Hall.
WM. WEBB, JR., Clerk.
July 4. The company did escort duty for the 4th of July procession.
Sept. 10. Anniversary parade under Capt. Peabody.
21
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1819-1821.
A collation was given the company by Mr. Dodge in North Salem. Encampment on Washington Square. Oct. 8. Brigade inspection and review at Danvers. Sham fight.
March 28, 1820. Special meeting at the Essex House. WM. WEBB, JR., Clerk.
May 5. May training and parade.
May 16. Drill at Town Hall.
SAMUEL R. HODGES, Clerk.
Oct. 3. Fall parade, march to Danvers under Capt. Peabody. Entertained by the Danvers Light Infantry.
Oct. 24. Anniversary parade under Capt. Peabody with full band. In the afternoon were entertained at the mansion of Edward Lander, Esq. Dinner at the Coffee House. "Many toasts were drunk, bright and sharp as their bayonets."
May 15, 1821. Lieut. Sam'l Holman, 3d, was elected Captain ; Ensign Joseph Cloutman, Lieutenant ; and Mr. Samuel R. Hodges, Ensign. Wm. Webb, jr., was chosen treasurer ; he was three times elected ensign but declined to accept.
Aug. 30. Campaign to Gloucester, Captain Holman ; dined at Beverly, camping at Stage Fort, just outside of Gloucester for the night; the following day the corps marched into Gloucester, where they were received in a most hospitable manner. The company returned to Sa- lem, Sept. 1. Before starting on the campaign the com- pany voted "to appear in their white pantaloons, and to have their woollen pantaloons in their knapsacks."
Oct. 2. Fall muster and sham fight in upper Beverly.
Oct. 30. Special meeting called at the Essex Coffee House.
THOMAS DOWNING, JR., Clerk.
22
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1822-1823.
May 11, 1822. May training; the company after in- spection pitched their encampment on the common. The Gazette says : "We cannot do justice to the elegance of their appearance when they marched to the hall in the even- ing with the enchanting music of a fine band, attended by the good wishes of a great crowd of spectators."
July 26. Special meeting called at the armory in Derby Square.
(No signature)
Aug. 9. The Boston Light Infantry, Capt. Mackintosh, tosh, visited Salem, marching from Boston by the way of Danvers. At entrance of Salem common the Salem Ar- tillery, Capt. Nesmith, fired a salute and the Salem Light Infantry, Capt. Holman, were in line to receive them; both corps pitched encampments. At 1 o'clock the Salem Light Infantry escorted the visiting company to dinner at Pickering Hall (Essex House). "The encampment pre- sented a beautiful evening scene, rendered enchanting by the music of a large and excellent band. The Boston com- pany left town the next morning."
Sept. 14. "Paraded in undress uniform under Capt. Holman, passing the day in North Salem, in practising the new system of tactics introduced by Gen. Scott."
Oct. 11. Fall muster on Washington Square ; on duty three officers, thirty-four privates and non-commissioned officers, two musicians.
Oct. 29. Seventeenth anniversary celebrated under Capt. Holman. "Their firings on Central St. we have heard mentioned by a military gentleman as close and exact to a degree they had not known surpassed even by regular troops." In the evening there was a supper by Mr. Re- mond at Hamilton Hall.
Jan. 17, 1823. Lieut. Jos. Cloutman was elected Cap- tain ; Ensign Samuel R. Hodges, Lieutenant ; and Mr. Jo- seph M. Brown, Ensign.
23
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1823-1825.
July 1. Company ordered for escort duty in uniform complete, and vote "to celebrate the coming anniversary in great style."
E. K. LAKEMAN, Clerk.
July 4. Escort duty. Salute fired by Salem Artillery Company under Capt. Jos. Cloutman. Judge Story pre- sided at the dinner.
Oct. 7. Fall muster at Needham's Corner, near Tap- ley's Brook, Danvers. Of Gen. Appleton's Brigade, the Salem Register says : "The troops covered themselves with smoke, dust and glory."
Oct. 15. Eighteenth anniversary parade under Capt. Cloutman, with the Boston Brigade Band. Supper at Hamilton Hall, by Mr. Remond.
Aug. 31, 1824. The Company under Lieut. Hodges (Capt. Cloutman being in command of all the troops) did escort duty on the occasion of the visit of Lafayette in Sa- lem (Capt. Edward Lander, a past commander of the In- fantry was chief marshal of the day).
Oct 28. The nineteenth anniversary parade was held under Capt. Cloutman, full¿ ranks, and a supper at Ham- ilton Hall in the evening.
April 25, 1825. Special meeting at Lafayette Coffee House.
E. K. LAKEMAN, Clerk.
June 16. The company under Capt. Cloutman (also the S. M. L. I., Capt. Pulsifer, and the Salem Cadets, Capt. Browne) marched to Boston to take part in the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of Bunker Hill Mon- ument.1 The S. L. I. encamped on Boston Common at night, and joined the escort June 17, returning to Salem
1Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
24
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1823-1826.
on the 18th. There was a supper at Assembly Hall in the evening.
Oct. 11. The company under Capt. Cloutman took part in the brigade review and muster at Danvers, near Tapley's Brook.
Nov. 11. Twentieth anniversary parade, under Capt. Cloutman, with the Boston Brigade Band. The corps was entertained by Col. Peabody, Major Endicott, Ensign Webb and Capt. Sutton of the Danvers Light Infantry. In the evening there was a supper by Remond in Hamilton Hall.
March 14, 1826. Division Court Martial at Ipswich, by order of Maj. Gen. Daniel Stickney, 2nd Division, on complaint of Brig. Gen. James Appleton against Capt. William Sutton of the Danvers Light Infantry and his Lieuts. Porter and Emerson, and against Capt. Joseph Cloutman of the Salem Light Infantry for neglect of duty and other charges ; also against Lieut. Gaffney of the 2d Regt., 1st Brigade, for disobedience of orders ; also against several officers of an infantry company of the 2d Brigade. Lt. Col. Williams was President of the Court, Caleb Cush- ing, judge advocate, Rufus Choate, Asahel Huntington and Leverett Saltonstall were counsel. All the above named officers were acquitted. The Court sat at various times in Salem and Ipswich, from March 9 to Apr. 23. Capt. Sutton was charged with refusing to send the band of music attached to his company to the centre of the col- umn when ordered to do so by Brig. Gen. Appleton. The charges against Capt. Cloutman were neglect of duty, in neglecting to suppress certain disorderly conduct of his command at the brigade review in Danvers, and for not repressing the applause of his company at the action of the Danvers Light Infantry, also for approving of the action of
25
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1826.
Capt. Sutton regarding the position of his band at said re- view, also for countenancing certain toasts given at the anniversary supper of the Salem Light Infantry.
The charge against Licut. Porter was an amusing one. He was charged with "firing a gun at the Brigadier as he (the Brigadier) rode down the line."
This charge was afterwards withdrawn, as it appeared that it could not be supported by competent evidence.
April 14. Meeting for drill.
JOSEPH OSGOOD, Clerk.
May 11. Parade under Capt. Cloutman, with a fine band of music ; march to Danvers where the corps was reviewed and entertained by the Danvers Light Infantry, Capt. Sut- ton. In the afternoon both companies marched to Wash- ington Square, Salem, where generous hospitalities were extended by the S. L. I.
July 4. The S. L. I., the Salem Mechanic Light In- fantry and the Danvers Light Infantry, all under command of Capt. Joseph Cloutman, did escort duty for the town celebration of the 4th of July. Lieut. Hodges was in command of the Infantry.
Sept. 13. March to Lowell via Andover, encamping for the night, and reaching Lowell the following day. A cav- alcade of citizens proceeded to Tewksbury and escorted the corps to Lowell. An independent company from Tewksbury also joined the escort. The company was re- ceived in Lowell by the Lowell Light Infantry, Capt. Fletcher, and the Mechanic Phalanx, Capt. Derby. At Judge Livermore's, in Belvidere, salutes were exchanged and an address of welcome was delivered by J. S. C. Knowlton, Esq.
A dinner was provided at " White Oak Grove." The president of the day gave the following toast, "The offi- cers and soldiers of the Salem Light Infantry -The true
4
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1826.
descendants of the old school, and the brightest ornaments of the new." The Infantry passed from Lowell through the canal, landing at Medford, marching thence to Cam- bridge, where the Cambridge Light Infantry entertained them at breakfast. In Boston the Boston Light Infantry provided a bountiful dinner. The corps returned to Salem accompanied by the Boston Brigade Band. A sumptuous supper at Hamilton Hall, Salem, ended this most success- ful campaign.
Oct. 6. Fall muster on Salem Neck where skirmish drill was practised.
Oct. 26. The company entertained the Danvers Light Infantry at the Essex Coffee House, and the same day the Beverly Light Infantry, Capt. Stevens.
1827 appears to have been an uneventful year among the military companies. At the fall muster the S. L. I. appear with thin ranks. No notice is found of parades.
May 23, 1828. "Mr. George Peabody was unanimously elected Captain of the Infantry vice Capt. Joseph Clout- man resigned. Lieut. Samuel R. Hodges and Ensign Stephen P. Webb having been unanimously elected to the command of the company, but declining further promo- tion, retain their respective offices."
Oct. 25. The company, under Capt. Geo. Peabody, appeared with full ranks with the Boston Brigade Band, at their anniversary. The corps partook of a dinner at Hamilton Hall, and in the afternoon entertained their friends in Washington Square. The Lynn Rifle Company were the guests of the company a part of the day.
July 17, 1829. Special meeting at armory.
CHARLES F. PUTNAM, Clerk.
Thursday, Aug. 6. The company entertain the Boston Light Infantry, Capt. Russell Sturgis. The visitors were escorted to the Salem common where an encampment
27
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1826-1830.
was pitched. The Boston company remained over night and on Tuesday morning in company with the Salem corps partook of a "splendid déjeuner à la fourchette." Later the two companies marched to the country seat of Maj. Wm. P. Endicott in Danvers where an elegant collation awaited them. "Tables were laid under the trees in a wide avenue, and were nobly furnished with the delicacies of the season and the sparkling champagne and Madeira were freely dispensed and temperately enjoyed." From Maj. Endicott's the two companies marched to Dustin's tavern where the officers of the Danvers Light Infantry entertained them. The Boston company then took up the line of march to Boston via Lynn Mineral Springs and the S. L. I. returned to their armory. The Salem Gazette says, "The morning repast prepared by Remond would have done honor to the renowned Louis Eustache him- self."
Oct. 27. Anniversary parade was observed under Capt. Peabody with fifty muskets. A handsome new standard was presented to the company by lady friends. It was painted by Hubbard of Boston. In the evening there was a supper at Hamilton Hall.
May 5, 1830. The corps paraded ; marched to Beverly for drill. In the evening, by invitation of Ensign Geo. H. Devereux, the corps partook of a supper at Hamilton Hall. "Temperate mirth presided over the banquet and the toils of the day were forgotten in the relaxation of the even- ing."
Aug. 17. The Rifle Rangers of Boston were entertained at Hamilton Hall, by the Infantry.
Oet. 6. At the fall muster, the S. L. I. was the largest company in the field, having 52 privates ; the corps used for the first time a new encampment with a large and handsome marquee.
Oct. 20. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the S. L. I.,
28
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1830-1831.
under Capt. Geo. Peabody, was celebrated "Their ranks were well filled and their appearance and discipline as brilliant and correct as have ever characterized them." The company was accompanied by the Boston Brigade Band. A supper was served in the evening at Hamilton Hall.
July 4, 1831. The company took dinner at the ar- mory, at which the members and invited guests were pres- ent.
WM. PIERCE, Clerk.
July 12. Geo. H. Devereux was unanimously elected Lieutenant vice Stephen P. Webb, resigned. Nathaniel J. Lord was elected Ensign vice Devereux promoted.
The following account of the memorable campaign to Boston in 1831 is kindly contributed by Col. George Pea- body.
EXCURSION OF THE SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY TO BOSTON AUGUST, 1831.
Wednesday, August 2, 1831. The Salem Light Infan- try having received a pressing invitation from the Boston Light Infantry, Capt. Edward Blake, went on a visit to Boston. We left Salem at 5 P. M., and on arriving at Charlestown, were received by a deputation of the young men of Charlestown, and complimented with an excellent supper. As it had rained for several days previous to our visit, the ground was considered too damp to sleep on, and we accepted the invitation of the authorities to pass the night at the Town Hall. On Thursday morning early, our tents were pitched on "Breed's Hill " near the monument. At 11.30 the tents were struck, and the company marched to Charlestown Square, where we were received by the Bos- ton Light Infantry, and escorted into Boston, under a sa- lute of fifteen guns by the Columbian artillery. The line of march was through State street where we received the cheers
- 29
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1831.
of great numbers of people, through Court and Tremont streets to the common. Here we found a large marquee with refreshments provided by our hosts. We then pitched our tents, and leaving our encampment guarded by a de- tachment of the City Guards who kindly offered their ser- vices, were escorted by the Boston Light Infantry to a sumptuous dinner in Concert Hall. After the festivities the night was passed in our own quarters, on the common.
On Friday morning the company was entertained, at breakfast by the Rifle Rangers and, at noon, the encamp- ment was visited by a large number of ladies and gentle- men, before whom the company paraded, and went through some military movements, very creditably. The Band, under Fillebrown, which accompanied the S. L. I. through- out the excursion, then performed several select pieces of music, much to the satisfaction of the audience. The Boston Fusiliers then appeared and escorted us to a fine dinner they had hospitably prepared for us, and after a very enjoyable entertainment we returned to our encamp- ment for the night.
August 5. We were again entertained by the Boston Light Infantry at breakfast and escorted on our return home, as far as the Charlestown Navy Yard, where we took leave of our generous hosts, exchanged salutes, and then marched to Lynn. There we found the Lynn Light Infan- try, waiting for us, and were welcomed with an excellent collation. After which, we marched to Salem, arriving at at 6 o'clock P. M.
Throughout the excursion, the weather was fine, and the company returned home without accident of any kind, and with all its members in good health and spirits."
The officers of the Boston Light Infantry were Edward Blake, Captain ; Robert C. Winthrop, First Lieutenant ; Patrick Grant, Second Lieutenant.
30
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1831-1833.
In 1831, previous to the campaign to Boston the com- pany frequently met at daylight for a two hours' drill be- fore breakfast.
Sept. 2. The S. L. I. provided a breakfast for the Dan- vers Light Infantry as that corps went through Salem en route for Gloucester.
Sept. 9. The Company gave a breakfast at Hamilton Hall to the Lynn Light Infantry, Capt. Carroll, as they passed through Salem to Newburyport.
Oct. 14. A parade with the Salem Regiment under Lieut. Devereux. In the evening the officers of the Regi- ment were given a supper in Hamilton Hall by the Infantry.
June 16, 1832. The Infantry under Capt. Peabody, pa- raded to receive and entertain the Philadelphia State Fen- cibles. A cavalcade of citizens also escorted the visitors from Derby wharf to the common. The Salem Artillery fired a salute on arrival. The Salem Mechanic Light In- tantry paraded and joined the S. L. I. in entertaining the Philadelphia company. Dinner was served at Hamilton Hall.
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