USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > History of the Salem Light Infantry from 1805-1890 > Part 3
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Oct. 9. At the Fall muster of the Salem Regiment the company was under Lieut. Devereux.
June 28, 1833. The company joined the escort to Pres- ident Andrew Jackson on his visit to Salem. A notice of the military closes with the following :-
" Where all appeared so well it might appear invidious to discriminate, but the beautiful and classical new helmets of the Salem Light Infantry attracted the admiration of all eyes." The new helmets were worn for the first time on this occasion.
Aug. J. Archer was clerk of the company at this time. Oct. 2. Fall muster.
In October Henry Clay visited Salem. The company was invited to join the escort. The democratic members of the Infantry were violently opposed to accepting the in-
31
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1833-1834.
vitation and left the company when it was voted to parade. Many of the old members volunteered to parade and did so, filling the ranks.
Oct. 16. The twenty-eighth anniversary. Capt. Pea- body in command and accompanied by the Boston Brigade Band. "In the evening the Company with a large number of ci-devant members and other guests partook of a supper at Hamilton Hall by invitation of the commander, George Peabody, Esq. Circumstances deprived us of the pleasure of hearing the 'young tigers' roar on this occasion, but we understand that Mr. Remond's good cheer was enlivened by wit, sentiment and song, according to the ancient usage. We regret to learn that this was intended to be the last ap- pearance of Capt. Peabody at the head of a company which he has commanded for five years past with so much honor to himself and satisfaction to all under his command."
Apr. 11, 1834. Lieut. George H. Devereux was elected Captain vice Geo. Peabody resigned ; Ensign Nath. J. Lord, Lieutenant, vice Devereux, promoted ; and John Fiske Allen, Ensign, vice Lord promoted.
July 29. Meeting of the Company at Armory.
N. B. PERKINS, Clerk.
Aug. 7. "The Salem Whig Dinner" was given by the whigs of Salem and vicinity. Hon. Daniel A. White was president of the day, with Hon. Daniel Webster and Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee as guests. Richard S. Rogers, Esq., was chief marshal. The escort consisted of the Danvers and Salem Light Infantry companies and the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry, the battalion under command of Capt. Geo. H. Devereux of the S. L. I. The Salem Gazette says : "Yesterday was beyond comparison the greatest festive meeting ever held in old Essex. At the dinner were the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the state, Messrs.
32
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1834.
Choate, Webster, Everett, Silsbee, Bates, Lincoln and Reed, and other distinguished guests. The procession formed in Chestnut street and marched to the pavilion on the common. There were toasts, songs and speeches with- out number, among them speeches by Daniel Webster, Rufus Choate and Edward Everett. Candles were brought in at dark and the company did not disperse till 10 o'clock. Later in the evening the distinguished guests were enter- tained by the Hon. Stephen C. Phillips at his residence on Chestnut street."
This dinner was commented upon in the whig and democratic papers for weeks after it took place, and many communications appeared regarding it. Political feeling ran high and the opposition papers had much to say re- garding the sentiments advanced at the dinner. Several parodies on old songs appeared and an amusing letter appeared in the "Commercial Advertiser" signed by "Ma- jor Jack Downing." The "Salem Whig Dinner" was a most important political as well as social event. It ap- parently made much trouble in the Infantry and quite a number left the company in consequence ; a bitterness of feeling was engendered which is hardly known in our time.
In a card signed by Geo. H. Devereux, Capt. Command- ing, the thanks of the corps are given "to Capt. Wm. Sut- ton and their friends in Salem for the liberal and courte- ous hospitality extended to them in a recent parade." In the same paper appears the following : "The Salem Light Infantry under Capt. Geo. H. Devereux, paraded on Friday last, and never displayed more brilliancy. The sympathy of the whole community is with them in their noble strug- gle for their rights. They need not fear being crowded out of existence because they have too much spirit to sub-
33
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1834-1835.
mit to dictation and too much patriotism to become servile followers of Martin Van Buren.1
Oct. 14. Meeting for drill.
N. B. PERKINS, Clerk.
Oct. 17. The S. L. I. paraded with other companies of the regiment under command of Wm. Sutton, senior, captain. The Gazette says : "The unexampled pressure which has been brought to bear upon the Salem Light In- fantry and the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry because their political sentiments were in unison with those of nine-tenths of the great body of young men throughout the country may justify us in selecting them for particular notice. They never appeared with fuller ranks nor ever made a more imposing or brilliant display. The Mechan- ics appeared in a new and elegant uniform extremely neat and soldierlike, ornamented with a button the legend of which is "Whigs of 1776 and 1834." This corps was commanded by Capt. James Chamberlain. In the same paper appears a communication signed, "A Mechanic," in which it states, "We were particularly well pleased with the full ranks of the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry and the Salem Light Infantry, as these companies had suf- fered some diminution in their numbers in consequence of doing escort on the day of the Whig dinner in this town. Several of the former officers were in the ranks as pri- vates."
Oet. 9, 1835. Parade under Capt. Devereux, with the Regiment of Light Infantry. Review on Salem common.
Oct. 16. The thirtieth anniversary of the company was celebrated by a parade under Capt. Devereux, the Boston Brigade Band accompanying. Thirty guns were fired at
1 At this time a general order from the state authorities regarding a reorganization of the military seems to have given rise to much dissatisfaction among the various companies, notably the Salem Cadets and Salem Light Infantry.
5
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1835-1837.
sunrise. The corps had full ranks and the appearance and discipline were remarkably fine. An original song by a friend of the corps was sung at the supper at Hamil- ton Hall, to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.
Aug. 2, 1836. The company, under command of Orderly Serg. Aug. J. Archer, paraded on Monday. A notice of the parade reads : "The corps has no commissioned of- ficers now in town but the esprit de corps is strong enough to keep them even with this disadvantage in the very front rank of military beauty and excellence." The com- pany marched to Marblehead and were handsomely enter- tained by the Marblehead Light Infantry. The Lafayette Guards and the Lynn Light Infantry also tendered cour- tesies to the corps.
Sept. 15. Joseph Andrews of Boston was elected Lieu- tenant of the company.
Sept. 27. Fall muster with the regiment.
Oct. 5. Thirty-first anniversary parade under Capt. Geo. H. Devereux. In the evening there was a supper at Hamilton Hall where " inspiring music, lively songs and witty toasts, were dignified by the eloquent responses of Messrs. Phillips, Saltonstall, Peabody, Lord, Webb, etc."
Jan. 28, 1837. The company attended the funeral of Benj. H. Ives.
Feb. 22 was celebrated by a supper at the armory.
May 2. May training under Lieut. Jos. Andrews, in undress uniform.
June 1. The company under Lient. Andrews, paraded with the Boston Brigade Band.
Aug. 24. The thirty-second anniversary of the corps was celebrated by a parade under Capt. Devereux with the Boston Brigade Band. "The ranks were full, the weather fine and the corps appeared to great advantage." Supper at Hamilton Hall in the evening.
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1231515
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1837.
Sept. 22. Governor Everett reviewed the Infantry reg- iment in Salem, by invitation of Col. H. K. Oliver. The line was formed on Washington Square, the Salem Light Infantry, Capt. Devereux, escorted the regimental stand- ards to the line. The Boston Lancers escorted the Gov- ernor from Boston to Salem. At 6 o'clock, P. M., the troops were formed in a hollow square and were addressed by the commander-in-chief.
Sept. 26. Capt. Devereux of the S. L. I. with other officers attended an entertainment given by Capt Wm. Sutton of the Salem Cadets at his marquee, on the com- mon.
Nov. 8. The company entertained the Lafayette Guards of Marblehead at supper.
COPY FROM A LIST OF OFFICERS PRINTED IN 1837.
CAPTAINS.
John Saunders, May 28, 1805 Samuel G. Derby, Nov. 3, 1806 James C. King, Mar. 27, 1810 Edward Lander, June 27, 1815 Jos. W. Peabody, Sept. 18, 1818
Saml Holman, 3d, May 15, 1821 Joseph Cloutman, Jan. 13, 1823 George Peabody, May 22, 1828 Geo. H. Devereux, April, 1834
LIEUTENANTS.
Sam1 G. Derby, May 28, 1805 Jos. White, jr., Nov. 3, 1806 Edward Lander, Apr. 21, 1810 Abel Lawrence, jr., June 27, 1815 Jos. W. Peabody, June 15, 1817 Sam1 Holman, 3d , Mch. 22, 1819
Joseph Cloutman, May 15, 1821 Sam1 R. Hodges, June 13, 1823 Stephen P. Webb, July 3, 1829 Geo. H. Devereux, July 13, 1831 Nath1 J. Lord, Apr. 11, 1833 Joseph Andrews, Sept., 1836
ENSIGNS.
Jos. White, jr., May 28, 1805 James King, jr., Nov. 5, 1806 Josiah Dow, Apr. 21, 1810 Elisha Mack, Apr. 10, 1811 Abel Lawrence, jr., Apr. 30, 1812 Jos. W. Peabody, June 27, 1815 Nathan Goodale, June 23, 1817
Joseph Cloutman, Sept. 18, 1818 Sam1 R. Hodges, May 15, 1821 Jos. M. Brown, June 13, 1823 Stephen P. Webb, Sept. 15, 1825 Geo. H. Devereux, July 10, 1829 Nathl. J. Lord, July 11, 1831
ADJUTANT.
Augustus J. Archer
ORD. SERGT.
Samuel N. Glover
36
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1838-1840.
The year 1838 seems to have been an unusually quiet one as we find no record of any parade except the fall muster. Sept. 12. Fall review of the Salem Regiment, Col. Oliver ; the Infantry under Ensign Safford took part.
May 24, 1839. Meeting of the company called at the armory for special business.
"By order of the Standing Committee."
May 29. The Boston Light Infantry, Capt. E. G. Austin, visited Salem as the guests of the Salem Light Infantry, Ensign S. A. Safford. The Boston guests were received at Castle Hill under a salute of artillery, and es- corted to Salem common where the S. L. I. encampment was pitched. A collation followed, after which there was a most creditable drill by the B. L. I. the Salem boys do- ing guard duty. In the evening supper was served at the Essex House. Both companies appeared with very full ranks and in excellent order. At twelve o'clock at night the Boston company were escorted to the station and re- turned home.
A correspondent of the Gazette says : "The Tigers were here with teeth and talons in prime order. As soon as their proposed tour was rumored the 'Young Tigers' stretched themselves to the full length and made all due preparations to receive their sires."
Of the supper, the same correspondent says : "The long continued friendship which has existed between the two companies and the frequent intercourse which has taken place, and the thousand associations which cling around their unbroken union, gave rise to many delight- ful allusions and happy hits."
June 14. Samuel A. Safford was elected Captain ; Au- gustus J. Archer, Lieutenant ; Richard West, Ensign. Sept. 24. Fall muster. Parade with the regiment on Salem common.
Jan. 24, 1840. Resolutions were passed on the death
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1840.
of a member of the corps, J. Porter Felt, who was lost in the steamer Lexington, burned on Long Island Sound.
An election of officers was held in May, in compliance with the new militia law. Samuel A. Safford was elected Captain ; Augustus J. Archer, First Lieutenant ; Richard West, Second Lieutenant ; William H. Prince, Third Lieu- tenant.
May 29. Parade, visiting Ipswich for drill, accompa- nied by a portion of the Boston Brigade Band.
Armory of the Salem Light Infantry, June 2, 1840. SIR :-
The legislature of this state, by an act passed at their last session, have entirely abolished the system of standing companies of militia; and have restricted all volunteer corps to one hundred men, ALL of whom arc required to do ACTIVE DUTY ; thereby, virtually discharg- ing all honorary and fine members, formerly attached to the volunteer corps.
Although the names of those, with whom some of us have so long been enrolled, have thus suddenly been stricken out by the new law, yet we trust and believe, we may ever confidently look to them, as our unwavering friends and supporters.
The annual assessment of four dollars, from our fine members, has very materially aided us in meeting our ex- penditures ; and unless our friends will for this year, con- tinue their usual support, we shall find ourselves again placed in the embarrassing situation, from which the corps was a year or two since extricated.
I am directed in behalf of the corps, to say that the honorary and hitherto fine members of the company, will still be entitled to all the privileges of the corps ; and that nothing can afford us greater pleasure, than for them to join us in our excursions and parades.
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1840-1841.
The new militia law would seem to imply a reenrolment of the active members of volunteer corps, and in order to comply with the terms of that law, as well as to give effi- ciency to our doings, the committee, chosen by the corps at their last meeting, have requested me to respectfully suggest the reënrolment of all those, who are desirous to have the corps appear with full ranks and perfect disci- pline.
A messenger will call on you in a few days, for your reply to this communication ; and you will then have an opportunity of signing the articles of the company, as an ACTIVE MEMBER.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL A. SAFFORD, Captain Salem Light Infantry.
Oct. 9. Fall muster on Salem common, under Capt. Safford.
April 19, 1841. The S. L. I., under Capt. S. A. Safford, took part in the escort at the funeral ceremonies at Salem of President Wm. H. Harrison. Geo. Peabody, Esq., was chief marshal of the procession ; Hon. Leverett Sal- tonstall delivered the eulogy.
May 21. Meeting of the company for drill at armory. J. W. DOWNING, Clerk.
May 26. Annual May training. The company was in- spected at the armory.
June 2. Special meeting of the company called for business.
HENRY WHIPPLE, JR., Clerk.
June 9, Wednesday. The Infantry, under Capt. S. A. Safford, paraded attended by the Salem Brass Band. The company visited Newburyport, and were received and en- tertained by the Newburyport Artillery.
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1841-1842.
Aug. 17. The company, under Capt. S. A. Safford, paraded for camp duty visiting Boston accompanied by the Boston Brigade Band. In Boston the company was re- ceived by the Boston Light Infantry, Capt. Dehon. The Boston Transcript says, "The Salem Light Infantry marched up State St. at 12 o'clock making a beautiful ap- pearance, their ranks were full, their uniform very splendid and they marched with great precision ; altogether we think one of the finest companies we ever saw."
Returning at night the company took cars for Lynn, marching thence to Spring Pond, where their encampment was pitched and the night was passed. The corps marched to Salem the following day, being met at Tapley's Brook by the Danvers Light Infantry, by whose invitation a col- lation was provided. A parade on Salem common, last- ing till nine o'clock, P. M., closed the day.
Aug. 27. The S. L. I. entertained the Marblehead Light Infantry at a collation as the latter corps returned from a tour of camp duty.
Sept. 17. Fall muster on Salem common. The S. L. I. under Capt. Safford. Gen. Wm. Sutton was in command, and Brigade Maj. Conant inspected the troops. On the ground were two companies of cavalry, four of artillery, twelve of infantry, and two companies of rifles. Maj. Gen. Adams reviewed the troops.
May 26, 1842. May training parade under Capt. Saf- ford with the Salem Brass Band. The company appeared with full ranks and made a fine appearance. The evening parade is mentioned as most ereditable.
July 4. Escort for the city procession, the S. M. L. I. and the S. L. I. paraded as a battalion under Capt. Safford.
Oct. 13. The thirty-seventh anniversary of the corps was celebrated. There was a morning parade in Central St. and a supper at Hamilton Hall in the evening. The Boston
40
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1842-1843.
Brigade Band was in attendance. At the supper were many military guests, among them the officers of the Boston Light Infantry. The bill of fare (Remond, caterer) was es- pecially elaborate. "In the long course of this fine corps we doubt if it has ever afforded more just occasion for pride and pleasure to its numerous friends than at this time." At the supper this toast was drunk : "John Re- mond-the crack of his rifle for thirty years has been heard with pleasure and delight by the company and their guests both in tent and field."
Oct. 27. By invitation of Gen. Sutton the Washington Light Infantry of Boston commanded by Capt. S. Abbott Lawrence visited Salem and were received and entertained by the Salem Light Infantry. The companies with Bri- gade officers dined at the Essex House. "A fundamental article of the constitution of the W. L. I. is total absti- nence from all that can intoxicate."
May 22, 1843. 2nd Lieut. Richard West was elected First Lieutenant ; John F. Fellows, Second Lieutenant ; William Mack, Third Lieutenant.
COPY OF PRINTED NOTIFICATION MAY, 1843.
COMPANY A. MR.
You being a Member of the Salem Light In- fantry, are hereby ordered to appear at the Armory, on WEDNESDAY, May 31st, at 12 o'clock, M., precisely, in undress uniform, for parade and discipline.
Per order of
SAMUEL A. SAFFORD, Capt. Com'dt. JAMES H. LORD, Clerk pro tem.
Assessment $1.00. Fine for non-appearance $4.00. UNIFORM-Dark Coat and White Pants.
SALEM, MAY 24, 1843.
41
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1843-1844.
June 17. At the famous celebration in Boston on the completion of Bunker Hill Monument, the Infantry took part in the escort. In line were one corps of cavalry, twelve companies of artillery, forty-six of infantry and riflemen. The escort was under command of Maj. Gen. Howe. It was said that the military display on this occa- sion surpassed anything of the kind ever attempted in this country. The President of the United States and hosts of other distinguished guests were present. Daniel Web- ster was Orator of the Day. Dinner was served at Fan- euil Hall. The S. L. I. were received by the Boston Light Infantry at East Boston, escorted into the city and enter- tained by a collation.
Aug. 29. The company attended the funeral of Hen- ry Whipple, jr., who was clerk of the company.
Oct. 5. Fall muster ; Gen. Sutton's Brigade (including the 6th and 7th Infantry regiments ) was reviewed on Salem Common. Gov. Geo. N. Briggs was on the field and was escorted from the depot to the field and also to the depot on his return by the S. L. I. The Adjutant General of the state inspected the troops.
May 17, 1844. Special meeting called at armory, signed by R. West, Lient. Comdt., James H. Lord, Clerk.
June 6. Lieut. Richard West was elected Captain vice S. A. Safford resigned.
June 7. The company turned out in uniform to attend the funeral of Capt. Jesse Smith, the last of Washington's Life Guard.
June 26. The company paraded in undress uniform for drill under Capt. Richard West accompanied by the Boston Brigade Band.
Sept. 27. Fall muster was held on Salem common. The Brigade was under command of Gen. Sutton. The 6
42
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1844-1845.
troops, including the S. L. I., were reviewed by His Ex- cellency, Gov. Briggs.
March, 1845. The company attended the funeral of Adj. S. N. Glover, an active and interested member of the Infantry. At the time of his death he was Orderly Sergeant.
May 27. Annual May training was observed, by the S. L. I. The company paraded in the afternoon, drilling in South Salem.
July 4. A meeting of Company A was called at the armory.
S. E. PEABODY, Lieut. Commanding. JAS. H. LORD, Clerk.
Aug. 15. The corps left Salem for a campaign to Low- ell. They were received by the Lowell City Guards and escorted to the camp ground, where a collation was await- ing them. In the evening there was a grand levee at the City Hall, said to have been attended by a thousand ladies and gentlemen. The guests were welcomed by the Mayor of Lowell. Returning the following day the Infantry were received and entertained by the Danvers Light In- fantry and escorted to the Salem boundary, where they were met by the old members from Salem, under com- mand of Capt. E. Lander. The column marched to the common in Salem, where it was reviewed by the Adjutant General, the Brigadier General of the Fourth Brigade and the officers of the Danvers Light Infantry. A supper at the Mansion House in the evening ended the tour of duty.
Aug. 20. The Gazette says "The Lowell campaign will be memorable in the history of the Salem Light In- fantry as combining an amount of honors and pleasures unequalled in the memory of the present wearers of the red hair.' "'
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1845-1846.
Sept. 4. The Lowell City Guards, Capt. Townsend, visited Salem and were received and entertained by the S. L. I. The Lowell company was met at Castle Hill and escorted to the common, where an encampment was pitched and a salute fired by the Salem Artillery. In the evening, there was a supper at Hamilton Hall. The following day both corps paraded. Dinner was served at the Mansion House. In the evening, there was a levee at Mechanic Hall, at which many military and other guests were pres- ent. On the third day the S. L. I. paraded at 8 o'clock A. M., performing the morning parade before a large crowd of spectators ; at 10 o'clock the two companies took break- fast at the Mansion House. At noon the Lowell company returned home via Boston. On the first day of this parade the Salem Brass Band played for the first time a new quickstep dedicated to Lieut. S. E. Peabody and the offi- cers and members of the S. L. I.
Oct. 2. Fall muster was observed, the S. L. I., Lieut. Peabody, with other companies being on duty.
Nov. 3. The company took part in the escort at the funeral services over the remains of Gen. Gideon Foster in Danvers.
Sept. 10, 1846. A battalion drill was held on Salem common, under command of Col. Joseph Andrews.
Sept. 21. The company visited Ipswich for drill un- der Lieut. Peabody.
Oct. 6. Annual fall review and muster held on Salem common. The S. L. I., under Lieut. S. E. Peabody, were on duty. Col. Jos. Andrews was in command.
Oct. 23. The forty-first anniversary of the corps was celebrated, under command of Lieut. S. E. Peabody. The New England Guards of Boston were the guests of the In- fantry. An encampment was pitched on the common, where the N. E. G. were entertained. The Salem Brass Band furnished the music.
44
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1846-1848.
Nov. 17. Geo. H. Devereux was elected Captain ; 3rd Lieut. S. E. Peabody, First Lieutenant ; Joseph Peabody, Second Lieutenant.
Jan. 1, 1847. Special meeting of the corps called at the armory for business.
GEO. H. DEVEREUX, Capt. Com. CHAS. F. BENNETT, Clerk.
May 26. May inspection. The Infantry, under Capt. Geo. H. Devereux, appeared in a new uniform and accom- panied by the Salem Brass Band.
July 5. The S. L. I. with other companies took part in the reception to President James K. Polk, in Salem.
Sept. 6. The Washington Light Infantry of Boston, Capt. Cowdin, were received by the corps, Capt. Dev- ereux. A parade was made through the city and a dinner served at the Mansion House. In the afternoon the S. L. I. left the city for a campaign to Ipswich, returning the following day.
Sept. 28. Fall muster and review observed. The In- fantry, with other troops, were reviewed by Brig. Gen. Sutton on Salem common.
April 29, 1848. Lieut. S. Endicott Peabody was elect- ed Captain vice Geo. H. Devereux appointed Adjutant General of the State ; Wm. C. Endicott, First Lieutenant vice Peabody promoted ; Richard D. Rogers, Second Lieu- tenant vice Joseph Peabody resigned.
May 30. Annual May training. The S. L. I., under Capt. Peabody and its new officers, passed the day in drill.
July 6. The company, Capt. Peabody, made a three days' campaign to Haverhill. Cars were taken for New- buryport, a steamer thence to Haverhill. At the wharf the company was received by a cavalcade of citizens and escorted to quarters. Dinner was provided at the Town Hall. The Salem Brass Band accompanied the corps. The company returned home by the way of Boston.
45
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1848-1849.
Complimentary notices of the appearance of the Infantry appeared in the Boston papers.
July 27. The Lowell Phalanx visited Salem. They were entertained by the Infantry at their encampment, and by a dinner at the Essex House.
Oct. 6. After several postponements on account of bad weather the annual fall review of the 6th Regt. Infan- try, under Col. Joseph Andrews, was held. The S. L. I., under Capt. Peabody, took part. Inspection by Adj. Gen. Devereux. Review by Gen. William Sutton.
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