USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > History of the Salem Light Infantry from 1805-1890 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
During the season of 1855-56, the company gave a series of assemblies at the Armory in Phoenix Hall.
March, 1856. S. K. Hodges was chosen Clerk.
April 18. 3d Lieut. Geo. C. Lee was elected Second Lieutenant vice John S. Jones resigned ; 4th Lieut. N. D. Silsbee, Third Lieutenant ; and James B. Nichols, Fourth Lieutenant.
May 28. Annual May parade. The Salem Light In- fantry, accompanied by Gilmore's Band, made an afternoon parade.
November 6, the company, under Capt. Farless, cele- brated its fifty-first anniversary by a parade with Gilmore's Band. Col. Wm. Saunders and other military guests re- viewed the corps on the common. In the evening the supper was given at the armory.
April 3, 1857. Lieut. Geo. C. Lee resigned and Lieut. James B. Nichols was promoted. Lieut. Silsbee declined promotion and William A. Brooks was elected Fourth Lieutenant vice Nichols promoted.
May 27 was the day of the annual May parade. The corps accompanied by Gilmore's Band made an afternoon march to Beverly, for drill. The company marched to South Danvers and escorted the Mechanic Light Infantry to Salem. The band at this parade performed for the first time the Infantry Quick Step dedicated to Capt. Farless.
Sept. 8, 9 and 10. The fall encampment of three days' duty was held at Lynnfield. This year the troops en- camped by regiments. The 7th under Col. Wm. Saun- ders reported at Camp Sutton at Lynnfield. The four Salem companies under Capt. Farless escorted Col. Saun- ders and staff to the station.
Sept. Daniel Upton was chosen Clerk ; battalion drills were held twice a week.
60
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1857-1858.
Oct. 13. The fifty-third anniversary of the corps was cel- ebrated by a parade with Gilmore's Band. The company numbered fifty-three muskets. There was the usual march through the city, a collation was given by a past com- mander, Capt. Jos. Cloutman, at his residence in Union street, after which there was a drill in battalion move- ments on the common.
May 26, 1858. The May inspection and parade was observed. The Salem Light Infantry and the Mechanic Light Infantry turned out as a battalion under command of Capt. Geo. H. Peirson of the Mechanic Light Infantry. Lieut. J. S. Jones was Adjutant, and the Salem Light In- fantry was under the command of Lieut. Henry A. Brown. Gilmore's Band was in attendance. There was a fine dress parade and drill on the common, and a collation at Infantry Hall.
In August, stringent rules were adopted regarding drills, discipline and military requirements generally ; fines were assessed for absence from drills and the officers expressed a determination to put the corps on a strict military footing.
Aug. 25, 26 and 27. Division muster was held at Winter Island, Gov. N. P. Banks and staff reviewed the troops. The Salem Light Infantry was much commended by military men for promptness and general attention to camp duty, showing good results from the recent stringent rules adopted by the company.
Oct. 18. Capt. Farless resigns and the company tender him a complimentary parade.
Oct. 28. The complimentary parade to Capt. Farless took place ; the weather was auspicious, the day being one of the finest of the season. The corps left the armory at one o'clock under Lieut. Henry A. Brown, marching to the house of the commander. With Capt. Farless now in command a march about the city was taken, stopping at the residence of past Capt. Jos. Cloutman for refreshments.
61
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1858-1860.
There was a drill on the common showing great precision and proficiency. In the evening there was a supper at the armory. Gilmore's Band furnished excellent music and the parade was successful in every way ; the helmets of course were worn.
At the supper Gen. Geo. H. Devereux was chairman of the evening, leading the speaking in a graceful speech complimentary to Capt. Farless and his officers. Re- marks and toasts were offered by Maj. Henry Merritt, J. W. Perry, Esq., Lieut. Staten of the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry, Dr. Jos. Farnum and others. Lieut. J. S. Jones in an appropriate speech presented in behalf of the company to Capt. Farless a handsome service of sil- ver (pitcher, goblet and salver) suitably engraved. Capt. Farless replied in acknowledgment of the gift, express- ing his warmest thanks for the honor done him, and his best wishes for the future welfare of the corps.
May 16, 1859. The company under command of Lieut. Henry A. Brown, and accompanied by the Salem Band, turned out in full uniform for drill ; the ranks were full and the marching up to the old-time standard.
June 21. It was voted to attend the 4th of July cele- bration at Lawrence, Mass., under Lieut. Wm. A. Brooks. The corps took part in the escort at Lawrence, and were handsomely received by the citizens.
July 15. At a large meeting of the company held at the armory, Lieut. Col. Flint presiding, Capt. Samuel C. Oliver was elected Captain, Lieut. Brooks declining promotion. Capt. Oliver declined the captaincy. Lieut. N. D. Silsbee was elected First Lieutenant, and Pickering D. Allen, Second Lieutenant.
Oct. 24. Henry A. Brown was elected Captain, and Isaac S. Noyes, First Lieutenant.
Feb. 7, 1860. Other officers declining promotion, Ar-
62
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1860.
thur F. Devereux was elected Captain ; Daniel Upton, First Lieutenant; Thomas Sanders, Second Lieutenant.
March 20. Sergt. Henry Phipps chosen Second Lieu- tenant vice T. Sanders declined.
July 10. At a meeting of the company, Col. L. Dike presiding, William C. Waters was elected First Lieuten- ant vice Upton discharged and 2nd Lieut. Phipps declining promotion ; Geo. F. Austin, Third Lieutenant ; Ethan A. P. Brewster, Fourth Lieutenant.
From this time the company under Capt. A. F. Dever- eux was put under strict discipline, frequent drills were ordered and the corps was brought to a high condition of efficiency.
July 24. The Chicago Zouaves, Col. E. E. Ellsworth1 commanding, visited Salem by invitation of the S. L. I. The Infantry escorted their guests to the armory where Capt. Devereux cordially welcomed the Zouaves. Arms were deposited, and the two companies marched to the Es- sex House for supper. The Zouaves slept at night in the S. L. I. armory, declining more luxurious quarters. The following morning the two companies marched to the resi- dence of Gen. Geo. H. Devereux in North Salem, where breakfast was provided and the guests were addressed by Gen. Devereux.
After a parade through the city, the city government and invited guests including many military officers were escorted to the common where the Zouaves went through their novel and interesting drill, viz., the French Zouave method ; the manual of arms, the wheelings, opening and doubling of ranks, marches in quick and double quick time, firing in various ways, advancing and retreating,
1It will be remembered that Col. Ellsworth was shot dead early in 1861 at Alex_ andria, Va., while hauling down a confederate flag from a hotel. His death was immediately avenged by one of his men who shot the assailant dead on the spot.
63
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1860.
sometimes crawling flat on the ground; there was the bayonet exercise and fencing, all executed with most wonderful quickness and uniformity. It was a new rev- elation to the people, nothing like it was ever seen here before.
Later in the day the Zouaves and the Infantry dined at the Essex House and still later the visitors were escorted to the R. R. station. The Zouaves were enthusiastic in their thanks for the many attentions received, and before leaving, took the company letters from the fatigue caps of the S. L. I., fastening them on their own caps as me- mentos. There was an immense concourse of people in Salem at this parade, and the S. L. I. were highly com- plimented for the manner in which they entertained their guests. The visit of the Zouaves marked an important epoch in the annals of the Infantry, the enthusiasm was unbounded, the wonderful and dexterous drill, the easy swinging step of the Zouaves, the dress, and in fact the entire make-up and method of the "Zous" had fascinated the men of the Infantry. Here was something quite new, no heavy cumbersome uniform, none of the stiffness and formality of the old style drill, and in marching the men moved along in an easy swinging style with little or no attention to alignment or uniformity ; it was entirely un- like the old drill, and it was no wonder that the Infantry boys found it catching. This occasion was the birth of the later renowned "Salem Zouaves."
Aug. 15. The company passed new and stringent rules as to discipline and general attention to military duties.
Sept. 1. Lieut. H. B. Phipps applied for and received his discharge.
Sept. 12, 13, 14. The 7th Regiment, including the S. L. I., encamped at Haverhill. The Infantry on its re- turn from camp gave a specimen of the new Zouave drill on Salem common.
64
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1860-1861.
Oct. 16. Fall muster. The company under Capt. A. F. Devereux paraded, wearing the helmet cap. The discipline of the corps showed the good results of the stringent rules lately passed. The day was spent in drill in North Salem.
In December, commissions were issued to Geo. F. Aus- tin, E. A. P. Brewster and George D. Putnam as Second, Third and Fourth Lieutenants.
In the winter of 1860-61, the Salem Light Infantry Dramatic Club was formed, the object being to provide funds for company purposes ; the entertainments were given in the armory to crowded houses and were most creditable as amateur performances, calling forth from the press several complimentary notices.
Feb. 5, 1861. Capt. Devereux tenders to Gov. An- drew, at headquarters, the services of his command for any duty required.
April 9. There was an exhibition drill in Mechanic Hall, Salem. Gov. Andrew, members of his staff and many other military guests were present. There were drills in Infantry movements and the Zouave tactics which were most creditable to Capt. Devereux and his company. Gov. Andrew from the stage of the hall expressed his entire satisfaction and great admiration of the perform- ance, saying he "doubted if any company in the state could surpass or even equal the remarkable drill just wit- nessed." Later in the evening there was dancing with a supper by Cassell. During the evening, Gov. Andrew alluded to the already excited condition of the country and expressed the belief that Massachusetts troops were ready to respond to any call made upon them. Capt. Devereux in a reply said, the credit of the drill belonged to the men as well as to the officers, and pledged his command for any service which might be required.
April 11. The Zouaves gave an exhibition of drill at Lynn at the Armory of the City Guard.
65
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1861.
War was already in the air and the proclamation of Pres- ident Lincoln promulgated April 15, 1861, and appearing in the public prints of April 16, made a profound impres- sion on the minds of the people. It found the Salem Light Infantry ready, and early on the morning of April 18, after a brief but most impressive religious service at the Armory, Capt. Arthur F. Devereux and his command, seventy- one strong, in response to orders from Gov. Andrew, marched to the railroad station en route for the front, es- corted by a squad from the Salem Cadets, under Sergt. John C. Chadwick, and attended by a vast throng of cit- izens who had assembled to witness the departure of the first troops from Salem. Arriving in Boston the com- pany marched to Faneuil Hall, the place of rendezvous, and later to the State House, where the corps was as- signed to the 8th Regt. Mass. Vol. Militia, Col. Timothy Munroe, as the right flank company. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler assumed command and the troops left Boston by rail for the front amid the greatest enthusiasm and an intense excitement. New York and Philadelphia were duly reached, and it was feared there might be trouble in Baltimore. General Butler decided to proceed to Washington by water, and as a military necessity seized the steamer Maryland at Perryville, the Salem Light In- fantry being the first troops aboard, and steamed off for Annapolis, which place was reached April 21. The old United States frigate, the "Constitution," was found lying at anchor in the harbor; it was thought that the frigate might already be in the hands of the confederates, but such was not the case, and the Salem Light Infantry, Capt. Devereux, and the Pittsfield Guards, Capt. Briggs, were ordered aboard to take the ship to New York, which was safely accomplished with many interesting incidents on the way, which cannot be mentioned here. The Infantry were
9
66
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1861.
in New York City for several days and were most gener- ously entertained by old members and friends of the corps, among them W. R. L. Ward, Esq., Col. Chas. A. Stetson of the Astor House and Capt. Geo. Savory. From New York the company was ordered to Washington where it joined the Regiment and was on duty at Washington, and at the Relay House from which place various expeditions were made. The company was mustered out of the ser- vice at the expiration of its full time of enlistment and re- turned to Salem Ang. 1. Capt. Devereux was at once commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 19th Regiment, and J. Hodges, H. A. Hale, J. P. Reynolds, Wm. L. Palmer and Geo. W. Batchelder were commissioned as First Lieutenants in the same regiment, and were detailed as drill masters.
April 22. The past members of the corps organized a Home Guard, the following being the first of the "Reso- lutions" adopted.
Resolved, That we, the past members of the company, feeling the importance of maintaining the organization of the corps, to the end that in any emergency arising near our own homes, there may be an efficient body of men to be called upon, do hereby agree to enroll ourselves in such an organization without further delay." At a later meeting the details of the organization were completed and a preamble and four articles adopted for the guid- ance of the members. The officers elected were G. H. Devereux, Captain ; S. E. Peabody, J. A. Farless, W. C. Endicott and J. S. Jones, Lieutenants.
One hundred muskets were loaned by Robert Brook- house, Esq.
Sept. 17. 4th Lieut. Geo. D. Putnam was elected Cap- tain ; Ord. Serg. Charles U. Devereux, First Lieutenant ; private Robert W. Reeves, Second Lieutenant ; and pri- vate Albert Thorndike, Third Lieutenant.
67
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1861-1862.
Oct. 22. The S. L. I. voted again to enlist for the war under command of Lieut. Charles U. Deverenx. A "war meeting" was held in Salem in aid of the company, Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee presiding, and addresses being made by Rev. George W. Briggs, Hon. W. D. Northend and others. The company joined the 19th Regiment. The officers commissioned were Charles U. Devereux, Captain ; Albert Thorndike, First Lieutenant ; Charles B. Warner, South Danvers, Second Lieutenant.
March 11, 1862. The company under Capt. Putnam formed part of the escort at the funeral of Gen. Frederick W. Lander of Salem.
March 21. The company formed part of the escort at the funeral of Lient. Col. Henry Merritt.
May 10. Robert W. Reeves was commissioned First Lieutenant and Wm. B. Upton, Second Lieutenant.
May 13. May inspection and parade was held, the com - pany turned out for drill under Capt. Putnam, dining at the Essex House.
May 25. On receipt of the news of Banks' Retreat and the threatened attack on Washington the Infantry un- der Capt. Geo. D. Putnam were ordered to report forth- with to Gen. S. P. Andrew on Boston Common. The company left Salem promptly, but returned on the 27th as their services were not required.
July 23. A battalion drill was held at South Reading. A detachment of the S. L. I. under Capt. Putnam marched from Salem to Reading, starting at 5 o'clock A. M., march- ing back in the afternoon.
Aug. 23. Afternoon parade accompanied by the Salem Band.
Sept. 9. The Infantry (Co. A, 50th Regiment), Capt. George D. Putnam, with R. W. Reeves and William B.
68
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1862-1864.
Upton as Lieutenants left Salem for nine months' service, going into camp at Boxford. The past members with the Salem Band escorted the company to the R. R. Station, stopping on the march to pay a military salute to Sergt. Samuel H. Smith, an old member of the corps, who was at home severely wounded.
On the evening previous to the departure Count Schwabe gave the company a supper at the Essex House.
The corps presented a sword and field glass to Capt. Putnam after getting into camp.
The corps joined the 50th Regiment at Port Hudson and elsewhere.
Nov. 6. A new armory in Franklin building was dedi- cated.
Nov. 19, Co. A, 50th Regt., Capt. G. D. Putnam, left camp at Boxford to report to Gen. N. P. Banks, for the Department of the Gulf, after a stormy and in other ways a most uncomfortable passage, the regiment reached New Orleans, later were ordered to Baton Rouge and assigned to the 19th Army Corps, General Dudley. Saw active ser- vice at Port Hudson and performed picket duty, opening communications with Admiral Farragut. After the sur- render of Port Hudson did garrison duty till ordered home. The regiment was mustered out of service at Wenham, Aug. 24, 1863.
June 19, 1863. The past and present members of the company attended the funeral of Lieut. Pickering D. Allen. In "General Orders, No. 15," Capt. S. Tyler Read pays a high tribute to the memory of Lieut. Allen. The order in full may be found in the Sa em Gazette of June 30, 1863.
Jan. 26, 1864. The corps attended the funeral of Lieut. F. Webb at the South Church.
Jan. 28. The company under Lieut. R. W. Reeves
69
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1864-1865.
and the veterans under Lient. A. J. Archer formed a por- tion of the escort at the celebration by the city of Salem to welcome to their homes the veterans of the war.
Feb. 8. The S. L. I. under Lieut. Reeves and the vet- erans, Capt. Farless, took part in the reception of the 19th Regiment in Salem. The occasion was a most enthusiastic one. A dinner was given the soldiers at Mechanic Hall, where were addresses of welcome by Mayor Wheatland and others.
Feb. 22. The Infantry turned out with other military bodies on the occasion of a reception to the reënlisted men of the 4th Mass. Battery, and the 24th Mass. Vols. There was a march, a collation at Mechanie Hall and later, addresses were made by the mayor and others.
April. The military companies of the state were or- dered to be in readiness for sixty days' duty, by Adj. Gen. Schouler. Lieut. Reeves of the Infantry responded to the call and the company were notified to meet promptly on call.
May 13. The Infantry (13th Unattached Company M. V. M. ) left Salem for camp at Readville, and were or- dered to New Bedford for garrison duty. The officers were Capt. Robt. W. Reeves; 1st Lieut. Geo. O. Ste- vens ; 2nd Lieut. John W. Evans.
Sept. 20. Capt. Reeves advertises for recruits for the 13th company unattached M. V. M., "In pursuance of General Order, No. 32, from Headquarters of the state."
June 26, 1865. The following officers were elected : Robert W. Reeves, Captain ; George H. Perkins, Second Lieutenant ; George O. Stevens holding his commission as First Lieutenant.
Dec. 22. The past and present members of the Com-
70
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1865-1867.
pany were notified to meet to take part in the ceremonies at the State House in Boston, of delivering the war colors to the State.
GEO. D. PUTNAM, ROBT. W. REEVES, WM. B. UPTON.
Four different companies issuing from the Salem Light Infantry have been raised and mustered into the service. A fifth marched from Salem and tendered its services to Governor Andrew, on the occasion of Banks' Retreat. It has put four hundred men into actual service, having an- other hundred ready if called for. Of the seventy-one members who obeyed the first call for troops, forty-two received commissions from the grade of Brigadier General down to Lieutenant ; the Brigadiers being Lander, Peir- son, Dimon, Walcott and Arthur F. Devereux. Such a record needs no comment.
May 25, 1866. A. F. Devereux was elected Captain ; Wm. L. Palmer, First Lieutenant; H. A. Hale, Second Lieutenant, but declined ; and Horace S. Perkins was ap- pointed Sergeant and Clerk of the Company.
May 30. May inspection was held at the Armory.
July 11. Henry A. Hale elected First Lieutenant, but declined ; Geo. C. Gray, Second Lieutenant.
Sept. 30. Camp with the 8th Regiment at North An- dover.
Nov. 2. Commissions were issued to Geo. D. Putnam, Captain, vice Devereux discharged ; John R. Lakeman, First Lieutenant, and Aug. Brown, Second Lieutenant, vice Gray discharged.
May 29, 1867. May training and inspection was held. The Infantry joined the 8th Regiment at Lynn, where there was inspection and a street parade. The officers were
71
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1867-1868.
Geo. D. Putnam, Captain ; John R. Lakeman, First Lieu- tenant ; Augustus Brown, Second Lieutenant.
Sept. 3. In camp with the 2d Brigade at Swampscott.
Oct. 4. A notice appears for a meeting of the com- pany. Signed by
J. R. LAKEMAN, Com'd'g Company. J. H. LANGMAID, Clerk.
Dec. 17. The following officers were elected, Capt. Put- nam and Lieut. Lakeman having resigned : Charles U. Devereux, Captain ; Augustus Brown, First Lieutenant ; Geo. H. Blinn, jr., Second Lieutenant ; William T. Lan- der appointed Clerk.
Jan. 25, 1868. A corporal and twelve men in uniform and others in citizens' dress attended the funeral of Alfred H. Beckett.
April 15. 1st Lieut. Brown and 2d Lieut. Blinn hav- ing resigned, Henry A. Merritt was elected First Lieuten- ant and Edward A. Hall, Second Lieutenant.
May 6. Wm. H. Lander resigned as Clerk and Arthur H. Phippen was elected in his place.
At the May inspection the company, under Lieut. E. A. Hall, made a short parade and were inspected in the Ar- mory.
June 14. A meeting of the company for election of officers was called, Col. B. F. Peach presiding. Capt. John P. Reynolds was elected Commander ; B. R. Sy- monds, First Lieutenant ; E. A. Hall, Second Lieutenant.
Aug. 11. The company under its new officers paraded with the Beverly Brass Band with forty-five muskets.
Aug. 25. Camp near Newburyport with the 2d Bri- gade ; the Infantry under Capt. Reynolds mustered fifty- five muskets.
Sept. 15. March to Salem Neck for target practice. Col. Peach and staff were guests of the company. The
72
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1868-1870.
Salem Gazette says "The Infantry under Capt. Reynolds and the new officers seems to have revived its ancient spirit, and is reorganized upon a good and permanent ba- sis."
May 26, 1869. Inspection under Capt. Reynolds in Salem with other companies of the 8th Regiment under Col. B. F. Peach.
Aug. 13. William R. Driver was elected First Lieu- tenant in place of Geo. H. Blinn, jr., who declined to qualify, and Geo. F. Browning was elected Second Lieu- tenant in place of Augustus Brown who declined to qual- ify.
Aug. 24. Camp with the 2d Brigade. Gen. G. H. Peirson at Boxford.
Sept. 9. Resolutions of respect to the memory of Jona. F. Worcester were passed by the company.
Oct. 16. Appropriate resolutions on the death of Past Capt. Robert W. Reeves were passed and the company at- tended the funeral services.
Oct. 18. Half-day parade under Capt. Reynolds, wear- ing a new and handsome uniform. The Salem Brass Band furnished the music. A social gathering was held in the evening at the Armory.
Dec. 16. Geo. F. Browning was elected First Lieuten- ant and Arthur H. Phippen, Second Lieutenant.
Feb. 8, 1870. The company formed part of the mili- tary escort at the funeral of George Peabody at Peabody.
May 25. Spring Inspection and Muster of the Infantry, Capt. Reynolds ; joined the 8th Regiment at Lynn where the day was spent in drill.
June 17. The company visited Ipswich for target prac- tice and drill. Private W. O. Arnold won the medal as the best marksman. There was a dinner at the Agawam House. The Canton Brass Band furnished music.
73
SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY, 1870-1871.
Sept. 6. Camp at Concord, Mass. All the troops of the state were in camp under Gen. B. F. Butler. A no- tice of the return of the Salem companies says "The Sa- lem Light Infantry, Capt. Reynolds, marched in a style worthy of the established reputation of the company."
Dec. 30. A new silk American flag was presented to the company by Post 34, G. A. R., the Salem Light Infantry receiving the highest number of votes for said flag at a fair held in Salem by Post 34.
Feb. 1, 1871. The company gave an Assembly at which a number of military guests were present.
May 31. Being the day of annual inspection, the Infan- try under Capt. Reynolds visited Ipswich accompanied by Samuels Band. The day was passed in target exercise, the best shot being made by Ord. Sergt. Jonathan Os- borne. Dinner was provided at the Agawam House.
June 26. The Boston City Guards visited Salem for a few days' drill on Salem Common preparatory to a match drill to take place in Boston with the Montgomery Guards of Boston. The Infantry furnished accommodations for the City Guards at their Armory, and gave them an escort ac- companied by the Salem Brass Band. There was a colla- tion at the Town Hall. The B. C. G. presented the Infantry with a handsome silk banner in return for courtesies re- ceived. The Infantry had eighty-six muskets.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.