USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > History of the Salem Light Infantry from 1805-1890 > Part 7
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January 11, 1886. Maj. J. A. Farless, Capt. J. P. Reynolds, Col. H. A. Hale, George B. Phippen and J. Langdon Ward of New York City were chosen delegates to attend the convention of the National Veteran Militia Association, in New York City, Jan. 26, 1885, of which organization the S. L. I. V. A. is connected.
May 5. The day of the annual meeting ; various re- ports were read and accepted.
Capt. George D. Putnam was elected a member of the Historical Committee. The old board of officers were elect- ed. Appropriate resolutions were adopted on the decease of the following members : Gen. H. K. Oliver, Lieut. A. Thorndike, Capt. S. A. Safford, S. P. Walcott, E. H. Rea, Charles C. Osgood and F. W. Piekman.
Oct. 7. Was the day of the fall parade ; the active com- pany, Capt. Herbert F. Staples, joining. The Salem Brass Band and the Marblehead drum and fife corps fur- nished the music. Maj. Farless was in command of the Veterans with Capts. Whipple and Hale and Lieuts. H. A. Brown, H. S. Perkins and G. D. Putnam as officers. The parade was in every way a successful one, and the sup- per at Hamilton Hall, caterer Wentworth, was served in the best of style. One company of the Veterans carried the old-time pikes, thereby attracting much attention.
Oct. 14. A meeting of the executive committee was
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held. The treasurer, Geo. M. Whipple, asked to be re- lieved of his position, having held it for ten years. His accounts being audited and found correct the balance on hand was turned over to Lieut. Henry A. Brown who was duly elected treasurer.
During this year the chapeaux and equipments of the Association were put in thorough repair, the expenses thereof being paid from the treasury.
May 3, 1887. The annual meeting was held, the vari- ous reports were read, accepted and placed on file. The deaths of Capt. Charles U. Devereux and X. H. Shaw were reported and resolutions of respect were adopted.
June 17. Was the day of the parade at Boston of the National Veteran Militia Association. A delegation from the corps attended the celebration and marched in the procession.
Oct. 12. The Veterans and the Active Company made a joint fall parade. Major Farless was in command of the Association with the following officers and staff: Capts. James B. Nichols, H. A. Hale, H. S. Perkins, H. A. Brown, A. H. Phippen ; Staff, Capt. J. P. Reynolds, Maj. C. G. Davis, D. B. Hagar, Esq., and Lieut. F. W. Tuttle. There was the usual march through the city and a supper at Hamilton Hall. This was the twenty-fifth an- niversary of the organization of the Veteran corps and there was a decided interest manifested on the occasion. The march to the hall at dusk was enlivened by fireworks and colored fires. At the supper Maj. Farless presided, Rev. E. B. Willson acting as chaplain. Speeches were made by Gen. Wm. Cogswell, Capt. J. G. B. Adams, Mayor Raymond, Rev. E. B. Willson, Capt. W. A. Hill, Capt. G. D. Putnam, Capt. H. B. Staples and others. Letters were read from Secretary of War, W. C. Endicott, past Commander George Peabody, Hon. Caleb Foote and Maj. S. E. Peabody.
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The annual meeting of 1888 was adjourned to May 15 no quorum appearing May 1. The old board of officers were re-elected. An invitation to attend the dedication of a monument to the memory of Gen. Israel Putnam at Brooklyn, Conn., was read.
Resolutions of respect were passed to the memory of members deceased since the last annual meeting : Col. J. F. Fellows, Lieut. Fred Grant, Col. Samuel C. Oliver, Leonard Harrington, Wm. P. Endicott and N. R. Tread- well.
Nov. 12. The Association attended the funeral of the late Quartermaster, Francis W. Tuttle, Rev. E. B. Will- son, chaplain of the Association, officiated at the services. Six members of the Association were chosen to act as pall-bearers, and a floral tribute was sent by the corps. The funeral service was attended by a large number of the Association in citizens' dress. Appropriate resolutions on the death of comrade Tuttle were prepared and placed on the records of the company.
March 1, 1889. The Veterans were again called to at- tend the funeral of a prominent member of the corps, Lieut. Henry A. Brown. Pall-bearers were chosen, and resolu- of respect for the memory of the deceased were read after which the Association attended the funeral service, Rev. E. B. Willson officiating. Flowers were sent by the Association.
May 7. The annual meeting was held. The various re- ports were read, accepted and placed on file. Maj. Farless declined a re-election and the following officers were unanimously chosen : Major commanding, George M. Whipple ; Captains, Henry A. Hale and James B. Nichols ; Lieutenants, Horace S. Perkins and William A. Hill.
Gen. Wm. Cogswell was elected an honorary member of the Association.
Sept. 28. A meeting of the executive committee and the
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officers was held, it was voted to make the parade of the season complimentary to a Past Commander, William C. Endicott on his return from abroad, and on his retirement from service as Secretary of War. The Commander sub- mitted the following letter of invitation, which was ap- proved and later sent to Mr. Endicott.
Salem, Sept. 30, 1889.
HON. WILLIAM C. ENDICOTT :
DEAR SIR :- The annual parade of the Salem Light Infantry Veteran Association occurs the coming month, and at a meeting of the officers and the executive committee held on Saturday evening last, it was the unanimous wish of those present that the parade should be one compli- mentary to yourself. Remembering your long continued connection with the Salem Light Infantry as commander of the active company, and in other capacities, and rec- ognizing the value of your services for a full term of years as Secretary of War at Washington, all so honorably per- formed, we most cordially tender this complimentary pa- rade, and would suggest the 15th day of October as the day, if that date should be convenient for you.
With highest sentiments of respect, We are yours, GEO. M. WHIPPLE, Major Commanding.
HENRY A. HALE, Captains. JAMES B. NICHOLS,.
JOHN P. REYNOLDS, Adjutant.
S. E. PEABODY, JAMES A. FARLESS,
CHARLES SEWALL, D. B. HAGAR,
CALEB FOOTE,
JAMES B. CURWEN,
WM. MACK,
STEPHEN G. WHEATLAND.
HENRY WHEATLAND,
Oct. 15. Parade complimentary to Mr. Endicott was made in the afternoon. The Association assembled at
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Hamilton Hall at 2 o'clock ; about sixty men reported for duty and battalion line was formed at 3 o'clock with the following officers : Major commanding, George M. Whip- ple ; Captains, James B. Nichols, Horace S. Perkins, John R. Lakeman, Wm. A. Hill, Wm. A. Brooks. In the color guard were represented the different uniforms of the corps from 1840 to 1888. The Salem Brass Band furnished the music. From the hall the colunm marched to the house of the commander where the colors were received with mili- tary honors, trumpets playing "To the color" and the Band following with "The Star Spangled Banner." The corps then marched to the residence of Surg. Mack on Chestnut street where the Honorary Staff was received. On the Staff were Col. Frank F. Olney, Providence Light Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. Frank Dalton, Second Cadets, Capt. H. F. Staples and Lieut J. H. Carter of the S. L. I., Capt. Wm. H. Dunney of the S. M. L. I., Wm. Mack, Sur- geon, Rev. E. B. Willson, Chaplain, Augustus S. Browne, Quartermaster, S. G. Wheatland, Paymaster, Mayor J. M. Raymond, James B. Curwen, Esq., and Lieut. John S. Jones. After a short march through the city paying Col. Geo. Peabody, first commander of the Association a march- ing salute, a halt was made at the armory of the active corps. In the evening there was a supper at Hamilton Hall prepared by caterer Cassell. Unfortunately, Mr. Endicott was unable to be present from temporary illness, the follow- ing letter was read.
Salem, Oct. 14, 1889.
GEO. M. WHIPPLE, EsQ., Com'd'g Vet. Light Infantry, S. E. PEABODY AND OTHERS.
DEAR SIRS :- I regret exceedingly that I am prevented by illness from being present with you at the parade to- day and at the supper in the evening. The cordial invita- tion that you sent me, and its words of friendship and
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commendation are received with pride and pleasure, indeed with gratitude, for they come from men from whom I should most wish to receive them, from my neighbors and friends of a life-time and from this ancient and historic town. Nearly forty years ago I received at your hands my first honor, when I became an officer of the Infantry. I then felt and now feel a great pride in being on the rolls, and though no distinction attended my service it is some- thing to have one's name on the same list with those who served their country so faithfully and well. I regret that I cannot say this and more to yon ; and be assured that noth- ing but absolute necessity prevents my being with you this evening. Though we cannot meet to-day, I hope the time is not far distant when we may.
With great regard ever truly yours, WM. C. ENDICOTT.
Maj. Whipple presided at the table and, after expressing his regret at the enforced absence of the expected guest, congratulated the corps on the success of the parade and at the gathering of so many Veterans in the old Infantry Hall. Capt. John P. Reynolds was announced as toast- master, and the usual round of toasts and speeches was listened to. There was speaking by Prof. Hagar, Mayor Raymond, Col. Olney of Providence, Hon. Caleb Foote, giving interesting reminiscences of the old Infantry times, Hon. S. G. Wheatland, Capt. Lakeman, Chaplain Willson who spoke in answer to the sentiment, "Our Roll of Honor," Capts. Staples, Dunney and others. Letters were read from Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, Gen. Wm. Cogswell, Maj. S. E. Peabody, Maj. Farless and Gen. A. F. Devereux, Lieut. Col. J. F. Dalton and Col. J. A. Dalton. At a late hour the company left the hall after a most enjoyable evening. During the evening Capt. Wm. A. Hill read the following verses, written by - - July 2, 1858.
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SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY ARMORY-JULY 2, 1858. TUNE : " ROY'S WIFE."
There's many a head now white as snow, And many a one laid low forever, That proudly wore on manly brow Our horse-hair crest and snow white feather. There's many an eye now dulled in gloom, That sparkles bright as memories gather And fancy paints the snowy plume And crimson crest once more together.
REFRAIN-
Our crimson crest and snow white feather, Each is fairer thus together ; None can tell the pain for us, E'er to see their glories sever.
Thus many steps now faint and slow, That soon must cease their march forever, That former tread, as past they go, That waving crest and dancing feather, Those hoary heads, those glazing eyes, Those feet that totter so, have never Forgotten yet, or ceased to prize That bright red crest and pure white feather.
There's many a trust comes down to us, The sons of those who trained together Beneath the crimson crest, that blush To feel the kiss of the bending feather They've left to us, as their bequest, To keep from every stain whatever, The glories of our crimson crest The whiteness of our snowy feather.
And we will do as they have done, Shoulder to shoulder march together, And keep the laurels they have won And wound around the crest and feather. And when our children, grown to men, Shall wear for us the crest and feather, We'll point them to our acts - and then We'll leave them in their charge forever.
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This brings the history of our time-honored corps to the present day, and here the story ends only to be taken up by other hands as time goes on.
The company like most other military bodies has had its days of adversity as well as of prosperity, but we may be sure that its successes largely outnumber its failures and that it has been at least, at times, a power in the social and political life of Salem. A writer in the Salem Gazette says of the company :
"In its former years it was composed in a great degree of young men who furnished shipmasters, supercargoes and factors for the metropolitan cities when they began to absorb the commerce which had given distinction to Salem.
Perhaps no military company of equal numbers ever had so large a proportion of its members scattered to every corner of the world as the old Salem Light Infantry. A roll-call of the company would have summoned members from every great mart of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Isles of the sea, as well as America.
The following reminiscences of the Infantry were read by the Hon. Caleb Foote at the last parade of the Veteran Association. They form an interesting résumé of the life of the company and are well worth a place in this volume.
EARLY REMINISCENCES OF THE SALEM S. L. I., BY HON. CALEB FOOTE.
Mr. Commander .- If a practised orator were disposed on this occasion to enliven his exordium by alluding to the promotion of a private and subsequent captain of the Salem Light Infantry to the great office of secretary of war, as a promotion by natural sequence, this jocular view would not be thought inappropriate to a festal occasion.
But, all jocularity aside, speaking in a graver sense, the steps which led to this great office were easily to be traced
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through a natural but not special preparation. The sec- retary began life as an able and exemplary young man- no prig, but one who had never any wild oats to sow, and consequently had no evil crop to reap.
By a diligent use of naturally excellent faculties he grew, year after year, into distinction in legal and literary pur- suits. A reputation thus established led to the offer of a place upon the Supreme Bench of Massachusetts-an office, let me add, not inferior in dignity, or usefulness, to any other position in the commonwealth :- but its duties were arduous and wearing, and he withdrew with honor into private life.
He was subsequently drawn rather than volunteered in- to a position of political eminence ; and the natural result was his appointment to one of the highest places in the national government.
This is not the place nor time for the introduction of po- litical difference ; but I take pleasure in saying that although most of us have not been able to sympathize in the party affiliations of our friend, we have always been able to approve and heartily acknowledge the high-minded, honor- able, impartial and efficient performance of his official du- ties. We differ with each other, on party questions, not in the spirit of bigoted animosity which our fathers unhap- pily adopted, but in the better spirit which enables us to unite in a testimonial of esteem and honor to personal character, and to fidelity to duty. Thanking Heaven that in this respect, if in no other, we are wiser and better-man- nered than our progenitors, we heartily rejoice to welcome back our honored friend to his native city, and to that high post of honor, a private station, enjoying the confi- dence, respect, and good will, of his fellow-citizens.
In dismissing this special reference to the honored guest of the evening, it has been suggested to me that, as com-
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ing from one of the two oldest living members of the In- fantry-dating back in membership between sixty and sev- enty years-a few reminiscences respecting the corps inits very early days, might not be without interest to younger generations.
The Light Infantry Company was formed in the year 1805, two years before the embargo, which inflicted the first deadly blow upon the commerce of Salem. The In- fantry was formed exclusively as a Federal company, and so continued as long as that division in party politics con- tinued-the end coming with what was popularly known as "the era of good feelings," with the unanimous reëlec- tion of President Monroe, in the year 1820.
From the time of the first President Adams-1797-1801 -to that of Monroe, party divisions had been extremely rancorous, here and everywhere. Respectable men brawled in the insurance offices, and fought in the streets. Family and social intercourse were broken off, and the young peo- ple were not allowed to mingle in social gayeties. It so happened that most of the leading Federalists lived in the upper part of the town, and the Democrats (or Republicans as they were then called) lived "down town"-and this Hamilton hall, named after the great Federal statesman an d leader, was built by the Federalists to keep up the distinc- tion. I have never heard who was the first democratic young man or maiden to break into that charmed circle, but the old folks must have thought the world was coming to an end.
My first memory of the Infantry company was when it was under the command of Captain James C. King (from 1810 to 1815). The uniform was the characteristic hemlet, with pantaloons tight as the skin, and half boots outside of the pantaloons laced with red trimmings. It was a trying dress for spindle-shanked youngsters ; but the
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whole combination has ever since remained as a glory in my memory.
The embargoes and the war came rapidly along after the organization of the Infantry, bringing the first deadly blow to the commercial interest in our city and embitter- ing partisan hostilities. But when war was actually de- clared, in 1812, and it became a question of country, the Light Infantry went as far as any in patriotic devotion, and set an example of patriotism which was grandly fol- lowed to more bloody and glorious fields by their noble successors in the war of the rebellion.
Soon after the declaration of war the Infantry took up their line of march on a three days' campaign, encamping the first night upon the heights of Chelsea. The following day they marched into Boston, paying their respects to the Commander-in-Chief, Governor Strong, making a tender of their services and setting an example of patriotism and discipline, and removing the strong prejudices which exist- ed at that time against the militia as a means of defence.
The Infantry doubled its numbers at once forming the new men into an artillery company, in the simplest pos- sible uniform, armed with swords and pikes, and the two bodies always came out in battalion, the cannon forming a striking feature in the procession. Most of the members of the artillery division were masters and mates of vessels thrown out of employment by the embargoes and the war.
It was about this time or somewhat later, that the Infan- try band was formed, consisting of John Hart, a remark- ably fine trumpeter (self-taught), Brackley Rose on the clarinet (equally fine and equally self-taught) -- Glover, base drummer, with others whose names I cannot recollect, playing the French horn, bassoon, etc. Hubon's fife and Deland's drum furnished the marching music. The greater part of the modern instruments for band music were then
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unknown. The Infantry supported, at their own expense, this band for nearly twenty years. They were also the first volunteer company in the United States to provide them- selves at great expense with tents and camp equipage com- plete for active service, purchased from a prize ship brought into Salem.
At that time and long afterward the members of military companies received no aid either from the state or from any other source. Every member bought and paid for his own gun, for his entire uniform, for the hire of his armory, his music, and literally for everything.
In the days of war-time there were three companies in Salem which were acknowledged to take the lead of the whole county : first in age were the Cadets ; next in date were the Infantry ; and third, the Essex Guards, under Captain Israel Williams, a ship-master in high standing, and who proved an excellent military officer. The pri- vates of the guards were nearly all seamen who had risen from the forecastle to be masters and mates, and a formid- able looking body of men they were. The day after an alarm it was always a matter of disputation which company had first reached the common, and who were belated. I don't remember ever to have heard the charge that any in- dividual had skulked. I think it has been always conceded that at least on one occasion the Infantry were the first to march to Beverly bridge, under the full conviction that the enemy had landed from their ships, then cruising off Cape Ann.
During the war our bay was always infested by British cruisers, who kept the whole coast in alarm by feints of invasion. The "Home Guard" was not then a term of rid- icule. Every company was a body of sea-fencibles. The Infantry did its duty bravely, taking its turn in marching to the Neck with spade and pickaxe on shoulder, digging
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and delving to build the forts which were thought neces- sary for defence, and flying to arms in the dreary alarums, when, in the dead of night, the glare of beacon lights, the dreadful alarm bells, and the outcries as one armed man after another rushed from his house, shouting, "an alarm ! an alarm ! the British have come !" struck terror to the hearts of the timid. Every house facing the street had a can- dle in the window ; and it had a solemnizing effect upon the women and children to see armed men hastening singly in the ghastly light to their rendezvous. Few minutes suf- ficed to bring the men into marching order, and in a sur- prisingly short time they were moving in solid bodies down to the Neck, or toward Beverly, or Marblehead, or wherever the alarm came from. Whether these sounds of preparation were heard by the flotillas of intending inva- ders, and taken by them as a hint to retire, or whether they were entirely groundless, was never known-but at any rate they never came to bloodshed.
When these alarms were going on, I was nine or ten years old, and it was a bitter grief to me not to be per- mitted to go out and follow the solitary drum tap, regulat- ing the pace of the hurrying company, as they tramped on in the full conviction that they were going into bloody battle with all its dreadful possibilities.
As I have brought this brief reminiscence, Mr. Com- mander, to a date which others may readily continue, it is now time to bring it to a close, which I do in the old-fash- ioned way with a toast :-
"The members of the Salem Light Infantry, of the pres- ent and the future- May they not only rival, but surpass their predecessors, in every quality that constitutes the good soldier, and citizen, and gentleman."
APPENDIX.
LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY FROM 1805 TO 1834.
CAPTAINS.
Chosen
JOHN SAUNDERS
May 28, 1805
Resigned 1806
SAMUEL G. DERBY
Nov. 3, 1806
1810
JAMES C. KING
March 27, 1810
1815
EDWARD LANDER
June 27, 1815
1817
JOSEPH W. PEABODY
Sept. 18, 1818
1822
SAMUEL HOLMAN, 3d JOSEPH CLOUTMAN GEORGE PEABODY
Jan.
13, 1823
1827
May
22, 1828
66
1834
LIEUTENANTS.
May
28, 1805
Promoted 1806
Nov.
3,1806
Superseded 1810
Promoted 1815
ABEL LAWRENCE, jun.
June
27, 1815
Resigned 1817 Promoted 1818
1821
May
15, 1821
Resigned 1828
STEPHEN P. WEBB
July
3, 1829
1831
GEO. H. DEVEREUX
July
11, 1831
Promoted 1834
NATHANIEL J. LORD
April
11, 1834
Resigned 1834
ENSIGNS.
JOSEPH WHITE, jun.
May
28, 1805
Promoted 1806
JAMES KING, jun.
Nov.
5, 1806
1810
JOSIAH DOW
April
21,1810
Resigned 1811
ELISHA MACK
April
10, 1811
66 1812
ABEL LAWRENCE, jun.
April
30, 1812
Promoted 1815
JOSEPH W. PEABODY (102)
June
27,1815
1817
SAMUEL G. DERBY JOSEPH WHITE, jun. EDWARD LANDER
April
21,1810
JOSEPH W. PEABODY SAMUEL HOLMAN, 3d JOSEPH CLOUTMAN SAMUEL R. HODGES
June
15, 1817
March 22, 1819
1823
June
13, 1823
1821
May 15, 1821
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LIST OF OFFICERS OF SALEM LIGHT INFANTRY.
NATHAN GOODALE
June 23, 1817
Resigned 1818
JOSEPH CLOUTMAN
Sept.
18, 1818
Promoted 1821
SAMUEL R. HODGES
May
15, 1821
1823
JOSEPH M. BROWN
June 13, 1823
Resigned 1825
STEPHEN P. WEBB
Sept.
15, 1825
Promoted 1829
GEO. H. DEVEREUX
July
10, 1829
1831
NATHANIEL J. LORD
July 11, 1831
1834
CAPTAINS AFTER 1834.
GEORGE H. DEVEREUX, first term, Apr. 11, 1834; second term, Nov. 17, 1846, to April 29, 1848.
SAMUEL A. SAFFORD, first term, Jan. 24, 1840, to June 6, 1844 ; second term, Apr. 2, 1852, to Nov. 29, 1853.
RICHARD WEST, June 30, 1844, to Apr. 5, 1845.
S. ENDICOTT PEABODY, Lt. Com'd, Nov. 17, 1846; Capt. Apr. 24, 1848, to Dec. 7, 1849.
WILLIAM C. ENDICOTT, Sept. 9, 1850, to Jan. 29, 1852.
JAMES A. FARLESS, Dec. 23, 1853, to Dec. 23, 1858.
ARTHUR F. DEVEREUX, first term, Feb. 7, 1860, to Sept. 17, 1861 ; second term, May 22, 1866, to Oct. 12, 1866.
GEORGE D. PUTNAM, first term, Sept. 17, 1861, to Aug. 24, 1863; second term, Nov. 2, 1866 to Dec. 7, 1867.
ROBERT W. REEVES, Capt. Co. A, 7th Reg't, May 13, 1862 ; Capt. 13th Unattached Co., May 16, 1864, to Aug. 15, 1864.
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