USA > Massachusetts > History of the Thirty-sixth regiment Massachusetts volunteers. 1862-1865 > Part 24
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The sad intelligence cast a shadow of gloom over the entire nation ; but nowhere was the sorrow more profound than among the soldiers of the army of the Potomac. The closing days of that wonderful life had been spent in its camps, and within sound of some of its last terrible battles. The heart almost erushed by the burden of responsibility and care, borne throughout the long years of war, had been lightened and cheered by its glorious victories, and the men were bound to him by ties of admiration and affection. The general sorrow which pervaded the army was shared by the citizens of Virginia. They felt that the South had lost its best friend, and while they appreciated and applauded the magnanimity of General Grant. now that the war was virtually ended, they relied upon the warm heart of the President to inaugurate measures for reconstruction which should unite the hearts of the people of the North and the South. Nowhere was this feeling more general than among the people of Farmville. As soon as the death of the President was formally announced the Mayor, in accordance with the generally expressed wish of the citizens, convened the Common Council, and the following official action was taken : -
TOWN HALL, FARMVILLE, VA., April 18th, 1865.
A called meeting of the Common Council of Farmville was held this day at Town Hall.
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The object of the meeting being explained, and an official com- munication from General Curtin. commanding this post, having been read, announcing the death by assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and the orders of the General commanding this department as to the proper observance of the day of the funeral obsequies of the late President, the following action was taken : -
Resolved, That the Common Council of the Town of Farmville have heard with profound regret the tragic fate of the late Presi- dent of the United States ; that we regard the event as a great national calamity, particularly and especially to the South ; and while we deplore the country's loss, we at the same time feel the warmest sympathy for the family whose head has been so suddenly and ruthlessly hurried into eternity.
Resolved, That we cordially approve and will conform to the order of the Commanding General in the proper observance of the day of the burial of the late President, and recommend to the citizens suspension of all business operations, and unite in the common hope that this afflietive dispensation of Providence may not impede the restoration of peace and happiness to our country.
Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be furnished General Curtin, commanding post.
(Signed) W. W. H. THACKSTON, Muyor.
J. H. MOTTLEY, Clerk.
The day following (April 19th) being the day appointed for the funeral obsequies of the lamented President at the national capital, in accordance with general orders from the commanding General, all unnecessary labor was suspended. It was a day of sadness in the camps, though the sun shone brightly and the songs of birds filled the air. In the after- noon a memorial service was held in the Presbyterian church, which was very largely attended by the citizens and soldiers, and a memorial discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Sever- ance. of Farmville. As the congregation sat in reverent. attitude, listening to the solemn music and the words of prayer and eulogy, it was hard to realize that the beloved President had indeed finished the work of life. We remem-
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. bered him then as we had seen him on that triumphant morning. only sixteen days before, when, in response to our thundering cheers, the careworn face was lighted with joyful smiles as he rode into the city which the victorious army of the Potomac had won.
Now a whole nation was in tears. In one short week it had been plunged from the summit of happiness into the valley of mourning. Flags, lately mast-head high in every breeze, were trailing, and joyful hearts were in sorrow at the great calamity which had befallen the nation. Nowhere was Lincoln more beloved and honored than in the army, and ' nowhere that day were there deeper expressions of sincere and poignant grief.
On the 21st of April our stay at Farmville came to a sud- den end, upon the receipt of orders to march to Petersburg and City Point. The brigade, with the exception of the Thirty-sixth, had marched the day before. At half-pa-t seven A.M. the regiment left Farmville and marched. rin Rice's Station, to Burkesville, where we arrived at four P.M. Here we received the gratifying intelligence that the re- mainder of the journey was to be made in cars, and not on foot. A train was soon in readiness, and at eight o'clock P.M. we left Burkesville, and, at a rate not exceeding five miles an hour, proceeded to City Point, which place was reached at four o'clock on the morning of the 22d. As the journey was made direct, passing through Petersburg in the night by rail, we had no opportunity of looking again upon the scenes of our battles and hardships for ten weary months. It would have been gratifying had we been permitted to sur- vey the scene of the battles in June, the crater and the line, of earthworks, undisturbed and in security from the deadly bullet ; but it was destined that our latest recollection of that war-scarred ground should be associated with the scenes of strife and carnage.
Upon reaching City Point the regiment went into camp not far from the landing, to await the arrival of the remainder of
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the brigade, which was marching by the highway. On the 24th, at noon, the brigade arrived, and went into camp near by, and on the 26th. at ten o'clock at night, we went on board the steamer " Vidette," and lay at the wharf until daylight, when we steamed down the James river, past historie scenes, reaching Fortress Monroe at two P.M. The journey was continued. and Alexandria was reached at noon of the 28th. The brigade marched through Alexandria in column of companies, and proceeded to the high ground beyond the city, in front of Fort Lyon, where we found, in a comfortable camp, that portion of the corps which had preceded us. ยท
On the 30th, Private James Dolligan, of Company K, one of the men .transferred from the Twenty-first, was instantly killed, while sitting in his tent. by the careless firing of some colored troops, who were discharging their pieces near by. This was the last casualty in the regiment.
Camp-life near Alexandria was comparatively casy and pleasant. Many of the restraints of the service were re- moved, although the discipline was fully maintained. The men were allowed more personal liberty ; many were per- mitted to visit Washington, and many others availed them- selves of the opportunity of visiting Mount Vernon, which, throughout the war, had been regarded as sacred ground, and had not been molested by either Confederate or Union troops.
Occasionally the camps were brilliantly illuminated at night. On the night of the 12th of May an unusual scene was witnessed in a torchlight parade. The men had carefully saved all the candles that could be obtained. These were placed in the muzzles of their guns, the muskets being used as torches. After forming in line of battle many evolutions were executed, and the various movements presented a novel and beautiful spectacle to all beholders.
On the 21st of May the long-expected and eagerly awaited orders were received from the War Department for the speedy muster-out of all regiments whose term of service
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should expire before October 1st. Preparations for this happy event began immediately. Soon the camp was in a state of busy excitement. Cracker-boxes and barrel-heads were converted into use as tables, and all the camp-writers were busily engaged in preparing muster-out rolls and discharge papers.
This agreeable employment was interrupted temporarily by orders to proceed to Washington, and participate in the grand reviews of the army of the Potomac and the West. Early on the morning of the 22d of May the regi- ment, with the entire corps, proceeded in light marching order to Washington, and bivouacked for the night on the open ground east of the capitol. On the morning of the 23d the men were astir early, preparing for the review. The Ninth Corps followed the cavalry, having the right of the column of infantry. The corps marched in column of companies at half distance, with a front of eighteen files. The First Division, constituting the garrison of the defences of Washington, had the extreme right, and was followed by the Second and Third Divisions, with their respective brigades, in numerical order. The day was superb. Not a cloud obscured the sun, and none who marched in the ranks of the veteran and victorious army of the Potomae on that brilliant day will ever forget the splendid pageant.
The infantry, being in light marching order, presented a fine appearance. The men were dressed in their best, wore white gloves, and nearly all carried bouquets in the muzzle- of their guns. The tattered, blood-stained banners were garlanded with flowers, and many of the officers' horses wore brilliant wreaths. Great preparation had been made for this magnificent pageant. Stands for spectators had been erected at every convenient spot, and the great crowds in attendance were excited to the highest pitch of enthusiasm by the martial display. Thousands of school-children sang patriotic songs and showered bouquets of flowers as the column passed. At the White House great stands had been
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erected on both sides of the avenue, and at this point, amid immense cheering and the thunder of artillery, the army passed in review before President Johnson, the leading Generals, and the Governors of the States. Here one face was missing. Here all that seemed wanting to complete the sense of triumph was the form of Abraham Lincoln, at whose call these veterans had left their homes in defence of their country, and who, since the close of the fighting, had been called to his reward. Recollections of him, and the memory of comrades who had fallen rushed upon us. Our feelings found fitting expression in the language of Brownell's poem : -
" And in all our pride to-day, We think, with a tender pain, Of those who are far away ; They will not come home again.
" And, lo! from a thousand fields, From all the old battle-haunts, A greater army than Sherman wields, A grander review than Grant's !
" Gathered home from the grave, Risen from snn and rain, The legions of our brave Are all in the ranks again.
" The colors ripple o'erhead, The drums roll up to the sky, And with martial time and tread The regiments all pass by, - The ranks of our faithful dead Meeting their President's eye."
For more than six hours the march continued through the streets of Washington, amid scenes as magnificent as those when the armies of Rome carried their victorious eagles through the streets of the Eternal City. After passing in review, the regiment continued its march through George- town, and at night occupied its regular camp.
After this all was bustle and activity in preparation for our muster-out and return home. Day after day the air was
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June,
filled with the music, and cheers, and good-byes of the troops who had been mustered-out, as they left their comrades in battle and the scenes of war, to go to their homes and engage. in the pursuits of peaceful life. Reviews and parades were substituted for guard duty and drill. On the 3d of June, the anniversary of the terrible day at Cold Harbor, General Parke reviewed the Second Division, and on the 5th Gen- eral Curtin, temporarily in command of General Hartranti's division, was tendered a complimentary review by the regi- - ments of his old (First) brigade. This was the last parade of this veteran brigade, and elicited the following commenda- tion from General Curtin : -
HEAD-QUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, NEAR ALEXANDRIA, VA., June 6, 1865.
To the Officers and Men of the First Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps : -
I desire to express to you, one and all, my heartfelt appreciation of the kindly feelings which prompted the review of last evening. On that occasion your appearance was as gratifying to me as honorable to yourselves. In your movements you exhibited that true soldierly bearing which, on the field and in the camp, has ever distinguished the soldiers of this brigade. In the Carolinas, in Maryland, in Kentucky, in Mississippi, in Tennessee, and in Vir- ginia, your valor and heroic endurance have won for you an in- perishable name. Victory has at length crowned your efforts, and the efforts of the brave men associated with you.
In parting with you who are about to repair to your homes allow me to express my sincere thanks for the prompt and cheerful manner in which you have at all times performed every duty while under my command. To those of you who remain allow me to say. be patient. I trust the day is not far distant when it will be practicable for you. also, to return to your homes. Until that day arrives let your bearing be such as not to detract from, but to add to. your present well-earned reputation. As you go to your home's you will bear with you the proud consciousness of duty success- fully performed, and will receive from your countrymen the ap- plause of a grateful people ; while iu all the years to come, as
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you revert to the scenes now so rapidly closing, it will be your pride to say, "I fought with Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps," and there will be associated with all this your part in the history of the First Brigade, Second Division.
To the families and friends of your comrades, who have so nobly fallen in the defence of their country, I tender my heartfelt sym- pathy.
JOHN I. CURTIN, Brevet Brigadier-General.
On the 6th all preparations for muster-out having been completed, orders were received for the regiment to be in readiness to depart on the following day. That evening the regiment organized a torchlight procession, and, escorted by the brigade hand, marched to the camp of our comrades of the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania. It was the last time these organizations, which had been so intimately associated since September, 1862, were to meet as regiments. During the entire term of the Thirty-sixth, through all the vicissitudes of its service, this gallant regiment of Pennsylvanians had never been separated from it; and in every battle in which we had been engaged we had felt their strong support upon our right or left.
After a season of fraternal conversation Colonel Gregg, of the Forty-fifth, delivered the following address : -
" Officers and Men of the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Vol- unteers : -
"Nearly three years of toil and blood have passed since our first acquaintance with you. Thinned in numbers, we had then just left the victorious fields of South Mountain and Antietam. From that day to the present- in camp, on the toilsome march, and in the conflict of battle - you have stood side by side with us, contending for our country against treason and oppression. Your record is one of which the glorious old Bay State may well be proud ; and
20
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we are sure she will ever count your organization one of the noblest she has sent to the field.
" Amid scenes of conflict we have learned to love and honor you; and as the blood of our heroes has there mingled together, so have our hearts been united in one fraternal bond of union, which time cannot sever. With the brave men of the Thirty-sixth by our side, we were always sure of hearty support and final victory ; each vied with the other in deeds of valor and trials of endurance, and both shared equally the honors won.
"Together we have thus fought, together we have rejoiced and wept, - rejoiced at the success of our united arms, wept for the fallen brave around us.
"Now all is changed. The white-winged messenger of Peace beckons us from scenes of conflict to once more re- sume the avocations of industry and domestic tranquillity. You are about to leave us and return to your homes in the old Bay State. We have met probably for the last time. Here, under the folds of our colors, let us strengthen these feelings of love and affection which have so closely united our destinies in the field. Let us, also, in remembrance of our comrades who have so nobly fallen, and whose memory we will always cherish, pledge ourselves anew to the flag and the country we love.
"Brave and faithful sons of Massachusetts, the victory is won ! Return to your homes, and, as you recount the valor of your arms, say that the Keystone boys of the Forty-fifth. sons of your ancient sires, defended with you the liberties of our fathers assailed by rebellion and wrong.
" Comrades of the Thirty-sixth, we bid you an affectionate farewell ! "
This address was received with great applause. Appro- priate responses were made by members of the Thirty-sixth ; and we returned, late at night, with the conviction that we bore with us the esteem and affection of that gallant regiment.
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On the march back to their quarters the regiment halted at the camp of each regiment of the brigade, and exchanged farewell cheers and greetings with our comrades, who were to remain in the service yet a little longer.
On the eighth of June, in accordance with orders, the recruits and the Twenty-first men were transferred to the Fifty-sixth Massachusetts, and the regiment was mustered- out of the service of the United States by Lieutenant Rose, division mustering-officer. At three o'clock P.M .. escorted by the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, Colonel Gregg, and the brigade band, we marched to Alexandria. The Forty-fifth had made special preparations for this parade. All the non- commissioned officers carried small American flags on their bayonets, and the regiment presented a splendid appearance. At Alexandria we bade our comrades good-by with cheers, and embarked for Washington. After considerable delay at the latter place cars were loaded with the troops and bag- gage, and the homeward journey commenced. Many delays and discomforts attended this journey ; but they were all borne with a spirit of equanimity and resignation, because we knew this to be the last excursion of the kind we should ever make. Philadelphia was reached at noon of the 9th, and the regiment enjoyed the hospitality of the city at the famous Cooper Shop refreshment-rooms, receiving a warm greeting. and obtaining abundant cheer, and much-needed rest. Late in the afternoon the journey was resumed. New York was reached during the night, and the regiment marched to the battery, where quarters were provided. The next day, about noon, the regiment took the cars on the Shore line. Soon we were within the limits of the dear old mother Commonwealth, and on the evening of the 10th we arrived at Readville, where we pitched our tents for the last time. During the following day, Sunday, many friends and former comrades visited the camp, and warm welcomes were extended. On Monday, the 12th, Company B received an ovation from the citizens of
:
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Charlestown, and on Tuesday, the 13th, the entire regiment visited the city of Worcester, and received a most hearty and generous public greeting. The little band of bronzed and hardy veterans presented a strange contrast to that regiment of more than one thousand men, who, nearly three years before, had marched the same streets on the journey to the front; but the reception compensated for these years of toil and hardship.
The following account of the reception is taken from the " Worcester Spy " of June 14 : -
RECEPTION OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. .
The Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Regiment, Colonel T. L. Barker, arrived in this city yesterday, and were formally received and welcomed home by the city authorities in the afternoon. The State Guard, Captain Fitch, and Captain Chamberlain's Company of State Militia, with Goddard and Riedle's band, performed escort duty. The line was formed on Front street, and the pro- cession, accompanied by the city government and a large number of past officers who have been in the service from this city. marched down Main street and countermarched to Mechanics' hall, where the formal reception took place, and the returned veterans partook of a collation provided by Hudson, under the direction of the city government.
Many of the buildings on Main street were decorated with the national colors, and flags were flying in all directions. The re- turned soldiers were welcomed with hearty cheers along the line of march, and on entering the hall were greeted with waving of handkerchiefs and prolonged applause by the crowd of ladies that filled the galleries. After the veterans and their escort had taken their places at the tables, His Honor Mayor Ball addressed the regiment as follows : -
Officers and Soldiers of the Thirty-sixth Regiment : -
GENTLEMEN, - We are assembled to congratulate you upon your auspicious return from the field of conflict, honor, and danger which has witnessed your daring, your valor, and your heroism. for the past three years. Now we see, consummated in your re-
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turn, the ardent longing of your hearts when you left us. In this we share with you your joy. Joy, that you should have been pre- served to return once more to enjoy the blessings and humanities of civil life, the fruits of your labors. For the honorable part you have borne in the great civil war, accept our acknowledgments of high appreciation of the noble service you have rendered a noble and just cause. Allow us to share with you some of your intense joy at the victories, in achieving which you have borne such a memorable part. In these victories we have rejoiced, as the peal- ing bell, the booming cannon, and the glaring bonfire have attested. These have been our oratory and have furnished our eloquence. At your success our joy has been too deep for human speech, and our elation too excited to be bounded or measured by mere human speech. We know this to be your joy, and in its realization we congratulate you most cordially, most earnestly ; and here we welcome you, in behalf of the city, to this hospitality, in token of our appreciation of the high service you have rendered the city, the State, and the country. We welcome you cordially again to the bosom of civil life. With you we rejoice again in the return of so many of you safe from the perils of the camp and the battle-field to your homes and your friends. With you we join in your sorrow for the noble and the brave that you have left on the battle-field. Their eyes longed to see this hour, - a privilege they have been denied. You have been blessed in the seeing, and with you we will honor their names and respect their memories. We welcome yon again to the pursuits of civil life, where victories attend ac- tivity, resolution, and energy, as well as in the exciting scenes and service of the camp ; and we rejoice with you that you have aided in giving a new meaning to the dear old flag, in whose defence you have endured so much. Be it ours to cherish it evermore with vastly more increased love than ever we did before. Great is our rejoicing that yours is the memory of that great day when Richmond fell. Proud may you be of the recollection of that mighty event ; and long may the years remain to you in which to enjoy the peace of your labors ; and may we all be one in purpose and aim, hero and civilian, to rightfully cherish these memories, and to use, with pure motives, these blessings vouchsafed to us by kind and indulgent Heaven, through your valor, your sufferings, your patriotism.
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The divine blessing was then invoked by Rev. Nathaniel Rich- ardson, Chaplain of the Thirty-sixth, after which the company did ample justice to the collation. During the repast Mr. C. C. Starring performed upon the organ a variety of national and patriotic music, and a quartette of male voices from Dale Hospital. members of the Warren Phalanx of Charlestown (Company B), gave two patriotic songs, which were warmly applauded.
At the close of the repast, in behalf of the regiment, Lieutenant- Colonel Smith returned thanks to the city authorities for the courtesies and welcome extended to them. He said it was a proud day for American soldiers, and a proud day for the Thirty-sixth to return and to receive the approbation of the city from which they went away three years ago to fight the battles of the Republic. When we then left this city we received our flag from the ladies of Worcester, and our commander pledged himself and us that it should be honorably defended and returned. He has long since left us ; but the promise was binding, and to-day we return it with- out dishonor. We count it a matter of pride that in all our arduous service and on many hard-fought fields the Thirty-sixth Regiment has never lost a color or a flag.
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