USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Ashfield > History of the town of Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts from its settlement in 1742 to 1910 > Part 24
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In 1815, a social circulating Library was gathered, and from time to time valuable additions were made till it became an important auxiliary in diffusing knowledge and culture. Also during the years when the Academy flourished, there was in existence a highly efficient Lyceum, in which much power and eloquence were displayed in debates. While the good effects of educational influences have been diffused through this entire community some of the more public results may be stated as follows: About thirty of the residents of this town have received a college education, twenty-five have entered the ministry, eight have become physicians, seven lawyers, one has achieved a world-wide reputation in mathematical and astronomical science. Moreover thirteen have become ministers' wives, seven wives of physicians, one the wife of a lawyer, and last but not least, Mr. President, one the wife of an honored member of Congress.
And in respect to the female portion of the above, I will ven- ture to advertise for the advantage of whom it may concern. In the language of those who traffic in remarkable wares, there are a few more of the same sort, which may be had if application be soon made.
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ASHFIELD CENTENNIAL, 1865
We now come where we, as our fathers, stop as it were, and stand still waiting for time to complete another century, that we may then be viewed as we now are. The records may tell that we were, and what we were. Whether the people will then come together from their dispersion by steam or wind or light- ning, who can tell? Whether the habitations of man will be confined to the earth or whether they will have colonized the moon and stars, who will venture confidently to predict? Whether one's very labors will be limited to his own town or state, or whether men and women will go out for an evening call on some friend in New Orleans or London, who dares affirm? Who has the boldness even to conjecture what a century may bring forth? But amid the uncertainties of that distant day, of this we are morally sure, that not one of us shall be here to speak or hear, or observe; yet we cannot but feel a thrilling interest in what shall succeed our brief life in respect to the affairs of this our dear native town; and especially the influences which may follow our words and deeds and example.
The place of one's nativity has earnest claims on his service and good will. The spot of earth that furnishes one a place to commence his being has a right to look, as the very least, for a tribute of respect and affection. What right have I to fix a stigma of reproach on the place where I was born, by immoral habits and a sullied reputation? The same right, and no other, that one has to dishonor his parentage by an impure life. Who would not walk his own native streets and return to the scenes of his childhood in the sweet consciousness of a sterling integrity of life and heart? Who would not feel that his course of develop- ment and service is such that his native place may well be proud to regard him with favor. Be more just to your education and your interests, than by a faulty life to bring reproach on the mother who bore you or the place that first gave you breath. Nor whether residing here or elsewhere, suffer yourself, as the manner of some is, to be heard speaking reproachfully or lightly of your native place. It is nearly akin, I hold, to treating an aged parent with marked disrespect. Because your lot may chance to be cast in the midst of a crowd and in marts of busi- ness, it is a poor reason for ignoring or lightly esteeming the place which might well be the dearest spot on earth to you.
The occasion which has gathered from wide dispersions this vast assembly is quite unique and suggestive. It is the first of its kind ever witnessed on this charming spot and by these delightful surroundings, and so long must it be before there can be another like it, here, that to us it is almost as if it would for-
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ever stand alone. It carries us back, it bears us forward. We learn reality from the historic past and are exercised by conflict- ing conjectures concerning the unrevealed future. It is clearly defined knowledge, on the one hand, and seeing as in a glass darkly, on the other. This day of commemoration and festivity is rapidly passing like all other days, and we are soon to go again to our several fields of labor; some to be speedily removed from the arena of conflicts and duties, and others to contend long and late in the strife of life. Let us be diligent, for needful labor is abundant; let us be earnest, for vast interests are at stake. Let us be serious, for conscience as well as revelation bears the unmistakable impress of responsibility. The departure of former years adjure to a wise and vigorous service, and coming generations are even now appealing in silent eloquence. Let us rejoice in happy greetings and with profound gratitude on this memorable gathering of friends and neighbors long and far sundered, and when we again separate never more to meet this side of the invisible, may His divine benediction which maketh rich, be the abiding inheritance of all far beyond, even to the third and fourth generations of those who trace their ancestry back to these pleasant hills and valleys.
The following hymn was written for the celebration by Rev. Charles S. Porter, who was a descendant of Rev. Nehemiah Porter and was brought up on the farm which Lucius S. Hall now owns in Watson.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
One hundred years ago The sun walked in the sky, Stars in their far off homes Blinked bright and silently, And savage beasts and savage men Were monarchs sole of hill and glen.
The hardy pioneer Rosc mid the sylvan scene, The woodman's sturdy stroke Rang loud o'er hill and plain; From hillside and from mountain nook Curled slow to heaven the cabin's smoke.
Since then the scroll of time Hath record of vast change. Harvests have graced the fields, Flocks, herds, the mountain range, And human life hath been a-blaze With bridal and with burial days.
4
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ASHFIELD CENTENNIAL, 1865
We stand where others stood, What others sowed, we reap, Transmit the garnered good, Then with them fall asleep. God over all does thus fulfill His purpose vast, His sovereign will.
One hundred years to come, Fled hour by hour away, Who then will here find home And celebrate the day? That history of joy or woe Nor man nor angel can foreknow.
God of our Fathers hear; Command thy grace to rest On coming thousands here, All blessing and all blest. A grand succession here arise, Be called and garnered for the skies.
1
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-65
The inhabitants of Ashfield responded promptly to the startling call for troops in April, 1861. The first town meeting to act on matters relating to the war was held May 4, at which it was "voted to pay all inhabitants of the town who have en- listed and who shall hereafter enlist as volunteers in the military service of the United States, to the number of fifteen, the sum of twenty-six dollars per month while in such service, inclusive of what the government shall pay them. Also to pay them at the same rate while drilling for such service." November 29, the selectmen were directed to pay State aid to the families of soldiers in service. August 2, 1862, voted to pay a bounty of $150 to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years' service before the 10th of the month, $125 to each who shall enlist between the 10th and the 20th, and $100 to each who shall enlist between the 20th and 30th to the number of eighteen. September 9th, it was voted to pay a bounty of $100 for vol- unteers for nine months' service. October 15, the selectmen were directed to continue the payment of State aid to families of deceased volunteers the same as when the soldiers were living. January 17, 1863, the selectmen were directed to pay $900 to volunteers who have entered the military service as substitutes. April 29, 1864, $4,250 was raised by vote of the town to be used in filling up its quota of soldiers. June 4, the selectmen were directed to enlist twenty men as soon as possible to answer for any future call of the president, up to March, 1865. March 6, 1865, voted to pay a bounty of $125 each to five enlisted veterans. May 10, voted to raise $4,500 to refund to individuals money they had subscribed in 1864 for recruiting purposes. During the war, every needed service was promptly made, and Ashfield was not found wanting. The amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war was $22,279. One hundred and twenty-four men were
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
furnished for the war, which was a surplus of sixteen over and above all demands.
The following list is prepared in part from the adjutant- general's reports, and is designed to include all who were resi- dents of this town and went into the army, together with a few others who may be properly mentioned in recounting the mili- tary services of Ashfield. Mere recruits hired abroad, in Boston or elsewhere, are not given.
10TH REGIMENT
James R. Howes Cyrus B. Cone
Micajah H. Vincent
William T. Vincent
Rufus A. Lilly
Mason D. Vincent
Daniel G. Howes
Horace V. Taylor
Levi S. Elmer
Leander V. Hill
Murray J. Guilford
Stephen Bates
William E. Willis Henry Parsons
Alonzo H. Warren
25TH REGIMENT
James Coughlin
27TH REGIMENT
R. Bement Smith Joel Wing Reuben W. Lawrence
·
31ST REGIMENT
Reuben W. Taylor
Levi O. Warren
William L. Luce
Harvey E. Bailey
Luther D. Chapin
Wells P. Taylor
Ephraim P. Taylor
James A. Treat
Henry Guilford
Sumner H. Bardwell
Leroy C. Beals
William R. Harris
Oliver Warren
Willis N. Howes
Milo F. Warren
Shepard R. Dyer
34TH REGIMENT
Ralph H. Ranney Henry C. Hallet
Roswell L. Church
Lafayette Eddy
Alphonzo Church
Harvey Hadlock
Norris E. Chapin
Erastus Kenney
George Ward
Ira N. Hitchcock
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THE CIVIL WAR
37TH REGIMENT
Joel Lilly, Jr. Caspar Lilly Henry L. Luce
Darius W. Taylor Henry J. Green J. McCormick
52ND REGIMENT
.
Frederick H. Smith John L. Howes
Elon S. Williams
Sylvester Howes
Manley Guilford
Henry F. Kilbourn
William H. Ford
Alfred C. Thayer
Joseph V. Harmon Lewis Williams
Elisha B. Howes Oscar Richardson
Lewis Eldredge
Edward F. Hale
George D. Braman
Ansel K. Bradford
G. Benj. Carter
60TH REGIMENT
Frank R. Willis
John H. Pomeroy
Chester A. Bronson Edwin Phillips
William H. Smith Ozias Willis
James S. Wilde
Joseph H. Smith
George S. Booth
1ST MASS. CAVALRY
Emory H. Bement
Thomas L. Munsell
12TH N. Y. CAVALRY John E. Phillips
.
SERVED ELSEWHERE
Albert Lilly Elias T. Yeamans Charles W. Richardson Orange Richardson
The following Ashfield men died on the field of battle, in rebel prisons, or from wounds and sickness:
Reuben W. Taylor Lafayette F. Eddy
Caspar Lilly Milo F. Warren
Lewis Eldredge Joel Wing
Sylvester Howes Elon S. Williams
William E. Willis Ephraim P. Taylor
Edward F. Hale R. Bement Smith
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
10TH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT
This regiment was made up in the spring of 1861 by recruits from western Massachusetts and Company H from Shelburne Falls and vicinity. The history of the regiment says that on May 15, Company H marched through Buckland to Ashfield where they camped over night, then went on to Conway, and were hospitably entertained by the citizens on the way. An- drew Sauer, one of the veterans, says they camped on a green here in Ashfield and that the people brought in eggs, bread, pies, and so on, more than they could dispose of, and that afterwards in some of their hungry marches they often wished they could have what they left over here. Of the two or three citizens of the village who are now alive and remember the affair, one lady says they camped in the old academy yard, and that missing her little two-year-old girl in the morning, she found her eating breakfast with the soldiers.
This regiment went into camp at Hampden Park, Springfield, June 14, were mustered in June 21, and left Boston by steamer July 25 for Washington. In the three years of service the regi- ment was in fifteen important battles, all in Virginia except Gettysburg. At Fair Oaks the regiment suffered severely. Ten were killed in Company H and eighteen wounded. In this battle and at Malvern Hill, coming soon after, five Ashfield boys were wounded, viz., Murray J. Guilford, James R. Howes, Daniel G. Howes, Henry Parsons and Micajah H. Vincent. The regiment suffered heavily all through the bloody battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and came home at the expiration of service in June, 1864. Some of the Ashfield boys who had been discharged for disability occasioned by wounds or sickness were transferred to other regiments,-Murray J. Guil- ford and Micajah H. Vincent to the 37th, and Rufus A. Lilly reënlisted in the 52nd. James R. Howes was from Ashfield, but enlisted in the Northampton Company, said to be the first from this town to volunteer for the war. Micajah H. Vincent was of Ashfield descent and received the bounty from this town was taken prisoner twice and spent nearly a year in southern prisons. William E. Willis, after being a year in the service,
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THE CIVIL WAR
died of disease at White House, Virginia. By some oversight his name was not put on the Ashfield monument.
34TH REGIMENT
This regiment left Worcester August 15, 1862, and arrived at Arlington Heights, Virginia, August 18. On the 24th marched to Alexandria where the regiment remained doing garrison duty until May 1, 1863, when it marched to Upton's Hill. June 2, went to Washington, D. C. While there performed guard and provost duty, and was noted for perfection in drill, discipline, neatness, and splendid condition of men, arms, and accoutre- ments. July 9, went to Maryland Heights, and on the 14th crossed the Potomac in pontoon boats, and drove the enemy from Harper's Ferry, Virginia. October 18, fought and routed twice their number of Imboden's rebel mounted infantry, near Ripon, capturing many prisoners. In December, formed part of a force of 1,500 men, who, under command of Colonel Wells of the 34th, advanced up the Shenandoah Valley to Harrison- burg a hundred miles to cooperate with General Averill in his famous raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. The ex- pedition returned to Harper's Ferry in 93 hours, without a straggler or the loss of a single man, and with over a hundred prisoners. In March, 1864, went to Martinsburg, and April 29 advanced with General Sigel's command up the Shenandoah Valley. May 15, were hotly engaged in the battle of New Mar- ket. June 5, fought at Piedmont, Virginia, under General Hunter, reached Staunton the 6th and fought at Lynchburg the 18th of June. In the retreat from that place to Kanawha Valley the men suffered greatly for want of provisions. Next fought at Island Ford near Snickers Gap, July 18; with a portion of General Early's army at Winchester, July 24; and at Martins- burg, July 25; August 26, at Halltown attacked the enemy's skirmish line, drove it from its position and captured many prisoners. Were in all the actions under General Sheridan in the valley, being hotly engaged at Berryville September 3, Winchester September 19, Fishers' Hill September 22. Next fought at Stickney's Farm October 13. In this engagement the
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
regiment suffered terribly, losing in killed and wounded 102 men out of 240 men engaged. Here Col. George D. Wells was killed. Were engaged at Cedar Creek October 19, where Sheridan had his famous ride. December 19, were ordered to the Army of the James to join the 24th Army Corps.
The regiment was in front of Petersburg through the winter, took part in the taking of Battery Gregg, and was in at the finish when Lee surrendered. The boys came home to Ashfield during the centennial exercises in the grove back of the academy, June 18, 1865, and were received by the crowd with lusty cheers.
Mr. Roswell L. Church has written from his diary a very interesting account of the doings of this regiment which is worthy of being printed in full. We give a few extracts. In describing the battle of Winchester, he says:
A shell from one of these guns struck the knapsack of a man near me and sent its contents flying into the air. The brave fellow looked up and smilingly remarked to his comrades, "That was a close shave, boys, " and as he ceased another shell struck him full in the face and exploding, scattered his quivering flesh over his comrades lying near. We lay on this line I should think for half an hour. I said lay, but we were not idle. We loaded and fired as fast as we could, but there wasn't much satisfaction in shooting at the stone wall. All this while the rebels were carelessly firing towards us and didn't seem to care if they did hit somebody. George Ward was making prepara- tions to shoot at the stone wall when a grape shot came along, struck the gun barrel, split the stock off and bent the barrel into a half circle. George laughed and told Capt. Elwell he had no further use for it. Henry Bowers of our Co. had just been killed, so George took his gun and went on shooting. Next we knew, the rest of our brigade had caught up with us and joined us on our left, also Dowell's men on our right. Now we shouted louder than ever and charged on the stone wall. The rebels becoming frightened ran away and left some of their cannon and men to fall into our hands. I remember very well how brave I felt when I saw those fellows skedaddling.
Our regiment lost in this battle 104 killed and wounded.
* * * *
This from the battle of New Market:
The enemy advanced steadily until within close range, when our battery of artillery (each gun loaded with grape and canister)
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THE CIVIL WAR
thundered forth its deadly missiles, mowing swaths through the rebel ranks and checking for a while their advance. The field was becoming sadly strewn with dead and wounded. My brother Alphonso was shot down by my side, saying to me when he fell, "Ros, I'm gone up!" My reply was, "No, I hope not," but I soon made up my mind that he was mortally wounded, as a musket ball had struck him square in the breast. I took off his blanket and placed it under his head for a pillow. Just then the 34th was ordered to charge bayonet. I picked up my gun and rushed forward with the boys at a double quick. We had almost reached the enemy's line and they were mowing us down like grass with a scythe, when Col. Wells caught the color bearer by his shoulders, whirled him around and ordered a retreat. Our men (what there was left of us) about faced and charged back to the rear.
When I reached the spot where my brother lay, I called to the boys for help to carry him off the field, but in their ardor to execute the last order, not one of them heeded my calling. They all rushed past me and back some twelve or fifteen rods, halted, turned again and faced the enemy. I was now between two fires, and in this dangerous position my thoughts ran rapidly. My brother was laboring for breath and I thought he was dying ; it was not in my power to help him; if I stayed there I would either be killed or taken prisoner; if I saved myself I might be of some further use to Uncle Sam. I chose the latter and started back. Had taken about a dozen steps perhaps when a bullet came along and scraped the skin off from the top of my right ear. This increased my speed and when I had almost reached our line something else struck me in the head that fairly made my brains rattle. I was dazed; the atmosphere turned black. I could hardly see which way to go, but as I happened to be aimed the same way the boys were going (they were in full retreat) I staggered along after them. The heavens were letting down a deluge of water on us and this brought me out of the darkness into light. To make a long story shorter, the rain pouring down on my head saved me from fainting. The Virginia soil when it is wet is peculiar and when encountered it will add, but won't subtract. During this flight it added on to our feet as we moved along; so much so that some of the boys lost their shoes and had to march in their stockings. At last I reached the pike, where I caught a ride with an artillery- man on a caisson. Our army fell back to the Shenandoah River, crossed over into Mount Jackson, burned the bridge, and the rebels gave up the chase.
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
The 34th went into this battle with 450 men and our loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was some over 200, nearly half. That night Sigel's command marched back towards Cedar Creek, our late camp ground, reaching the place the next day (the 16th) having been fifty-five hours almost continuously marching or under fire, in a constant and pouring rain. The march in that time was 52 miles. During our night march I rode with another of our wounded boys in an army wagon. This conveyance was loaded almost full of officers' tents.
Mr. Church was sent to the hospital at Martinsburg where he remained a number of days, but he became uneasy and re- quested a pass to return to his regiment although he had not fully recovered. Later his journal says:
May 29th we continued our advance, arriving at Rude's Hill near our late battle ground where we went into camp and while there, sitting on my knapsack, making out a detail of men for guard, Ralph Ranney came along and told me that our pickets had found my brother Fon alive in an old barn just outside their lines. This information was to me like the raising of the dead. I arose from my knapsack, dropped my work for a comrade to do and started with Ralph for the Col.'s tent. We got permission to visit Fon with orders not to stay long as he was outside our lines and there was danger of our being gobbled. We found my brother with several other of our wounded boys lying on the barn floor. There was a scant supply of straw between them and their plank bed. Fon was very glad to see us. Was cheerful for all he had lain there on his back for two weeks. Was so weak that he couldn't turn over without help. A Minié bullet had gone through his right lung and lodged just under the skin close by his spinal column. A rebel soldier had cut it out with a jackknife. His wound hadn't been dressed at all. Maggots were crawling around the mouth of it. Although in this precarious condition, Fon's tongue ran like a wind-mill, how he was going to get well and fight the Johnnies some more, etc., etc. After making him as comfortable as possible we returned to camp.
May 30th we establishcd a hospital for our wounded in an old schoolhouse in the village of New Market. I helped to move my brother there. The boys were furnished with clean clothing, medicines and provisions; also several nurses and a surgeon to minister to their wants. My brother Fon remained in New Market a few weeks until on the road to recovery, then was
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THE CIVIL WAR
taken to Richmond, lodged in Libby Prison for one day, then taken out and put in hospital, where he stayed for 17 days. Was examined by a rebel surgeon who pronounced him no good for fighting them any more, so he was exchanged and sent into the Union lines.
Of the surrender of Lee after the Army of the James, includ- ing this regiment, had by forced marches cut off the retreat of the rebels, Mr. Church says:
The scene that followed at this time beggars description. Thousands of men flinging their caps and shouting so loud that it seemed as though they were splitting their throats. Many of them were laughing through the tears that were rolling in big drops down their cheeks while others were dancing around swinging their arms and yelling like men just gone crazy. There is no use, I can't tell it. I know that I laughed and cried and shouted and under the intense excitement I had forgotten that I was tired. Word soon passed along our lines that General Lee had proposed surrender of his entire army to our forces.
Of this scene in a letter to his father, Henry S. Ranney, Ralph Ranney says:
An order not to fire passes along the line. What does it mean? We soon know. A wild, enthusiastic, prolonged cheer runs along the line as the truth is known. Lee and his army have surrendered. Off fly the caps. Oh how the boys shout! Capt. Elwell climbs a tree. Can it be true? it is most too good to be so. Yes, we pass through a wood and there beyond us lies the remnant of Lee's fine Army of Northern Virginia. I tell you it was the happiest moment of my life.
52ND MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT
In the summer of 1862, President Lincoln's call for "Three hundred thousand more" was issued for three years' men and a little later another call for the same number of nine months' men.
A number of the young men of Ashfield consulted quietly together and decided to answer the call. In August a war meeting was held in the old Academy yard with a large number of citizens in attendance. There were speakers from abroad
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
who made lengthy and strong patriotic speeches, closing with an impassioned appeal for volunteers to come forward and enlist in their country's cause, but not one of the boys responded In the evening, after the excitement was over, they met and each one signed a paper pledging himself to enlist. They said they did not care to make a scene at the meeting, they preferred to do it quietly without a show. The ages ranged from seven- teen years upwards. They formally enlisted at Shelburne Falls the fore part of September in Company E as a part of the 52nd Regiment raised mostly in Franklin and Hampshire counties. They were mustered in October 2 and went into camp at Green- field on Petty's plain, now the Agricultural grounds. They were under drill there until November 20, when they were sent to New York. They went into camp at a park on Long Island until December 4, when they embarked on the steamer Illinois destined for the Southwest to become a part of General Banks' expedition.
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