USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Bedford > History of the town of Bedford, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to the year of Our Lord 1891 > Part 15
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The company of militia belonging to the seventh regiment was reported by the com- manding officer as follows :-
The account of Capt. John Moore, commander of the Militia Company of Bedford, giving the miles of travel and time spent in the Service and Defence of the Colony, on and directly after the alarm on the nineteenth day of April last, Exhibiting in Distinct Columns against each man's name the number of miles he travelled, The allow- ance thereof, The number of Days he was in that Service and the wages thereof, with the sum total of the whole, agreeable to the Resolve of the IIonl. Council published in the news-paper, and a vacant column for Deduction if any shall be to be made.
Miles. Ds.
Miles. Ds.
Captain John Moore 40 10
Private Ziba Lane
33 9
1st. Lieut. Jonn Merriam 40
8
66 Sampson Hardy 33 9
2dl. Lieut. Eleazer Davis
40
9
Lemuel Blanchard37 10
Sargeant Joseph Convers 24
4
= Edward Stearns
20 14
James Wright
33
3
Josialı Davis
36
JeremiahFitchJr.33
4
Simeon Parker t
14
Fifer David Lane 33 11
Joseph Ross t
9
Private JJames Lane Jr. 3d. 33 12
Oliver Reed Jr.
33
7
John Lane 26
6
Samuel Lane
33
9
= Joseph Hartwell
26
9
=
Israel Putnam Jr 30 10
Thomas Bacon
35
6
=
Samuel Davis
26
3
=
Samuel Lane Jr.
33 3
Ebenezer Page
33
2
John Lane Jr.
10 1
Thaddeus Davis
30 9
=
Solomon Lane
33 12
=
Edward Stearns 40
Solomon Stearns * 40 18
William Page
28
5
=
Job Lane JJr. #
10
1
William Maxwell 38
6
=
Jeremiah Willard 30 2
=
Josiah Upton
38
. 6
John Reed
26
4
Samnel Merriam 30 10
= EbenezerJohnsont
18
=
Abel Bowman
37 3
Machias Allen t
18
David Fiteli
26 2
Abraham Merriam
3
Abijah Bacon
36 13
Timothy Page
20 2
Colony of Massachusetts Bay April 3, 1776 Captain Jolin Moore, above mentioned, made solemn oath to the truth of the above roll.
The fragmentary rolls in the archives of the state, and the imperfect records of the time, make it impossible to give a complete list of the Bedford men who served in the Continental army during the Revolution. The best list that we have been able to obtain is the following, reported May 15, 1775. It includes the members of the companies given above, with the excep- tion of the killed and wounded and those who have died of disease, together with the follow- ing : -
(1) Jeremiah Blood,
(5) Samuel Crosby,
(2) Solomon Bacon,
(6) David Dutton,
(3) John Burgess,
(7) Reuben Durant,
(4) Ebenezer Bowman, Matthew Fitch,
Samuel Fletcher,
Benjamin Hutchinson,
John Hartwell, Timothy Johnson,
Samuel Hartwell,
Timothy Lane,
Job Lane, Stephen Mead,
Israel Putnam,
David Page,
Thomas Page, Oliver Reed,
Daniel Jones,
Benjamin Ross,
James Simons,
Nathan Smith.
The committee report that all are then enlisted (May 15, 1775), with the exception of seven in- dicated by figures, and consequently participated in the siege of Boston.
Hugh Maxwell and Thompson Maxwell were in the battle of Bunker Hill (credited to other towns). While it is evident that other Bedford men were engaged in that bloody struggle, it is impossible to give the names.
1775: In the second campaign of twelve
+ Died May 18, 1775. t Joined the Continental army. # Wounded at Concord, April 19, 1775.
3
=
Matthew Pollard 33
G
Stephen Lane
33
7
Oliver Pollard Jr. 339
Samuel Meeds
32 15
John Fitch
33
4
Samuel Bacon
26
4
Jabez Carter 11
9
67
BEDFORD.
months we find Abraham Merriam. and in Capt. Benjamin Walker's company of the twenty-seventh regiment : -
2d Lient. Ebenezer Fitch, Private Jabez Carter,
Sargeant Asa Fassett.
66
Asa Duren.
Private Amos Goodell, 6. Simon Parker, 66 Malachi Allen, Benjamin Winship.
Fourth campaign, July, 1775, to Ticonderoga : Solomon Kemp.
Fifth campaign, to Ticonderoga :-
William Murry, John Halley,
Ezekiel Kilpatrick.
Sixth campaign. to Dorchester, July. 1776 (one from Bedford, two hired) :-
Samuel Parkhurst, Moses Esterbrooks,
Benjamin Farmer.
Seventh campaign. to White Plains, N. Y., , 1776 (in Capt. Samuel Fay's company, Lieut .- Col. Webb's regiment. three months twenty-two days in service) :-
Joseph Merriam, Israel Blood,
Nathaniel Wyman. Thomas Cleverly.
Moses Abbott, Moses Fitch, wounded,
Sargeant Timothy Page, killed.
1777, May. two months' campaign : Five men to Rhode Island : -
William Dexter, Cambridge Moore,
John Abbott, Amos Whitmore,
Nehemiah Wyman.
August 21, three and one-half months: Eight men to Bennington.
Jonas Eaton killed, July 6, 1777. He was in Capt. John Russell's company.
September, thirty days' campaign: Eight men "to take and guard the troops."
1778, February, three months' campaign : Five men with Captain Farmer.
April 20, nine months's campaign: Eight men with Captain Moore at Cambridge :-
Waldron Stone, Ralph Emery, William Marry,
Gideon Sanderson, John Stevens.
John Reed to Rhode Island.
1779: Two men to Rhode Island ; second cam- paign, two men to Rhode Island. Three men to North River :-
Abraham Merriam, William Jones, William Freeman.
Two men to Boston.
One and one-third months: Six men to Clav- erick.
1780, Jnne. six months' campaign, seven men to North River: -
John Johnson, Cambridge Moore,
Rufus Johnson, Jonas Duren,
Nathan Merrill, Cæsar Prescott,
Jonas Bacon.
Three months' campaign, to Rhode Island, eight men :-
Joshua Holt, Jonathan Wilson, Jr.,
John Webber, Andrew Hall,
Ebenezer Hardy, Isaac Simonds,
Amos Bemis, Israel Mead Blood.
1781 :-
Cambridge Moore,
Cæsar Prescott,
Joseph Ross.
June. six men, to join General Washington, at West Point : -
Nehemiah Wyman,
Timothy Crosby,
Moses Abbott,
Joseph Merriam,
Stephen Syms,
Israel Mead Blood.
1782. August 29, six months to Cambridge : -
John Johnson, Jonas During,
Rufus Johnson,
Jonas Bacon,
Nathan Morrill,
Cambridge Moore,
Charles Walker.
Men from Bedford who served for three years or the war.
Called in 1777 :-
Private Joseplı Davidson, Private Dangle McClary,
John Binger, Samuel Penny,
Derby Arnalls, = Timothy Richardson,
Jonathan Evens, Timothy Sullivan,
66 Joseph Fassett,
William Tufts,
Alexander Lucom, Israel Williams, Private Moses Craige (hired from Hopkinton).
Called in 1779 :-
William Jones, William Freeman.
Called in 1780 :-
Joseph Davidson, James Ingles,
Henry Kneeland,
Jolın Williams.
Called in 1782 :-
William Grant, Zephaniah Williams.
Cæsar Jones.
First regiment, Continental army :-
Daniel Brodbury, served 48 months.
John Pickett, =
48
James Uran, 48 46
.Jonathan Dutton, 27 =
Heith Pleasant, 12
Summary of the killed, wounded, and those who died from disease, as far as known :- Jonathan Wilson, captain of Minute Men,
68
BEDFORD.
killed April 19, 1775, at Concord. "A brave and meritorious officer " (Shattuck).
Job Lane, Jr., wounded at Concord, April 19, 1775 (in service but one day).
Solomon Stearns, with his father, Edward Stearns, in Concord fight; joined the army at Cambridge on the following day, and there con- tracted a disease, which terminated his young life, May 18, 1775, in the nineteenth year of his age. He was as truly a sacrifice in the cause of liberty as though he had fallen at Lexington or Concord.
Nathaniel Merriam, killed at White Plains, N.Y., Oct. 28, 1776.
Sergt. Timothy Page, killed at White Plains, N.Y., Oct. 28, 1776.
Moses Fitch, wounded at White Plains, N.Y., Oct. 28, 1776.
James Eaton, killed July 6, 1777. He was in Capt. John Russell's company, commanded by Col. Bradford, Esq.
Reuben Bacon was at Concord, April 19, 1775; went into camp at Cambridge, and joined the regular army. He contracted a disease there, and died, May 15, 1775, at the age of seventeen years three months eleven days. His death oc- curred on the day that the first enrollment was made, proving that he died away from home.
Middlesex is denominated the monumental county, and memorial shafts are seen in many towns; but the brave deeds of the people of Bedford in the early wars are commemorated only through the gratitude of posterity.
In 1857, Reuben Bacon, Esq., presented an order, which was adopted by the town, to peti- tion the Legislature for aid to erect a monument to Capt. Jonathan Wilson, killed at Concord, April 19, 1775. No favorable results followed. Francis Coggswell, representative to the General Court for that year, was one of the committee. The others were Reuben Bacon, Jonathan Bacon, and Cyrus Page.
"It is never too late to repair an injury or pay a debt of gratitude."
CHAPTER XXX.
Civil War, 1861-65 - Individual Service.
Our country's welfare is our first concern, And who promotes that best, best proves his duty. HAVARD'S REGULUS.
Enl.
Date of Enlistment. Co. & Regt. For.
George W. Webster,
May 25, 1861, D, 20, 3 yrs.
Philip Moore, Temporary resident.
Ang. 5, 1862, D, 5th, 3 yrs.
Timothy ITurly,
May 25, 1861, 3 yrs.
Enl.
Date of Enlistment. Co. & Regt. For.
Charles Cowdry,
June 26, 1861, E, 12th, 3 yrs.
Died in service in 1804.
William A. Edwards, June 20, 1861, E, 12th, 3 yrs.
Served full term.
Jolm F. Gragg, June 26, 1861, E, 12th, 3 yrs.
Walter F. Blake, June 26, 1861, E, 12th, 3 yrs. Wounded at Fredericksburg; pensioned for loss of limb, not amputated.
John Albert Pierce, July 11, 1861, D, 12th, 3 yrs.
Joseph Pierce,
July 11, 1861,
3 yrs.
Marcus R. Johnson, Ang. 7, 1861, B, 15th, 3 yrs. Passed through many hard battles, and escaped injury.
Isaiah W. Foss, Aug. 5, 1861, 3 yrs.
John F. Gleason, Ang. 10, 1861, F, 22d, 3 yrs.
Transferred to war department, at Washington, October, 1863 ; enlisted iu the general service, Ang. 10, 1864 ; dis- charged, Feb. 9, 1865 ; time of service, 4} years.
Eliab S. Wilkins, Ist Cav.
Lyman Center, Ang. 15, 1861, F, 16th.
Samuel W. Stearns, Oct. 1, 1861, B, 15th, 3 yrs.
See sketch on page 69.
O. V. Cone, Oct. 1, 1861, N. Y. Bat. 3 yrs.
Killed at second Bull Run.
Charles W. Lunt, Oct. 5, 1861, F, 220, 3 yrs.
See sketch on page 69.
Robert W. Edwards, Oct. 18, 1861, E, 26th, 3 yrs
Served full time.
Cyrus Page, Oct. 18, 1861, E, 26th, 3 yrs.
Ilenry Hosmer, Jan. 20, 1862, 6th Bat. 3 yrs.
Enlisted as artificer, and was in the battle that resulted in the capture of New Orleans, where he died of disease,
Patrick A. McDonongh, Jan. 20, 1862,
47th, 3 yrs.
Deserted, Nov. 9, 1862.
Robert Flinn, Jan. 23, 1862, 1st, 3 yrs.
Groverner A. Page, Aug. 5, 1862, D, 33d, 3 yrs. Was at battle of Missionary Ridge, where he lost left arm, October, 1863 ; discharged, April 6, 1864.
.lohn Williams, Aug. 5, 1862, D, 330, 3 yrs.
Jonathan Albert Perry, Ang. 5, 1802,
D, 33d, 3 yrs.
Peter Doyel, AAng. 12, 1862, I, 220, 3 yrs.
George Goodwin, Ang. 15, 1862, F, 22d, 8 yrs.
Wounded, June 4, 1864, at battle of Cold Harbor, Va. ; dis- charged, Oct. 17, 1864.
Martin Bird, Aug. 12, 1862,
29th, 3 yrs.
Daniel H. Butters,
Sept. 9, 1862,
Sharp Shooters.
George II. Barker, Sept. 12, 1862, D, 44th, 9 ms.
Alfred Johnson, Sept. 12, 1862, F, 44th, 9 ms.
John Page, Sept. 12, 1862, D, 44th, 9 ms.
Edward F. Webber.
Sept. 12, 1862, F, 44th, 9 ms.
Harry Nourse, Sept. 12, 1862,
D, 44th, 9 ms.
Corp. John F. Mansfield, Oct. 5, 1862, Served full time.
D, 33d, 3 yrs.
George A. Mansfield, Oct. 5, 1862,
D, 33d, 3 yrs.
Discharged March 12, 1863, for disability.
Elbridge Jones,
Sept. 26, 1862,
B, 45th, 9 ms.
Isaac L. Watts,
Oct. 15, 1862,
G, 47th, 9 ms.
Disabled.
John Isaacs, Oct. 16, 1862,
D, 16th, 3 yrs.
Thomas Isaacs,
Oct. 16, 1862,
D, 16th,
; yrs.
Died in service in 1863.
Charles H. Johnson,
Oct. 15, 1862,
G, 47th, 9 ms.
Thomas W. Hill,
Oct. 15, 1862,
G, 47th, 9 ms.
Charles W. Webber,
Oct. 15. 1862,
G, 47th, 9 ms.
Emerson B. Cutler, Oct. 15, 1862,
G, 47th, 9 ms.
Gaton O. Wood,
Oct. 15, 1862,
G, 47th, 9 ms.
James Munroe,
Oct. 15, 1862,
G, 47th, 9 ms.
Died in 1863, from disease contracted in the service.
69
BEDFORD.
Enl.
Date of Enlistment. Co. & Regt. For.
William A. Houghton, Dec. 8, 1863, 1st H.A. 3 yrs.
Killed at North Anna River, Va., by the bursting of a shell.
Edward Merritt. Dec. 8, 1863,
20 H.A. 3 yrs.
Augustus F. Davis, Jan. 6, 1864,
1st Cav. 3 yrs.
Discharged, July 18, 1865.
Edwin M. Brooks,
July 16, 1864,*
D, 6th, 100 ds.
John H. Brown,
July 16, 1864,
D, 6th,
100 ds.
Robert C. Bird,
July 16, 1864,
D, Gtlı, 100 ds.
Frederick Davis,
July 16, 1864,
D, 6th, 100 ds.
Albert L. Dutton,
July 16, 1864,
D, 6th, 100 ds.
William F. Frost,
July 16, 1864,
D, Gth,
100 (Is.
Joseph A. Goodwin, July 16, 1864,
D, 6tlı, 100 ds.
Had served as captain's boy in. Company C, Forty-fourth Regiment, before this campaign.
Samuel L. Lane, .
July 16, 1864, D, 6th, 100 ds.
Jonas E. Munroe,
July 16, 1864,
D, 6th,
100 ds.
Harry Nourse,
July 16, 1864, D, 6th, 100 ds.
Served nine months in Company D, Forty-fourth Regiment.
Charles F. Robinson,
July 16, 1864, D, 6th, 100 ds.
Samuel Sage,
July 16, 1864,
D, 6th, 100 ds.
See family record.
Thomas S. Stone,
July 16, 1864,
D, Gtlı, 100 ds.
Charles W. Webber,
July 16, 1864,
D, 6th,
100 ds.
Served nine months previously.
Edwin F. Webber,
July 16, 1864,
D, 6th,
100 ds.
Served nine months previously.
Thomas Welch, t
April 8, 1864,
20th, 3 yrs.
Thomas Walter, t
April 8, 1864,
20th,
3 yrs.
Edward Kippler,t
April 8, 1864,
20th,
3 yrs.
James Donley, t
April 8, 1864,
20th,
3 yrs.
Charles Nolton, t
April 8, 1864,
28th, 3 yrs.
Warren H. Ilolbrook,
Ang. 20, 1864,
36th, 3 yrs.
Died in 1864 in service.
Daniel II. Miller,
Discharged, for disability, Sept. 3, 1864.
Abraham T. Taylor,
-Aug. 25, 1864,
32d,
3 yrs.
Joshua B. Thompson,
Ang. 26, 1864,
2d Cav.
1 yr.
George A. Butters,
Aug. 27, 1864,
2d Cav.
1 yr.
Joel A, Mansfield,
Ang. 27, 1864,
2d Cav. 1 yr.
William A. Edwards,
Dec. 29, 1804.
Had previously served three years.
Joshua Atwood,
1864.
Drafted, entered the service, and died the same year.
Thomas F. Hayes,
Feb. 15, 1865, 1st Bat. H.A.1 yr. Feb. 15, 1865.
Joseph Baylow.#
William Kenrick.#
William Ross.#
Leonard Russell.#
Samuel W. Stearns was a member of a com- pany of state militia of Fitchburg which enlisted and entered the service as Company B, Fif- teenth Regiment, when the war broke out. Be- ing under eighteen years of age, he went as captain's boy. He served in this capacity six months, when, having obtained the requisite age, he enlisted as a private, and was soon made corporal. He was in the hospital at Portsmouth
(Hrove. R.I., for a season, suffering from disease contracted during service under General McClel- ¡ lan in the Peninsula campaign. He joined his regiment in eamp, August 28, 1863, and in the following October received a mortal wound in the head during the engagement at Bristoe Sta- tion, Va., from which he died October 14. He was hastily buried with his comrades near where he fell, and in the following spring was disinterred and brought to Bedford, where he rests in a patriot's grave. A comrade wrote of his bravery during the battle of White Oak Swamp thus : "Samuel stood like a little veteran, while some men in the regiment flinched under the terrible fire we received."
Charles W. Lunt was mustered into the ser vice as corporal, at Lynnfield, Oct. 5, 1861. His term of service covered two years and seven months, and included many of the most severe experiences of the war. He was engaged in the following battles: Yorktown, Williamsburg. Hanover Court House, Gaines Mill (was wound- ed in the chin in this engagement, and soon pro- moted to sergeant), Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Gettysburg. Antietam, Chancel- lorsville, Rappahannock Court House, Wilder- ness, Laurel Hill, and Spottsylvania, where he was wounded in the thigh, and suffered ampu- tation of the leg. He died in an ambulance 1864, at the age of thirty-one years. He was buried with thirteen others at Belle Plain, and afterwards reinterred in the National Cemetery at Petersburg. His wish, often expressed, was : " If I die on the field of battle, let me be buried with my comrades." The death of the soldier's i father had called him home on a furlough in the spring of 1864, and his return to the army was soon followed by severe battles, in one of which he received the mortal wound. The testimony of his comrades shows him to have been a brave soldier. A letter from Hon. Henry Wilson, of the United States Senate, received one month before the death of Sergeant Lunt, has the fol- lowing : "He is a sergeant in Company F, and a good soldier, who has always sustained an excel- lent character." His name is seen on the sol- diers' monument erected by the ladies of Bed- ford, and the " Lunt Memorial," a window in the church where he worshipped. keeps his name and that of his parents in the minds of the peo- ple of his native town.
"Give me the death of those, Who for their country die: And, oh! be mine like their repose, When cold and low they lie.
* The one hundred days men were mnstered in, July 16, 1864, at Camp Meigs, Readville, Mass., by Capt. George Gibson.
+ Hired from out of town.
# State at large.
Ang. 25, 1864, 6th Bat. 3 yrs. ' train en route for Washington, D.C., May 11,
Owen Cocoran,
70
BEDFORD.
Their loveliest mother earth Enshrines the fallen brave; In her sweet lap who gave them birth They find their tranquil grave."
NAVAL SERVICE. - William F. Gragg, entered the service, August, 1862, as surgeon's steward. on the "Housatonic," which was destroyed by torpedoes, February, 1864; was then in service on the "Circassian "; died at home, Dec. 24. 1864, having served about eighteen years in the United States navy.
William Williams, entered the service as black- smith, on the " Fearnot."
J. Edson Farnsworth, JJr .. entered the service as surgeon's steward, on the "Circassian."
Charles E. Hosmer, entered the service, June, 1864, as surgeon's steward, on the "Santiago de Cuba"; was promoted to assistant surgeon, and transferred to the Mississippi squadron, on the . "St. Clair"; discharged Oet. 13, 1865. He was in the North Atlantic blockading squadron at the two battles of Fort Fisher, Dec. 24 and 25. 1864, and Jan. 14 and 15, 1865.
Albert P. Sampson was commissioned as mas- ter's mate, in 1862; was in the Gulf squadron. under Admiral Farragut ; was promoted to an ensign in 1863, and received an honorable dis- charge at the close of the war.
Citizens of Bedford credited elsewhere who died in the service, and are honored by their native town or adopted home :-
Albert L. Butler was born in Leominster, March 6, 1832, and moved to Bedford when an infant. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany A, Massachusetts Forty-fourth Regiment, from Cambridge, where he was clerk of the police court. He was in camp at Readville from August 29 to October 22, when the regi- ment sailed for North Carolina. reaching New Berne, October 26. The regiment started on what is called the Goldsboro expedition, Decem- ber 11. In a skirmish at Whitehall he was wounded, December 16, and died in an ambu- lance, Dec. 19, 1862. His remains were buried at New Berne, N.C., December 22, and later dis- interred and brought to Bedford, where they were finally laid.
Clark C. Cutler entered the service as a mem- ber of Company G, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, and died before being ordered to the field, Oct. 25, 1862.
Charles W. Goodwin enlisted at East Cam- bridge, at the first call for men. in Company A. Massachusetts Sixteenth Regiment; re-enlisted July, 1861; was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, August 27. 1862. and died Septem-
ber 5, from the wounds, at the age of nineteen years. Epitaph :
"Sleep on, dear Charlie, take thy rest; No more shall war's tumultuous sound
Disturb thy ealm and pulseless breast, Nor glittering sword with thee be found."
John Byron.
Charles A. Saunders died of disease in the hospital at New Orleans, August 24, 1864.
Memorial hymn, by Josiah A. Stearns, A.M., Ph.D .: -
["Home Again." ] Wake the heart, wake the voiee, Floral honors bring;
And here for every soldier boy Let grateful anthems ring ;
And, oh, their brave heroic deeds Shall our rejoicing be,
For they have won a martyr's crown, And saved our country free;
Wake the heart, wake the voice, Floral honors bring ; And here for every soldier boy Let grateful anthems ring.
Father's love, sisters' tear, Sleepless mother's prayer, With lofty zeal inspired their soul The foeman's wrath to dare; And now they sleep so peaceful here, Be loving garlands spread To sweetly deek the hero's eoueh And crown his honored head.
Father's love, sisters' tear, Sleepless mother's prayer,
With lofty zeal inspired their soul The foeman's wrath to dare.
God of peace, God of war, God of love divine,
Oh, spread thy ever sheltering wings Above the soldier's shrine;
And long shall pilgrims hither eome And tell the reason why
We 'grave for them on victor's roll A name to never die.
God of peace, God of war, God of love divine, Oh, spread thy ever sheltering wings Above the soldier's shrine.
Fare ye well, fare ye well, Rest, ye soldiers true, And ever more shall grateful men Attest their love for you; And, wildly elanking broken chains, The dusky millions free, With hands upraised to God shall pray, On you his glory be.
Fare ye well, fare ye well, Rest, ye soldiers true, And evermore shall grateful men Attest their love for you.
71
BEDFORD.
CHAPTER XXXI.
A Bedford Woman's Experience.
BILLERICA, MASS., Jan. 1, 1891. MR. ABRAM E. BROWN.
Dear Sir, - Your letter is before me asking for some account of my army life in Washington. For two reasons, I feel that I should comply with your request. First, the time has already come when every incident of the war, connected with any one, however humble, has its value.
Second, so much sympathy and aid was given me in my sorrowful experience by Bedford peo- ple, that it seems fit that I should make mention of their " loving kindness."
In my husband's note book, I find the follow- ing : "Tues., July 22, 1864. Chas. Webber and self went to Lowell ; enlisted in Co. D., 6th Reg .. Capt. Hart. Capt. H. came to Bedford in p.s. and enlisted others." "Thurs., July 14. Went to camp to-day. S. Sage. C. W. Webber. S. Lane. J. E. Monroe, E. Brooks, J. Brown, F. Robinson, T. Stone, W. Frost, H. Nourse, A. Dutton, F. Davis. G. Butters, F. Stearns."
" Friday, 15th. E. Webber and J. Goodwin came in to-day. Stearns goes home, anxious to enlist, but does not pass the required measure- ment ; Lieut. offers to take him as waiter. Tom- my Stone increased the circumference of his chest by placing his tin dinner plate within his blouse. Companies come in fast, one or two mus- tered in to-day." " Wed., 20th. At 1 p.M. started for Washington. ria Prov. and Stonington; steam- boat to N. Y. City." ". Thurs., 2Ist. From N. Y. about 9 p.M. by boat to Amboy. through between Staten Island and Jersey, thence across by rail to Camden and Philadelphia," " Having reached camp. Mr. Sage was assigned to hospital duty : previous to this he had assisted Captain Hart as company clerk. I find this among my papers : . Head Quarters, 6th Reg't. Guard will pass Private Sage (hospital nurse) to quarters and return at all times till countermanded. W. Burnham, Surg., July, '64."
This is his last entry, short, but explicit. "Mon., July 25. Caved in Sunday night, sick. Sick Monday." Mr. Sage was the only one of the "hundred days men " from Bedford who was in a hospital more than a few days at a time. From his last entry it will be seen that he was under a physician's care four days after reaching the camp of the 6th Regiment. and so remained until his term expired.
On the morning of August 15, following, my neighbor. Mrs. Jonas Monroe, came into my home with an open letter in her hand, and -in that
motherly way ever so characteristic of her - said, " I've just had a letter from Jone which he wishes me to read to you." It stated that my husband was growing worse, was suffering from great depression of spirits, caused by his disease, was lying on a board, with his army blanket for a bed, that their own hospital was just done, and he would soon be in an army cot; also that the surgeons of the 6th, Drs. Burnham and Bass of Lowell, had given their consent to my coming to him.
My little daughter Mary, seventeen months old, that had never been away from me, was taken over to grandmother Sage's. to be under "Auntie Sage's " care for nearly two months ; at 3 P.MI., with Mr. Stiles. who wished to see his nephew, Tommy Stone, I was on my way to Washington. Our minister, who will ever have a warm place in the hearts of many Bedford people, Rev. William J. Batt, came to the stage door. and extending his hand, said. " My prayers and sympathies are with you and yours."
One incident of my journey was the novel way in which I crossed the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace, Md .; the railroad bridge had been destroyed by the late rebel raid. and the train passed over on a floating bridge, which seemed to me like a succession of farmer's drags joined together by chains. shaking up and down by the weight of the cars in a strange way. A regiment of soldiers, at equal distances apart, on either side, guarded this bridge. The whole thing was so novel and unexpected, that, like the little old woman in Mother Goose. I had doubts of my identity and wondered " if this be I."
Although I have been in deeper waters since, yet I shall never forget the previous hot night aboard the boat. I had left my little Mary, who. I knew, would miss her mother; and I knew not if I were to meet the living or the dead. My suspense was simply torture. Nor did it end here ; although we reached Washington the after- noon of the 16th, yet. for want of a pass. we could not go to the camp of the 6th Regiment until the next forenoon, when Rev. J. F. Glea- son, now of Needham, Mass., then in govern- ment employ in Washington, procured our pass for us and went with us to camp. kindly carry- ing my heavy basket. We crossed Aqueduct Bridge, which was guarded by soldiers, that arti- cles "contraband of war," liquor being such, should not be smuggled over. Rev. J. F. G. said to the guards, "This is the lady's basket, and contains pins, needles, thread, laces, etc.," which was all true, the "etc." being a flask of brandy and a bottle of rum. I never took so long a walk on so hot a day.
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