USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Cheshire > History of the town of Cheshire, Berkshire County, Mass. > Part 18
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Could our leaders have looked from some prophetic Pisgah down the years from April 12, 1861, to April 9, 1865. when Grant and Lee stood beneath the shade of that historic apple tree at Appomattox Court House, they would have doubted their capacity to do half that was done, and would, perhaps, have turned from the attempt. There was Gettysburg and Vicksburg, and Sherman's march to the Atlantic, through the enemy's land, an unparallelled feat in warfare; but over against these was the fatal Peninsular Campaign of 1862, where so many bones were left to whiten in the swamps and along the low shores of the Pamunky. There were Fred- ricksburg and Chancellorsville, the dark days of Chickamauga and Ander- sonville and Libby that roll up a mighty wave of human woe that cannot be computed. Not a town, not a village, scarcely a hamlet, but has some victim in these terrific holocausts.
And all the excitement and patriotism of the hour, in 1861, pulsed through the hearts of Cheshire men and women. Meetings were called ; the long sheds of the furnace, idle now, furnished a convenient place to rally. Thrilling speeches were made, words of patriotic eloquence spoken, enlistment papers unrolled and men mustered into service.
As in every town, so here; some opposed the war and advised letting the South alone; but the masses were loyal and rallied to their country's call in her hour of peril. Societies were formed. Socks and mittens knit, have- locks, pin cushions, needle books, shirts and towels made, blankets brought out that the grandmothers had spun and woven ; a thousand things pre- pared that soldiers would need, a thousand more that they never could use.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
Oh, the busy, sad days of that summer of 1861, when war was new to all. A summer so real and vivid and strange then, as its swift happenings rushed across our lines; a summer, passing now into a dream, as far away as the older battle days, and we tell to many a bright-eyed girl and boy the story of the ". Rising of 1861." as our grandmothers told to us that of 1775.
Only twenty years, or little more, since that summer of sunshine and shower, since its golden grain was garnered in the valley, since the Siekle and Archer traveled through that summer's sky, and Scorpio swung her fiery tail along the horizon: but it is almost forgotten.
There was the gathering of troops; the martial music: the reverberating drum: the bright uniforms: the barracks, where the loved, from the family circle, went into camp and drilled for the battle field: the drives over. through the summery roads, to the town where the tents were pitched, and the companies remained until ordered on to the conflict: the spending of the day with some dear friend. perhaps a brother or husband, perhaps him to whom the love troth was plighted: the peering in at the low tents, the mess room, the drill, the dress parade ; the good-bye by the great camp gate, the pressure of the hand at parting, and the ride home through the evening dews. Then the final call, the last drill, the breaking camp. the deserted ground, the chartered railroad train trimmed with flags and ever- greens, loaded with the " Boys in Blue," the fife and drum, the perfect march, the wild excitement, the jokes and merriments, until amid wild huzzas and shouts, and cheers, and waving handkerchiefs and tears, they were off and gone. Such was the oft-repeated picture of the hours and the days of the war summer.
And the coming home, none could foretell it then. Alas! all know it now. Sometimes our proud yonng heroes came again as conquerors come. Some walk our village streets to-day living monuments of the truth of prison pens and the horrors of battle : and for some there was the long funereal train, the tolling bell, and the soldier's grave.
Among regiments in which Cheshire men enlisted were the 32th. that went out in 1862, the 49th, in which D. B. Foster was heutenant and Rev. Henry Johns was chaplain, and the 1st cavalry, 64th battalion, in the latter J. G. Woodruff enlisted and several others. They were with Grant when. in the spring of 1864. he made the onward move to Richmond by the way of the Wilderness and the Rappahannock.
After the week of fighting on the battlefield, where Hooker had fought before-where the rattle of shot and the boom of musketry was heard inces- santly along the gloomy aisles of the woods, where the smoke of the cannon made the dense thicket of low-growing trees dim as twilight, and no one could penetrate the thick gloom-Lee expected Grant to recross the Rapi-
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FROM 1857-1867.
dan, but to the contrary, he pushed his army by the Confederate right flank toward Spottsylvania. While at this point General Sheridan passed to the rear of the Confederate army, defeated a cavalry force with the loss of their gallant commander, destroyed railroads and harassed the troops.
At the North Anna there was a strong force of rebels, and here it was that the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry, who for some reason had dismounted, were surprised and taken prisoners. Elwell Andros was shot in cold blood after surrendering. J. G. Woodruff, Hubbard, Lewis Davis and others were taken on board the cars and after going about from place to place for a week or more, they landed at Andersonville prison, and for nine months, here and at Milan, Georgia, they dragged out a terrible existence, only three surviving the dreadful ordeal. Placed within this vile stockade, exposed to the fiery heat of the tropic sun, to the pelting rain and the pouring shower, with little or nothing to eat, covered with vermin and clad in rags, the merest forms of men, some of them came up from the prison pens of the South.
In the darkest days of Andersonville, when, with an ingenuity worthy of devils, the managers had arranged the surroundings so that the water these famished people had to drink, was vile with filth, a clear crystal spring sprang from the hillside ; at night the horde, panting, dying for pure water, lay down with no hope of such a blessing ; in the morning, as they opened their eyes, there it was bubbling from the ground, trickling down the hill, pure and cold, free to all, and where no device of the fiends in power could pollute or take it from them. A divine gift, heaven sent, and saving thousands of lives.
Years have passed over the land since its waters sprang up at Anderson- ville. The stockade is torn away, a grassy bank shows where it was, and the terrible dead line that ran along by its side. The brook is dry, no trace of hospital remains, the prison yard, where so many tramping feet were wont to tread, is grass grown now. The great cemetery with its numbered graves tells its own story ; but lonely and gloomy and silent, there is noth- ing, to-day, left to speak of this prison as it was ; but the spring trickles still mid the long grasses, and bubbles up as clear and plenty, to tell to all visitors the story of its blessing.
The 37th Massachusetts Regiment left Pittsfield in September, 1862. The line, so strong and brave, marched from Camp Briggs, through the cheering throng, listened to the eloquent prayer of Rev. John Todd, as they halted at the village park, and then, after the last good-byes were spoken, were off for the three years' service, stretching in uncertainty before them. Their gala days were over, and the stern necessity of a sol- dier's life upon them. Mid rain and storm they reached Washington ;
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
surrounded with sick and wounded soldiers, regiment after regiment crowd- ing into the camp already full, with goats and hogs running at large, to share their accommodations, they wrapped their blankets around them and lay down to a soldier's slumbers.
The 37th was assigned to the brigade of Gen. Henry S. Briggs, which formed at that time a part of the defenders of Washington after Lee's first northern invasion, and were soon settled at Camp Chase, on Arlington Heights. Ere the month was finished they were ordered to advance to the support of MeClellan, after the battle of Antietam, Then came the dis- placing of that general, and on the 13th of December, the attempt of Gen. Burnside at Fredericksburg, to storm the works of the Confederates, who. protected by that stonewall which has passed into history, sent their mur- derous fires into the ranks of the attacking party, until dense masses of men were piled upon the ground, not forty-eight yards from the muzzles of their guns. Probably, for the number of men engaged, there was no battle throughout the war of the rebellion so bloody as this.
In March, 1863, Peter Dooley, Captain of Company K, was discharged on account of an injury. He had been on duty much of the time during the winter, although suffering from trouble in his ankle. He passed from camp hospitals to the front fifteen times, taking under his charge detach- ments of convalescents numbering hundreds, which he carried through without the loss of a single man by desertion, notwithstanding his own con- dition which must of necessity have weakened him physically.
The 3tth were ordered to break camp in January. 1863, with their regiment, and march for battle. The weather was fine, Burnside had laid his plans with high hopes, expecting to redeem his misfortune at Fredericksburg : but the bright day ended in rain and storm and south- ern mud. the project was abandoned after a sorrowful march and Burnside was superseded.
Under Hooker, at Chancellorsville, the 37th were in the hottest part of the field, and retreated at night-fall, over the river they had crossed in the morning. Hooker could not cope with the southern general and gave room for General Meade.
The 3tth now returned weary and spiritless to the old camping ground, Camp Edwards. The army felt this defeat very seriously, following so soon after Fredericksburg. Victory seemed to crown the banners of the south- ern army, and, elated with their success, the saney pickets in gray would call ont from within their woody coverts, or from across the running river: .. Say, yon Yank, when's old Joe Hooker coming over again to take ns ?"
And now, Lee, flushed with success, started for another northern inva- sion. The 37th was called upon to report at Washington, and at Gettys-
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FROM 1857-1867.
burg they fought desperately and bravely, receiving from the colonel a compliment, expressive of his admiration at their splendid conduct under the most terrific artillery fire he had ever witnessed. At a sorry cost they had earned the compliment, for six men lay dead or mortally wounded, and twenty-five others had been injured to a greater or less degree. In Com- pany A Towner B. Jenks, of Cheshire, was wounded.
The night of the 3d of July, 1863, was a sad one, and was spent by the soldiers of both the " Blue and the Gray" in looking over the battle field, seeking the wounded friend or striving to allay suffering, that no pen held by human hand can portray. The dreadful heat of the 3d had caused many a sunstroke, and a severe rain storm at night was a blessing to hun- dreds who were suffering from thirst.
On the 4th, the 37th were ordered to throw up entrenchments, for in their advanced position they would be in danger from the firing of the foe. They had nothing but their hands, their bayonets and their plates to work with.
On the 5th, General Lee began to gather up his broken columns for a return across the Potomac and Rapidan, and the demoralized, retreating foe was followed by the conquering Meade and his men, but was allowed to make the crossing of the river and escape.
At New York City, when threatened by the draft riot of 1863, the 37th was present until the danger was over.
At the battle of Kelly's Ford they distinguished themselves again, and when, in 1864, General Grant was made Commanding-General, reorgan- ized the army and made his strong hand felt from the Mississippi to the sea coast, the 37th was with him at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor, and sat down with him before Petersburg, from which place they were sent out on many skirmishes and battles during the year ending in 1865. It was a noble, glorious record that this 37th Massachusetts Regi- ment won for itself. 'Twas no idle life of camp it lived, but a stirring, soldiers' campaign, ever on the alert, and when Richmond fell, Lee surren- dered, Davis was captured and Johnson's forces followed, their work was done and they were at liberty to return to the fair hills of Massachusetts.
By the way of Washington they made their journey, where only the year before they were called to defend that city, when Lee, was thundering at her gates. The city welcomed them with a round of applause and good cheer, which was repeated all along the route until they reached their last station.
On the 28th of June, 1865, they were disbanded, and their flag put into the great hall in the State House at Boston. Tattered and torn, riddled with bullet and ball, dimmed by southern storms and dust, stained with blood, but dearer, ten thousand times, than when given to their standard
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
bearer, fresh and unsullied. for it told a tale of honor and glory. Colonel Oliver Edwards, of Springfield, was commander of this regiment ; made brigadier general May 10th, 1865.
The 49th regiment was officered by Col. W. F. Bartlett, and was mustered largely in western Massachusetts. D. B. Foster, of Cheshire. was First Lieu- tenant in Company C. and many of the men were from this town. They were sent to Camp Banks, Louisiana, and during the year of 1863. volun- teers were called upon in the attack of Port Hudson, and were in a storm- ing party at that time. The regiment bore the ordeal through which they passed with unflinching bravery. Sixteen of their number were killed and many wounded. This regiment went out in 1862, and reached home again in August, 1863.
There were enlistments of individuals in various other regiments. (See names in Appendix. )
In 1863, Mr. David Prince moved into Cheshire and has been constantly employed in building, earning his well-known reputation for doing thorough. and excellent work, while many of our pleasantest homes bear testimony to his skill.
In 1864 the Cheshire Railroad depot burned, but as there were no lives lost and the dwelling was replaced in better shape than before by the railroad company, it was no loss to the town.
CHAPTER XI.
FROM 1867-1884.
CHEESE FACTORIES. MASONIC LODGE. STORES. BAPTIST CHURCH. HOTEL. METHODIST CHURCH. CATHOLIC CHURCH. DEATH OF PROMINENT MEN.
DR. THAYER. DR. MASON. TELEGRAPHY. NEW COMERS. FORGES. WATER CO. BERKSHIRE GLASS SAND CO. BUSINESS CHANGES. NA- TURAL CAVE. SUMMER RESORTS. CLUBS.
In 1863 the excitement of the day in the dairying business, namely, cheese factories, reached Cheshire. The Graylock factory was put up at Pumpkin Hook, built by individual efforts.
A stock company was formed in 1876. At the National Dairy Association held in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 5, 1882, the cheese made at this factory took the first premium, thus holding the reputation made by the town in the days of Thomas Jefferson.
In 1866 the land for the big reservoir was bought (under an act of legis- lature) by manufacturing companies; 1,000 acres were flooded and necessi- tated the moving of the lower road. It was finished in 1869.
In 1867 of this decade John and David Cole entered the mercantile busi- ness in the store on the hill under the firm name of Cole Brothers.
In 1868 F. F. Petitclerc built the cheese factory at the village. He brought the water from the brook to supply the factory's needs, and oper- ated it for one year. In 1869 it burned down. It was rebuilt the same year and purchased by a stock company, by whom it has been carried on until the present time.
In 1868 a Masonic lodge was organized at the village bearing the name of " The Upton Masonic Lodge." After a time the society bought Mechanics' Hall. Repaired and fitted over, it took the name of Masonic Hall. The Masons furnished the upper floor for their own use. It was a fine com- modious room for their meetings and entertainments. The lower floor they converted into two stores. One they rented to John Murphy, who opened the first drug store of Cheshire.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
Sometime in 1867, Dr. L. J. Cole commenced lay services in the Third church, expecting to secure a pastor at an early date.
A fine choir was formed, who with great thoughtfulness and apparent in- terest attended service with unflagging zeal, doing so much, by the fine music they afforded, to make the exercises pleasant, and by their example to draw others to the church worship, that it was comparatively easy for their brother to sustain the duties resting upon him. So the work com- menced for a few Sundays stretched over into 1868, and a full year was counted before a settled pastor was found, during which time the united labor and expression of pleasant feelings were of such a decided character as to be remembered ever after by the temporary preacher and his people.
In 1868 the temperance movement broke out with considerable force. A Good Templar's Lodge was organized with its secrets, signs and counter- signs, its pass-word and regalias. It did a good work, inasmuch as it brought a flock of young people within its circle. We find Harrison and Werden Brown following their trade as carpenters, and many of the finest buildings in the county bear testimony to their skill; Rollin, son of Harri- son, is also engaged in the same occupation.
In 1868 Rev. E. T. Hunt took charge of the Third church as its pastor, and soon after opened a school at the parsonage for the education of boys. A school that was well attended and sustained during his stay in Cheshire until 18:0. At this time Rev. H. A. Morgan took the place with the par- sonage, and Mr. Hunt leaving town the school was broken up.
In 1875 Rev. R. D. Fish from Nantucket, looking for a field of labor away from the salty breezes, visited Cheshire, and a feeling of mutual ad- miration resulted in the stay of Mr. Fish with the Third church for the next five years.
In 1880 Rev. George M. Preston commenced his work among the people, filling the pulpit of the Lanesboro Baptist Church every alternate Sabbath day. Some interest of more than ordinary power was manifested in 1882 under his teachings, and a few additions made to the church.
Rev. Mr. Preston supplied the people at Stafford's Hill, preaching in the school house until 1884, when his services were required every Sabbath at Lanesboro, and Dr. Cole took his place at the Hill, where the glebe land profits provided preaching through the fine weather in the house not far from the site of the old church, around which such peculiar and interesting associ- ations linger. During this decade the Third church made some improve- ments in their church building; changing the basement into a suit of rooms, comprising kitchen, dining-room and conference-room. On the main floor the choir seats were removed to the opposite end of the andience-room.
The Methodist church received at the appointment of the Conference in
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FROM 1867-1884.
1870, Elder W. W. Foster; in 1873, Rev. W. B. Osgood; in 1876, Rev. Mr. Dow; in 1879, Revs. Thompson and Lee; in 1881, Rev. Mr. Elliot; in 1883, Mr. Hobbs, and after a few months, as he did not belong to the Conference, he was removed and Rev. R. J. Davies appointed in his place.
The Catholic people continued their services in the Universalist house, until in 1869 they were able to erect their own church building. This edi- fice is one that is an ornament to the town, and was completed in the sum- mer of 1869, and on the 8th of August consecrated for worship. Here they have held regular services. Every Sabbath morning these church doors are opened and the pews occupied, in rainy weather as well as in fine. Here at the font the little ones have been christened and signed with the Holy Cross. At the chancel rail the bride has knelt, and upon the bier the dead have lain, lighted by the tall, dim candles for a little ere they are borne to the last resting place. A holy spot to its worshipers, endeared by all the tender associations of life. Father Purcell was their rector until October, 1875, then Adams and Cheshire were made one parish, with Father McCort as rector until his death in 1880, when Father Moran succeeded. In 1884 he went to Ireland and the pulpit and confessional were filled by different priests until September, when he returned, welcomed by his charge.
In 1868 Peter Fairfield set up a forge on Main street, and C. Dawly one at Scrabbletown. In 1883 William Pomeroy succeeded Mr. Fairfield. Mr. Blair carried on a carriage shop during this era.
In 1868 J. N. Richmond made a business move that did much toward building up and improving the village. He bought the farm and dwelling of the successors of Capt. Brown. He surveyed the farm and laid it out in village lots, many of which he soon sold. Streets were cut through the meadows and along the intervale where in 1814 the English soldiers played at foot ball and the militia captains drilled their soldiers.
In the same year that Murphy took the drug store E. F. Nickerson opened a grocery in the block, which he occupied the most of the time until 1884, when upon his death Mr. Earl Ingalls re-opened the grocery store. Mr. Ingalls was a former resident of the town, and at one time was princi- pal of the High school.
In 1869 Mr. H. C. Bowen received the appointment as postmaster, and the office removed to his store, where it still remains. When in 1875 Mr. Bowen bought an interest in the tannery at the Richardson grounds E. F. Nickerson took the store of H. C. Bowen. In 1876 this arrangement was dissolved and Mr. Bowen took his store again and carried on grain and coal business in addition; also running at the tannery ground a mill for feed, while Mr. Nickerson returned to the store in the Masonic block.
In 1869, Cheshire received again some additions to its church and society
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
in the families of Messrs. Nathan, Adam and Stephen Harkness, all of whom were from Adams. They came to Cheshire to make for them- selves pleasant homes, and to unite with the church and its interests. In Mrs. Nathan Harkness the village can boast a lineal descendant of the famous John Alden and the beautiful Priscilla, who is noted the wide world around by the arch words which the poet Longfellow has put upon her lips:
" Why don't you speak for yourself, John?"
Mrs. Harkness is the sixth generation behind her illustrious ancestor. The Harkness family was a Quaker family and settled originally at Adams.
In 1870 a large and commodious school house was erected in the eastern part of the village at a cost of $15,000, which accommodated all of the children in the different departments, and is a graded school. The old school house was appropriated to the uses of a town hall.
Miss Jennie Martin taught a select school prior to this, and closed it only when the graded school began.
The Captain Brown house with its riven clapboards was refitted and in 1870 sold for a hotel. Mrs. Olin kept a temperance hotel a few months, then was succeeded by Perry Perkins. Frank Jenks was its third proprie- tor, and under the name of the Hoosac Valley House won a reputation for the orderly, neat manner in which it was kept, as well as for the prodigies in cooking that were provided for the table by the deft fingers of his wife and daughter. Mr. Holmes succeeded Mr. Jenks. Mr. Mehrer, from New York City, was its next proprietor, followed by Frank J. Jenks, a genial host, and one attentive to his guests, so that his rooms are filled. This hotel is an inviting place in summers days. The front door massive and deep swings open, the high verandas looking over village and stream, gay-colored flowers adorn and brighten the entrance steps. Large, square and old-fash- ioned it stands, stately and imposing yet, one of the representative houses of Cheshire.
Turning north from this building, at the head of Main street, one was confronted by the Wolcott tavern, bearing the air of taking life comfort- ably, but with foot-worn steps and entrance hall ante-dating the century.
1850 Felix Petitclerc, a boy of scarcely twelve years, a stranger and a traveler only just from France, entered Cheshire on the evening train. In- quiring for a hotel he was directed to the Wolcott house and given for a lodging room a front chamber. He probably slept soundly after the day's journey, little dreaming that he was occupying a room where sixteen years later he would be master of all the surroundings. He bought the place in 1866, and in 1869 he tore down the store and rebuilt the house, making of it a spacious private residence. This was another old landmark preserved
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FROM 1867-1884.
with generous care, but, which from this time appears in a new dress. Vases of flowers stand where the tall sign post used to swing, and deep bay windows have taken the place of the small panes that overlooked the drive-way and the village street.
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