USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hingham > History of the town of Hingham, Massachusetts, vol 1 > Part 37
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James Ballentine. Born in Roscommon County, Ireland, April, 1842. Enlisted May, 1860, in the Third Infantry, U.S.A., and was soon taken prisoner by the rebels. He subsequently enlisted in the Fifteenthi Independent Volunteers, New York, and was killed at Weldon Railroad.
William Barnes, Lieutenant in a New York Regiment. Prisoner at Andersonville.
George Bicknell, 2d New York Infantry. Wounded at Bull Run. Martin Cushing, in a Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment.
Henry H. Cushing, Captain in 88th Illinois Vols. Buried in Hingham Cemetery.
David P. Eldredge, Orderly Sergt., Co. G, 7th Kansas Cavalry.
John J. L. French, Co. E, 1st Regt., N. H. Heavy Artillery.
Caleb B. Gill, Sergt., Co. I, 57th Indiana Foot Volunteers ; 2d
Lient. April 3, 1863. Died April 24, 1867, from disease con- tracted in the service.
John Gorman, Sergt., 25th N. Y. Cavalry. Wounded at Malvern Hill July 1, 1862 ; prisoner at Libby Prison.
Hosea Harden, Co. G, 40th N. Y. V. I.
Elijah Hobart. Born Hingham Oct. 4, 1821 ; killed near Point of Rocks, Va., July 4, 1864. A grandson of Caleb Hobart of the Revolutionary Army. Captain of Co. B, 93d Regt. N. Y. Vols.
Allen G. Jennings, Co. H, 121st Regt. N. Y. Vols. Afterwards pastor of Second Unitarian Church in Hingham.
Charles B. Leavitt. Oct. 20, 1863, 1st Lieut. Co. M, 6th U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery. March 13, 1864, Lieut .- Col. 70th U. S. Colored .Infantry. Twice wounded.
Beza H. Lincoln, Quartermaster-sergeant, Co. E, 1st N. H. Heavy Artillery.
John Lincoln, Jr., Co. G, 13th Conn. Vol. Infantry; Sergeant.
Leavitt Lincoln, Sergt., Co. I, 61st Illinois Vols. Born Hing-
ham March 2, 1823. Died in service Dec. 7, 1864.
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History of Hingham.
Allyne C. Litchfield, Capt. 5th Michigan Cav. Lieut .- Col. 7th Michigan Cav. Prisoner at Libby Prison. Brevet Brigadier- General. In 1871 Consul-General at Calcutta.
James Lowry, 3d District of Columbia Regt.
Daniel Murphy. Born Boston Nov. 22, 1840.
Died in Hospital at
Washington prior to Nov. 24, 1862. Soldier in 15th N. Y. Vols. William L. Neal, 6th N. H. Infantry.
Charles Remington, Lincoln Body Guard.
John F. Rogers, Co. A, 74th Regt. Illinois Vols.
Henry E. Spaulding, 13th N. H. Infantry. Now a physician in Hingham.
Isaiah F. Tower, Captain Co. G, 93d Regt. Ohio Vol. Infantry. Wounded at Nashville Dec. 16, 1864.
Benjamin S. Whiting, Lieut. 17th U. S. Infantry.
Webster A. Whiting, Capt. 88th Illinois Vols.
Conrad P. Yäger. Born Mergantheim, Würtemberg. Enlisted in Co. F, 2d Regt., Lincoln Guard. Died in service Oct. 15, 1863, aged 20 years.
THE NAVY.
The natives or residents of Hingham serving in the Navy, so far as known, numbered thirty-seven, as follows : -
Charles H. Loring, 3d 'Asst. Engineer, Feb. 26, 1851; 2d Asst. Engineer May 21, 1853 ; 1st Asst. Engineer May 9, 1857 ; Chief Engineer March 25, 1861. Served on the " Minnesota " and " Susquehanna."
Thomas Andrews. Born Hingham June 9, 1816, and died in service Feb. 27, 1865, aged 48 years. Acting-Master U. S. Navy. Captain Andrews was a direct descendant of Capt. Thomas Andrews who died in Sir William Phips's expedition against Canada. Served on " Vermont," " Courier," " Crusa- der," and " Pensacola."
Lemuel Pope, Acting Master's Mate, Sept. 10, 1862; Acting Ensign, Feb. 11, 1864; Acting Master, July 18, 1865.
Andrew Tower, June 2, 1863, Acting-Assistant Paymaster, U.S.N. Served on "Norfolk Packet," "C. P. Williams," " Para," and " Passaic."
Franklin Nickerson, Acting-Assistant Surgeon, U. S. N. Served on " Shokokon " and " Brittania."
Edward W. Halcro. Born Hamburg Jan. 24, 1836. Acting Ensign Dec. 15, 1863. Died in Norfolk Hospital April 5, 1867. Buried in Hingham. Served on " Genesee," " Ovetta," "Sarah Bruen," "Idaho," and " New Hampshire."
Charles M. Fuller, Acting Master's Mate. Served on " Mace- donian," " Essex," and " Ozark."
Charles A. Stewart, March 16, 1865, Acting Ensign. Prisoner at Charleston, S. C. Served on " Wachusett," "Southfield," " Underwriter," " Muscoota," and "Saco."
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Military History.
John M. Trussell, Acting 3d Assistant Engineer. Served on "Connecticut," "Iuka," and " Clyde."
Augustus Barnes, Captain's Clerk. Served on " Marion " and " Pocahontas."
Frederick C. Blair, Master-at-Arms. Served on " W. G. Ander- son," the prize " Arizona," "Potomac," " Metacomet," and " Selma."
Alfred B. Whiting, Master-at-Arms. Served on " Colorado." Charles Campbell, Gunner's-mate. Served on "Vermont " and " Para ; " was also in U. S. Army.
Henry W. Hersey, Paymaster's Steward. Prisoner. Served on " Sachem," " Diana," "Onondaga," and "Otsego."
Elkanah Binney, Signal Quartermaster ; wounded in Mobile Bay. Served on " Oneida."
Samuel Newcomb, 2d Signal Quartermaster. Served on " Bra- ziliera," and " South Carolina."
Alden Lincoln, First-class Fireman. Served on " Genesee."
George A. Grover, First-class Fireman. Served on " Acacia " and prize " Julia."
Daniel S. Lincoln, First-class Fireman. Served in Lincoln Light Infantry and on " Monadnock," " Connecticut," and " Iuka." William Eldredge, Seaman on " Vincennes."
John W. Gardner. Born Hingham, Aug. 17, 1820. Died in service June 24, 1863, aged 42 years. Served in Co. I, First Mass. Infantry, and in Co. I, 12th Maine Infantry, and on " Hartford."
George E. Richardson. Served in 3d Mass. Heavy Artillery and on " Massasoit."
George A. Chubbuck. Served in 3d Unattached Co. Heavy Artil- lery, and on " Glaucus " and " Mather Vassar."
William G. Cushing. Served on " Gemsbok."
Benjamin Hatchfield. Served on "Louisville."
Daniel Stodder. Served on " Conewaugh."
Thomas R. Murphy. Served on " Ethan Allen."
Isaac M. Dow. Served on " Massasoit."
Daniel Daley.
Robert F. Fardy. Served on " Queen " and " Passaic."
Edward Gottchell. Served on " Queen " and " Passaic."
Benjamin L. Jones. Served on "Hetzel " and " Louisiana." George H. Merritt. Born Scituate Sept. 11, 1842. Died at Little Washington, N. C., Feb. 7, 1863, aged 20 years. Served on " Hetzel " and " Louisiana."
Daniel J. Thompson. Served on " Ohio."
Henry Trowbridge. Served on " Hetzel " and " Louisiana." William Burtes.
Edwin Barnes.
Under the heading of " Additional Enlistments in Hingham in the Civil War," the following names appear. Of most of them
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History of Hingham.
little else is known than the fact of their being recruited, and that they were either natives of Hingham or served upon its quota.
Edwin Allen, three years,
Louis Anderson,
Calvin R. Baker,
John Baker, three years,
Joseph Barstow, served with Kit Carson,
George W. Boen, three years,
George H. Bonney, three years, Edwin Booth,
Edward Bourne Hinckley, Clergy- man, Henry A. Hitchcock, three years. Jeremiah Hurley,
John Brown, three years, Melzar W. Clark,
John Collins, three years,
Thomas Collins, three years, William Colman,
· Barney Conaley,
Charles Cook, three years,
Henry Daggett, three years,
Horatio M. Dallas, one year, Cap- Patrick Mahoney, tain in frontier service,
Michael McGrane, 9 months,
Thomas D. Dalton, three years, Charles H. Muschatt, three years,
Albert Damon,
James Dempsey, three years, Henry B. Downes, three years, Josialı Edson,
Edwin Poiney, three years,
Edward L. Preston, Co. A, 5th Cavalry, William Randall,
Lendal Hanscom Ewell, Co. H, Edward Roach, three years, 4th Regt.
Thomas M. Farrell,
John G. Gorman,
Franklin Simmons,
Timothy Gordon, Capt. Co. G, William T. Sprague, three years, 4th Regt.
James Gorman, 21st Regt.
Thomas Griffin, three years, Edward Hackett, three years, Mark Hall,
Otis C. Hardy, three years,
James Hayes, William Hillarston,
Edward Kelley,
Joseph B. Kelsey,
- Kittredge,
William H. Lane, three years,
Jacob Lowe, 5th (U. S.) Artil.
John C. Maguire, Co. G, 56th Mass.
George H. Osborn,
West D. Eldredge, three years,
David P. Robinson, Albert Sawyer,
William Thompson.
The roll of honor which Hingham cherishes with love and pride for its record of bravery and devotion contains the names of four hundred and seventy-three soldiers and sailors who served upon her quota, besides nineteen who marched with the Lincoln Light Infantry in the first days of the war and did not subsequently appear on the lists ; making four hundred and ninety-two different men furnished by the town for the defence of the country. To this number should be added twenty-eight Hingham men who joined regiments in other States, bringing the whole number up to five hundred and twenty. The number re-enlisting cannot perhaps be accurately ascertained, but the aggregate of enlist- ments from Hingham during the war, and not including the mem- bers of the Lincoln Light Infantry, is stated in " Hingham in the
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Military History.
Civil War" to have been seven hundred and five. There were mortally wounded or killed in battle thirty-one men and seven officers ; died in the service, twenty-seven men and three officers, besides one man murdered and six others who died while pris- oners ; nine men and one officer died from disease contracted in the service during or soon after the war. Thus there was a loss of eighty-two of our townsmen, most of whom were citizens at the time, as a direct result of the conflict. Many more have passed away since, in consequence of the months and years of privation and exposure. In addition to the casualties above, there were thirty men and seven officers wounded, and seven men and three officers taken prisoners.
The names and rank of the officers from Hingham, as far as known, are : -
IN THE ARMY.
BVT. BRIGADIER-GENERALS.
Luther Stephenson, Jr. ; wounded. Allyne C. Litchfield ; prisoner. Joseph H. Barnes.
COLONELS.
John C. Whiton, 58th Infty .; wounded. Hawkes Fearing, 8th N. H. Infty.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Charles B. Leavitt, 70th U. S. Infty .; twice wounded.
BVT. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Thomas Weston, 18th Infty .; wounded.
MAJORS.
Benjamin C. Lincoln, 2d U. S. Infty. ; killed in battle. Edward T. Bouve, 4th Cavalry.
Lyman B. Whiton, 3d Heavy Artill'y.
BVT. MAJOR.
Benjamin F. Meservey, 18th Infantry ; wounded.
CAPTAINS.
Edwin Humphrey, 11th Infty. ; killed. Alexander Hitchborn, 12th Infantry ; killed.
Elijah Hobart, 93d N. Y. ; killed. John E. Morse, Invalid Corps. James H. Wade, 28th Infantry. Edwin Thomas, 3d Heavy Artillery.
Henry H. Cushing, 88th Illinois. Webster A. Whiting, 88th Illinois. Isaiah F. Tower, 93d Ohio; wounded. Timothy Gordon, 4th Infantry. Horatio M. Dallas, Frontier Service. George R. Reed, 32d Infantry.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Peter N. Sprague, 55th Infantry.
Benjamin Thomas, 4th Cavalry. Oliver Burrill, 35th Infantry. Alphonso Marsh, 55th Infantry. George M. Hudson, 22d Infantry; wounded.
Nathaniel French, Jr., 32d Infantry ; died in service.
Charles Sprague, 4th Infantry.
Elijah B. Gill, Jr., 1st Infty. ; killed. George W. Bibby, 32d Infty. ; killed. Fergus A. Easton, 6th N. Y. Cavalry. Waldo F. Corbett, Ist U. S. Heavy Art. Francis Thomas, 12th Infty. ; killed.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Amos P. Holden, 32d Infantry. John G. Dawes, 2d Louisiana. .Joseph M. Thomas, 42d Infantry Louis T. V. Cazaire, 89th U. S. Infty. Thaddeus Churchill, 3d U. S. Infty.
John H. Prouty, 39th Infantry. Caleb H. Beal, 107th N. Y. Infty. Thomas Hickey, 4th Cavalry. Caleb B. Gill, 57th Indiana Infty. Edwin F. Tirrell, 3d Heavy Artillery. Benjamin S. Whiting, 17th U. S. Infty. William Barnes, - N. Y. ; prisoner.
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History of Hingham.
IN THE NAVY.
CHIEF ENGINEER.
Charles H. Loring.
ACTING ASSISTANT SURGEON. Franklin Nickerson.
ACTING MASTER.
Thomas Andrews; died in service. Lemuel Pope.
ACTING ENSIGNS. Edward W. Halcro; died in service. Charles M. Fuller. Charles A. Stewart.
ACTING ASSISTANT PAYMASTER. Andrew Tower.
ACTING THIRD ASSISTANT ENGINEER. John M. Trussell.
Fifty-six Hingham men, who received commissions in the ser- vice of their country during those eventful years in which was fought the Civil War; fifty-six men who, like their comrades in the ranks, served her faithfully and bravely, and in many instances even unto death.
No account of the soldiers of Massachusetts, however brief, and especially of those belonging to Hingham, would be complete without at least a reference to the loved fellow-townsman who within the Commonwealth was commander-in-chief during the long period of anxiety and sacrifice from 1861 to 1865. This is no place in which to eulogize John A. Andrew, and for the people of the town no eulogy is needed. Yet in this their book they would feel it amiss, if to his noble wreath no laurel leaf were to be added by them as a memorial to the kind words and warm-hearted deeds with which the great chief sped his comrades from Hingham on their way, cheered and sustained and cared for them in the field, and received and welcomed them again to the common home ; a leaf glistening and gleaming with the sunshine which his great heart carried to the waiting hearths, beside which sat the wearied and watching, - gold-lighted with its record of the hope his ten- derness brought to the sorrowing, while he gently helped lay in their mother earth the town's brave who had fallen asleep in her service. Proudly and lovingly we claim this man as one of the soldiers of Hingham.
Near the close of the record of Revolutionary services the num- ber of the men bearing certain of the most numerous surnames which occurred among those representing Hingham, and belong- ing undoubtedly to the twenty-four largest families, was given. A similar statement, but with the same selection of names, and taken in the same order, may not be without interest to the dwell- ers in this old town, which, while maintaining with little change so many of the customs of the olden time, has preserved also no inconsiderable number of the names of the early settlers in the families of to-day. Serving in the Union army there were six- teen Lincolns, eleven Cushings, five Beals, three Whitons, nine
-
STATUE OF GOVERNOR ANDREW.
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Military History.
Stodders, eleven Herseys, thirteen Gardners, one Hobart, five Towers, four Lorings, one Bates, three Burrs, eight Spragues, six Wilders, three Dunbars, one Leavitt, four Fearings, four Lanes, seven Barneses, four Marshes, while from our military lists the Lewises, Stowells, Joys, and Thaxters have entirely disappeared.
This chapter, with all its length, yet all too short for a satisfac- tory memorial to the children of the town who have cared naught for suffering and death when duty beckoned along the dangerous path, is fast drawing to its close. A few words only remain, and those mainly for the living. To promote Loyalty, Fidelity, Char- ity, there was organized, August 5, 1869, Edwin Humphrey Post, No. 104, of the Grand Army of the Republic. Col. Hawkes Fear- ing was its first commander, Major Benjamin F. Meservey, senior vice-commander, Capt. Peter N. Sprague, junior vice-commander, Lieut. George R. Reed, quartermaster, Samuel J. Henderson, officer of the day, William H. Jacobs, officer of the guard, and Henry Jones was appointed adjutant. These, together with George Thomas, William H. Thomas, Isaac B. Damon, Edward T. Blossom, William Jones, Hubert J. Tulley, John A. Reed, and William S. Whiton were charter members. Colonel Fearing was again chosen commander in 1870, and the same office has been held since that date by Capt. Peter N. Sprague in 1871-1874, Lemuel Pope in 1875, Captain Sprague again in 1876, Major Edward T. Bouve in 1877-1879, - during which the Post became uniformed, and raised a considerable charity fund, - Lieut. George R. Reed in 1880, Isaac F. Goodwin in 1881 and for part of 1882, resigning April 8 of the latter year, William H. Thomas for the remainder of 1882 and in 1883, Charles H. Wakefield for 1884-1886, John H. Stoddar in 1887 and 1888, J. Henry Howe in 1889, Col. Thomas Weston in 1890 and 1891, Major Lyman B. Whiton in 1892, and Arthur Beale in 1893. Since its organization one hundred and forty names have been upon the rolls of its com- rades. The present number is seventy-seven. Eleven comrades have joined the greater army which responds only to Heaven's trumpets ; they are Samuel J. Henderson, Thomas Murphy, Edward W. Marston, Samuel Bronsdon, William Hersey, John W. Gault, Charles Sprague, Stephen A. Hall, Octavius R. Barry, George T. Kilburn, William Taylor.
In 1888 the Post, with the aid of funds raised by fairs and contributions of citizens, built a hall well adapted for its purposes at Centre Hingham, and within a short distance of the old fort commanded by Capt. John Smith in the days of King Philip. Here the members meet for business, mutual assistance, encour- agement, and pleasure ; and here on each Memorial Day are held appropriate exercises in which the Woman's Relief Corps, the Sons of Veterans, visiting comrades, and the citizens of the town kindle anew the fires of patriotism, and lay upon the altar of the heroic dead the flowers of memory.
VOL. 1 -24
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History of Hingham.
To assist and encourage the Post of the Grand Army in its noble work, to aid its charities, and to inculcate and diffuse the spirit of patriotism among the children, a branch of the Woman's Relief Corps was organized here December 17, 1885. Its first president was Mrs. Mary Whiton, who held that office two years ; she was succeeded by Mrs. Martha C. Wakefield during the next three years, and by Mrs. Martha S. Litchfield, who was presi- dent in 1891. The next president was Mrs. Hattie M. Lowe, who was chosen in 1892, and again this year. There is a small relief fund for the benefit of the needy among soldiers' families. The present membership is seventy-six, and monthly meetings are held at Grand Army Hall, which is also the headquarters of the Corps.
A camp of the Sons of Veterans, called the Charles S. Meade Camp, also meets at the hall of the Post. It was organized March 10, 1887, and its successive commanders have been Arthur L. Whiton, C. Sumner Henderson, Gustavus O. Henderson, Hosea H. Batchelder, J. Arthur Batchelder, and Fred S. Wilder. The Camp numbers about forty-eight at this time, and the mem- bers materially assist in the ceremonies of Memorial Day.
In the declining hours of the day, near the close of the beauti- ful spring month of May of each recurring year, when the fra- grance of a thousand flowers scents the air with its sweetness, and the bright green of the young grass and new leaves clothes New England in freshness, a little band of blue-coated men fast growing into years, and with ever feebler steps marching under the folds of the flag which to them has been a shield by day and a star by night, to the music which was once an inspiration in battle, which sung pæans in victory, lulled to slumber in weariness and death, whispered ever of home, and to this day is never heard without sending a thrill to the heart, enters the old cemetery, - the village burial-place of the fathers, - and passing beneath the pines which shade moss-grown stones and tombs, through wind- ing paths leading by sunken graves, by the first settlers' monu- ment, down into a quiet valley and up again to the height beyond, ranges itself in line before the resting place and white statue of their friend and comrade, the great War Governor. Here, aided by comrades from a Post bearing his name in the city where his official life was mostly spent, with a few earnest words breathing his spirit, and with simple and brief exercises, the Grand Army lays upon the grave of Andrew its annual memorial.
A few steps farther, and around the granite pillar inscribed with the names of the sons who so gallantly served her, the people of Hingham await the ceremonies which keep bright the memories of those who fell to sleep in the love of their country. Here are the rulers of the town, the selectmen, chosen each March to guide its affairs through the ensuing year, the constable with scarcely perceptible insignia of office and inspiring little
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Military History.
awe, the ministers of the several churches and of the Old Meeting- House ; here are others with even better right, - an old gray- headed man who leans upon the arm of no stalwart son; a black-robed woman who, standing by a low flower-covered mound, will never again hear her bright boy's "Mother ;" a younger woman, too, but also past the meridian of life, leaning against a stone bearing a soldier's name, and beside which flutters a little
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
Erected by the Town; Dedicated June 17, 1870.
flag, - a woman whose wearied face with its far-away look is full for a moment of the bright but never-to-be-fulfilled promise of the thirty years ago ; yes, and others still whose short happiness was. almost effaced by the sorrow which time has hardly yet softened
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History of Hingham.
into a sweet memory, and whose sadness is only tempered by an unspoken hope. They are all here, - these and the young maiden, the coming men, and the happy children of to-day. And they all gather closer as the Grand Army forms in front around the large semi-circle of baskets overflowing with the blossoms brought to mingle their brightness with the green of earth. In front is the monument, and to the east, upon the side of the highest ground in the cemetery, was the fort erected to defend the harbor against the Spaniards ; on an adjoining elevation northwesterly still stand the defences of 1676, when Philip menaced the town ; between the monument and the valley, and beyond it by and near the old general's resting-place, lie the slumbering brave of the Revolution ; everywhere, among the fathers, beside the old sol- diers, and in the new ground alike, the flags which mark the sleep- ing heroes of the Civil War wave gently in the soft spring breeze. From the band stationed near floats a hymn, - an old one, dear and familiar ; the chaplain hushes the assembly in prayer ; a short, earnest plea for country, a tender tribute to the fallen, a word of pride in their sacrifice, of sympathy for the sorrowing, and the orator - local and uncelebrated perhaps, but reverent and full of the occasion -is through. A word or two from the commander of the Post, a signal, quietly given, and the violets and the lilies are blooming and nodding in new places, and saying, in language equalled by no other, that here sleeps a soldier whom his loved ones, his comrades, and the great Republic have not forgotten. Again the music sounds; the street, full of the homes and the history of other days, re-echoes with the martial strains; the sun- light fading away from the lowly mounds gilds still the Old Meeting-house steeple, touches with its rays the top of the monu- ment, and reflected from the masses of clouds in the western horizon paints the harbor with the color of the rose. From the distance the last notes of "retreat " borne from Grand Army Hall come floating on the evening breeze, "old glory" flutters to the ground from many a staff, and Memorial Day, fitly and faith- fully observed in this old town of the mingled Puritans and Pilgrims, has come to its close.
With the exception of the company formed under the law of 1864, which elected Henry Jones captain, but in consequence of the repeal of the Act soon after, never met for drill or parade, there has been no strictly local military organization in Hingham since the disbanding of the Lincoln Light Infantry, September 29,1862.
Upon rising ground stretching along Broad Cove, overlooking the early anchorage of many of the fleet which long years ago whitened Hingham's bay, -- some undoubtedly built in the ship- yard then situated just below the bluff, but since disappeared and forgotten, - and directly opposite the southern slope of Otis Hill,
373
Military History.
lies the beautifully located military post of the First Corps of Cadets, and the scene of its camp in each recurring July. In the rear and looking toward the setting sun as it crimsons the placid waters which finally shrink into a little winding brook, the view extends across the green meadows and far up the valley in the direction of Weymouth Back River. On the opposite side and about a half-mile distant the church spires and roofs of the houses - themselves half hidden by the inter- vening hill -indicate the nearest village, while to the east the harbor of blue in its setting of green, with its steamers plying back and forth, is seen through a break in the land bordering Otis Street.
Beyond its natural attractiveness there is no little historical interest attaching to the place as the training-field of the militia in the olden days, and still more, as being the probable location of the barracks, - certainly situated in the immediate vicinity, if not on the ground, - erected for the accommodation of Captain James Lincoln and his company when Hingham was a garrisoned town in the early part of the Revolution. In plain view, too, is the road, once called Broad Cove Lane, but now Lincoln Street, down which marched Captain Lincoln's command, and the other companies of the town, as well as those of Scituate and Weymouth, when hastening to drive the English from Grape Island May 21, 1775.
Here, in the succeeding years, come large numbers of people interested in the regular order and beautiful ceremonies of a military camp, and the snow-white streets are thronged each evening with listeners to the concert of the fine band.
While having no official connection with Hingham, the posses- sion by the corps of these increasingly attractive grounds with the bright green and well-kept parade and fine rows of growing maples, together with the annual tour of duty performed here by it, the fact that no inconsiderable number of the town's young men have been from time to time enrolled in its ranks, as well as that among her citizens are three of the present officers, have gradually created a feeling of local ownership in the corps, which is now claimed and regarded, as in a sense at least belonging to the town, and as one of her institutions.
The First Corps of Cadets was organized in 1741, and is the modern outgrowth of the famous " Governor's Company of Cadets," which composed a part of the militia, both before and since the Revolution. While commanded by Hancock, - whose mother, it will be recalled, was a Hingham lady, - the then company was disbanded by Governor Gage for its adherence to the patriotic cause, but was reorganized and served under General Sullivan in Rhode Island. At the opening of the rebellion the corps was sent to garrison Fort Warren, and later it furnished many officers to the army, and particularly for the Forty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, generally known as the Cadet Regiment.
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History of Hingham.
It is one of the two organizations forming a separate branch of the militia of the Commonwealth, and at the present time com- prises four companies armed as infantry, and having headquarters at the armory on Columbus Avenue, Boston. It is commanded by Lieut .- Col. Thomas F. Edmands, a distinguished officer in the Civil War, while Major George R. Rogers, Captains William H. Alline and Andrew Robeson, and Lieut. Edward E. Currier, are all veterans who were in active service in the Union's cause.
Several of our present or former citizens have held commis- sions in the military service of the Commonwealth since 1865. The following is believed to be a correct list : - -
Solomon Lincoln, Jr., Colonel and Aidc-de-camp to his Honor Lieut .- Governor Talbot, acting Governor, May 26, 1874 ; Colonel and Aide-de-camp to his Excellency Governor Talbot, January 14, 1879.
Arthur Lincoln, Captain and Judge Advocate, 2d Brigade, July 30, 1877
John D. Long, Governor and Commander-in-chief, 1880-1882.
Edward T. Bouve, Colonel and Aide-de-camp to his Excellency Governor Long; Captain and Engineer on staff of Brig .- Gen.
. Nat. Wales, 1st Brigade, M. V. M., Feb. 9, 1883 ; Captain and Provost Marshal, 1st Brigade, May 24, 1887; Captain and Aide-de-camp, 1st Brigade, April 10, 1888.
Elijah George, Captain and Judge Advocate, 2d Brigade, M.V.M., August 12, 1882.
Charles E. Stevens, 1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster, Feb. 26,
1868, Captain and Paymaster, Jan. 9, 1874, First Corps Cadets. Charles C. Melcher, 1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster, First Corps Cadets, Feb. 9, 1875.
Walter L. Bouvé, 1st Lieutenant, First Corps Cadets, Feb. 20, 1889.
UNITED STATES REGULAR SERVICE.
Not previously mentioned in these pages : -
Charles H. B. Caldwell, son of Charles H. Caldwell and Susan Blake, born in Hingham, and died in Boston, Nov. 30, 1877, Commodore in U. S. Navy, June 14, 1874.
Charles L. Corthell, graduated at West Point June 14, 1884, 2d Lieutenant, 4th Artillery, June 15, 1884; 1st Lieutenant, Apr. 24, 1889.
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No. 2050 Sect. Ma Shelf
CONTENTS
Lincoln National Life Foundation Collateral Lincoln Library
71. 2009. 084. 06523
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