History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 20

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates > Part 20

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Deacon. Each with a black staff, the head covered with white crape tied with black riband, black and white tassels. Officers of the Militia. Sheriffs. Justices of the Peace. Gentlemen of the Bar and Physicians. Other Citizens.

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MILITARY AFFAIRS.

1800

" The citizens were marshalled by Capt. Hamilton of Worcester. It is supposed the procession and the spectators amounted to 5,000 persons.

" On the arrival of the procession at the Meeting-house the troops formed the lines, opened their ranks, and faced inward, resting upon their arms reversed; the procession passed through into the house, led by the clergy, the band playing a solemn dirge; the pulpit, communion table and galleries, were wholly shrouded in black; the hearse being placed at the head of the broad aisle, the brethren of the Fraternity of Masons elevated the obelisk on the right of the hearse, and on the left placed their lights, silver urn, &c., on a large pedestal covered with black, during which the band from the gallery continued to fill the house with solemn music; thus arranged, the throne of grace was addressed by Rev. Mr. Austin of Worcester, after which another solemn dirge by the band. An eulogy was then pronounced by Capt. Josiah Dunham, of the 16th regiment of United States Infantry, in which he strik- ingly portrayed the virtues and services of the late Commander-in-Chief, and observed justly that Five Millions of people were, with one voice, expressing sorrow and grief at their loss. After the eulogy followed a solemn funeral dirge by the Band, during which the Fraternity, in mournful silence and in proper order, deposited their large silver urn and raised the Obelisk over it. A short but solemn funeral service was performed by the Fraternity, which closed the solemnities in the Meeting-house.

" The procession was again formed, and left the Meeting-house in the same order in which it arrived there; marching one mile in the Main Street, which being very broad, straight and level, afforded to a numerous body of specta- tors an opportunity of viewing the whole procession at once, during which time the bell, being muffled, tolled a solemn Knell, and minute guns were fired from the Artillery. On the arrival at the place of Deposit the troops again forming a line and resting on their arms reversed, the procession passed through, and the Hearse, reaching its destined spot, the Urn was deposited in the earth, the music again played a solemn dirge. The order of the Presi- dent and of Gen. Hamilton was read to the troops, a detachment of Infantry advanced and fired three volleys over the Urn, after which the Masonic brethren placed a monument over it. The troops being again formed, the colors were unfurled and the drums unmuffled, the troops wheeled to the right by platoons, the President's March was played, and they moved to their quarters and were dismissed. The Fraternity retired to their temporary Lodge, which was immediately closed.

" The solemnities ended with the setting sun. The appearance and move- ments of the troops gave great satisfaction, and bore honorable testimony of the military address and executions of the officers."

For many years the " Urn " was preserved in the attic of the South meeting-house, where the ceremonies were held, and later in the house of Capt. Abijah Davis. It was of wood, about three feet in height, and was silver gilt with a monogram "W." in gold, on the side.

Soldiers of War of 1812. The muster rolls of this war are in the archives of the nation, and now inaccessible. The following list, which is incomplete, has been gathered chiefly from older people of the town :-

George Blandin, d. in the service. Jesse Briggs, Rufus Briggs, brothers. Rufus d. soon after his return. William Stiles, brother- in-law of Briggs. Abijah, son of Doct. Daniel Fisk, in Jones' Co.,

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Miller's Reg., d. 1813 at Greenbush, of camp fever. Joseph Lamb, musician, drafted. Russell White, came to Oxford after his return. Sylvanus Town, Jr., in regular army on western frontier, from about 1800 to 1820, ret. to Oxford and d. here. David Wait, served three months at Fort Warren, came later to Oxford. J. Prentice, son of Levi Lamb, d. in service. John Butler, went west before the war and joined Gen. Wayne's army. [See Butler.] Edward H. Shumway, drafted. Hovey Bounds, wounded at Queenstown. [See Bounds.] John Alverson, son of George, killed in battle. Tisdale Atwood.

Minor Military affairs. We have few accounts of early mili- tary operations. The law required the enlistment and training of all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 years, and was doubt- less duly observed. The frequency of military titles in the records indicates that military office was considered honorable, and many of these officers were prominent and influential citizens. The statutes also required that the towns should be provided with ammunition, " which shall be a Barrel of good Powder, two hundred weight of Bullets, and three hundred Flints for every sixty listed soldiers."1

In 1714 the town voted "to buy a stock of Ammunishun, of 30 pounds of powder and bullits and flints answurable."

In 1718, six pounds was raised to buy ammunition. In Jan., 1724, during Father Ralle's War, a report was made of military stores, as follows : 20 pounds powder, valued £3. 15s. ; twelve dozens flints, 6s. ; and 28 pounds of bullets, 16s. 4d. In March, 1725, 15 pounds was voted for powder and ball.

In 1736, a committee was chosen to " search into the stock of am- munition," and in Jan., 1737, nineteen pounds was voted to replenish it. Nothing further appears to indicate active military operations until 1748, when it was voted that those in the town who had been impressed, and had been as soldiers six months in his Majesty's ser- vice, should be freed from paying taxes for 1746.2 In 1757, Phinehas Ward was paid eight shillings for casting bullets for the town.

We find no further allusion to the subject until 1773. It appears that Ebenezer Cutler, Doct. Stephen Barton and William Campbell, then held a quantity of military stores belonging to the town, and in March, 1773, Capt. Ebenezer Learned was appointed by the town to sue for and collect the same, which he did.

In May, 1789, a committee on ammunition reported they had col- lected 155 pounds powder, 587 pounds of balls, 1,083 flints, and had obligations for 77 pounds additional of powder.

In July, 1794, the town voted, in addition to Federal pay, to non- commissioned officers and privates who should enlist in the town's

1 Law of 1693.

2 The old French war began in 1744, in which, as we learn from this vote, Oxford soldiers were engaged. We have no means of knowing who

they were. From Queen Anne's war up to this time our frontier had been protected by troops. The French and Indian war began in 1753, although not formally declared until 1756.

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MILITARY AFFAIRS.

quota of the 80,000 men ordered by Congress to be in readiness for service at a minute's warning, as follows : £3 to a sergeant, £2. 4s. to a corporal, £2. 4s. to a musician, and £2 to a private ; and in Sept., voted to raise the above to eight dollars a month per man, if called into actual service, and to add one dollar bounty.

In Sept., 1796, the town voted to give ¿ of a pound of powder to each soldier for muster day.

Powder-house. In May, 1806, the town voted to build a powder-house, and on 1 Dec., Sylvanus Town leased to a committee, for the town, land near the north end of the plain for this building. It was of brick, about seven feet square, and stood on land now occupied by the Norwich and Worcester Railroad, near the common. The building never had repairs, and at the time of grading the rail- road was much dilapidated, and by vote of the town in May, 1837, the selectmen were directed to dispose of it and its contents.

"Independent Company." From early times Oxford soldiers were enrolled in two companies, north and south. In Feb., 1824, the south was, on petition of Ebenezer Rich, captain, disbanded, and an independent company authorized, to be called "Oxford Invinci- bles " (later changed to "Light Infantry"), provided 45 were enlisted. The new company met 21 April, 1824, at Flagg's Hotel, and chose Andrew Sigourney, Jr., Capt. ; Elihu Harwood, Jr., Lieut. ; Archibald Campbell, Ens. The roll numbered 66. A uni- form was adopted of " dark blue coats, leather cartridge boxes, white belts and cross straps, black leather caps [high], black [ostrich] plumes, white pantaloons." Company met 5 July, and " trained all day." Attended muster 15 Sept., at Sutton ; in 1825, at Millbury. Aug., 1827, Elihu Harwood, Jr., chosen Capt. ; Feb., 1829, Hiram Moffitt chosen Capt., Nathaniel Emerson, Lieut., Jasper Brown, Ens. Muster 1829, at Sutton. Sept., 1830, Nathaniel Emer- son chosen Capt., Jasper Brown, Lieut., Erastus Evans, Ens. Mus- ter 30 Sept., at Sutton.

In 1830 the 5th Regt. was disbanded, and this company transferred to the 4th Regt. Muster, 1831, at Dresser Hill, Charlton, and 1832 at Southbridge. April, 1837, Jasper Brown chosen Capt., Erastus Evans, Lieut., Robert Frair, Ens. Muster, 1837, at Dudley, the last of the regimental reviews. The company soon after disbanded, and its members were enrolled in the militia.1

Cavalry Company. A cavalry company existed in Oxford for more than 25 years. Jeremiah Kingsbury, Jr., was in command in 1797. It was composed of men from other places, many being from Sutton, and Asa(?) Putnam of that town was for a time captain, and

1 Soon after the organization a banner was given the company by the ladies, at a cost of eighty dollars. The presentation was on the common in a speech by Sally Torrey, replied to by Archibald Campbell. A few years before a like

ceremony took place, when the cavalry company was the recipient of a standard, Miss Rider of Charlton, then teacher here, making the address. Capt. Putnam, of Sutton, being in command.

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1817-19

Rufus Moore afterward. In Feb., 1808, Kingsbury had been several years Lieut .- Col. of a battalion of cavalry, 1st Brigade, 7th Division, Mass. Militia, and then resigned. Andrew Smith was the last captain of the Oxford company, which was disbanded not far from 1825.

Musters. The expanse of Oxford Plain rendered it peculiarly appropriate for military reviews.1 On the 30th of Sept. and 1st of Oct., 1817, occurred a Brigade Muster, which was thus described in the Massachusetts Spy :-

" His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief [Gov. Brooks], accompanied by the Adjutant General and Major Brooks, a son of his Excellency, reviewed at Oxford, on the 30th ult., and the 1st inst., four regiments of Infantry, the regiment of Cavalry, and battalion of Artillery belonging to the first Brigade and seventh Division-the whole under the command of Brig .- Gen. Towne [of Charlton]. The weather was fine, and the troops exhibited a degree of patience, perseverance and discipline, with which his Excellency and suite manifested their great gratification, and expressed a belief that many of their manœuvres could not be surpassed by the best troops in the service of the United States."

At the close the Governor and suite were escorted by mounted citi- zens to Worcester, where they were honored in a sumptuous dinner, and the next day proceeded to Lancaster, where the Second Brigade of the same Division was reviewed.2

A similar gathering occurred here in 1819, but the number of troops was not so large, and the absence of the Commander-in-Chief took from it the prestige of the previous occasion. The Spy, a week or two prior to the day, gave : "The first and fifth regiments of Infantry, with the regiment of Cavalry and battalion of Artillery, we understand will meet at Oxford." Gen. Salem Towne, of Charl- ton, was in command, and, as on the previous occasion, throngs of people from the region about were present. In the fall of 1825 a review of a battalion of several companies of cavalry, from this and other towns near, took place on ground easterly from the present rail- road station, it then being an open field.

Probably the most striking spectacle ever seen in the town was at the time of the first review, when the four regiments of Infantry, the regiment of Cavalry, and the battalion of Artillery, each with its

1 From allusions to the subject here and there in the records it is inferred that this was for many years in the last century a favorite place for the larger reviews of the militia of the south part of Worcester county. Undoubtedly its splendid parade ground was a leading attraction when the Provisional Army was ordered here in 1799.

2 Col. Reuben Waters, then of Sutton, was a participant in this review, and related that Gov. Brooks and suite arrived at West Sutton on the evening of the 29th Sept., remained there over night, rode to Oxford on the next morning, and returned and spent the second night at Sutton, and in the afternoon of the second day

left for Worcester. The troops, he remarked, were under the command of Maj .- Gen. Bur- bank of Millbury, and Towne was commander under him. They brought their provisions and tent equipage, and encamped on the field, and the firing of the salute to the Governor by the Artillery was a memorable incident of the occa- sion. In speaking of the decline of the military spirit later, he said the fifth regiment, to which Oxford and Sutton soldiers belonged, was dis- banded because the men became weary of doing military duty, and purposely elected inefficient men as officers, thus bringing the matter into entire discredit.

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THE CIVIL WAR.

1861

mounted officers, flag and band of music, filed off the field into our broad street, at its lower extremity, and under the lead of Governor Brooks and aids, marched in broad ranks up its mile of level, and returned to their encampment.

The Civil War. The people of Oxford were fully awake to the condition of national affairs in the early months of 1861. The news of the attack on Fort Sumter on 12 April, sent a thrill of excite- ment throughout the North. On Monday, the 15th, President Lin- coln issued his call for 75,000 troops for three months. Four days later, on the evening of Friday, the 19th,-the day which witnessed the contest between the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment and the Balti- more mob,-an enthusiastic meeting assembled at Sanford's Hall, at which Hon. Alexander DeWitt presided. Spirited addresses were made by Moses S. Johnson, Jasper Brown, Nelson Bartholomew, Luther C. Torrey, and others, and a committee, consisting of Alex- ander DeWitt, Samuel C. Paine, Emory E. Harwood, William E. Pease and Nelson Bartholomew, was chosen to effect the immediate organization of a volunteer military company. Bartholomew was enthusiastic, and of all the workers the most efficient. The compact for the forming of this company-supposed to have been drawn by him-was as follows :-

Military company.

" The undersigned, residents of Oxford and vicinity, desirous of being qualified, should the emergency arise, to respond to the call of the country for men to defend her against rebellion, do hereby signify their willingness to join a military company to be instructed in the military drill, and prepared to do a soldier's duty."1 Signed-Nelson Bartholomew, Charles L. Watson, H. S. Dealing,2 J. E. Fellows, Josiah G. Brown, George H. Keith, Joseph H. Williams, Albert Prince, Edwin E. Rindge, Edwin Grout, J. B. Gould, John Fitzpatrick, N. Aiken Viall, J. G. Mowry, George B. Works, Luther C. Tor- rey, William H. Hall, Vernon F. Rindge,-total 18.

This number was within two or three days increased to 45, and on Monday evening, April 22, at a rally at North Oxford a sufficient number was added to assure the success of the company.

On 22 April, three days after the informal meeting, a town meet- ing was called, which was held on the sixth of May, Jasper Brown, moderator. A vote was passed raising not exceeding $4,000 towards paying the expenses of a volunteer military company in town, com- pensating its members, procuring uniform and aiding families. The town treasurer was authorized to borrow money to meet expenses.3

1 No date is attached to this document, but it is believed to have been written and signed in the meeting, or immediately after it.

2 Later in Co. I.

3 Provision was later-made for the necessary funds by a subscription, and 178 citizens contrib- uted $4,031. In Nov., 1865, a law having been enacted to meet such cases, the town voted that these subscriptions be refunded, which was done in 1867. At this meeting it was voted that the

selectmen and Alexander De Witt, Emory San- ford, George Hodges, Jr., Samuel C. Paine, William E. Pease, Charles A. Angell, Ira Mer- riam and Elisha M. Smith be a committee to carry into effect the vote of the town respecting a volunteer military company, and that said committee be instructed "to pay each member of such company, except those provided for by other towns, fifty cents a day for time spent in elementary drill up to this date, and hereafter,

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1861

Organization. The company was organized May 4th under the militia laws of the State, and in honor of Col. Alexander DeWitt was called the "De Witt Guards." The following were elected as officers : Captain, Charles H. Watson ; 1 1st Lieut., Nelson Bartholomew ; 2d Lieut., Henry W. Harold ; 3d Lieut., Joseph Wood; 4th Lieut., Bernard B. Vassall. Under the United States laws there could be but two lieutenants, Harold, not having been naturalized was ineligi- ble, and Wood retired, and Bartholomew and Vassall were com- missioned. 1st Sergt., Luther C. Torrey ; Sergts. Henry W. Harold, Albert Prince, Geo. B. Works, Peleg F. Murray ; Corps. Charles A. Bacon, Pliny Allen, Amos H. Shumway ; Musicians, Oscar L. Guild, William H. Smith. Two days after the organization the officers had received their commissions and arms had been furnished by the State. Two or three weeks afterward the equipment of the company was completed by the receipt of uniforms, and 1 June an excursion was made to Worcester, where the company was cordially received and entertained.2

Bounties. Under the call of the President, 1 July, 1862, for 300,000 men the town voted, 30 July, to pay a bounty of $150 to each man heretofore enlisted for the war, or who should enlist within three days, and $125 to those enlisting within one week, and $100 to those enlisting thereafter until the town's quota of 38 men be filled. At the close of this meeting 20 men enlisted. On 6 Sept. an addi- tional sum of $50 as bounty was voted. In Aug., 1863, it was voted to pay State aid to soldiers' families in accordance with Chap. 176 of the laws of 1863.3

In camp. Drilling at Oxford continued until 28 June when the company went into camp at Worcester, and was attached to the 15th Regiment, Mass. Vols., and designated as Company E. Camp duty

one dollar a day for a time not exceeding 24 days-provided the company be required to drill six hours each day, the first roll-call to be at 8 o'clock A. M. unless the committee otherwise directs, and the last roll-call to be at 6 o'clock P. M., and the company to drill at least one hour previous to the call, the balance of the time for drilling to be left to the discretion of the com- manding officer,-also tliat each and every soldier not on duty at any or each roll-call shall forfeit his pay that day, and fifty cents; and that said committee be instructed to purchase a suitable uniform for said company."

1 Watson was experienced in military affairs, having been previously in the public service.

2 At the annual meeting of Co. E Association, 1890, its President made the statement that this company was the first new organization in the State to appear armed and equipped in response to the President's call.

A bill was paid by the town for the use of San- ford's Hall "as a rendezvous and armory from 10 May to 28 June, inclusive." In Nov., 1861, the town voted to pay board bills of soldiers

not exceeding $267.85. Of this $132 were paid to L. A. Presby, tavern-keeper. The amount paid by the town to the "DeWitt Guards " for drilling was $2,084, and for uniforms $1,043. The bounties paid before the spring of 1862 amounted to $10,650. The amount paid to sol- diers' families in the fiscal year ending 1862 was $1,707; 1863, $4,283 ; 1864, $4,904; 1865, $6,708; 1866, State aid, $2,691. [Town Reports.]

3 Through the efficiency of Lament B. Corbin, first selectman, as recruiting officer, all demands for men were promptly met. In June, 1864, the town by a unanimous vote expressed its thanks to him " for the energetic, faithful and patriotic manner " in which he had performed the duties of his office.

April, 1864, the following appeared in the Worcester Spy : "The town of Oxford considers itself the banner town of the county, having filled all quotas with four or five men in the field in excess, and all have been raised without war meetings, extra bounties or purchases of men out of town."

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THE CIVIL WAR.

1861-2

was continued until 8 Aug., when under the command of Col. Devens the regiment left en route for Washington, arriving on the 10th. On the 12th an encampment was made on Meridian Hill, under the name of Camp Kalorama. On the 25th began the march toward Pooles- ville, which place was reached on the 27th.1 Here the regiment was attached to the Corps of Observation, under command of Gen. Stone, and remained as guard and doing picket duty until 21 Oct., when occurred the battle of Ball's Bluff.2

Ball's Bluff. This was the first experience of these men in battle, and while they fought with courage and steadiness which would have been creditable to veterans they could not prevail against overwhelming numbers. Col. Baker, of a California regiment which joined in the movement, was in command. A crossing was made in insufficient transports, a difficult landing effected on the Virginia side, and after marching a short distance on unexplored and partially wooded ground they found themselves confronted by a force more than double their own in numbers, were driven back to the ragged bluff where the command having been given for every man to take care of himself they rushed in disorder to the river, swamped their boats, and by means of logs, rails or whatever could be had to aid, swam toward the Maryland side amid a shower of bullets from the enemy.

Joseph Jennison, Jr., and James Hilton were killed ; Bernard B. Vassall, Lieut., prisoner ; John M. Norcross, Nathaniel A. Viall, Joseph H. Williams and Patrick Moore (both wounded), Corporals ; privates Amidon, Daniel Cobb, Coburn, Thomas Conroy, William Conroy, Geo. P. Davis, William M. Davis, Dockham, Duffy, Eckersley, Emerson, Fellows, Feighan (wounded), McIntire, Mckinstry, Moffit (wounded), Moynahan, Phipps (wounded), Vernon F. Rindge, Schmidt were taken prisoners ; 5 officers, 22 privates ; total 27. The number of men of the regiment who crossed was about 625, of these only one-half returned.

Subsequently the command remained in camp at Poolesville until 25 Feb., 1862. At that date, having been brigaded under Gen. Gorman as 1st Brigade, 2d Division, Gen. Sedgwick, they broke camp and marched toward Harper's Ferry, reaching that place on the 26th, where they were quartered in houses until 2 March, when they removed about three miles to Bolivar Heights, encamping until the 7th.3 Marches were made thence southerly, Berryville being occupied on the 10th, and after repeated movements toward Winchester they returned on the 15th to Bolivar Heights, and thence on the 22d via. Sandy Hook by rail to Washington, stopping until the 26th, on the

1 Ou this march Lieut. Bartholomew was taken with the illness of which he died a few weeks later.

By an order 26 Aug. Capt. Watson was placed third in order of captains in the regiment.

2 On 12 Sept. Albert Prince was promoted to 1st Sergt. in place of Luther C. Torrey, who re- 22

turned to the ranks. On 12 Oct. Amos H. Shum- way was made Sergeant.

$ The pay-roll, 28 Feb., 1862, was dated at Harper's Ferry. Thomas J. Spurr had, 1 Jan., joined the company as 1st Lieut., in place of Bartholomew. On 29 April he was attached to Co. G.

162

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

1862

night of which they moved to Alexandria, and on the 29th embarked for Fortress Monroe, landed at Hampton 1 April, and on the 4th took up a line of march for Yorktown to join in the siege. Andrew B. Yeomans kept a diary during his service, from which we quote :

Yorktown. "On the 5th after a march in the rain and mud encamped at Camp Misery ; 8th Co. went out as provost guard." In the siege, continuing several weeks, the company was detailed repeatedly as support of R. I. Battery, to picket duty, and in regi- ment to building fortifications.1 On 5 May the rebel fortifications were occupied by Union troops. That night occurred the battle of Williamsburg.

"Ordered up about 7 at night, dark, rainy, muddy time. Artillery got stuck and were until 3 o'clock A. M. in getting one mile, and returned to camp. Early in the morning, 6th, went to Yorktown landing, took steamer and arrived at West Point about 11 A. M. Gen. Franklin's Division engaged with the enemy. 8, at night regiment on picket. 9, marched on about 3 miles to near Eltham. 11, on picket. 15, had a hard rough march in a rain storm, camped in the pine woods. 18, moved about 5 miles. 21, had a hard hot march of about 12 miles and struck the railroad 14 miles from Richmond. 25, moved on about 5 miles, regiment on picket. 24, returned and went into camp with rest of the Division near the 'Tyler house.' 26, ordered to be ready to move at a moment's notice. 28, routed up at 1 o'clock A. M., started at daylight double-quick up to near Cold Harbor or Gaines' Mill to support Gen. Fitz John Porter; laid in the woods all day and night until 29, returned to Camp near ' Tyler house.'"

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History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 20

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town Number of Pages: 916

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916