USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.) from the grant of Ipswich Canada, in 1735, to the present time > Part 44
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the daughters of Irish and German blood. If so, then population, wealth, power and honor, will be the inheritance of their children.
At this point the History of Winchendon, as originally designed, should end. The year 1864 filled out one hundred years from the in- corporation of the town. A few facts, however, belonging to the fol- lowing years, have been inserted. And as the expressed wish of the town, and the obvious propriety of the case, requires, another chapter will be added, giving the action of the town, and, of her brave soldiers, in putting down the late wicked rebellion.
NOTE. Under the name Greenwood, on page 456, several names were omitted. The children of Thomas Greenwood were : .
1. John ; 2. Deborah, m. Stephen Tolman ; 3. Oliver ; 4. Thomas ; 5. Henry ; 6. Sophia, m. Levi Raymond . 7. Levi.
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CHAPTER XXXIII .- THE WAR OF FREEDOM.
·
" In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man, As modest stillness and humility ; But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger ; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favor'd rage : Then lend the eye a terrible aspect ;- Now set the teeth, and stretch the nostril wide ; Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit To its full height."
HENRY V.
SECTION 1 .- OUTBREAK OF THE REBELLION.
In this chapter will be given as much of the history of the town in connection with the rebellion, as can be condensed into the space that is left. The people here had partaken of the spirit of the loyal North, during all the months of winter, while the southern states were prepar- ing to secede from the Union, form a southern confederacy, and set the national government at defiance. When the news came, on the 14th of April, that the rebels had made their nefarious attack on fort Sumter, and that it had been surrendered to them by Major An- derson, and his few brave soldiers, the hearts of the people were ani- mated by one common desire and determination to uphold the govern- ment, suppress the rebellion, and at the same time, remove the cause of it, by the abolition of slavery. At that time, public sentiment with us was in advance of the nation generally and of the authorities at Wash- ington. With almost entire unanimity, the voice of the citizens was for war, not from revenge, or from hatred of the southern rebels, but because of their love of country and of freedom.
Without any formal call, the inhabitants held large meetings on Mon- day and Tuesday evenings, April 15th and 16th, to give expression to their feelings, and to organize for action. The meeting on Monday
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evening was held in the town hall ; that on Tuesday evening assembled in the street, between the town hall and the post office, because no hall or church would accommodate the multitude. Hon. Giles H. Whitney presided and addresses were made by many gentlemen, all animated by a fervent love of the national flag. Some of the speakers were Messrs. Whitney, Dr. Godding, Capt. E. Murdock, O. Mason, G. S. Whitney, I. M. Murdock, R. Harris, Rev. T. B. Treadwell and Rev. Mr. Marvin. The two latter spoke from the top of the piazza in front of Capt. Murdock's store. All the speeches were brief and to the point. It was the voice of all, that Winchendon must and would do her part in upholding the government of our fathers by suppressing the wicked re- bellion.
SECTION 2 .- EFFECT ON THE PUBLIC MIND.
The effect of the surrender of fort Sumter, on the public mind, did not terminate in meetings and resolutions. The sentiment of the peo- ple took shape, at once, in raising money and volunteers, and by all measures by which anything could be done for the good of the great cause. The young men, especially, were urgent to take the field. The first effort was to raise a company in the town, but as there were im- pediments to success in this attempt, some, in their ardor to be in the field, went to other places, and offered themselves as soldiers. Sever- al made a provisional arrangement with a company in Ashburnham ; and when that fell through, joined the second regiment of Massachu- setts volunteers, under Col. Gordon. In the meantime, meetings of the citizens were held for drill in the town hall, and the ladies manifested the liveliest interest in the work of enlistment, and the warmest sympa- thy with those who " girded on the armor." In public worship on the Sabbath, and in all prayer meetings, the cause of the country and the welfare of the soldiers, were presented at the throne of divine grace. The movement assumed the character of a sacred contest, a "war of the Lord."
SECTION 3 .- ACTION OF THE TOWN.
While the people were thus pressing forward, in an informal way, the town was preparing for organized action. The first town meeting was held on the 27th of April. One article in the warrant was in these words :
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" To see what action the town will take at this alarming crisis of the coun- try, in regard to the raising of a military company, to assist in the suppression of Rebellion, Insurrection or Invasion."
Giles H. Whitney, Esq., was chosen Moderator. A committee of five was appointed by the chair, to recommend the appropriation of a certain sum of money for the purpose of sustaining a military company, to act in the present crisis, and also to recommend some measures cal- culated to encourage the forming of such a company. O. Mason, H. O. Clark, Sidney Fairbank, Seth Tucker and John H. Fairbank were appointed. The committee soon reported, recommending :
" That the town appropriate a sum not exceeding $5,000 for the purpose specified above.
That we guarantee to all persons volunteering to form said company, who are able-bodied, and found to answer the requirements of the commander-in- chief : first, a suitable uniform ; second, a good revolver ; third, eight dollars per month, in addition to the pay from government, for the time the company is absent in the service of the country.
Those who enlist and are suitable for service, one dollar a day for every day they are drilled. for a term of time not exceeding one month.
If a full company cannot be raised in this town, the same guaranty be made to any number of citizens not less than twenty-five, who shall join with any neighboring town in making up a full company.
Also, that all between eighteen and twenty-five, meet at the town hall, ev- ery Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, for the purpose of drill."
At the same time, Sidney Fairbanks, Orlando Mason and Baxter D. Whitney, were chosen a committee to take in charge the raising a vol- unteer militia company in this town. This committee reported to a sub- sequent meeting that a company could not be raised ; but perhaps a company could be raised in Winchendon and Gardner.
SECTION 4 .- SYMPATHY WITH THE SOLDIERS.
The effort to form a company here failed ; and no arrangement was e.Fected with the soldiers of other towns. But the spirit of the young mon was u), and they sought connection with companies and regiments elsewhere. Among the first to enlist were the following, viz: Theodore K. Parker, Edwin A. Pollard, J. Hervey Taylor, Harrison A. Crocker, George H. Boston, Henry S. Pierce, Frederick Maynard, George A.
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Bruce, Charles F. Pope, Isaac Hadley and Henry Partridge. Some if not all of these, at first joined a company in Ashburnham ; but soon left it, and became members of Co. D, Capt. Savage, in the Second Reg- iment, under command of Col. Gordon. Much interest in these young pioneers was felt by all-men, women and children. They were re- garded as the advance guard of the town, and the hopes and prayers, as well as fears and anxieties of the people, went with them. The fol- lowing letter is inserted here at length, because it expressed the gen- eral thought and sympathy of the community at the time. It will al- so furnish some interesting facts in regard to the action of individuals and societies in behalf of the soldiers.
WINCHENDON, MAY 27, 1861.
To Messrs. Parker, Pollard, Taylor, Crocker, Boston, Pierce, Maynard, Bruce, Pope, Hadley, and any others, who may be members of Col. Gor- don's regiment, from this town :
GENTLEMEN AND FRIENDS :-
I have felt a very strong desire to visit you in your camp at West Roxbury, before you leave for the seat of war. But as I cannot do this, I yield to the request of others, and to the impulses of my own heart, in writ- ing you a letter, which I trust you will receive as coming from a friend, who respects and honors you for enlisting in this necessary and sacred war, and who earnestly desires your highest welfare.
While conversing with Dea. Parker, on Saturday, in regard to addressing this letter to you, it seemed to me that before doing so, an effort ought to be made to see if our citizens would not do something to show their interest in you, who are to be our brave representatives in the field of strife. Accordingly, notice was given in Church, yesterday, that a prayer-meeting would be held in the Congregational Lecture Room, at half-past five, in behalf of our coun. try, and especially of the young soldiers who belong to this town, and it was stated that measures would be proposed for raising a contribution in their be- half.
At the appointed time, there was a full meeting, composed of citizens of va- rious denominations, and it was a season of great interest and solemnity. Ear- nest prayers were offered that you, our young fellow-townsmen, might be faith- ful and courageous in all military duties ; that God would shield you in the day of battle, and that you all might be led to put your personal trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The following resolutions were then read and unanimously adopted, after
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remarks by Dr. Godding, Dea. Butler, Dea. Parker, Messrs. G. S. Whitney, O. Mason, H. O. Clark, J. H. Fairbank, Harvey Wyman and myself.
"Resolved, That we honor the young men, our fellow-townsmen, who have gone forth from among us, to engage in the war that has been forced upon us by the enemies of freedom.
Resolved, That as a proof of our sympathy, we will raise a subscription in their behalf as a partial remuneration for the expenses they have already in- curred ; that they may be able, in some measure, to mitigate the rough hard- ships of the camp.
Resolved, That we will remember them when we invoke the blessings of Heaven on ourselves, and pray that God would ever have them in his holy keeping.
Resolved, That Messrs. H. O. Clark, Harvey Wyman, J. H. Fairbank, G. B. Parker and Nelson Wyman, be a committee to collect funds, to be ap- propriated as follows, viz : five dollars to be given to each of the soldiers, and the remainder-ten dollars for each, more or less,-to be put into a common fund and deposited with some officer of the regiment who may be designated by our volunteers, and who shall disburse the same as their wants may require.
Resolved, That the volunteers be desired to make known their wants, as they may arise hereafter, to the above committee, and that they may be assured that these will be promptly attended to by their friends at home.
Resolved, That Dea. G. B. Parker be hereby requested to visit camp An- drew, and convey to our friends, the volunteers, the money which shall be raised, and whatever other articles may be sent by him, at our expense."
These resolutions were passed with an earnestness which would have cheered you if you had been present, and I believe they express the general feeling of the town. Immediately after the close of the meeting, the committee entered on their work, and received twenty-six dollars on the spot. They have con- tinued their exertions to-day, with the following result.
As the people were passing out, several young ladies, recently members of the High School, asked me if it was too late for them to do something. I told them it was not, and that if they would prepare some handkerchiefs, tow- els, and articles of that sort, I presumed they would be kindly received. Whereupon they made their plans, and this morning, they have made up the package of articles which Dea. Parker will deliver to you. They would glad - ly do more, but the time is short, and they do not know your wants. I need not mention their names, because all the girls in the town participate in the feelings which have prompted those whose busy fingers have prepared this package.
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I ought to mention that some weeks since, the ladies of the Methodist So- ciety voted to work in behalf of the soldiers, when there should be a call upon them, and also that the Ladies' Benevolent Society of the Orthodox Church, at their last meeting, passed a similar vote ; but as they did not know of your plans before your leaving home, nothing could be done. I may add that the latter Society purchased the articles sent herewith, and that the young ladies prepared them for use.
These facts, gentlemen, are detailed at such length, that you may be as- sured of the deep and universal sympathy of the people of the town in you as the soldiers who have gone forth to represent us in the great contest which has been so wickedly brought upon our beloved country. We feel that you are going to engage in a war for government against revolution and anarchy, for freedom against slavery, for civilization against barbarism, and for the christian religion in opposition to a religion of caste. It is a holy war to which ye are imperatively called by the providence of God, and we want you to en- ter into it., not rashly, not with the spirit of bloodshed and plunder, but as the friends of good government, and the servants of the Most High.
Thinking you may have leisure moments for reading, we have requested Dea. Parker to call at the book-store of the Tract Society in Boston, and pro- cure a quantitiy of the books which have been expressly prepared for the sol- diers, and which are highly approved by Pres. Lincoln, Sec'y Cameron and Gen. Scott. We hope that you will read these, as well as the Holy Bible, because we believe that the truth of God, if heartily received, will not only render you more valiant in the field, but will make you wise unto salvation.
I know it will not pain you to hear that earnest prayers are offered in your behalf, in all our meetings ; that you are affectionately remembered when fam- ilies bow around the family altar, and that many men and women seek the divine blessing for you when they are alone with God.
I need not say that I have had a strong interest in you all, from the begin- ning of the effort made to raise a company in this town. Your disappoint- ment was keenly felt by me. My heart prompts me to take the field with you, if that course were for the best. But as it is not for me be to with you in person, I shall follow you, step by step, in spirit. I shall contemplate you as faithful in all the duties of the camp ; temperate in all your habits; attentive to all the religious services of the Chaplain, and stout of heart in the field of bloody strife. I shall pray for you, that you may all, at once, give up your- selves to Jesus Christ, to be his servants ; that you may have true repentance for your sins ; that you may be ready for death at any moment, through faith in him who died to save all who love him ; and that you may have the bles- sing of the Lord of Hosts in all your labors and sufferings in the defence of our glorious Union.
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I shall be glad to greet you when you return from the war, if God shall grant us that happiness ; but if you never return, I assure you that your mem- ories will be cherished, and your names shall be held in lasting honor."
The articles above specified, were gratefully received by the soldiers, not merely on account of their value, but chiefly because they evinced the esteem and approbation of the fair donors. Before the regiment left for the seat of war, most of the above named soldiers came home to take leave of their friends. Two of them, in behalf of the whole num- ber, called on the writer of the letter, and expressed their gratitude and that of their comrades, for the gifts and the words of cheer which they had received. One of these was Mr. Parker, who entered the service a private, and came out, after the triumphant march of Sherman, a cap- tain ; the other was Mr. Maynard, who fell dead on the second day of the battle at Gettysburg, in consequence of his dauntless courage, which impelled him to attack the assailants in front of the line. No braver man fell on that decisive day. The soldiers whose names have been mentioned above, with perhaps one exception, did good service. Far- ther particulars respecting them will be given in subsequent pages.
The following entered the service in June of this year, for the term of three years. William S. Hersey, John Taylor, William T. Wells, joined Co. C, Sixteenth Regiment, Capt. L. G. King.
SECTION 5 .- VOLUNTEERING.
On the fourth of July, 1861, a town meeting was held, Dea. John Cutter being Moderator. The town voted :
" That the Selectmen be instructed to carry out the provisions of chapter 222 of the the Acts of 1861."
The 222d chapter relates to " aid of the families of volunteers," &c. As it promoted volunteering, this is the proper place to cite one of its Sections. It reads as follows :
"Sect. 1. Any town or city may raise money by taxation, and, if neces- sary, apply the same, under the direction of their selectmen, or mayor and aldermen, or city council, for the aid of the wife, and, of the children under sixteen years of age, of any one of their inhabitants, who, as a member of the volunteer militia of this State, may have been mustered into or enlisted in the service of the United States, and for each parent, brother or sister or child, who, at the time of his enlistment, was dependent on him for support." .
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
At a town meeting held on the 14th of September, Calvin R. Whit- man being in the chair, it was voted :
" That the town authorize the Selectmen to pay out of the money raised for contingent expenses, to families of volunteers, the following sums : one dollar per week for the wife, and one dollar per week for each child under sixteen years of age, that was dependent on said volunteer for support at the time of his enlistment ; provided, that the whole sum does not exceed twelve dollars per month to any such inhabitant."
At this time the list of persons liable to enrollment in the Militia of Massachusetts, contained four hundred and eighty-three names. The names of those who volunteered, with their Co. and Reg't, are here in- serted. The first named enlisted in July, and their term expired in July, 1864. In Co. B, Thirteenth Regiment, Capt. Simonds, were the following, viz :
Amable Beaudry, William E. Bailey, Robert Bruce,
Joseph B. Matthews, Charles F. Pope, Andrew Riley, Abram Scott,
Nap. B. Bruce, Edwin Chase, Andrew Fisher,
Elijah M. Scott,
Seth R. Fisher,
Stillman Safford,
R. E. Hartwell,
Fred. C. Stewart,
Wm. W. Holman,
Charles A. Stevens,
Edward S. Kendall,
George S. Taylor,
Oscar A. Kendall,
Horace H. Wyman,
Francis H. Loud,
Enoch Whitney,
Henry C. Lowell,
Benjamin, Whitcomb."
Winthrop Maynard,
In Co. A, Twenty-first Regiment, Capt. Bradford, were the follow- ing, viz :
George W. Bradish, Jacques Gowing, Stephen Miller,
George E. Cook,
Augustus E. Houghton.
John Welch was a member of Co. D in the same Regiment. In Co. G, same Regiment, were the following volunteers from Winchendon, un- der command of Capt. A. A. Walker, viz :
Patrick Brabston, Charles A. Crayton, Andrew J. Flagg,
Patrick Finton,
George E. Gorman, }
Henry Haskell,
Walter D. Scott,
Chas. W. Kendall,
William E. Taylor,
.
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George H. Matthews,
Herbert E. Weston,
Jerome L. Stevens,
John Wells,
Robert N. Shaw,
Edwin Wells,
James S. Stratton,
Thomas Wells.
Josiah T. Town,
Richard M. Whitney.
In Co. F, Twenty-first Reg't, was J. Henry Lake ; in Co. I, Eight- eenth Reg't, was Albert G. Nutting ; in Co. - , Ninth Regiment, was Martin McCabe ; in Co. L, Seventh Cavalry, was George Thomas ; in Sharpshooters, was George L. Norcross ; in Co. C, Follett's Battery, was Daniel Norcross, and in Co. C, Twentieth Regiment, was Frank Sawtell.
The following volunteered later in the year, as September, October and December, viz : Charles Bates, Otis Rice, Nelson Rice and Den- ais Sullivan, in the Third Vt. Regt., whose time expired in September, 1864; Everard Alger, George Brown 2d, Charles H. Stratton, John Simonds, Albert H. Whitcomb and Sidney L. Reed, in Co. F, Twen- ty-fifth Regiment, whose time expired in October, 1864 ; Jason L. Cof- fin, S. Jones Hale and William Welch, in Co. C, Twenty-fourth Reg- iment, Capt. Stevenson, whose term expired in December, 1864. This list comprises all, or nearly all, who enlisted in the year 1861. The number is eighty. Perhaps others entered the service during this sea- son, in some Massachusetts Regiment ; it is certain that some joined Regiments in other States.
The first year of the war will ever be remembered as a year of dis- aster. With partial success in some localities, the Union armies gen- erally met with defeat. At Bull Run, after almost winning the day, our forces were driven from the field in a shameful rout. The unex- plained attack at Ball's Bluff was repulsed with great loss to the loyal troops. Several of our men, in the Fifteenth Regiment were in this fight, and sought safety by crossing the Potomac, in whose chilling wa- ters many brave men found their too early grave. Horace H. Wyman crossed the river safely, by wading and swimming. He was able to help Col. Ward across. Elijah MI. Scott was probably either killed on the shore, or was lost in the river. There was mourning in some fam- ilies, and anxiety in all. Meantime, busy fingers and liberal hearts were engaged in providing for the comfort of the soldiers. Supplies of all kinds, by various agencies, were sent to our men ; and the communi_ cation by letter was frequent. Thus active sympathy was kept up be-
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
tween those at home and their friends in the field. The expedition of Burnside to North Carolina, which met hardship at every step, but which was crowned with success, had several Winchendon men, who did their duty with fidelity. But it is not possible or desirable, in this brief nar- rative, to give a history of the war, or even of the regiments to which our men were attached.
SECTION 6 .- RAISING TROOPS IN 1862.
In the spring of 1862 it became evident that the rebellion could not be put down, unless the government should put forth its strength with greater energy than had yet characterized its movements. According- ly, the President issued a call for three hundred thousand men, and the requisition met a hearty response. But as business had recovered from the paralysis which had seized it on the breaking out of the rebellion, and as wages were higher, the services of the soldiers deserved increased pay. Therefore bounties were resorted to, that those who remained at home, might in a measure, share the privations of those who took the field. A town meeting was held on the 19th of July, 1862, when it was voted :
" That under the recent call from government, for three hundred thousand men, this town is called upon to furnish a certain number, in making up the quota for this state That this town will pay to such men as will enlist within twenty days, to make up the required number, one hundred dollars each, in addition to the bounty offered by government, to be paid as follows : $25, as soon as the recruit is sworn into service, and $75 at the expiration of the term · for which he enlists, with interest from the true date of his being sworn into service. And if the recruit prefer, the $75 shall be paid to his family, or to those dependent on him for their support, by his order, at such times, and in such sums, as the Selectmen may think required. . In case of death, what is due shall be paid to his heirs. Provided, if any volunteer prefer to receive the whole bounty of $100 at the time he is sworn into service, he shall be paid accordingly."
The Treasurer was authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $5,000, to carry out the above vote. At the same time, a committee was cho- sen from the different districts, to act as a rallying committee, to assist the Selectmen in obtaining recruits : One from each district, and an additional one in Nos. 2, 3 and 9, as follows :
.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
" District No. 1, Charles J. Rice ; 2, Bethuel Ellis, William Murdock ; 3, A. W. Buttrick, H. O, Clark ; 4, Nelson D. White ; 5, Seth Maynard ; 7, Paul Raymond, Jr .; 8, John B. Brown; 9, James Marsh, Jairus Hast- ings ; 10, Reuben Harris ; 11, Minot Patch."
On the 2d of August, a committee consisting of Alvah Godding, James Marsh and Giles H. Whitney, was chosen to provide speakers to address the citizens of the town upon the subject of the war. The Hon. A. H. Bullock spoke to a large audience, with characteristic force and per- suasiveness. It was reported that this town's quota of forty-eight men had been filled by volunteers.
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