USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Lee > Lee : the centennial celebration and centennial history of the town of Lee, Mass. > Part 14
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All the idlers of the community gathered on training day for a gala time. Booths were built, and cider and ginger-bread, sold to the thirsty and hungry : sometimes articles mysteriously disappeared without being sold, as on one occasion when a huckster's back was turned, a horseman rode up to the stand, stuck his sword through the pile of cakes and carried them off as a trophy. It must be confessed that a military display, the horses and feathers of the cavalry, the uniforms, and glittering bayo- nets of the infantry, the martial music, and the roar of cannon, have something in them bewitching to the com- mon mind ; but the training days occupied much time, and were accompanied with so much drunkenness and rowdy- ism, that the best men in the community came to regard them as a nuisance, and these gala seasons became obso- lete about the year 1830.
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THE HISTORY OF LEE.
The interest of the community in military drill could not long be maintained, when assured peace at home and abroad made military duty obnoxious, because useless, and worse than useless. The trainings of the militia became occasions for drunkenness and degenerated finally into such disgraceful buffooneries that their suppression was effected none too soon. The system not only did not train good soldiers, it made bad men of many of them. Sometimes ramrods, in some awkward fellow's haste, would be left in the musket, and when fired, pass through some poor unfortunate's body. "The last mus- ter in this vicinity was at Stockbridge, in 1830. The North Lee Company was commanded by Captain Thomas E. M. Bradley, with Dickinson Graves as Lieutenant ; South Lee Company trained under Captain Zach. Winegar, detailed that day to act as Major, leaving his command to Lieutenant Henry Smith, assisted by First Sergeant Har- rison Garfield, and Corporal Barnabas Hinckley. William P. Hamblin was Lieutenant of a Cavalry Company."
DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
With the close of the War of 1812, began a new era of prosperity, with manifold changes in the whole system of manufacturing. Instead of every house being a work- shop, the introduction of cotton and woolen factories, changed the whole social life and habits of the people, as did in another way the introduction of railroads and the consequent change of business centers. The rapid fall of the Housatonic as it passed through Lee, gave this town great facilities for manufacturing, but the water power was at first principally used for saw and grist mills, lum- ber and breadstuff being the great wants of the early colonist. In 1806, Samuel Church, a practical paper- maker, came from East Hartford to South Lee, and erected a small paper mill near where the large mills of
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the Hurlbut Paper Company now stand. This was the nucleus of the present great industry of the town, paper- manufacture, an account of which will be given in con- nection with the firms which are now so extensively en- gaged in this business.
PUBLIC ACTION ON MORAL AND POLITICAL QUESTIONS.
Though the action of a town meeting in Western Mas- sachusetts now has no such importance as it had in the Revolutionary period of our history, it is gratifying to know how uniform has been the sentiment of the town in favor of righteousness and so of peace. 1854, it was " Resolved, That we as a town desire hereby to record our vote against the passage of the so-called Nebraska Bill, regarding it as iniquitous in conception, and the violation of a solemn compact." On the question of temperance, the public sentiment of the town has uniformly been in fa- vor of suppressing tippling shops. The subject has often been discussed in town meeting, and the arguments and the votes have testified to the high moral tone of the community on this point.
The question of slavery was, from the first, a discord- ant element in our national polity. The attempt fre- quently made to divest it of power by one compromise and another finally and signally failed. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President for the term beginning 1861, March 4, was soon followed by the firing on Fort Sumter, April 11. April 15, President Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 troops; May 4, 64,000 additional. 1862, July 1, 300,000. 1864, February 1, draft ordered for 300,000 additional. Lee responded cheerfully and promptly to all these calls, and said by its acts, “ We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand strong."
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THE HISTORY OF LEE.
THE WAR OF SECESSION.
The first action of the town, on record, in reference to the outbreak of the War of Secession, is in connection with the town meeting called May 4, 1861. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Gale. On motion of Marshall Wil- cox, Esq., it was voted, " That it is the sense of this meet- ing that there be a company of at least 64 men enrolled in this town to hold themselves in readiness for a call into active service." Resolutions, offered by Mr. Wilcox, were also adopted as " the unanimous expression of the feel- ings of all the citizens of the town :"
Resolved, That the inhabitants of Lee deem it important that the Government of the United States should have the hearty and earnest encouragement and active assistance of every loyal citizen in suppress- ing the treasonable Rebellion which aims at the overthrow of our laws and the Constitution of the land, and that as citizens of Lee, actuated by a love of our country and of universal liberty, we are ready to share in the common effort of sustaining the Government; and as a town, we assure those of our citizens who shall enter into the service of the Government as volunteer soldiers, that their families dependent upon them shall be well and honorably provided for, and sustained during their entire absence.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to borrow $3,000, if so much shall be necessary, under the Resolution adopted by the town.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to procure a suitable room for a drill-room for the volunteers.
Voted, That a committee of four be appointed who shall have charge of the funds in connection with the Selectmen, and said committee of seven shall have entire control of the disbursement of the money, and the following persons were appointed as said Committee : Selectmen, W. G. Merrill, Edward Morgan, S. S. May. Committee of Four, Isaac C. Ives, William Taylor, Harrison Garfield, John Branning.
Meetings for drill were held at once. A company was organized, and called the "Valley Guards." Nearly a hundred joined. A public meeting was held May 21, and $140.00 raised to procure uniforms, gray pants with black cord stripe, and fatigue jacket. Hon. John Branning
22
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was elected Captain, and Luther Bradley, Lieutenant ; but the Governor declined to accept them and the company disbanded. At this time, Colonel Lee's (10th Regiment) was mustering, and 22 joined Company A. Some went to New York and joined Duryea's Zouaves; others went to Boston, and joined the 2d Mass. Regiment (Colonel Gor- don's); two or three went into New York Cavalry Regi- ments. Early in October occurred the first soldier's fu- neral. Charles Bassett, youngest son of Nathan Bassett, had enlisted as a musician in the 6th Michigan Regiment, in which his brother Chauncey was Captain. He died at Baltimore of typhoid fever, aged 23 years, Oct. 20, 1861, and his body was brought to Lee for burial.
The ladies were busy making and collecting such arti- cles as the soldiers needed, and in November sent off boxes of good things to the Hospitals at Washington and Philadelphia,-shirts, drawers, pillow-cases and pillows, stockings, towels, sheets, and various little conveniences and comforts for sick soldiers. Nor were those in camp forgotten, and from family friends as well as from the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, almost every week the Ex- press Company carried to the army some grateful tokens of loving remembrance.
The Valley Gleaner for Feb. 20, published a list of sol- diers connected with various regiments : 2d, 10th, 21st, 27th, 31st Mass. ; 5th, 6th, 18th, 24th New York ; 7th Conn .; 45th Illinois. Lieut. Luther Bradley and 25 with him from Lee were in Company E, 27th Regiment ; Lieut. B. A. Morey and 14 others in Company I, 31st Regiment. William T. Fish was for a time Sutler of the 2nd Mass. Regiment.
At a town meeting held 1862, July 21, the following resolutions were submitted and unanimously adopted :
Whereas, the President of these United States has called upon the several States to raise 300,000 men to put down the Rebellion; and
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Whereas, the quota of men to be furnished by this town of Lee is 37, which number ought to be, if not already, promptly secured by volun- tary enlistments :
Therefore, it is voted by the inhabitants of Lee, in town meeting assembled, to pay a bounty of $100.00 to each person who shall enlist, . or who has enlisted, to make up the quota of men required of this town, and that the same be paid when the men have been accepted and mustered into the service of the United States.
Voted, That the Selectmen take steps to raise $3,700.00 in such mode as they deem best, and appropriate the same to the payment of the above bounty ; and we hereby pledge the honor, credit, reputation and resources of this town to the Selectmen in the raising and appro- priating of said money as aforesaid, and to any and all persons who shall or may aid them by advancing on the credit of the town any sum or sums of money whereby the Selectmen shall be enabled to raise the said sum of $3,700.00.
Voted, That when the Selectmen shall have raised the money, they pay the same into the hands of the Treasurer of the town, and the same be paid out by the Treasurer for the purposes aforesaid to the several persons who enlist to make up the 37 men, on the order of the Selectmen and not otherwise.
July 26, Camp Briggs was established at Pittsfield for the purpose of mustering and drilling troops. Here the 37th Regiment, as recruited, was stationed, till Sept. 7, when they left, 975 strong, for Hudson, and thence to Harper's Ferry, Va. The Regiment made for itself a most honorable record. The officers and men from Lee in the 24 battles through which they fought their way, gained a deserved renown as brave and steady soldiers.
A company was started to be commanded by Capt. F. W. Pease, Lieut. G. H. Hyde, and Lieut. P. W. Mor- gan, to join the 37th Regiment. Captain Pease and Lieutenant Morgan took charge of the men in the Camp at Pittsfield, while Lieutenant Hyde was recruiting. Col- onel Edwards, in Lieutenant Hyde's absence, commis- sioned T. F. Plunkett of Pittsfield, Lieutenant of the com- pany. But after some effort and remonstrance, Lieuten- ant Hyde received a commission in another company,
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and in the course of time was assigned to a position in the company from Lee, of which he finally became captain.
August 24, when the President had issued his call for volunteers for nine months, a mass meeting was held in the park, and meetings were held also Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings. A company, mostly from Lee, vol- unteered under Capt. A. V. Shannon ; and others under Capt. B. A. Morey.
August 31, the officers of the Lee company in the 37th Regiment were presented with swords by the contribution of friends ; and the officers in the 49th received, Nov. 6, a similar expression of regard.
1862, Aug. 28, it was voted, that we, the town of Lee, do hereby authorize the Treasurer upon the order of the selectmen of this town to pay to each volunteer who shall be mustered into the service under the call of the Presi- dent for 300,000 men for 9 months, the sum of $100.00, to be paid in manner provided for by the following reso- lution, to wit :
Resolved, That the proper authorities of the town of Lee give to each volunteer who shall be mustered into the service of the United States, a note at 9 months date for $100.00 with interest. Should any of the volunteers thus raised by said town of Lee be dishonorably discharged, the said note or notes to be void.
October 11, when it was ascertained that such notes were not negotiable, this action was rescinded, and imme- diate payment directed except in case of transfer of note.
November 6, a draft was to have taken place to fill up the quota demanded, but was postponed from Thurs- day to Monday. Saturday evening a public meeting was held. Individuals subscribed enough to offer $30.00 each in addition to the $100.00 bounty voted, and seven men, the number needed, promptly volunteered.
1863, July 25, the selectmen were authorized to bor- row money to pay for the support of volunteers' families.
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THE HISTORY OF LEE.
Sept. 26, the town voted an appropriation of $7,247.52 to equalize bounty money paid.
When at the close of 1862, General Butler inaugurated the policy of forming negro regiments, Chauncey F. Bas- sett of Allegan, Mich., but a native of this town, received a commission as Major of the First Louisiana Native Guards.
The draft for this district for men to fill the quotas of the various towns occurred at Springfield, 1863, July 14; 84 men were drafted, but on examination, Aug. 7, only 21 were accepted. Some had joined in leagues to pay for any one of the membership the substitute money ($300) required by the Government. Two of the six sons of Mrs. Warren, a widow living at East Lee, were drafted ; the other four sons had volunteered early in the war and were then serving in the army.
1864, June 6, the selectmen were authorized to borrow money necessary to pay each volunteer $125.00 bounty ; and again, Dec. 13, had general authority to borrow money to secure volunteers in anticipation of further calls. Five of the citizens of Lee, at their own expense, sent substitutes into the army. Sept. 1, an enthusiastic mass meeting was held to promote enlistments. A committee secured a subscription of $3,000.00, so that they offered $175.00 bounty in addition to the $125.00 offered by the United States, and $20.00 a month paid by the State.
1863, Oct. 17, the President called for 300,000 more troops. The quota of Lee was 42, and strenuous efforts were made to secure this number by volunteers before the day fixed for a draft, Jan. 5. A recruiting office was opened. The bounties offered were unprecedently large ; $402.00 from the United States Government in addition to the $325.00 from the State. Soldiers in the old regi- ments re-enlisted, many of the 31st Massachusetts Volun- teer Militia entering a cavalry regiment. The draft was
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postponed, but Feb. 1, 1864, a call was made for 500,000 men. May 12, it was announced that Lee must furnish 38 men to make up deficiencies. A draft of that number brought only 9 accepted men, who paid their substitute money. 29 others volunteered or agreed to go as substi- tutes. When the list of drafted men was put up in the Post Office some wag wrote beneath the list :
" Why should we mourn conscripted friends, Or shake at war's alarms ? .'Tis but the voice that Abraham sends Which bids them shoulder arms."
1865, April 3, the selectmen reported that large ex- penditures had been necessary to secure recruits. 91 men had been obtained in Boston. After the close of the war the selectmen reported that 295 men in all had been sent. But as the town sent 14 men in excess of its quota, the Adjutant General says that 400 men must have been sent. It is a matter of regret that the town records are so mea- gre, deficient and imperfect, that no more accurate and just account can be given of the part taken so creditably by the town in the measures and movements of the four years' war of secession.
Under the President's last call for 300,000 troops, it was found that Massachusetts' quota was only 805, so largely in excess had been the soldiers credited to her under former calls.
When the news reached town, Monday, April 10, that Gen. Lee had surrendered, the excitement was intense. The bells were rung, cannon fired, the operatives rushed out of the mills to hear the particulars, to cheer, and to congratulate each other at the final cessation of the long and mournful struggle of the past four years.
Exclusive of money contributed by individuals and paid by the town for what was called State aid to
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the families of volunteers, the town raised and paid $21,654.56. The money expended for State aid, for which the town was reimbursed, was $20,776.46.
No record was kept of the contributions, by the ladies, of articles for the comfort or necessities of the soldiers. The Christian Commission received in all $1,005.17 in money, $470.10 of this being a special contribution from the ladies. Many boxes, whose aggregate value cannot be given, were sent to the soldiers in camp and in hos- pital. The ladies raised by a fair or festival, $289, and by membership fees in the Soldiers' Aid Society, $172.
37TH REGIMENT.
The 37th Regiment was recruited in Berkshire County, and under command of Col. Oliver Edwards, Jr., left the State, 1862, September 7. It was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and reached its destination in time to take part in the battle of Fredericksburg. Company B of this Regiment was mainly composed of soldiers from this town, at first under the command of Capt. Franklin W. Pease, who died of the wounds received in the hard fought battles before Spottsylvania Court House, May 14, 1864, and was succeeded by Capt. George H. Hyde, who continued in command till the close of the war. The fol- lowing brief sketch of the history of this Regiment is mainly taken from the report of the Adjutant General :
Leaving camp at New Baltimore, November 13, 1862, the Regiment marched first to Stafford Court House, thence to White Oak Church, and December 11, to the Rappahannock at Franklin's Crossing below Fredericks- burg, being the first regiment to cross at that point. Guarded the bridges the next day ; were then posted on the extreme left, and on the retreat of the army were the last to recross. Remained in camp at Falmouth, where the Regiment, with only three axes to a Company, built
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in a week 160 log-houses, 12 feet long, 7 feet high, 9 feet wide, with a fire-place to each and a floor of pine poles. April 28, crossed the Rappahannock again, and until May 4, the 6th Army Corps engaged nearly the whole of Lee's Army. May 6, recrossed the river. Virginia mud inter- fered with well-laid plans; a more insuperable obstacle than Secesh soldiery. June 13, took up the line of march northward, crossing the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, June 27, protecting the rear. July 2, after a forced march of 34 miles, reached the battle-field of Gettysburg. The
heat was intense, and in the marching at double quick from point to point on the line, some twenty fell from sunstroke ; at one time, 3 P. M., passing through a terrific shell fire and losing 23 men killed and wounded. July 4, took position in the center on the front line. July 5, the enemy having retreated, followed in pursuit. The severities of the marching are indicated by the fact that when Middletown was reached, July 9, 180 men were without shoes. Advanced, July 15, to Williamsport, but Lee's Army had all recrossed the river. Marched down the east side of the Blue Ridge to Warrenton, Va. July 30, detailed to do guard duty and provost duty in New York City, in connection with the draft. October 14, were ordered to report at Washington ; reached Warren- ton October 20. November 7, marched to Rappahannock Station, and November 26, crossed the Rapidan. Decem- ber 2, fell back to the north bank of the Rapidan cross- ing at Culpepper Ford. December 3, went into camp at Brandy Station.
In the campaign of 1864, the 37th Regiment bore a conspicuous part. The following is the report of the ad- jutant-general, of its conduct in the second day's fight, in the battle of the Wilderness. "No regiment displayed greater gallantry than did the 37th on the 6th of May. It was on the right of the Gordonsville road, in the third
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or fourth line of battle, as a support to the lines in front. The front lines at last gave way, passing over the Regi- ment in a complete rout. The enemy, flushed with ap- parent success, pressed hard on. The order was given for the 37th to advance. At the word, every man moved forward under a withering fire, and hurled the enemy's lines back one upon another, for the distance of one- fourth of a mile, and held the position till the line in rear had time to reform. Being here exposed to a terrible musketry fire from the front and both flanks, it was or- dered to fall back, which movement it executed without confusion." In the battles of the Wilderness, the Regi- ment lost about 150 men, among whom were two brave Lee lads, George Phinney and George W. Coope.
In the several engagements near Spottsylvania Court House, the 37th bore itself with the same gallantry. In the Adjutant-General's report for 1865, we find the fol- lowing account of the "Battle of the Angle," fought on the 12th of May, in which the 37th supported an attack made by the 2d Corps. "The enemy was completely surprised, and their works successfully carried. Then ensued a hand-to-hand struggle for their possession. The enemy in our immediate front, occupied one side of the captured works and we the other, each party keeping up a continuous fire on the parapet. Thus we fought from sunrise till midnight, when the enemy relinquished the field."
In this engagement, Capt. Pease and Lieut. A. C. Sparks, both of this town, were wounded, the former fa- tally. At Coal Harbor, Petersburg and Winchester, the 37th did the country service and itself honor.
From January to April, 1865, the Regiment was in camp engaged in the usual routine of guard and picket. February 5-7, it was held in reserve in the engagements at Hatcher's Run and Dabney's Mills. March 25, six
23
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companies were deployed as skirmishers at the capture of Fort Stedman. April 1, in the assault on Petersburg, the skirmish line was composed entirely of men detailed from the Regiment, which occupied the front line of battle in the brigade. The Rebels fired their last volley as the colors of the Regiment, first in the division, were borne by the gallant troops over the Rebel works. Sev- enty miles advance was made in the marching and coun- termarching of the next four days. On the morning of the 6th, after marching 25 miles, eight miles on the double quick, rushing across Saylor's Creek, with water up to the arm-pits, the Regiment dislodged the enemy from the opposite bank, and drove them over the crest of the hill. But the regiment on the right gave way; the brigade on the left failed to advance. The Rebels massed to the attack in heavy columns, but the fire from the Spencer rifles was so terrific, that they threw down their guns, held up their hands, and implored a cessation of the battle. Yet on the flank of the Regiment, there were many instances of hand-to-hand conflict and great per- sonal bravery. Captain Hopkins commanded the Regi- ment in the engagements of the 2d and 6th of April, and was twice breveted for his gallantry in battle. After the battle of Saylor's Creek, the Regiment followed the track of Lee's Army until its surrender on the 9th near Appo- mattox Court House. April 13, the Regiment returned to Burkesville and rested a few days. April 23, ordered to Danville, made the march of 100 miles in four days. May 3, left Danville for Wilson's Station, a few miles below Petersburg, and there guarded the railroad. May 18, started on the homeward march, were reviewed in Richmond May 24, reached Washington June 2, partici- pated in the Grand Army Review June 15, left for Mas- sachusetts June 22, and were discharged at Readville July 1.
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The 37th Regiment received a most gratifying ovation when they returned home, 300 out of 975. In the cam- paign of the Wilderness, the Regiment charged alone on Longstreet's Corps, losing 100 men in 15 minutes, but cutting the Rebel Corps in two. It is said that at Spott- sylvania, each man fired 400 rounds of ammunition; and in the War Department at Washington is shown the stump of a tree, cut in two by their bullets. At Win- chester, they captured the flag of the 1st Virginia, the old battalion of "Stonewall " Jackson.
THE 49TH REGIMENT,
Under the command of Capt. W. F. Bartlett, of 20th Mass. Reg., who had lost a leg before Yorktown, the 49th Regiment of Mass. Vols. for Nine Months, was mustered at Camp Briggs, Pittsfield. They were after a time re- moved to Worcester where Capt. Bartlett was commis- sioned as Colonel, S. B. Sumner of Great Barrington as Lieut. Col .; C. T. Plunkett, Major. This Regiment was mainly composed of Berkshire men, and was recruited in the Summer and Fall of 1862, the recruits from Lee and vicinity generally joining Companies F. and H.
1862, September 27, at Camp Briggs, Company H. made choice of officers as follows, viz .: Capt., A. V. Shannon of Lee; Ist Lieut., B. C. Deming of Sandisfield; 2d Lieut., DeWitt S. Smith of Lee ; the whole number of votes cast being 74. Company F., in which many from Lee served, was commanded by Capt. B. A. Morey of Lee. The Regiment was sent first to New York City, and kept for several weeks doing provost guard duty. Their bar- racks were at " Camp N. P. Banks," Long Island, near the Union Course. So excellent was the discipline, so relia- ble the men, that the department commander made strenuous efforts to retain them at New York for their whole term of service. But in 1863, January 24, they
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